Method and apparatus for transmitting and downloading setup information

• US 8,122,471 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Index Systems Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Index Systems Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Yuen, Henry C., Kwoh, Daniel S., Chang, Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirl, Joseph P
• Assistant Examiner(s): RABOVIANSKI, JIVKA A
• Application Number:
  US11/479,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20060248556A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,062 Days
• Field of Search: 725 39- 50, 725/52, 725/53
• US Class Current: 725/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• 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 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4524 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; systems specially adapted for using geographical information in broadcast systems H04H60/70; protocols in which the network application is adapted for the location of the user terminal in communication control or processing H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• 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 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4823 using a channel name
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• 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 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0884 for the transmission of additional display-information, e.g. menu for programme or channel selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0887 for the transmission of programme or channel identifying signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309

Abstract

Multiple channel maps are embedded in a television transmission and the appropriate-channel corresponding to the particular television service used by the viewer is downloaded for use with the television receiver. Each channel map is accompanied by a channel map identifier which identifies the source of the television transmission and a geographic identifier. The source of a television transmission is automatically detected by monitoring the radio-frequency spectrum allocations of telecast stations. The geographic area identifier is determined by comparison with a user inputted geographic area identifier. The channel map having a channel map identifier corresponding to the detected television transmission source and the user inputted geographic area identifier is downloaded and stored for future use.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a television tuner at a specific geographic location comprising the steps of:

transmitting to the tuner television signals of a plurality of channels;

transmitting to the specific location a plurality of channel lineups and a unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup;

displaying a prompt to a user for a user inputted geographic identifier at the specific location;

comparing the transmitted identifiers at the specific location with the user inputted geographic area identifier;

storing, when the television tuner is not in use by the user, the transmitted channel lineup for the transmitted identifier that matches the user inputted identifier for future use as a valid channel lineup; and

using the valid channel lineup to set the tuner in response to user inputted channel commands.

6. The method of claim 1, in which the using step comprises inputting a compressed code that represents channel, day, program length, and time;

deriving a channel command in terms of program source name;

converting the program source name to a local channel by means of the channel lineup; and

setting the tuner to the local channel.

7. The method of claim 1, in which the using step comprises displaying a program schedule on the screen of a television monitor associated with the tuner;

storing data that represents channel, day, program length, and time of the listings of the program schedule;

linking a movable cursor on the screen to the stored listings;

moving the cursor on the screen to select a program listing;

deriving a channel command in terms of program source name from the cursor;

converting the program source name to a local channel by means of the channel lineup; and

setting the tuner to the local channel.

8. The method of claim 1, in which the using step comprises inputting a program source name into a remote controller, converting the program source name to a local channel by means of the channel lineup;

and setting the tuner to the local channel.

9. The method of claim 1, in which the geographic identifiers are postal directory codes (zip codes).

10. The method of claim 1, in which the step of transmitting a plurality of channel lineups and a unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup comprises transmitting the plurality of channel lineups and the unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup as supplemental data included in one of the television signals.

11. The method of claim 1, in which the television signals have a vertical blanking interval and the step of transmitting a plurality of channel lineups and a unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup comprises:

transmitting the plurality of channel lineups and the unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup as supplemental data in the vertical blanking interval of one the television signals.

2. A method for controlling a television tuner at a specific geographic location comprising the steps of:

transmitting to the tuner television signals of a plurality of channels;

transmitting to the specific location a plurality of groups of channel lineups and a unique geographic area identifier for each group of channel lineups;

displaying a prompt to a user for a user inputted geographic identifier at the specific location;

comparing the transmitted identifiers at the specific location with the user inputted geographic area identifier;

storing, when the television tuner is not in use by the user, the transmitted groups of channel lineups for the transmitted identifiers that match the user inputted identifier;

determining which one of the groups of channel lineups for the matching transmitted identifiers is valid for the television signals transmitted to the specific location;

storing said one channel lineup for future use as a valid channel lineup; and

using the valid channel lineup to set the tuner in response to user inputted channel commands.

3. The method of claim 2, in which the determining step comprises scanning the radio spectrum for television signals including as supplemental data a designation of program source name to create a partial channel lineup, comparing the partial channel lineup with the stored channel lineups, and storing the matching channel lineup as the valid channel lineup.

4. The method of claim 3, in which the determining step additionally comprises:

displaying on the screen of a television monitor a program source name;

inputting a local channel number for the program source;

comparing the program source name-local channel number combination with the channel lineups for the matching transmitted identifiers;

if there is a match, storing the channel lineup as the valid channel lineup; and

if there is no match, repeating the displaying, inputting, and comparing steps until a match is found and a channel lineup is stored.

