Patent Publication Number: US-2011067073-A1

Title: Communication unit and a method for providing access to an iptv network

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of providing remote access to an IPTV network. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Most TV-channels today are still only distributed locally. However, people of today tend to live globally. Many people live abroad at least for shorter time periods of their lives. Expatriate workers, immigrants and refugees is an increasing group, that would like to watch their local home channels even if they happen to live in another part of the world. 
     IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) is typically supplied by a service provider using a closed network infrastructure associated to a specific operator. Therefore, the available IPTV infrastructures are only locally available. The delivery of TV content over the public Internet is at least so far limited to a few major networks and a limited number of channels. 
     The most common solution for receiving local television channels from other parts of the world is therefore still to use satellite dishes. However, this solution requires satellite coverage, which is not always available. The installation of satellite dishes in likely to involve hassle. When the satellite dish has been successfully installed, the user still has to deal with cryptos and set top boxes which might not be supported in the country in question. 
     SUMMARY 
     One object of the present invention is to obviate at least some of the above disadvantages and provide an improved way of remote access to locally transmitted multicast television channels. 
     This problem is addressed by a communication unit for communication of IPTV channels to at least one user unit. The communication unit comprises a receiver arranged to receive a set of IPTV channels, and a distribution channel set up unit arranged to set up one separate distribution channel to each user unit so as to distribute one of the IPTV channels in said set of IPTV channels over each distribution channel. The distribution to the users is provided by means of any network, herein referred to as a visited network. 
     One advantage with the present invention is that it uses the existing home IPTV multicast infrastructure and extends it to new and uncovered geographical areas. It does not involve any requirements on the underlying visited network, as long as the bandwidth is adequate. The implementation is believed to be very cost-effective and requires no specialized hardware in the transponder server. 
     With the present solution, live IPTV transmission can be achieved. The present solution also enables personalized TV offerings with video-on-demand style access. 
     In one embodiment, the communication unit comprises a control unit arranged to receive one selector signal from each user unit. The selector signal indicates a chosen IPTV channel. The control unit controls further the distribution channel set up unit so as to distribute the chosen IPTV channel indicated by the respective selector signal to each user unit. 
     In one example, the control unit is arranged to determine a communication mode over each distribution channel based on one or a plurality of preset criteria. The present criteria comprises for example the chosen IPTV channel, the IPTV programme currently associated to the chosen IPTV channel, and/or the available bandwidth over the distribution channel. 
     The distribution channel set up unit is arranged to set up distribution channels to the user units so as to provide a separate connection to each user unit. Each connection accordingly has one endpoint in the communication unit and another endpoint in the respective user unit. The distribution channel set up unit is in one example arranged to set up distribution channels in a unicast mode of communication and or in a Peer-to-Peer mode of communication. 
     In one example, the communication unit comprises a memory unit arranged to store at least some television programs of the set of IPTV channels for view on demand. 
     The present invention also relates to an IPTV system comprising the communication unit above, 
     a first IPTV network arranged to export a set of IPTV channels of said first IPTV network to the communication unit by means of a communication line, and
 
at least one remote user unit arranged to transmit a selector signal to said communication unit so as to select one IPTV channel from said set of IPTV channels.
 
     The communication unit is arranged to set up a distribution channel to said remote user unit based on the information in the selector signal. The distribution channels are for example provided over a second network, such as a broadband data network. 
     The communication line is for example provided over the Internet. The communication line can be encrypted. 
     The present invention also relates to a method for providing remote access to a first IPTV network, comprising the steps of exporting a set of IPTV channels from said first IPTV network to a communication unit; setting up a distribution channel between said communication unit and each remote user unit, in a group of remote user units and distributing one chosen television program of the exported set of IPTV channels to the remote user unit. 
     In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of communicating information from the communication unit to the first IPTV network, said information relating to the distribution of television programs to the remote users, and adapting the characteristics of said set of IPTV channels before export to the communication unit in accordance with the information related to the distribution of television programs. 
     The information relating to the distribution of television programs to the remote users comprises for example information denoting IPTV channels which are currently not distributed to the remote user units (or the memory). The adapting of the characteristics involves then removing said denoted IPTV channels from the set of IPTV channels before export. 
