System and method for interactive distribution of selectable presentations

• US 7,536,705 B1
• Filed: 02/22/1999
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications Management LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TVWorks LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Boucher, Antoine, Lodberg, Allan Erik, Fischer, James Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Lonsberry; Hunter B.
• Application Number:
  US09/255,052
• Time in Patent Office: 3,739 Days
• Field of Search: 725112-114, 725109-110, 725/136, 725/51
• US Class Current: 725/112
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1836 with heterogeneous network architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/1739 the upstream communication being transmitted via a separate link, e.g. telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• 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 21/2668 Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• 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 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6187 involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6408 Unicasting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8106 involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8153 comprising still images, e.g. texture, background image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A data storage, multiplexing, and distribution method is provided for use in a digital data distribution system. The system provides simultaneous transmission of a plurality of uniquely identified, independent data streams within an assigned channel bandwidth of local, metropolitan and wide area distribution media. The independent data streams can include presentations specifically requested by the receiving user. Upon request from some number of users from their premises, the system assembles a combination of optional image elements such as motion and still frame video, background and descriptive audio, text and graphical overlays into presentation data streams appropriate to the user requests. Individual data streams are multiplexed within a higher bandwidth data stream for simultaneous delivery within the bandwidth assigned for this data transmission. The techniques unique to the system, in regard to storage, timing and synchronization, can be implemented using techniques described within the MPEG profile.

Claims

1. A method for interactive distribution of selectable presentations from a presentation server to an addressable processing equipment at a user location, said selectable presentations each comprising multiple data objects, including at least one constant data rate data object, at least one variable data rate data object, at least one control object, and at least one timing information object, said method comprising:

in response to a request from said addressable processing equipment for a presentation, selecting and retrieving said presentation from a database of stored selectable presentations;

multiplexing said multiple data objects into a presentation data stream by placing said data objects in a frame;

multiplexing said presentation data stream with presentations requested by other users into a single MPEG digital video transport stream; and

transmitting said single MPEG digital video transport stream to said addressable processing equipment with an address message indicating a location of said requested presentation in said single MPEG digital transport stream;

wherein said placing of said data objects into a frame comprises;

inserting said control data objects into said frame;

subsequently inserting timing information objects into said frame;

subsequently inserting said constant data rate objects into said frame; and

subsequently inserting said variable data rate objects into said frame.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said stored selectable presentations are converted to MPEG digital video format and stored in a presentation database memory.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said selected presentation in MPEG digital video format is an MPEG I-frame forming a still image.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said selected presentation in MPEG digital video format is an MPEG P-frame forming a data overlay.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of multiplexing said presentation data stream into a single MPEG digital video transport stream with presentations requested by other users includes assigning a packet identification (PID), a program association table (PAT), a program map table (PMT), and a program clock reference (PCR) to said retrieved presentation, wherein one program clock reference (PCR) is used for multiple PIDS.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said multiplexing of said multiple data objects into a presentation data stream comprises multiplexing said data objects into said presentation data stream such that said constant data rate data objects are transmitted at a constant data rate in said presentation data stream.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said constant data rate data objects comprise audio data.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said multiplexing of said multiple data objects into a presentation data stream comprises multiplexing said variable data rate objects into said presentation data stream such that said variable data rate data objects are transmitted at a variable data rate.

6. A system for interactive distribution of selectable presentations, said selectable presentations each comprising multiple data objects, including at least one constant data rate data object, at least one variable data rate data object, at least one control object, and at least one timing information object, said system comprising:

addressable processing equipment at a user location, said addressable processing equipment configured to transmit a request for a presentation;

a presentation preparation server operably connected to said addressable processing equipment configured to;

receive said request from said addressable processing equipment for a presentation and select and retrieve said presentation from a database of stored selectable presentations;

multiplex said multiple data objects into a presentation data stream by placing said data objects in at least one frame;

multiplex said presentation data stream with presentations requested by other users into a single MPEG digital video transport stream; and

transmit said single-MPEG digital video transport stream to said addressable processing equipment with an address message indicating a location of said requested presentation in said single MPEG digital transport stream.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said stored selectable presentations are converted to MPEG digital video format and stored in a presentation database memory.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said selected presentation in MPEG digital video format is an MPEG I-frame forming a still image.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said selected presentation in MPEG digital video format is an MPEG P-frame forming a data overlay.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said selected presentation in MPEG digital video format is a group of pictures sequence including at least one MPEG I-frame and one or more MPEG P-frames forming a video sequence.

14. The system of claim 6 wherein said multiplexing of said multiple data objects into a presentation data stream comprises multiplexing said data objects into said presentation data stream such that said constant data rate data objects are transmitted at a constant data rate in said presentation data stream.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said constant data rate data objects comprise MPEG audio data.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said multiplexing of said multiple data objects into a presentation data stream comprises multiplexing said variable data rate objects into said presentation data stream such that said variable data rate data objects are transmitted at a variable data rate.

17. The system of claim 6 wherein said placing of said data objects into a frame comprises inserting said data objects into said frame hierarchically in the following order:

control data objects;

timing information objects;

data rate objects; and

data rate objects.