Efficient method and system for delivering resources in broadcast environment

• US 20040010524A1
• Filed: 04/30/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ensequence Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ensequence Incorporated
• Inventors: Westerman, Larry Alan, Wallace, Michael W.
• Application Number:
  US10/427,344
• Publication Number:
  US 20040010524A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/16 Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution of identical information repeatedly
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/426 Receiver side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/25 Arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23617 by inserting additional data into a data carousel, e.g. inserting software modules into a DVB carousel arrangements for broadcast or for distribution of identical information repeatedly in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2362 Generation or processing of Service Information [SI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26291 for providing content or additional data updates, e.g. updating software modules, stored at the client deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4349 by extracting from data carousels, e.g. extraction of software modules from a DVB carousel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4586 Content update operation triggered locally, e.g. by comparing the version of software modules in a DVB carousel to the version stored locally deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction of the data by redundancy during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8402 involving a version number, e.g. version number of EPG data arrangements for version control in computers G06F8/71

Abstract

A method, a computer readable medium, and a data system are provided for indicating when a superseded data file in a series of data files has been replaced with a changed data file. An index file is created and inserted in the series of data files. The index file includes a change indicator signifying that the changed data file has replaced the superseded data file. The index file is repeatedly transmitted with the series of data files.

Claims

1. A method for indicating when a superseded data file in a series of data files has been replaced with a changed data file, the method comprising:

replacing a superseded data file in a series of data files with a changed data file;

creating an index file in the series of data files, the index file including a change indicator signifying that the changed data file has replaced the superseded data file; and

repeatedly transmitting the index file with the series of data files.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the change indicator in the index file, maintaining the change indicator including:

maintaining a version indicator in the index file;

changing the version indicator in the index file when the superseded data file has been replaced with the changed data file; and

inserting a changed file size for the changed data file in the index file.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the version indicator is changed by incrementing the version indicator when the superseded data file has been replaced with the changed data file.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the version indicator includes an index file version indicator indicating the version of the index file.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the index file version indicator is changed when any of a series of data files has been changed.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the version indicator includes a file version indicator for indicating a version of the changed data file.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the version indicator includes an index file version indicator indicating a version of the index file and a file version indicator for indicating a version of the changed data file.

8. A method for determining when a superseded data file in a series of data files being received has been replaced with changed data file, the method comprising:

receiving a series of data files;

scanning the series of data files for an index file; and

monitoring a change indicator in the index file;

reading a changed file size from the index file when the version indicator has been changed since receipt of a previous index file; and

loading a changed data file into a buffer allocated to accommodate the changed file size.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining which of the series of data files has been changed.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining which of the series of data files has been changed includes monitoring a file version indicator indicating a version of the changed data file that is different from that stored in a previous index file.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein determining which of the series of data files has been changed includes monitoring the changed file size that is different from that stored in a previous index file.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising after loading the changed data file, releasing a formerly allocated buffer in which the superseded data file was stored.

13. A method for indicating from a transmission site to a remote site when a superseded data file in a series of data files has been replaced with a changed data file, the method comprising:

at a transmission site;

replacing a superseded data file in a series of data files with a changed data file;

creating an index file in the series of data files, the index file including a change indicator signifying that the changed data file has replaced the superseded data file; and

repeatedly transmitting the index file with the series of data files; and

at a remote site;

receiving a series of data files at a remote site;

monitoring the change indicator in the index file; and

loading the changed data file into a buffer allocated to accommodate the changed file size when the version indicator has been changed since receipt of a previous index file.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising maintaining the change indicator in the index file, maintaining the change indicator including:

maintaining a version indicator in the index file;

changing the version indicator when the superseded data file has been replaced with the changed data file; and

inserting a changed file size for the changed data file in the index file.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the version indicator is changed by incrementing the version indicator when the superseded data file has been replaced with the changed data file.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the version indicator includes an index file version indicator indicating the version of the index file.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the index file version indicator is changed when any of a series of data files has been changed.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the version indicator includes a file version indicator for indicating a version of the changed data file.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the version indicator includes an index file version indicator indicating a version of the index file and a file version indicator for indicating a version of the changed data file.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining which of the series of data files has been changed.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein determining which of the series of data files has been changed includes monitoring a file version indicator indicating a version of the changed file that is different from that stored in a previous index file.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein determining which of the series of data files has been changed includes monitoring the changed file size that is different from that stored in a previous index file.

23. The method of claim 13, further comprising after loading the changed data file, releasing a formerly allocated buffer in which the superseded data file was stored.

24. A computer readable medium for indicating when a superseded data file in a series of data files has been replaced with a changed data file, the computer readable medium comprising:

first computer program code means for replacing a superseded data file in a series of data files with a changed data file;

second computer program code means for creating an index file in the series of data files, the second computer program code means further generating a change indicator signifying that the changed data file has replaced the superseded data file; and

third computer program code means for repeatedly transmitting the index file with the series of data files.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the second computer program code means include:

fourth computer program code means for maintaining a version indicator in the index file;

fifth computer program code means for changing the version indicator in the index file when the superseded data file has been replaced with the changed data file; and

sixth computer program code means for inserting a changed file size for the changed data file in the index file.

26. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein the version indicator is changed by incrementing the version indicator when the superseded data file has been replaced with the changed data file.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein the version indicator includes an index file version indicator indicating the version of the index file.

28. The computer readable medium of claim 27, wherein the index file version indicator is changed when any of a series of data files has been changed.

29. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein the version indicator includes a file version indicator for indicating a version of the changed data file.

30. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein the version indicator includes an index file version indicator indicating a version of the index file and a file version indicator for indicating a version of the changed data file.

31. A computer readable medium for determining when a superseded data file in a series of data files being received has been replaced with changed data file, the computer readable medium comprising:

first computer program code means for receiving a series of data files;

second computer program code means for scanning the series of data files for an index file;

third computer program code means for monitoring a version indicator in the index file;

fourth computer program code means for reading a changed file size from the index file; and

fifth computer program code means for loading a changed data file into a buffer allocated to accommodate the changed file size when the version indicator has been changed since receipt of a previous index file.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 31, further comprising sixth computer program code means for determining which of the series of data files has been changed upon finding the version indicator has been changed.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 32, wherein the sixth computer program code means includes seventh computer program code means for monitoring a file version indicator indicating a version of the changed file that is different from that stored in a previous index file.

34. The computer readable medium of claim 32, wherein the sixth computer program code means includes eighth computer program code means for monitoring the changed file size that is different from that stored in a previous index file.

35. The computer readable medium of claim 31, further comprising ninth computer program code means for releasing a formerly allocated buffer in which the superseded data file was stored after loading the changed data file.

36. A computer readable medium for indicating from a transmission site to a remote site when a superseded data file in a series of data files has been replaced with a changed data file, the computer readable medium comprising:

at a transmission site;

first computer program code means for replacing a superseded data file in a series of data files with a changed data file;

second computer program code means for creating an index file in the series of data files, the second computer program code means further generating a change indicator signifying that the changed data file has replaced the superseded data file; and

third computer program code means for repeatedly transmitting the index file with the series of data files; and

at a remote site;

fourth computer program code means for receiving a series of data files at a remote site;

fifth computer program code means for monitoring the change indicator in the index file; and

sixth computer program code means for loading the changed data file into a buffer allocated to accommodate a changed file size when the version indicator has been changed since receipt of a previous index file.

37. The computer readable medium of claim 36, wherein the second computer program code means includes:

seventh computer program code means for maintaining a version indicator in the index file;

eighth computer program code means for changing the version indicator when the superseded data file has been replaced with the changed data file; and

ninth computer program code means for inserting a changed file size for the changed data file in the index file.

38. The computer readable medium of claim 37, wherein the version indicator is changed by incrementing the version indicator when the superseded data file has been replaced with the changed data file.

39. The computer readable medium of claim 37, wherein the version indicator includes an index file version indicator indicating the version of the index file.

40. The computer readable medium of claim 39, wherein the index file version indicator is changed when any of a series of data files has been changed.

41. The computer readable medium of claim 37, wherein the version indicator includes a file version indicator for indicating a version of the changed data file.

42. The computer readable medium of claim 37, wherein the version indicator includes an index file version indicator indicating a version of the index file and a file version indicator for indicating a version of the changed data file.

43. The computer readable medium of claim 36, further comprising tenth computer program code means for determining which of the series of data files has been changed upon finding the version indicator has been changed.

44. The computer readable medium of claim 43, wherein the tenth computer program code means includes eleventh computer program code means for monitoring a file version indicator indicating a version of the changed file that is different from that stored in a previous index file.

