WO2003055267A1

WO2003055267A1 - Interface and method for allocating high speed connections

Info

Publication number: WO2003055267A1
Application number: PCT/FR2002/004102
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilles Le Traon; Fabrice Fauchoux; Bertrand Rondeau; Bastien Lamer
Original assignee: France Telecom
Priority date: 2001-12-18
Filing date: 2002-11-28
Publication date: 2003-07-03
Also published as: FR2833798A1; AU2002364798A1

Abstract

The invention concerns an interface (100) and a method for allocating high speed connections to at least a client (IC) of a telephone operator. The invention enables remote control, at either the operator's or customer request, of high speed connection allocation for a predetermined time interval. The invention thus enables to optimize high speed resources and is applicable to any type of wideband service.

Description

INTERFACE AND METHOD FOR ASSIGNING HIGH-SPEED CONNECTIONS

The present invention relates to an interface and to a method for assigning at least one broadband connection between at least one client and a telephone operator. The invention lies in the field of broadband transmissions and typically finds its application in broadband broadband services based in particular on x-DSL technologies.

The digital coding techniques of the x-DSL type make it possible to transport over the existing copper pairs of the analog (PSTN) or digital (ISDN) telephone network high speeds ensuring vis-à-vis customers services of the fast Internet or audio type visuals. By x-DSL we mean all broadband broadband services grouping together all technological families such as HDSL, SDSL, ADSL, VDSL, ADSL-Lite, etc.

The invention will now be presented with reference to an embodiment of the prior art:

- Figure 1 is a wiring diagram known to an x-DSL subscriber.

This figure shows the wiring of an x-DSL subscriber superimposed on the telephone network 16 analog (PSTN) or digital (ISDN). The infrastructure of the IC client makes it possible, on the one hand, to deliver to the various narrowband terminals such as telephone sets, fax machines, answering machines, modems or any type of analog or digital equipment (ISDN), "band" services narrow "and secondly, to deliver to one or more broadband terminals, such as computers or televisions for example," broadband "services. Multiplexing of the two types of signals allows this simultaneous transport of the two types of services on the same infrastructure. The putting into service of an x-DSL modem conventionally requires the installation of a separator or "splitter" 10 of narrowband signals (analog services or ISDN) and x-DSL signals (broadband services) at the point of supply of service and customer. Currently, telecommunications operators can only offer their customers permanent access to x-DSL services. When a customer subscribes to an x-DSL service, a physical link 11 is permanently assigned to this customer, whether the latter uses this service on a regular or ad hoc basis. The cost of access to the x-DSL service does not vary according to the time of use, the customer must pay a lump sum even if he does not regularly use the service. In addition, having a physical link 11 permanently assigned to each customer obliges the operator to monopolize a broadband resource for each customer.

A broadband resource is defined for the remainder of the description as being a port of broadband equipment 12, of x-DSL stream multiplexer (DSLAM) type for example, located at the operator's telephone exchange C or a point of flexibility of access to the telephone pairs serving the customers. These broadband transmission systems on copper pairs therefore do not allow broadband resources to be used optimally with respect to the customer and the operator, and limit the mass deployment of this technology which remains a still relatively high cost price. The broadband market is therefore limited to consumers who want permanent access to broadband resources.

However, a broadband service sharing solution has already been envisaged for compliant telephone copper pair transmission systems. to the specifications of the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HomePNA) consortium, in order to optimize the use of broadband resources. This solution consists in sharing broadband connections between several users simultaneously. The disadvantage of this solution lies in the fact that this line sharing generates a debit sharing between the users.

Also, the technical problem to be solved by the object of the present invention is to propose an interface for assigning at least one broadband connection to at least one customer of a telephone operator, an interface which would in particular allow sharing of broadband resources, so that they can be used by as many customers as possible, while avoiding the problems of degradation of speed due to the use of community-type technique sharing an xDSL speed between several customers .

The solution to the technical problem posed is obtained, according to the present invention, from the fact that said interface comprises a device for assigning a broadband connection bringing together:

