Method and Apparatus for Delivering Programming Code Objects to Set-Top Terminals and the Like

• US 20090007215A1
• Filed: 06/27/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Poli, Christopher, Vince, Lawrence D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,497,419 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/139
• 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 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4425 Monitoring of client processing errors or hardware failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/818 OS software
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A set top box is provided that includes an RF front-end for receiving programming content over a distribution communication network. A processor is operatively associated with the RF front-end and a storage device is operatively associated with the processor. An interface is provided for establishing communication with an external device. In response to a signal received from the distribution network over the RF front-front identifying at least one programming object to be downloaded thereto, the processor is configured to locate and receive the programming object from the external device through the interface.

Claims

1. At least one computer-readable medium encoded with instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs a method including:

receiving a downloading signal over a distribution network notifying at least one set top terminal that at least one programming object is to be downloaded thereto, the downloading signal including an identification of the object to be downloaded;

in response to receipt of the downloading signal, causing receipt of the object from a storage medium on which the object has been pre-positioned; and

activating the object at a time after its receipt by the set top terminal.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the at least one set top terminal comprises at least one class of set top terminals.

3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the object is pre-positioned on the storage medium by the distribution network.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising causing the object to be pre-positioned on the storage medium by sending a second signal back to the distribution network.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein at least a plurality of programming objects are to be downloaded, at least one of the programming objects being a data object that identifies at least one additional programming object that is to be subsequently downloaded.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 wherein the data object includes a url identifying a location at which the additional programming object is available.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the downloading signal includes an indicator indicating that the programming object is to be pre-positioned on the storage medium.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the identification of the object to be downloaded is selected from the group consisting of an object name and an object version.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the identification of the object to be downloaded includes an identification of a source from which the object is to be downloaded to the storage medium.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the identification of the object to be downloaded includes an identification of a transmission stream in which the object is to be downloaded to the storage medium.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the object is received directly from the storage medium over a connector selected from the group consisting of a personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) interface, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, an IEEE 1394 FireWire interface, a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) interface, an Advance Technology Attachment (ATA) interface, a serial ATA interface, an Integrated Device Electronic (IDE) interface, an Enhanced Integrated Device Electronic (EIDE) interface, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) interface, a PCI Express interface, and a serial or parallel interface.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the downloading signal triggers a search to locate the object on the storage medium.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the downloading signal triggers the activation of the object.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein at least a plurality of programming objects are to be downloaded and a first of the programming objects is unavailable on the storage medium and further comprising downloading the first programming object over the distribution network.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein activation of the object includes execution of a software platform, operating system or application.

16. At least one computer-readable medium encoded with instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs a method including:

pre-positioning at least one programming object on a storage medium, the programming object to be downloaded to a set top terminal; and

transmitting a signal over a distribution network notifying at least one client device that at least one programming object is to be downloaded thereto and identifying a location of the storage medium on which the object has been pre-positioned, wherein the location is selected such that the object can be downloaded to the set top terminal without being transferred over the distribution network.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein the storage medium is associated with a content delivery network.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein the storage medium and the client device are located on a common local area network.

19. A set top box, comprising:

an RF front-end for receiving programming content over a distribution communication network;

a processor operatively associated with the RF front-end;

a storage device operatively associated with the processor;

an interface for establishing communication with an external device; and

wherein, in response to a signal received from the distribution network over the RF front-front identifying at least one programming object to be downloaded thereto, the processor is configured to locate and receive the programming object from the external device through the interface.

20. The set top box of claim 19 further comprising executable code located on the storage device for facilitating operations performed by the processor and wherein the programming object includes an update to the executable code.

21. The set top terminal of claim 19 wherein the programming object is an application object.

22. The set top terminal of claim 19 wherein the programming object is compliant with the OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP).