WO2000013389A2

WO2000013389A2 - Method and system for the remote delivery of communication services

Info

Publication number: WO2000013389A2
Application number: PCT/ZA1999/000075
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jason Berry
Original assignee: Claridge Trading One (Pty.) Ltd.
Priority date: 1998-08-31
Filing date: 1999-08-31
Publication date: 2000-03-09
Also published as: AU5930199A; WO2000013389A3

Abstract

This invention provides a method and system for facilitating data communication services and products to a remote user base such as a home or an office by providing at least one spread spectrum radio cell with a user communicating via digital RF means to the hub (9, 13, 14, 15) of a cell (12, 10, 15, 19) via a first channel within the range of the cell. According to the method of the invention the spread spectrum radio cell may communicate to a second cell via a second channel. Off course the first channel and the second channel may be the same channel. Furthermore a second user (25) may communicate to the hub of the first or multiple cell's or gub's via copper-to-copper communication link typically via an ADSL link (24) where the user is externally located out of the cell's communication range. Also one or more cell's or groups may communicate to a Network Operation Center (NOC,26) or other cell groups via microwave or satellite technology. A telecommunications interchange or exchange may connect or link to any one or more of the following; the hub, the user, and the NOC.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE REMOTE DELIVERY OF COMMUNICATION SERVICES

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a method and system for facilitating data communication services and products to remote user bases by means of the provision of spread spectrum radio cell's More specifically it relates to the provision of data communication services and products such as Voice over IP, Video on demand, Video Conferencing and Pay-as-you-go communication services

BACKGROUND ART

With the introduction of cable communications networks for telecommunication applications such as telephone calls, and the subsequent growth in demand for Internet access and services specifically on a business operation level has caused an increased demand for improved digital communication bandwidth provision, as well as a mechanism to allow tailor made data communications services to be deployed to users according to their specific need without forfeiting flexibility

In a high density working and living environment, traditional communication services limit the data throughput demand for certain high-tech products and services Also users require guaranteed bandwidth for dat communication services In developing countries the average time new installments takes to provide users with operationabihty cost millions in potential lost revenues Also these services can not be delivered cost effectively, therefor inhibiting the technological growth and business opportunities OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for facilitating data communication services and products to remote user bases by means of the provision of spread spectrum radio cell's.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide users with a system that may enable and/or facilitate one or more of the following:

• Providing users with a cost effective guaranteed communication service that is easy to install, has limitless capabilities and integrates fully with existing communication infrastructures.

• Through the use of spread spectrum radio cell's and directional digital RF technology, to provide users with guaranteed high bandwidth / throughput communication service allowing Voice over IP, Video on demand, Bandwidth on demand and Pay-as-you-go communication services.

• Furthermore users located out of the cell's range may be provided the same products and services via an ADSL (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line) technology

• Directly integrating telecommunication exchanges to allow maximum flexibility and communication to other users on existing technology telephone exchanges

• To allow a unique communication arrangement which allows one or ore cell's to link with other cells or cell clusters via microwave or satellite links. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a method for facilitating data communication products and services to a remote user base the method including the steps of providing a computer equipped user base which is connected or connectable to at least one spread spectrum radio cell which is interconnected to a hub providing for the communication of data between the user and the hub over a first channel and providing system software facilitating the transfer of data between the computer equipped user base and the hub

The communication of data may be facilitated within the spread spectrum radio cell via wireless communication means

Furthermore communication of data may be facilitated eternally to the spread spectrum radio cell via cable communication means

According to a second aspect of the invention the method may include the step of facilitating data communication between two or more cells and the method including providing a first spread spectrum radio cell and a second or more spread spectrum radio cells said first cell being associated with at least one user connected or connectable to the hub through the spread spectrum cell, providing a first communication channel facilitating communication between the user and the first cell and a second communication channel facilitating communication between the first cell an the second cell and providing for system software facilitating the transfer of data between the computer equipped user base, the first cell and the second cell

Of coarse the firs channel and the second channel may be the same channel

According to a third aspect of the invention the method may include the step of facilitating data communication between two or more users the method including the step of providing a first computer equipped user base associated with a first spread spectrum radio cell; providing a second computer equipped user base associated with a second spread spectrum radio cell; interconnecting the first cell and the second cell and facilitating communication between the first user and the second user.

The communication means associated with the user and the spread spectrum cell and other cells may be any one or more of the group consisting of; Microwave Communication Technologies, Digital Radio Frequency Technology and Satellite communication technology.

According to the third aspect of the invention the method may include the step of facilitating telecommunications services to users the method including the step of interconnecting the hub with a telecommunications exchange or interchange in provision of telecommunications.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention the method may include the step of managing and controlling data communication services the method including the step of interconnecting one or more cells with a network operating center.

