Patent Abstract:
A system and method for increasing the cost effectiveness of a service provider in meeting the needs of the multiple dwelling unit (MDU) market. To reduce the cost of connectivity between a network unit and a customer premises in the MDU, customer premises equipment functionality is embedded in a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) phone.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application No. 60/917,769, filed May 14, 2007, which is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety, for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to customer premises equipment and, more particularly, to voice over IP (VOIP) customer premises equipment. 
         [0004]    2. Introduction 
         [0005]    Incumbent local exchange carriers (ILEC) and competitive local exchange carriers (CLECS) are seeking to capitalize on the growing market for broadband Internet connections to the home. One example of an ILEC Internet service is digital subscriber line (DSL) service, which provides a broadband connection over a conventional copper twisted pair. Recent ILEC offerings have enhanced the bandwidth of connections to the home using fiber optic technology. Hybrid solutions also exist where fiber optic solutions are combined with copper twisted pairs from a curbside or other remote terminal. These ILEC offerings are seeking to compete with cable providers that provide broadband connections using their existing coaxial cable TV infrastructure. 
         [0006]    Regardless of the method of connection to the customer, the connections terminate on customer premise equipment (CPE). Examples of CPEs include a DSL or cable modem. In general, the CPE is responsible for performing media conversion (e.g., fiber-optic to copper), switching, security, provisioning, etc. 
         [0007]    One of the major markets of competition for ILEC and CLECS are multiple dwelling units (MDUs) such as apartment complexes, office buildings, high-rise complexes, etc. This MDU market has vast potential due to the density of the customer base. What is needed therefore is a mechanism that increases the cost effectiveness of a service provider in meeting the particular needs of the MDU market. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    A VOIP customer premises equipment, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a system that services a MDU complex. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a system that services a MDU complex. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a VOIP CPE. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates CPE functionality in a VOIP device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart of a process of operating a VOIP CPE. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example of packet routing in a VOIP CPE. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Various embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0017]    Unlike suburban residential markets, the MDU market can benefit greatly from economies of scale.  FIG. 1  illustrates an example system architecture for provisioning service to multiple customer premises in an MDU. In this illustrated example, the MDU service is supported by central office  110  (or other hub location). Although not shown, central office  110  is itself connected with other central offices and hubs through a broader communications network. In one embodiment, central office  110  is connected to MDU  120  via a high bandwidth connection between line terminal (LT)  112  in central office  110  and network unit (NU)  121  in MDU  120 . In one scenario, NU  121  is located in a basement of MDU  120 . In various implementations, link  114  can be embodied as a copper link, fiber optic link, etc. Moreover, in one embodiment, LT  112  is positioned as a remote terminal in a location that is remote from central office  110 . 
         [0018]    NU  121  in MDU  120  can be configured to perform a media conversion. For example, NU  121  can perform a media conversion from fiber optic cabling to copper cabling. In the illustrated example, NU  121  can support multiple CPEs in MDU  120  via a plurality of links  122 . In a typical high-rise building, the plurality of links can extend from the basement to customer premises  131 - 134  on various floors in MDU  120 . 
         [0019]    In one configuration, the connection between NU  121  and individual CPEs is via a copper connection. In various embodiments, this copper connection can be based on standard Ethernet, DSL, or the like. In various implementations, the copper DSL connection can be Ethernet (e.g., 2BASE-TL and 10PASS-TS) or non-Ethernet based. 
         [0020]    As illustrated, NU  121  also incorporates switching functionality that aggregates a plurality of links into a single uplink. NU  121  can also effect various network policies. For example, NU  121  can enforce various bandwidth limitations in accordance with service provisioning under a particular service level agreement (SLA). 
         [0021]    In general, a CPE can be configured to perform media conversion, switching, security, provisioning, etc. As such, a CPE such as a DSL modem can be used to support multiple devices within a single customer premises. For example, a DSL modem can support such devices as a VOIP phone, a computer, a wireless access point, a television, etc. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , NU  121  can have a DSL connection to CPE  142  in customer premises  134 . CPE  142  in turn supports various customer devices. As illustrated, CPE  142  supports VOIP phone  146  via Ethernet connection  144 . 