     The information relating to the distribution of television programs to the remote users can also comprise for example the available bandwidth of the distribution channels. The step of communicating information then involves communicating the determined available bandwidth(s). Accordingly, the step of adapting the set of IPTV channels involves adapting the bandwidth(s) of the exported IPTV channels in accordance with the communicated available bandwidth(s). 
     Further, the present invention relates to a computer programme comprising a programme code for performing steps of receiving a set of IPTV channels, and setting up one separate distribution channel to at least one user unit so as to distribute one of the IPTV channels in said set of IPTV channels over each distribution channel, when said computer programme is run on a computer. A computer programme product comprises a program code according to the above stored on a, by a computer readable, media. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block scheme showing an overview of an IPTV distribution system according to one example of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block scheme showing one example of a remote user unit in the IPTV distribution system in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a block scheme showing one example of transponder server in the IPTV distribution system in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing a general principle for providing remote access to a first IPTV network. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing a general principle for providing distribution to remote users of the first IPTV network. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing one example of steps taken in communication between the first IPTV network and the transponder server of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing a second example of steps taken in communication between the first IPTV network and the transponder server of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIG. 1 , an IPTV distribution system  100  is arranged to distribute IPTV to a number of remote users by means of a first network  101 , a communication tunnel  102  and a second network  103 . The first network  101  is herein referred to as a home network: The home network is a broadband network associated to a given network operator. The home network comprises at least one source unit  104  and a number of user units  105 . The source unit  104  is arranged to multicast IPTV to a plurality of IPTV channels to the users  105  within the home network organized by the operator. The user units  105  having said operator are arranged to receive one such multi-casted IPTV channel offered by said operator and selected by the user of said user unit. The network operator of the home network  101  is characteristically operating within a limited area, such as a country or a part of a country. Accordingly, the home network can be accessed within a limited area, such as a country or a part of a country. 
     The home network  101  comprises a node (not shown) arranged to function as a first tunnel endpoint  106  for the communication tunnel  102 . The node is controlled by the network operator. The node is in the shown non restrictive example provided in the source unit  104 . The node is arranged to select and transmit a set of IPTV channels provided by the operator of the home network over the communication tunnel  102 . The set of IPTV channels to be selected and transmitted is in one example determined by the operator of the home network. In one example, the node is arranged to select a set that comprises all IPTV channels provided by the operator. In an alternative example, the node is arranged to select a set comprising a subset of IPTV channels provided by the operator. The set of IPTV channels can be either pre-defined or selected on an on-demand basis. This will be discussed more in detail later. The transmission of a set of IPTV channels over the communication tunnel  102  can be viewed as an export of the set of IPTV channels outside the home network. In one example, the image and audio information related to each IPTV channel is transmitted with full quality. In an alternative example, the information is compressed before transmission. This will be discussed more in detail below. The communication tunnel  102  is in one example provided over a high speed link (e.g. a rented high speed link). In an alternative example, the communication tunnel  102  is provided over the Internet  109 , such as by means of a VPN (Virtual Private Network)-style connection. The communication tunnel  102  can be encrypted. The encryption is for example provided by means of an IPsec (IP security) protocol. 
     A communication unit, in the example of the following description provided in the form of a transponder server  107  provides a second endpoint  108  of the communication tunnel  102 . The transponder server  107  is characteristically located in an area outside reach for the home network  101 . The transponder server  107  has access to the second network  103 , herein described as a visited network. The transponder server  107  has for example access to the visited network  103  by means of a subscription. The visited network  103  is for example a local broadband network associated to a local operator. The visited network is for example a local broadband data network. Characteristically, the transponder server  107  is arranged within a geographical area covered by said visited network  103  and served by said local operator. In one example, the transponder server  107  is located in a data centre, such as a hosting centre or partner operator premises. 
     The transponder server  107  is connected to one or a plurality of user units  110  by means of the visited network  103 . Accordingly, the visited network  103  comprises, or is connected to the transponder server  107 . The transponder server  107  is arranged to provide remote access to the exported set of local IPTV channels of the home network  101  for a number of user units  110  of the visited network. Accordingly, the transponder server  107  serves as an extension of the home IPTV network  101  for the exported set of IPTV channels. The user units  110  of the visited network will hereinafter be referred to as remote user units  110 . 
