Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer session/connection establishing – Network resources access controlling
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-16
2001-01-09
Geckil, Mehmet B. (Department: 2756)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer session/connection establishing
Network resources access controlling
C709S220000, C709S250000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173326
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a system for controlling access to an information transmission network, and more particularly concerns a system for a plurality of end-users within a broadband
arrowband transmission network to access specific services provided by such an information provision and reception network. Such a system further provides information which allows and describes such access.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Existing one-way network systems are rapidly being retrofitted with two-way capability in response to accelerating technological advances in the field of broadband and/or narrowband information services transmission networking. Such networks are hereinafter referred to as “networks”, “broadband
arrowband”, or “information networks”. In addition, new network systems are being installed initially with two-way capability. These and similar systems provide downstream service by carrying programming signals from a network control and/or programming center(s), hereinafter “center” or “control center”, to a desired end-user. Such signals include bandwidths that range from approximately 50 megahertz to the upper end of the transmission spectrum, depending upon the media type used. Upstream signals transmitted from the end-user to the center are typically transmitted over the existing telephone network. Similarly, upstream signals that are transmitted over the network and frequency allocation plans currently in use by cable television operators typically use some or all of the frequency range of 5 to 42 megahertz.
FIG. 1
shows a block diagram depiction of a representative bi-directional cable television distribution system currently in use. A center
100
, also referred to as the “head-end” of any type information network, transmits signals onto communication links
110
. Links
110
feed the transmission to signal splitters
125
which feed a number of end-users
140
through drop lines
130
. End-users
140
are located at a “back-end” of such a network. Return signals from end-users
140
to center
100
are generally routed through existing telephone lines.
Video dial tone systems are also evolving in response to rapid technological advances. A video dial-tone system is a type of broadband
arrowband multi-media transmission network system where channels are leased by cable television operators and other information service providers. This type of system merely provides service signal transport and it is anticipated that current frequency allocations will apply. Virtual channels for encoded and/or compressed signals included in these systems will consequently provide a multiplicity of information rates and channel bandwidths.
FIG. 2
shows a block diagram depiction of a representative bi-directional video dial tone network. Such systems add levels of switching
200
and
210
to the broadband network and provide multi-media transmission similar to those systems as described previously. Video dial tone systems furthermore can switch a multiplicity of service providers between a multiplicity of channels.
Broadband
arrowband network communications existent on local, metropolitan, and wide area networks typically rely on communication protocols, such as Token Ring, Ethernet, or Fiber Distributed Digital Interface, to control communications to and from the end-user terminals connected to the network. The interface between the network and the end-user is a network interface module which provides the physical and electrical connection and the proper communication protocol. The use of the network is determined by requiring the end-user to start a session of use by connecting to the network over the public telephone/data network, or through dedicated circuits, and “signing-on”. The sign-on is often completed by entering a secured password. “Signing-off” is required at the completion of the session. The sign-on, password, and sign-off information and time are recorded and used to determine usage and other statistical information. No information, other than real time prompts, which facilitates the end-user's access is conveyed from the network controller to the end-user's equipment. Similarly, no information which is based on the end-user's unique selection of services is captured and retained locally within the network and transmitted to the network control center.
Attendant to each of these network systems is the need to provide the end-user with the ability to select from a plurality of services and/or information providers and to properly record those selections for use by the information services provider for customer verification, service billing, and other related purposes. The known manner of providing such a function, however, is industry dependent. By way of example, the cable television industry uses both a services “subscription” and a “pay-per-view” procedure for dissemination and costing the reception of its signals. Single cable systems supply all of the services in the broadband signal spectrum and are presented to the premises of the end-user in the form of a “basic” and a “Premium” service. Dual cable systems commonly provide the basic service on one cable and the premium service on a second cable. In both cases, however, the entire broadband spectrum is being transmitted continually to the end-user's premises.
In either single or dual cable systems, basic services are able to be viewed upon connection to the cable television network for the payment of a basic service charge. The premium services similarly are transmitted on conditioned signals which are not capable of being viewed without a cable television company provided set-top terminal having the capability of unlocking the inverse signal conditioning on the channel(s) carrying the service(s).
Subscription end-users generally pay for specific services on a monthly basis. The billing for this service is based exclusively upon a set of end-user's entries in a billing database at the center. Pay-per-view end-users further call into the center and order a distinct program for a specified time. This process causes an entry into the billing database for that end-user and the pay-per-view charge is entered on the next bill with the subscription charge. The network control center then unlocks the inverse signal conditioning circuits in the set-top terminal on the channel which will carry the conditioned signal. These reverse conditioned channels are then moved from the channel on which they reside in the broadband spectrum and applied to the input of the television set or video cassette recorder on one of a few specific channels, typically channels
3
or
4
, which is used to interface the set-top box with the end-user's video cassette recorder or television set.
There are many operational deficiencies with the known system configurations, primarily because of the limitation of currently available access technology. Specifically, the inverse signal conditioning function is available in a number of devices which are readily available in the underground electronics marketplace. The fact that every channel on the broadband spectrum is available at the customer's premises allows the use of such underground electronic devices for the theft of services.
Furthermore, the necessity of applying inverse signal conditioning on a service-by-service basis requires a single input and output port set-top terminal per unit of customer premises equipment if each unit is used to access a different service. Continuing with the cable television case as a consistent example, an end-user who desires to record one premium program while viewing a second premium program necessarily must have two set-top terminals; one for the video cassette recorder and another for the television. Cable service operators only provide one set-top box per end-user, even if more than one premium channel is subscribed. If a second set-top box is desired, the end-user must pay an additional installation charge and an additional monthly charge. Where multiple premium services are being subscr
Geckil Mehmet B.
Mirick O'Connell DeMallie and Lougee, LLP
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