- means of identifying said customer,

- means for processing customer requests,

- Broadband connection means of said customer to a broadband resource of said telephone operator, and a control system intended to control said identification, processing and broadband connection means. Thus, the interface according to the invention makes it possible to remotely control, at the request of either the operator or a client, via the ordering system, a broadband connection between the client and a broadband resource operator. As this broadband connection is controlled remotely, it can be broken on request at any time. The interface according to the invention therefore allows sharing of broadband resources over time. Several users cannot therefore share the same broadband connection simultaneously, so that the line speed is not degraded and the quality of the service offered is therefore guaranteed. In addition, the sharing of broadband resources by a large number of users results in a reduction in the cost price of broadband services on copper. Advantageously, a customer request includes information relating on the one hand, to the broadband technology that said client wishes to use and on the other hand, to the period of time during which said client wants a broadband connection be attributed to him. The solution to the technical problem posed is also obtained, according to the present invention, by means of a method of implementing said interface for assigning high-speed connections. This method is remarkable in that it comprises the steps consisting in: - pre-wiring said client to said broadband connection means, identifying said client, recording a client request, processing said client request according to the availability of high-res resources. speed of said telephone operator, order the temporary broadband connection of said customer to an available broadband resource of said telephone operator. The processing of the customer request consists more particularly in validating the request if the broadband resources of the telephone operator are available or, on the contrary, in refusing the request if said broadband resources are occupied. In a variant, this processing also consists, when the broadband resources are occupied, of proposing a new request which can be validated or refused by the client.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example with reference to the appended figures which represent: FIG. 2, a diagram of the assignment interface high-speed connections according to the invention,

FIG. 3A, a wiring diagram of an x-DSL subscriber superimposed on the telephone network with a device for assigning high-speed connections according to the invention, FIG. 3B, a diagram of a variant of wiring of an x-DSL subscriber superimposed on the telephone network with a device for assigning high-speed connections according to the invention,

FIG. 4A, a flowchart representing the steps leading to the pre-wiring of a client on the device for assigning high-speed connections according to the invention,

FIG. 4B, a flow diagram representing a variant of the steps leading to the pre-wiring of a client on the device for assigning high-speed connections according to the invention,

FIG. 5, a flowchart representing the steps of the method for allocating broadband connections according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows schematically the interface for assigning broadband connections according to the invention. This interface, referenced 100, consists of a control system 110 and a device for assigning high-speed connections, hereinafter called DACHD and referenced 120. The system 110 allows the DACHD 120 to be piloted. The DACHD itself comprises means 121 for identifying customers, means 123 for processing customer requests, and means 125 for high-speed connection. Databases are for example assigned to the interface 100. Thus, a database 122 clients is assigned to the means 121 of client identification, a database 124 requests and a database 126 resources are assigned to the means 123 for processing customer requests. Finally, a planning database 111 is for example assigned to the control system 110. All these databases can of course be assigned elsewhere such as for example in a central database of the telephone operator. The database 122 clients makes it possible to store information relating to each client such as at least one identification code as well as its port number on the client side intended to be connected to a broadband resource via the DACHD. Each identified customer is connected to the DACHD output port prior to the provision of the x-DSL service offer.

The database 124 request is of temporary type and makes it possible to save the request of a client before this one is definitively accepted and recorded in the database 111 planning or definitively refused and erased. The 111 planning database indeed lists all the connection requests from customers as well as the start and end times of periods during which customers want a broadband connection allocated to them. The resource database 126, for its part, lists all of the broadband resources occupied and all of the resources available at a given time t.

To ensure quality of service, one embodiment may be that the connection means 125 have a certain number of local information, in a switching memory for example, making it possible to make the control of the pre-identified connections of the recurrent and programmed links type autonomous. In the example of arrangement of FIG. 2, the means 121 for identifying customers make it possible, on the one hand, to create new customers by entering their contact details in the database 122 customers, and by assigning them at least one identification code and on the other hand, generate an OT pre-wiring work order from the clients to the DACHD which is transmitted to the control system 110. Conversely, they make it possible to delete clients. They can also make it possible to generate a billing order which is then sent to the operator's billing system via the order system 110 for example.

The means 123 for processing client requests, for their part, take into account or not the requests of each client who connects, and then processes them. Thus, a customer's request will be taken into account if it relates to a service to which the customer has subscribed, such as for example a service based on one of the x-DSL technologies. The request of a client, after being taken into account, is then processed, that is to say that it can be validated, or refused, or possibly other requests can be proposed by the processing means.

The high-speed connection means 125 execute the connection or disconnection order they receive from the control system 110 and update the resource database 126.

The means 121 for identification, control 123, and connection 125 which make up the DACHD can be assembled in the same housing or else arranged separately at different locations in the access network between the broadband equipment 12 of the telephone operator and the customer connection lines, and are each controlled by the control system 110.

With reference to FIG. 3A, the device for allocating broadband connections DACHD is disposed at a telephone exchange C of the operator, between the broadband equipment 12, of the x-DSL flow multiplexer (DSLAM) type, and a "passive" flexibility point of the operator's access network 14. This passive flexibility point can be of the distributor, sub-distributor, etc. In this case, the preliminary wiring from the distributor 14 to the DACHD can only be done manually.