     The remote user units  110  have access to the visited network by means of a subscription of any type. The distribution of chosen IPTV channels from the transponder server  107  to the remote user units  110  is provided by means of distribution channels  119  in the visited network  103 . One separate distribution channel  119  is provided to each remote user unit, which has chosen an IPTV channel from the transponder server  107 . The distribution to each remote user unit  110  is in one example performed over the respective distribution channel by means of a unicast stream. In an alternative example, the distribution of one IP channel selected by the remote user is provided over the respective distribution channel by means of Peer to Peer (P2P).The unicast solution is somewhat more expensive from a bandwidth point of view. P2P on the other hand, is slower and associated to a “less live style” transmission. 
     In  FIG. 2 , each remote user unit  210  comprises a receiver  211  arranged to receive an incoming data stream over one distribution channel  119 , said data stream comprising data for one IPTV channel chosen by the remote user. The received data is arranged to be processed by a processing unit  212  into a format suitable for display. The processed display data is thereafter fed to a display unit  213  for display. Each remote user unit  210  comprises further a selector  214 . The user can choose one of the IPTV channels exported to the transponder server by means of said selector  214 . A transmitter  215  is arranged to transmit said selector information related to the chosen IPTV channel to the transponder server  107  by means of the visited network  103 . Each remote user unit  210  is for example formed as a computer unit with a computer screen, a mobile telephone, a set-up-box, a television set or any other type of display unit arranged to receive and display IPTV signals. The term set-up-box refers to a unit capable of receiving IPTV signals and decoding said signals so as to be suitable for reception by an analog TV. 
     In one example, the remote user units  210  have means for authentication of the user. In one example, the authentication is provided by means of logging into a web page, using single sign-on passwords and other techniques. The authentication can be provided on an application level, i.e. the authentication is performed by the IPTV application used. 
     The remote user units have in one example access to more than one transponder server  107 . The remote users may then have means (not shown) for deciding which transponder to use. One criterion for choosing transponder server is for example the distance to the respective transponder server. Another example of a criterion is the load on the respective transponder server. Yet another example of a criterion is the contents (available set of IPTV channels) of the respective transponder server. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the transponder server  307  comprises, at the second tunnel endpoint  308 , a receiver  316 . The receiver  316  is arranged to separate the incoming data stream into a plurality of data streams, one for each IPTV channel transmitted over the communication tunnel  102 . 
     A control unit  317  is arranged to receive selector signals via selector signal channels  318  from the selectors  214  of the remote user units  210 . Each selector signal is associated to the remote user unit  110  from which it originates. Further, each selector signal comprises information indicating which IPTV channel the user of the associated remote user unit  110  has chosen. Based on the information in the received selector signals, the control unit  317  is arranged to control a distribution channel set up unit  320 . The distribution channel set up unit  320  is further connected to the receiver  316  so as to receive the received and separated IPTV channel signal. The distribution channel set up unit  320  is arranged to set up the distribution channels  319  to the remote user units  110  under control from the control unit  317  and based on the received selector signals. The distribution channel set up unit  320  is further arranged to feed the separated IPTV signal information related each selected IPTV channel to the respective distribution channel  319 . As was mentioned above, the distribution channels  319  can be set up using either one of at least two types of distribution modes, namely a unicast mode and a Peer to Peer (P2P) mode. 
     In one example, the control unit  317  is arranged to control set up of one distribution channel  319  upon reception of a selector signal indicating that the user of one of the remote user units  110  has chosen an IPTV channel. The distribution channel  319  is maintained as long as the selector signal indicates that the remote user has not altered IPTV channel or switched off the remote user unit  110 . The choice for set-up mode for the distribution channel  319  is based on one or a plurality of preset criteria. In one example, the choice of distribution mode depends on the popularity of an IPTV channel, i.e. it depends on how many remote users are viewing the same IPTV channel at the same time. Accordingly, distribution in the Peer-to-Peer mode can be provided for those IPTV channels viewed by a plurality of remote user. Distribution in the unistream mode is more suitable for distribution to only a few or a single remote user unit. In an alternative or complementary example, the choice of distribution mode depends on how close to live the transmission should be. Accordingly, distribution in the unicast mode is in one example provided when small delays in the distribution are desired. In one example, the control unit  317  is arranged to set up distribution channels  319  for one or a plurality of pre-selected IPTV channels by means of a unicast stream and one or a plurality of other pre-selected IPTV channels by means of Peer-to-Peer. In a refined example, the control unit  317  is arranged to set up distribution channels  319  for one or a plurality of pre-selected television programs in the unicast mode and one or a plurality of other pre-selected television programs in the of Peer-to-Peer mode. 
