Method for delivering cable channels to handheld devices

• US 7,757,267 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2003
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Sibley, Erin Hall, Tarbuck, Paul Damian
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirl; Joseph P
• Assistant Examiner(s): RABOVIANSKI, JIVKA A
• Application Number:
  US10/700,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20060048208A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,444 Days
• Field of Search: 725/153, 725/136, 725/63
• US Class Current: 725/153
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; 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 21/4126 The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41422 located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4183 providing its own processing capabilities, e.g. external module for video decoding
• 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 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43853 involving multiplex stream decryption arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• 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 21/6112 involving terrestrial transmission, e.g. DVB-T
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6193 involving transmission via a satellite arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end session in a satellite broadcast system H04B7/18526
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to broadcast premium video programming. Thus, once premium video programming is received, it is encoded into the vertical blanking interval and unused/non-interfering Active lines found in a typical television broadcast. However, the encoded information is completely transparent to the pre-existing/typical television channel. The resulting encoded content is then broadcast with the typical television broadcast.

Claims

1. A method for providing broadcast video programming, comprising:

(a) receiving video programming;

(b) encoding the video programming into a vertical blanking interval and unused Active lines of a television channel;

(c) broadcasting the television channel and encoded video programming in the vertical blanking interval;

(d) receiving the broadcast encoded video programming in the vertical blanking interval in a user device, wherein the user device comprises;

(i) a mobile portable handheld device;

(ii) tuning hardware configured to receive normal over-the-air terrestrial broadcasts and to pass the encoded video programming in the vertical blanking interval;

(iii) vertical blanking interval software configured to;

(1) receive output from the tuning hardware; and

(2) decode the encoded video programming from the vertical blanking interval;

(iv) a screen and a speaker; and

(v) decompression software configured to;

(1) decompress the decoded video programming; and

(2) output analog audio and video signals from the decoded video programming to enable a user to watch the video programming on the screen and speaker of the user device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the unused Active lines comprise Active lines that are hidden above and below typical lines that a viewer can see on a normal television screen.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the encoded video programming is completely transparent to the television channel that is broadcast.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the encoded video programming comprises a premium cable channel.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the broadcast encoded video programming in a wireless device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the wireless device comprises a receiver card for receiving the broadcast encoded video programming.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the vertical blanking interval software further comprises subscriber management, conditional access, and encryption functions to control access to the video programming in the vertical blanking interval and unused Active lines.

8. A user device for processing video programming comprising:

(a) a mobile portable handheld device;

(b) tuning hardware configured to receive normal over-the-air terrestrial broadcasts and to pass the encoded video programming, wherein the encoded video programming is encoded in a vertical blanking interval and unused Active lines of a broadcast television channel;

(c) a screen and speaker; and

(d) software configured to;

(i) decode the encoded video programming from the vertical blanking interval; and

(ii) output the decoded video programming to enable a user to watch the video programming on the screen and speaker of the user device.

9. The user device of claim 8, wherein the unused Active lines comprise Active lines that are hidden above and below typical lines that a viewer can see on a normal television screen.

10. The user device of claim 8, wherein the encoded video programming is completely transparent to the television channel that is broadcast.

11. The user device of claim 8, wherein the encoded video programming comprises a premium cable channel.

12. The user device of claim 8, wherein the user device is a wireless device.

13. The user device of claim 12, wherein the wireless device comprises a receiver card for receiving the broadcast encoded video programming.

14. The user device of claim 8, wherein the software comprises:

(b) vertical blanking interval software configured to;

(i) receive output from the tuning hardware; and

(ii) decode the encoded video programming;

(c) decompression software configured to;

(i) decompress the decoded video programming; and

(ii) output analog audio and video signals to a screen and speaker of the user device.

15. The user device of claim 8, wherein the software comprises subscriber management, conditional access, and encryption functions to control access to the video programming in the vertical blanking interval and unused Active lines.