Broadband intelligent telecommunications network and method providing enhanced capabilities for customer premises equipment

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to a broadband intelligent network, and more particularly to network control of services in the network, which is widely available and provides significant extended functionality to customer premises equipment (CPE) at a relatively low cost. A new type of telecommunications network known as a high-speed packet network enables fully digital broadband multimedia communication between the calling side and the called side. However, high-speed packet networks have generally operated without real-time network control and without network resource support available to implement customer service requests. Some high-speed packet exchanges have been designed to provide the creation of virtual leased lines (SVCs) via exchanges in a manner similar to the call configuration features provided by exchanges in circuit exchange networks. However, this basic functionality is limited and cannot be easily modified or extended. CPE units generally have various communication functions and applications. For example, a telephone is a relatively simple CPE unit that supports voice or DTMF (dual tone multifrequency) communication and perhaps one or more operational functions, such as redialing to the last number dialed. A more complex CPE unit is a multimedia workstation with equipment for voice, data, image and video communication and a digital computer system capable of running various application programs. High-speed packet networks have communication capabilities that are particularly suitable for use with multimedia workstations and similar CPE units. Since high-speed packet networks are generally provided with limited or no service control capability, it has come to be assumed in the design and development of CPE that the network is a transfer medium and does not provide intelligent functions. This has limited the services that can be provided to customers. More recently, Broadband Intelligent Networks (BINs) have been developed as improved networks over previous high-speed packet networks. BIN provides network control functions using service control points (SCP) or integrated service control points (ISCP). An SCP (or ISCP) receives a signaling cell from a CPE unit that requires the called party to create an exchange virtual circuit (SVC). SCP responds by sending an instruction cell with the data converted to connection management software in asynchronous teller machine mode (ATM), followed by notifying the called party by using a signaling cell. The provision of intelligent network control and other network services by which BIN handles calls is described in more detail in both of the following simultaneous pending applications which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention: US Patent Application No. 08 / 063,661 dated May 20, 1993, entitled "Intelligent Broadband Communication System and Method" by Richard B. Robrock, and "Intelligent Broadband Communication" by Richard B. Robrock. A partial succession of US Patent Application No. 08 / 063,661 entitled "System and Method", US Patent Application No. 08 / 069,243 dated May 20, 1993, both herein. Included in the reference in the book. Another system oriented towards the use of network resources to support network services in BIN is disclosed in the following patent application: "Broadband Intelligent Telecommunications Network and Method Employing a Resource System to Support Network Services" by Richard B. Robrock, US patent dated June 29, 1993. Application No. 08 / 084,386, which has been transferred to the transferee of the present invention and is incorporated herein by reference. Conventional technology has embedded intelligent functions in the CPE unit by the method described above, but such intelligent functions have limited functions. In addition, conventional techniques have failed to provide some policy for applying network control in high-speed packet networks or BINs to extend CPE operation and communication capabilities. Disclosure of invention Therefore, the present invention is oriented to a BIN that provides a significantly extended operation and communication function to the CPE unit through interaction with the intelligent function of the BIN. Broadband intelligent networks include high-speed packet switches with multiple ports and switch processors for managing port connections and setting up switchable or fixed virtual leased lines (PVCs) between the ports. Each customer link with a relatively wide digital bandwidth is connected to a predetermined customer-side exchange port for transmitting signals and data cells from and to each CPE unit. The network control processing system receives a customer-generated signaling cell that interfaces with at least one switch port to carry customer service request data and controls the network response to it. Resource system for the network has a plurality of resource units interfaced to respective resource unit ports of the fast packet switch, the question from the network control processing system sends a response cell receives the combined cell. The switch processor detects each customer-generated signaling cell received by the switch and sends each customer-generated signaling cell to the network control processing system via the first virtual circuit and at least one switch port. to deliver. The network control processing system detects service request data in each signaling cell requesting a program module or data download from the network to the requesting CPE or from the requesting CPE to the network. If a host or resource unit connection is requested in a service request, the network control processing system further commands the switch processor to provide a second virtual circuit in the high-speed packet switch between the request CPE and the host or source resource unit. Set. The invention according to claim 1 for achieving such an object A high-speed packet switch with multiple ports and With an exchange processor for setting up a fixed virtual connection between ports via an exchange Each customer's link, which is connected to a given customer exchange port and has a relatively wide digital bandwidth for transmitting signaling and data cells from and to each customer premises equipment (CPE) unit. A network control processing system that interfaces to at least one switch port to receive and control network responses to customer-generated signaling cells that carry customer service request data. A resource system for the network having at least one resource unit interfaced to the resource unit port of the high speed packet switch to receive the query cell and transmit the response cell. The switch processor detects each signaling cell generated by the customer and received by the switch, and each signaling cell generated by the customer to the network control processing system via the first virtual circuit and the one switch port. Delivering cells and The network control processing system requests a service in each signaling cell that requests the download of a program module or data from the network to the CPE unit or from the requesting CPE unit to the network. Detecting data and The network control processing system instructs the switch processor to connect the host or resource unit to the high-speed packet switch between the requesting CPE unit and the resource unit when the service request requires it. To set up the second virtual circuit in It is characterized by. Also, the service request is a request for download from the network to the requesting CPE unit, and the program module or data is from its storage location the first or second in the high speed packet switch. It is downloaded from the network control processing stem or the resource unit to the requesting CPE unit via a virtual circuit. Also, the service request is a download from the requesting CPE unit to the network, and the program module or data is said via the first or second virtual circuit in the high speed packet network. It is downloaded from the CPE unit that issued the request to the network control processing system or the resource unit. Also, the service request is a program module or data request. The network control processing system delivers an inquiry cell requesting information from the resource unit to the resource unit via the high-speed packet switch to support the requested service. The resource unit transmits a response cell carrying the requested information to the CPE that issued the request. Further, the service request is a request of a computer program module, and is a request of a computer program module. The resource unit is a computer program library that the requested computer program module downloads to the requested CPE unit. Also, the service request is a video program request. The resource unit is a video program library in which the requested video program is downloaded to the requested CPE unit. Also, the requested program module or data should reside or be managed in the network control processing system. The network control processing system instructs the requesting CPE unit to transmit or receive the download via the first virtual circuit of the high-speed packet switch. Further, the service request is a download request of the service creation program module from the network. The network control processing system downloads the service creation program module from its storage location to the requesting CPE via the first or second virtual circuit of the high-speed packet switch. In addition, a high-speed packet switch with multiple ports, With an exchange processor for setting up a fixed virtual connection between ports via an exchange Each customer's link, which is connected to a given customer exchange port and has a relatively wide digital bandwidth for transmitting signaling and data cells from and to each customer premises equipment (CPE) unit. A network control processing system that interfaces to at least one switch port to receive and control network responses to customer-generated signaling cells that carry customer service request data. The switch processor detects each signaling cell generated by the customer and received by the switch, and each of the signal cells generated by the customer from the first virtual circuit to the network control processing system via the one switch port. Delivering signaling cells and The network control processing system detects the service request data of each received signaling cell requesting the download of the service creation program module from the network, and The network control processing system downloads the service creation program module to the requesting CPE unit via the first virtual circuit of the high-speed packet switch, or sets a second virtual circuit. Downloading the service creation program from a separate storage unit via here It is characterized by including. Also, each CPE unit interfaces with its own customer link. Also, after the download is complete, the requested program module is executed by the requested CPE unit to create a new service script. Further, the requesting CPE unit requests a download of a new service script in the signaling cell for downloading the script transmitted to the network control processing system via the first virtual circuit of the high-speed packet switch. Is to generate. Further, the network control processing system receives the new service script as a hold service and introduces the new service script as a valid service in the customer's record. Also, a version of the service creation program compatible with the application program interface of the requesting CPE unit is downloaded to the CPE that issued the request. At the time of CPE request, the network control processing system transmits a signaling cell via the high-speed packet switch to cause the requesting CPE unit to download the new service script to the network control processing system. .. Further, the high-speed packet exchange may be an ATM exchange. In addition, the server device or service circuit system is connected to the server port of the high-speed packet switch for connection to the calling side or for connection in the connection path between the calling side and the called side. Set up, The network control processing system detects the service need of the server device or service circuit, and according to the service need, goes to one or more server devices or circuits via the high-speed packet switch for the CPE unit. It sets the virtual circuit of. The invention according to claim 2 is a high-speed packet switch having a plurality of ports. An exchange processor for setting up a fixed virtual connection between ports via an exchange, Each customer's link, which is connected to a given customer exchange port and has a relatively wide digital bandwidth for transmitting signaling and data cells from and to each customer premises equipment (CPE) unit. A network control processing system that interfaces to at least one switch port to receive and control network