SYSTEM AT TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

Abstract: The invention relates to a system at GSM which provides interactive control of broadband services. There are today systems which offer distributive services, for instance analog cable-TV, analog satellites and analog terrestrial TV-networks. A paradigm shift, however, has been initiated in connection with that digital transmissions have started, which make possible a more spectrum efficent transmission. This means, for instance, that a broadband service such as digital transmission of video channels can be developed by making it interactive. One solution can be to use the GSM-system. For example, services which require low capacity in uplink can utilize the SMS-function in GSM. At larger demand of bandwidth GSM's data services can be utilized, which however prevents calls when the telephone is used for interactive communication. The invention solves this problem by interactive traffic between the transmitting and receiving equipment being managed by an interactive centre (IC) which is arranged to execute wanted broadband service. IC in addition is in connection with a distributive centre (DC) for distribution of the broadband signals out on the telecommunications network.

Description: TTTI.E OF TIIF, INVENTION: SYSTEM AT TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a telecommunication network which provides interactive control of broadband services . PRIOR ART Today there are several systems which offer distributive services, for instance analog cable-TV networks, analog satellites and analog terrestrial TV- networks. A paradigm shift, however, has begun in connection with that digital transmissions have started. Digital transmissions make possible more spectrum efficient transmissions, and that a more individual or target group directed content can be transmittted in a cost efficient way. A leading organisation concerning digital transmission is DVB (Digital Video Broadcast; cooperation between ETSI, EBU and CENELEC) which has produced specifications for transmission of MPEG-2-encoded data via satellite, terrestrial, cable, radio below 10 GHz and radio over 10 GHz. Another organisation with similar aim and direction is DAVIC, the work of which also includes protocol for ATM- transport . A broadband service such as digital transmission of video channels can be developed by making it interactive. This means that the user can get access to functions such as selecting a film and wind or rewind the film. In addition to video-on-demand one may conceive other suitable interactive services, for instance training and shopping. Smallband interactivity is expected to be sufficient for a not unessential number of the users during a rather long time ahead. One also should mention the very popular use of "web- browsers" over Internet. This type of service even today is interactive, but with a growing need of bandwidth, above all for downlink, i.e. towards subscriber. Interactivity can be created in a number of different ways. The common, fixed telephone network, PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) , can be utilized, which however implies that the operator has access to this. A problem just is that a Swedish operator in most cases lacks the possibility Lo act as an operator abroad. I S Another problem with a PSTN-solution is that incoming and outgoing calls are prevented during the time when the line is used as an interactive channel, unless a separate line is not utilized. 2(1 One more problem with PSTN is that a changed paradigm for telephony can be observed, above all with the younger generation. It is expected to be more and more common that households do not acquire a fixed subscription but will be 25 satisfied with one or more mobile telephone subscriptions. The aim of the present invention consequently is to solve these problems. 30 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This above mentioned aim is achieved by a system at a telecommunications network which provides interactive control of broadband services, at which said telecommunications network is a cellular, wireless, 35 telecommunications network which is utilized as interactive control channel to said broadband services. The invention consequently solves the problem of creating a narrowband interactive channel at low cost without, for instance, existing copper line needing to be utilized. The invention is an advantageous solution for persons who only has a mobile telephone subscription. The invention also gives an operator possibility to offer interactivity at low cost abroad, either themselves or in cooperation with a GSM-operator . The services which are discussed will be utilized in the homes, where the main use is expected to be in the evenings and during holidays, i.e. during times when the GSM-network is not utilized at its full capacity, because of that the otherwise intensive use by companies then is limited. Services which require low capacity in uplink can make use of the SMS-function in GSM, which makes it possible to make or receive calls at the same time. At larger need of bandwidths, GSM ' s data services can be utilized, which however prevent incoming and outgoing calls when the telephone is used for interactive communication. Further advantages are that the invention makes mobility possible in the sense that a customer can ut ilize a SiM-card to approve of orders and perform commands at just any terminal connected to the system. The invention also makes possible a symmetric data channel if, for instance, a computer is connected to a seL- top box. Further embodiments and characterist ι_cs of the invention are given in the independent patent claims. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS In the following, detailed embodiments of the present invention are given with reference to the enclosed drawings, where Figure 1 is a diagrammatic survey of the system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a first embodiment of how a subscriber can achieve interactivity by means of the system in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a second embodiment of how a subscriber can achieve interactivity by means of the system in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a third embodiment of how a subscriber can achieve interactivity by means of the system in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows the system according to Figure 1 where a GSM-telephone handles the interactive communication, independent of an STB. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In the following, first a number of abbreviations which are used in the description will be explained. Then the invention will be described in principle with reference to Figure 1. Preferred embodiments according to the Figures 2-5 after that will be discussed. BSC Base Station Controller BTS Base Tranceiver Station CA Conditional Access CLIP Calling Line Identification Presentation DC Distributive Central GPRS General Packet Radio Service GSM Global System for Mobile Communications HSCSD High Speed Circuit-Switched Data MCS Mobile Switching Center PIN Personal Identification Number PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network IC Interactive Central SMS Short Message Service STB Set Top Box The cellular wireless communication network which is utilized in the embodiments especially relates to GSM. It should of course be realized that in principle just any cellular wireless communications system can be used. By GSM is meant in the embodiments digital cellular mobile telephone systems such as GSM, DCS-1800, PCS-1900, TS-95, PDC,D-AMPS and corresponding. Further are related to cellular short distance systems such as DECT, PHS and PACS. Future cellular third generation system such as UMTS, FPLMTS also are related to. By broadband service is meant a type of larger ID iniormation transmission to a user, for instance transmission of a video film. We regard a service as broadband when the transmission rate is 2 Mbit/s or higher. The broadband service can, as has been mcnt i oned bove", lot instance be distributed according to DVB ' s specifications 15 for satellite, cable etc, or corresponding DAVIC specifications. In the description below, the conception set-top-box (STB) is used. By this conception is related to a standalone equipment which at the user converts the incoming 20 broadband signal to a signal which is adapted to the TV, the computer etc. A broadband service such as digital transmission of video channels, in a simple and cheap way can be made interactive by utilizing the existing GSM-network. The 25 subscriber can achieve interactivity in three different ways : 1. Set-top-box with SIM-card reader and built-in radio equipment for GSM. This alternative is primarily aimed at subscribers who do not have access to a mobile 3o telephone (see Figure 2) . 2. Set-top-box without built-in radio equipment for GSM, but with connection for an external mobile telephone (see Figure 3, 4 ) . 3. Separate GSM-telephone which functions as a remote 35 control (see Figure 5) . The interactive traffic between STB or GSM-telephone and BTS passes via BSC, MSC and a network to an interactive centre IC, (see Figure 1) . IC communicates with a distributive central, DC, which provides broadband services, for instance video-on-demand etc. IC consequently receives interactive instructions from STB or mobile telephone, which instructions are recoded and transmitted to DC. DC then transmits broadband services corresponding to said instructions via networks to the STB as can be seen in Figure 1. In, for instance, Figure 2 is shown that the incoming broadband signal is received by the video decoder in t ho STB. The STB after that converts the broadband signal to a signal which can be received by for instance the TV. For transmission of interactive data in downlink to customer, both the broadband broadcast channel and GSM ' s downlink can be utilized. Selection can be made depending on type of data. For instance, DBV is at present producing protocols for data broadcast which makes possible for the set-top-box to find data information in the broadcast channel . By using the GSM-network as interactive channel for distributive services, the network is utilized at times in the 24 hour periods when the load normally is low. The need of an expensive extension or new built-up of an interactive network for broadband services can by that initially be reduced or avoided. If the GSM-subscription in this way is utilized, for instance, to order a film, the cost for this then can be debited the customer on the GSM-invoice. At shopping-on- demand, the customer in the same way can be debited via the mobile telephone invoice. This means that the SIM-card is utilized as a credit card. Another possibility is to connect the SIM-card to an ordinary credit card which the customer has. This means that the responsibility to transmit money is laid on the credit company at for instance shopping-on-demand. GSM also can be used as CA-system (Conditional Access) , because GSM supports encryption, authenticating and PIN (Personal Identification Number). In the embodiment in Figure 2, the set-top-box contains radio equipment for a GSM-termi al and a SIM-card reader. The SIM-card reader should be adapted so that both the large and small version of SIM-cards fit. The radio equipment in principle can be simplified because the STB is stationary, and parts such as channel t jiii I i/.er .Hid rli.im.el enrodor ι λ be excluded, HI ,ιl le,ι:;l be simplified. The communication between user and set-top-box is done by remote control or keyboard. The keyboard either can be directly connected to the set-top-box or connected via a computer . The customers who do not have a GSM mobile telephone subscription should be offered a subscription which is adapted to the interactive channel. As added value this SIM-card also should be possible to use for conventional mobile telephony. The users who already have a mobile telephone can utilize a set-top-box, which lacks radio equipment, and instead utilize the mobile telephone. The set-top-box then neither need to contain a SIM-card reader. The mobile telephone is connected to the set-top-box by means of a cable and possibly also a PC-card (see Figure 3) . Utilization of a standardized interface is desirable. This makes possible that only the cable need to be changed if the subscriber changes mobile telephone model. The communication between customer and set-top-box is executed by means of remote control or keyboard. The keyboard can either be directly connected to the set-top- box, or be connected via a computer. In an alternative embodiment of the invention an IR- based remote control is utilized to control TV, STB and GSM-telephone (see Figure 4). In this embodiment an TR- interface is connected or integrated to, or in, the GSM- telephone. The IR-based interface consequently can be used as connection between the GSM-telephone and STB. The invention includes that STB and GSM can communicate via IR directly or via remote control. The above construction implies a simplified connection of the GSM-telephone for the user. It should be noticed that the IR-technology which is included in the invention can be either: * directive (today's normal IR-technology, one has to "point" with the remote control), or * diffuse. The diffuse IR-technology will probably be of great importance in the future. Diffuse IR results in that the user need not point "in correct direction" because the IR-communication in this case is omnidirectional and utilizes reflections in walls and other objects in the close neighbourhood. In Figure 5 is shown a GSM-portable which is not connected to the set-top-box, but yet is utilized to effect an interactive channel. By transmitting a data sequence to the interactive centre (IC) via BTS etc. the