System and method for local meta data insertion

• US 7,757,265 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2001
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: OpenTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Original Assignee: Intellocity USA, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Inventors: Reynolds, Steve, Zenoni, Ian, Huber, Tom, Lemmons, Tom, Hassell, Joel
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, John W
• Assistant Examiner(s): PARRY, CHRISTOPHER L
• Application Number:
  US09/818,052
• Publication Number:
  US 20010037500A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,395 Days
• Field of Search: 725/119, 725/114, 725/116, 725/144, 725/146, 725 34- 36, 725/136, 725/137, 725/112, 725/66, 725/67, 725/138, 725/32, 348/722, 715/723, 715/731
• US Class Current: 725/144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234345 the reformatting operation being performed only on part of the stream, e.g. a region of the image or a time segment
• 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 7/088 the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

A data modification system and method for selective insertion of local meta data into an incoming data stream, the incoming data stream having a video data component and a meta data component. The data modification system comprises an incoming data terminal, a local data terminal, and a data modification unit coupled to the incoming data terminal and the local data terminal, wherein the data modification unit is adapted to selectively combine data from the incoming data terminal and the local data terminal. The method comprises receiving a data signal, the data signal comprising a first data component and a second data component, separating the first data component from the second data component, determining whether to modify the second data component, retrieving a third data component from a database, merging the third data component with the first data component, and outputting the third data component and the first data component to a distribution terminal.

Claims

1. A data modification device, said data modification device comprising:

a data modification unit coupled to an incoming data terminal, a local data terminal, and a data distribution terminal, wherein the data modification unit is adapted to selectively combine data from the incoming data terminal and the local data terminal in accordance with an instruction set;

a data stripper for extracting meta data parameters from a data signal wherein the extracted meta data parameters include a substitution determination parameter, said substitution determination parameter having an evaluation type field for specifying an evaluation type and an evaluation value field for specifying an evaluation value to correspond with the evaluation type, the evaluation type and evaluation value for determining when a subset of original broadcast meta data in said data signal should be replaced, wherein the evaluation type is selected from the group comprising of priority comparison, string comparison, and numeric comparison and the evaluation value is selected from the group comprising of priority level, geographical information, and unique ID;

an evaluator for evaluating the substitution determination parameter, said evaluator performing an evaluation of said evaluation type on said evaluation value with respect to a local state of said data modification device; and

an inserter for substituting said subset of original broadcast meta data in the data signal with local meta data based on the evaluator comparison.

2. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the evaluation type of the substitution parameter comprises a comparison and the evaluation value of said substitution determination parameter comprises a multi-level priority value.

3. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the evaluation type of the substitution parameter comprises a string comparison and the evaluation value of said substitution determination parameter comprises a geographic region name value.

4. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the evaluation type of the substitution parameter comprises a comparison and the evaluation value of said substitution determination parameter comprises a unique identifier for said data modification device.

5. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the incoming data terminal is adapted to receive a data signal that conforms to a TCP/IP standard.

6. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the incoming data terminal is adapted to receive a data signal that conforms to an ATVEF standard.

7. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the incoming data terminal is adapted to receive a data signal that conforms to a DOCSIS standard.

8. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a format of the data on said incoming data terminal is an NTSC format.

9. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a format of the data on said incoming data terminal is an MPEG2 format.

10. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a format of the data on said incoming data terminal is an HDTV format.

11. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a format of the data on said incoming data terminal is an DVD format.

12. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a format of the data on said incoming data terminal is an DBS format.

13. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data signal comprises a video data component and a meta data component.

14. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the local data terminal is adapted to receive a data signal from a storage device.

15. The data modification device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the storage device is a recordable disk.

16. The data modification device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the storage device is a RAM.

17. The data modification device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the storage device is a computer database.

18. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data distribution terminal is adapted to transmit a data signal to a distribution channel.

19. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data stripper is adapted to separate an incoming signal into a video data component and a meta data component.

20. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the evaluator is a reprogrammable device.

21. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the evaluator is an ASIC.

22. The data modification device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a receiver adapted to display the combined data from the incoming data terminal and the local data terminal.

23. The data modification device as set forth in claim 22, wherein the receiver is an NTSC enabled television.

24. The data modification device as set forth in claim 22, wherein the receiver is an HDTV enabled television.

25. The data modification device as set forth in claim 22, wherein the receiver is an MPEG2 enabled television.

26. The data modification device as set forth in claim 22, wherein the receiver is an DVD enabled television.

27. The data modification device as set forth in claim 22, wherein the receiver is an DBS enabled television.

28. A data modification system for selective insertion of local meta data into an incoming data stream, the incoming data stream having a video data component and a meta data component, the data modification system comprising:

a data modification unit coupled to an incoming data terminal and a local data terminal, wherein the data modification unit is adapted to selectively combine data from the incoming data terminal and the local data terminal,

a data stripper for extracting meta data parameters from the incoming data stream wherein the extracted meta data parameters include a substitution determination parameter, said substitution determination parameter having an evaluation type field for specifying an evaluation type and an evaluation value field for specifying an evaluation value to correspond with the evaluation type, the evaluation type and evaluation value for determining when a subset of original broadcast meta data in said incoming data stream should be replaced, wherein the evaluation type is selected from the group comprising of priori comparison, and numeric comparison and the evaluation value is selected from the group comprising of priority level, geographical information, and unique ID;

an evaluator for evaluating the substitution determination parameter, said evaluator performing an evaluation of said evaluation type on said evaluation value with respect to a local state of said data modification system; and

an inserter for substituting said subset of original broadcast meta data in the incoming data stream with local meta data based on the evaluator comparison.

