Method and telecommunication device for transmitting broadcasting information and/or on demand information in a telecommunication network

A method and communication device for transmitting Broadcast information and / or retrievable information in a communication network.

In current communication networks are more decentralized Communication devices and more each over network terminations to the decentralized communication devices connected communication terminals via a or more subscriber access networks and subscriber access networks - Also referred to as ACCESS Networks - on a connected higher-level communication network.

In the subscriber access networks as well as in the parent Communication networks, different transmission methods, for example ATM, SDH, PDH, Frame Relay, Ethernet or a combination of these transmission methods of transmitting are used by information.

Subscriber access networks are designed for the connection or for access by subscribers to parent communications networks designed and have interfaces to already existing transmission media or special, for the high bit rate Traffic provided access interface on. For the connection of subscribers in the environment of the local loop networks are diverse access technologies known, such as<ul><li>Connections over copper twisted-wire,</li><li>Connections over cable TV lines,</li><li>Connections via passive optical networks (PON - Passive Optical Networks)</li><li>Connections via active optical networks (AON)</li><li>wireless access networks or wireless systems.</li></ul>

The copper double core is in the home, in many cases already exists. With an appropriate connection technology these pairs for connection, high transmission rates beanspruchende participants - eg ATM participants - be used. Specifically, in this context, both unbalanced and balanced (digital) transmission method - Eg ADSL, UDSL, VDSL, SDSL - employed, have a high bandwidth toward the subscriber. Such transmission methods are also known as xDSL transmission method designated. With such connection systems can distribution services - also known as "broadband service" referred to - especially multi-media distribution services - eg Radio and television - as well as on-demand services - as "Interactive Service" - such as "Video on Demand "VOD or broadband Internet communication - eg video conferencing - can be realized. The use of xDSL transmission method for connecting participants to the subscriber access network is in the document "Xpress-Link - BroadbandAccess with xDSL technology ", Siemens AG, 2000 Information and Communication Networks, D-81359 München - Page 8, 9, exemplified.

In the publication "Xpress Link - Broaden your horizons" Siemens AG, 2000, Information and Communication Networks, Hofmann Straße 51, 81359 Munich, Germany, Order No. 850001-N8-P60-2-7600, is the broadband connection of subscribers via Subscriber access networks described. is on page 9 and 10 the structure of a broadband subscriber access network exemplified. The illustrated subscriber access network shows several, each Mulitplexer- and / or concentrator properties having decentralized communication devices - Also referred to as DSLAM - to which one or several participants via network termination units - as NT are connected - called. By decentralized communication devices is the in each case by the participants summarized outbound traffic, and concentrated and via a uniform interface and possibly a central access device - here as ATM Access - which at parent communication network - here ATM backbone - forwarded.

In order to realize the widest possible range of Broadband services and interactive service equipment about subscriber access networks allow, in the context of a "FSAN, Full Service Access Network "initiative designated aspirations underway to a universal consensus on the definition of basic requirements to find on whose basic broadband subscriber access networks nationwide are to be introduced. The definition of basic requirements is, for example, in the publication "Full Service Access Network Requirements Specification" YES Quayle, Date 18.08.1998, (Http://www.laps.bt.com/profsoc/access/) described.

An FSAN network architecture particularly in the area of VDSL transmission systems is in the following publications described:<ul><li>VDSL System Architecture Specification ", FS0052, Revision 0.5 (Draft), August 2001</li><li>Architecture Expert Group Contribution, FS0129, Rev. 2, August 2001</li></ul>

The implementation of distribution services via subscriber access networks, For example, the distribution of multimedia information - Eg video broadcast (broadcast TV services) or Video on Demand (VoD services) - are known to the skilled artisan. On page 14 of the aforementioned publication "Full Service Access Network Requirements Specification "is an example of an on the subscriber-side arranged network architecture shown. The via the subscriber access network to the Participants zoom out, both broadband and narrow-band information having data stream is first passed to a splitter. The Splitter is a division of the incoming data stream into a broadband as broadband multimedia or video stream and a narrow-band data stream - for example, to Realizing one phone services - reached. The broadband Video data stream to a corresponding broadband is Network termination forwarded. On the broadband network termination are a participant in installed home network - Broadband Home Network -Multiple Communication terminals such as set-top boxes as well as connect a personal computer.

Since through each set-top box both broadcast TV services as and video-on-demand services to be provided, For example, in ATM communication networks each set-top box two permanently established virtual connections - Permanent Virtual Connections PVC's - with the broadband network termination connected. Each of these compounds must according to the transmission of multimedia information current video standards - for example, MPEG2 - with a transfer rate be configured 4-6 Mbit / s. Thus, the Broadband network termination device 4 permanently established, virtual connections with the respective decentralized Communication device connected.

