Patent Publication Number: US-2010131990-A1

Title: Virtual IPTV-VOD system with remote satellite reception of satellite delivered VOD content and method of providing the same

Description:
This Application is based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/067,207, filed on Feb. 25, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to communications networks and, more particularly, to networks operating over satellite for point-to-point applications. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional Internet Protocol Television (“PTV”) systems deliver digital television services through Internet Protocol over a communications network infrastructure, which may include delivery by a broadband connection. Significantly, Internet Protocol Television content is provided to subscribers in formats characteristic of computer networks, rather than those of traditional broadcast and cable delivery. 
     In residential applications, for instance, Internet Protocol Television services are provided to subscribers in conjunction with Video-On-Demand (“VOD”). Since the subscriber content is provided in computer network-based formats, the services are readily “bundled” with Internet access services as well as Voice-Over-Internet Protocol (or “VoIP”), such bundling collectively being referred to as “Triple Play” service. In business applications, Internet Protocol Television is used, for example, to deliver television content over corporate Local Area Networks (or “LANS”). 
     Internet Protocol Television services are usually distributed by a service provider to subscribers through a closed network infrastructure. These services and their providers compete directly with major Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”) that deliver television content over the public Internet, i.e., “Internet Television”. 
     Concurrently with Internet Protocol Television, Video-On-Demand (“VOD”) systems allow subscribers to select and watch video content, at will. These systems either stream content through a TV set-top box, allowing viewing in real-time, or download it to a personal computer, digital video recorder (“DVR”), or personal video recorder for viewing at a later time. Most cable television-based service providers offer both Video-On-Demand streaming, such as pay-per-view. Using pay-per-view, the subscriber purchases or selects a movie or television program, and it either begins to play on the television set almost instantaneously or is downloaded to a digital video recorder rented from the provider, for viewing at a later time. 
     The foregoing discussion is provided for purposes of illustration and is not intended to limit the environment of the present invention. The remaining structural and functional aspects of video-based content systems are known by those skilled in the art and further description is considered unnecessary for illustration of the present invention. 
     Traditional Video-On-Demand installations at Internet Protocol Television head-ends provide a core network at a single location, the network including a plurality of satellite receivers, a buffer computer known as a “catcher”, and a Video-On-Demand server. Briefly, as illustrated generally in  FIG. 1 , satellite delivered Video-On-Demand content is typically received from satellite, as a secure, encrypted signal, and amassed at the buffer computer until reception of the video file is complete. The completed video file is then moved over an internal Ethernet network to the Video-On-Demand server, while optionally passing through an encryption process to add conditional access to home subscribers of Video-On-Demand services. 
     The Internet Protocol Television head-end also has a connection to the Internet, typically through an appropriate router, for example, of a known type, to provide Internet connectivity to users on the network. Traditionally, suppliers of Video-On-Demand video content via satellite authorize an Internet Protocol Television operator to receive the Video-On-Demand content from satellite at the Internet Protocol Television head-end, process it for conditional access and DRM, as may be required by the content owner, and place it on the Video-On-Demand servers at the authorized Internet Protocol Television head-end, where it is available for on-demand viewing by the subscribers. Video content provider agreements and regulations generally require that reception, in general, and satellite receivers, in particular, be associated with specific/designated the Internet Protocol Television head-ends, with appropriate restrictions on retransmission of video files. 
     While conventional Internet Protocol Television head-end arrangements have been found useful, placement of the satellite receiver and catcher in proximity to the Video-On-Demand server is often problematic where the server&#39;s location is unsuitable geographically and topographically for acquiring and collecting Video-On-Demand related packet data from satellites. These arrangements have also been found costly and burdensome in requiring that all Video-On-Demand content for millions of home subscribers be channeled through a single closed network infrastructure. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to establish a virtual private network connection between a remote node and authorized Internet Protocol Television head-end(s), such that the remote node remains operatively connected to the authorized Internet Protocol Television head-end(s). 
     It is another object of the present invention is to locate a satellite reception node remotely a selected distance from the rest of an authorized Internet Protocol Television head-end, and connect them seamlessly to one another via a Virtual Private Network, such that the receiver logically remains a device within the Internet Protocol Television head-end, and, therefore, complies with any requirement that reception occur at the authorized Internet Protocol Television system. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to insure that with a satellite reception node located remotely a selected distance from the rest of an authorized Internet Protocol Television head-end, all traffic between the remote node and the base node of the head end is encrypted virtual private network data, so that no usable video files are sent from the remote node to the base node. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a “virtual” Internet Protocol Television head-end core network that utilizes the public Internet, rather than conventional internal or closed network arrangements, to distribute video files distributed over satellite to authorized subscriber access networks of Video-On-Demand operators. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bifurcated Internet Protocol Television head-end, where a remote reception node with satellite receiver and buffer computer may be positioned more easily, for instance, because the receiver is already in place, thereby avoiding the need to install satellite receive dishes at the head-end location where space for such dishes may be unavailable. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a single remote satellite reception node that enables reception of Video-On-Demand content for multiple authorized Internet Protocol Television systems. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a bifurcated Internet Protocol Television head-end, in which a remote reception node may be located at a single, remote facility where additional operational/maintenance-related services that are desired and readily available, but may not be otherwise available at individual head-end base nodes. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement that simplifies deployment of a Video-On-Demand service at an authorized Internet Protocol Television head-end in that the head-end need only install a Virtual Private Network connection, which is simpler and much less expensive than installation of satellite dishes and receivers for each head-end. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a virtual system is provided for delivery of Video-On-Demand content, which comprises one or more communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating a selected video file; a satellite receiver at a first location for acquiring and collecting the packet data from the one or more satellites; a buffer computer at the first location, in proximity to the receiver, for re-compiling the packet data into its original video file from beginning to completion; a Video-On-Demand server at a second location, remote from the first location, for distributing the video file to one or more Internet Protocol Television subscribers over an interactive communications network; and an Internet-based, virtual private network for seamless linkage of the buffer computer to the Video-On-Demand servers over the respective remote locations. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a virtual system for delivery of Video-On-Demand content, which comprises one or more communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating one or more selected video files; a plurality of receivers at a first location for acquiring and collecting the packet data from the one or more satellites; one or more buffer computers at the first location, each being associated with and in proximity to one of the receivers, for re-compiling the packet data into their respective one or more original selected video files from beginning to completion; a plurality of Video-On-Demand servers, each at an independent location remote from the first location and associated with one or more Video-On-Demand operators, for distributing the one or more video files to one or more Internet Protocol Television subscribers over an interactive communications network; and one or more Internet-based Virtual Private Networks for seamless linkage of the respective buffer computers to the Video-On-Demand servers over the respective locations. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, a virtual system is provided for delivery of Video-On-Demand content, which comprises one or more communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating a selected video file; a shared receiver at a first location for acquiring and collecting the packet data from the one or more satellites; a shared buffer computer at the first location, in proximity to the receiver, for re-compiling the packet data into its original video file from beginning to completion; a plurality of Video-On-Demand servers, each at an independent location remote from the first location and associated with one of a plurality of Video-On-Demand operators, for distributing the video file to one or more Internet Protocol Television subscribers over an interactive communications network; and a plurality of Internet-based, virtual private networks, each network being associated with one of the Video-On-Demand operators, for seamless linkage of the shared buffer computer to the Video-On-Demand server associated with the one Video-On-Demand operator, over the respective locations. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a virtual system for delivery of Video-On-Demand content, which comprises one or more communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating a selected video file; a virtual private receiver at a first location for acquiring and collecting the packet data from the one or more satellites; a virtual private buffer computer at the first location, in proximity to the receiver, for re-compiling the packet data into its original video file from beginning to completion; and a plurality of Video-On-Demand servers, each at an independent location remote from the first location and associated with one of a plurality of Video-On-Demand operators, for distributing the video file to one or more Internet Protocol Television subscribers over an interactive communications network; and an Internet-based, virtual private network for seamless linkage of the virtual private buffer computer to the Video-On-Demand server over the respective locations. 
     According to yet a further aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for delivery of Video-On-Demand content over a virtual Internet Protocol Television network. Initially, a satellite receiver is positioned at a first location for acquiring and collecting packet data communications, encapsulating a selected video file, from one or more communications satellites. Next, a buffer computer is placed at the first location, and in proximity to the receiver, for re-compiling the packet data into its original video file from beginning to completion. A network connection, e.g., secure, is provided from the buffer computer to a global interactive communications network such as the Internet. A Video-On-Demand server is then arranged at a second location, remote from the first location, for distributing the video file to one or more Internet Protocol Television subscribers over an interactive communications network. A secure network connection is also provided from the server to the global interactive communications network. Finally, an Internet-based virtual private network is provided for seamlessly linking the buffer computer to the Video-On-Demand server over the respective locations. 