29. The data modification system as set forth in claim 28, wherein the evaluation type of the substitution parameter comprises a comparison and the evaluation value of said substitution determination parameter comprises a multi-level priority value.

30. The data modification system as set forth in claim 28, wherein the evaluation type of the substitution parameter comprises a string comparison and the evaluation value of said substitution determination parameter comprises a geographic region name value.

31. A method of selectively modifying a data signal, said method comprising:

receiving a data signal, the data signal comprising a first data component and a second data component;

separating the first data component from the second data component;

extracting meta data parameters from the data signal wherein the extracted meta data parameters include a substitution determination parameter, said substitution determination parameter having an evaluation type field for specifying an evaluation type and an evaluation value field for specifying an evaluation value to correspond with the evaluation type, the evaluation type and evaluation value for determining when a subset of original broadcast meta data in said data signal should be replaced, wherein the evaluation type is selected from the group comprising of priority comparison, string comparison, and numeric comparison and the evaluation value is selected from the group comprising of priority level, geographical information, and unique ID;

determining whether to replace a subset of the second data component by performing an evaluation of the evaluation type on said evaluation value with respect to a local state;

retrieving a third data component from a database, wherein the third data component includes local meta data from a local meta data center; and

replacing a subset of said second data component with the third data component based on the evaluation.

32. The method as set forth in claim 31, wherein the evaluation type of the substitution parameter comprises a comparison and the evaluation value of said substitution determination parameter comprises a multi-level priority value.

33. The method as set forth in claim 31, wherein the evaluation type of the substitution parameter comprises a string comparison and the evaluation value of said substitution determination parameter comprises a geographic region name value.

34. The method as set forth in claim 31, wherein the substitution determination parameter comprises a unique identifier for a machine implementing said method.

35. The method as set forth in claim 31, where the first data component comprises video.

36. A method of selectively modifying a data signal, said method comprising:

receiving a data signal, the data signal comprising a first data component and a second data component;

separating the first data component from the second data component wherein the second data component further comprises meta data parameters and wherein the meta data parameters include a substitution determination parameter, said substitution determination parameter having an evaluation type field for specifying an evaluation type and an evaluation value field for specifying an evaluation value to correspond with the evaluation type, the evaluation type and evaluation value for determining when a subset of original broadcast meta data in said data signal should be replaced, wherein the evaluation type is selected from the group comprising of priority comparison, string comparison, and numeric comparison and the evaluation value is selected from the group comprising of priority level, geographical information, and unique ID;

determining whether to replace a subset of the second data component by performing an evaluation of the evaluation type on said evaluation value with respect to a local state;

if replacement of said subset of the second data component is not required then

forwarding the second data component, and

merging the forwarded second data component with the first data component; and

if replacement of said subset of the second data component is required then

retrieving a third data component from a database, wherein the third data component includes local meta data from a local meta data center,

forwarding the third data component, and

replacing a subset of said second data component with the third data component.

37. The method as set forth in claim 36, wherein the evaluation type of the substitution parameter comprises a comparison and the evaluation value of said substitution determination parameter comprises a multi-level priority value and said local state comprises a local priority value.

38. The method as set forth in claim 36, wherein the evaluation type of the substitution parameter comprises a string comparison and the evaluation value of said substitution determination parameter comprises a geographic region name value and said local state comprises a local geographic name value.

39. A data modification system for selective insertion of local meta data into a data stream, the data stream having a video data component and a meta data component, the data modification system comprising:

a data stripper for extracting meta data parameters from the data stream wherein the extracted meta data parameters include a substitution determination parameter, said substitution determination parameter having an evaluation type field for specifying an evaluation type and an evaluation value field for specifying an evaluation value to correspond with the evaluation type, the evaluation type and evaluation value for determining when a subset of original broadcast meta data in said data signal should be replaced, wherein the evaluation type is selected from the group comprising of priority comparison, string comparison, and numeric comparison and the evaluation value is selected from the group comprising of priority level, geographical information, and unique ID;

a data storage device for storing local meta data;

a processor coupled to the data storage device and the data stripper, the processor for evaluating the extracted substitution determination parameter, said processor performing an evaluation of said evaluation type on said evaluation value with respect to a local state of said data modification system; and

a data insertion unit coupled to the processor, the data insertion unit for replacing said subset of meta data component with local meta data.