responses to customer-generated signaling cells that carry customer service request data. The exchange processor detects each signaling cell generated by the customer and received by the exchange, and each signaling generated by the customer to the network control processing system via the one exchange port through the first virtual circuit. Delivery of cells and A system of server devices or circuits provided with their respective connections to the server port of the high-speed packet switch for connection to the calling side or for connection along the connection path between the calling side and the called side. When, The network control processing system detects the service need of the server device or service circuit, and according to the service need, goes to one or more server devices or circuits via the high-speed packet switch for the CPE unit. To set up the virtual circuit of It is characterized by including. In addition, the server system includes a system library of service circuits having a network interface circuit. The network control processing system transmits an instruction cell to the system library to instruct the connection of the requested service circuit to the network interface circuit. Further, the system library may be an intelligent service peripheral device having a circuit exchange and an additional interface circuit for operation in the base network. In addition, the server system includes a converter device for connecting in series in a call connection path between a calling side and a called side. The network control processing system transmits a command cell to the converter device to provide a conversion service within a confined call connection path such as between a calling side and a called side. Further, the converter device may be a medium converter for converting a communication signal from one medium to a second medium. Further, the converter device may be a protocol converter. Further, the converter device may be a speed converter that converts a communication signal transmitted at one speed into a communication signal transmitted at a second speed. The system library may also include at least one converter circuit for connecting to the network interface circuit. Further, the invention according to claim 3 is a broadband intelligent network. A high-speed packet switch with multiple ports and With an exchange processor for setting up a fixed virtual connection between ports via an exchange Each customer's link, which is connected to a given customer exchange port and has a relatively wide digital bandwidth for transmitting signaling and data cells from and to each customer premises equipment (CPE) unit. A network control processing system that interfaces to at least one switch port to receive and control network responses to customer-generated signaling cells that carry customer service request data. The exchange processor detects each signaling cell generated by the customer and received by the exchange, and each signaling generated by the customer to the network control processing system via the one exchange port through the first virtual circuit. Delivery of cells and Intelligent Service Peripherals (ISPs) with a library of service circuits and A first interface circuit for exchanging circuits of the ISP and connecting to the base network so that the service circuit can provide services to the service circuit on demand. A second for connecting the ISP to the ISP port of the high-speed packet switch for connecting to the calling side in the broadband intelligent network or for connecting in the connection path between the calling side and the called side. Interface circuit and The network control processing system detects the need for a service from the service circuit in the ISP, connects the service circuit to the second interface circuit according to the need for the service, and also via the high-speed packet switch. Instruct the ISP to set up a virtual circuit for the CPE unit. It is characterized by including. In addition, the network control processing system detects the service request data of each signaling cell requesting message broadcast communication, and detects the service request data. The network control processing system instructs the switch processor to set up additional virtual circuits via the high speed packet switch between the requesting CPE unit and the list of designated addresses. At least one of the additional virtual circuits includes a connection via a server circuit. In addition, a high-speed packet switch with multiple ports, With an exchange processor for setting up a fixed virtual connection between ports via an exchange Each customer's link, which is connected to a given customer exchange port and has a relatively wide digital bandwidth for transmitting signaling and data cells to and from each customer premises equipment (CPE) unit. A network control processing system that interfaces to at least one switch port to receive and control network responses to customer-generated signaling cells that carry customer service request data. The switch processor detects each signaling cell generated by the customer and received by the switch, passes through a first virtual circuit, passes through the one switch port, and is generated by the customer to the network control processing system. Delivering signaling cells in The network control processing system detects the service request data of each signaling cell requesting message broadcast communication, and The network control processing system instructs the switch processor to set up an additional virtual circuit through the high-speed packet switch between the requested CPE and the list of designated addresses for each message broadcast communication. It is special to include. Further, the invention according to claim 4 is a method for operating a broadband intelligent network, in which the network is a high-speed packet switch having a plurality of ports and a virtual device via a switch between the ports or fixed. It has a switch processor for setting up connections and a relatively wide digital bandwidth for transmitting signaling and data cells from and to each home appliance (CPE) unit connected to a given customer switch port. A network control processing system for receiving and controlling the network response to each customer's link and the signaling cell generated by the customer and carrying the customer's service request data by interfacing with at least one exchange port. The method comprises a resource system for the network having at least one resource unit interfaced to the resource unit port of the high speed packet switch to receive an inquiry cell and transmit a response cell. The stage of detecting each signaling cell generated by the customer and received by the exchange processor, and The stage of delivering each customer-generated signaling cell to the network control processing system via the first virtual circuit and the one exchange port, and A step of detecting service request data of each signaling cell requesting download of a program module or data from the network to the requesting CPE unit or from the requesting CPE unit to the network. When the service request requires the connection of a host or a resource unit, the switch processor so as to set a second virtual circuit in the high-speed packet switch between the requesting CPE unit and the resource unit. And the stage to instruct It is characterized by including. Also, the service request is a request for download from the network to the requesting CPE unit, and the method step is further from the network control processing system or from the resource unit to the first or first in the high speed packet switch. It involves downloading the program module or data to the requesting CPE unit via a second virtual circuit. Further, the service request is a request for download from the requesting CPE unit to the network, and the step is further from the requesting CPE unit to the first or second virtual circuit in the high-speed packet switch. It involves downloading the program module or data to the network control processing system or resource unit via a circuit. Also, the service request may be a program module or data request, and the method further comprises. The stage of delivering the inquiry cell requesting the information necessary for supporting the requested service from the resource unit to the source resource unit via the high-speed packet switch, and the stage of delivering the inquiry cell to the source resource unit. A step of transmitting a response cell from the resource unit that conveys the requested information to the requesting CPE unit. including. Also, the requested program module or data should reside or be managed within the network control processing system, and the method further comprises. The step of instructing the requesting CPE to send or receive the download via the first or second virtual circuit of the high speed packet switch. including. Further, the service request is a request for downloading a service creation program module from the network, and the method further comprises. A step of operating the network control processing system to download the service creation program module to the requesting CPE unit via the first or second virtual circuit of the high-speed packet switch. including. It is also a method for operating a broadband intelligent network, in which the network is a high-speed packet switch having a plurality of ports and a switch for setting a fixed virtual connection between the ports via an switch. A processor and a link for each customer that is connected to a given customer exchange port and has a relatively wide digital bandwidth for transmitting signaling and data cells from and to each home appliance (CPE) unit. The method comprises a network control processing system for receiving and controlling a network response to a signaling cell generated by the customer and carrying the customer's service request data by interfacing at least one switch port. Each signaling cell generated by the customer and received by the exchange is detected, and each signaling cell generated by the customer is delivered to the network control processing system via the first virtual circuit and the one exchange port. And the stage to do The stage of detecting the service request in each received signaling cell requesting the download of the service creation program module from the network, and If a host or resource unit connection is required for the service request, set up a second virtual circuit in the processor high-speed packet switch between the CPE unit that issued the request and the host or source resource unit. The stage of instructing the exchange processor and The stage of downloading the service creation program module to the CPE unit that issued the request via the first or second virtual circuit of the high-speed packet switch. It is characterized by including. Also, each CPE unit interfaces with its own customer link, and the above steps further After the download is complete, the stage of executing the requested program module in the requested CPE unit to create a new service script, and A step of generating a download request for the new service script in a signaling cell for downloading a script sent to the network control processing system via the first virtual circuit of the high-speed packet switch. The stage of receiving the new service script in the network control processing system and introducing the new service script as a valid service in the customer record. Is included. Further, it is a method for operating a broadband intelligent network, in which the network includes a high-speed packet switch having a plurality of ports and a switch processor for setting a fixed virtual connection or via a switch between the ports. Each customer's link, which is connected to a given customer exchange port and has a relatively wide digital bandwidth for transmitting signaling and data cells from and to each home appliance (CPE) unit, and at least A network control processing system that interfaces to a single switch port to receive signaling cells generated by the customer and carry the customer's service request data, and to control the network response to this, and for connection to the calling party. Alternatively, the method comprises a system of server devices or service circuits in which each connection is provided to the server port of the high speed packet switch for a connection within the connection path between the calling side and the called side. Each customer-generated signaling cell is detected and the signal cell generated by each customer is transported to the network control processing system via the first virtual circuit and the one switch port by detecting each signaling cell generated by the customer and received by the exchange. And the stage to do The stage of detecting the service need of a server device or service circuit and setting a virtual circuit for the CPE unit to one or more server devices or circuits via the high-speed packet switch according to the service need. When It is characterized by including. Further, the server system includes a system library of service circuits having a network interface circuit, and the step further includes. A step of transmitting an instruction cell to the system library to instruct the network interface circuit to connect the requested service circuit. Is included. Further, the system library includes a converter device for connecting in series in a call connection path between a calling side and a called side, and the method further comprises. A step of transmitting an instruction cell to the converter device to provide a conversion service to the requested call connection path between the calling side and the called side. Is included. Further, the invention according to claim 5 is a method for operating a broadband intelligent network, in which the network is a high-speed packet switch having a plurality of ports and a virtual connection between the ports via an switch or fixed virtual connection. A switch processor for configuring and a relatively wide digital bandwidth for transmitting signaling and data cells from and to each home appliance (CPE) unit connected to a given customer switch port, respectively. A network control processing system and service for receiving and controlling the network response to the customer's link and the signaling cell generated by the customer and carrying the customer's service request data by interfacing with at least one switch port. An intelligent service peripheral device (ISP) having a library of circuits and the above for connecting to the calling side in the broadband intelligent network or for connecting in the connection path between the calling side and the called side. The method comprises an interface circuit for connecting an ISP to the ISP port of the high-speed packet switch. Each signaling cell generated by the customer and received by the exchange is detected, and each signaling cell generated by the customer is sent to the network control processing system via the first virtual circuit and the one exchange port. The delivery stage and The CPE unit detects the need for service from the service circuit in the ISP and connects the requested service circuit to the second interface circuit or via the high-speed packet switch according to the need for the service. And the stage of instructing the ISP to set up a virtual circuit for It is characterized by including. Further, it is a method for operating a broadband intelligent network, in which a high-speed packet switch having a plurality of ports and a switch processor for setting a fixed virtual connection via a switch between the ports. And at least a link for each customer that is connected to a given customer exchange port and has a relatively wide digital bandwidth for transmitting signaling and data cells from and to each home appliance (CPE) unit. The method comprises a network control processing system for receiving and controlling a network response to a signaling cell generated by the customer and carrying the customer's service request data by interfaced with one switch port. Each signaling cell generated by the customer and received by the exchange is detected, and each signaling cell generated by the customer is sent to the network control processing system via the first virtual circuit and the one exchange port. The delivery stage and The stage of detecting service request data requesting message broadcast communication in each signaling cell, and The step of instructing the switch processor to set up an additional virtual circuit via the high-speed packet switch between the requesting CPE unit and the list of designated addresses for each message broadcast communication. It is characterized by including. In addition, the network control processing system generates billing data based on network usage by the CPE unit for description in the customer's billing statement. The billing data includes a network connection fee, a usage fee for a resource unit owned by the network, and a third party fee including the usage amount of a resource unit owned by one or more third parties. Further, the network control processing system further directly transmits the billing data in a predetermined format to the corresponding CPE unit via the high-speed packet switch. In addition, the network control processing system generates billing data based on network usage by the CPE unit for description in the customer's billing statement. The billing data includes network connection fees, usage fees for resource units owned by the network, including download and usage fees for the service creation program module, and usage fees for resource units owned by one or more third parties. Including third party charges including. In addition, the network control processing system generates billing data based on network usage by the CPE unit for description in the customer's billing statement. The billing data includes a network connection fee, a usage fee for a resource unit owned by the network, a usage fee for a server device or a service circuit, and a usage fee for a resource unit owned by one or more third parties. It includes the fee. In addition, the stage of generating billing data based on network usage by the CPE unit for inclusion in the customer's billing statement, and The billing data includes a network connection fee, a usage fee for a resource unit owned by the network, and a third party fee including a usage fee for a resource unit owned by one or more third parties. Further includes. Further, it further includes a step of directly transmitting the billing data in a predetermined format from the network control processing system to the corresponding CPE unit via the high-speed packet switch. In addition, the stage of generating billing data based on network usage by the CPE unit for inclusion in the customer's billing statement, and The billing data includes the network connection fee and the download and usage fee of the service creation program module. Further includes. Further, the converter device may be a video transcoder for converting a video signal from one coding method to another coding method. Also, the service request is a program module or data request. The source resource unit receives an inquiry cell from the network control system or the CPE unit that issued the request via the high-speed packet switch, and receives the inquiry cell. The query cell contains a request for information required by the source resource unit. The source resource unit transmits a response cell that carries the requested information to the requesting CPE unit. In addition, the service request is a request for distance learning, The source resource unit may be one or more resource units containing educational data. The resource system also includes a database of linking directories. The network control processing system sends a query to the database in the linking directory to provide one or more hosts or sources for connection to the CPE that made the request in providing the requested service. It identifies the resource unit. Also, the network resource system includes a database of linking directories, and the method further comprises One or more host or source resources to send a query from the network control processing system to the database in the linking directory to connect to the CPE that made the request in providing the requested service. Stage of identifying a unit Is included. Further, the service request is a request of a computer program module, and the service request is a request of a computer program module. The requested computer program module is stored in the network control processing system and downloaded to the CPE unit that issued the request via the high-speed packet switch. The requested computer program module is provided in a version suitable for the application program interface of the requested CPE unit. Also, the version of the downloaded program is determined from the request from the requesting CPE unit or from the customer data stored in the network. Further, the host resource unit is a storage unit, and when the program module or data is downloaded from the requesting CPE to the storage unit and an access is required for subsequent access, the program. Provide a backup copy of the module or data. Further, the need for a server device or a service circuit is detected from a request transmitted from the CPE unit to the network control processing system. Further, the necessity of the server device or the service circuit is detected from the customer data stored in the network by the network control processing system. In addition, the requested computer program module is provided in a version suitable for the application program interface of the CPE unit that issued the request. Further, the version of the downloaded program is determined from the request from the CPE requesting or from the customer data stored in the network. It also provides a combination of program modules and data that is downloaded from the resource unit to the requesting CPE unit and provides the requested personality to the requesting CPE unit. Further, the service creation program is stored in the network control processing system and downloaded from here to the requesting CPE unit. Further, the system library of the service circuit may be an intelligent service peripheral device. Also, a request is made from the network to download an existing service script to the requesting CPE unit, and the script is sent from its storage location via the first or second virtual circuit in the high-speed packet switch. It is downloaded from the network control processing system or the source resource unit to the requested CPE unit. A second interface circuit is also provided to connect the ISP to the circuit exchange network, further A step of operating the service circuit via the second interface circuit to provide the required service within the circuit exchange network. including. Further, the download request is a request for a menu listing available resource units, and the requesting CPE unit makes an inquiry, and each of the available selections from each of the available resource units is made. You can get the list The menu is requested from the storage location of the menu to the requested CPE unit from the storage location of the menu via the first virtual circuit or another virtual circuit set by the network control processing system. Downloaded to the CPE unit. Also, the available resource unit is a unit containing a library of movies or videos for downloading to the CPE unit. Further, a further download request was made from the requesting CPE for the selection of a movie or video from one of the available resource units, the one resource unit being the source resource unit and said requesting. The movie or video is downloaded from the one available resource unit via the second virtual circuit. Also, the requesting CPE unit receives the selected movie or video and further VTR control unit for applying normal VTR control functions to the selected movie or video including. Further, the download request is a request for a menu listing available resource units, and the requesting CPE unit makes an inquiry, and each of the available selections from each of the available resource units is made. You can get the list, the above method is further The menu is requested from the storage location of the menu to the requesting CPE unit via the first virtual circuit or another virtual circuit set by the network control processing system. The stage of downloading to the CPE unit including. Also, the requested CPE is operated to make a further download request for the selection of a movie or video from one of the available resource units, the one resource unit being the source resource unit. When, With the step of downloading the requested movie or video from the one available resource unit via the second virtual circuit. Including further. Also, the requesting CPE unit receives the selected movie or video, and the step further The stage of applying the VTR control function to the selected movie or video including. In addition, a high-speed packet switch with multiple ports, With an exchange processor for setting up a fixed virtual connection between ports via an exchange Each customer's link, which is connected to a given customer exchange port and has a relatively wide digital bandwidth for transmitting signaling and data cells from and to each customer premises equipment (CPE) unit. A network control processing system that interfaces to at least one switch port to receive and control network responses to customer-generated signaling cells that carry customer service request data. The switch processor detects each signaling cell generated by the customer and received by the switch, and is generated by the customer via a first virtual circuit to the network control processing system via the one switch port. Delivering each signaling cell The network control processing system detects service request data in each signaling cell requesting a conference call from the requesting