5. The method of claim 2, in which the determining step additionally comprises:

displaying on the screen of a television monitor a program source name;

inputting a local channel number for the program source;

comparing the program source name-local channel number combination with the channel lineups for the matching transmitted identifiers;

if there is a match, storing the channel lineup as the valid channel lineup; and

if there is no match, repeating the displaying, inputting, and comparing steps until a match is found and a channel lineup is stored.

12. The method of claim 2, in which the step of transmitting a plurality of channel lineups and a unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup comprises transmitting the plurality of channel lineups and the unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup as supplemental data included in one of the television signals.

13. The method of claim 2, in which the television signals have a vertical blanking interval and the step of transmitting a plurality of channel lineups and a unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup comprises:

transmitting the plurality of channel lineups and the unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup as supplemental data in the vertical blanking interval of one the television signals.

14. A system for controlling a television tuner at a specific geographic location, the system comprising:

a television transmission processing system implemented at least partially on a microprocessor configured to;

transmit to the tuner television signals of a plurality of channels;

transmit to the specific location a plurality of channel lineups and a unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup;

display a prompt to a user for a user inputted geographic identifier at the specific location;

compare the transmitted identifiers at the specific location with the user inputted geographic area identifier;

store, when the television tuner is not in use by the user, the transmitted channel lineup for the transmitted identifier that matches the user inputted identifier for future use as a valid channel lineup; and

use the valid channel lineup to set the tuner in response to user inputted channel commands.

19. The system of claim 14, in which the television transmission processing system is further configured to input a compressed code that represents channel, day, program length, and time;

derive a channel command in terms of program source name;

convert the program source name to a local channel by means of the channel lineup; and

set the tuner to the local channel.

20. The system of claim 14, in which the television transmission processing system is further configured to display a program schedule on the screen of a television monitor associated with the tuner;

store data that represents channel, day, program length, and time of the listings of the program schedule;

link a movable cursor on the screen to the stored listings;

move the cursor on the screen to select a program listing;

derive a channel command in terms of program source name from the cursor;

convert the program source name to a local channel by means of the channel lineup; and

set the tuner to the local channel.

21. The system of claim 14, in which the television transmission processing system is further configured to input a program source name into a remote controller, convert the program source name to a local channel by means of the channel lineup;

and set the tuner to the local channel.

22. The system of claim 14, in which the geographic identifiers are postal directory codes (zip codes).

23. The system of claim 14, in which the television transmission processing system is further configured to transmit the plurality of channel lineups and the unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup as supplemental data included in one of the television signals.

24. The system of claim 14, in which the television signals have a vertical blanking interval and the television transmission processing system is further configured to:

transmit the plurality of channel lineups and the unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup as supplemental data in the vertical blanking interval of one the television signals.

15. A system for controlling a television tuner at a specific geographic location, the system comprising:

a television transmission processing system implemented at least partially on a microprocessor configured to;

transmit to the tuner television signals of a plurality of channels;

transmit to the specific location a plurality of groups of channel lineups and a unique geographic area identifier for each group of channel lineups;

display a prompt to a user for a user inputted geographic identifier at the specific location;

compare the transmitted identifiers at the specific location with the user inputted geographic area identifier;

store, when the television tuner is not in use by the user, the transmitted groups of channel lineups for the transmitted identifiers that match the user inputted identifier;

determine which one of the groups of channel lineups for the matching transmitted identifiers is valid for the television signals transmitted to the specific location;

store said one channel lineup for future use as a valid channel lineup; and

use the valid channel lineup to set the tuner in response to user inputted channel commands.

16. The system of claim 15, in which the television transmission processing system is further configured to scan the radio spectrum for television signals including as supplemental data a designation of program source name to create a partial channel lineup, to compare the partial channel lineup with the stored channel lineups, and to store the matching channel lineup as the valid channel lineup.

17. The system of claim 16, in which the television transmission processing system is further configured to:

display on the screen of a television monitor a program source name;

input a local channel number for the program source;

compare the program source name-local channel number combination with the channel lineups for the matching transmitted identifiers;

if there is a match, store the channel lineup as the valid channel lineup; and

if there is no match, repeat the displaying, inputting, and comparing until a match is found and a channel lineup is stored.

18. The system of claim 15, in which the television transmission processing system is further configured to:

display on the screen of a television monitor a program source name;

input a local channel number for the program source;

compare the program source name-local channel number combination with the channel lineups for the matching transmitted identifiers;

if there is a match, store the channel lineup as the valid channel lineup; and

if there is no match, repeat the displaying, inputting, and comparing until a match is found and a channel lineup is stored.

25. The system of claim 15, in which the television transmission processing system is further configured to transmit the plurality of channel lineups and the unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup as supplemental data included in one of the television signals.

26. The system of claim 15, in which the television signals have a vertical blanking interval and the television transmission processing system is further configured to:

transmit the plurality of channel lineups and the unique geographic area identifier for each channel lineup as supplemental data in the vertical blanking interval of one the television signals.