Method and apparatus for viewer control of digital TV program start time

• US 20030200548A1
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GoBackTV, Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GoBackTV, Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pickens, John, Field, Michael, Lin, Xu Duan, Baran, Paul
• Application Number:
  US10/328,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20030200548A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/068 using time-dependent keys, e.g. periodically changing keys cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for controlling usage of secret information H04L9/088
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2318 using striping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2326 Scheduling disk or memory reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23406 involving management of server-side video buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 involving video stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2362 Generation or processing of Service Information [SI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2365 Multiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26606 for generating or managing entitlement messages, e.g. Entitlement Control Message [ECM] or Entitlement Management Message [EMM] arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services H04H60/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4347 Demultiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6405 Multicasting data broadcast and multicast in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0275 Security details, e.g. tampering prevention or detection
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/144 Stacked arrangements of planar printed circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/185 Components encapsulated in the insulating substrate of the printed circuit or incorporated in internal layers of a multilayer circuit semiconductor chips encapsulated by interconnect and support structures H01L23/5389, H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10151 Sensor

Abstract

A system for the delivery of video on demand (VOD). A wireless remote control device generates keystroke signals for controlling a TV display and has a single button for restarting a selected program at a beginning of the selected program. A head-end unit supports separate downstream virtual channels for each separate TV set connected on a common TV feeder-cable; The head-end unit locally records and stores many programs, and transmits each program using a compressed digital format. The Compressed digital format may use MPEG-2 or MPEG-4. The head-end unit has means for protecting against signal theft. A set top unit encapsulates the keystroke signals and transmits the keystroke signals via a two-way channel to the head-end unit.

Claims

1. A system for the delivery of a video on demand (VOD) comprising:

a wireless remote control device for generating keystroke signals for controlling a TV display and having a single button for restarting a selected program at a beginning of the selected program;

a head-end unit for supporting separate downstream virtual channels for each separate TV set connected on a common TV feeder-cable, with the head-end unit locally recording and storing many programs, and transmitting each program using a compressed digital format, the head-end unit including means for protecting against signal theft; and

a set top unit for encapsulating the keystroke signals and transmitting the keystroke signals via a two-way channel to the head-end unit.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, with the head-end unit for transmitting each program using MPEG-2 compressed digital format.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1, with the head-end unit transmitting each program using quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM).

4. The system as set forth in claim 2, with the head-end unit transmitting each program using quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM).

5. A method for the delivery of a video stream, comprising the steps of:

generating, using a wireless remote control device, keystroke signals for controlling a TV display;

restarting, with a single button at the wireless remote control device, a selected program at a beginning of the selected program;

supporting, at a head-end unit, separate downstream virtual channels for each separate TV set connected on a common TV feeder-cable;

recording and storing, at the head-end unit, many programs;

transmitting, from the head-end unit, each program using a compressed digital format;

protecting, at the head-end unit, against signal theft;

encapsulating, at a set top unit, the keystroke signals; and

transmitting, from the set top unit, the keystroke signals via a two-way channel to the head-end unit.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, with the step of transmitting including the step of transmitting each program using MPEG-2 compressed digital format.

7. The method as set forth in claim 5, with the step of transmitting including the step of transmitting each program using quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM).

8. A video system for providing a large number of video streams, as required in Retrovue, comprising:

dividing means for dividing a plurality of input video-streams entering the video system, and for sending the divided plurality of input video-streams, with each divided video stream identified with a separate Ethernet address, to a video server;

a switch at the video server for routing an appropriate input video-stream of the plurality of input video-streams to an appropriate disk drive; and

the appropriate disk drive for replaying the appropriate input video-stream and for controlling portions of the appropriate input video-stream at an appropriate time, through the switch, thereby avoiding a single bottleneck of a CPU and RAM and allowing a video-server having a plurality of CPU'"'"'s to work in parallel to produce a much larger number of video streams.

9. A video method for providing a large number of video streams, as required in Retrovue, comprising the steps of:

dividing a plurality of input video-streams entering the video system, and sending the divided plurality of input video-streams, with each divided video stream identified with a separate Ethernet address, to a video server;

routing, with a switch at the video server, an appropriate input video-stream of the plurality of input video-streams to an appropriate disk drive; and

replaying the appropriate input video-stream from the appropriate disk drive; and

controlling portions of the appropriate input video-stream at an appropriate time, through the switch, thereby avoiding a single bottleneck of a CPU and RAM and allowing a video-server having a plurality of CPU'"'"'s to work in parallel to produce a much larger number of video streams.

