Digital subscriber television networks with local physical storage devices and virtual storage

• US 7,657,916 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2001
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tech 5 SAS
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jerding, Dean F., Rodriguez, Arturo A.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHELEHEDA, JAMES R
• Application Number:
  US09/918,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20020059623A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,109 Days
• Field of Search: 725/115, 725/134, 725/54
• US Class Current: 725/115
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/218 Source of audio or video content , e.g. local disk arrays details of retrieval in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23805 Controlling the feeding rate to the network, e.g. by controlling the video pump
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/254 Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server arrangements for maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00; network services using third party service providers H04L67/53
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• 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 21/8166 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 21/8173 End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• 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 21/8453 by locking or enabling a set of features, e.g. optional functionalities in an executable program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A dual mode file system in a subscriber network television system, comprising a memory with logic, and a processor configured with the logic to use remote data to support the processor until the logic detects that local data is available.

Claims

1. A digital home communication terminal (DHCT) comprising:

a memory that stores executable instruction sequences; and

a processor that executes the stored executable instruction sequences, the stored executable instruction sequences including;

an electronic programming guide (EPG) application that provides user access to EPG information, the EPG application configured to generate for display an EPG comprising a grid of broadcast media content instance titles and a scheduled broadcast start time for each of the media content instance titles, the EPG application further configured to provide a base service comprising the media content instance titles corresponding to a first period and each respective scheduled broadcast start time, the EPG application further configured to provide an extended service that provides additional information in the EPG, the extended service dormant until activated in direct response to detection of a connected local storage device, the EPG information comprising the base service and the extended service;

a dual mode file system that provides a common interface to both the local storage device and a remotely located storage device;

wherein the EPG application further includes;

instructions that are capable of determining whether a local storage device is physically connected and not physically connected to the DHCT;

instructions that use the dual mode file system to retrieve the EPG information from the remotely located storage device in cooperation with a carousel-type server and store the EPG information in the memory, responsive to determining that the local storage device is not physically connected to the DHCT; and

instructions that use the dual mode file system to retrieve the EPG information from the remotely located storage device in cooperation with the carousel-type server and store the EPG information in the local storage device, responsive to determining that the local storage device is physically connected to the DHCT.

2. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the instructions that are capable of determining to detect when the local storage device is operable.

3. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the instructions that are capable of determining to detect when the local storage device is inoperable.

4. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the instructions that are capable of determining to provide feedback to a user when the local storage device is available.

5. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the executable instruction sequences is configured to cause playback of the remote data from the memory to a screen display.

6. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to substantially simultaneously transfer the stored EPG information to the local storage device while receiving additional remote data EPG information from the remotely located storage device to the memory.

7. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the executable instruction sequences is configured to support the processor with the EPG information from the local storage device by receiving the EPG information into the memory, wherein the executable instruction sequences is further configured to cause playback from the memory to a screen display.

8. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the executable instruction sequences is configured to support the processor with the EPG information from the local storage device by streaming the EPG information from the local storage device to a display device.

9. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to receive the remote EPG information through an out-of band channel.

10. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to store in the local storage device data associated with a future media content instance, wherein said data is received into the local storage device in advance of the presentation of said future media content instance.

11. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to receive the remote EPG information from the remotely located storage device to the local storage device while substantially simultaneously uploading the local EPG information from the local storage device.

12. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to perform multiple read operations and multiple write operations in parallel to accessing a plurality of data in the local storage device.

13. The DHCT of claim 12, wherein the multiple read operations and the multiple write operations occur substantially concurrently within substantially the same window of time.

14. The DHCT of claim 12, wherein the multiple read operations and the multiple write operations share slices of a window of time as if occurring substantially in parallel.

15. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein a media of the local storage device is partitioned into plural media partitions, including a media content portion for streaming media content for presentation to a user.

16. The DHCT of claim 15, wherein the media partitions are user configurable.

17. The DHCT of claim 1, further comprising two tuners for receiving the remote EPG information among a plurality of transmission channels, further comprising an out of band channel for receiving and sending data, further comprising a communication port.

