SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MULTI-CHANNEL TELEVISION CONTENT OVER A SINGLE-CHANNEL COMMUNICATION LINK

Abstract: A system and method for providing multi-channel television content over a single-channel communication link (24) using digital subscriber line (DSL) technology is disclosed. A video spooler (60) is configured to receive a live, or stored, video request from a customer. A central office (20) is in communication with the video spooler (60) and is configured to receive the program request from the video spooler (60) if the request is for a live program and transmit the requested live program to the video spooler (60). During periods when the customer is not viewing a live program, the video spooler (60) requests and stores requested programs from the central office (20) for future viewing. The video spooler (60) also makes it possible for the customer to view stored programs at a future date. Capability is also provided by the video spooler (60) to allow a customer within a network to view a live program while another customer within the network views a stored program.

Description: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MULTI-CHANNEL TELEVISION CONTENT OVER A SINGLE-CHANNEL COMMUNICATION LINK CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/149,065. filed on August 16. 1999. and entitled "Methodology of Viewing Multi-channel Television Content Over a Single-channel Television Link." which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to digital television and broadband Internet service, and more particularly, is related to a system and method for providing multi-channel content over a single-channel digital subscriber line communication link. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An ongoing and important trend in the consumer electronics industry is the delivery of digital television and broadband Internet services to consumers. Four primary ways of accomplishing this task include satellite, cable, terrestrial broadcast, and digital subscriber line (DSL). Satellite is currently the most prolific means of distributing digital television, and it has been quite successful in accomplishing this task due to, among other reasons, ease of use. continually lowering service costs, and large bandwidth. Satellite also allows a user to receive channels that only carry audio. Therefore, a user can choose from several types of music, much like a radio station but without commercials. There have also been attempts to utilize satellite for delivering broadband Internet. In satellite digital television delivery systems a user, or subscriber, installs a small parabolic reflector and special electronics at a customer premise. These systems use the direct broadcast satellite (DBS) spectrum to deliver digital video signals to a user. In these systems, all of the available programming content is transmitted directly to all users from specialized satellites in geosynchronous earth orbit. Geosynchronous orbit refers to an orbit in which a satellite orbiting the earth remains in a fixed position relative to a point on the earth. A receiver unit located at the customer premise decodes the data stream in order to extract the desired programming. Satellite use has suffered from two principal disadvantages. The first disadvantage is that data can only be sent downstream from the satellite to the consumer and not vice versa. Instead, the consumer must utilize an ordinary modem for upstream traffic, which is quite slow in comparison to downstream data transfer. The second disadvantage is that the entire data bandwidth capacity of the satellite must be shared by all consumers across the entire satellite broadcast area (ex: entire United States). In other words, a data packet destined for California is indiscriminately broadcast nationwide. The efficiency of the satellite system is limited since every consumer must share access to this single downstream data pipe. Therefore, with use of satellite for distributing digital television and Internet services, bandwidth allocation, and therefore, channel capacity, becomes critical. Because the amount of available bandwidth is fixed, this necessitates the reduction of bandwidth available for other channels. In addition, satellite delivery systems rely upon the proper installation of the parabolic reflector, which must have an unobstructed line of sight to a transmitting satellite or satellites, and suffers from signal degradation in inclement weather. As an example, if the satellite is subjected to severe stormy conditions, reception by the parabolic reflector may be inhibited, resulting in screen pauses seen by a user, or even system malfunction. Cable is the most publicized method recently used for broadband Internet. Cable has traditionally only delivered analog television, although the transition to digital television should be well-defined, requiring an investment in upgrading their head-end and installing new set-top boxes in the home. Cable is touted as being the popular means of receiving Internet broadband in the future. However, cable suffers from the same policies as satellite. Namely, by default, a cable plant generally delivers downstream traffic. With significant investment, it is possible to dig up the existing cable infrastructure and run fiber-optic cable to localize sections of the cable infrastructure in order to relay upstream traffic back to the cable company ' s main office, or the central office. Although less limiting than satellite's countrywide broadcasting, cable customers must share a common broadcast pipe with many other users. Reducing the service area of each localized section improves the utility of the available bandwidth, but further increases the cost of upgrading the cable infrastructure. Further, while the bandwidth down to a receiver from satellite is approximately 500 MHz, the bandwidth of cable is approximately 330 - 350 MHz. The significant investment associated with upgrading the cable infrastructure has and will continue to severely hinder deployment, and has caused many cable companies to balk at the notion of providing bi-directional broadband Internet. Very recently, network broadcasters in major U.S. cities have started broadcasting their programming in digital terrestrial broadcasts. This will gradually expand in a government-mandated program to require all U.S. broadcasters to send digital signals over the air by 2006. In terrestrial broadcasting, broadcasters send out a generic data bit