10. A high density radio frequency (RF) generation and quadrature-amplitude-modulated (QAM) method for a multi-channel digital TV system, comprising the steps of:

generating, above a 50-860 MHz, TV band to avoid spurious signals within the 50-860 MHz, TV band, a multiplicity of agile signals at any of 6 MHz and 8 MHz spacing;

separately modulating each agile signal with digital modulation, thereby generating a multiplicity of digitally-modulated signals;

low-pass filtering the multiplicity of digitally-modulated signals to maintain modulated sidebands of each digitally-modulated signal within an allowed channel spectrum;

combining, with a first combiner, the multiplicity of digitally-modulated signals into a plurality of ensembles of 4, 8 or 16 digitally-modulated signals, respectively;

heterodyning, with a common oscillator, each ensemble of the plurality of ensembles of digitally-modulated signals to fall within the 50-860 MHz, TV band;

combining, using a second combiner, the heterodyned-plurality of ensembles of the multiplicity of digitally-modulated signals, into a plurality of groupings; and

distributing portions of the plurality of groupings of digitally-modulated signals to multiple TV distribution zones.

11. The multi-channel digital TV method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

measuring, with a calibration receiver, amplitude and phase errors, from the first combiner and the second combiner, of each digitally-modulated signal; and

applying, responsive to the measurement with the calibration receiver, a corrective signal to each digital modulator to match each constellation point to a correct location.

12. The multi-channel digital TV method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the step of applying MPEG-2 program clock reference correction signals for each digitally-modulated signal.

13. The multi-channel digital TV method as set forth in claim 11, further comprising the step of applying MPEG-2 program clock reference correction signals for each digitally-modulated signal.

14. The multi-channel digital TV method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising the step of cryptographically encoding per user per conditional access system, respective digitally-modulated signals.

15. The multi-channel digital TV method as set forth in claim 11, further comprising the step of cryptographically encoding per user per conditional access system, respective digitally-modulated signals.

16. The multi-channel digital TV method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising the step of cryptographically encoding per user per conditional access system, respective digitally-modulated signals.

17. The multi-channel digital TV method as set forth in claim 13, further comprising the step of cryptographically encoding per user per conditional access system, respective digitally-modulated signals.

18. A high density radio frequency (RF) generation and quadrature-amplitude-modulated (QAM) system for a multi-channel digital TV system, comprising:

signal-generating means for generating, above a 50-860 MHz, TV band to avoid spurious signals within the 50-860 Mhz, TV band, a multiplicity of agile signals at any of 6 MHz and 8 MHz spacing;

modulating means for separately modulating each agile signal with digital modulation, thereby generting a multiplicity of digitally-modulated signals;

low-pass filtering means for low-pass filtering the multiplicity of digitally-modulated signals to maintain modulated sidebands of each digitally-modulated signal within an allowed channel spectrum;

first combining means for combining the multiplicity of digitally-modulated signals into a plurality of ensembles of 4, 8 or 16 digitally-modulated signals, respectively;

heterodyning means for heterodyning, with a common oscillator, each ensemble of the plurality of ensembles of digitally-modulated signals to fall within the 50-860 MHz, TV band;

second combining means for combining the heterodyned-plurality of ensembes of the multiplicity of digitally-modulated signals, into a plurality of groupings; and

distribution means for distributing portions of the plurality of groupings of digitally-modulated signals to multiple TV distribution zones.

19. The multi-channel digital TV system as set forth in claim 18, further comprising:

a calibration receiver for measuring amplitude and phase errors, from the first combiner and the second combiner, of each digitally-modulated signal; and

correcting means, responsive to the measurement with the calibration receiver, for applying a corrective signal to each digital modulator to match each constellation point to a correct location.

20. The multi-channel digital TV system as set forth in claim 18, further comprising MPEG means for applying MPEG-2 program clock reference correction signals for each digitally-modulated signal.

21. The multi-channel digital TV system as set forth in claim 19, further comprising MPEG means applying MPEG-2 program clock reference correction signals for each digitally-modulated signal.

22. The multi-channel digital TV system as set forth in claim 18, further comprising encoding means for cryptographically encoding per user per conditional access system, respective digitally-modulated signals.

23. The multi-channel digital TV system as set forth in claim 19, further comprising encoding means for cryptographically encoding per user per conditional access system, respective digitally-modulated signals.