In a variant, shown in FIG. 3B, when the passive flexibility point of the access network is an automatic distributor 15 it is possible to integrate the DACHD which is then located at the operator's telephone exchange C, between the broadband equipment 12 and the lines (copper pairs) which connect the IC clients to the telephone exchange C. In this case, the DACHD can automatically carry out both the pre-wiring of the clients and the allocation of broadband connections to the clients.

According to an alternative embodiment, an x-DSL subscriber client may not be wired superimposed on the telephone network. In this case, the broadband connections are directly assigned to it and the DACHD is located at the telephone exchange between the broadband equipment and the customer's connection lines.

DACHD adapts to the different cabling configurations linked to high-speed transmission technologies on pairs (SDSL, HDSL, ADSL, VDSL) while retaining the possibility of superimposing these types of high-speed signals on conventional telephone services.

When a customer wants to subscribe to an x-DSL service, he must first contact the agency operator to define their profile. The commercial agency contacts the control system 110 of the interface 100, for example via the operator's intranet. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the customer must first specify 410 the type (s) of technology (s) that he plans to use according to whether he wishes the internet (technology ADSL for example) or broadband television (VDSL technology for example). Depending on the type of technology, additional equipment must be provided in the operator network. Thus, VDSL technology for example requires the installation of active telecommunication equipment near the customer's home as well as at least the means 125 for connecting the DACHD. In addition, depending on the type of technology chosen by the customer, the modems with which he must be equipped may be different.

The customer must give his contact details (step 420) in order to allow the operator to recognize him and send him the invoices corresponding to his consumption. At least one identification code is then assigned to it (step 430). In general, two codes are assigned to it: an identifier (or "login") and a password. Finally, the customer acquires the equipment necessary to receive the chosen x-DSL service (typically an x-DSL modem). All the data corresponding to the client are for example stored in the database 122 clients assigned, in the example described, to the means 121 for client identification of the DACHD 120. Finally, when all of these steps are performed, the means 121 of identification send, via the command system 110, to the sales office an OT wiring work order. This preliminary wiring is carried out between the customer and the high-speed connection means 125 of the DACHD 120. It can be done manually or automatically according to the cases as described above with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

In a variant illustrated in FIG. 4B, the customer knows precisely the periods during which he needs to use the broadband services. Under these conditions, it is possible to plan the time slots so as to share a broadband resource of the operator between segmentations of the population whose broadband consumption habits are complementary over a day. This is the case, for example, for companies that use these services during the day, while individuals use them more in the evening and on weekends. The customers having subscribed to an offer of this type are identified in the ordering system 110 and the sharing of the broadband service is carried out automatically and programmable according to the criteria defined once and for all when subscribing to the service either by the customers either by the operator. In this case, after having entered the characteristics of the new client in step 420, and according to the resources still available at the desired time slots, the client and the commercial agency together define a time slot that is as close as possible to the period desired (step 421). The selected time slots are then recorded in the planning database 111 (step 422) of the control system 110 of the interface 100 for assigning high-speed connections. Thus, depending on the time of day, the control system 110 automatically orders the broadband connection means 125 of the DACHD 120, the broadband connection, or the disconnection, between the client infrastructure IC and a broadband resource. the operator's assigned speed.

FIG. 5 represents a flowchart of the different steps of the method of implementing the interface 100 for assigning high-speed connections when a client, already pre-wired, requests such a remote connection. In this case, the client connects at step 510 to the control system 110 of the interface 100 for assigning high-speed connections, for example via the operator's website on which services x -DSL on demand are offered. In the next step 520, the client identifies himself. To do this, it sends its identifier and password to the ordering system 110 which sends them back to the customer identification means 121, which examine the customer database 122 to verify the identity of the customer and his authorization to access the service. When this identification is correctly carried out, the client is then authorized to make his request (step 530). For this, if it is pre-wired for several x-DSL technologies, it must specify the technology it wishes to use as well as the time period during which it wishes that a broadband connection corresponding to the chosen technology be allocated to it. .

The processing means 123 then save the request in the temporary request database 124. A clock, not shown in FIG. 2, is preferably associated with the processing means 123 to check the logic of the request, that is to say to check whether the dates and time slots requested are logically later than the date and the time of recording the request. This clock also makes it possible to classify requests, when several customers have sent their requests almost simultaneously, in order to process them in their order of arrival. ^'The means 123 processing then examine the databases 126 and resource schedule 111 to see if a high-speed resource is available during the time range requested (step 540). The database 126 resources is only examined when the requested broadband connection time is immediate, while the 111 planning database is constantly examined to find out the scheduled periods of resource occupation from the requested connection time.