user can control the broadband channel in downlink. This solution does not make possible the same automaticity but requires that the customer himself/herself attends to that correct sequence and number is dialled. No communication related to the interactive services is executed in this case between the mobile telephone and the set-top-box, but via the GSM-telephone and the IC. The user in this case acts as interface between the mobile telephone and for instance the TV-screen. The communication channels (carrier services) below are related to GSM. The corresponding carrier services can be utilized in the above mentioned system. Interactive channel via SMS A small amount of information can be transmitted as messages via SMS. In order to get a faster communication a separate SMS-SC can be created for the service. SMS-SC in this case is the interactive centre. Interactive channel via ordinary circuit switched connection A circuit switched connection should be used when higher capacity is required than the one at SMS. In present standard issue (phase 2) data services with a rate of max. 9,6 kbit/s are supported. Interactive channel via GPRS In the work with GSM phase 2+ the standardization of packet switched data transmission is going on to support an efficient transmission of traffic in bursts. GPRS is expected to support instantaneous data rates at up to about 100 kbit/s. The GPRS-standard is expected to be ready in 1998 with an expected introduction on the market one or two years later. Interactive channel via HSCSD In order to support circuit switched data services with higher data rate, there are in the phase 2+-work produced specifications which will support up to 64 kbit/s. The HSCSD-standard will be ready in 1997 with an expected introduction on the market one to two years later. The interactive centre, IC, can be located with the one who offers the distributive service. IC must be in connection with the distribution centre, DC, which can be physcially located together. CLIP can be used to identify calling party. As has previously been mentioned, the invention can be used to create an interactive channel to broadband services, for instance video-on-demand and high speed internet access. The invention in addition can be of great importance at markets where the operator does not in a simple way has at his/her disposal a fixed access network, PSTN. The invention also can be used as a complement for subscribers who are lacking a fixed subscription or do not want to utilize the fixed subscription. The invention consequently offers an extended field of application of GSM-telephones och GSM-systems, which may contribute to increasing revenues and that repayment of the big investments which are made in the GSM-system will be made faster. The coming extension of GSM in the 1800 Mllz- band (DCS1800), in addition probably will make possible exended fields of use for GSM thanks to the heavily increased capacity which is set free. The above mentioned is only to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the invention, and the extent of protection of the invention is only defined by what is indicated in the following patent claims.

Claims: PATENT CLAIMS 1. System at a telecommunications network which provides interactive control of just any broadband services, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said telecommunications network is a cellular, wireless telecommunications network arranged, in said system, to be utilized as interactive control channel to said just any broadband services. 2. System according to patent claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that interactive traffic corresponding to control traffic to just any broadband service is transmitted from a mobile terminal to a base station via said interactive control channel, which interactive traffic is transmitted to an interactive centre, IC, which is arranged to manage said interactive traffic and execute said just any broadband service. 3. System according to patent claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said IC is connected to a distributive centre, DC, at which said IC transmits instructions on basis of said interactive control traffic to said DC, which DC distributes said broadband service via a network to a converter which can cooperate with the mobile telephone. 4. System according to patent claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said DC utilizes DVB for transmission of said broadband service to said converter and that said mobile terminal is a GSM-terminal . 5. System according to patent claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said converter is an STB connected to said GSM-terminal and to video receiver, which video receiver decodes said broadband service and presents said service on a computer screen/TV-receiver. 6. System according to any of the patent claims 4, or 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that interactive traffic in uplink with low capacity utilizes the SMS-function in GSM. 7. System according to any of the patent claims 4, or 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, at larger need of bandwidth in uplink, said GSM-terminal utilizes GSM's data services . 8. System according to any of the patent claims 4-7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said base station includes MSC, BSC and BTS . 9. System according to any of the patent claims 5-8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said STB has a built-in radio equipment for GSM arranged for said interactive traffic and a SIM-card reader. 10. System according to patent claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the communication between user and STB is executed by means of a keyboard or a remote control . 11. System according to any of the patent claims 5-8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that an existing GSM-telephone can be directly connected to said STB, which telephone is connected to STB via a cable and a PC-card constituting interface between STB and said telephone, at which said telephone transmits said interactive control traffic to said base station. 12. System according to patent claim 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that IR-technology is utilized as interface between said GSM-telephone and said STB. 13. System according to any of the patent claims 5-8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a stand-alone GSM- telephone independent of said STV, transmits interactive control traffic to said base station, at which a user via said GSM-telephone controls said IC to control the broadband traffic in downlink to said STB.

Inventors: BENGTSSON ROGER, TEGLER SUSANNE, WICKMAN JOHAN, BENGTSSON, ROGER, TEGLER, SUSANNE, WICKMAN, JOHAN
Applicants: BENGTSSON ROGER, TEGLER SUSANNE, TELIA AB, WICKMAN JOHAN, BENGTSSON, ROGER, TEGLER, SUSANNE, WICKMAN, JOHAN
Application year: 1998
Main classification: H04N7
IPC codes: H04N7