Unicast cable content delivery

• US 20050229228A1
• Filed: 04/07/2004
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Khare, Rajendra, Mishra, Brajabandhu, Relan, Sandeep
• Application Number:
  US10/819,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20050229228A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/116
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/33 via the broadcast channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2396 characterized by admission policies admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for network security using user profiles for access control H04L63/102; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/24 Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth, upstream requests monitoring of server performance or load G06F11/34; arrangements for observation, testing or troubleshooting for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2408 Monitoring of the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. client requests monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4183 providing its own processing capabilities, e.g. external module for video decoding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42201 biosensors, e.g. heat sensor for presence detection, EEG sensors or any limb activity sensors worn by the user input arrangements for interaction with the human body based on nervous system activity detection G06F3/015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 : Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 : involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 : involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 : involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 : involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004
• 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 21/6581 : Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/63 : Generation or supply of power specially adapted for television receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 : Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 : between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method and system for transmitting on-demand multimedia information to an end-user'"'"'s set-top-box (STB). The multimedia information may be received from at least one satellite via a satellite receiver. The satellite receiver may convey the multimedia information to a service provider location. At the service provider location, a content server may receive a request for transmission of multimedia information. The request may be validated to determine whether the request is authorized. Upon determining that the request is authorized, the multimedia information may be transmitted by a distribution unit to the STB at the end-user location. In contrast to prior systems, instead of transmitting every channel that a service provider offers to each end-user location, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, only the particular multimedia information (channel) being requested is transmitted to each end-user location.

Claims

1. A multimedia distribution network comprising:

a content server, the content server being adapted to receive and manage a plurality of multimedia transmissions from at least one satellite receiver, the plurality of multimedia transmissions each comprising a plurality of multimedia channels;

a distribution unit for receiving a plurality of requests for particular ones of the plurality of multimedia channels from a corresponding plurality of end-user set-top-boxes (STBs).

2. The network according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit is adapted to independently transmit on-demand the plurality of multimedia channels with a plurality of bandwidths.

3. The network according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of end-user STBs is adapted to independently request multimedia channels.

4. The network according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of end-user STBs is adapted to independently request a particular bandwidth of a multimedia channel.

5. The network according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit is adapted to acquire each requested multimedia channel with the requested bandwidth from the content server and independently transmit each requested multimedia channel respectively to each of the plurality of end-user STBs on-demand.

6. The network according to claim 1, wherein the content server also comprises a storage unit for receiving and storing multimedia transmission information.

7. The network according to claim 1, wherein the content server is adapted to provide on-demand access to streaming media channels being received from the satellite receiver to the distribution unit, and wherein the content server is also adapted to validate and authorize channel requests received from the plurality of end-user STBs.

8. The network according to claim 1, wherein the content server is adapted to initiate and authenticate the end user STBs at power on and derive session keys in frequent intervals for future communications and multimedia content distribution, wherein authentication comprises one of a username/password based authentication, digital certificate based authentication, and smartcard based authentication.

9. The network according to claim 8, wherein the STBs are adapted to initiate authentication with the content server at power-on and to derive session keys in frequent intervals depending upon determinations of the content server of future communications and multimedia content distribution.

10. The network according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit communicates to the plurality of end-user STBs via one of a cable, at least one optical fiber, and wirelessly, and wherein the distribution unit comprises a plurality of transmission heads, the transmission heads comprising one of mechanical, electrical, and electronic switches/relays adapted to maintain continuous communication with the STBs at a plurality of end-user locations.

11. The network according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit communicates with the plurality of end-user STBs via a wireless receiver and wireless transmitter.

12. The network according to claim 1, further comprising:

a use meter, the use meter monitoring channel requests and length of viewing of multimedia channel information for each of the plurality of end-user STBs, and

a use memory, wherein the use meter is adapted to store monitored channel request information, monitored bandwidth consumption, length of viewing time of multimedia channel information, and statistics for each of the plurality of end-user STBs in the use memory for later evaluation.

13. The network according to claim 1, further comprising a subscriber database memory storing subscriber information for each of a plurality of end-user subscribers, the subscriber database memory comprising at least one of a listing of channels subscribed, end-user STB information, subscriber spending limits, subscriber personal information, and subscriber identity information for authentication.