         [0022]    One of the disadvantages of the provisioning example of  FIG. 1  is the expense of supporting the various links from NU  121  to each customer premises  131 - 134 . In a typical MDU, these links can extend well over 100 meters, thus creating a need for CPE components such as DSL modems. CPEs represent the most significant component of the expense in supporting the links from NU  121  to customer premises  131 - 134 . 
         [0023]    In the present invention, reduction of these costs is enabled by a system architecture such as that illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In the illustrated example, a high-bandwidth connection such as fiber-optic link  214  is supported by LT  212  in central office  210  and NU  221  in MDU  220 . Unlike the previous system architecture, links from NU  221  to customer premises  231 - 234  are not supported by conventional CPEs. Rather, the conventional CPE such as a DSL modem is eliminated from the system architecture. Instead, the links from NU  221  to customer premises  231 - 234  is supported by a VOIP CPE, such as VOIP phone  242  in customer premises  234 . 
         [0024]    It is a feature of the present invention that a VOIP phone can be configured to function as a VOIP CPE. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , VOIP CPE  242  can be used to support multiple customer devices (CDs)  246  in customer premises  234 . Examples of such CDs are personal computers, wireless access points, televisions, HD receivers, etc. These CDs can be coupled to VOIP CPE  242  via a separate link (e.g., Ethernet). 
         [0025]    In the system architecture of  FIG. 2 , each VOIP CPE can be coupled to NU  221  via a wall socket that supports an Ethernet-type connection. In one embodiment, this connection is a broad reach Ethernet connection that can handle link spans as long as 500 meters and beyond. Conventional Ethernet connections only support link spans up to 100 meters. Accordingly, conventional Ethernet connections cannot be used to support the lengthy link spans from NU  221  to customer premises  231 - 234 . For example, a conventional Ethernet connection would not facilitate a connection from a basement in an MDU to a customer premises on the 20 th  floor. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the broad reach connection enables frames to be carried natively in Ethernet. This is advantageous because NU  221  can be based on a conventional enterprise switch box not a DSL box, and a frame format conversion such as that performed by a DSL modem at the CPE would not be required. Moreover, the switch chips inside NU  221  are standard devices that can enjoy high volume efficiencies. In general, broad reach Ethernet extends the physical transmission capabilities of Ethernet but preserves the PCS, RS, MAC and above as native Ethernet. Broad reach Ethernet is also backwards compatible with standard Ethernet. 
         [0027]    In general, the VOIP CPE can be built with functionality similar to personal computers. For example, a VOIP CPE can have a central processing unit (CPU), a switch, router, and software/firmware that can define its configuration and functionality. In one embodiment, the VOIP CPE is embedded with CPE functionality such as encryption, authentication, provisioning, packet inspection, router, network address translation, USB support, prioritization, audio/video bridging, etc. This embedded functionality would enable the VOIP CPE to operate in a capacity similar to a conventional CPE. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of a VOIP CPE. As would be appreciated, various bus/bridge architectures (e.g., north/south bridge architectures) can be used to connect the various components in the system. 
         [0029]    As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 3 , VOIP CPE can include conventional components such as CPU  311 , system memory  312 , and power  313 . As the VOIP CPE can be embodied as a VOIP phone, support for VOIP traffic is also included. Here, the VOIP CPE would include display  314 , codec  315 , and keypad  316 . Display  314  can be embodied as an LCD screen for dialing and other call control/notification functions. Codec  315  supports the conversion of an audio signal from/to a digital bitstream in the downstream/upstream directions. As such, codec  315  can be coupled to an amplifier that supports a speaker and microphone for VOIP communication. Finally, keypad  316  enables the user input of dialing instructions. In combination, display  314 , codec  315 , and keypad  316  would support the VOIP function of the VOIP CPE. 