CPE unit to at least the second and third CPE units. The network control processing system instructs the switch processor to set up an additional virtual circuit between the requested second and third CPE units via the high-speed packet switch. It is characterized by including. Also, the additional virtual circuit includes a direct bidirectional connection path between the respective combinations of the required and second and third CPE units. Each of the direct connection routes includes bidirectional video and / or data channels. A voice bridge is provided in the network. The additional virtual circuit includes a bidirectional audio signal path from each of the requested first and second CPE units to the input of the audio bridge and produces an output equal to the sum of the inputs. Further, a resource system is provided in the network, and a plurality of resource units interface with each resource unit port of the high-speed packet switch, receive an inquiry cell from the network control processing system, and transmit a response cell. And The conference call request further includes a request for connection to a predetermined resource unit. Further, a resource system is provided to the network, and a plurality of resource units interface with each resource unit port of the high-speed packet switch, receive an inquiry cell from the network control processing system, and receive a response cell. Send and The conference call request further includes a request for connection to a predetermined resource unit. The virtual circuit further includes a direct connection path between the predetermined resource unit and each of the required and second and third CPE units. It is also a method for operating a broadband intelligent network, in which the network is a high-speed packet switch having a plurality of ports and a switch processor for setting a fixed virtual connection between the ports via a switch. And at least a link for each customer that is connected to a given customer exchange port and has a relatively wide digital bandwidth for transmitting signaling and data cells from and to each home appliance (CPE) unit. The method comprises a network control processing system for receiving and controlling a network response to a signaling cell generated by the customer and carrying the customer's service request data by interfaced with one switch port. The stage of detecting each signaling cell generated by the customer and received by the exchange, and The stage of delivering each customer-generated signaling cell to the network control processing system via the first virtual circuit and the one switch port, and The step of detecting the service request data of each signaling cell requesting a conference call from the requesting CPE unit and at least the second and third CPE units, and With the step of instructing the switch processor to set up additional virtual circuits via the high speed packet switch between the requesting and second and third CPE units. It is characterized by including. It should be understood that the general description described above and the detailed description below are both exemplary and explanatory purposes and are intended to provide further description of the patented invention. A brief description of the drawing The attached front surface, which is included in the present specification and constitutes a part thereof, illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and provides an explanation of the object, advantages, and principles of the present invention together with a detailed explanation. .. In the drawing Figure 1 is a block diagram of a BIN system that has a service control unit (SCP), CPE, resource unit, and server connected to a high speed packet or ATM switch and is configured according to the present invention to provide extended functionality to the CPE. is there. Figure 2 shows a broadband high-performance intelligent network (BAIN) having a SPACE system, CPE, resource unit, and server connected to a high-speed packet or ATM switch, and is configured according to the present invention to provide extended functionality to the CPE. It is a block diagram of the system of another embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of the system showing the operation of the system in FIG. 1 or 2 when a call connection service request is made. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the basic configuration of a workstation used as a CPE in the network of FIG. 1 or 2. FIG. 5A1 provides a generalized overview of the operation of the present invention. Figure 5A2 is a block diagram that provides an overview of the billing function. 5B1 to 5B5 together provide a more detailed overview of the structure and operation of the present invention. Figure 6A is a functional block diagram showing the procedure used within the CPE in response to a network download request. Figure 6B illustrates an ATM signaling cell used to send a CPE request for network download to the CPE. Figure 7A is a functional block diagram showing the procedure used by SCP or ISCP to manage CPE requests for network downloads. Figure 7B illustrates the query cell that SCP or ISCP sends to the resource unit along with the content and CPE address for the requested network download. Figure 8A is a functional block diagram showing the procedure used within the CPE in response to a CPE download request to a host unit in the network. Figure 8B illustrates an ATM signaling cell used to send a CPE request for a CPE download to a host unit in the network. Figure 9A is a functional block diagram showing the procedure used within an SCP or ISCP to manage a CPE request for download from the CPE to a host unit in the network. Figure 9B illustrates cells sent by CPE from SCP or ISCP to order the execution of the requested download. FIG. 10A shows a portion of the network of FIG. 1 or 2 with additional structures used to provide mutual media conversion services in establishing a connection between the calling and calling parties. FIG. 10B is a functional block diagram showing the procedure used by SCP or ISCP to provide network control in establishing a mutual media transformation for a call connection established by FIG. 11A through 11D are block diagrams showing how a network service creation program is downloaded to the CPE for customer creation and subsequent deployment of new service scripts according to the invention. 12A to 12C are block diagrams showing how an intelligent service peripheral device operates by BIN to provide the requested service to the CPE unit according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a conference call connection established by the present invention. Best aspect of the invention The present invention configures the network controller to create network resources (including resource directories), servers, and converters that can be used by the CPE that interfaces with the BIN, thereby providing improved support for the services requested by the customer. Oriented to BIN that greatly expands the operation and communication capacity of CPE. Network resources available for CPE support and expansion reside in programs, information, and entertainment libraries, as well as other resource units structured to meet customer needs, as well as circuit-interchangeable telephone networks and work with BINs. Includes certain resource units that have the ability to interface with each other. The network server is structured to specifically enhance the CPE's communication capabilities. BIN's resource unit includes electronic games, movies, educational videos, music videos, home shopping catalogs, video yellow pages, market research, recent home drums, recent local, domestic and international news, investment related Facilities can be provided for computer programs and video libraries, including news and services. CPE programming can be interactive, for example, allowing customers to use menus to select different endings for a movie, or order concert tickets or other available items. The present invention extends CPE capabilities by creating resources contained in BIN resource units that are widely available in CPE in response to customer requests. According to the present invention. The BIN resource unit assists the CPE unit under network control and has information on early-developed multimedia applications such as individuals sitting in front of terminals to learn about specific themes. These early multi-video applications use stored video images, text, audio, and data to provide a multi-sensory and interactive learning experience. The present invention further extends the CPE capabilities associated with new multimedia applications designed for use in working groups. Examples of such collective multimedia applications include creating marketing presentations with rapid use of video clips, data, and stored photos in geographically separated offices, or sudden notifications. This includes convening six experienced neurosurgeons at workstation locations around the country to review CAT scans, x-rays, test data, and examination results for serious cases. Circuit exchanges that can interface with BIN The existing resource units of the telephone network include a system for creating programmed customer service called the SPACE system and a server unit such as an intelligent service peripheral (ISP). .. The present invention extends the CPE capability by using such existing resources and server units in various ways. That is, the present invention can provide a wide range of network control support to the CPE unit, thereby providing the user with a "window to the world" at the CPE unit, such as a personal computer, or a CPE station using a television, or a workstation. Can be done. Examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the details of which will be described below. In FIG. 1, the BIN50 of the present invention is constructed and operated in accordance with the high-speed packet technology. As used herein, high-speed packet networks transmit digital data within a packet at high transmission rates (typically several megabits per second), with switch delays of millisecond or less and error-prone packets. Means a network without retransmissions. The BIN 50 includes a high speed packet switch 51 in which the ATM switch mode is desirable. The high-speed packet switch 51 has a plurality of bidirectional ports 60, 62, each of which can be provided with an optical fiber link to the subscriber. As used herein, a fiber optic link or connection means a connection constructed entirely or partially using fiber optic equipment. Each fiber optic link can provide connectivity to multiple subscribers. For slower speeds, other media, such as coaxial cable or paired wire, may be used where appropriate. BIN50 also includes a connection management processor 64 with connection management software 30, a network control system called BIN Service Control Point (BIN-SCP) 61, and a backup BIN-SCP61B. System 63 of resource units R1 to Rn is either by direct connection as shown or by indirect connection through other ATM switches (not shown) or via a multiplexer circuit (not shown) or other interface circuit. It is interfaced to each port 62 of the ATM switch 51 by any of the other indirect connections. Thus, the term "interface" used herein to connect a resource unit or server unit to a high-speed packet or ATM switch refers to a "direct" connection to a port, or one or more high-speed packets or ATM switches. It is intended to represent an "indirect" connection to a port via and / or via a multiplexer or other interface circuit. For example, it can be seen that multiplexer interface circuits are used where it is desired to achieve economics through shared use of ports. Resource data directly accessible by at least some of the resource units R1 through Rn and BIN-SCP61 are operated in accordance with the present invention to provide extended CPE capability. Regional Account Office (RA0) 767 is directly accessed by BIN-SCP61 and processes billing data 65 sent by BIN-SCP61. As used herein, the term "resource unit" is used to access or provide current information, such as real-time video or time or temperature, or recorded information, such as audio information, image or video information, Means equipment that contains program information or user or company data. The term "database" is a resource unit that contains useful data to support customer service. Service request or call processing software 31 is provided to BIN-SCP61. BIN-SCP61 is generally constructed as described in co-pending US patent applications 08 / 063,661 and 08/069,243. Each customer has a CPE unit that is directly or indirectly connected to the ATM high-speed packet switch port. Additional CPE units to calling CPE52 (CPE1), calling CPE54 (CPE2) and CPEn are typically illustrated with ATM switch port connections 52C, 54C, 56C to ports 52P, 54P, 56P, respectively. .. Resource system 63 may contain multiple independently accessible databases or other resource units in various locations. The resource units R1 to Rn include units owned by the BIN