System for prioritizing bi-directional broadcast data

• US 6,418,169 B1
• Filed: 08/06/1998
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Datari, Srinivasa Rao
• Primary Examiner(s): BRITTON, HOWARD W
• Application Number:
  US09/129,968
• Time in Patent Office: 1,433 Days
• Field of Search: 348/423.1, 375/240.28, 725/95, 725/131
• US Class Current: 375/240.28
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/764 at the destination reformatting of additional data in video clients H04N21/4355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4385 Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream decrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A video decoder system processes packetized data including header information, payload information and attributes associated with the content of the payload information. The decoder system identifies and compares the attributes of the received packetized data with attributes in a predetermined hierarchical priority profile for associating individual attributes with a desired data output priority. The priority profile may be provided by a remote service provider, or be entered locally by a user or be a default pre-set profile. The received packetized data is collated and output based on the attribute comparison and in accordance with the desired output priority.

Claims

1. In a video decoder system, a method for processing packetized data comprising header information and payload information and containing attributes associated with the content of said payload information, comprising the steps of:

receiving said packetized data;

identifying an attribute of said received packetized data;

comparing said identified attribute with an attribute in a predetermined hierarchical priority profile for associating individual attributes with a desired data output priority;

collating said received packetized data by desired output priority using said attribute comparison; and

outputting said collated packetized data with said desired output priority.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein

said attribute represents at least one of a) a data source identifier, b) a data destination identifier, c) a data type identifier, d) a data priority indicator, e) a data error indicator, f) an entitlement indicator, g) an Internet protocol indicator, h) an MPEG compatible indicator, and i) a packet identifier.

3. A method according to claim 1, including the step of

receiving hierarchical priority profile data provided via a data entry menu and a data entry device.

4. A method according to claim 1, including the step of

receiving hierarchical priority profile data from a service provider.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein

said service provider hierarchical priority profile data enables a service provider to control quality of service and structure billing accordingly.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein

said attribute represents at least one of a) a userid, b) a password, c) a data destination identifier, d) a data type identifier, e) a data priority indicator, and f) an entitlement indicator.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein

said predetermined hierarchical priority profile comprises pre-stored default priority information.

8. A method according to claim 1, including the step of

allocating storage priority in said video decoder in accordance with said hierarchical priority profile.

9. A method according to claim 1, including the step of

processing said output collated packetized data for transmission to a service provider.

10. A method according to claim 1, including the step of

processing said output collated packetized data for display on a reproduction device.

11. A method according to claim 1, including the step of

security decoding said predetermined hierarchical priority profile.

12. In a video processing system, a method for processing packetized data comprising header information and payload information and containing attributes associated with the content of said payload information, comprising the steps of:

receiving said packetized data;

receiving hierarchical priority profile data provided by at least one of,

a) user entry and

b) transmission from a service provider,

said hierarchical priority profile data associating individual attributes with a desired data output priority;

identifying an attribute of said received packetized data;

comparing said identified attribute with an attribute in said hierarchical priority profile;

collating said received packetized data by desired output priority using said attribute comparison; and

outputting said collated packetized data with said desired output priority.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein

said attribute represents at least one of a) a data source identifier, b) a data destination identifier, c) a data type identifier, d) a data priority indicator, e) a data error indicator, f) an entitlement indicator, g) an Internet protocol indicator, h) an MPEG compatible indicator, and i) a packet identifier.

14. A method according to claim 12, including the step of

processing said output collated packetized data for transmission on an output channel.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein

said hierarchical priority profile data prioritizes packet data associated with two or more functions from among a) Email, b) Internet web page browsing, c) Internet telephony, d) telephony, e) fax, f) broadcast video, g) videophone, h) broadcast radio, i) broadcast audio and j) home control.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein

said hierarchical priority profile data also prioritizes packet data of one of said functions a) to i) by at least one of A) a data source identifier, B) a data destination identifier, C) a data type identifier, D) a data priority indicator, and E) an entitlement indicator.

17. In a video processing system, a method for processing packetized data comprising header information and payload information and containing attributes associated with the content of said payload information, comprising the steps of:

receiving said packetized data;

receiving hierarchical priority profile data associating individual attributes with a desired data output priority for prioritizing data for output based on at least one of,

a) a function associated with said packetized data, and

b) a protocol characteristic of said packetized data;

identifying an attribute of said received packetized data;

comparing said identified attribute with an attribute in said hierarchical priority profile;

collating said received packetized data by desired output priority using said attribute comparison; and

outputting said collated packetized data with said desired output priority.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein

said function comprises one or more of a) Email, b) Internet web page browsing, c) Internet telephony, d) telephony, e) fax, f) broadcast video, g) videophone, h) broadcast radio, i) broadcast audio and j) home control.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein

said protocol characteristic comprises at least one of a) a data source identifier, b) a data destination identifier, and c) a data type identifier.