EP1908227A2

EP1908227A2 - Controllable multicast management method for downstream users of internet protocol television (iptv)

Info

Publication number: EP1908227A2
Application number: EP06756092A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wenkai Chen; Zhe Qu
Original assignee: UTStarcom Telecom Co Ltd
Current assignee: UTStarcom Telecom Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-06-09
Filing date: 2006-06-08
Publication date: 2008-04-09
Also published as: WO2006131898A2; CN100438622C; JP2009508365A; CN1878294A; WO2006131898A3

Abstract

By providing a controllable multicast management method for IPTV downstream users, this invention effectively solves the main shortcoming with current multicast service control management of being based on static management of users accessing the network. This invention method includes: the DHCP request initiated by the user is received by the STB terminal, and the user information is identified and inserted as the first set of related information; DSLAM extracts the first set of related information that was inserted and then sends it along with the second set of related information to the OSS; the OSS determines whether the third set of related information matches the system's current information; a match indicates that the user has accessed normally at the original account opening node; if it does not match, it is determined whether the user is a roaming user; if so, the user ' s information list is refreshed; if not, the user is refused; the user list is refreshed, and the multicast authorization control list is refreshed.

Description

CONTROLLABLE MULTICAST MANAGEMENT METHOD FOR DOWNSTREAM USERS OF INTERNET PROTOCOL

TELEVISION (IPTV)

Field of Invention

[1] This is an invention for a bundling method involving IPTV (IP based TV), broadband bearer network realm, and, in particular, PC (personal computer), STB (set-top box), browser users, and ordered TV channels.

Background Technology

[2] With the rise of IPTV service, network operators and content providers must develop and operate multicast services as well as effective user management and control functions, in addition to demanding robust multicast-related definitions that are IP network supported and running highly effective multicast transmission and equitable multicast address distribution. For example, how to generate multicast service; how to control delivery of multicast data sources and user entry; which method to adopt to verify them; how to bill users; who verifies users signing on, how to calculate charges, how to ensure that the plan to be used is simple and reliable yet fair; how to monitor and control the multicast service flow to ensure that the network is safe and smooth; how users quit the application; service interruption and resource recovery, etc.

[3] The current network could very easily be impacted if effective multicast service management and supervision are not provided after launching the multicast service. Hackers will also take advantage of this to attack and operators will not be able to provide the anticipated multicast service quality to users. For these reasons, both operators and equipment manufacturers need to clearly recognize such information as multicast operation models, requirements, and the status of primary equipment .

[4] Control management of current multicast services is primarily based on static management of the user's access to the network. For example, when allocating numbers, static binding of the user name with the ADSL port and PVC (private virtual channel ) is carried out, and even though this method can control the extent of the user's multicast authorization, it also restricts launching of the roaming services to a certain extent because this method is based on the user terminal always being at a fixed network position. Once this user has roamed, all of the control management information ceases to be effective.

[5] In Figure 1 below, we will look at the current multicast user control process without the user roaming. [6] Included in Figure 1 are the operator ' s original 97/2000 system (integrated service handling system), IPTV system operating system support (OSS), IP telecommunications system network management system (NMS), IP core network, Media Station, broadband access server (BRAS/L3), broadband access equipment (DSLAM/L2), and terminal equipment (STB, TV, or PC).

[7] The controllable multicast service flow path for IPTV system STB users is:

[8] Step 1 - During the process of the STB user opening an account, the 97/2000 system will bind and send the user ' s USERID (user identification number), DSLAM IDENTIFY, ADSL PORT , and PVC information down to the NMS system, and the specific transmission format of the user information can be set based on the status of the operator ' s operation maintenance system. If there is temporarily no specific interface between the IPTV and the 97/2000 system, then the information binding and transmission to NMS can be done through the IPTV OSS.

[9] Step 2 - The STB user orders the set of channels he/she needs on the OSS.

[10] Step 3 - The OSS carries out such service ordering operations as authentication and fee deduction.

[11] Step 4 - Based on the channels that the user has requested, the OSS sends the

USER NAME and corresponding multicast group information of the corresponding multicast group to the NMS through interdevice protocol (Note: If the channel and multicast group are matched in advance and corresponded, they are integrated and placed on the system CHANNEL LIST).

[12] Step 5 - The NMS server refreshes the multicast group authorization information on the list based on the pre-configured user information list and simultaneously passes the multicast group number, ADSL PORT , and PVC information down to the corresponding DSLAM.

[13] Step 6 - DSLAM refreshes the multicast authorization control list in real-time and feeds the operating results back to the NMS system.

[14] Step 7 - When the OSS has successfully received the NMS system feedback, it indicates that the user service order is OK, and the C HANNEL LIST is sent to the STB.

[15] Step 8 - After the STB has received the CHANNEL LIST, the local LIST is updated, and while waiting for the user to select the CHANNEL from the broadcast LIST, the STB initiates the request to join the corresponding multicast group; that is to say, the IGMP REPORT text (Channel 2 is used as an example here) for the requested multicast group is sent.

[ 16] Step 9 - DSLAM matches IGMP REPORT text with the ADSL PORT, and the

PVC, and carries out an inquiry in the controllable multicast list to determine if the user can legally join the requested multicast group. If not, it does not affect the user request text.

[17] If the information matches, DSLAM accepts the request and, while handling the user ' s entry, determines whether there is a user in this multicast group that is the same as this user. If so, then the multicast group number and the DSLAM port are added to the multicast transmission list, and subsequent multicast texts are transmitted directly through this corresponding list.

[18] If not, then DSLAM applies for a new multicast group.

[19] Step 10 - After the STB user has successfully joined, the Channel 2 multicast flow being sent by IPTV may be directly copied to ports 1 and 3 by DSLAM, and the STB users in this group can receive Channel 2 programs normally, and port 2 users cannot receive Channel 2.

[20] In the program described above, we can see that the user's multicast control information is statically bound once the account is opened. This model is based on a service operation model in which the STB and PC cannot be moved. However, the IPTV service development trend is that the STB can be freely purchased at a store, the same as a household appliance. The user only needs to apply for a smart card from the operator and insert into the STB in order to enjoy IPTV services. The user can, of course, also take the card to a friend's house or when traveling and watch IPTV. When this type of user is roaming, the static binding of the user information obviously cannot satisfy the requirements.

Invention Content

[21] The objective of this invention is to provide a controllable multicast management method for roaming IPTV users in order to solve the problem described above. Compared with traditional controllable multicast methods, this invention realizes controllable multicast management of roaming users by carrying the user information in the DHCP request text initiated by the STB, which is then extracted by DSLAM and sent up to and matched with the OSS. Specifically, three steps have been added, as shown in Figure 2:

[22] Step 1 - When the STB user initiates the DHCP (this is understood in the industry, no need to explain) request, the STB terminal software will insert the USERID information in the Discover text.

[23] Step 2 - DSLAM extracts the DHCP Discover text and pulls the USER ID information and then sends the report along with the user's ADSL PORT and PVC to the OSS.

[24] Step 3 - The OSS determines whether the user ' s broadband access information matches the system's current information (broadband access information includes DSLAM IDENTIFY, ADSL PORT, and PVCID; it is the information pre-configured by the operator when the user opened the account). [25] A match indicates that the user has accessed normally at the original account opening node;

[26] If it does not match, it is determined whether the user is a roaming user:

[27] If so, the NMS is notified to refresh the user ' s information list.

[28] If not, this means that the non-roaming user has accessed from an unauthorized area, or the user is attempting to access the system illegally. The system tags the user, and the user is rejected when they initiate password verification.

[29] Step 4 - The NMS refreshes the user list and notifies DSLAM to refresh the multicast authorization control list.

[30] Step 5 - The user uses the services normally and can order new services at the roaming location.

[31] This method makes the STB user ' s roaming services much more convenient by eliminating the need to add extra hardware and making operations maintenance and services easier for the IP system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[32] Figure 1 shows the current multicast user control flow path;

[33] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the multicast user control in this invention;

[34] Figure 3 shows a flow chart of the multicast user control in this invention;

Specific Method of Implementation

[35] This invention not only supports controllable multicast, it also supports controllable multicast for roaming users, making it easy to expand operator services and add compatible after-market machines, such as card-type detached STB models. See Figure 3 for the specific transmission process and the detailed explanation below.

[36] IPTV system STB roaming controllable multicast:

[37] The interface flow path between equipment involved in this invention is shown in

Figure 3, which gives the entire verification process for the IPTV roaming user as well as the main parameters for delivery and handling. In this diagram:

[38] 1. 97/2000 notifies the OSS whether all users have roaming authorization

[39] 2. STB initiates the DHCP request and takes the UserID in OPTION60

[40] 3. DSLAM intercepts and captures the request and sends the user port information to the OSS

[41] 4. OSS determines whether the user is a roaming user and, if so, sends the user ' s multicast authorization information to NMS

[42] 5. NMS sends the multicast authorization information to DSLAM/L2 while at the same time refreshing the multicast authorization control list

[43] 6. The STB initiates the request to join the multicast group

[44] 7. The STB normally receives the streaming media data [45] In the process above, steps 2, 3, and 4 are the parts of this invention that are different from previous controllable multicasts. By adding these three new steps, the above process has fulfilled the capability for IPTV roaming user information to be submitted and determined in real time, and notification of roaming user authorization to be sent in real time. In this way, the objective of roaming user multicast authorization control is achieved.

Claims

Claims[1] An IPTV roaming user controllable multicast management method, including:

1. The DHCP request initiated by the user is received by the STB terminal, and the user information is identified and inserted as the first set of related information;

2. DSLAM extracts the first set of related information that was inserted and then sends it along with the second set of related information to the OSS;

3. The OSS determines whether the third set of related information matches the system's current information;

A match indicates that the user has accessed normally at the original account opening node;

If it does not match, it is determined whether the user is a roaming user;

If not, the user is refused;

If so, the user ' s information list is refreshed;

4. The multicast authorization control list is refreshed.

[2] According to the method described above in Right Claim 1, the first set of related information indicated is the Discover text. [3] According to the method described above in Right Claim 1, the second set of related information indicated includes the user's corresponding ADSL PORT and

PVC. [4] According to the method described above in Right Claim 1, the third set of related information indicated includes the broadband access information. [5] According to the method described above in Right Claim 3, the broadband access information indicated includes DSLAM IDENTIFY , ADSL, and PVCID. [6] According to the method described above in Right Claim 1, the step in which the user information list is refreshed when it is determined whether the user is a roaming user includes notifying the NMS to refresh the user's information list. [7] According to the method described above in Right Claim 1, the step in which the user's information list is refreshed includes refreshing the user list on the NMS. [8] According to the method described above in Right Claim 1, the step in which the multicast authorization control list is refreshed includes refreshing the multicast authorization control list on DSLAM.