owner, and may also include other units owned by a third party and made available to BIN50 at the billing contract rate. Resource information required by a particular network service can reside in BIN-SCP61 or in the location of another resource unit. Besides this, such information can reside in multiple geographically dispersed resource units or databases. Resource units R1 through Rn include units used in accordance with the present invention to provide extended CPE capability and other units used by BIN50 for other purposes. The R5 LIDB, which illustrates the latter type of resource unit, operates within BIN50 and provides support for call connection services as described more fully in US Patent Application No. 08 / 084,386, which is pending at the same time as described above. To do. Resource directory R3 is a database of linking directories that contain the available network resources that BIN-SCP61 uses to fulfill customer requests for resource assistance needed to extend CPE capabilities in system 63. Provide an index. Besides this, the resource directory can be resident in BIN-SCP61. The linking directory R3 is actually a directory of directories that provides links to directories in remote databases to facilitate information retrieval in these databases. More detailed information about the linking directory is disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,239,577, assigned August 24, 1993, assigned to the assignee of the invention, which is incorporated herein by reference. The BIN50 has a plurality of servers S1 to Sn, some of which include a server system 57 operated in accordance with the present invention to provide extended CPE capability. Each server is generally built with a service circuit to provide a special service to the caller's request. Servers S1 to Sn include a server that exists in a circuit exchange network and interfaces with BIN0 in operation, and a server that is constructed to operate only in BIN50. Some servers operate to provide system compatibility between the calling and calling parties. The server S1 is a medium converter that converts data from one medium to another and enables communication between persons having different communication devices. Server S1 provides a variety of conversions, including email to facsimile and text to voice. Other compatibility servers include server S2, which provides protocol translation when needed, and server S3, which provides transmission speed translation when needed. In this embodiment, the server Sn is included in the BIN 50 or 280 and is a video communication path for converting the video signal from the coding method used in the video transmitter to another coding method used in the video receiver. It is a video transcoder to be inserted inside. A video transco service is executed by a request from one of the calling side and the called side equipped with CPE units with different encoding methods, and the network controller automatically executes the video transco service based on the stored customer data. Once provided, they can communicate with each other via video. Intelligent Services Peripheral Equipment (ISP) S4 is a server with service circuits that provide some basic services, such as speech synthesis, speech recognition, and speech recording / playback, when requested by the calling or calling party. It is a unit. ISP4 resides in a BIN dedicated server or circuit exchange network (CSN) and can be a suitable server operated within BIN50 to provide extended CPE communication capabilities in accordance with the present invention. The high-speed packet (FP) switch 51 can be implemented in various aspects, and there may be some changes in such a way that the transmitted data is incorporated. For example, the latest FP exchanges today include ATM exchanges (data are embedded in fixed-length packets called "cells"), SMDS-type exchanges, and Frame Relay-type exchanges. Thus, as used herein, the term "cell" represents a unit that packages basic data, whether or not the unit is called a "cell", and is a "packet" or specific. Other names specific to this technique are used to apply the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an ATM switch is used for high speed packet switching. An ATM switch is a connection-oriented switch that has 1000 or more ports and can operate with fixed-length data packets (cells) using a virtual leased line. ATM switches can handle signals with transfer rates of 155 Mb / s or higher, with delays of only 1 millisecond or less in transmission time and delay fluctuations. The maximum estimated delay amount via the ATM switch is 150 milliseconds. The asynchronous transfer mode used in ATM exchanges is the CCITT standard used to package, multiplex, and exchange end-user digital information in fixed-length data packets (cells) with a length of 53 bytes (octets). The data cells shown by reference numbers 67C and 69 in FIG. 1 include a header portion with 5 bytes allocated and a payload portion with 48 bytes allocated. The cell header usually contains the virtual channel indicator (VCI) of the virtual path indicator (VPI). VPI and VCI are used to determine the path of a cell through a fixed or exchanged virtual leased line. These connections are called virtual connections because they exist only while the cell passes through the ATM switch in the physical sense. It is desirable to use a signaling cell to set up a virtual connection via the switch through the ATM switch 51. As used herein, a "signaling cell", response cell, instruction cell, data cell, or other ATM cell can be a single cell or a contiguous cell. Desirably, the signaling cell has the same format as the ATM cell described above. The signaling cell generated by the calling CPE requests a particular service and provides the required service, for example, the information needed to complete a connection to another CPE, that is, the calling address. , Calling party address, billing information, required digital bandwidth, personal identification information, outgoing card number, etc. are included in the payload part. Signaling cells can be identified by their own values for VPI and VCI or by their own payload type code. If desired, the recently developed Q.93B signaling protocol can be used with the BIN50. At BIN50, BIN-SCP61 connects to the port of ATM switch 51, preferably directly via fiber optic link 53. As shown, when the ATM switch 51 handles OC-3 at 155 Mb / s, it is desirable that the interface with BIN-SCP61 is the same 155 Mb / s. Desirably, backup BIN-SCP61B is connected directly to ATM switch port 49B via connector 53B to provide highly reliable network control services. If BIN-SCP61 fails, BIN-SCP61B immediately takes control of network services. BIN-SCP61 or 61B can supply ports 49 and 49B with other devices, respectively. In this way, multiplex communication devices and the like can exist between the BIN-SCP and the exchange port. BIN-SCP61 or 61B may also interface with an interchangeable circuit network (not shown) to provide network control services as described more fully in concurrent pending application 08 / 063,661 above. it can. It is also desirable to connect the primary BIN-SCP and backup BIN-SCP directly to the ports of another ATM switch (not shown), as indicated by reference numbers 45 and 45B, respectively. In another embodiment, the route to (or from here) to another ATM switch is via port 49 or 49B of the ATM switch and further via the fixed virtual leased line of ATM switch 51 to the destination ATM switch (shown). Can be connected to). Fixed virtual leased lines are also set up at destinations and all intermediate ATM switches. The respective resource units R1 to Rn of the resource system 63 are also directly connected to the respective ATM ports 62 via the direct links 70-1 to 70-n. Inquiries are therefore sent from BIN-SCP61 via ATM switch 51 from resource unit R1 to Rn to obtain the resources needed to process the customer's request for CPE expansion. Some aspects of the invention require the establishment of a call connection. The operation of BIN50 in establishing a call connection is shown in the functional block diagram of Fig. 3. As illustrated in block 90, the calling CPE52 (Figure 1) generates a signaling cell to provide a given address (directory number) with a given bandwidth for voice, data, image, or video. Requests a connection to the called party 54 or a network device, such as a resource unit. As illustrated in block 92, the ATM switch 51 delivers the signaling cell to the BIN-SCP61 via a permanent virtual circuit, which in block 94 acts on the cell information and processes the call connection request. After that, an instruction cell to the ATM switch 51 is generated to establish a connection. In addition, signaling cells are also generated for the called party. The ATM instruction cell and the called signaling cell send directly to the ATM switch 51 via port 49 (Fig. 1) as shown in block 96. In response to the ATM instruction cell, the connection management processor of the ATM switch 51 functions on the information in the instruction cell and propagates the conversion table according to the received instruction, thereby the calling and calling ATM ports 52P and Establish a bidirectional virtual leased line via the switch between 54P. In addition, the signaling cell generated by BIN-SCP61 is immediately delivered to the called party via ATM port 54P, as indicated by reference number 97. As shown in block 98, when the calling party answers the call, the ATM switch 51 delivers the calling and calling cell 67C and 69 (FIG. 1) via the two-way virtual route via the switch. The conversion table defines a bidirectional path so that each side can receive audio, data, image and / or video cells transmitted from the other. As shown in block 104, the system elements of BIN50 may operate during a call to handle in-call bandwidth changes or other requests, or to handle end-of-call requests. That is, CPE units 52, 54, resource units 63, server units 57, ATM switch 51, and BIN-SCP61 act to change or terminate calls in the same way as described for the original connection service. .. The operation of the BIN to make a call connection, change during a call, and end a call is more fully described in the aforementioned simultaneous pending applications 08 / 063,661 and 08/069,243. In controlling the operation of the resource system 63 and the server system 57 to provide the extended CPE capability according to the invention, BIN-SCP61 sends an inquiry cell to the resource unit and an instruction cell to the server unit and the ATM switch 51. To do. The virtual circuit via the switch is set in the ATM switch 51 and delivers the response cell from the server and resource unit to the specified address. Network control of resource and server systems 63,57 is described more fully herein below. In another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the BIN Integrated Service Control Point (BIN-ISCP) 285 or 285B directly interfaces with the ATM switch 51 in the broadband high-performance intelligent network 280 to BIN-SCP61 or It provides network control with extended CPE capability as described in 61B. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the same reference number is used for similar members. The instruction cell is generated by BIN-ISCP285 or 285 and transmitted via switch port 49 or 49B, which propagates the translation or reference table into the connection management processor 64. As already mentioned, the virtual connection via the switch for the voice, data, image, and video communication cells is set up and terminated in this way. In addition to this, the instruction data may be transmitted via the link 55. In addition, BIN-ISCP285 sends signaling, command, and query cells to the CPE unit and resource and server units for communication and control, as described above for BIN-SCP61. The BIN280 in Figure 2 differs from the BIN50 in Figure 1 primarily in providing the SPACE system 283 and the appropriate SCP structure to provide the rapid creation of new network services. As will be explained in more detail below, the SPACE system is a resource that is normally resident in BIN-ISCP285 and should be downloaded from BIN-ISCP285 to the CPE unit used by the customer in creating a new service at the request of the customer. Can be done. Such new services will be introduced at the network level for use by customers under network control. If desired, the SPACE system can be stored in a separate resource unit (not shown) within the resource system 63. The general structure of the multimedia CPE unit 56B is illustrated in more detail in FIG. CPE56B can be used to implement the CPE units 52,54,56 in Figures 1 and 2. The CPE56B has a device and a computational platform 100 capable of executing a set of application programs A1 to An. The application program interface (API) is provided for Platform 100. The structure of the API changes depending on the design of the CPE unit. Therefore, a different version of the application program is required for another API used by another CPE unit. Some of the application programs reside permanently in program set 102, while others can be downloaded from the network level for temporary resident and use. Application programs that can be downloaded and made resident include wide processing, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, investment management, and income tax filing programs, as well as customer-developed or other special purpose programs. The program that downloads to CPE56B allows customers to avoid expensive purchases of new application software and relatively frequent software updates. The CPE56B apparatus and computing platform 100 includes an I / O subsystem 108 and a computer system 104 having a processor 106 for which a memory system 110 is provided. The resident system software 112 controls the operations of the processor 106, the memory 110, and the I / O 108. The input / output device 114 includes a telephone 116, a facsimile machine 118, a keyboard 120, a video monitor 122, and a video control device 124. A mouse 126, a light pen 128, a microphone 129, and a speaker 131 may also be provided for operator use. As illustrated in block 130, the CPE56B can include various other input / output devices (not specified). In practicing the present invention, the various combinations of input / output devices shown can be used according to the needs of the customer. In the sending direction, the BIN interface circuit 132 packages the CPE output into cells, multiplexes these cells into a single bitstream, and is suitable for formats such as ATM feed signals such as OC-3. Add a working bit. In the ingestion direction, the BIN interface circuit 132 framing the input bit stream, inspecting for transmission errors, and extracting the transmitted cells for further CPE processing. CPE units in traditional high-speed packet networks have not benefited from the network capabilities and the presence of network servers, converters, and resource units. According to the present invention, in BIN50 or 280, the CPE unit has extended functionality, i.e. increased communication capacity, as a result of the network resources or service circuits provided by BIN-SCP61 or BIN-ISCP285 in response to customer service requests. , Enhanced information access, and extensible personality are also offered to advantage. Virtual circuits through the switch are configured on all subscribers and, as needed, resources or server support units to meet service requirements. As shown, BIN can be used to download "personality" to the CPE unit. For example, a "personality" can be downloaded to a CPE unit by downloading personality software that consists of system and application software and provides the CPE with the ability to interact with the network in a given manner. In the drawings, the multimedia workstation can be downloaded to function like a commercial television receiver, thereby configuring and instructing it to receive video broadcasts from a broadband network. In order to support the provision of services required under network control, the ATM switch 51 functions as a transmissive switch, that is, a switch with relatively few mounting functions. Therefore, the ATM switch 51 is not subject to the load or restrictions that the mounting function affects. Overall, BIN50 is some "firewall" between BIN-SCP61 or BIN-ISCP285 and some CPE, resource unit, server unit, or other system where ports appear directly or indirectly on the ATM switch 61. It is possible to provide free communication without providing a "firewall". As mentioned above, BIN-SCP61 downloads software programs or videos or data to the calling or calling CPE. BIN-SCP performs a download by searching its own database or searching for software or information from another system within BIN50 and setting up a virtual circuit through the switch between that system and the CPE for which information is to be received. .. Similarly, CPE can download software programs or information to BIN-SCP61, which acts as an ATM network controller, or to another host system within BIN50. The CPE unit can access the expanded information through the video jukebox, the video-on-demand provided to the video library residing within the resource unit R2. The video is downloaded and stored in real time or at a high transmission rate and played back in the CPE at normal playback speed with the video control provided by the video control 124 (Figure 4). Since the CPE knit has access to the program library resident in the resource unit R1, the program can be downloaded for use in the CPE device as described above. The CPE unit also has a program function that can be expanded significantly and conveniently. That is, the network program can be downloaded from the resource unit R1 to the CPE unit on demand (on demand). Downloaded programs may include system and / or application programs. The API of each CPE can be recorded in the network, so the correct program version can be downloaded automatically. In addition to this, the CPE user can request the desired program version. Multimedia applications are sometimes categorized by application class into message delivery, publishing, information access, and communication between individuals. For any of these applications, the CPE belonging to the calling party, the calling party, or both can request BIN-SCP61 to download application software that grants the CPE a personality that requires any application. This has to do with downloading software programs to allow the CPE to behave as expected for any class of Broadband Integrated Services Digital Circuits (ISDN) CPE, or spreadsheets or wide processing. -It may be related to the download of commercial applications such as programs, the download of the SPACE service creation system, or the download of video games. To do this, BIN-SCP61 finds out where the first requested program is, either by searching its own database or by querying the directory database R3 in BIN50. Once the source is identified, a virtual circuit via the switch is set up between the source system and the CPE to allow information transfer. Medical imaging is a multimedia application that allows physicians and other healthcare professionals to remotely view x-rays, CAT scans, MRIs, and other diagnostic products. Medical data can be stored in CPE unit memory 110 (Figure 4) to provide medical data communication to healthcare professionals in one or more CPE units elsewhere. This method can greatly improve diagnostic, surgical, and other pharmaceutical procedures with almost instantaneous access to remote medical data. Correspondence education is a multimedia application that provides students with the ability to participate in virtually any type of education by using multimedia interactive features while at a remote location. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the educational resource unit such as the resource unit R4 stores information, videos, images, etc. that can communicate with the CPE unit upon request. BIN-SCP61 also provides a complete billing record for services and can charge for services provided by various resource units. In general, billing records can be created automatically from call data, and billing systems can be constructed to operate differently according to customer and network management needs. As already shown, basic billing is provided by sending billing data 65 (Figure 1 or Figure 2) to the regional account office 67. The billing system (Figure 5A2) is also configured to provide billing and collection services to third parties, including line providers between switches and external owners of resource units. When a third party charges, the network charge 147 for the customer who owns the CPE unit charges the network call charge and connection service charge, the network resource and service circuit charge, and the usage charge of the third party resource unit and the inter-switch equipment. Formatted with related billing data 65 including. In addition, the billing system is constructed to format the relevant billing data 65 to be sent to the CPE unit as shown in block 149 each time after each use of the BIN or periodically. Such "real-time" billing data can be used by customers for budget management or for other management purposes until the formal network billing statement arrives. In some cases, it may be necessary to insert a normal device into the transmission path between the source and the CPE or between the two CPEs to allow communication between the devices. BIN-SCP61 automatically acts as a network control device, responds to each connection request, determines the compatibility of any two subscriber devices trying to connect from the customer record, and ensures communication compatibility if necessary. Determine which switching unit is required for the connection path. BIN-SCP61 configures one or more servers in the connection path to allow two subscriber devices to communicate with each other with the required conversion services. CPE can also download programs or data to BIN-SCP network controller 61 within BIN50 or to other host systems. This makes a whole new kind of customer control available. In particular, a customer can use the SPACE service creation program to create a new network service and request that the service script be downloaded to the customer's record for future use. Customer control in existing circuit exchange networks can only be changed on a small scale, such as by comparing primitives, such as changing the list of shortened dials using DTMF instructions or changing the forwarding phone number. For publishing or broadcast or conference applications, ATM switch conversions support multipoint transmission capabilities. The customer keeps a distribution list in the customer record of BIN-SCP61 and uses that list to disclose information. Otherwise, the customer can download the distribution list in real time and then request BIN-SCP61 to manage it publicly. In addition, customers can set up single-media or multimedia conferencing calls by requesting connection services for conferencing connections to multiple incoming addresses. In the case of broadcast communication or conference, BIN-SCP61 sends the instruction cell of the connection management software in the ATM switch to set the requested multipoint conversion. The general concept of the present invention is illustrated in the flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 5A. As shown in block 150, CPE service requests are sent to the network controller (BIN-SCP or BIN-ISCP285) on a fixed virtual dedicated line through the ATM switch 51. The network controller sets up a virtual circuit through the switch between the calling CPE and the selected network device, and inserts a converter into the connection path if necessary (block 152). At block 154, the network controller signals the device selected to comply with the service request. The characteristics and scope of CPE capability expansion will vary depending on the nature of the service request, generally with CPE units within the customer's control of services within the BIN, access to a wide range of resources, extended communication capabilities, and others compatible. Communication compatibility is provided. The block diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 5B1 to 5B5 provide a more detailed overview of the operation of the present invention. In this case, BIN-ISCP is illustrated, which includes call processing software with module 164 with basic software units 166-172. The service request is made by the customer from the calling CPE unit 52 (CPE1) (Fig. 5B1). The signaling cell is sent to the ATM switch 51, which delivers the signaling cell to the network controller (BIN-SCP61 or BIN-ISCP285) via a fixed virtual signaling channel inside the ATM switch 51. The dashed line 160 schematically represents the path of the signaling cell to module 164 in network controller 61 or 285. The network controller 61 or 285 responds to the information in the signaling cell by generating instructions and / or queries or other cells to provide the requested service. When a resource download is requested, BIN-SCP block 166 will optionally recognize the request to CPE1 as shown by reference number 165C (Figure 5B2), and the location of the requested resource, eg resource unit 167 (Figure 1). Search for block R6 (not shown) and send a command cell to ATM switcher 51 along the dashed line 162 (Fig. 5B1) to switch from resource unit 167 to CPE1-52. Set the virtual circuit via. The connection management software 30 executes an instruction and sets the download connection path 165 (Fig. 5B2). If the requested resource is in network controller 61 or 285, a fixed virtual signaling channel to CPE1 can be used instead of setting up a virtual circuit via an independent switch. The query cell can also be sent from the network controller 61 or 285 to the resource unit along the virtual circuit established via the ATM switch 51, as illustrated by the dashed path 182 in FIG. 5B2. The resource unit 167 responds to an inquiry from the network controller or a direct inquiry from CPE1 by transmitting response data to CPE1 along the connection path 165 in