     In accordance with still a further method of operation, the satellite receiver at the first location acquires and collects packet data communications, encapsulating the selected video file, from one or more communications satellites, and transfers the data to the buffer computer. The buffer computer placed at the first location, and in proximity to the receiver, then re-compiles the packet data into its original video file from beginning to completion, and transmits the file, through a router and over the Internet to the Video-On-Demand server arranged at the second location, remote from the first location. The server distributes the video file to one or more Internet Protocol Television subscribers over an interactive communications network. The Internet-based virtual private network provides seamless linkage of the buffer computer to the Video-On-Demand server over the respective locations. 
     The present invention will now be further illustrated by the following drawings which are not intended to limit this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a conventional Internet Protocol Television, Video-On-Demand architecture for satellite delivered Video-On-Demand content; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a virtual network architecture for Video-On-Demand using remotely located satellite reception equipment, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a remote node of the virtual network architecture shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a base node of the virtual network architecture set forth in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a virtual network architecture for Video-On-Demand using remotely located satellite reception equipment, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a virtual network architecture for Video-On-Demand using remotely located satellite reception equipment, according to a further embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The same numerals are used throughout the figure drawings to designate similar elements. Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly, to  FIGS. 2-6 , there is shown generally a specific, illustrative virtual system  10  for delivery of Video-On-Demand content, according to various aspects of the present invention. In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 , the system comprises one or more communications satellites  20 , i.e., traditional domestic and/or international satellites, positioned and adapted for, or at least capable of, receiving and relaying packet data communications  30  encapsulating a selected video file  31 . A receiver  42 , e.g., a conventional satellite receiver including a satellite dish, at a first location or remote node  41  acquires and collects the packet data from the one or more satellites and a buffer computer or “catcher”  43 , such as of a known type, at the first location, in proximity to the receiver, re-compiles the packet data into its original video file, e.g., and/or file format, from beginning to completion. 
     A Video-On-Demand server  62 , e.g., also conventional, is positioned at a second location or base node  61 , remote from the first location, for distributing video file  31  to one or more authorized Internet Protocol Television subscribers  64  over an interactive communications network  63  for access to the subscribers, e.g., home subscribers. The buffer computer is linked seamlessly across the respective locations to the Video-On-Demand server via a global interactive communications network  50 , such as the Internet, and preferably over an Internet-based Virtual Private Network (“VPN”)  51 . 
     More specifically, the present invention provides a “virtual” core network  11  that includes a plurality of authorized Internet Protocol Television head-ends  40 ,  60 , one head-end  40  being remote node  41  located at the first location with one or more satellite receivers  42  and one or more catchers  43 , and the other head-end  60  being at least one Internet Protocol Television head-end base node  61 , each base node having Video-On-Demand server  62  under operation of an authorized Cable TV Provider or authorized Internet Service Provider (“ISP”). By locating the Video-On-Demand server at a location separate from the satellite receiver(s) and catcher(s), the present invention is desirably not limited to use with a “true” Internet Protocol Television system 
     According to one arrangement, in the remote node of the virtual core network, the requisite satellite receiver(s) and catcher(s) are located together as part of a single operative unit  44 , and are placed in relatively close proximity to one another, such as components of the same operating installation, or in any combination thereof. While the satellite receiver(s) and catcher(s) are shown and described herein as being conventional, other receiver and/or catcher arrangements may be utilized, alternatively or concurrently therewith, giving consideration to the purpose for which the present invention is intended. 
     Video-On-Demand server  62 , which comprises a proximal network  65  at head-end base node  61 , is connected to global interactive communications network  50  using a suitable first router  52 , e.g., a Cisco 7600 Series or like conventional data router, and is located a selected distance from the remote node, for instance, in another city, state, country or even on another continent. Completed video files are then moved from the catcher to the Video-On-Demand server, e.g., a Cisco VOD Server or other conventional server, over Internet-based Virtual Private Network  51 , e.g., a Cisco 5500 Series or other traditional Virtual Private Network. 
     Similarly, the remote node of the virtual core network includes a connection to the Internet, preferably through a selected second router  53 , for example, a Cisco 7600 Series or other router of a known type, to provide Internet connectivity to between catcher(s)  43  of the remote node, at the first location, and Video-On-Demand server(s)  62  at the second location. 
