User-preference-based DSL system

• US 9,178,777 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2015
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Assia Spe LLC
• Original Assignee: Adaptive Spectrum and Signal Alignment, Incorporated
• Inventors: Rhee, Wonjong, Cioffi, John M., Ginis, Georgios, Silverman, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thai
• Application Number:
  US14/630,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20150172138A1
• Time in Patent Office: 252 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/142 using statistical or mathematical methods
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/18 Delegation of network management function, e.g. customer network management [CNM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/304 and using xDSL modems xDSL line qualification H04M3/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface

Abstract

Methods, apparatus and computer program products allow a user of DSL or the like to implement user preferences to the extent feasible in light of operational limits and conditions. In some embodiments, an operational profile is imposed on the user. User preference data is evaluated to determine the extent to which one or more user preferences can be implemented in light of the operational profile. One or more controllers can assist in collecting user preference data, evaluating the user preference data, operational data and other data and information, and implementing user preferences as feasible. Evaluation of the user preference data and operational profile and/or data can include considering the compatibility of the user'"'"'s preferences and the operational profile and/or data. Controllers assisting users can include a local controller at the user'"'"'s location, one or more upstream-end local controllers, one or more remote location controllers, and/or one or more other downstream-end device controllers at locations other than the user'"'"'s location. Data and information can be shared among the various controllers, either using the DSL system itself or using a proprietary or other alternative data system.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a non-operator controller being part of, and local to, an independent entity, the independent entity being distinct from a DSL operator and coupled with a DSL communication system of the DSL operator the non-operator controller comprising;

one or more processors and memory to execute instructions for the non-operator controller;

a preference based control unit having therein a collecting unit and an analyzing unit to operate in accordance with the instructions of the non-operator controller, wherein the preference based control unit is to;

(i) collect operational data for a user'"'"'s line using the collecting unit,

(ii) collect user preference data for a user of the user'"'"'s line using the collecting unit, and

(iii) analyze the collected operational data and the collected user preference data using the analyzing unit to determine the extent to which one or more user preferences reflected in the collected user preference data can be implemented in light of the collected operational data; and

a signal generating unit coupled with the analysis means to generate and send instruction signals to the user'"'"'s modem or other components of the user'"'"'s link to the DSL communication system to implement the one or more of the user'"'"'s preferences on the user'"'"'s line in accordance with the instructions of the non-operator controller.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-operator controller is one of:

part of the user'"'"'s equipment, for example a modem;

or

a completely independent entity which is not located in a central office (CO) or a telco having control of the DSL communication system.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein an operational space that defines how users can use the DSL system is defined by the DSL operator and wherein the operational space is imposed on the non-operator controller.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the non-operator controller is further configured to collect and analyze information and/or data from the DSL system to construct a model or profile of the operational space and wherein the constructed operational profile is used as a reference in evaluating the collected user preference data.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-operator controller is part of a service suite offered to users by subscription or via the purchase of user equipment compliant with the controller'"'"'s services.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the preference based control unit is further configured to:

determine a set of clusters corresponding to distinct user preferences;

assign the user to a first cluster based on the collected operational data; and

generate the user preference data based on the assignment of the user to the first cluster.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the preference based control unit is further configured to:

restrict a set of allowed values in compliance with operational limits of the DSL operator after accounting for the user preference data; and

select a value of the configurable operational parameters from the restricted set of allowed values such that the DSL communication system achieves a target performance level via implementation of the user'"'"'s preferences within the operational limits of the DSL operator.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-operator controller is coupled to and/or controlling DSL lines of multiple users.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s link to the DSL communication system can pass information and controls to be implemented completely outside the influence of the DSL operator.

10. A method comprising:

operating a non-operator controller that is part of, and local to, an independent entity, wherein the independent entity is distinct from a DSL operator and coupled with a DSL communication system of the DSL operator;

wherein operating the non-operator controller includes;

(i) collecting operational data for a user'"'"'s line using a collecting unit of the non-operator controller;

(ii) collecting user preference data for a user of the user'"'"'s line using the collecting unit;

(iii) analyzing the collected operational data and the collected user preference data using an analyzing unit to determine the extent to which one or more user preferences reflected in the collected user preference data can be implemented in light of the collected operational data; and

generating and sending instruction signals to the user'"'"'s modem or other components of the user'"'"'s link to the DSL communication system to implement the one or more of the user'"'"'s preferences on the user'"'"'s line.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein an operational space that defines how users can use the DSL system is defined by the DSL operator and further comprising:

imposing the operational space on the non-operator controller.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

collecting and analyzing information and/or data from the DSL system to construct a model or profile of the operational space; and

using the constructed operational profile as a reference in evaluating the collected user preference data.

13. The method claim 10, further comprising:

determining a set of clusters corresponding to distinct user preferences;

assigning the user to a first cluster based on the collected operational data; and

generating the user preference data based on the assignment of the user to the first cluster.

14. The method claim 10, further comprising:

restricting a set of allowed values in compliance with operational limits of the DSL operator after accounting for the user preference data; and

selecting a value of the configurable operational parameters from the restricted set of allowed values such that the DSL communication system achieves a target performance level via implementation of the user'"'"'s preferences within the operational limits of the DSL operator.

15. The method claim 10, further comprising:

passing information and controls to be implemented completely outside the influence of the DSL operator over the user'"'"'s link to the DSL communication system.

16. Non-transitory computer readable storage media having instructions stored thereupon that, when executed by a processor, the instructions cause the processor to perform operations including:

operating a non-operator controller that is part of, and local to, an independent entity, wherein the independent entity is distinct from a DSL operator and coupled with a DSL communication system of the DSL operator;

wherein operating the non-operator controller includes;

(i) collecting operational data for a user'"'"'s line using a collecting unit of the non-operator controller;

(ii) collecting user preference data for a user of the user'"'"'s line using the collecting unit;

(iii) analyzing the collected operational data and the collected user preference data using an analyzing unit to determine the extent to which one or more user preferences reflected in the collected user preference data can be implemented in light of the collected operational data; and

generating and sending instruction signals to the user'"'"'s modem or other components of the user'"'"'s link to the DSL communication system to implement the one or more of the user'"'"'s preferences on the user'"'"'s line.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage media of claim 16, wherein an operational space that defines how users can use the DSL system is defined by the DSL operator and further comprising imposing the operational space on the non-operator controller.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage media of claim 17, further comprising:

collecting and analyzing information and/or data from the DSL system to construct a model or profile of the operational space; and

using the constructed operational profile as a reference in evaluating the collected user preference data.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage media of claim 16, further comprising:

determining a set of clusters corresponding to distinct user preferences;

assigning the user to a first cluster based on the collected operational data; and

generating the user preference data based on the assignment of the user to the first cluster.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage media of claim 16, further comprising:

restricting a set of allowed values in compliance with operational limits of the DSL operator after accounting for the user preference data; and

selecting a value of the configurable operational parameters from the restricted set of allowed values such that the DSL communication system achieves a target performance level via implementation of the user'"'"'s preferences within the operational limits of the DSL operator.