response to a service request. The resource unit 167 sends a signal to the network controller 61 or 285 when the download is completed and the virtual circuit via the switch can be opened. Network controller 61 or 285 can also act as a gateway servicing customer requests that they want to download from the network. In operation as a gateway, network controller 61 or 285 provides a "yellow page-like" service. For example, when creating a gateway service request for a movie, the customer sends a signaling cell to network controller 61 or 285 via an ATM switch. The network controller downloads the gateway menu from the controller or resource unit to the requesting CPE unit. The gateway menu lists various sources, such as cable broadcasters, broadcasters, and movie companies that specialize in release movies. The customer selects a movie in the desired library and sends the signaling cell directly to the network controller 61 or 285 or to the resource unit of the source. The movie or video menus available here are downloaded in the manner described above. Similarly, when you select a movie or video, it is ordered and downloaded as described above. That is, the customer can place an order to watch any available movie or video at any time. Further, the conventional VTR control function, that is, fast forward, rewind, search, frame advance, playback, etc. can be applied to the movie being watched by the video control 24 (Fig. 4). To allow the customer control of the video, the movie or video can be downloaded as a short burst of data from a virtual circuit via the switch and stored in CPE's memory 110. Exit the virtual circuit through the switch and play the movie or video from memory under VTR control. Another configuration can be used to avoid the need for large volumes of CPE memory. That is, the movie or video is downloaded in real time from the source resource unit (video jukebox) via the virtual circuit via the switch, and the narrowband CPE control message is sent from the virtual circuit via the switch to the jukebox and fast forwarded. Activate VTR control (not shown) in the jukebox in response to control messages that control the display of, fast rewind, or other movie or video. In yet another configuration, a series of movies can be downloaded as bursts of data that are slightly separated in time. In this case, the memory capacity of the receiving CPE unit shall be sufficient to store the data to be downloaded in at least one burst at a time. While playing a burst of any one of the stored movies or video data, the video control 24 is operated as desired to perform the VTR control function on the currently stored data. A simplified network customer data backup is available by downloading from the CPE to the network. That is, the customer can use the network as a backup storage device by downloading the data for which backup is desired to a designated storage location in the network. When a download request is made from CPE1 to host resource unit 169 (Figure 5B3), BIN-SCP block 168 will be placed in the ATM switch 51 between CPE1 and host resource unit 169 (via route 162 in Figure 5B1). Ground the virtual circuit 184 via the switch. In addition, network controller 61 or 285 sends the cell out to instruct host resource unit 169 to accept subsequent downloads, as indicated by reference number 184H. Send the cell to CPE1 to start the download as shown by reference number 184C. CPE1 responds by downloading to host unit 169 along path 184. You can make a call connection from CPE1 to the called CPE unit 54 (ie CPE2), or request for another service that requires the use of a converter in the connection path. For example, it is possible to make a request for a call connection (FIG. 5B4) that requires converter 173, which may be the media converter S1 of FIG. 1 in terms of communication compatibility. BIN-SCP block 170 configures the requested connection via converter 173. The network controller 61 or 285 responds to the request by instructing the ATM switch 51 (FIG. 5B1) to set up the requested server connection within the requested call connection path 162). Routes 186 and 190 represent connection routes from CPE1 through ATM switch 51 to server 173 and through ATM switch 51 to caller CPE2. The network controller notifies the called party of the call call via the dashed line 175. CPE1 can also send requests for broadcast or conference connections implemented in BIN-SCP block 172. In this case, network controller 61 or 285 responds to the signaling cell carrying the service request. In broadcast communications, BIN-SCP block 172 first looks up the customer from a list of stored or received addresses to determine the address. The instruction cell was sent to the ATM switch 51 as shown by the dashed line 171 and from CPE1 to the identified address or path 196,196-3,196-4 to 196-n as shown in Figure 5B5. Set up the switch connection. For example, one or more addresses such as CPE4 may request a server such as BIN-ISP54. That is, the BIN-SCP block 170 establishes a series of ISP connections through pathways 196-S1 and 196-S2 as described above. In the case of a conference call, the BIN-SCP block 172 sends an instruction cell to the connection management software that provides the necessary multipoint conversion in response to the service request, and the virtual circuit via the bidirectional switch required via the ATM switch. To interconnect all resource units with the terminals required for the conference. The server unit is also connected via an ATM switch if required on one of the conference connections. FIG. 13 shows a conference call connection 400 in which the CPE units CPE-A, CPE-B, CPE-C and the video resource unit 400 are interconnected. Each of the interconnect routes includes one or more virtual circuits via the switch in the ATM switch, but the virtual circuit via the switch is not shown in particular, and the drawings are simplified. If the conference call is a multimedia call, voice, data, and image / video channels are included in the connection path. Typically, each terminal has its own window display to receive images / videos over a direct connection via bidirectional video channels 404V-414V from resource units and other terminals. Data can also be transmitted via a direct connection via bidirectional data channels 404D-414D. For conferences using voice, use the voice conference bridge 416 (as a stand-alone server device or as a server circuit in the ISP) for the bidirectional voice channel connection paths 418 to 424 to add all the voice signals used in the conference. This allows each terminal to be listened to by all other terminals at the same time. For medical conference calls, attend all conferences using the medical imaging data stored in memory unit 110 (Figure 4) and medical data resource unit R4B (Figures 1 and 2). Images or videos can be provided to existing terminals at the same time. The resource unit R4B may be located in a hospital, for example. The operation of BIN50 (Fig. 1) or 280 (Fig. 2) in providing extended CPE capability is illustrated in more detail as a functional block diagram in Figures 6A-10B. The user inputs a service request for downloading a program module or data from the BIN 50 or 280 to the CPE unit using a data input device such as a keyboard. As illustrated in block 200 of FIG. 6A, the service request is received by the computing platform, i.e. the CPU of the CPE. As illustrated in block 202, the computational platform assembles a signaling cell for sending service requests to the network controller, BIN-SCP61 or BIN-ISCP285. During the wait period indicated by the dashed line 203, the network controller 61 or 285 processes the service request and performs the requested download. As illustrated in block 204, signaling cells can be assembled on the CPE computational platform and sent to network controller 61 or 285 to confirm downloads and unlock virtual circuits via the switch. The ATM signaling cell 206 is constructed to carry service requests as illustrated in FIG. 6B. The cell contains a header 208 that carries data that identifies cell 206 as a signaling cell. Payload portion 210 may include data representing the requested service or function (in this case downloaded from a resource), the requested program module or data, and personal identification number (PIN) or calling address and billing information. Transport other data. In FIG. 7A, the program function executed by the network controller 61 or 285 is illustrated. As illustrated in block 213, the signaling cell from CPE1 is received in the input buffer of network controller 61 or 285. At block 214, it is detected to download the requested function or service, and the requested address is identified at block 215. To identify the resource address, network controller 61 or 285 queries resource directory R3 for search assistance. One or more resource units are identified from the resource directory R3 that meets the conditions of the service request. In other words, the network controller will provide added value to the customer who is operating and requesting BIN50 or 280, which is the resource required for the generalized resource requirement to meet the basic requirement in particular. This is because it can be interpreted as identifying one or more sources of resources that can provide all combinations. Network controller 61 or 285 uses resource directory R3 to look for available resource units and collect the information needed to meet the request. An instruction cell containing the conversion information required by the connection management software is transmitted from the network controller 61 or 285 to the ATM switch 51 (block 216), and a virtual circuit via the switch is set between the resource address and the calling party address. .. In addition, the query cell is sent from the ATM switch 51 to the identified (host) resource and requests the calling address to download the requested program module or data. A virtual connection via the switch or fixed virtual connection can be set up between the network controller 61 or 285 and the host resource via the ATM switch 51. If multiple resource units are required to satisfy a service request, multiple resource unit connections can be configured sequentially. Program execution inserts a waiting period as shown by the dashed line 218. Upon completion of the requested download, a signaling cell confirming the download is received from CPE1 as shown in block 220. After this, an instruction cell instructing the connection management software to open the virtual connection via the switch between the resource address and the calling party address is transmitted from the network controller 61 or 285 to the ATM switch 51 (block 222). ). Finally, block 223 creates a billing record based on time, caller address, resource address, required bandwidth, function performed and other parameters of the call. When the resource address represents a resource unit owned by a third party, if desired, the stored third party usage data is supplied to the network controller 61 or 285, and the billing record is recorded by the third party resource unit. Can be transferred to the revenue management office for subscriber usage. The query cell 224 used to request a download from the resource unit is illustrated in Figure 7B. The query cell contains a header portion 225 containing the label information required to deliver the cell from the network controller 61 or 285 to the resource address via the ATM switch 51. Payload portion 226 contains information that identifies the requested download function and program module and provides a personal identification number (PIN), the calling address, and the label of the cell to be delivered to the billing address. A third party can use BIN50 or 280 to directly charge for the use of resources, in which case the resource usage charges are recorded separately from the charges for network controller 61 or 285. Another method involves letting the resource unit notify BIN-SCP that a download to the CPE unit has been requested. The resource unit can request that the virtual circuit via the switch be set up in the calling CPE. The functional block diagrams in Figures 8A-9B show the behavior of BIN50 or 280 when a service request is made for a download from the CPE unit to the BIN resource host. In block 230 of FIG. 8A, this is received by the computational platform of the calling CPE unit where user input is made and the calling CPE unit requests the BIN resource host to download the program module or data. Then, at block 231 the CPE computing platform assembles a signaling cell containing the download service request, which is transmitted to network controller 61 or 285 via the calling CPEBIN interface. After the wait period indicated by the dashed line 232, the download is executed by receiving an instruction cell having an instruction to execute the download from the network controller (block 233) and sending the data cell to the requested host resource unit. .. When the download is complete, a signaling cell is sent to network controller 61 or 285. The ATM signaling