18. The DHCT of claim 17, wherein the plurality of the transmission channels includes at least one digital transmission channel and at least one analog transmission channel.

19. The DHCT of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to request a plurality of data simultaneously from the plurality of the transmission channels.

20. The DHCT of claim 17, wherein the memory and the local storage device store application data, application executable programs, and data associated with applications, and data associated with media services.

21. The DHCT of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to perform a multiplicity of write operations to the local storage device substantially in parallel to storing the local and remote EPG information and application clients from a subscriber television network, from the processor, and from a local device connected to the communication port.

22. The DHCT of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to perform a multiplicity of read operations from the local storage device in parallel to retrieving the local EPG information and application clients previously stored in the local storage device to transmit the respective local EPG information and application clients to a local device connected to the communication port, to the memory for use by an application client or operating system executing in the processor, and to be transmitted to a destination in the subscriber network.

23. The DHCT of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to substantially simultaneously permanently record a media content instance received from one transmission channel and temporarily store a second media content instance received from another transmission channel.

24. The DHCT of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to permanently record two media content instances substantially simultaneously from two different transmission channels.

25. The DHCT of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to substantially simultaneously display three media content instances, wherein the two media content instances are received from the transmission channels and the third media content instance is received from the local storage device.

26. The DHCT of claim 17, wherein media content instances from the transmission channels are received in real-time.

27. The DHCT of claim 1, further comprising an application client, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to use the memory and the local storage device for storing application client data in data structures with time-sensitive data entries maintained by an application client daemon task.

28. The DHCT of claim 27, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to receive the application client data from an in-band tuner.

29. The DHCT of claim 27, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to receive the application client data from a plurality of in-band tuners.

30. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to receive the retrieved electronic programming guide information entirely into the memory rather than into the local storage device, wherein the processor is further configured to access the electronic programming guide information in memory for presentation in a display device.

31. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to store the retrieved electronic programming guide information entirely into the local storage device, wherein processor is further configured to access the stored electronic programming guide information for presentation in a display device.

32. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to receive a list of media content instances for an extended amount of days and the corresponding standard description information into the local storage device.

33. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to receive a list of media content instances for an extended amount of days and a corresponding long description information collectively corresponding to the extended service into the local storage device.

34. The DHCT of claim 33, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to receive the long description information into the local storage device for the list of media content instances for the standard amount of days stored in the memory.

35. The DHCT of claim 33, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to receive media content instance preview audio and data clips associated with a media content instance in the list of media content instances for the standard amount of days and store said media content instance preview audio and data clips into the memory.

36. The DHCT of claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to transfer said media content instance preview audio and data clips from the memory to the local storage device, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to access said media content instance preview audio and data clips from the local storage device to the memory, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to present said media content preview audio and data clips on a display device from the memory.

37. The DHCT of claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to transfer said media content instance preview audio and data clips from the memory to the local storage device, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to access said media content instance preview audio and data clips from the local storage device and present said media content instance preview audio and data clips on a display device from the local storage device.

38. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to access sprites from the remotely located storage device and store in the local storage device to augment the presentation of media content instances when retrieved from the local storage device from an application client.

39. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to retrieve hyper-linked data corresponding to a media content instance before the presentation of said media content instance.

40. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to maintain hyper-linked data in entries in a hyper-linked data structure indexed by time and date and service.

41. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to maintain hyper-linked data in entries in a hyper-linked data structure indexed by time and date and channel.

42. The DHCT of claim 41, wherein the hyper-linked data structure provides a channel directory and subdirectories segregated into time blocks corresponding to a media content instance time period of presentation, wherein the time blocks include a current time block and an upcoming time block.

43. The DHCT of claim 42, wherein the current time block and upcoming time block are further segregated into time slots of increased granularity corresponding to a timed presentation of the hyper-linked data with a corresponding instance in a media content instance within said time blocks.

44. The DHCT of claim 43, wherein the hyper-linked data structure is updated continuously to maintain the hyper-linked data for current and upcoming media content instances.

45. The DHCT of claim 44, wherein the processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to update the hyper-linked data when the time and date has substantially elapsed.