14. The network according to claim 1, wherein communication between the content server and the distribution unit occurs through one of a wireless or wired communication media, wherein the distribution unit is integrated to the content server.

15. The network according to claim 1, wherein a subscriber end-user is enabled to unsubscribe to subscribed programming channels by selecting a corresponding response from an interactive menu displayed by an end-user STB on an end-user display apparatus, wherein the communicated response is transmitted to the network for processing.

16. The network according to claim 1, wherein a subscriber end-user is enabled to view information stored in a subscriber memory database in the network corresponding to the subscriber end-user, and the subscriber end-user is enabled to view at least one of end-user preferences, subscription status, collected statistics, and viewing habits on a display apparatus on-demand, wherein the information is transmitted from the network to a subscriber end-user STB.

17. A method of efficient usage of bandwidth in a multimedia distribution network, the method comprising:

receiving a channel request in at least one of a content server and a distribution unit from a set-top-box (STB);

evaluating the channel request to determine whether the channel request is one of valid, available, and authorized;

wherein if the channel request is determined to be one of valid, available, and authorized, initiating transmission of the requested channel, and if the channel request is determined to be one of invalid, unavailable, and unauthorized, responding to the channel request with a message indicating that the channel request is one of invalid, unavailable, and unauthorized.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the multimedia information provider communicates to the STB via one of a cable, and optical fiber, and wirelessly.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising receiving and storing multimedia channel information, and providing on-demand access to streaming multimedia channels requested.

20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising accessing and evaluating a subscriber database memory to determine whether a channel request is valid, available, and authorized.

21. The method according to claim 17, wherein the subscriber database memory comprises at least one of end-user STB information, end-user channel subscription information, end-user spending limit information, end-user blocked channel information, and end-user identity information for authentication.

22. The method according to claim 17, wherein initiating a channel request comprises transmitting requested channel multimedia information to the STB at an end-user location.

23. The method according to claim 17, wherein responding to the channel request with a message comprises one of issuing a prompt to subscribe to the requested channel, issuing a prompt to pay for viewing the requested channel, and denying channel access.

24. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:

metering of multimedia usage of each of a plurality of STBs, the metering being performed by a use meter, the use meter monitoring at least one of end-user channel selections, end-user bandwidth consumption, failed channel requests, and time of viewing information, wherein the monitored information is stored in a use memory; and

creating a use log of end-user viewing activity in the use memory, the use log comprising at least one of channel requests received from the STBs, bandwidth consumed, failed channel requests, statistics, and length of time of channel transmission, the use log being stored in the use memory and being compared against a program listing for channels and times, wherein end-user viewing habits are determined by subsequently evaluating and analyzing the monitored information.

25. The method according to claim 17, wherein only selected, requested, and default multimedia content having a requested bandwidth is transmitted to individual STBs if subscribed, and wherein the default multimedia content is at least one of free multimedia content and multimedia content being broadcast under mandate of regulatory authorities.

26. The method according to claim 17, wherein a channel request comprises a request for a channel selected for viewing by an end-user.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the channel request comprises a channel selected for viewing by an end-user having a particular bandwidth.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein bandwidth of a requested channel is determined based upon user inputs comprising at least one of resolution, quality, and type of content.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the bandwidth provided by the content server is negotiated between the content server and an end-user STB.

30. The method according to claim 26, wherein the channel request is determined to be valid if at least one of the requested channel is subscribed by an end-user, the end-user is authorized to view the requested channel, the channel is currently available at the content server, and the bandwidth requested for transmitting the channel is available.

31. The method according to claim 17, wherein a subscriber end-user is enabled to unsubscribe to subscribed programming channels by selecting a corresponding response from an interactive menu displayed by an end-user STB on an end-user display apparatus, wherein the selected response is transmitted to a network component for processing.

32. The method according to claim 17, wherein a subscriber end-user is enabled to view information stored in a subscriber memory database corresponding to the subscriber end-user, and the subscriber end-user is enabled to view at least one of end-user preferences, subscription status, collected statistics, and viewing habits on a display apparatus on-demand, wherein the information is transmitted to an end-user STB from a network component.