45. The computer readable medium of claim 43, wherein the tenth computer program code means includes twelfth computer program code means for monitoring the changed file size that is different from that stored in a previous index file.

46. The computer readable medium of claim 36, further comprising thirteenth computer program code means for releasing a formerly allocated buffer in which the superseded data file was stored after loading the changed data file.

47. A media transmission control system for indicating when a superseded data file in a series of data files has been replaced with a changed data file, the system comprising:

a processor including;

a first component configured to a replace a superseded data file with a changed data file in a series of data files; and

a second component configured to create an index file in the series of data files, the second component generating a change indicator signifying that the changed data file has replaced the superseded data file; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor, the transmitter being configured to repeatedly transmit the index file with the series of data files.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the change indicator in the index file includes:

a version indicator, the version indicator being changed when the superseded data file has been replaced with the changed data file; and

a changed file size for the changed data file in the index file.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the second component is further configured to increment the version indicator when the superseded data file has been replaced with the changed data file.

50. The system of claim 48, wherein the version indicator includes an index file version indicator indicating the version of the index file.

51. The system of claim 48, wherein the second component is further configured to change the index file version indicator when any of a series of data files has been changed.

52. The system of claim 48, wherein the version indicator includes a file version indicator for indicating a version of the changed data file.

53. The system of claim 48, wherein the version indicator includes an index file version indicator indicating a version of the index file and a file version indicator for indicating a version of the changed data file.

54. A media reception control system for determining when a superseded data file in a series of data files being received has been replaced with changed data file, the system comprising:

a receiver receiving the series of data files; and

a processor coupled to the receiver, the processor including;

a first component configured to identify an index file in the series of data files;

a second component configured to respond to a change indicator in the index file indicating that the index file has been changed since the receipt of a previous index file; and

a third component configured to read a changed file size from the index file and load a changed data file from the series of data files into a buffer allocated to accommodate the changed file size.

55. The system of claim 54, further comprising a fourth component configured to monitor a file version indicator in determining which of the series of data files has been changed.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the fourth component determines which of the series of data files has been changed by monitoring the file version indicator indicating a version of the changed file that is different from that stored in a previous index file.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein the fourth component determines which of the series of data files has been changed by monitoring for the changed file size being different from that stored in a previous index file.

58. The system of claim 54, further comprising a fifth component configured to release a formerly allocated buffer in which the superseded data file was stored after loading the changed data file.

59. A media control system for indicating from a transmission site to a remote site when a superseded data file in a series of data files has been replaced with changed data file, the system comprising:

at a transmission site;

a processor including;

a first component configured to a replace a superseded data file with a changed data file in a series of data files; and

a second component configures to create an index file in the series of data files, the index file including a change indicator signifying that the changed data file has replaced the superseded data file; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor, the transmitter being configured to repeatedly transmit the index file with the series of data files; and

at a remote site;

a receiver receiving the series of data files; and

a processor coupled to the receiver, the receiver including;

a fourth component configured to identify an index file in the series of data files;

a fifth component configured to respond to a version indicator in the index file indicating that the version indicator has been changed since the receipt of a previous index file; and

a sixth component configured to read a changed file size from the index file and load a changed data file from the series of data files into a buffer allocated to accommodate the changed file size.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the change indicator in the index file includes:

a version indicator, the version indicator being changed when the superseded data file has been replaced with the changed data file; and

a changed file size for the changed data file in the index file.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the second component is further configured to increment the version indicator when the superseded data file has been replaced with the changed data file.

62. The system of claim 60, wherein the version indicator includes an index file version indicator indicating the version of the index file.

63. The system of claim 60, wherein the second component is further configured to change the index file version indicator when any of a series of data files has been changed.

64. The system of claim 60, wherein the version indicator includes a file version indicator for indicating a version of the changed data file.

65. The system of claim 60, wherein the version indicator includes an index file version indicator indicating a version of the index file and a file version indicator for indicating a version of the changed data file.

66. The system of claim 59, further comprising a seventh component configured to monitor a file version indicator in determining which of the series of data files has been changed.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the seventh component is further configured to determine which of the series of data files has been changed by monitoring a file version indicator indicating a version of the changed file that is different from that stored in a previous index file.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein the seventh component is further configured to determine which of the series of data files has been changed by monitoring for the changed file size being different from that stored in a previous index file.

69. The system of claim 59, further comprising an eighth component configured to release a formerly allocated buffer in which the superseded data file was stored after loading the changed data file.