stream, which may consist solely of television programming or a combination of television programming and Internet broadband data. However, like satellite, terrestrial broadcasts generally send downstream data traffic, and therefore, other means must be utilized for upstream traffic. DSL is presently being deployed for providing broadband Internet data. This technology has recently been applied to provide both television programming and broadband Internet. DSL has one very significant benefit over all other broadcast mediums, specifically, each customer has his or her own distinct copper pair wire which goes directly from their home (the customer premise) to the telephone company's equipment (the central office). As a result, DSL offers both upstream and downstream traffic, and no data channels are shared with other customers. Different variations of DSL support different data rates. These data rates decrease as the distance of the telephone line run from the telephone company to the customer increases. While some variations of DSL are capable of achieving data rates that could support multiple channels, these implementations require equipment to be installed no more than approximately three thousand feet from the customer. The vast majority of existing telephone lines run. however, much greater distances that this and for these customers, the data pipe is only big enough to deliver at most one television program at a time. This is an important contrast to satellite, cable, and terrestrial broadcasts, which indiscriminately deliver all programming to each customer, relying on customer equipment to obtain the appropriate television program. In other words, in satellite, cable, and terrestrial systems, all television programs are being broadcast concurrently to the receiver, wherein the receiver selects a particular television program to which to tune. As such, as an example, a customer of satellite service may view two separate programs on two separate televisions at the cost of an addition receiver. In contrast, in a DSL system the telephone company equipment receives all programming, of which a single television program is selected by the customer and sent down the DSL line to the customer, from the telephone company. This means, as explained hereinabove. satellite, cable, and terrestrial customers, unlike DSL customers, can install individual receiver boxes in their household and have each one of the boxes drive different television sets with different programs. Alternatively, DSL customers can have several televisions but only watch one concurrent program at a time. Even if a DSL customer purchases additional receivers, only one television program is sent down the DSL line to the customer. Therefore, it is a requirement for current DSL customers to have an additional DSL line connected to their home or office to enable the viewing of different television programs at once on different televisions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In light of the foregoing, the present invention provides a system and method for providing multi-channel television content over a single-channel communication link using DSL technology. Generally, the system can be implemented as follows. A system for providing multi-channel television content over a single-channel communication link comprises a video spooler configured to receive a program request from a customer, wherein the request is for either a live program or a locally stored program. A central office is in communication with the video spooler and is configured to receive the program request from the video spooler if the request is for a live program and then transmit the requested live program to the video spooler. During periods when the customer is not viewing a live program, the video spooler requests and stores programs from the central office for future viewing. The video spooler then makes it possible for the customer to view the stored programs at a future date. The present invention can also be viewed as providing a method for providing multi-channel television content over a single-channel communication link. In this regard, the method can be broadly summarized by the following steps: a customer requests a program; the request is processed to determine whether the request is for a live program or a stored program; and either a live program or a stored program is transmitted to the customer based upon the customer request. The invention has numerous advantages, a few of which are delineated hereinafter as examples. Note that the embodiments of the invention, which are described herein, possess one or more, but not necessarily all, of the advantages set out hereafter. One advantage of the invention is that it utilizes the advantages of DSL technology while providing multi-channel television content. Another advantage is that numerous different programs may be viewed on different televisions within a network while a live program is being viewed. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one of reasonable skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included herein within the scope of the present invention as described by the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates communication between a central office and a customer premise by way of a communication channel, in which the multi-channel viewing system of the present invention may be implemented. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the multi-channel viewing system further illustrating structure within the customer premise of FIG. 1 that directly assists in providing multi-channel viewing capabilities. FIG. 3 is a flow chart that illustrates a user request for a live program using the multi-channel viewing system of FIG. 1, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a flow chart that illustrates the delivery of data within the multichannel viewing system of FIG. 1, from the central office to the customer premise. FIG. 5 is a flow chart that illustrates the process of a user specifying programs to view at a future time using the multi-channel viewing system of FIG. 1, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a flow chart that illustrates the process of receiving a stored program using the multi-channel viewing system of FIG. 1. in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCIRPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The program for implementing the multi-channel viewing system of the present invention can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is