46. The DHCT of claim 45, wherein processor is further configured with the executable instruction sequences to use the local storage device for caching hyper-linked data into the local storage device from the remotely located storage device, wherein the hyper-linked data corresponds to data located in a designated time slot of a presentation of a media content instance, wherein an application client is further configured to retrieve the hyper-linked data from the local storage device and present it during its designated time slot during the presentation of the media content instance.

47. The DHCT of claim 1, wherein the EPG application is configured to transfer a portion of the EPG information corresponding to the extended service for a second period of time to the memory upon a lapse of time corresponding to the first period of time that coincides with the media content instance titles corresponding to the base service, the second period of time not overlapping the first period of time and immediately following the first period of time.

48. A method in a digital home communication terminal (DHCT) comprising the steps of:

determining whether a local storage device is physically connected and not physically connected to the DHCT;

responsive to determining that the local storage device is not physically connected to the DHCT, retrieving from a remote storage device in cooperation with a carousel-type server a base service EPG information and storing base service EPG information in a memory residing in the DHCT, the base service EPG information comprising media content instance titles and a scheduled broadcast start time for each of the media content instance titles;

responsive to determining that the local storage device is physically connected to the DHCT, activating a previously dormant portion of an EPG application that provides an extended service, retrieving from the remote storage device in cooperation with the carousel-type server the base service EPG information and an extended service EPG information, and storing the extended service EPG information in the local storage device and the base service EPG information in the memory, the extended service EPG information comprising information supplemental to the base service EPG information yet unavailable for extended local storage prior to the activation; and

presenting the base service and extended service EPG information to a display device responsive to a user request, the extended service EPG information provided from the remote storage device proximal in time to the user request if the local storage is not connected, otherwise the extended service EPG information is provided from the local storage without intervention of the remote storage device.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of receiving the base service electronic programming guide information entirely into the memory residing in the DHCT, further comprising the step of accessing the base service electronic programming guide information for presentation in the display device.

50. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of receiving the extended service electronic programming guide information entirely into the local storage device, further comprising the step of accessing the extended service electronic programming guide information for presentation in the display device.

51. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of receiving the long description information corresponding to the extended service EPG information into the local storage device for a list of media content instances for a standard amount of days stored in the memory.

52. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of transferring a portion of the extended service EPG information for a second period of time to the memory upon a lapse of time corresponding to a first period of time that coincides with the media content instance titles corresponding to the base service EPG information, the second period of time not overlapping the first period of time and immediately following the first period of time.

53. A dual mode file method in a digital home communication terminal (DHCT) comprising the steps of:

determining that a local storage device is physically connected to the DHCT;

responsive to determining that the local storage device is physically connected to the DHCT;

retrieving, from a remotely located carousel type server first electronic programming guide (EPG) information comprising a first base EPG service and first extended EPG service, the first base EPG service comprising media content instance titles and corresponding broadcast start times for a first period of time, the first extended EPG service comprising media content instance titles and corresponding broadcast start times for a second period of time not overlapping the first period of time;

storing the first EPG information corresponding to the first base EPG service exclusively in a memory residing in the DHCT and initially storing for an extended period the first EPG information corresponding to the first extended EPG service exclusively in the local storage device;

presenting, in response to a user request for the first EPG information, the first EPG information by accessing the memory and the local storage device;

determining that the local storage device is not physically connected to the DHCT;

responsive to determining that the local storage device is not physically connected to the local storage device;

retrieving, from the carousel type server, second electronic programming guide (EPG) information comprising a second base EPG service comprising media content instance titles and corresponding broadcast start times corresponding to a third period of time;

storing the second EPG information in the memory residing in the DHCT; and

presenting the second EPG information responsive to a user request by accessing the memory for the second base EPG services and accessing, proximal in time to the user request and different in time than the retrieval and storage of the second EPG information, second extended EPG services comprising media content instance titles and corresponding broadcast start times for a fourth period of time, the fourth period of time not overlapping the third period of time.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of transferring the first EPG information corresponding to the first extended EPG service from the local storage device to the memory upon a lapse of the first period of time.