cell 236 used for the download request from the calling CPE is schematically illustrated in FIG. 8B. Header 237 carries the identifier of the cell as a signaling cell. Payload portion 238 contains information identifying the download request, program module or data, PIN, required address, and other data related to the request. The BIN that handles the CPE request for download from the CPE is illustrated in Figure 9A, the signaling cell requesting the download is sent via the ATM switch 51 and is sent via the ATM switch 51 and network controller 61 or 285 as shown in block 240. Received at. The requested function, that is, the download of the program module or data from the calling CPE to the resource host, is detected in block 242, and the location of the resource host is detected in block 244. The instruction cell is assembled by the network controller and sent to the ATM switch 51, and the connection management software is provided with the conversion information necessary to set up a virtual connection via the switch between the CPE address and the host resource address. In block 247, the network controller also assembles a signaling cell, which is sent to the ATM switch 51 to notify the host resource that a virtual connection via the switch has been set up for download. The host resource unit is poised to receive downloads sent from the calling CPE via the ATM switch 51. As illustrated in block 248, network controller 61 or 285 assembles a signaling cell and sends it via ATM switch 51 to the calling CPE, instructing the CPE to start downloading. After the wait period indicated by the dashed line 249, the network controller 61 or 285 receives a signaling cell from the calling CPE indicating that the download to the host resource has been completed via the ATM switch 51. At block 251 the network controller 61 or 285 then assembles the disconnect command cell and sends it to the ATM switch 51. The disconnect command cell instructs the ATM connection management software to open the virtual connection via the switch between the calling CPE address and the host resource address. Block 252 creates a download AMA billing record for the revenue management office based on the requested function, time, address information, etc. Download ATM instruction cell 254 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 9B. Cell 254 has a header 256 containing the label information required to deliver the cell over the signaling channel to the calling CPE via the ATM switch 51. The payload part 258 contains information that identifies the requested function or download, the program module or data that is to be downloaded, and the label information of the data cell that is assembled by the calling CPE and sent to the host resource unit. 10A and 10B illustrate in detail how the BIN50 or 280 works when trying to use the converter in the connection path between the calling side and the called side. FIG. 10A illustrates the use of the server in the form of a media converter 260 or 261 that provides communication compatibility between the calling side 52 and the called side 54, illustrating an example of a device configuration inside the BIN 50 or 280. It is illustrated. The device 260 is a medium converter that operates to convert e-mail from the calling side 52 into facsimile communication for supplying to the called side. The device 261 is a medium converter that operates to convert the e-mail transmitted by the calling side 52 into voice mail supplied to the calling side 54. The network controller 61 or 285 creates the required control signal (ATM cell) and connects the media converter 260 or 261 to the path between the calling side 52 and the calling side 54. As illustrated in FIG. 10B, the network controller 61 or 285 requires a converter to make the call connection requested by the calling party 52 from the customer records associated with the calling and h-reliant addresses. Determine to be (block 264). In addition to this, the calling party can request the service of the medium conversion device. In block 265, network controller 61 or 285 searches the directory database R3 (Figure 1) to identify the address of the converter required or requested for the translation service. As illustrated in block 267, the network controller is between the calling party address and the translator address and between the translator address and the called party address, for example e ~ a and a ~ f or e ~ b and c ~ l. The instruction cell is sent to the ATM converter setting management software together with the conversion information required to set the virtual connection via the exchange. The SPACE system 283 (Figure 2) includes a SPACE service creation program 290 with the basic configuration as shown in Figure 11A. A more detailed description of the SPACE Service Program 290 is assigned to the assignee of the invention and is included in the reference herein and is described in the concurrent patent applications listed below: 1) Ely et al. US Patent Application No. 07 / 629,371 dated December 18, 1990, title of invention: "Systems and Processes Providing Programmable or Customized Customer Telephone Information Services" And its process); 2) Man et al., US Patent Application No. 07 / 972,817 dated November 67, 1992, title of invention: A Method of Creating a Telecommunication Service Specification. (Method); and 3) Nazif et al., U.S. Patent Application No. 07 / 934,240 dated August 25, 1992, title of invention: System and Method for Creating, Transferring, and Monitoring Services in a Telecommunication System. Systems and methods for creating, transferring, and monitoring services in communication systems). The service creation program 290 (Fig. 11A) uses a plurality of predetermined logical decision nodes 292 and a plurality of predetermined logical operation nodes 294. The logical structure control 296 is instructed by the user's keyboard or other input, and the selected decision node 292 and the selected operation node 294 are spliced together to represent the network service to be executed by the BIN 280. Service logic graph 298 To form. The new service script output 300 can now be introduced into the BIN-ISCP285. As illustrated in the service script output block 300, the new service script can be designed to provide network functionality for the user, including address translation, vendor identification, screening, and other features. An example output script is illustrated in Figure 11D in the form of service procedure 310 designed to provide a special schedule for switching circuit vendor selection for a particular CPE unit. In response to a call from the CPE unit, the first decision node 312 checks if today's day of the week is Monday to Friday. Node 312 is linked to another decision node 314 that checks if the current time is between 9 am and 5 pm. The operating node 316 is connected to the decision node 314, and if a positive decision is made on the decision node 312,314, that is, between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday, the call is switched to circuit-switched # 1 Select. Similarly, the operating node 318 is linked to the decision nodes 312,314 and selects circuit-switched carrier # 2 for calls at all other times. According to the present invention, the SPACE service creation program is downloaded from BIN-ISCP285 (or, if desired, from a predetermined resource unit) to the CPE unit on demand as described in the context of FIGS. 6A-7B. The CPE request for downloading the SPACE service creation program is shown by block 320 in Figure 11B. The CPE waits as shown by the dashed line 322. BIN-ISCP285 determines from the stored customer records the version of the requested program that fits the CPE's application program interface and, upon request, controls the download of the selected program version. After receiving the SPACE service creation program downloaded by CPE, the program can be used to create the desired service script as shown in block 324. New service scripts can be validated using an expert system that is part of the SPACE program before they can be output. The requested download is done as described in the context of Figures 8A-9B. BIN-ISCP285 receives the downloaded service script, as shown in block 330 in Figure 11C. As illustrated in block 32, the service script is put on hold in the applicable customer record of the memory system (not shown) used by BIN-ISCP285. BIN-ISCP285 then tests the operation of the service script on the CPE unit requesting as shown in block 34. When the service script is tested and validated in block 336, the state of the service script changes from pending to enabled in the memory system, and a new customer created by the customer at the customer's site where the CPE unit is located. Network services will be introduced in BIN-ISCP280 and will be available to customers on demand. Accordingly, the present invention simplifies the provision of customer service by allowing the customer to automatically customize the BIN-ISCP285 from the customer's site to meet the needs of a particular customer service. According to a related aspect of the invention, an existing script can be downloaded from the BIN-ISCP285 to the CPE unit for viewing by the customer to determine or verify its content, or in a manner similar to that already described. It can be used as a starting point for creating modified scripts. BIN-ISPS4 in Figure 1 or Figure 2 is illustrated in Figure 12A in more detailed blocks. ISPS4 is connected to the overlapping bus 354 and memory system 356 with CPU 350 and backup CPU 352. The Maintenance and Operation Console (MOC) 357 provides a human interface to the ISP to facilitate system monitoring and control. The service circuit library 360 contains units classified as follows: DTMF recognition circuit 362, recording / playback circuit 364, voice synthesis circuit 366, word recognition circuit 268, protocol conversion circuit 370, video service circuit 372, and reference. A service circuit that provides other functions for the number 374. It should be noted that the conversion service can be provided by an independent converter such as converters S1 to S3 in FIG. 1 or by a corresponding service circuit that can be included in the ISP service circuit library 360. For example, the ISP function can support services that automatically provide customer names and addresses (ACNA). ACNA services can be billed by dialing the ISP and then keying in the applicable service code and name and address of the desired terminal directory number. The ISP 54 responds by telling the name and address requested by the speech synthesis unit. In this case, the ISP bus 354 interfaces with the exchange 376 in the circuit exchange network. Interface circuit 378 connects ISP bus 354 to BIN 50 or 280. That is, ISP service circuits are economically used for circuit interchangeable networks and services on both BIN50 and 280. Besides this, ISPS4 can be connected for use with BIN50 or 280 only. At this time, the interface to the exchange 376 is excluded. FIG. 12B illustrates the operation of the network controller 61 or 285 in response to a request for a server or service circuit connection. At block 390, network controller 61 or 285 receives a request for a service circuit connection to a CPE unit with a converter or service circuit connected in the connection path or a call connection to the calling CPE unit. As illustrated in block 392, the network controller 61 or 285 sends an ATM instruction cell to ISPS4 via a fixed virtual circuit in the ATM switch 51. The instruction cell has a payload portion that contains information instructing the ISP to connect the requested service circuit. As illustrated in block 396, network controller 61 or 285 sets up a virtual circuit via the switch via the ATM switch 51 for the requested connection. The dashed line 398 indicates the waiting time between the service circuit requested for use being connected and the request being returned due to the termination of the service circuit connection. Block 400 performs the disconnect. As illustrated in FIG. 12C, ISPS4 receives an instruction cell from network controller 61 or 285 as shown in block 402. In block 404, ISPS4 selects the requested service circuit from the service circuit library 360 and connects the selected service circuit to the ATM interface to connect to the virtual circuit via the ATM switch set by network controller 61 or 285. To do. During the elapsed waiting time indicated by reference number 406, ISPS4 disconnects the service circuit from the ATM interface circuit 378 in response to the disconnect instruction cell from network controller 61 or 285. The above description of preferred embodiments has been presented to illustrate the present invention. This is not intended to limit or limit to the aspects disclosed in the present invention. In applying the present invention, those skilled in the art can make changes and changes without departing from the scope and gist of the present invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention should be defined herein by the claims of the appendix and by its equivalent.