A VIDEO-ON-DEMAND SYSTEM

Abstract: A PABX (1) controlled Video-on-Demand system in which the ouput data information from the call logging, computer/telephony integration port or data port (1a) of a PABX (1) telephone system is used to control the delivery of video information direct to the display monitors (5) of the PABX (1) extension requesting controlled video information.

Description: A Video-on-Demand System This invention relates to a new method of controlling a Video-on-Demand server using a private automatic branch exchange (PABX) telephone switching system. Telephone systems and Video-on-Demand servers are known technology and not described in depth in this application. A PABX telephone system is an electronic system for switching internal and external telephone calls around a private company network. A Video-on-Demand server is a device for storing video and audio in digital form and streaming out that video as playback video simultaneously to a number of different outputs connected to the server. Such playback streams are independent streams of video information even though they originate from the same digital source on the P.C. The streams are usually in digital form but may be converted to analogue video and audio by means of other devices. It is already known to combine telephone systems with a video facility. For example GB 2,212,697 discloses a PABX with a teletext facihty in which the PABX includes a video receiver for receiving broadcast television signals, a decoder for decoding teletext signals present in the television signals and control means for transmitting teletext information through the PABX to one or more display terminals connected to the PABX. This arrangement delivers the teletext information by means of an internal data highway within the PABX. It is also already known from GB 2,253, 120 to construct a linked video telephone system by utilizing a video matrix switch which includes a means of collecting and processing information from the call logging or data channel of a PABX whereby to cause selective connection between cameras and monitors connected thereto. Up to now video on demand services have required completely separate control systems even in locations such as hotels where a PABX already exists. This invention makes a new approach to system design by connecting the control port of a Video-on-Demand server to the call logging, computer/telephony integration port or data port of a PABX telephone system. This invention does not care whether the video and audio distribution is analogue or digital as it does not form part of the inventiveness and of this patent application. The new use of the data information presented out of the call logging, Computer/Telephony integration port or data port of the PABX system enables a telephone user on a PABX to dial a film number and that number would be passed to the Video-on-Demand server. The Video-on-Demand server would then commence to distribute a film or still image to the momtor situated in the location of the telephone extension user who requested the film. Further control numbers can be dialled by the PABX extension user, which would be passed to the Video-on-Demand server as Stop, Fast Forward, Pause and similar control commands as well as personal identification number, account number and a confirm indication. The invention is now described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a schematic of the system architecture. As shown in the drawing, a PABX (1) is connected to a Video-on-Demand server (2) by means of the call logging, computer/telephony integration or data control port (la) ofthe PABX. A plurality of telephone handsets 3 are connected to the PABX. As shown, the connection between the PABX (1) and the server (2) is via a separate command and control device (4) but it will be apparent that the functions ofthe device (4) could alternatively be carried out within the server (2) itself. A plurality of display devices (5) are connected to individual outputs ofthe server (2), each display device being associated with a telephone handset (3). Alternatively, or in addition, it is possible for computer equipment (6) to include the function of a telephone handset and a display device. In other words, the video display units (5) are device independent and can be digital video/audio decoder cards inside a P.C, or they can be T.V's or other P.C analogue video display devices and the devices represented in the drawing are shown only for example. These display units (5) are connected to individual outputs of the Video-on- Demand Server (2) via a video/audio distribution system or direct digital connections (7). In use. when an extension dials a number, data information is transmitted via the call logging, Computer /Telephony integration port or a data control port (la) of the telephone system (1) and the data contains the number of the calling extension and a second number which is identified by the command and control software (4) as a video program e.g. a film or clip number. The command and control software (4) acquires data from the call logging or Computer/Telephony integration port or data port ofthe telephone system (1). Video information is stored on the server (2) and accessed and controlled either by sending in a control command to the control data port (2a) on the Video- on-Demand Server from a computer which collects and actions the PABX data or by situating both the PABX Data Acquisition software and the VOD software in the server. The command and control software (4) identifies which video stream connection (7) is relevant to that extension user (5) and instructs the Video-on- Demand server (2) to stream out the playback video and audio direct to the individual display monitor of the telephone extension (5) who made the request by dialling a file number. For the sake of clarity the originating telephone extension (5) need to be only a telephone handset, but could be a computer extension on the PABX switching system (6). The call status information generated on the call logging, Computer/Telephony integration port or data channel ofthe PABX is thus used to control a Video-on-Demand server and to deliver a video output to the user who dials a film number. Depending upon the command and control software (4) a telephone extension can be held to cause a number of commands during which may be fast forward, stop, pause, rewind, confirm, personal identification number, and account number.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A method for controlling a Video-on-Demand server (2) comprising connecting the Video-on-Demand server (2) to a private automatic branch exchange (PABX) (1) via the call logging, Computer/Telephony integration, or data port (la) ofthe PABX telephone system (la), and using commands from a PABX extension (3) so that the server supplies video information to a display device (5) associated with that extension. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein a command contains two or more numbers, one of which is associated with the calling extension, and another of which identifies the video requested by the user of that extension. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a command contains two or more numbers, one of which is associated with the calling extension, and another of which manipulates the output of the Video-on-Demand server with a command selected from fast forward, stop, pause, rewind, confirm, personal identification number, account number. 4. Apparatus for providing a Video-on-Demand comprising a private automatic branch exchange (PABX) (1), the call logging, computer/telephony interface or data port (la) of which is connected to a Video-on-Demand server (2).

Inventors: MECHAN TERENCE JOHN EDWARD, MECHAN, TERENCE, JOHN, EDWARD
Applicants: MECHAN TERENCE JOHN EDWARD, MICROVITEC PLC, MECHAN, TERENCE, JOHN, EDWARD
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H04N7
IPC codes: H04Q3