Asset allocation system and method for allocating satellite resources in a satellite broadcast communication system

• US 8,763,037 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2008
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hayes, Joseph T, Luu, Trang V, Takamoto, Mark T, Tronson, Jonathan L, Zaldivar, Gilbert, del Moral, Jorge P, Lee, John D, Woo, Paul P
• Primary Examiner(s): RABOVIANSKI, JIVKA A
• Application Number:
  US12/041,952
• Publication Number:
  US 20090228924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,303 Days
• Field of Search: 725/38, 725/39, 725/63, 725/70, 725/65, 725/68, 725/95, 725/89, 725/91, 725/92, 725/93, 725/49
• US Class Current: 725/39
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/42 Arrangements for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/74 of satellite networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23109 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. EPG data repository details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/239 Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. prioritizing client content requests hybrid fiber coaxial [HFC] networks for upstream channel allocation for video distribution H04L12/2801; flow control in data networks H04L47/10; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• 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 21/6143 involving transmission via a satellite

Abstract

A broadcast system and method for allocating its resources includes a broadcast operation channel management system forming a database having broadcast system data from a bit rate allocation for a transponder of a satellite and a guide channel definition. The broadcast operation channel management system generates a user interface that displays a least a portion of the broadcast system data on a display. The broadcast system data is modified through the user interface.

Claims

1. A method for allocating satellite resources in a satellite system comprising:

communicating a bit rate allocation for a transponder of a satellite to a broadcast operation channel management system;

communicating guide channel data to the broadcast operation channel management system;

forming a database comprising broadcast system data comprising the bit rate allocation and the guide channel data;

providing a user interface to the broadcast operation channel management system;

displaying at least a portion of the broadcast system data including bit rate allocation and guide channel data on a display associated with the broadcast operation channel management system;

modifying the database through the user interface; and

operating broadcast system components with the database.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising configuring broadcast system components in response to the broadcast system data.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein configuring broadcast system components comprises configuring a compression control system.

4. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein configuring the broadcast system components comprises configuring a program guide system.

5. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein configuring the broadcast system components comprises configuring a transport processing system.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein displaying at least a portion of the broadcast system data comprises displaying orbital slot data.

7. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein displaying orbital slot data comprises displaying at least one of a satellite position, a coverage type or a satellite name.

8. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein displaying at least a portion of the broadcast system data comprises displaying an uplink transponder and a downlink transponder.

9. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein displaying at least a portion of the broadcast system data comprises displaying a spot beam number.

10. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein displaying at least a portion of the broadcast system data comprises displaying a market name.

11. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein displaying at least a portion of the broadcast system data comprises displaying a channel identifier.

12. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein displaying at least a portion of the broadcast system data comprises displaying a channel logo.

13. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising entering a revision mode through the user interface and revising the broadcast system data.

14. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein entering the revision mode comprises entering the revision mode when a revision status comprises an in-work status.

15. A method as recited in claim 14 further comprising denying a revision mode when the revision status comprises an approved status or a pending approval status.

16. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein providing a user interface to the management system comprises providing a user login interface.

17. A method as recited in claim 16 further comprising determining a security status in response to the user login.

18. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein displaying a least a portion of the broadcast system data comprises displaying a least a portion of the broadcast system data in response to the security status.

19. A system comprising:

a broadcast operation channel management system forming a database comprising broadcast system data comprising a bit rate allocation for a transponder of a satellite and guide channel data;

said broadcast operation channel management system generating a user interface that displays at least a portion of the broadcast system data including the bit rate allocation and guide channel data on a display, wherein said broadcast system data is modified through the user interface.

20. A system as recited in claim 19 wherein the user interface comprises a user login interface, said broadcast operation channel management system determining a security status in response to the user login, and said broadcast operation channel management system displaying a portion of the broadcast system data in response to the security status.

21. A system as recited in claim 19 wherein the system comprises broadcast system components, said broadcast operation channel communicating broadcast system data to the broadcast system components.

22. A system as recited in claim 21 wherein the broadcast system components comprise a compression control system.

23. A system as recited in claim 22 wherein the compression control system configures an encoder in response to the broadcast system data.

24. A system as recited in claim 22 wherein the compression control system configures a multiplexer in response to the broadcast system data.

25. A system as recited in claim 21 wherein the broadcast system components comprise a program guide system.