DE19524002A1 - Functional architecture for controlling interactive video services - Google Patents

Abstract

The functional architecture is used to control interactive services between a subscriber and a content provider, connected to the subscriber via the communications network and a service switching point. Separate modules are used for the call handling and connection control procedures, with signalling between the subscriber and the service connection nodes effected via a standard asynchronous transfer mode specification.

Description

New technologies for the transmission and switching of Da Wide bandwidth tens signals lead to intelligent ones Networking with new services. A class of these new services form the interactive video services IVS (Interactive Video Services) where the video query service (Video on Demand Service) represents a typical representative.

To coordinate the individual control processes in the network, such as e.g. B. when establishing and triggering connections, the loading Provision of a control system in the switching network required.

The subject of the application relates to a control system for Treatment of interactive services in which

• - A subscriber terminal via a switching network and a service switching node with a service content provider is connectable
• - Establishing and triggering a connection between the Subscriber terminal equipment and the service content provider about a call handling procedure and a Verbin procedure control are controllable.

In such known control systems, one is inseparable clear interlocking of call handling with the verb control.

The subject of the registration poses the problem, the tax Design system such that a flexible adjustment availability to different circumstances, such as B. under different connection networks or services to be set up in the future given is.  

The problem is with the control system outlined at the beginning solved in that the call handling and the connection control in independent modules leads are.

For the registration subject, the module call handling and assigned clearly defined tasks to the connection control module assigns, the call handling process only in the module call handling is dealt with. The module call handling is at an optional point within the network or can even be arranged outside the network. The individual construction Control system stones are interchangeable or new ones Modules can be added without making changes to other modules necessary. In the subject of registration, the the data relating to the network structure in the connection module control, with which the module call handling free of is the data concerning the network structure. So several can different access network structures with the network connected, are supported without any particular measure call handling module. To the Network accesses are different signaling protocols applicable. There will be a direct access option ner subscriber terminal on the connection control ge create what to connect to for new services structures that can be built up significantly above those with the current signaling possible connection structures go out. The system control according to the registration offers a open interface for signaling between the network and a subscriber terminal, with a flexible to adaptability to changed requirements is given. The registration object fits into existing intelligent Network components.

According to a further development of the subject of the application given several modules call handling. This measure enables the treatment of different signaling prototypes  but, for example, different service providers also different signaling scope.

According to a further development of the subject of the application, in data can be transmitted to the switching network according to the ATM standard. This measure enables flexible adaptability of the Transmission bandwidth to the necessary transmission band wide, such as B. at the transition from receiving individual images from a video film to receive the video or at un different data rates in the forward and return channel.

According to a further development of the subject of registration the signaling between the subscriber terminal and the service switching node with one opposite that of the ATM forum standardized specification restricted Functionality. This measure brings usability low-cost subscriber terminal equipment with it thereby ne accelerated spread of subscriber terminals and the services that can be called up with it.

According to a further development of the subject of the application, we at least one subscriber terminal via an access network connectable to the service switching node and data that the technology of the access network are all in one module access network function arranged to the switching node (ASNF) available. There are differences in this measure Access network technology through the Access Network module function hidden from the connection control module.

A functional architecture is proposed that is compatible with functional module exchanging messages with each other is formed. Each module forms a self-contained one Whole, so when implementing an appropriate Module in the runtime environment of other module profound Modifications to the modules are not required.  

The interactive video services are an intelligent network services trained by an intelligent network similar services controlling architecture are handled. Be regarding the principles of intelligent network architecture reference is made to ITU-I Draft Recommendation Q.1201. The required radio according to the proposed solution tional modules for controlling video services are integrated in the basic components of intelligent networks tax architecture.

The subject of registration is hereinafter referred to as execution example to the extent necessary for understanding hand described in more detail by figures. Show:

Fig. 1 a constituent in an intelligent network, mo modularly structured control architecture for video services in teraktive,

Fig. 2 illustrates further details of how the module Bro ker from the module with other modules in IP Verbin is dung,

3 shows how the unit services content provider CP is. With other modules in compound

Fig. 4 shows how the module ACH is connected to other modules and

Fig. 5 as the module connection control GCH communicates with other modules.