24. The multi-channel digital TV system as set forth in claim 20, further comprising encoding means for cryptographically encoding per user per conditional access system, respective digitally-modulated signals.

25. The multi-channel digital TV system as set forth in claim 21, further comprising encoding means for cryptographically encoding per user per conditional access system, respective digitally-modulated signals.

26. A cable method, for delivering digital programming, comprising the steps of:

assigning a plurality of digital streams to a plurality of set-top units, respectively, on one of a plurality of digitally-modulated carrier signals;

dynamically transmitting, from a head end, to each set-top unit, commands to tune and select a particular digital stream requested by a particular set-top unit of the plurality of set-top units;

signaling, on a reverse-path, out-of-band channel, between the head end and each of the set-top units in the plurality of set-top units; and

communicating, using separate, secure two-way communications links, from each of the set-top units to the head end.

27. A cable system, for delivering digital programming, comprising:

a plurality of set-top units, with each set-top unit dynamically assigned a digital stream, respectively, on one of a plurality of digitally-modulated carrier signals;

a head end for dynamically transmitting to each set-top unit, commands to tune and select a particular digital stream requested by a particular set-top unit of the plurality of set-top units;

a reverse-path, out-of-band channel for signaling between the head end and each of the set-top units in the plurality of set-top units; and

a separate, secure two-way communications link from each of the set-top units for communicating to the head end.

28. A cable system for delivering digital programming, comprising:

a set-top unit for sending encapsulated keystrokes upstream to a server;

said server for decoding the keystrokes and for generating screen images in random-access memory (RAM);

said RAM for storing the screen images separately for each set-top unit;

modulation means for modulating a carrier or a plurality of carriers with each of the stored images creating a set of video channels containing the relatively static images to be displayed; and

each of a plurality of set-top units, responsive to respective keystrokes and other system information, having a custom screen image.

29. A construction arrangement for a small set-top unit to protect cryptographic capabilities and prevent a digital program in clear from being able to be tapped as required by Digital Rights Management protocols, comprising:

a first layer of sheet metal capable of blocking X-rays, formed as a shallow pan to hold a set of printed circuit boards;

a second layer having a thin epoxy based printed circuit material;

a third layer having a printed circuit board with integrated components placed on top of the second layer;

a fourth layer having a three layer thin printed circuit board with a first and second metallic layer and holes for large components, such as electrolytic capacitors;

a black liquid thermosetting epoxy filling the interstices between the sheet metal layer and the second layer, and between the second layer and the third layer, and between the third layer and the fourth layer, thereby preventing access to exposed circuit trace carrying digital signals in the clear; and

a connection from the first metallic layer of the fourth printed circuit material layer to a sending circuit and a connection from the second metallic layer so that a short between these two layers sets off an indicator circuit that an attempt is made to enter the protected area.

30. The construction arrangement for a small set-top unit as set forth in claim 29, further comprising:

a tamper detector having a sensor wire running along sides of chips containing sensitive information, said sensor wire including four wires, A, B, C, D, twisted together, with a far-end of the four wires terminating A and B in a first short circuit, and separately, C and D in a second short circuit; and

a four-wire connector terminating a near end of the four wires.

31. The construction arrangement for a small set-top unit as set forth in claim 29, further comprising:

circuitry for detecting the first short circuit between the A and B wires, and the second short circuit between the C and D wires, for when the first short circuit or the second short circuit become an open circuit.

32. The construction arrangement for a small set-top unit as set forth in claim 29, further comprising:

circuitry for detecting any cuts in the A and B wires, or in the C and D wires.

33. A video on demand system comprising:

a plurality of set-top units, each set-top unit having a remote control device;

a head end having a digital storage system capable of recording a large number, approximately 150, TV programs;

said head-end, in quasi-synchronism with a digital playback system, able to simultaneously serve a large number, approximately 1280, of potential set-top units without interference;

a remote control, located with a respective set-top unit, having a means for sending a command requesting that the program being watched be restarted at a beginning of the program;

said head end for selecting the program at a selected time, for allowing a TV set connected to the set-top unit to view a selected program from the beginning.

34. A very low cost cable head end for HITS type systems comprising:

a consumer satellite antenna with a dual feed;

a receiver for detecting and converting transponder signals on a satellite or plurality of satellites, to digital streams, each having a plurality of separate digital TV streams, and without change to encryption of TV streams;

a multi-carrier frequency generator and digital modulator connected to said receiver, for creating an ensemble of digitally modulated 6 or 8 MHz carriers covering the TV band transmitted over a cable transmission system.