Method and system for delivering a synchronized stream of broadcast event data, live event data, and static event data over a hybrid fiber coax network

• US 6,421,358 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2000
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Comcast MO Group Incorporated (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MediaOne Group Inc. (Comcast Corporation), US West, Inc. (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Ken, Stimmel, Carol L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, MAN U
• Application Number:
  US09/662,963
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 370/489, 370/486, 370/487, 370/516, 370/347, 370/375, 370/458, 370/394, 348/6, 348/7, 348/10, 348/12, 348/13, 348/14, 348/15, 348/16, 348/17, 714/752, 714/776
• US Class Current: 370/489
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0638 Clock or time synchronisation among nodes; Internode synchronisation synchronization for ring networks H04L12/422; data switching networks with synchronous transmission H04L12/43
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234318 by decomposing into objects, e.g. MPEG-4 objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• 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 21/488 Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/16 Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems

Abstract

A system and associated method for delivering a data stream to an audience member a communications device associated with an audience member. A hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network is connected to the communications device for communicating data with the audience member. A synchronization processor receives broadcast event data of event objects of an event, live event data of event objects of the event, and static event data of event objects of the event. The synchronization processor generates a synchronized data stream having broadcast, live, and static event data for an event object of the event. The synchronization processor transmits the synchronized data stream to the communications device for access by the audience member via the HFC network. The synchronization processor processes the broadcast event data to determine an event object being broadcasted. The synchronization processor selects the live event data and the statice event data corresponding to the determined event object. The synchronization processor generates the synchronized data stream by combining the broadcast event data of the determined event object with the selected live event and statice event data.

Claims

1. A system for delivering a data stream to an audience member, the system comprising:

a communications device associated with an audience member;

a hybrid fiber coax network connected to the communications device for communicating data with the. audience member; and

a synchronization processor for receiving broadcast event data of event objects of an event, live event data of event objects of the event, and static event data of event objects of the event, wherein the synchronization processor processes the broadcast event data to determine an event object being broadcasted, wherein the synchronization processor selects the live event data corresponding to the determined event object and selects the static event data corresponding to the determined event object, wherein the synchronization processor generates a synchronized event data stream having broadcast event data, live event data, and static event data for the determined event object by combining the broadcast event data of the determined event object with the selected live event data and the selected static event data, wherein the synchronization processor transmits the synchronized event data stream to the communications device for access by the audience member via the hybrid fiber coax network.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the static event data is data that is collected prior to the event, wherein the synchronization processor includes a static event database for storing the static event data.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a broadcast event data feed for supplying the broadcast event data to the synchronization processor.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a live event data feed for supplying the live event data to the synchronization processor.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the communications device and the hybrid fiber coax network are operable with one another to enable the audience member to select the live event data for the synchronized event data stream transmitted to the audience member.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the communications device and the hybrid fiber coax network are operable with one another to enable the audience member to select the static event data for the synchronized event data stream transmitted to the audience member.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the communications device and the hybrid fiber coax network are operable with one another to enable the audience member to select the live event data and the static event data for the synchronized event data stream transmitted to the audience member.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an Internet, wherein the synchronization processor generates a data stream having live event data for an event object of the event and then transmits the data stream to the Internet for access by Internet users.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the broadcast event data includes video data of event objects of the event.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the broadcast event data includes audio data of event objects of the event.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the live event data includes real time data of event objects of the event.

12. A system for generating a data stream for transmission to an audience member, the system comprising:

a synchronization processor for receiving broadcast event data of event objects of an event, live event data of event objects of the event, and static event data of event objects of the event, wherein the synchronization processor processes the broadcast event data to determine an event object being broadcasted, wherein the synchronization processor selects the live event data corresponding to the determined event object and selects the static event data corresponding to the determined event object, wherein the synchronization processor generates a synchronized event data stream having broadcast event data, live event data, and static event data for determined event object by combining the broadcast event data of the determined event object with the selected live event data and the selected static event data.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein:

the static event data is data that is collected prior to the event, wherein the synchronization processor includes a static event database for storing the static event data.

14. A method for delivering a data stream to an audience member, the method comprising:

associating a communications device with an audience member;

connecting a hybrid fiber coax network to the communications device for communicating data with the audience member; and

receiving broadcast event data of event objects of an event, live event data of event objects of the event, and static event data of event objects of the event;

processing the broadcast event data to determine an event object of the event being broadcasted;

selecting the live event data corresponding to the determined event object;

selecting the static event data corresponding to the determined event object;

generating a synchronized event data stream having broadcast event data, live event data, and static event data for the determined event object by combining the broadcast event data of the determined event object with the selected live event data and the selected static event data; and

transmitting the synchronized event data stream to the communications device for access by the audience member via the hybrid fiber coax network.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein:

the static event data is data that is collected prior to the event.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

selecting the live event data for the synchronized event data stream transmitted to the audience member by using the communications device and the hybrid fiber coax network.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

selecting the static event data for the synchronized event data stream transmitted to the audience member by using the communications device and the hybrid fiber coax network.