The thick lines between the elements in the figures be draw connections over which both signaling information mations with a low data rate as well as useful information tions are transferable with a high data rate. The thin ones Lines denote connections that are only signalisie information with a low data rate between the Can transfer elements in the figures.

To maintain a functional structure, they are for one Functions required for interactive video service  assigned to modules. A module can have one or more Execute functions and contains all necessary Data. A functional module can be divided into additional functional mo dule can be divided. The modules are for the exchange of In channels connected via information channels.

Fig. 1 shows a unit service switching node SSP (Service Switching Point) with a unit service monitoring point SCP (Service Control Point), a remote unit IP (Intelligent Peripheral), a unit service content provider CP (Content Provider) and a unit part slave terminal device SU (Service User) is connected. The service switching node may be inserted in a manner known for intelligent networks into a switching network which, according to the ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) standard, switches through message cells of fixed length in the course of free virtual connections, for example at the location of a central switching center. The unit service monitoring point has a module service monitoring functions SCF (service control functions), the remote unit IP a module broker and the service switching node a module connection control GCH (Global Connection Handling), a module core network functions ACNF (ATM Core Network Functions), a module Access network functions ASNF (AN / A subnetwork functions) as well as a module call handling ACH (ATM Forum Call Handling), which itself has a module service switching functions SSF (service switching functions). The modules mentioned are described in more detail below.

The subscriber terminal device may have a number of participants merendeinrichtung common access network AN / A, in which a Communication takes place according to the ATM standard, with the services switching nodes are connected. The signaling between the service switching node and the subscriber facility according to the ATM forum for the participants Network interface UNI (User Network Interface) specified Specification. In the event that a participant  Setting up a functionality only for the part has terminal connections to be set up, can the functionality for signaling compared to that of ATM forum specified signaling may be restricted where through a reduction in effort for the subscriber terminal tion is achievable. The subscriber terminal can do the same maintain at least two carrier connections in good time and operate, namely one to the unit IP and one to the Service Providers Unit. The one carrier connection with the narrow bandwidth is used for dialogue with the unit IP or with the service content provider unit. The other asymmetrical carrier connection with a wide range serves the transmission of user information, such as B. audio Video signals from the IP unit or the unit service stop provider to the subscriber terminal.

The broker unit in FIG. 2 is connected to one or more instances of a subscriber terminal device via a connection ( 1 ). The connection ( 1 ) forms an interface, on the one hand, an information exchange regarding service offering and selection of services takes place, and on the other hand, a transmission of useful information such. B. audio-video information takes place from the broker unit to the subscriber terminal. The connection marked with ( 2 ) forms an interface between the unit broker and the module ACH (ATM Forum Call Handling) from the service switching node SSP (in Fig. 1). The connection setup and the triggering of carrier connections is handled via the interface ( 2 ). The broker unit provides offers from various service content providers for the subscriber terminal. The offers essentially relate to the content, the quality of the transmission and the associated costs. The subscriber terminal can thus select a desired offer via the broker unit.

The Broker module performs the following functions:

• - Acceptance of requests for module ACH Establishment of bearer connections for communication with the Subscriber terminal equipment or for the transmission of Au dio / video information
• - Control of communication with the subscriber terminal tung
• - Selection of a provider based on the participant wishes, for example regarding the quality of the service or the costs incurred
• - Offer for querying time-limited sections of service content, such as B. video clips for support the selection of a service provider
• - Management of service and content offers
• - Recording data for fee collection, e.g. B. after Determination of the duration of the communication with the participant Facility.

In a network environment that, as in the exemplary embodiment, the module has an intelligent network infrastructure Broker in the remote unit Intelligent Peripherals IP implements and belongs to the area of the network operator. It it is understood that in an extensive ATM network there are several Module brokers can be arranged.

The service content provider CP in Fig. 3 is connected via a connection ( 1 ) to a subscriber terminal. The connection ( 1 ) forms an interface, on the one hand data exchange regarding content offers, selection of service content and video recorder functions, and on the other hand a transmission of audio / video information from the service content provider to the subscriber terminal. The connection designated ( 2 ) forms an interface between the service content provider CP and the module ACH from the service connection node SSP. Via the interface ( 2 ) the connection establishment and the triggering of carrier connections is handled.

