Apparatus and method for web-casting over digital broadcast TV network

• US 6,459,427 B1
• Filed: 04/01/1998
• Issued: 10/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications Management LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Liberate Technologies
• Inventors: Chen, David, Mao, Weidong
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Application Number:
  US09/053,562
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• Field of Search: 345/327, 345/328, 209/217-219, 455/3.1, 455/4.2, 348/6, 348/7, 348/10, 348/12, 348/13, 348/552, 348/473
• US Class Current: 725/109
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234336 by media transcoding, e.g. video is transformed into a slideshow of still pictures or audio is converted into text
• 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 21/2365 Multiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• 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 21/4622 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 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/858 Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• 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 one-way broadcasting system comprises a headend system architecture adapted to receive data from the Internet and transmit the data through a digital TV network to receivers, a mapping function for mapping the Internet data to MPEG streams, a combining function for combining the Internet data streams with digital video streams, a broadcast function for broadcasting Web content to users throughout the one way network; a linking function for linking the Internet data with digital video channels; and a navigation function for navigating broadcast data in the one way network.

Claims

1. In a one-way digital television broadcast system having a plurality of digital video channels, a simulcast method for substantially simultaneous delivery of digital data from Internet Web sites associated with respective ones of said digital video channels, said one-way digital television broadcast system including a headend transmitter, a digital broadcast network and a digital settop box coupled to said digital broadcast network, said simulcast method comprising:

receiving one of said plurality of digital video channels;

receiving said digital data in a standard World Wide Web page format over the Internet, said digital data being derived from a Web site associated with the digital video program being broadcast on said one of said plurality of digital video channels;

dividing said digital data in said standard World Wide Web page data format into a plurality of digital data packets while preserving said standard World Wide Web page data format;

mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the MPEG data packets of an MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels;

transmitting said MPEG data stream on said digital broadcast network;

receiving said MPEG data stream at said digital settop box from said digital broadcast network;

receiving said MPEG data packets at said digital settop box from said MPEG data stream containing said plurality of digital data packets to form said digital data in said standard World Wide Web page data format; and

displaying said digital data at said digital settop box in conjunction with said one of said plurality of digital video channels,

whereby said one-way digital television broadcasting system permits digital data in standard World Wide Web page data format from an Internet Web site associated with the digital video program being broadcasted on said one of said plurality of digital video channels to be transmitted by said MPEG data stream over said digital broadcast network to a digital settop box substantially simultaneously with said one of said plurality of digital video channels.

2. A system method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said standard World Wide Web page data format is HTML.

3. A system method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the MPEG data packets of an MPEG data stream comprises mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the private data section of said MPEG data stream.

4. A system method in accordance with claim 3, wherein said step of transmitting said MPEG data stream on said digital broadcast network includes the step of transmitting a continuous data carousel of said plurality of digital data packets in said private data section of said MPEG data stream.

5. A system method in accordance with claim 4, further comprising:

generating a first control map at said headend transmitter;

mapping said first control map to said MPEG data packets of said MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels;

receiving said first control map at said digital settop box; and

using said first control map to link said World Wide Web page data to said plurality of digital video channels.

6. A system method in accordance with claim 5, further comprising:

generating a second control map at said headend transmitter;

mapping said second control map to said MPEG data packets of said MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels;

receiving said second control map at said digital settop box; and

;

using said second control map to navigate between individual HTML pages of said World Wide Web page data.

7. In a one-way digital television broadcast system having a plurality of digital video channels, a broadcast method for substantially simultaneous delivery of digital data from Internet Web sites associated with respective ones of said digital video channels, said one-way digital television broadcast system including a headend transmitter, a digital broadcast network and a digital settop box coupled to said digital broadcast network, said broadcast method comprising:

receiving one of said plurality of digital video channels;

receiving said digital data in a standard World Wide Web page data format over the Internet, said digital data being derived from a Web site associated with the digital video program being broadcasted on said one of said plurality of digital video channels;

dividing said digital data is said standard World Wide Web page data format into a plurality of digital data packets while preserving said standard World Wide Web page data format;

mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the MPEG data packets of an MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels; and

transmitting said MPEG data stream on said digital broadcast network.

8. A broadcast method in accordance with claim 7, wherein said standard World Wide Web page data format is HTML.

9. A broadcast method in accordance with claim 7, wherein said step of mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the MPEG data packets of an MPEG data stream comprises mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the private data section of said MPEG data stream.