33. A multimedia distribution network comprising a plurality of end-user STBs adapted to request a multimedia channel, wherein the end-user STBs comprise:

a processor for processing and managing channel requests and received multimedia channel information, wherein multimedia channel information comprises encoded audio information and encoded video information;

a decoder for decoding the received multimedia channel information, the multimedia channel information is encoded for transmission, wherein the decoder comprises a combination audio and video decoder unit;

a transmitter for transmitting channel requests to the distribution unit; and

a receiver for receiving multimedia channel information and messages associated with the channel requests, wherein the transmitter and receiver comprise a combination transmitter/receiver unit.

34. A set-top-box (STB) adapted to request a multimedia channel and receive multimedia information from a multimedia distribution network, the STB comprising:

an antenna for communicating with a wireless multimedia distribution office;

a wireline connection for receiving multimedia content and other information via wired connection;

a processor for processing and managing channel requests and received multimedia information, the multimedia information comprising audio and video information;

an audio decoder for decoding audio information;

a video decoder for decoding video information;

a transmitter for transmitting channel requests to the distribution unit; and

a receiver for receiving multimedia channel information and messages associated with the channel requests.

35. The STB according to claim 34, wherein the multimedia information comprises data received from an information network comprising the Internet.

36. The STB according to claim 35, wherein the STB further comprises a data decoder for decoding the data from the Internet.

37. The STB according to claim 34, wherein the audio decoder and the video decoder comprise a combination audio and video decoder unit.

38. The STB according to claim 34, wherein the transmitter and receiver comprise a combination transmitter and receiver unit.

39. The STB according to claim 34, further comprising a cable output providing transmission of received and decoded multimedia information to a display apparatus.

40. The STB according to claim 34, wherein, upon an end-user selecting to view a channel, the STB is adapted to determine whether the end-user is subscribed and authorized to view the selected channel, wherein if the selected channel is unauthorized for viewing, then the STB displays a message on a display apparatus informing the end-user, and wherein the message prompting the end-user to one of subscribe to the selected channel, pay to view the selected channel, and deny access to the channel.

41. The STB according to claim 34, wherein, upon an end-user selecting to view a channel, the STB is adapted to send a channel request to one of a distribution system and a content server, wherein the channel request is received and an authorization status is determined from one of the distribution system and the content server, wherein if the selected channel is unauthorized for viewing, then the STB is adapted to display a message on a display apparatus informing the end-user, and wherein the message prompting the end-user to one of subscribe to the selected channel, pay to view the selected channel, and be denied access to the channel.

42. The STB according to claim 34, wherein, upon receiving a channel selection request, the STB is adapted to one of wired and wirelessly transmit the channel request to a distribution unit at a local service provider location.

43. The STB according to claim 34, wherein the STB is adapted to one of wired and wirelessly receive transmitted multimedia channel information from a distribution unit at a service provider location.

44. The STB according to claim 34, wherein a multimedia transmission is received at one of the antenna of the STB and a wired connection of the STB and conveyed to the processor in the STB, the processor is adapted to convey the multimedia transmission to the audio decoder and the video decoder, wherein the audio decoder and the video decoder are adapted to decode the multimedia transmission, wherein the decoded multimedia transmission is transmitted via a cable output to at least one of a plurality of display apparatuses.

45. The STB according to claim 34, wherein a multimedia transmission is received at one of the antenna of the STB and an input of a wireline connection and conveyed to the processor in the STB, the processor is adapted to convey the multimedia transmission to the audio decoder, video decoder, and a data decoder, wherein the audio decoder, video decoder, and data decoder are adapted to decode the multimedia transmission, wherein the decoded multimedia transmission is transmitted via a cable output to at least one of multiple display apparatuses.

46. The STB according to claim 34, wherein the STB is provided with a programmable logic adapted to transmit at least one channel to a plurality of STBs.

47. The STB according to claim 34, wherein a subscriber end-user is enabled to unsubscribe to subscribed programming channels by selecting a corresponding response from an interactive menu displayed by the STB on an end-user display apparatus, wherein the STB transmits the corresponding response to a network component for processing.

48. The STB according to claim 34, wherein a subscriber end-user is enabled to access and view information stored in a subscriber memory database corresponding to the subscriber end-user with the STB, and the subscriber end-user is enabled to view at least one of end-user preferences, subscription status, collected statistics, and viewing habits on a display apparatus on-demand, wherein the information is received by the STB from a network component.