The service content provider CP sends the subscriber end direction the desired audio / video information. Of the Service content providers can end up with multiple subscribers directions to connect simultaneously. The dien Stone holding provider controls the selection of the desired services the content of the communication with a participant terminal equipment. The service content provider works with the Module ACH together.

The service content provider performs the following functions:

• - Acceptance of connection requests sent by the ACH module to the bearer connections for communication with the subscriber terminal or for the transmission of Build audio / video information
• - Control of data exchange with the participant direction
• - Checking the authorization of the subscriber terminal
• - Scroll through video content
• - Transmission of video content
• - In the case of several, different connecting lines between between the service content provider and the service agent SSP node making the determination of a data line for the transmission of audio / video signals
• - Execution of functions of a video cassette recorder (VCR) such as B. Stop function (pause), fast forward, fast rewind, slow motion function
• - Management of video titles
• - Recording of charge data as a function of the delivered Service content.

A comparison of the functions of the Broker module with the radio tion of the service content provider module shows that the module Broker viewed as a special service content provider can be optimized for the task of brokering is. In the context of intelligent networks is the Dien stone holding provider in the area of responsibility of a service provider (service subscriber) arranged. In an extended  The ATM network can have many different service providers be given.

The module service monitoring functions SCF (Service Control Functions) may be in the SCP be arranged. The service monitoring functions module sets the ones given by the subscriber terminals Dial to select an intelligent network service in the destination connection number of the module broker or a dien stone holding provider. This implementation may vary Depend on parameters such as B. the location of the content provider, the location of the subscriber terminal, the date and / or the Time of day. The module also monitors the service monitoring function Nomenclature information to support the Network operator with all the necessary data for an invoice position together. The functions of the Services module monitoring functions are controlled by messages that from the service switching module contained in the ACH module SSF (Service Switching Functions) received and are included.

Fig. 4 shows connections of the ACH module to other modules. The ACH module is connected to one or more instances of a subscriber terminal via a connection ( 1 ). The module service switching function SSF is arranged in the module ACH. The connection ( 2 ) forms an interface between the service switching function SSF and the service monitoring function SCF. This interface is provided by an INAP * / CCS7 (Intelligent Network Application Part With Broadband / Interactive Video Service Extensions) interface. This interface is used to exchange messages for determining a destination connection number and for charging.

The connection ( 1 ) forms an interface for the exchange of messages in accordance with the subscriber terminal network signaling UNI.

The module ACH is connected to one or more service content providers CP via a connection ( 3 ). The connection ( 3 ) forms an interface for the exchange of messages in accordance with the subscriber terminal network signaling. The ACH module is connected to one or more broker modules via a connection ( 4 ). The connection ( 4 ) forms an interface for the exchange of messages according to the subscriber terminal network signaling. The ACH call handling module is connected via a connection ( 5 ) to a GCH connection control module (for: Global Connection Handling). The connection ( 5 ) forms an interface for building and triggering carrier connections. The connection control module provides an image of the network structure for the ACH module, which gives the ACH an image of a self-contained network. The connection control handles for the module ACH connections, which can extend over the entire network, by coordinating the network components, such as. B. from a so-called back bone network and networks with multiple access (multiple access networks).

The module call handling ACH (ATM Forum Call Handling) leads the main task is the signaling at the interface between subscriber terminal equipment and network UNI (User Network In terface) according to the specification specified by the ATM Forum out. The ACH module performs the following functions:

• - Treatment of the subscriber terminal network interface lenprotocol
• - Control of access to new connections
• - Service switching function SSF: control of communication cation with the SCF service monitoring functions module Determination of the number of the target connection and charge registration purposes
• - Request for the establishment and release of carrier connections at the request of a subscriber terminal.

Both the calling subscriber station and the called one Participant position, such as B. the service content provider for cooperation with the ACH module with institutions equipped to the subscriber terminal network cut location signaling are capable.

The service switching function module SSF in the module ACH is always included if in connection with a Connection the intelligent network equipment requested are, for example if from a subscriber terminal Abge electoral signs regarding an intelligent network service have been given.

