Method for configuring cable television converter terminal using multiple channels and arrangement therefor

• US 6,425,133 B1
• Filed: 10/01/1998
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Leary, Patrick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, Chris
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, NGOC K
• Application Number:
  US09/164,577
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 348/6, 348/10, 348/12, 455/3.1, 455/5.2, 725/95, 725/100, 725/104, 725/131-2, 725/151, 725/152, 725/126
• US Class Current: 725/132
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2358 for generating different versions, e.g. for different recipient devices
• 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 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• 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 21/6543 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 7/165 Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309

Abstract

A converter terminal is configured, for example, to receive and descramble premium cable television channels or to receive data services over the cable network. The converter terminal is configured by transmitting an abbreviated set of configuration data on an out-of-band control channel. This abbreviated set of configuration information includes an instruction to tune the terminal to a higher-bandwidth in-band data channel, which is used to transmit the remainder of the configuration data. With a substantial amount of the configuration information transmitted using a faster connection, configuration can be achieved in less time. In addition, the larger bandwidth facilitates the transmission of multiple sets of configuration information corresponding to different models of cable television converter terminals.

Claims

1. A method for configuring at least one converter terminal on a network, said method comprising:

transmitting first configuration data over an out-of-band channel, said first configuration data having a first command executable by said converter terminal; and

transmitting second configuration data using an in-band channel, said second configuration data having a second command executable by said converter terminal,

said in-band channel having a bandwidth higher than a bandwidth of said out-of-band channel,

wherein said converter terminal is tuned to at least one of an in-band channel different from said in-band channel and an out-of-band channel different from said out-of-band channel to receive additional configuration data.

2. A method, according to claim 1, further comprising:

tuning said converter terminal to said in-band channel.

3. A method, according to claim 2, wherein said first command directs said converter terminal to tune to said in-band channel.

4. A method, according to claim 1, wherein said network is a cable television network.

5. A method, according to claim 1, wherein said first and second configuration data configure said converter terminal to receive data services over said network.

6. A method, according to claim 1, wherein said first configuration data includes at least one designator, said at least one designator identifying a subset of said second configuration data to be processed by said converter terminal.

7. A method, according to claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting said second configuration data comprises transmitting a plurality of subsets of configuration data as said second configuration data.

8. A method, according to claim 1, further comprising:

using said out-of-band channel to transmit a first set of configuration data including at least one first designator identified with said converter terminal; and

processing a subset of configuration information, subset of configuration information being identified with a second designator that corresponds to said first designator identified with said converter terminal.

9. A method, according to claim 1, wherein the first configuration data includes at least one additional command to be executed by the converter terminal.

10. A method, according to claim 1, wherein said first and second configuration data configure said converter terminal to receive television signals over said network.

11. A configuration arrangement for configuring at least one converter terminal on a network, said arrangement comprising:

a transmitter, said transmitter transmitting a first set of configuration data over an out-of-band channel and a second set of configuration data over an in-band channel, said first set of configuration data having a first command executable by said converter terminal; and

said converter terminal receiving said first set of configuration data from said out-of-band channel and said second set of configuration data from said in-band channel,

said in-band channel having a bandwidth higher than a bandwidth of said out-of-band channel,

wherein said converter terminal receives additional configuration data by tuning said converter terminal to one of a different in-band channel and a different out-of-band channel.

12. A configuration arrangement, according to claim 11, wherein said first command directs said converter terminal to tune to said in-band channel.

13. A configuration arrangement, according to claim 11, wherein said network is a cable television network.

14. A configuration arrangement, according to claim 11, wherein said first and second sets of configuration data configure said converter terminal to receive television signals over said network.

15. A configuration arrangement, according to claim 11, wherein said first and second sets of configuration data configure said converter terminal to receive data services over said network.

16. A configuration arrangement, according to claim 11, wherein said first set of configuration data includes at least one designator, said at least one designator identifying a subset of said second set of configuration data to be processed by said converter terminal.