40. A data modification system for selective insertion of local meta data into a data stream, the data stream having a video data component and a meta data component, the data modification system comprising:

means for extracting meta data parameters from the data stream wherein the extracted meta data parameters include a substitution determination parameter, said substitution determination parameter having an evaluation type field for specifying an evaluation type and an evaluation value field for specifying an evaluation value to correspond with the evaluation type, the evaluation type and evaluation value for determining when a subset of original broadcast meta data in said data signal should be replaced, wherein the evaluation type is selected from the group comprising of priority comparison, string comparison, and numeric comparison and the evaluation value is selected from the group comprising of priority level, geographical information, and unique ID;

means for storing the local meta data;

means for evaluating the extracted substitution determination parameter, said means for evaluating performing an evaluation of said evaluation type on said evaluation value with respect to a local state of said data modification system; and

means for replacing said subset of original broadcast meta data with local meta data based on the evaluation of the extracted substitution determination parameter.

41. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing a method of selectively modifying a data signal, the method comprising:

receiving a data signal, the data signal comprising a first data component and a second data component;

separating the first data component from the second data component;

extracting meta data parameters from second data component wherein the extracted meta data parameters include a substitution determination parameter, said substitution determination parameter having an evaluation type field for specifying an evaluation type and an evaluation value field for specifying an evaluation value to correspond with the evaluation type, the evaluation type and evaluation value for determining when a subset of original broadcast meta data in said data signal should be replaced, wherein the evaluation type is selected from the group comprising of priority comparison, string comparison, and numeric comparison and the evaluation value is selected from the group comprising of priority level, geographical information, and unique ID;

determining whether to replace a subset of the second data component by performing an evaluation of the evaluation type on said evaluation value with respect to a local state;

if replacement of said subset of the second data component is not required then

forwarding the second data component,

merging the forwarded second data component with the first data component; and

if replacement of said subset of the second data component is required then

retrieving a third data component from a database, wherein the third data component includes local meta data from a local meta data center,

forwarding the third data component,

replacing a subset of said second data component with the third data component based on the evaluation.

42. A method of controlling distribution of enhanced television content for viewers using a data modification device, said method comprising:

receiving a broadcast signal comprising a video component and a generic meta data component within said data modification device, the generic meta data component comprising triggers and broadcast meta data;

extracting meta data parameters from the generic meta data component wherein the extracted meta data parameters include a substitution determination parameter, said substitution determination parameter having an evaluation type field for specifying an evaluation type and an evaluation value field for specifying an evaluation value to correspond with the evaluation type, the evaluation type and evaluation value for determining when a subset of original broadcast meta data in said data signal should be replaced, wherein the evaluation type is selected from the group comprising of priority comparison, string comparison, and numeric comparison and the evaluation value is selected from the group comprising of priority level, geographical information, and unique ID;

performing an evaluation of the evaluation type on said evaluation value with respect to a local state to determine whether to replace said subset of said broadcast meta data with local meta data;

replacing said subset of said broadcast meta data with the local meta data in response to a determination in the evaluating step to obtain a modified broadcast signal; and

broadcasting the modified broadcast signal to the viewers in a local market.

43. The method of controlling distribution of enhanced television content for viewers using said data modification device as set forth in claim 42 wherein the evaluation type of the substitution parameter comprises a comparison and the evaluation value of said substitution determination parameter comprises a multi-level priority value and said state comprises a local multi-level priority value.

44. The method of controlling distribution of enhanced television content for viewers using said data modification device as set forth in claim 42 wherein:

the generic meta data component further comprises content; and

the local meta data comprises triggers and content.

45. The method of controlling distribution of enhanced television content for viewers using said data modification device as set forth in claim 42, said method further comprising:

repeating the evaluation of the evaluation type on said evaluation value with respect to said local state; and

broadcasting the broadcast signal to the viewers in response to a determination in the repeated evaluating step to not make the insertion.

46. The method of controlling distribution of enhanced television content for viewers using said data modification device as set forth in claim 45 wherein the substitution determination parameter comprises a geographic region identifier parameter and said local state comprises a geographic identifier.

47. The method of controlling distribution of enhanced television content for viewers using said data modification device as set forth in claim 44, said method further comprising:

stripping the generic meta data component from the broadcast signal prior to the evaluating step.

48. The method of controlling distribution of enhanced television content for viewers using said data modification device as set forth in claim 47, said method further comprising:

repeating the evaluation of the evaluation type on said evaluation value with respect to said local state;

inserting the generic meta data component back into the broadcast signal in response to a determination in the repeated evaluating step to not make the insertion, to obtain a reconstructed broadcast signal; and

broadcasting the reconstructed broadcast signal to the viewers.

49. The method of controlling distribution of enhanced television content for viewers using said data modification device as set forth in claim 42 wherein the evaluation value of the substitution determination parameter comprises a unique identifier and said local state comprises a unique identifier for a machine implementing said method.

50. The method of controlling distribution of enhanced television content for viewers using said data modification device as set forth in claim 49 wherein the evaluation value and the local state are defined by options established by an Advanced Television Enhancement Forum specification.