The structure of a specifically designed network for interactive video services has a core network, which on the one hand has a high transmission capacity and on the other hand includes the network functions that are economically accessible to a large number of subscriber terminals for reasons of economy. In the functional architecture, the core network is given by the core network functions ACNF (for: ATM Core Network Functions) module shown in FIG. 1.

By bridging the distance between the individual participants and the core network, access networks form inexpensive access to interactive video services for a large number of participants. Cost-effective technology is used in access networks, which uses existing transmission facilities as far as possible. Different types of access networks can be defined for different applications. In the following, a passive access network is assumed that multiplexes some service access points onto only one or more connecting lines to a core network. This type of access network is shown in Fig. 1 by the module Access Network Function ASNF (AN / A ATM Access Network Subnetwork Functions).

The GCH connection controller has the following tasks:

• - Control of construction and triggering of both permanent as well as selected virtual connections VCC (Virtual Channel Connection) and permanent trunk connections VPC (Virtual Path Connections) via the ATM Access Network and the ATM connection node
• - Implementation of the logical subscriber terminal number Distinguishing marks of the physical access ver binding
• - Management of resources such. B. the transfer access ports and VPI / VCI (Virtual Path Identifier / Virtual Channel Identifier)
• - Control of the module access network function and the module Core network functions taking call handling into account
• - Providing connection data, such as. B. stati data, for using the connection control module cooperating modules, such as B. the module ACH.

The ASNF access network function module has the following tasks:

• - Processing of virtual trunk connections for the ATM Access network AN / A
• - Operation and maintenance functions (Operation and Maintenance Functions) for the facilities of the ATM access network and for the transmission facilities such. B. the verb cable and the connection node
• - Multiplexing of virtual trunking channels for different Service users
• - Providing connection data, such as. B. stati stical data, for with the module access network functions ASNF collaborating modules, such as B. the module Ver binding control GCH
• - Network termination for the service user.

The core network functions ACNF module has the following tasks:

• - Switching through virtual connections and virtual ones Bundle connections for permanent connections  
• - Switching through virtual connections for dial-up connections fertilize
• - Operation and maintenance functions (Operation and Maintenance Functions) for the facilities of the ATM switch-through node tens and for transmission
• - Interface network switching node for access to other ATM connection node
• - Providing connection data, such as. B. stati static data for together with the module core network functions menarbeitenden modules, e.g. B. the module connection tax tion GCH
• - Subscriber terminal network interface without network Enough.

In Fig. 5, the relationships of the module connection control GCH are shown. The connection control module is connected to the ACH module via an interface ( 1 ). The connection control module is connected to the ASNF access network function module via an interface ( 2 ) and to the ACNF core network functions module via an interface ( 3 ). Carrier connections can be set up and triggered via the interfaces ( 1 , 2 ) and ( 3 ).

In the module access network function are the technology of the data relating to the transmission network. The module access network function thus abstracts compared to the module Verbin control GCH the access network and hides difference access network technologies. In the module connection control are data related to the network structure sets. The connection control module thus abstracts against the network structure above the call handling module. The module call Treatment is therefore free of data that the network structure in the individuals and the technology of the access network.

When transmitting video content may reduce the required data transfer rate a video compression procedures are used.

Claims (7)

1. Control system for handling interactive services at the

• - A subscriber terminal (SU) via a switching network and a service switching node (SSP) can be connected to a service content provider (CP)
• the establishment and initiation of a connection between the subscriber terminal and the service content provider can be controlled via a call handling procedure (ACH) and a connection control procedure (GCH),

characterized,
that the call handling and the connection control are each carried out in mutually independent modules. 2. Control system according to claim 1, characterized, that several modules call handling are given. 2. Control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized, that data in the switching network according to the ATM standard are portable. 4. Control system according to claim 3, characterized, that the signaling between the subscriber terminal and the service switching node according to that of the ATM forum standardized specification. 5. Control system according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized, that the signaling between the subscriber terminal and the service switching node with one opposite that of the ATM forum standardized specification restricted Functionality.   6. Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that at least one subscriber terminal via a Zu Gangsnetz is connectable to the service switching node and data relating to the technology of the access network, in a module Zu arranged in the switching node canal system (ASNF) are available.