intended to be a non-limiting example, the program is implemented in software that is executed by a computer, for example, but not limited to, a personal computer, work station, mini computer, or mainframe computer. The software-based system, which comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions, can be embodied in any computer- readable medium for use by, or in connection with, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device such as a computer-based system processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a ''computer-readable medium" can be any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus or device. The computer-readable medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection (electronic) having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM) (magnetic). a read-only memory (ROM) (magnetic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) (magnetic), an optical fiber (optical), and a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD ROM) (optical). Note that the computer- readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. The flow charts of FIGS. 3 through 6 show the architecture, functionality, and operation of a possible implementation of the multi-channel viewing system of FIG. 2. In this regard, each block represents a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in FIGS. 3 through 7. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved, as will be further clarified hereinbelow. Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system which may be used in the implementation of the system of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates communication between a central office 20 and a customer premise 22 by way of a communication channel 24. The communication channel 24 may be any communication channel capable of supporting the communication of digital video, bi-directional Internet data and POTS, and is illustratively carried over the copper wire pair (twisted pair) over which conventional telephone signals are communicated. Preferably, the communication channel 24 carries both voice and digital subscriber line (DSL) traffic. While the customer premise 22 may be a single dwelling residence, a small business, or other entity, it is generally characterized as having a computer 25, a television 26, and POTS equipment, such as a telephone 26, PSTN modem 27, fax machine (not shown), etc. Particular to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the customer premise 22 is a home local area network (LAN), such as a small office / home office (SOHO) network, comprising a number of computers and televisions that are logically connected. The customer premise 22 may also include an ADSL communication device, such as an ADSL modem 28. and a hub 29 or switch. As known in the art, a hub is a hardware or software device that contains multiple independent, but connected, modules of network and inter-network equipment. Hubs can be active (where they repeat signals sent through them) or passive (where they do not repeat, but merely split, signals sent through them). As known in the art, when an ADSL service is provided, a POTS filter 30 is interposed between the POTS equipment 26 and the communication channel 24, and between the ADSL modem 28 and the communication channel 24. As is known, the POTS filter 30 includes a low pass filter having a cut-off frequency of approximately 4 kHz to 10 kHz, in order to filter high frequency transmissions from the ADSL communication device 28 and protect the POTS equipment 26. Essentially, the POTS filter 30 separates voice traffic and DSL traffic into two separate frequency bands for the POTS equipment 26 and ADSL modem 28 respectively. The hub 29 provides a means for various devices (two of which are shown) including the television 26 and the computer 25 to access data/video services afforded by the ADSL modem 28. It should be noted that although the present description provides for ADSL service, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any DSL service may be provided. At the central office 20, which is preferably a telephone company, additional circuitry is provided. Generally, a line card 40 containing line interface circuitry is provided for electrical connection to the communication channel 24. In fact, multiple line cards may be provided 40, 42 to provide for electrical connection to the communication channel 24. In the same way, additional circuit cards are typically provided at the central office 20 to handle different types of services. For example, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) interface card 44, a digital loop carrier line card 46. and other circuit cards, for supporting similar and other communication services, may be provided. A digital switch 50 is also provided at the central office 20 and is disposed for communication with each of the various line cards 40, 42, 44, 45, 46. On the outgoing side of the central office 20 (i.e.. the side opposite the various local loops), a plurality of trunk cards 52. 54, 56 are typically provided. For example, an analog trunk card 52, a digital trunk card 54, and an optical trunk card 56 are all illustrated in FIG. 2. Typically these cards are outgoing lines that support numerous multiplexed transmissions which are typically destined for other central offices or long distance toll offices (not shown). A POTS filter (not shown) may also be provided at the central office 20 for purposes of combining numerous services to be transmitted from the central office 20 to the customer premise 22. Specific to the present system, the digital trunk card 54 may be connected to a satellite system that provides television programs to the central office 20. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the multi-channel viewing system 100, further illustrating structure within the customer premise 22 of FIG. 1 that directly assists in providing multi-channel viewing capabilities in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. As described with reference to FIG. 1. a central office 20, preferable a telephone company, is connected to a customer premise 22 via a communication channel 24. Within the customer premise 22, the communication channel 24 connects to a video spooler 60, the function of which shall be described in detail hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 3 through 6. The video spooler 60 comprises a DSL modem 62 connected to a central processing unit (CPU) 64. The CPU 64 connects to a local memory 66 and a local storage 68 for purposes of performing functionality defined in the local memory 66. It should be noted that the local memory 66 and local storage unit 68 may instead be located external to the video spooler 60 as long as the functionality of the video spooler 60 may be specified within the memory, and digital video may be stored in the storage unit, as described in detail hereinbelow. A LAN interface 70 is located within the video spooler 60 and connects to the CPU 64 for purposes of connecting the video spooler 60 to a home LAN 80, such as, for example, a SOHO network, via the LAN interface 70. Preferably the home LAN 80 comprises a series of televisions 26 and a series of computers 25. It should be noted that although FIG. 2 shows two computers 25 and two televisions 26 within the home LAN 80, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of computers 25 and televisions 26 may vary significantly. As an example, if the home LAN 80 is a SOHO network, there may be five or six computers and/or televisions. Within the home LAN 80, a hub 82 or switch connects the home LAN 80 to the video spooler 60. As mentioned hereinabove with reference to FIG. 1, the hub 82 is a hardware or software device that contains multiple independent, but connected, modules of network and inter-network equipment. Therefore, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the hub 82 serves to direct data received from the video spooler 60 to either a television 26 or to a computer 25. Preferably, the television 26 comprises a television guide and/or selection feature that allows a user to select a program for viewing. As described in detail hereinbelow. the selection of programs offered to the customer may include both live and stored programs. Alternatively, a converter, or decoder box (not shown) may be logically connected to the television 26 for purposes of allowing a user to select a program for viewing. Functionality of the multi-channel viewing system 100 is provided with reference to FIGS. 3-6 hereinbelow. FIG. 3 is a flow chart that illustrates a user request for a live program, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown by block 102, a customer first makes a request to the central office 20, via a television 26, to view a live program 26. The program request is sent via the video spooler 60 to the central office 20 (block 104). In response to the request, the central office 20 determines whether the customer has access to the requested program using known filtering techniques (block 106). It should be noted that since analog and digital signal conversion methods are known in the art, discussion of such techniques is not offered herein. FIG. 4 is a flow chart that illustrates the delivery of data from the central office 20 to the customer premise 22. As shown by block 112, after the central office 20 determines that the customer may receive the requested program, the central office 20 transmits the data, preferably in digital form, representing the digital program, via the communication channel 24, to the video spooler 60. The DSL modem 62. within the video spooler 60. then performs standard amplification, filtering, and signal conversion on the received data (block 114). As shown by block 1 16, the data received by the DSL 62 modem is then transmitted to the CPU 64. The received data is then transmitted by the CPU 64, via the LAN interface 70, to the home LAN 80 (block 1 18). The direction of transmission of the data received by the CPU 64 is determined by the local memory 66, which, in accordance with the request for the live program, instructs the CPU 64 to transmit the data to the home LAN 80. The hub 82. after determining that the received data is intended for the televisions 26. transmits the received data to the televisions 26 within the home LAN 80 (block 122). In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a user may also specify via their television 26 specific programs that he/she wishes to view at a future time, as illustrated by the flow chart of FIG 5. As shown by block 132. a customer may specify, by using designating features within their television 26. video programs that he/she wishes to store for future viewing. When the video spooler 60 is not receiving and transmitting live data, the spooler 60 requests the specified program from the central office 20 (block 134). In response, the central office 20 determines whether the customer has access to the requested program using known filtering techniques (block 136). Once the central office 20 has determined that the customer is allowed access to the requested program, the central office 20 transmits the requested program, preferably in the form of digital data, via the communication channel 24, to the customer premise 22 (block 138). The DSL modem 62 receives the digital data from the central office 20 and performs standard amplification, filtering, and signal conversion on the received data (block 142). As shown by block 144, the DSL modem 62 then transmits the digital data to the CPU 64. As shown by block 146, since the program request was for a future program (block 132), the local memory 66 instructs the CPU 64 to store the received digital data in the local storage 68 for future viewing by the customer. In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention, a customer may specify, via guide features on their television 26. categories of programs in which they are interested. As an example, a customer may specify an interest in hockey programs. As a result of the customer specification, during times when the home LAN 80 is not receiving a live program, the video spooler 60 may request hockey- related programs from the central office 20. This request results in the central office 20 transmitting hockey-related programs to the video spooler 60. which are stored within the local storage unit 68 for future viewing. The flow chart of FIG. 6 illustrates the process of receiving a stored program, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown by block 152, a customer may specify, by using designating features within their television 26, stored video programs that he/she wishes to view. It should be noted that, in accordance with DSL technology, while only one live program may be viewed at a time from all televisions within the home LAN 80, according to the present invention, numerous different stored programs may be viewed simultaneously from different televisions, or the same television, within