System for processing programs and program content rating information derived from multiple broadcast sources

• US 6,529,526 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1998
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Schneidewend, Daniel Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): Duong, Frank
• Application Number:
  US09/191,056
• Time in Patent Office: 1,573 Days
• Field of Search: 370/485, 370/486, 370/487, 375/240.01, 375/240.36, 348/465, 348/468, 348/473, 380/240, 380/241
• US Class Current: 370/486
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2353 specifically adapted to content descriptors, e.g. coding, compressing or processing of metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2362 Generation or processing of Service Information [SI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4305 Synchronising client clock from received content stream, e.g. locking decoder clock with encoder clock, extraction of the PCR packets arrangements for synchronising receiver with transmitter by comparing receiver clock with transmitter clock H04L7/0012; arrangements for synchronising receiver with transmitter wherein the receiver takes measures against momentary loss of synchronisation H04L7/0083
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/4622 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 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8133 specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8352 involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0887 : for the transmission of programme or channel identifying signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8063 : using time division multiplex of the PCM audio and PCM video signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8227 : the additional signal being at least another television signal

Abstract

A system processes packetized program information, from different broadcast sources, containing programs and program specific information including associated content rating data. A program specific parameter of a desired program is selected based on its source from equivalent parameters from alternative broadcast sources. The desired program is processed for display, recording or playback using the selected program specific parameter. The selected program specific parameter may comprise a content rating that is mapped to a different program content rating system and used in multi-level validation of authorization to access the desired program.

Claims

1. A method for processing a program using program specific parameters selected from alternative broadcast sources suitable for use in a video decoder receiving packetized program information from different broadcast sources, said packetized program information from an individual broadcast source containing program content and program specific information including program content rating data, comprising the steps of:

selecting a desired program;

from a first broadcast source,

receiving packetized program information containing a program specific parameter of said desired program;

from a second broadcast source,

receiving packetized program information containing a program specific parameter of said desired program, said program specific parameter from said second broadcast source having a function equivalent to a function of said program specific parameter from said first broadcast source;

selecting one of said received program specific information parameters based on source; and

processing said desired program using said selected program specific parameter.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein

said first broadcast source comprises at least one of, a) a source other than packetized program information received from a broadcast source providing said desired program, and b) a composite program guide containing information from different broadcast sources, and

said second broadcast source comprises packetized program information received from a broadcast source providing said desired program.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein

said selected program specific information parameter of said desired program comprises a program content rating, and

said processing step comprises

displaying said selected program content rating.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein

said program specific parameter of said desired program comprises at least one of, a) a program content rating, b) caption information, and c) text descriptive information.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of processing said desired program comprises at least one of,

a) program recording, b) program playback and c) program selection and display.

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

scheduling said processing of said desired program.

7. A method for processing a program using program specific parameters selected from alternative broadcast sources suitable for use in a video decoder receiving packetized program information from different broadcast sources, said packetized program information from an individual broadcast source containing program content and program specific information including program content rating data, comprising the steps of:

selecting a desired program;

from a first broadcast source,

receiving packetized program information containing a program specific parameter of said desired program;

from a second broadcast source,

receiving packetized program information containing a program specific parameter of said desired program, said program specific parameter from said second broadcast source having a function equivalent to a function of said program specific parameter from said first broadcast source;

selecting one of said program specific information parameters based on source; and

processing said desired program using said specific parameter, wherein said program specific information parameters of said desired Program from said first and second broadcast sources each comprises a program content rating, and including the step of mapping said content rating from said first broadcast source to be a content rating compatible with a program content rating system of said second broadcast source.

8. A method for processing a program using program specific parameters selected from alternative broadcast sources suitable for use in a video decoder receiving packetized program information from different broadcast sources, said packetized program information from an individual broadcast source containing program content and program specific information including program content rating data, comprising the steps of:

selecting a desired program;

from a first broadcast source,

receiving packetized program information containing a program specific parameter of said desired program;

from a second broadcast source,

receiving packetized program information containing a program specific parameter of said desired program, said program specific parameter from said second broadcast source having a function equivalent to a function of said program specific parameter from said first broadcast source;

selecting one of said received program specific information parameters based on source; and

processing said desired program using said selected program specific parameter wherein said program specific information parameters of said desired program from said first and second broadcast sources each comprised a program content rating, and including the step of mapping said content rating from said first broadcast source and mapping said content rating from said second broadcast source to be content ratings compatible with another program content rating system.

9. A method for processing a program using program specific parameters selected from alternative broadcast sources suitable for use in a video decoder receiving packetized program information from different broadcast sources, said packetized program information from an individual broadcast source containing program content and program specific information including program content rating data, comprising the steps of:

selecting a desired program;

from a first broadcast source,

receiving packetized program information containing a program specific parameter of said desired program;

from a second broadcast source,

receiving packetized program information containing a program specific parameter of said desired program, said program specific parameter from said second broadcast source having a function equivalent to a function of said program specific parameter from said first broadcast source;

selecting one of said received program specific information parameters based on source; and

processing said desired program using said selected program specific parameter wherein in said step of selecting said program specific parameter, said parameter is dynamically selected based on source and parameter type.