In current ATM communication networks, the individual ATM connections depending on the nature of the to be realized in each case Services configured differently. to realize an interactive services, such as Video-on-Demand is for example a permanent virtual connection VCC (Virtual Channel Connection) of the subscriber side Network termination NT via the decentralized communication device - Hereinafter referred to as distributor denotes - and possibly an ATM cross-connect in a higher-level ATM communications network arranged VOD server out. The endpoints of this virtual connection are in the subscriber-side network termination NT and the Video servers located.

To realize one broadband services such as broadcast TV service (this can also already established a install interactive services) are a or more permanent virtual connections of the subscriber side Broadband network termination NT on Subscriber line to the decentralized communication device, or distributor out. In addition, the distributor network side over several permanent virtual connections with a central location in the communications network arranged broadcast or broadcast video source - also referred to as digital head unit - connected with via each of the virtual connections multimedia streams zoom out (for example, television channels) to the distributing device will. Using a between broadband network termination or set-top box and distributing implemented Signaling process - for example by means of standardized IGMP protocol (described in the publication IGMP V2, RFC 2236) - can individual subscriber by the subscriber one of the zoom out multimedia streams are selected, wherein the distributor of selected data stream via one of the permanent virtual Connections to the broadband network termination or is forwarded to the respective set-top box.

The subscriber-end network architecture described has the disadvantage that for the provision of interactive services, such as video-on-demand per subscriber permanent virtual connection between the subscriber-end broadband network termination via the distributor, and must be integrated with the VoD server, ie a certain Amount of transmission resources to the local loop must be reserved for this service. Failure to benefit of interactive services are based on the local loop between network termination and Distributing reserved transmission resources wasted.

The invention is based on the object of the exploitation of the standing available to the local loop Transmission resources in providing interactive optimize service equipment. The object, starting from a A method and a communication arrangement according to the preamble the claims 1 and 9 respectively by the characterizing resolved features.

In the method for transmission of broadcast information according to the invention and / or retrievable information in a communication network are more connections to Transmission of broadcast information to a plurality Subscribers having decentralized distributor zoom out. With the help of the distributor's subscriber connection individually at least one of the compounds selectable, with zoom out via the selected connection Broadcast information to the respective local loop to get redirected. The essential aspect of the The inventive method is that of a the polling information-providing fetcher more additional compounds to the distributor are introduced. At least one of the further compounds is subscriber connection individually selected. After Selection of another compound is teilnehmeranschlußinidividuell at least a part of the retrieval information is requested, wherein the requested portion of the retrieval information from the retrieval device of the selected compound and the Distributing to the requesting subscriber line is forwarded.

The main advantage of the method according to the invention is that a permanent reservation of transmission resources on the subscriber-side - For example, on the local loop - exclusively for providing interactive service equipment is no longer necessary for the respective subscriber. Advantageously, on the subscriber line Available transmission resources as needed and regardless of the type of the currently requested service be allocated and then released again.

Further advantageous embodiments and a communication arrangement for transmitting broadcast information and / or information it can retrieve the additional claims refer to.

The method of the invention by means of a will explained the block diagram in detail.

The block diagram shows two one participant TLN1,2 assigned network terminations NT1, NT2, which a subscriber access network ACCESS to a superordinate Communication network KN are connected. The overarching Communication network CN, for example, after Asynchronous Transfer Mode - ATM - configured. In parent Communications network KN can further access units - As a Broadband Remote Access Server BRAS and a Service Selection Server SSS, not shown - arranged be, through which a transition, for example to a Internet Protocol or IP-oriented communication network allowing for the provision of IP-based services. Furthermore, to the parent communications network KN a digital headend DHE connected through which more unidirectional video streams tv1 ... n in the parent Communication network CN are fed. Furthermore is to the parent communications network KN Video server VOD connected, through which more retrievable Information MOV1 ... k - for example, different retrievable movies - to realize the bidirectional Services "video on demand" are stored.

At the two network terminations NT1, NT2 are each a subscriber-side communication network HOME communication terminals, such as set-top boxes or personal computers connected - not shown. The network terminations NT1, 2 are connected via a subscriber line AL to a subscriber TA1,2 one arranged in the subscriber access network ACCESS, decentralized Communication device DSLAM connected. The decentralized communication device DSLAM is in this embodiment, as digital access multiplexer - Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer - designed by which the directed from or to the subscriber traffic concentrated or multiplexed. The individual subscribers TA1, 2 in conjunction with the in each case thereon connected connection lines AL are in accordance with a for a high bit rate data transmission provided xDSL transmission method configured. Examples of such transmission methods are ADSL, SDSL, and VDSL transmission methods.