Furthermore the network operating center may facilitate communication between multiple cells and users.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention a user may be connected or connectable via an ADSL link to one or more of: a hub, a computer center a cell, a telecommunication interchange or exchange and a network operating center.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention there is included a system for facilitating data communication products and services to a remote user base the system comprising: a computer equipped user base; a spread spectrum radio cell; a hub and system software for facilitating communications between the user base and the hub over the a spread spectrum radio cell. According to the eight aspect of the invention there is included a system for facilitating data communication between two or more spread spectrum radio cells, the system comprising: a computer equipped user base associated with a first spread spectrum radio cell; a second computer equipped user base associated with a second spread spectrum radio cell; communication means for interconnecting the first spread spectrum radio cell and the second spread spectrum radio cell and facilitating communication between the cells over a communication channel.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention the system may include facilitating telecommunications services to users the system also including interconnecting the hub with a telecommunications exchange or interchange in provision of telecommunications.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention the first spread spectrum cell and the second spread spectrum cell may be the same cell

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by means of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying diagrams wherein

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the invention relating to a simplified embodiment of the spread spectrum cell according to the invention, Figure 2: is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the invention relating to the application of the cellular arrangement and the various communication links Figure 3 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the invention relating to a simplified embodiment where the cell's are connect or connectable to the NOC

(Network Operation Center);

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the invention relating to a cellular arrangement for covering of a high density areas,

Figure 5 is a block diagram of a fifth embodiment of the invention relating to a graphic illustration indicating the cellular integration with each other and with other communication networks and/or systems,

Figure 6: is a block diagram of a sixth embodiment of the invention relating to a detailed embodiment illustrating the holistic operation of the invention,

Figure 7 is a block diagram of a seventh embodiment of the invention which relates to a complex configuration specifically conceptualizing the integration of the invention with other networks and communication infrastructures,

Figure 8 is a block diagram of an eight embodiment of the invention which shows the integration of the invention on a global scale, and

Figure 9 is a block diagram of a final embodiment of the invention illustrating the communication between a user in a cell and the central computer or hub with associated systems, according to the invention BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Turning to Figure 1, a cell is illustrated, consisting of a hub or computer center ( 1 ) with wireless communication means with a predefined range (2) of around a 2 4 Km radius for example , to which bi-directional communication data services and/or products can accessed by a user (3) via a first channel, said user being within the range (5) A user located externally to cell range (7) within a 7 Km radius (6) from the center or hub (1) can be supported with communication services with for example ADSL (Asynchronous-Digital-Subscπber-Line) technology (4) with 1 5 to 7 Mbs/sec throughput within the spread spectrum radio cell and hub (8)

Figure 2 more specifically relates to the application of the cellular arrangement and their various communication links comprising a central cell ( 10) with a computer center or hub (9) with a copper-to-copper or ADSL range (1 1 ) of around 7 Km Of coarse a second cell ( 12) with hub (13) may be connected to the first cell (10) via wireless or cable means The same accounts for cells ( 15) with hub ( 14) connected to the first hub ( 10) via wireless or cable means (16) on a selected or assigned channel and to a third cell (19) with hub (18) connected via the same or other channel (17) through means as appropriate, Also user (20, 21, 22 and 23 ) may have an individual or same channel where directional RF technology is applied A user (25) out of the wireless range may be connected to a hub or computer center via cable (24) (copperO-to-copper) means with ADSL technology for example Furthermore a NOC ( Network operating Center ) (26) may link to one or more hub's (9) via cable or wireless means (27) such as a microwave link for example

Figure 3 is a simplified embodiment of the invention illustrating the connectivity of multiple cell's through a NOC (33) with various cells (28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 ) via means as previously discussed Also a user or telecommunications exchange or interchange (34) may be connected to the NOC via ADSL technology (35) should it be out of one or more of the cell's range Figure 4 relates to a cellular arrangement for covering of a high density area with multiple cells l e cell (36) with hub (37) connected (38) to the next hub (39) of the next cell (40), being connected to the other cells (41 , 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 49) Also connected to one or more cells may be a telecommunication exchange (48) via means as previously discussed (47)

Figure 5 relates to a graphic illustration indicating the cellular integration with each other and with other communication networks and/or systems with multiple cells with their respective hub's (50 and 51), (52 and 53), (54 and 55), (56 and 57), ( 65 and 64) and central cell (60 and 59) In some instances a user may be within range of two overlapping cells (58, 61 and 63) or even within three overlapping cells (62) Also a user (67) not within range (66) may communicate to the network or hub (64) via ADSL technology Furthermore a NOC or Telecommunications (I e Telco ) Exchange (68) may also be connected or connectab le to the infrastructure

Figure 6 relates to a graphic illustration indicating the cellular integration (69) with each other and with other communication networks and/or systems comprising cell groups (70, 74 and 73 ) with internal (71) (RF) and external (72) (ADSL) users linked to a NOC (75) The NOC (75) may have communication means to other cells or NOC's including satellite transmitters / receivers (79) to communicate via an earth orbiting satellite (80) to a second transmitter / receiver (81 ) of a second NOC (82) with cell groups (83) Also microwave links or communication technology (77) may allow communication to a third NOC (76) with its appropriate cell or cell groups (78)