     A memory unit  321  is connected to the receiver  316  and arranged to store the IPTV signals related to one or a plurality of the received and separated IPTV channels. Thereby personalized TV can be provided in the form of video-on-demand. In order to enable selection of a certain television program for the remote users, the IPTV channel information stored in the memory  321  comprises program information associated to the stored programs. In one example, the program information comprises the name or a code associated to the chosen television program, and/or a time of “broadcast”. The selector signal comprises in accordance with this example, the program information identifying the chosen television program. In one example, the selector signal comprises the program information in addition to the IPTV channel information and in another example, the selector signal comprises the program information instead of the IPTV channel information, wherein the IPTV information is inherently included in the program information. The selector  214  of the remote user unit may in accordance with this example comprise a table menu system or the like, by means of which a stored television program can be chosen. The control unit  317  is then arranged to control the distribution channel set up unit  320  so as to set up the distribution channel  319  and to feed the IPTV signals stored in the memory unit  321  of an IPTV program chosen by means of the selector  214  at a chosen point in time chosen by means of the selector  214  to the set up the distribution channel. In one example, Peer-to-Peer is used as a distribution mode when distributing data from the memory  321  over the distribution channel  319 . 
     In the shown example, the transponder server  307  comprises a unit  322  arranged to determine the available bandwidth for the distribution channels  319  in the visited network  103 . In one example, the bandwidth determining unit  322  is arranged to determine an average bandwidth for the distribution channels  319  in the visited network  103 . In an alternative example, the bandwidth determining unit  322  is arranged to determine the bandwidth for each new distribution channel  319  which is to set up to a new remote user unit. Further, the bandwidth determining unit  322  may be arranged to recurrently update the bandwidth determination during distribution. The control unit  317  is in one example arranged to compare the available bandwidth determined by the bandwidth determining unit  322  for each distribution channel  319  with the bandwidth of the IPTV channel bit stream which is to be distributed over said distribution channel. If the available bandwidth is lower than the bandwidth of the IPTV channel which is to be distributed by means of said distribution channel  319 , the control unit  317  is arranged to feed the bit stream to a compressing unit  323  arranged to compress the data stream so as to be in line with the available bandwidth. In one example, the compressing unit  323  is arranged to provide transcoding. The transcoding involves in one example changing codec and/or bandwidth for the data stream. The transcoding is for example provided by connecting a decoder and an encoder back-to-back. In practice, the transcoding can be used for lowering the bandwidth of the data stream to the available bandwidth. The transcoding can be provided in an even more effective way to keep quality at a high level and saving CPU power required. The transcoding can then involve encoding and decoding in one step. 
     In the shown example, the compressing unit  323  is connected to the receiver  316  such that the memory unit  321  is connected to the receiver via the output lines of the compressor unit  323 . In an alternative, not illustrated example, the memory unit  321  is directly connected to the receiver  316  so as to receive and store non-compressed data. In a not shown example, a second compressing unit is connected to the memory unit so as to compress data stored in the memory  321  before distribution over the distribution channel  319 , if the available bandwidth over the distribution channel  319  is not adequate for transmission of the IPTV channel bit stream without compression. 
     The transponder server  307  comprises a transmitter  324  arranged to transmit feed back information related to the communication of the set of IPTV channels over the communication tunnel  102 . In one example, the feed back information comprises information related to which IPTV channels are presently viewed by at least one of the remote users. If one or a plurality of IPTV channels in the exported set of IPTV channels is/are not viewed, the source unit  104  can be arranged to block the transmission of said not viewed IPTV channel(s). In an alternative or complementary example, the feed back information may comprise information related to the available bandwidth over the distribution channels  319 . The source unit  104  can than be arranged to perform compression so that the exported set of IPTV channels have bandwidths with a determined relation to the available bandwidths over the distribution channels  319 . In one example, the bandwidth of each IPTV channel transmitted over the communication tunnel is arranged to equal the available bandwidth over the distribution channels. In one example, the feed-back information relates to the an average bandwidth, or the like, and accordingly compression can be performed on said average basis. Alternatively, the feed-back information relates to the individual distribution channels  319 , in which case the bandwidths of the exported IPTV channels can be compressed so as to be individually adapted for the distribution channel  319  over which the respective IPTV channel is to be distributed. 
