Method and apparatus for enabling a network device to asynchronously access a set top box in a way that conserves network bandwidth
First Claim
1. An apparatus employed in a set top box (STB) for determining how frequently or infrequently keep-alive messages should be sent between the STB and the network device, the apparatus comprising:
- an input/output (I/O) port in communication with a router or gateway device; and
a processor in communication with the I/O port, the processor being configured to perform a Timing Interval Determination (TID) algorithm that determines how frequently or infrequently keep-alive messages should or must be sent between the STB and the network device;
wherein when the processor performs the TID algorithm, the processor causes a Test Time Period (TTP) Request Message to be sent via the I/O port through the router or gateway device to a network device, the TTP Request Message including a TTP value that indicates to the network device a TTP that the network device is to wait before responding to the TTP Request Message, and wherein the processor determines whether or not to adjust the TTP value based on whether the processor receives via the I/O port a TTP Response Message from the network device in response to the TTP Request Message.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and an apparatus are provided for improving or optimizing the frequency at which the keep-alive messages are sent to a network device (e.g., an Internet service platform) from a set top box (STB) connected to a router or gateway. By improving or optimizing the frequency at which these messages are sent by the STB to the network device, the amount of network bandwidth that is consumed as a result of sending keep-alive messages can be reduced. This allows a network device to remotely and asynchronously access a STB in a very efficient manner in terms of bandwidth consumption.
30 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus employed in a set top box (STB) for determining how frequently or infrequently keep-alive messages should be sent between the STB and the network device, the apparatus comprising:
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an input/output (I/O) port in communication with a router or gateway device; and a processor in communication with the I/O port, the processor being configured to perform a Timing Interval Determination (TID) algorithm that determines how frequently or infrequently keep-alive messages should or must be sent between the STB and the network device; wherein when the processor performs the TID algorithm, the processor causes a Test Time Period (TTP) Request Message to be sent via the I/O port through the router or gateway device to a network device, the TTP Request Message including a TTP value that indicates to the network device a TTP that the network device is to wait before responding to the TTP Request Message, and wherein the processor determines whether or not to adjust the TTP value based on whether the processor receives via the I/O port a TTP Response Message from the network device in response to the TTP Request Message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method employed in a set top box (STB) for determining how frequently or infrequently keep-alive messages should be sent between the STB and the network device, the method comprising:
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sending one or more Test Time Period (TTP) Request Messages from a STB to a network device, the STB communicating with the network device via a router or gateway device that connects the STB to a network; determining whether one or more TTP Response Messages are received by the STB from the network device; and based on the determination of whether one or more TTP Response Messages have been received by the STB from the network device, determining how frequently or infrequently keep-alive messages should or must be sent between the STB and the network device; wherein the method is performed by a processor that executes a timing interval determination (TID) algorithm, wherein when the processor performs the algorithm the processor causes a TTP Request Message to be sent via an I/O port of the STB through the router or gateway device to the network device, the TTP Request Message including a TTP value that indicates to the network device a time period that the network device is to wait before responding to the TTP Request Message, and wherein the processor determines whether or not to adjust the TTP value based on whether the processor receives via the I/O port a TTP Response Message from the network device in response to the TTP Request Message. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer software program executed by a processor of a set top box (STB) for determining how frequently or infrequently keep-alive messages should be sent between the STB and the network device enabling a network device to remotely access a remote device over a network, the program comprising instructions for execution by the processor, the program comprising:
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instructions for sending one or more lest lime Period (TIP) Request Messages from a STB to a network device, the STB communicating with the network device via a router or gateway device that connects the STB to a network; and instructions for determining whether one or more TTP Response Messages are received by the STB from the network device; and instructions for determining, based on the determination made as to whether one or more TTP Response Messages have been received by the STB from the network device, how frequently or infrequently keep-alive messages should or must be sent between the STB and the network device; wherein the processor executes a timing interval determination (TID) algorithm, wherein when the processor performs the algorithm the processor causes a TTP Request Message to be sent via an I/O port of the STB through the router or gateway device to the network device, the TTP Request Message including a TTP value that indicates to the network device a time period that the network device is to wait before responding to the TTP Request Message, and wherein the processor determines whether or not to adjust the TTP value based on whether the processor receives via the I/O port a TTP Response Message from the network device in response to the TTP Request Message.
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Specification