Figure 7 relates to a complex embodiment specifically conceptualizing the integration of the invention with other networks and communication infrastructures (84) A first cell with hub (93) may have internal users (94) within the 2,4 Km RF range and external users (95) within the 7Km range utilizing ADSL technology (96) Also connected to the cell's hub or computer center (93) may be a telecommunication exchange (91) located within range or external (97) out of the range A second cell (85) with hub (86) may also be connected to the first hub (93) together with a third cell (88) with hub (87) with internal users (90) and external users (92) located within the outer range (89) Furthermore a telecommunications exchange ( I e Telcom ) (91)may also be connected or linked to said hub (87) The same principle accounts for a fourth cell (104) with hub (103), with internal users (105) and external users (106) in the outer 7Km range (107) Also the same applies to a telecommunication exchange (91) that may be connected to the hub (103) Furthermore one or more cell's , users and/or exchanges may be connected or linked to a NOC ( Network Operating Center) (101) via wireless means le Microwave technology (99) via transmitters / receivers associated with the hub (98) and the NOC (100) The NOC may accordingly be connected to another communications exchange (102) as graphically depicted

Figure 8 shows the integration of the invention on a global scale ( 108) with a first set of cell's or cell clusters / groups (1 10, 1 1 1 and 1 12) connected by means as discussed (1 13) on same continent or geographical region (109) The cell's or cell groups may communicate bi- directionally (1 14) via satellite ( 1 15) to other regional or continent associated cells or cell clusters (1 17) and ( 1 16) that is interconnected (1 18)

Figure 9 is an embodiment illustrating the communication between a user in a cell and the central computer or hub with associated systems (1 19) with a Hub or computer center with transmission and receiver means (120), including satellite communication means ( 121) to a satellite (132) to a another system / network / cell ect ( 133) Also included within the scope of the invention is microwave communication means (122) and directional digital RF communication means (123 and 124) to users (125) and (127) via RF signals (126) who have Rf reception / transmission means (129) that is connected or connectable to a computer or computer center (129) with extensions (130) and/or data communication applications (131)

Claims

A method for facilitating data communication products and services to a remote user base the method including the steps of - providing a computer equipped user base which is connected or connectable to at least one spread spectrum radio cell which is interconnected to a hub,

- providing for the communication of data between the user and the hub over a first channel, and providing system software facilitating the transfer ofdatabetween the computer equipped user base and the hub

A method as claimed in claim 1 including the step of facilitating data communication between two or more cells and the method including

- providing a first spread spectrum radio cell and a second or more spread spectrum radio cells said first cell being associated with at least one user connected or connectable to the hub through the spread spectrum cell,

- providing a first communication channel facilitating communication between the user and the first cell and a second communication channel facilitating communication between the first cell an the second cell, - and providing for system software facilitating the transfer of data between the computer equipped user base, the first cell and the second cell

A method as claimed in claim 1 and 2 wherein the first channel and the second channel may be the same channel

A method as claimed in claim 1 and 2 for facilitating data communication between two or more users the method including the step of providing a first computer equipped user base associated with a first spread spectrum radio cell, providing a second computer equipped user base associated with a second spread spectrum radio cell, interconnecting the first cell and the second cell and facilitating communication between the first user and the second user

A method as claimed in claim 1 to 4 wherein the communication means associated with the user and the spread spectrum cell and other cells may be any one or more of the group consisting of, Microwave Communication Technologies, Digital Radio Frequency Technology and Satellite communication technology

A method as claimed in claim any of the above claims wherein the method may include the step of facilitating telecommunications services to users the method including the step of interconnecting the hub with a telecommunications exchange or interchange in provision of telecommunications

A method as claimed in claim 1 to 6 wherein the method may include the step of managing and controlling data communication services the method including the step of interconnecting one or more cells with a network operating center

A method as claimed in claim any of the above claims wherein the network operating center may facilitate communication between multiple cells and users

A method as claimed in claim any of the above claims wherein the communication of data may be facilitated within the spread spectrum radio cell via wireless communication means

A method as claimed in claim any of the above claims wherein the communication of data may be facilitated eternally to the spread spectrum radio cell via cable communication means

1 1. A system for facilitating data communication products and services to a remote user base the system comprising: a computer equipped user base; a spread spectrum radio cell; a hub and system software for facilitating communications between the user base and the hub over the a spread spectrum radio cell.

12. A system for facilitating data communication between two or more spread spectrum radio cells, the system comprising: computer equipped user base associated with a first spread spectrum radio cell; a second computer equipped user base associated with a second spread spectrum radio cell; communication means for interconnecting the first spread spectrum radio cell and the second spread spectrum radio cell and facilitating communication between the cells over a communication channel.

13. A system as claimed in claim 1 1 and 12 include facilitating telecommunications services to user including interconnecting the hub with atelecommunications exchange or interchange in provision of telecommunications.

14. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the first spread spectrum cell and the second spread spectrum cell may be the same cell.