the home LAN 80. Further, numerous different stored programs may be viewed from different televisions within the home LAN 80 while a single live program is being viewed. As an example, if a series of televisions within the home LAN 80 are viewing live program X, other televisions within the home LAN 80 may select from, and watch, stored programs A, B, C, and D. Returning to FIG 6., after the customer specifies a stored program that he/she wishes to view, the home LAN 80 transmits the request to the video spooler 60 via the LAN interface 70 (block 154). As shown by block 156, in response to the stored program request, the local memory 66 instructs the CPU 64 to retrieve the specified stored program from the local storage 68. The CPU 64 then retrieves the stored program from the local storage 68 and transmits the stored program, via the LAN interface 70, to the home LAN 80 (block 158). The stored program is then routed by the hub 82, to the television(s) that requested the stored program (block 162). It should be noted that, with future advancement of DSL technology it may become possible for more than one live program to be transmitted from the central office 20 to the customer premise 22. The video spooler 60 of the present invention is also capable of transmitting more than one received live video to the customer premise 22 at once. It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any "preferred" embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above- described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.

Claims: CLAIMS Therefore, having thus described the invention, at least the following is claimed: 1. A system for providing multi-channel television content over a single-channel communication link, comprising: a network; a video spooler connected to said network configured to receive a video program request from said network; and a central office in communication with said video spooler configured to receive said video program request from said video spooler and transmit said video program, in response to said request, to said video spooler, wherein said video spooler is capable of storing at least a portion of said video program. 2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said video spooler within said system further comprises capability of transmitting a live video program to said network in response to a live video program request from said network, and capability to store video programs received from said central office during a period when said video spooler is not receiving said live video program request, and wherein said video spooler provides said network with access to said stored video program and to said live video program. 3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said video spooler within said system further comprises capability of transmitting a live video program to said network in response to a live video program request from said network, and capability to store video programs received from said central office during a period when said video spooler is not receiving said live video program request, and wherein said video spooler stores said video programs in response to a customer specifying a category of video programs that said customer wishes to view at a future date. 4. A system for providing multi-channel television content over a single- channel communication link, comprising: means for communicating within a network; means for receiving and transmitting a video program request from said communicating means; and means for transmitting said video program to said receiving and transmitting means in response to a request from said receiving and transmitting means, wherein said receiving and transmitting means is capable of storing at least a portion of said video program. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein said means for receiving and transmitting a video program request within said system further comprises: a means for transmitting a live video program to said means for communicating within said network in response to a live video program request from said network, and capability to store video programs received from said means for transmitting said video program during a period when said means for receiving and transmitting is not receiving said live video program request; and a means for providing said network with access to said stored video program and to said live video program. 6. A method of providing multi -channel television content over a single channel communication link, comprising the steps of: requesting a video program from a central office, wherein said program is selected from the group consisting of a live video program and a stored video program; receiving said live video program in response to said request for a live video program; storing a video program, the category of which is determined by a customer profile, wherein said storing is performed at a time when said step of receiving said live video program is not being performed; and receiving said stored video program in response to said request for a stored video program. 7. A system for requesting multi-channel television content over a single- channel communication link, comprising: a network; a video spooler connected to said network configured to receive a video program request from said network and transmit said request, wherein said video spooler is capable of storing said video program after said video program is received by said video spooler, in response to said video program request. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said video spooler within said system further comprises capability of transmitting a live video program to said network in response to a live video program request from said network, and capability to store video programs received during a period when said video spooler is not receiving said live video program request. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein said video spooler provides said network with access to said stored video program and to said live video program. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein said video spooler stores said video programs in response to a customer specifying a category of video programs that said customer wishes to view at a future date.

Inventors: LAWRENCE PETER H, LAWRENCE, PETER, H.
Applicants: GEORGIA TECH RES INST, GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
Application year: 2000
Main classification: H04N7
IPC codes: H04M3, H04M11, H04N7