The decentralized communication device DSLAM is about two Network connections NA1,2 with the overall communications network KN connected. In the decentralized communication device DSLAM is arranged a distribution device, which via a respective terminal UA, BA with one of the two Network connections NA1,2 connected. About two Connections VA is the distributor VERT with subscriber terminals TA1,2 connected.

To realize the broadband service or broadcast TV service are between the first grid connection of decentralized NA1 Communication device DSLAM and the digital Headend DHE n permanent, virtual connections VCC1 ... n set up via the communication network KN. These virtual Compounds Vcc1 ... n can be used as unidirectional links be configured with on each of these compounds Vcc1 ... n each a unidirectional video stream tv1 ... n to the decentralized communication device DSLAM and the fact arranged distribution device VERT is transmitted - by Double arrows illustrates. In addition to the realization interactive VoD services k more permanent virtual Connections between the second network termination NA2 of decentralized communication device DSLAM or the distributor VERT and the VOD server set up - by Double arrows illustrates - which as bidirectional virtual connections are configured.

On the subscriber side are between each network termination NT1,2 and the respective via the subscriber line AL1,2 associated subscriber TA1,2 or Distributing VERT two permanent virtual Compounds Tcc1, 2 set - indicated by double arrows. For example, on each subscriber line AL1,2 one of the virtual connections for tcc1,2 Realization of the broadcast TV service and the other virtual Compound tcc1,2 for the realization of interactive VoD services provided.

In the individual network terminations NT1, 2 and Distributing VERT each means of achieving an appropriate selection process IGMP arranged - eg IGMP protocol - by means of which a participant respectively a zoom out to the distributor VERT Connection Vcc1 ... n or a via this connection Vcc1 ... n transmitted Video stream tv1 ... n selected which then through the distributor VERT and a free virtual connection tcc1,2 the local loop AL to the network termination NT1, 2 of the selecting is forwarded subscriber. According to the block diagram Illustrated embodiment, both by the first and by the second subscriber TLN1,2 the Vcc1 through the first virtual connection to the distributor VERT transmitted video stream tv1 selected said parallel using a multicast or Broadcast transmission process via the first subscriber-side Connection Tcc1 the first Teinehmeranschlußleitung AL1 and over the second virtual connection at the subscriber end Tcc2 the second subscriber line AL2 to the respective subscriber TLN1,2 is passed - in Block diagram represented by the links con 1.2.

According to the invention, for example, by the second party TLN2 one of the further part of the IGMP protocol brought up to the distribution device VERT, bidirectional, virtual connections are choosing - here BCC1 - wherein the distribution device VERT selected more Connection BCC1 with the currently free subscriber side virtual connection - here Tcc1 - on the second connecting line AL2 is connected - through a link con3 clarified. After in this way between the second Network termination NT2 via the decentralized communication device DSLAM a continuous virtual connection to the arranged in the communication network video server VOD is constructed, by the second party by an appropriate request methods - for example, A standardized or standardized, the first in the Network termination NT1 and installed in the video server VOD Selection Protocol AP - the information, For example, a particular feature film MOV1 be selected. The selected movie is MOV1 then as video stream over the switched virtual connection by the second network termination NT2 received.

The invention, subscriber-side switching between unidirectional broadcast TV services and bidirectional or interactive services, for example, by using of specific, well-known IP multicast addresses done. As already explained by the switching of a broadcast television service on an interactive service the it to the respective subscriber line AL1,2 provided, virtual connection with a currently tcc1,2 free, between the decentralized communication device DSLAM and the VOD video server designed bidirectional virtual connection BCC1 ... k connected.

The inventive method is a permanent Staying on the subscriber line Available transmission resources for implementation no longer required of interactive service equipment so that Transmission resources can be saved.

A further saving of transmission resources can be effected in that by taking into account traffic theoretical aspects, the number k between the decentralized communication device DSLAM and the Video Server VOD established permanent, bidirectional, virtual Compounds BCC1 ... is less than the number of network terminations NT1,2 which subscriber lines on the to the decentralized communication device DSLAM are connected. In such a network configuration However, there is a case that the number of, for example, a feature film requesting subscriber larger than the number of between decentralized communication device DSLAM and VOD server virtual furnished Compounds BCC1 ... k.

However, This requires that in the event that all between the decentralized communication device DSLAM and Video Server VOD furnished, bidirectional virtual Compounds BVC1 ... are occupied k, a corresponding feedback made to the requesting subscriber. It should be noted, that under the IGMP protocol no feedback the participants are possible. The IGMP should therefore be extended will or other appropriate feedback -providing or selecting method selection protocol be created.