Deploying two-way interactive service over a one-way network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- encoding, at a command receiver, a control command to adjust an output stream into a network transmissible data packet; and
sending the data packet from the command receiver to a content server via a two-way communication path;
wherein the control command is configured, responsive to use by the content server, to cause the content server to;
adjust an output stream by at least adding metadata descriptive of content transmitted on the output stream;
transmit the adjusted output stream from the content server to an output device via a one-way communication path;
transmit the metadata to an input device via the two-way communication path responsive to the control command, wherein the metadata represents static content descriptive information or dynamic content descriptive information, or combinations thereof; and
dynamically assign the output device identification to at least one field within a data look-up table in association with the control command responsive to an absence of the identification in the data look-up table.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for deploying two-way data communication over a one-way infrastructure are disclosed. An end user enters a control command into an input device that is capable of sending data containing the control command over a network to a content service provider. The content service provider adjusts the end user'"'"'s output stream in accordance with the end user'"'"'s control command. The adjusted output stream is distributed to the output display device. Further features are disclosed such as providing content descriptive metadata to the input device and/or the output display device.
23 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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encoding, at a command receiver, a control command to adjust an output stream into a network transmissible data packet; and sending the data packet from the command receiver to a content server via a two-way communication path; wherein the control command is configured, responsive to use by the content server, to cause the content server to; adjust an output stream by at least adding metadata descriptive of content transmitted on the output stream; transmit the adjusted output stream from the content server to an output device via a one-way communication path; transmit the metadata to an input device via the two-way communication path responsive to the control command, wherein the metadata represents static content descriptive information or dynamic content descriptive information, or combinations thereof; and dynamically assign the output device identification to at least one field within a data look-up table in association with the control command responsive to an absence of the identification in the data look-up table. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 18)
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5. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that configure a processing device to:
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inspect a data packet to identify a control command; analyze a data look-up table to associate the control command with at least one output device identification (ID), wherein if the output device ID is not detected in the data look-up table then access a database to determine the output device ID to dynamically assign the output device ID to one or more fields within the data look-up table; alter an output stream comprising content by adding metadata descriptive of the content according to the control command to produce a modified output stream; and transmit the modified output stream to an output display device. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system, comprising:
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a command module configured to receive a data packet from an input device via a wireless network and inspect the data packet to extract a control command and information identifying an output device; wherein the control command is configured to cause a content server to; alter content by adding metadata representing static content descriptive information or real-time content descriptive information, or combinations thereof; modify a transmission of altered content in real-time; transmit the altered content to the output device via a distribution network, wherein the distribution network is independent of the wireless network; according to the control command, transmit the metadata to the input device via the wireless network; and dynamically assign a record of the output device to one or more fields within a data look-up table in association with the control command if the record of the output device is not detected in the data look-up table. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. An apparatus comprising:
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a receiver configured to receive a packet via a two-way communication connection over a data network, the packet including a control command configured to cause a content server to alter content; and a command module configured to inspect the packet for the control command and information identifying an output device and inspect a data look-up table to associate at least one output device record with the control command; responsive to the control command, the content server configured to; alter content by adding metadata descriptive of the content responsive to the control command; transmit the altered content in an output stream to the output device; transmit the metadata descriptive of the content to an input device via a wireless network; and dynamically assign the output device record to one or more fields within the data look-up table in association with the control command responsive to the output device record not being detected in the data look-up table. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification