Methods, computer program products, and apparatus for providing broadband television service

Methods, computer program products and apparatus for providing broadband television service (BTS) are provided. The method includes receiving a channel selection at a receiver located at a service location. The channel selection is correlated to an Internet address. Data is requested from the Internet address. The request is made to a digital subscriber line (DSL) network via a modem. Video data packets containing live streaming video content are received from the Internet address in response to the requesting. The video data packets are received from the DSL network via the modem. The video data packets are assembled into video signals for display on a television and the video signals are transmitted to the television.

BACKGROUND

Exemplary embodiments relate generally to digital television, and more particularly to providing broadband television services (BTS).

Internet protocol television (IPTV) service is a digital television delivery service, where the digital television signal is delivered to users via a computer network infrastructure using the Internet Protocol. Typically, IPTV services are bundled with additional Internet services, such as Internet web access and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). Subscribers and users of subscriber devices receive IPTV services via a set top box, or IPTV receiver that is connected to or incorporated in the same device as a television or display device for the reception of a digital signal. Used in conjunction with an IP-based platform, the set top box allows for a subscriber or other user to access IPTV services and any additional services that are integrated within the IPTV service.

Typically, additional network hardware (e.g., video ready access devices or “VRADS”) must be installed to support IPTV. This additional hardware is often costly and manpower is required to perform the installations. Further, having to install additional hardware may impact the ability of an IPTV service provider to quickly gain entry into the IPTV marketplace and to keep up with the demand for IPTV services. In order to alleviate these cost and timing issues, it would be advantageous to be able to provide IPTV services by utilizing existing network infrastructures.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments include a method for providing broadband television service (BTS). The method includes receiving a channel selection at a receiver located at a service location. The channel selection is correlated to an Internet address. Data is requested from the Internet address. The request is made to a digital subscriber line (DSL) network via a modem. Video data packets containing live streaming video content are received from the Internet address in response to the requesting. The video data packets are received from the DSL network via the modem. The video data packets are assembled into video signals for display on a television and the video signals are transmitted to the television.

Additional exemplary embodiments include a system for providing BTS. The system includes a modem in communication with a DSL network and a receiver. The receiver includes a channel selection interface for receiving a channel selection at the receiver. The receiver is located at a service location. The receiver also includes a channel selection correlator for correlating the channel selection to an Internet address. A data requestor in the receiver requests data from the Internet address. The requesting is to the DSL network via the modem. The receiver also includes a data receiver for receiving video data packets containing live streaming video content from the Internet address in response to the requesting. The video data packets are received from the DSL network via the modem. The receiver further includes computer instructions for assembling the video data packets into video signals for display on a television at the service location, and for transmitting the video signals to the television.

Further, exemplary embodiments include a computer program product, tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium, for providing BTS. The computer program product has instructions for causing a computer to execute a method, which includes receiving a channel selection at a receiver located at a service location. The channel selection is correlated to an Internet address. Data is requested from the Internet address. The request is made to a digital subscriber line (DSL) network via a modem. Video data packets containing live streaming video content are received from the Internet address in response to the requesting. The video data packets are received from the DSL network via the modem. The video data packets are assembled into video signals for display on a television and the video signals are transmitted to the television.

The detailed description explains the exemplary embodiments, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments provide the ability to implement broadband television service (BTS) by utilizing an existing broadband service. Internet addresses containing streaming live video content are accessed and the contents are displayed on a television. Each of the Internet addresses to be accessed is correlated to a channel on the television. When the television viewer changes the channel a different Internet address containing streaming live video is accessed and displayed on the television. In this manner, a single service provider may provide broadband Internet service, BTS and telephone service to a service location via an existing DSL network.

FIG. 1illustrates a block diagram of a system for providing telephone service, Internet service and television service at a service location108(e.g., a home). As depicted inFIG. 1, each of these services is being provided by a different service provider. A telephone116is in communication with a telephone service provider102via a phone line or other means. A computer112is connected to a modem114, and the modem is in communication with an Internet service provider (ISP)104in a wired or wireless manner. Television service is being provided by connecting a television110(e.g., via a cable or satellite dish) to a television service provider106. The scenario depicted inFIG. 1requires multiple hardware devices and connections at the service location108, as well as interaction with multiple service providers.

FIG. 2illustrates a block diagram of a system for providing combined broadband Internet and telephone services, and a cable television connection at a service location214. As depicted inFIG. 2, telephone and Internet service is being provided by a telephone service provider206. A digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM)208is in communication with a telephone116and a modem210via a digital subscriber line (DSL). The modem210is connected to the computer112for providing Internet service to the computer112. In an exemplary embodiment, the modem210is an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) modem. The network device at the DSLAM208allows telephone lines to make faster communications to the Internet and is typically utilized to connect multiple customer DSLs to a high-speed Internet204backbone. The DSLAM208also provides communication to the telephone service provider206that provides access to a telephone network212. As depicted inFIG. 2, television service is being provided by a cable television provider202in communication with the television110at the service location214. The scenario depicted inFIG. 2requires the service location214to interface with two service providers.

FIG. 3illustrates a block diagram of a system for providing combined broadband Internet and cable television services, and a stand-alone telephone service at a service location304. As depicted inFIG. 3, Internet service and television service is being provided by a cable television provider302, and telephone service is being provided by a telephone service provider306. The telephone service provider306is in communication with a telephone network308for routing telephone calls from the telephone116at the service location304. The service location304also includes a modem302for communicating between the computer112and the cable television provider302. The scenario depicted inFIG. 3requires the service location304to interface with two service providers. Further, although not shown in the figure, additional hardware is typically required to implement the configuration shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 4illustrates a block diagram of a system that is similar to the system depicted inFIG. 2, except that the television service is being provided by a satellite provider406. As depicted inFIG. 4, satellite television service is being received by a satellite receiver402in communication with a television, such as the television110, at a service location408. The satellite receiver402is in communication with a satellite dish404, which in turn is in communication with the satellite provider406to provide the satellite service. The scenario depicted inFIG. 4requires the service location408to interface with two service providers.

FIG. 5illustrates a block diagram of a system that provides broadband Internet service, IPTV service and telephone service to a service location506from a single telephone service provider514. The telephone116, a modem502(connected to the computer112) and an IPTV receiver509(connected to the television110) are in communication with a signal splitter508. In an exemplary embodiment, the modem502is an ADSL modem. The IPTV receiver509receives IP video packets and assembles them into video signals that can be displayed on the television110. The signal splitter508depicted inFIG. 5is in communication with a DSLAM510(e.g., via a copper twisted pair) for providing access to a telephone network516via the telephone service provider514. The telephone signals are typically passed through the DSLAM510to the telephone service provider514.

The DSLAM510inFIG. 5is also in communication with the Internet204(e.g., via an internet service provider or “ISP”) and a video ready access device (VRAD)512. The VRAD512is utilized to provide IPTV services to the service location506. A drawback to the scenario depicted inFIG. 5is that it requires a relatively costly VRAD device to be installed within a specified distance of the service location506. Another drawback is that it requires the use of the signal splitter508at the service location506to direct the signals to the correct device (telephone116, computer112or IPTV receiver509).

FIG. 6illustrates a system for providing BTS using a DSL network, this system may be implemented by exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term “DSL network” refers to a network that does not include a VRAD. The system depicted inFIG. 6provides BTS by utilizing an existing broadband service, thus eliminating the need for a VRAD. The system depicted inFIG. 6provides broadband Internet service, BTS service and telephone service to a service location602from a single telephone service provider606via a DSLAM604. The components located at the service location602include the telephone116, modem618(connected to the computer112) and a BTS receiver616(connected to the television110). The connection between the modem618and the DSLAM604may be via a copper twisted pair, via fiber where available, or via any other type of physical connection. The system depicted inFIG. 6allows for a single service provider, the telephone service provider606, to provide all telephone, television and Internet services via a single connection to a DSLAM604.

In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 6, the modem618is the same DSL modem210described previously with respect toFIG. 2. The BTS receiver616is modified to accept streaming video for conversion into a format utilized by the television110. In addition, the BTS receiver616communicates to the existing DSL modem618and it may also provide other functionality as described herein.

The DSLAM604depicted inFIG. 6allows the telephone116to communicate with the telephone service provider606and with a telephone network608. In addition, the DSLAM604provides a connection from the computer112to the Internet204via an ISP network610. Thus, the configuration of the hardware related to the telephone and Internet services at the service location602depicted inFIG. 6is similar to the configuration depicted inFIG. 2.

The links depicted inFIG. 6to provide BTS services include: the television110, the BTS receiver616, the modem618, and the DSLAM604which communicates with the internet service provider (ISP) network610to provide secure access to the Internet addresses (for both local television networks612and other television networks). In this manner both national and local television networks may be provided to the service location602via exemplary embodiments. The ISP network610is in communication with one or more Internet addresses614that provide live streaming video. One Internet address may contain a national sports network broadcast, another a movie network broadcast, and another local a news network broadcast.

The BTS receiver616is initialized (e.g., at a factory or at a customer site) to correlate particular Internet addresses614with particular channel selections on the television110. For example, channel 5 on the television may correspond to the Internet address for a national news network and channel 6 may correspond to the Internet address for a local sports channel. When the television viewer selects channel 5, IP video packets containing streaming video of the current broadcast from the corresponding Internet address will be sent to the BTS receiver616for assembly into video signals that can be displayed on the television110. Thus, whatever is currently playing on the channel will be sent to the BTS receiver616. Exemplary embodiments allow BTS to simulate the current method of television broadcast, where signals for a channel are being sent continuously over the airwaves and when the television is tuned into the channel the television plays whatever is currently being broadcasted over the airwaves for that channel.

The BTS receiver616may be initialized at the factory to correlate particular Internet addresses to particular television channels. In exemplary embodiments, portions or all of the initialization may be changed at the service location by a service technician or remotely via the Internet. Any number of Internet addresses may contain streaming video and be correlated to particular television channels. In alternate exemplary embodiments, the Internet address contains streaming video from a closed circuit television to provide, for example, security monitoring. In other alternate embodiments, the television110may be utilized as a computer to access the Internet204.

In exemplary embodiments video compression techniques and compression/decompression (CODEC) algorithms for reducing and/or eliminating lag and re-buffering on slower speed broadband services are utilized. In exemplary embodiments security is provided to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the streaming video at the Internet addresses.

The BTS receiver616inFIG. 6may be utilized for service locations that already have a connection to a DSLAM, such as the DSLAM604, and a modem, such as the modem618, for communicating with the Internet204. This allows ease of upgrade to existing customers because the new functionality is located in the BTS receiver616which is connected to the existing modem618.

FIG. 7depicts a configuration of local networks612that may be implemented by exemplary embodiments. In general, a different list of local networks is provided depending on the geographic location of the service location. As depicted inFIG. 7, the list of local television networks for Birmingham, Ala.702include channels 33/40, 6, 42, etc., while the list of local networks for Huntsville, Ala.704include channels 31, 19, 48, 54, etc. Thus, in this example, a service location in Birmingham, Ala. will receive a different set of local network stations than a service location in Huntsville, Ala. In exemplary embodiments, the set of local networks is fixed based on the geographic location of the service location. In alternate exemplary embodiments, a customer at a service location may select one or more groupings of local networks and be provided local news from a geographic location that is different than the service location.

FIG. 8illustrates a system for providing BTS that may be implemented by exemplary embodiments. The system depicted inFIG. 8is similar to the system depicted inFIG. 6except that the modem and BTS receiver are combined into a single combination modem/BTS receiver device804. In this embodiment, the modem618and the BTS receiver616inFIG. 6are combined into a single unit, the combination modem/BTS receiver device804. This combination modem/BTS receiver device804may be implemented in new installations and provides at least the same functionality that was provided by the separate modem and BTS receiver.

FIG. 9is a block diagram of the combination modem/BTS receiver device804that may be implemented by exemplary embodiments. The device804performs multiple functions and utilizes multiple plug-in modules. In general, according to exemplary embodiments, the modules operate independently and a module can be replaced or repaired while other modules continue to function. This will lead to ease of repair and minimize down time of the system. The example device804depicted inFIG. 9includes an ADSL modem unit902, a wireless broadband unit904, an audiovisual component rack906, an Ethernet bridge908, a firmware drive910, a digital video recorder (DVR) unit912, a BTS receiver914and space for other possible units916. This is just one example of how the plug-in modules could be arranged; other arrangements and combinations of units may be implemented by exemplary embodiments.

In exemplary embodiments, the device804is capable of interfacing with a broadband service via the ADSL modem unit902and providing Internet and television services to the respective televisions, computers and/or other devices that would utilize broadband. In addition, exemplary embodiments of the device804may be utilized to provide wireless broadband access via the wireless broadband unit904. The device804depicted inFIG. 9also includes the DVR unit912for recording, pausing, etc., television shows and movies. Exemplary embodiments of the device804include a method for connecting to a computer for the purpose of additional storage of recorded television shows and movies, as well as for the purpose of using the television screen as a monitor. Additional exemplary embodiments include software/firmware for surfing the Internet using a remote control. In exemplary embodiments, this software/firmware is updated using automatic updates to the device804. Exemplary embodiments also support wireless keyboards for use as interface devices. Other exemplary embodiments include multiple Ethernet ports for connecting multiple computers.

Exemplary embodiments of the device804are engineered for use as a combination ADSL modem, BTS receiver and router. Exemplary embodiments of the device804have the capacity to be connected to an external ADSL modem that will bypass the internal ADSL modem yet still maintain complete functionality of other capacities of the device. In this manner, the device804may be installed at existing locations and interface to an existing modem. Exemplary embodiments of the device804utilize compartmentalized unit controllers for each separate function controller that the device804employs for the purpose(s) of changing each individual defective unit rather than having to replace the entire unit for a single unit controller failure. Exemplary embodiments reserve a number of channels utilizing user programmability (e.g., programming an IP address for a closed circuit television (CCTV) security system or surveillance system to a channel on the user receiver). In additional exemplary embodiments, the device804supports remote login via a static IP/voice protocol network (VPN) type connection for various programming and/or remote viewing purposes (e.g., viewing the user CCTV channel from another location, viewing user subscribed programming from another location, e.g., viewing files/folders/other data from a user computer. Additional exemplary embodiments utilize universal serial bus (USB) for various connection and/or backup, storage, and programmability.

Referring toFIG. 9, exemplary embodiments of the BTS receiver914include a channel selection interface for receiving a channel selection from a television viewer (e.g., via a remote controller device). In addition, the BTS receiver914includes a channel selection correlator for correlating the channel selection to an Internet address. In exemplary embodiments this is performed by keeping a list of channels numbers and corresponding Internet addresses and accessing this list to perform the correlation. The BTS receiver914also includes a data requester for requesting data from the Internet address via the DSL modem. In exemplary embodiments, this is performed by transmitting a request (e.g., via a transmitter) to the modem. An additional component of the BTS receiver914is a data receiver for receiving video data packets containing live streaming video content from the Internet address in response to the requesting. In exemplary embodiments this is performed by a receiver. The BTS receiver914also includes computer instructions (hardware and/or software) for assembling the video data packets into video signals for display on a television at the service location, and for transmitting the video signals to the television.

In exemplary embodiments, the device804includes all of the components depicted inFIG. 9. All or a subset of the components depicted inFIG. 9may be utilized at a service location depending on the current configuration (hardware and/or software) and to the services provided at the service location. In this manner, new hardware is not required every time an upgrade is requested. For example, the device804may be utilized as a combination ADSL modem and router. Alternatively, it may be utilized as a secondary router. Another option is for the device804to be utilized as a BTS receiver and a secondary router that works off of an existing ADSL modem. Any combination of components in the device804may be utilized at a service location. Enabling and disabling particular components may be performed by software located in the device804.

FIG. 10is a process flow for providing BTS that may be implemented by exemplary embodiments. In exemplary embodiments, the process flow depicted inFIG. 10is implemented by software and/or hardware located in the BTS receiver914. At block1002a channel selection is received at the BTS receiver616. At block1004, the channel number of the channel selection is correlated (by the BTS receiver616) to an Internet address, and at block1006data is requested (by the BTS receiver616) from the Internet address. Referring to the system inFIG. 6, in exemplary embodiments, the request travels from the BTS receiver616to the modem618, to the DSLAM604, and then to the ISP network610which services the request (e.g., including checking that the requester has authority to access the data). At block1008, video packets containing live streaming video content are received from the Internet address. Referring to the system inFIG. 6, in exemplary embodiments, the content travels from the Internet address614, to the ISP network610, to the DSLAM604, to the modem618, and then to the BTS receiver616.

Referring toFIG. 10, at block1010, the BTS receiver616assembles the received video packets into video signals that can be displayed on the television. At block1012, the video signals are transmitted to the television. Blocks1006-1012are performed until the channel is deselected (e.g. power off, new channel selected).

As described above, exemplary embodiments can be in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. Exemplary embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the exemplary embodiments. Exemplary embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into an executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the exemplary embodiments. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular exemplary embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.