     In one example, the transponder server  307  is substantially formed in software. Alternatively, some or all of the functions described in relation to  FIG. 3  are formed in hardware. 
     In  FIG. 4 , a method for providing remote access to a first IPTV network comprises generally a step  425  in which a set of IPTV channels of said first IPTV network is exported to a communication unit characteristically out of reach for the first IPTV network. In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , at least some of the television programs included in the exported set of IPTV channels is/are stored in a memory unit of the communication unit in a storing step  426 . Those stored television programs can then be watched afterwards on demand. Further, in a next step  427 , at least the following information is determined from a selection signal provided in the communication unit from a new remote user unit. 
     1) The origin of the selection signal is determined, i.e. the location of the remote user unit from which the selection signal originates is determined,
 
2) The IPTV channel for viewing requested by means of the selection signal is determined.
 
     Thereafter, a step  428  of setting up one separate distribution channel to said remote user unit in accordance with the selection signals is performed. Each remote user unit has one separate session (distribution channel) to the transponder server. When the distribution channel to the new remote user unit has been set-up, a step  429  of distribution over the distribution channel can be performed in accordance with the request of the selection signal. In practice, the steps  425 - 429  are not performed in a sequence. For example, the step of exporting the IPTV channel set is continuously ongoing. In one example, the IPTV channel set is exported in real time. If the communication unit is arranged to store one or more television program, this is also a continuously ongoing process. 
     In  FIG. 5 , a process of continuously handling selection signals from one or a plurality of remote user units is generally described. In a step  530 , it is determined whether any of the remote user units has ended the remote access to the first IPTV network. In one example, the content of the selection signal received at the communication unit indicates that the remote access has ended. In an alternative example, the absence of reception of the selection signal at the communication unit indicates that the remote access has ended. If it has been determined that the remote access has ended, the distribution channel to that remote user unit, which has ended the access is closed in a closing step  531 . In a step  532 , it is determined whether any of the remote user units has changed the choice of IPTV channels. If not, the process is starting over from the beginning with step  530 . If on the other hand, any of the remote user units has changed the choice of IPTV channel, an appropriate distribution mode is in the shown example determined for the new IPTV channel in a step  533 . The choice of appropriate distribution modes over the distribution channels has been described above. Thereafter, distribution is provided of the new IPTV channel in a step  534 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , information is communicated also in the direction from the communication unit to the first IPTV network, said information relating to the distribution of television programs to the remote users. The characteristics of said set of IPTV channels is then adapted before export to the communication unit in accordance with the information related to the distribution of television programs. In the example of  FIG. 6 , the available bandwidth over the distribution channels is determined in a step  635 . In one example, the bandwidth for each distribution channel is determined. In an alternative example, an average bandwidth is determined based on the available bandwidths over the individual distribution channels. Alternatively, another measure of the available bandwidth is determined, such as the bandwidth of that distribution channel having the highest bandwidth. Irrespectively of how the available bandwidth is determined, the determined available bandwidth is communicated to the first IPTV network in a communication step  636 . The first IPTV network then adapts the bandwidths of the set of IPTV channels in an adaption step  637  before export of the set of IPTV channels in step  625 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , another example is illustrated wherein information is communicated also in the direction from the communication unit to the first IPTV network so as to adapt the characteristics of said set of IPTV channels before export to the communication unit. In the example of  FIG. 7 , it is determined which IPTV channels of the herein described set of IPTV channels available for export to the communication unit are presently chosen by means of the selection signals from the remote user units in a step  738 . Also IPTV channels which are presently being stored in the communication unit are to be regarded as chosen IPTV channels. Information identifying those IPTV channels presently not chosen is then communicated to the first IPTV network in a communication step  739 . The first IPTV network then blocks those presently not chosen IPTV channels in a step  740  and exports the set of IPTV channels excluding the blocked IPTV channels in step  725 .