         [0030]    As noted, a VOIP CPE can support multiple CDs such as wireless access points, televisions, computers, HD receivers, etc. In  FIG. 3 , this support is enabled by switch  319 , router  318 , and network address translation (NAT)  317  functionality. In combination, switch  319 , router  318 , and NAT  317  enable the VOIP device to operate as a CPE for one or more CDs.  FIG. 4  illustrates an example of such CPE functionality. As illustrated, VOIP CPE  400  includes WAN port  412  for connection to an NU/SW, one or more LAN ports  414  for connection to one or more CDs, and internal port  418 . In one embodiment, WAN port  412  and LAN ports  414  are Ethernet ports. In general, WAN port  412 , LAN port(s)  414  and internal port  418  support full duplex links such that traffic can be coming from either direction at the same time. Traffic can also be switched to two ports simultaneously. For example, internal port  418  can add traffic to WAN port  412  (e.g., VOIP traffic) and LAN port(s)  414 , or receive traffic from either or both of WAN port  412  and LAN port(s)  414 . WAN port  412 , LAN port(s)  414 , and internal port  418  are coupled together via switch  416 . In routing traffic from WAN port  412  to LAN port(s)  414 , VOIP CPE  400  would support a CPE switching functionality for the customer premises. 
         [0031]    VOIP CPE can be designed to support some form of authentication, privacy and security. Authentication would indicate to the network that the VOIP CPE is a valid network device that can receive communication. By validating exactly what services (e.g., IPTV, VOIP, data, etc.) are allowed to the VOIP CPE, the system can ensure that services are not stolen. Privacy/security can be enabled by encryption (e.g., MACSec), which would ensure that transmitted data (e.g., voice data) cannot be monitored by third parties. In general, authentication, privacy and security can be used to prevent unauthorized devices from accessing the link at other points. 
         [0032]    To illustrate the functionality of the VOIP CPE, reference is now made to the flowchart of  FIG. 5 . As illustrated, the process begins at step  502  where communication is received on an ingress port of a VOIP CPE. In the current example, this step can be represented by the receipt of an Ethernet communication from the NU/SW at a WAN port of the VOIP CPE. The communication on the link between the NU/SW and the VOIP CPE is not restricted to traffic (e.g., VOIP traffic) between the NU/SW and the VOIP CPE. Rather, the communication on the link between the NU/SW and the VOIP CPE can carry traffic between multiple pairs of devices. Specifically, the communication can include traffic destined for one or more of a personal computer, wireless access point, television, HD receivers, etc. The support of traffic for multiple devices on a single link is the consequence of having a network that supports independently addressable network devices. 
         [0033]    At the VOIP CPE, the switch is used to route traffic to its intended destination. At step  504 , the switch in the VOIP CPE would examine the source and destination of the packet. Next, at step  506 , the switch would determine a destination of the packet. Finally, at step  508 , the switch would send the packet to the appropriate egress port. In the current example, the switch can determine that a packet (e.g., containing VOIP traffic) is destined for the VOIP device. In that case, the switch would route the packet to the appropriate egress port, which is the internal port of the VOIP CPE. This routing is illustrated by path  610  in  FIG. 6 . If, on the other hand, the switch determines that the packet (e.g., containing video data) is destined for an HD receiver on a LAN port, then the switch would route the packet to the egress port supported by the LAN port of the VOIP CPE. This LAN port enables transmission of the non-terminating traffic to the HD receiver. This routing is illustrated by path  620  in  FIG. 6 . As would be appreciated, multicast traffic can also be supported by the switch, such that traffic is destined to be put on all ports. 
         [0034]    As this process illustrates, the inclusion of a VOIP phone can be used as a CPE device to support one or more CDs via conventional LAN Ethernet ports. As such, the VOIP phone can be coupled to an Ethernet wall jack in a manner similar to a conventional phone, and yet operate as a CPE. This is in contrast to conventional VOIP phones that are coupled to a separate CPE device. In accordance with the present invention, a dedicated CPE device can therefore be eliminated. 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, the WAN connection is a DSL connection. This DSL connection can be Ethernet or non-Ethernet based. In another embodiment, the WAN connection is a broad reach Ethernet connection that enables link lengths beyond 100 m. The inclusion of broad reach Ethernet support would remove the reliance on local loop technologies such as DSL, and can lead to simpler NU and CPE designs that leverage high volume Ethernet components. Specifically, the support of broad reach Ethernet communication by the VOIP CPE obviates the need for DSL support by both the NU and CPE. This greatly reduces the complexity and cost of the NU. 
         [0036]    These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by a review of the preceding detailed description. Although a number of salient features of the present invention have been described above, the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading the disclosed invention, therefore the above description should not be considered to be exclusive of these other embodiments. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7