Digital cinema system hub multiple exhibitor distribution

• US 20030204851A1
• Filed: 04/29/2003
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Powell, Mark L., Repp, Michael David, Confair, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,793,323 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/63
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/20 Arrangements for broadcast or distribution of identical information via plural systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/04 Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 involving video stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2402 Monitoring of the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. bandwidth available traffic monitoring in data switching networks H04L43/00; monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41415 involving a public display, viewable by several users in a public space outside their home, e.g. movie theatre, information kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6193 involving transmission via a satellite arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end session in a satellite broadcast system H04B7/18526
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transmitting a media program comprising audiovisual data. The method comprises the steps of transmitting the audiovisual data from a ground center to a satellite; transponding the audiovisual data to a ground-based hub; and transmitting the audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to a display entity if the satellite is obscured from the display entity. The apparatus comprises a ground transmitter transmitting the audiovisual data from a ground center to a satellite; satellite for transponding the audiovisual data; and a ground-based hub, having a receiver for receiving the transponded audiovisual data and a hub transmitter for transmitting the audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to a display entity if the satellite is obscured from the display entity.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting a media program comprising audiovisual data, comprising the steps of:

transmitting the audiovisual data from a ground center to a satellite;

transponding the audiovisual data to a ground-based hub; and

transmitting the audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to a display entity if the satellite is obscured from the display entity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the method further comprises the step of compiling the transponded audiovisual data to assemble the media program, and storing and media program at the ground-based hub; and

wherein the step of transmitting the audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to a display entity if the satellite is obscured from the display entity is performed after the transponded audiovisual data is assembled into the media program.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the step of transmitting the audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to the display entity if the satellite is obscured from the display entity is further performed after receiving a transfer request from the display entity.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the step of transmitting the audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to the display entity if the satellite is obscured from the display entity is performed substantially concurrently with a display of the audiovisual data at the display entity.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the satellite is obscured from the display entity by a weather phenomenon.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the satellite is obscured from the display entity by a terrestrial feature.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the audiovisual data is transponded to the ground-based hub via a spot beam.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the audiovisual data is transmitted from the ground-based hub to the display entity via a secure landline.

9. An apparatus for transmitting a media program comprising audiovisual data, comprising:

means for transmitting the audiovisual data from a ground center to a satellite;

means for transponding the audiovisual data to a ground-based hub;

means for transmitting the audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to a display entity if the satellite is obscured from the display entity.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the apparatus further comprises means for compiling the transponded audiovisual data to assemble the media program, and storing and media program at the ground-based hub; and

wherein the means for transmitting the audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to a display entity if the satellite is obscured from the display entity is performed after the transponded audiovisual data is assembled into the media program.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the means for transmitting the audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to the display entity if the satellite is obscured from the display entity is further performed after receiving a transfer request from the display entity.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the means for transmitting the audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to the display entity transmits the audiovisual data the ground-based hub to the display entity substantially concurrently with a display of the audiovisual data at the display entity.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the satellite is obscured from the display entity by a weather phenomenon.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the satellite is obscured from the display entity by a terrestrial feature.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the audiovisual data is transponded to the ground hub via a spot beam.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the audiovisual data is transmitted from the ground-based hub to the display entity via a secure landline.

17. An apparatus for transmitting a media program comprising audiovisual data, comprising:

a ground transmitter for transmitting the audiovisual data from a ground center,

a satellite for transponding the audiovisual data; and

a ground-based hub, having a receiver for receiving the transponded audiovisual data and a hub transmitter for transmitting the audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to a display entity if the satellite is obscured from the display entity.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

the hub further comprises a compiler for compiling the transponded audiovisual data to assemble the media program, and a memory for storing and media program; and

wherein the ground-based hub transmits the transponded audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to the display entity after the transponded audiovisual data is assembled into the media program.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:

wherein the ground-based hub transmits the transponded audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to the display entity after receiving a transfer request from the display entity.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:

wherein the ground-based hub transmits the transponded audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to the display entity substantially concurrently with a display of the audiovisual data at the display entity.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the satellite is obscured from the display entity by a weather phenomenon.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the satellite is obscured from the display entity by a terrestrial feature.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the audiovisual data is transponded to the ground hub via a spot beam.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the audiovisual data is transmitted from the ground-based hub to the display entity via a secure landline.

25. A method of transmitting a media program comprising audiovisual data, comprising the steps of:

encrypting the audiovisual data;

transmitting the audiovisual data from a ground center to a satellite;

transponding the audiovisual data to a ground-based hub; and

determining if a display entity is receiving the transponded audiovisual data; and

transmitting the audiovisual data from the ground-based hub to the display entity if the display entity is not receiving the transponded audiovisual data.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of determining if the display entity is receiving the audiovisual data comprises the step of receiving a message from the display entity indicating whether the facility is receiving the audiovisual data.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of determining if the display entity is receiving the audiovisual data comprises the step of receiving weather data and determining if the display entity is receiving the audiovisual data from the weather data.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of determining if the display entity is receiving the audiovisual data comprises the step of receiving a display entity equipment status message indicating whether they display entity receiver is operational.

29. A method of transmitting a media program comprising audiovisual data, comprising the steps of:

segmenting the media program into a first portion and a second portion;

transmitting the first portion and the second portion to a satellite;

transmitting the first portion from the satellite directly to a display entity via a first communication link;

transmitting the second portion from the satellite to a ground-based hub; and

transmitting the second portion from the ground-based hub to the display entity via a second communication link more secure than the first communication link.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first portion is encrypted according to a first encryption algorithm and a second portion is encrypted according to a second encryption algorithm.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the second encryption algorithm is more secure than the first encryption algorithm.