Auxiliary program association table
First Claim
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting the auxiliary PAT and the auxiliary PMT to a decoder, and transmitting the NIT to the decoder.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of identifying programs in a digital video communication system, consistent with certain embodiment of the present invention involve generating an auxiliary program association table (PAT) and an auxiliary program map table (PMT), wherein the auxiliary PAT and auxiliary PMT relate at least one program identifier (PID) to a program. The auxiliary PAT and auxiliary PMT are packetized and identified using a designated PID. The designated PID is encoded as private descriptor in a network information table (NIT) that is transmitted to the Set-top boxes (STB) over an out of band channel. The STBs have an out of band modem that receives a network information table (NIT). A NIT parser parses the NIT to obtain a designated program identifier (PID) for packets containing an auxiliary program association table (PAT) and an auxiliary program map table (PMT). A demultiplexer extracts packets containing the auxiliary PAT and auxiliary PMT based upon the designated PID to obtain PID values associated with programs for use in decoding and decrypting programs.
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Citations
40 Claims
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2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting the auxiliary PAT and the auxiliary PMT to a decoder, and transmitting the NIT to the decoder.
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10. A method of obtaining program association information, comprising:
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receiving a network information table (NIT);
parsing the NIT to obtain a designated program identifier (PID) for packets containing an auxiliary program association table (PAT) and an auxiliary program map table (PMT); and
extracting the auxiliary PAT and auxiliary PMT to obtain PID values associated with programs. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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19. A digital video decoder device, comprising:
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a modem that receives a network information table (NIT);
a NIT parser that parses the NIT to obtain a designated program identifier (PID) for packets containing an auxiliary program association table (PAT) and an auxiliary program map table (PMT); and
a demultiplexer that extracts packets containing the auxiliary PAT and auxiliary PMT based upon the designated PID to obtain PID values associated with programs. - View Dependent Claims (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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25-1. The digital video decoder device according to claim 19, wherein the NIT parser further parses the NIT to obtain other information needed to tune to a transport stream carrying the designated PID.
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27. A data structure that conveys a program identifier, comprising:
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a network information table (NIT); and
a program identifier (PID) forming a part of the NIT, the PID identifying packets that contain an auxiliary program association table used to decode a packetized digital video signal. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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- 33. The data structure according to claim 32, wherein the out of band modem comprises a DOCSIS compliant modem.
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33-2. A data signal for use in decoding a digital television signal by conveying a program identifier, comprising a modulated signal carrying:
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a network information table (NIT); and
a program identifier (PID) forming a part of the NIT, the PID identifying packets that contain an auxiliary program association table used to decode a packetized digital video signal.
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40. A television Set-top box, comprising:
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an out of band DOCSIS compliant modem that receives a network information table (NIT);
a NIT parser that parses the NIT to obtain a designated program identifier (PID) for packets containing an auxiliary program association table (PAT) and an auxiliary program map table (PMT), wherein the designated PID is listed in a second descriptor loop of the NIT, and wherein the NIT parser further parses the NIT to obtain other information needed to tune to a transport stream carrying the designated PID;
a demultiplexer that extracts packets from inband transport streams containing the auxiliary PAT and auxiliary PMT based upon the designated PID to obtain PID values associated with programs;
a memory for storing the auxiliary PAT and the auxiliary PMT; and
a decoder that decodes video programs identified by PID values stored in the auxiliary PAT and the auxiliary PMT and provides an output signal suitable for driving a television display.
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Specification