10. A broadcast method in accordance with claim 9, wherein said step of transmitting said MPEG data stream on said digital broadcast network includes the step of transmitting a continuous data carousel of said plurality of digital data packets in said private data section of said MPEG data stream.

11. A broadcast method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising:

generating a first control map at said headend transmitter; and

mapping said first control map to said MPEG data packets of said MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels, wherein said first control map links said World Wide Web page data to said plurality of digital video channels.

12. A broadcast method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising:

generating a second control map at said headend transmitter;

mapping said second control map to said MPEG data packets of said MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels, wherein said second control map provides information to navigate between individual HTML pages of said World Wide Web page data.

13. A settop box method for use in a one-way digital television broadcast system having a plurality of digital video channels, said one-way digital television broadcast system including a headend transmitter, a digital broadcast network and a digital settop box coupled to said digital broadcast network, said digital data being received at said headend transmitter in a standard World Wide Web page format from the Internet, said digital data being derived from a Web site associated with the digital video program being broadcasted on said one of said plurality of digital video channels, wherein said digital data in said standard World Wide Web page data format is divided into a plurality of digital data packets while preserving said standard World Wide Web page format, and wherein said plurality of digital data packets is mapped to the MPEG data packets of an MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels transmitted on said digital broadcast network;

said settop box method comprising;

receiving said MPEG data stream at said digital settop box from said digital broadcast network;

receiving said MPEG data packets at said digital settop box from said MPEG data stream containing said plurality of digital data packets to form said digital data in said standard World Wide Web page format; and

;

displaying said digital data at said digital settop box in conjunction with said one of said plurality of digital video channels,

whereby said receiver provides substantially simultaneous display of digital data from Internet Web sites associated with respective ones of said digital video channels.

14. A settop box method in accordance with claim 13, wherein said standard World Wide Web page data format is HTML.

15. A settop box method in accordance with claim 13, wherein said step of mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the private data section of said MPEG data stream.

16. A settop box method in accordance with claim 15, wherein said headend transmitter generates a first control map and maps said first control map to said MPEG data packets of said MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels, said settop box method further comprising:

receiving said first control map at said digital settop box; and

;

using said first control map to link said World Wide Web page data to said plurality of digital video channels.

17. A settop box method in accordance with claim 16, wherein said headend transmitter generates a second control map and maps said second control map to said MPEG data packets of said MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels, said settop box method further comprising:

receiving said second control map at said digital settop box; and

;

using said second control map to navigate between individual HTML pages of said World Wide Web page data.

18. In a one-way digital television broadcast system having a plurality of digital video channels, a simulcast apparatus for substantially simultaneous delivery of digital data from Internet Web sites associated with respective ones of said digital video channels, said one-way digital television broadcast system including a headend transmitter, a digital broadcast network and a digital settop box coupled to said digital broadcast network, said simulcast apparatus comprising:

means for receiving one of said plurality of digital video channels;

means for receiving said digital data in a standard World Wide Web page data format over the Internet, said digital data being derived from a Web site associated with the digital video program being broadcasted on said one of said plurality of digital video channels;

means for dividing said digital data in said standard World Wide Web page data format into a plurality of digital data packets while preserving said standard World Wide Web page data format;

means for mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the MPEG data packets of an MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels;

means for transmitting said MPEG data stream on said digital broadcast network;

means for receiving said MPEG data stream at said digital settop box from said digital broadcast network;

means for receiving said MPEG data packets at said digital settop box from said MPEG data stream containing said plurality of digital data packets to form said digital data in said standard World Wide Web page data format; and

means for displaying said digital data at said digital settop box in conjunction with said one of said plurality of digital video channels,

whereby said one-way digital television broadcasting system permits digital data in standard World Wide Web page data format from an Internet Web site associated with the digital video program being broadcasted on said one of said plurality of digital video channels to be transmitted by said MPEG data stream over said digital broadcast network to a digital settop box substantially simultaneously with said one of said plurality of digital video channels.

19. A system apparatus in accordance with claim 18, wherein said standard World Wide Web page data format is HTML.

20. A system apparatus in accordance with claim 18, wherein said means for mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the MPEG data packets of an MPEG data stream comprises means for mapping said plurality of digital data packages to the private data section of said MPEG data stream.

21. A system apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein said means for transmitting said MPEG data stream on said digital broadcast network includes the means for transmitting a continuous data carousel of said plurality of digital data packets in said private data section of said MPEG data stream.

