Automated generation of conditional access packets for IRD upgrades via radio frequency software download in satellite television systems
First Claim
1. A method for automatically generating a software download command for upgrading IRDs in a satellite-based communication network comprising the steps of:
- obtaining IRD upgrade code and IRD information private to an IRD'"'"'s manufacturer;
generating a file containing the private IRD manufacturer information and formatted IRD upgrade code;
transmitting the formatted IRD upgrade code to a broadcast center;
entering IRD upgrade parameters;
selecting a target IRD or target geographical location containing IRDs which are to receive the upgrade code;
generating a software download command using a single software platform, said software download command including formatted target IRD information;
creating a batch file including said software download command and said formatted IRD upgrade code; and
broadcasting contents of said batch file in a traditional satellite uplink broadcast.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated system and method for pre-processing software update parameters for transmission to IRDs via traditional broadcasts without the necessity for repeated manual intervention. Generally, the present invention is a system that automatically generates software download commands containing all the necessary parameters that an IRD in a satellite-communication network requires to complete a software download, such as time, frequency, the location of the software within the data stream, among other parameters. The invention provides software upgrade data to be transmitted in data packets that comprise a satellite broadcast. The transmitted information includes target broadcast receiver (IRD) identification information and software upgrade information to determine if the targeted IRD is indeed the correct recipient of the software upgrade data, and if the IRD requires a software upgrade. The urgency of the upgrade is determined to allow upgrades to be mandatory, optional, deferred to a later time period, or cancelled. The upgrade information is broadcast via typical satellite transmissions and occurs periodically without any human intervention, depending on the current upgrade version of the IRD.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method for automatically generating a software download command for upgrading IRDs in a satellite-based communication network comprising the steps of:
-
obtaining IRD upgrade code and IRD information private to an IRD'"'"'s manufacturer;
generating a file containing the private IRD manufacturer information and formatted IRD upgrade code;
transmitting the formatted IRD upgrade code to a broadcast center;
entering IRD upgrade parameters;
selecting a target IRD or target geographical location containing IRDs which are to receive the upgrade code;
generating a software download command using a single software platform, said software download command including formatted target IRD information;
creating a batch file including said software download command and said formatted IRD upgrade code; and
broadcasting contents of said batch file in a traditional satellite uplink broadcast.
-
-
2. A method for providing software upgrade data to a receiver in a satellite broadcast system comprising the steps of:
-
notifying a broadcast receiver when a software upgrade is available;
determining the urgency of said software upgrade for said broadcast receiver;
scheduling a software upgrade session for the broadcast receiver, said software session comprising one or more software upgrade data transmissions; and
periodically transmitting data packets containing software upgrade data for said scheduled software upgrade session, to said broadcast receiver. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A system for providing software upgrade data to a receiver in a satellite broadcast system comprising:
-
one or more peripheral devices; and
a broadcast receiver electrically connected to said one or more peripheral devices for notifying a broadcast receiver when a software upgrade is available, said broadcast receiver capable of receiving notification of transmitted data packets containing a broadcast receiver software upgrade, wherein said transmitted data packets comprises means for determining the urgency of said software upgrade for said broadcast receiver, means for scheduling a software upgrade session for the broadcast receiver, said software session comprising one or more software upgrade data transmissions and means for periodically transmitting data packets containing software upgrade data for said scheduled software upgrade session, to said broadcast receiver. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A computer program stored in a computer readable medium, embodying instructions to perform a method for providing software upgrade data to a receiver in a satellite broadcast system comprising the steps of:
-
notifying the broadcast receiver when a software upgrade is available;
determining the urgency of said software upgrade for said broadcast receiver;
scheduling a software upgrade session for the broadcast receiver, said software session comprising one or more software upgrade data transmissions; and
periodically transmitting data packets containing software upgrade data for said scheduled software upgrade session, to said broadcast receiver. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
Specification