Downloading applications software through a broadcast channel

• US 5,978,855 A
• Filed: 11/28/1997
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Erdely, Laszlo Jr., deSa, Colin Joseph, Metz, Erik Christopher, Darr, John W. Jr., Zimmerman, Paul Andrew Jr., Hudson, Henry G. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ellis B.
• Application Number:
  US08/980,235
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 709/249, 348/7, 348/8, 348/9, 348/10, 348/12, 348/13, 455/4.1, 455/5.1, 455/6.1, 379/90.1, 379/102.3
• US Class Current: 709/249
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4401 Bootstrapping security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5616 Terminal equipment, e.g. codecs, synch.
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/563 Signalling, e.g. protocols, reference model
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5642 Multicast/broadcast/point-multipoint, e.g. VOD
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5653 using the ATM adaptation layer [AAL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5658 using the AAL5
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/567 Frame Relay over ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23614 Multiplexing of additional data and video streams arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28
• 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 21/2381 Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• 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 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/434 Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream demultiplexing of data packets for data networks, e.g. RTP/UDP H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4348 Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams
• 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 21/4383 : Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 : OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4431 : characterized by the use of Application Program Interface [API] libraries
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4516 : involving client characteristics, e.g. Set-Top-Box type, software version or amount of memory available
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• 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 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64307 : ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• 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 21/818 : OS software
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 : Provisions for broadband connections

Abstract

Set-top terminals utilized in broadband broadcast networks are becoming increasingly intelligent (programmable). However, transmitting executable code, data and interactive audio/video materials through a selectively dedicated link requires an extensive, broadband point-to-point broadband network, which is prohibitively expensive to implement for large numbers of customers. The present invention provides for downloading application software and transmitting audio/video information through one channel of a digital broadcast network. The network also provides two-way, low-speed data communications capacity, e.g. for signaling and/or interactive text services. Signaling via data communication with a text server controls downloading of executable code from the digital broadcast channel into a programmable digital set-top terminal. Execution of the downloaded code in turn controls selective capture and presentation of audio and video segments received over one of the digital broadcast channels. Resident operating system and application software in the terminal provides all communication with nodes of the network. The downloaded code forms a non-resident application having a set of predetermined function calls for activating communication functions of the resident software.

Claims

1. A memory system for a digital set-top terminal device comprising:

(b) a protected memory storing an operating system and a resident application for controlling operation of the digital set-top terminal to provide a first user interface functionality; and

(c) a random access memory for receiving and storing a non-resident application for controlling operation of the digital set-top terminal to provide a second user interface functionality;

wherein;

the operating system and the resident application are for controlling all communications of the digital set-top terminal with elements of any communication network coupled to the digital set-top terminal, and

the resident application provides a software interface for any non-resident application that may be stored in the random access memory, said software interface providing a set of predetermined function calls to facilitate communication with elements of the communication network during selective execution of a non-resident application by the digital set-top terminal.

2. A memory system as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined function calls include a channel change function call.

3. A memory system as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined function calls include a function call for establishment of a two-way low-speed data communication.

4. A memory system as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined function calls include a function call for communication of a user input.

5. A storage medium readable by a computer, said medium storing application software for controlling a digital set-top terminal, wherein said application software comprises:

executable code for controlling operations of the digital set-top terminal in response to user inputs to provide a predetermined user interface functionality; and

a plurality of function calls for calling predetermined network communications functions of an application resident in the digital set-top terminal, wherein the plurality of functions calls comprise;

(a) a channel change function call, and

(b) a function call for establishment of a two-way low-speed data communication.

6. A storage medium as recited in claim 5, wherein the predetermined function calls further comprise a function call for communication of a user input.

7. A storage medium as recited in claim 5, wherein the storage medium comprises a memory in the digital set-top terminal.

8. A storage medium as recited in claim 7, wherein the memory comprises a random access memory.

9. A method comprising:

broadcasting packets containing digital, compressed data for a plurality of sequences of video frames, a plurality of the packets including time stamp values;

selectively capturing packets and presenting a selected one of the plurality of sequences of video frames within a predetermined range of the time stamp values.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the predetermined sequence of video frames relates to a single still image.

11. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the predetermined sequence of video frames relates to a full-motion video segment of a predetermined length.