     Preferably, no video files are sent from the remote head-end node to base head-end node, as all traffic between the remote node and base node desirably does not constitute one or more integral video files, i.e., a usable video file, but rather is indecipherable raw data that permits the video file to emerge intact after traversing the Virtual Private Network connection. Optionally, for added security, the buffer computer and Video-On-Demand server are provided with encryption processing  54 , e.g., conventional software-based encryption, such that all traffic between the Virtual Private Network endpoints, i.e., the remote node and base node head end, is securely encrypted Virtual Private Network data. 
     By employing appropriately selected routers at both the remote node and head-end base node, a Virtual Private Network connection is established between them, such that the remote node for all intents and purposes is operatively connected directly to the Internet Protocol Television head-end. In one embodiment of the present invention, the Virtual Private Network connection is “tunneled”, such as by known arrangements, through the public Internet. Alternatively or concurrently, rather than operating over the public Internet, the connection established between the remote node and base node head-end utilizes one or more leased lines, one or more fiber optic lines, a selected wireless Internet Protocol data link, and/or any other private line or Internet Protocol network connection capable of supporting a Virtual Private Network. 
     Advantageously, by locating satellite reception remotely a selected distance from the rest of the authorized Internet Protocol Television head-end, and connecting the same seamlessly via Virtual Private Network, the present invention provides a system wherein the received video data from satellite receiver(s) and catcher(s), over a Virtual Private Network to the rest of the authorized Internet Protocol Television system, logically remains within the Internet Protocol Television head-end and, therefore, complies with any requirement set by video content providers that reception occur at the authorized Internet Protocol Television system. 
     More specifically, because the satellite receiver(s) and catcher(s) remain part of the Internet Protocol Television head-end, and further conveyance of the video data received and compiled occurs over a Virtual Private Network to the rest of the Internet Protocol Television system, the distribution of video data to Video-On-Demand server(s) over the public Internet appropriately complies with requirements of video content providers. 
     Generally speaking, the present invention includes, but is not limited to, the following arrangements: (i) providing a satellite receiver and a catcher for each authorized Video-On-Demand operator or service provider; (ii) providing one satellite receiver and one catcher (i.e., a shared satellite receiver and a shared catcher) where each authorized Video-On-Demand operator has its own Virtual Private Network; (iii) providing a virtual private receiver and a virtual private catcher for each authorized Video-On-Demand operator; and/or (iv) providing one or more receivers and one or more catchers for one or more authorized Video-On-Demand operators. 
     According to the latter arrangement, rather than share a catcher among multiple authorized Internet Protocol Television systems, each Internet Protocol Television system has its own designated catcher, or its own relay computer, or a designated partition on a shared catcher or relay computer, so as to have a physical device at the remote node that is logically a part of the Internet Protocol Television system&#39;s core network. 
     Turning now to another aspect of the present invention, a virtual system is provided for delivery of Video-On-Demand content. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the system comprises one or more communications satellites  20 , i.e., domestic and/or international, positioned and adapted for, or at least capable of, receiving and relaying packet data communications  30  encapsulating one or more selected video files  31 . A plurality of satellite receivers  42  at a first location or remote node  41  acquire and collect the packet data from the one or more satellites. One or more buffer computers  43  are also provided at the first location, each being associated with and in proximity to one of the receivers, for re-compiling the packet data into their original one or more selected video files from beginning to completion. 
     In addition, a plurality of Video-On-Demand servers  62  are provided, each at an independent location remote from the first location and associated with one or more authorized Video-On-Demand operators  70 , for distributing the one or more video files to one or more authorized Internet Protocol Television subscribers  64  over interactive communications network  63  such as using a router  55 , as known by those skilled in the art. Similarly, one or more Internet-based virtual private networks  51  facilitate seamless linkage of the respective buffer computers to the Video-On-Demand servers over the respective locations. 
     Alternatively, the virtual system is provided with a shared receiver  48  at the first location for acquiring and collecting the packet data from the one or more satellites, and a shared buffer computer  45  at the first location, in proximity to the receiver, for re-compiling the packet data into its video file from beginning to completion. Concurrently, a plurality of Video-On-Demand servers  66 ,  67 ,  68  are provided, each at an independent location remote from the first location and associated with one of a plurality of authorized Video-On-Demand operators  71 ,  72 ,  73  for distributing the video file to one or more authorized Internet Protocol Television subscribers over interactive communications network  63 . A plurality of Internet-based virtual private networks  56 ,  57 ,  58  each network being associated with one or more of the authorized Video-On-Demand operators, is provided for seamless linkage of the shared buffer computer to the Video-On-Demand server associated with the one Video-On-Demand operator, over the respective locations. A system of this general description is shown, for instance, in  FIG. 6 . 
     Further in the alternative, or concurrently therewith, a virtual private receiver  46  is provided at the first location for acquiring and collecting the packet data from the one or more satellites. A virtual private buffer computer  47 , also at the first location, and in proximity to the receiver, re-compiles the packet data into its original video file from beginning to completion. A plurality of Video-On-Demand servers  66 ,  67 , each at an independent location remote from the first location and associated with one of a plurality of authorized Video-On-Demand operators, then distribute the video file to one or more authorized Internet Protocol Television subscribers  64  over interactive communications network  63 . Internet-based, virtual private network  51  seamlessly links the virtual private buffer computer to the Video-On-Demand server over the respective remote locations. 
     Although the present invention has been shown and described in connection with conventional interactive communications network(s) for distribution of video files to Internet Protocol Television subscribers, other networks and communications arrangements may be utilized, alternatively or concurrently therewith, within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Overall, by locating satellite reception remotely from the Internet Protocol Television head-end and Video-On-Demand servers, the present invention provides numerous economic and technical benefits. First, because authorized Internet Protocol Television systems typically endeavor to receive the same video content, a single remote satellite reception node enables reception of Video-On-Demand content for multiple authorized Internet Protocol Television systems. Hence, no matter how many Internet Protocol Television systems are subsequently sent the Video-On-Demand content each over their own Virtual Private Network connection, actual reception of video content, according to the present invention, need only occur once, requiring only one satellite receiver, or set of satellite receivers, and one catcher, or catcher system. 
     Another benefit of the present invention is that its remote “reception” node may be located at a single, remote facility where additional operational/maintenance-related services that are desired are readily available, but are not otherwise available at every head-end base node. Such services include, but are not limited to, Internet Protocol Television monitoring for quality, redundancy for system backup, trans-coding or other digital processing of video files that are in an undesirable format to convert them into the desired format, and personnel that may be needed for maintenance, repair, and/or routine operational functions. 
     Alternatively or concurrently, the remote reception node of the present invention is advantageously located where satellite reception is more suitable, geographically and/or topographically. In this manner, Video-On-Demand content can now be conveyed through the Virtual Private Network(s) to head-ends, i.e., base nodes, that may be geographically or topographically unable to “see” the satellite. Further in the alternative or concurrently therewith, remote reception node is positioned where reception is easy because, for instance, receive dishes are already in place, thereby obviating the need to install satellite receive dishes at the head-end location where space for such dishes may be unavailable. 
     Moreover, the present invention simplifies deployment of a Video-On-Demand service at an authorized Internet Protocol Television head-end. In particular, the head-end need only install a Virtual Private Network connection, which is simpler and much less expensive than installation of satellite dishes and receivers for each head-end. 
     In operation, a method is provided for delivery of Video-On-Demand content over a virtual Internet Protocol Television network. Initially, the satellite receiver is positioned at the first location for acquiring and collecting packet data communications, encapsulating the selected video file, from one or more communications satellites, i.e., domestic and/or international. Next, the buffer computer is placed at the first location, and in proximity to the receiver, for re-compiling the packet data into its original video file from beginning to completion. A network connection, preferably secure, is provided from the buffer computer to a global interactive communications network such as the Internet. The Video-On-Demand server is then arranged at the second location, remote from the first location, for distributing the video file to one or more authorized Internet Protocol Television subscribers over an interactive communications network. A secure network connection is similarly provided from the server to the global interactive communications network. Finally, the Internet-based Virtual Private Network is provided for seamlessly linking the buffer computer to the Video-On-Demand server over the respective locations. 
     In accordance with another method of operation, the satellite receiver at the first location acquires and collects packet data communications, encapsulating the selected video file, from one or more communications satellites, i.e., domestic and/or international, and transfers the data to the buffer computer, placed at the first location, and in proximity to the receiver. The buffer computer then re-compiles the packet data into its original video file from beginning to completion, and transmits the file, through a router and over the Internet to the Video-On-Demand server arranged at the second location, remote from the first location. The server distributes the video file to one or more authorized Internet Protocol Television subscribers over an interactive communications network. The Internet-based Virtual Private Network provides seamless linkage of the buffer computer to the Video-On-Demand server over the respective locations. 
     Various modifications and alterations to the present invention may be appreciated based on a review of this disclosure. These changes and additions are intended to be within the scope and spirit of this invention.