Network access in multi-service environment

An access network for interfacing CPEs and communications networks which encompass PSTN, data networks, wireless networks, satellite networks, CATV and ATM networks by way of a local access to form a universal services network comprising:

• CPEs having CPE modem functionalities for interfacing the CPEs and the local access;
• an access module for interfacing the local access and the communications networks, the access module comprising:
• a common bus connecting line interfaces and the communications networks;
• the line interfaces including access modem functionalities to communicate with the CPE modem functionalities through the local access;
• an access module storage device holding information concerning any of CPE functionalities, network resources, user preferences and service provider requirements;
• an access module processor for extracting the information content from user traffic for services and for deciding on an appropriate choice of any of CPE functionalities, network resources, user preferences and service provider requirements based upon the information content and information stored in the access module storage device;
• and
• an access module bus controller for interfacing appropriate line interfaces and network resources in response to the extracted information content.

An access network for interfacing CPEs and communications networks which encompass PSTN, data networks, wireless networks, satellite networks, CATV and ATM networks by way of a local access to form a universal services network comprising:

• a CPE connector and an access module, each of which comprises a storage device and holds information concerning any of CPE functionalities, network resources, user preferences and service provider requirements;
• each of the CPE connector and access module including a processor to decide on an appropriate choice concerning any of CPE functionalities, network resources, user preferences and service provider requirements based upon information extracted from a user traffic and information stored in each storage device by communicating with each other;
• the CPE connector further including a common bus which interfaces the CPEs and the local access, and a bus controller for routing the appropriate CPEs for connection with the local access;
• and
• the access module further including a common bus connecting line interfaces and the communications networks, the line interfaces including access modem functionalities to communicate with the CPE functionalities through the local access, and an access module bus controller for interfacing appropriate line interfaces and network resources in response to the extracted information content.