22. A system apparatus in accordance with claim 21, further comprising:

means for generating a first control map at said headend transmitter;

means for mapping said first control map to said MPEG data packets of said MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels;

means for receiving said first control map at said digital settop box; and

;

means for using said first control map to link said World Wide Web page data to said plurality of digital video channels.

23. A system apparatus in accordance with claim 22, further comprising:

means for generating a second control map at said headend transmitter;

means for mapping said second control map to said MPEG data packets of said MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels;

means for receiving said second control map at said digital settop box; and

;

means for using said second control map to navigate between individual HTML pages of said World Wide Web page data.

24. In a one-way digital television broadcast system having a plurality of digital video channels, a broadcast apparatus for substantially simultaneous delivery of digital data from Internet Web sites associated with respective ones of said digital video channels, said one-way digital television broadcast system including a headend transmitter, a digital broadcast network and a digital settop box coupled to said digital broadcast network, said broadcast apparatus comprising:

means for receiving one of said plurality of digital video channels;

means for receiving said digital data in a standard World Wide Web page data format over the Internet, said digital data being derived from a Web site associated with the digital video program being broadcasted on said one of said plurality of digital video channels;

means for dividing said digital data in said standard World Wide Web page data format into a plurality of digital data packets while preserving said standard World Wide Web page data format;

means for mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the MPEG data packets of an MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels; and

means for transmitting said MPEG data stream on said digital broadcast network.

25. A broadcast apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein said standard World Wide Web page data format is HTML.

26. A broadcast apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein said means for mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the MPEG data packets of an MPEG data stream comprises means for mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the private data section of said MPEG data stream.

27. A broadcast apparatus in accordance with claim 26, wherein said means for transmitting said MPEG data stream on said digital broadcast network includes the means for transmitting a continuous data carousel of said plurality of digital data packets in said private data section of said MPEG data stream.

28. A broadcast apparatus in accordance with claim 27, further comprising:

means for generating a first control map at said headend transmitter; and

means for mapping said first control map to said MPEG data packets of said MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels, wherein said first control map links said World Wide Web page data to said plurality of digital video channels.

29. A broadcast apparatus in accordance with claim 28, further comprising:

means for generating a second control map at said headend transmitter;

means for mapping said second control map to said MPEG data packets of said MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels, wherein said second control map provides information to navigate between individual HTML pages of said World Wide Web page data.

30. A settop box apparatus for use in a one-way digital television broadcast system having a plurality of digital video channels, said one-way digital television broadcast system including a headend transmitter, a digital broadcast network and a digital settop box coupled to said digital broadcast network, said digital data being received at said headend transmitter in a standard World Wide Web page format from the Internet, said digital data being derived from a Web site associated with the digital video program being broadcasted on said one of said plurality of digital video channels, wherein said digital data in said standard World Wide Web page data format is divided into a plurality of digital data packets while preserving said standard World Wide Web page format, and wherein said plurality of digital data packets is mapped to the MPEG data packets of an MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels transmitted on said digital broadcast network;

said receiver apparatus comprising;

means for receiving said MPEG data stream at said digital settop box from said digital broadcast network;

means for receiving said MPEG data packets at said digital settop box from said MPEG data stream containing said plurality of digital data packets to form said digital data in said standard World Wide Web page data format; and

means for displaying said digital data at said digital settop box in conjunction with said one of said plurality of digital video channels,

whereby said receiver provides substantially simultaneous display of digital data from Internet Web sites associated with respective ones of said digital video channels.

31. A receiver apparatus in accordance with claim 30, wherein said standard World Wide Web page data format is HTML.

32. A receiver apparatus in accordance with claim 30, wherein said means for mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the MPEG data packets of an MPEG data stream comprises means for mapping said plurality of digital data packets to the private data section of said MPEG data stream.

33. A receiver apparatus in accordance with claim 32, wherein said headend transmitter generates a first control map and maps said first control map to said MPEG data packets of said MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels, said receiver apparatus further comprising:

means for receiving said first control map at said digital settop box; and

;

means for using said first control map to link said World Wide Web page data to said plurality of digital video channels.

34. A receiver apparatus in accordance with claim 33, wherein said headend transmitter generates a second control map and maps said second control map to said MPEG data packets of said MPEG data stream comprising said plurality of digital video channels, said receiver apparatus further comprising:

means for receiving said second control map at said digital settop box; and

;

means for using said second control map to navigate between individual HTML pages of said World Wide Web page data.