If no resource is available, then the request is invalidated 541, it is deleted from the request database 124 and a procedure stop message is sent to the control system 110. The control system 110 then sends a message to the customer that he explains that all broadband resources are occupied during the requested period and asks him to kindly rephrase a request.

On the other hand, when resources are available, the request is validated (step 550) and it is transferred from the temporary request base 124 to the scheduling database 111 of the control system 110 for recording.

A time delay is associated with the control system 110 (step 560) to allow it to explore the planning database 111 in which all of the customer requests are recorded. As soon as the control system 110 recognizes the connection time H requested by a client (step 570), it sends a connection order to the broadband connection means 125 (step 580). The connection order that the control system 110 sends comprises information relating at least to the resource numbers of the broadband equipment and to the client port numbers on the transport side to be linked. Then, as long as the connection end time has not been read, the connection is maintained. As soon as the end time of the period is recognized (step 590), the control system 110 sends back to the broadband connection means 125 a disconnection order 595 according to the same procedure as for the connection order. Preferably, the broadband connection means 125 permanently send the connection system 110 a connection report to enable it to check the state of the connection, and in particular to know whether it has succeeded or if it has failed, and the same goes for the disconnection state.

Furthermore, as soon as the broadband connection means 125 execute a connection or disconnection order, they update the resource database 126 by respectively assigning an occupancy or availability code to the broadband resources of the operator who have just been respectively connected or disconnected.

The last step 596 consists in generating a billing order and transmitting it to the operator's billing system.

Of course, in the case of the first variant described with reference to FIG. 4B, the time slots being planned and recorded once and for all in the planning database 111, steps 530 to 550 are unnecessary.

In another variant embodiment, illustrated in steps 542 to 544, at the time of checking the validity of the client request (step 540), and if the client request cannot be completed due to lack of available resources, the means 123 of processing propose to the client, via the ordering system 110, another available time slot close to that which has been requested (step 542). If this proposal is validated by the client at step 543, the broadband connection assignment process resumes at step 550. On the other hand, if the client refuses this proposal, he can either make another request or abandon and try again later (step 544). The interface and method for assigning broadband connections which have just been described are only illustrations and are in no way limited to these examples. They find their application in particular in many types of temporary x-DSL services on demand. An advantage of the interface according to the invention lies in the fact that once a customer is pre-wired to the DACHD, the latter can program remotely and at any time the temporary assignment of a broadband connection. Of course, the telecommunications operator also maintains control over this interface and can also control it remotely.

In an alternative embodiment, instead of connecting to the control system 110 of the interface 100 via a Web or telephone server, one can very well envisage any other means such as for example an x-DSL modem which, as soon as it is connected to the access network, sends an immediate connection request.

The interface according to the invention also makes it possible to conserve high-speed connections even in the event of a power cut, by the use of bi-stable components for example. It also allows you to assign a large number of broadband connections simultaneously. It also allows a sequential assignment of high-speed connections to avoid that two customers are connected simultaneously on the same line and that the speed is degraded. By this sequential assignment it therefore also guarantees a certain quality of service.

Claims

1. Interface (100) for assigning at least one broadband connection to at least one customer (IC) of a telephone operator, characterized in that it comprises: a device (120) for temporary assignment d '' a broadband connection bringing together:

- means (121) for identifying said client, - means (123) for processing client requests, means (125) for broadband connection of said client to a broadband resource of said telephone operator, and a system for control (110) intended to control said identification (121), processing (123) and high-speed connection (125) means.

2. Interface according to claim 1, characterized in that a customer request comprises information relating on the one hand, to the broadband technology that said customer wishes to use and on the other hand, to the period of time during which said customer wants a broadband connection assigned to it.

3. Interface according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the device (120) for temporary assignment of a broadband connection is arranged at a telephone exchange (C) of said telephone operator, between wide equipment band (12) and a passive flexibility point (14) of the access network of said telephone operator.

Interface according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the device (120) for temporarily assigning a broadband connection is arranged at a telephone exchange (C) of said telephone operator, between broadband equipment ( 12) and customer connection lines.

5. Method for implementing the interface (100) for assigning high-speed connections according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said method comprises the steps consisting in: - pre-wiring (440 ) said client on said broadband connection means (125), identify (520) said client, record (530) a client request, process (540) said client request according to the availability of the broadband resources of said telephone operator, order (560 to 595) the temporary broadband connection of said customer to an available broadband resource of said telephone operator.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the processing of the customer request consists in:

- validate (540) the request if the broadband resources of the telephone operator are available, or on the contrary

- refuse (541) the request if said broadband resources are occupied. Method according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that the processing of the client request also consists, when the broadband resources are occupied, of proposing (542) a new request which can be validated or refused by the client .