Television terminal data storage

• US 8,276,183 B1
• Filed: 09/15/1999
• Issued: 09/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hendricks, John S., Bonner, Alfred E., Wunderlich, Richard E., Berkobin, Eric C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lonsberry, Hunter B
• Application Number:
  US09/396,428
• Time in Patent Office: 4,759 Days
• Field of Search: 725 48- 49, 725/55, 725/129, 725/132, 725/140, 725/152, 725/153
• US Class Current: 725/132
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/02 Arrangements for relaying broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/06 among broadcast stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/10 Arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or the distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/42 Arrangements for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/78 CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/79 using downlink of the CATV systems, e.g. audio broadcast via CATV network
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/86 Arrangements characterised by the broadcast information itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/95 characterised by a specific format, e.g. an encoded audio stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/70 characterised in that receivers can be addressed
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/04 Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/13 Arrangements for device control affected by the broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/22 per use
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/39 for identifying broadcast space-time use of Electronic Programme Guides H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/47 for recognising genres
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 for using the result on distributors' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/72 using electronic programme guides [EPG] focusing on identifying broadcast space time H04H60/39 ; menu type display of EPG in television receivers H04N21/47
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/94 Telephonic networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/84
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/96 CATV systems for accessing the Internet H04H60/86
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/97 : using uplink of the CATV systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 : Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2181 : comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS], H04L67/1097
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21815 : comprising local storage units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 : Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 : being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 : Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23608 : Remultiplexing multiplex streams, e.g. involving modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2362 : Generation or processing of Service Information [SI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2381 : Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2389 : Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream encrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 : Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/258 : Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data arrangements for services using the result on the distributing side of broadcast systems H04H60/66; profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/30
• 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 21/26208 : the scheduling operation being performed under constraints
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26283 : for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 : Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4181 : for conditional access
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 : providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• 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 21/42206 : characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42653 : for processing graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 : for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• 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 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4344 : Remultiplexing of multiplex streams, e.g. by modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• 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 21/4385 : Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream decrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 : Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 : Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 : OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• 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 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• 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 21/4668 : for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 : End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47211 : for requesting pay-per-view content payment schemes payment architectures or payment protocols G06Q20/00, G07F
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 : for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 : e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64307 : ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 : comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 : involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 : involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 : End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44504 : Circuit details of the additional information generator, e.g. details of the character or graphics signal generator, overlay mixing circuits
• 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 5/602 : for digital sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 : the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0882 : for the transmission of character code signals, e.g. for teletext circuits for the digital non-picture data signal H04N7/035
• 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 7/102 : Circuits therefor, e.g. noise reducers, equalisers, amplifiers H04N7/108 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 : in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus and methods for a television terminal with data storage. The television terminal may be a set top terminal for use with a cable television program delivery system. The data storage may be integral to the terminal or may be provided as a hardware upgrade unit or expansion card connected to the terminal to modularly enhance the functionality of the terminal. The data storage may be in the form of a disc, such as a compact disc storage device or a CD-ROM. The data stored on the storage device may relate to games, education, encyclopedias, reference, or economics. The television terminal may additionally include a microprocessor that is programmed to react to information within a television signal to access the data stored on the storage device.

Claims

1. A hardware upgrade for a set top terminal for use with a television program delivery system with menu selection of programs, the set top terminal having a microprocessor and microprocessor instructions for prompting generation of menus, the hardware upgrade comprising:

an interface to the set top terminal for communicating data and video signals between the set top terminal and the hardware upgrade;

a disc storage device connected to the interface providing local storage capacity; and

a microprocessor capable of communicating with the microprocessor of the set top terminal through the interface.

2. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 wherein data stored on the disc storage device concerns one or more applications selected from a group consisting of games, education, encyclopedias, reference, and economics.

3. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 further comprising programming instructions that execute on the microprocessor, wherein the programming instructions access data stored on the disc storage device.

4. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 wherein the interface to the terminal transfers, to the hardware upgrade, information concerning television programs, and the programming instructions comprise:

programming instructions to monitor the information concerning television programs; and

programming instructions to retrieve data stored on the disc storage device in response to the information concerning television programs.

5. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 wherein the interface to the terminal comprises a multipin connector.

6. The hardware upgrade of claim 5 wherein the multipin connector is a multipin connector ranging from type DB9 to type DB25.

7. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 wherein the interface to the terminal comprises a SCSI connector.

8. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 wherein the disc storage device is a compact disc storage device.

9. The hardware upgrade of claim 8 wherein the compact disc storage device is a CD-ROM device.

53. The hardware upgrade of claim 1, wherein the hardware upgrade is a card insertable into the set top terminal.

54. The hardware upgrade of claim 1, wherein the hardware upgrade enables use of interactive multi-media applications which interact with a program broadcast over the television program delivery system, wherein the interactive multimedia applications retrieve information that is stored on the disc storage device.

55. The hardware upgrade of claim 54, wherein the hardware upgrade monitors the broadcast program via data channels to provide context sensitive interactivity.

10. A set top terminal for use with a television program delivery system with menu selection of programs, the set top terminal having a microprocessor and microprocessor instructions for prompting generation of menus, the set top terminal comprising:

a receiver adapted to receive programs; and

a first hardware upgrade comprising;

an interface to the set top terminal for communicating data and video signals between the set top terminal and the first hardware upgrade;

a disc storage device connected to the interface providing local storage capacity; and

a microprocessor capable of communicating with the microprocessor of the set top terminal through the interface.

11. The terminal of claim 10 further comprising a display that indicates when the first hardware upgrade is in use.

12. The terminal of claim 10 wherein the terminal has an expansion card slot, and wherein the interface comprises at least one card connector adapted for use with the expansion card slot.

13. The terminal of claim 10 wherein the terminal is an HDTV terminal.

14. The terminal of claim 10 further comprising:

one or more additional hardware upgrades connected to the terminal.

15. The terminal of claim 14 wherein the first hardware upgrade and the one or more additional hardware upgrades are connected in a daisy-chain arrangement.

16. The terminal of claim 15 wherein each of the first hardware upgrade and the one or more additional hardware upgrades comprises a SCSI connector, and the daisy-chain arrangement is a SCSI daisy-chain arrangement.

17. The terminal of claim 14 wherein the first hardware upgrade and the one or more additional hardware upgrades are capable of operating simultaneously.

18. The terminal of claim 14 wherein at least one of the one or more additional hardware upgrades is selected from the group consisting of an audio program reception hardware upgrade, an interactive hardware upgrade that receives interactive subscriber input and produces interactive output, and a modem hardware upgrade.

19. The terminal of claim 10 wherein the disc storage device is a compact disc storage device.

20. The terminal of claim 19 wherein the compact disc storage device is a CD-ROM device.

21. A system comprising:

a television program delivery system adapted to deliver television program signals; and

a set top terminal having a microprocessor and microprocessor instructions for prompting generation of menus and comprising;

a receiver adapted to receive the television program signals; and

a hardware upgrade comprising;

an interface to the set top terminal for communicating data and video signals between the set top terminal and the hardware upgrade;

a disc storage device connected to the interface providing local storage capacity; and

a microprocessor capable of communicating with the microprocessor of the set top terminal through the interface.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the television program delivery system is a cable television program delivery system.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the cable television program delivery system comprises an operations center, the operations center transmitting one or more of the programs to the terminal.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the cable television program delivery system comprises one or more headends, a particular one of the one or more headends transmitting one or more of the programs to the terminal.

25. The system of claim 21 wherein the television program delivery system is a satellite broadcast system.

26. The system of claim 21 wherein the terminal is an HDTV terminal.

27. The terminal of claim 21 wherein the disc storage device is a compact disc storage device.

28. The terminal of claim 27 wherein the compact disc storage device is a CD-ROM device.

29. A television terminal having a microprocessor and microprocessor instructions for prompting generation of menus, the television terminal comprising:

a television program receiver;

a hardware upgrade comprising;

an interface to the television terminal for communicating data and video signals between the television terminal and the hardware upgrade;

a disc storage device providing local storage capacity; and

a microprocessor capable of communicating with the microprocessor of the television terminal through the interface; and

an output connected to the receiver and the storage device, wherein the output accepts television program signals from the receiver and data signals from the storage device.

30. The television terminal of claim 29 wherein the output is a video display.

31. The television terminal of claim 29 wherein the output is a connector port.

32. The television terminal of claim 29 wherein data stored on the disc storage device concerns one or more applications selected from a group consisting of games, education, encyclopedias, reference, and economics.

33. The television terminal of claim 29 further comprising a microprocessor connected to the disc storage device.

34. The television terminal of claim 33 further comprising programming instructions that execute on the microprocessor, wherein the programming instructions access data stored on the disc storage device.

35. The television terminal of claim 34 wherein the interface to the terminal transfers, to the hardware upgrade, information concerning television programs, and the programming instructions comprise:

programming instructions to monitor the information concerning television programs; and

programming instructions to retrieve data stored on the disc storage device in response to the information concerning television programs.

36. The television terminal of claim 29 wherein the television terminal is an HDTV terminal.

37. The television terminal of claim 29 wherein the disc storage device is a compact disc storage device.

38. The television terminal of claim 37 wherein the compact disc storage device is a CD-ROM device.

39. A method for delivering television programs through a television program delivery system with menu selection of programs, comprising:

receiving a television program from one or more headends;

communicating data and video signals through an interface within a set top terminal, the set top terminal having a microprocessor and microprocessor instructions for prompting generation of menus;

accessing data using a disc storage device and a microprocessor located on a hardware upgrade, wherein the disc storage device provides local storage capacity, and wherein the upgrade microprocessor is capable of communicating with the microprocessor of the set top terminal through the interface;

displaying the television program and/or information based on the accessed data.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the disc storage device is a CD-ROM.

41. The method of claim 39 further comprising:

processing the data stored on the disc storage device.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein the accessed data concerns one or more applications selected from a group consisting of games, education, encyclopedias, reference, and economics.

43. The method of claim 39 wherein the accessing step is performed in response to receiving the television program.

44. The method of claim 39 further comprising:

receiving information concerning programs;

monitoring the information concerning programs; and

wherein the accessing step is performed in response to the monitoring step.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein the information concerning programs is received in a vertical blanking interval.

46. The method of claim 44 wherein the information concerning programs is received in a program control information signal.

47. The method of claim 39 further comprising:

receiving subscriber input.

48. The method of claim 47 further comprising:

remotely receiving the subscriber input.

49. The method of claim 47 further comprising:

generating a menu on a television;

receiving menu selections from one or more menus, wherein the subscriber input comprises menu selections.

50. The method of claim 47 wherein the accessing step is performed in response to receiving the subscriber input.

51. The method of claim 39 wherein the disc storage device is a compact disc storage device.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein the compact disc storage device is a CD-ROM device.