Dynamic application loader for set top box
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A set top box, comprising:
- a port to input a cable signal;
a video processor to process the cable signal and to extract encapsulated data therefrom; and
a CPU to execute an application to;
download from a head end of a cable system a first configuration file to provision the set top box which is associated with a first deployment group identifier, wherein the first deployment group identifier determines a first content of the encapsulated data and is associated with a first subset of set top boxes that share a common characteristic; and
download from the head end a second configuration file to provision the set top box that is associated with the first subset of set top boxes in accordance with a second deployment group identifier, wherein the second configuration file and the second deployment group identifier cause the set top box that is associated with the first subset of set to boxes to switch from the first subset of set top boxes to a second subset of set top boxes that share the common characteristic, wherein the switching is done by replacing the first deployment group identifier assigned to the set to box with the second deployment group identifier, and wherein the first configuration file and the second configuration file are services configuration files that identify services associated with the respective first deployment group identifier and the second deployment group identifier.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Set top boxes (STBs) in a cable system are configured on a box-by-box basis to facilitate beta and trial testing of new or updated services. STBs are assigned to deployment groups identified by a deployment group identifier. Features configurations including hierarchies of features can be defined individually for different deployment groups. Configuration files for provisioning the STBs are provided by a cable system head end according to the deployment group the STB is assigned to. STBs can be configured at the time they boot and register with the system or in a “hot” manner to avoid rebooting.
36 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A set top box, comprising:
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a port to input a cable signal; a video processor to process the cable signal and to extract encapsulated data therefrom; and a CPU to execute an application to; download from a head end of a cable system a first configuration file to provision the set top box which is associated with a first deployment group identifier, wherein the first deployment group identifier determines a first content of the encapsulated data and is associated with a first subset of set top boxes that share a common characteristic; and download from the head end a second configuration file to provision the set top box that is associated with the first subset of set top boxes in accordance with a second deployment group identifier, wherein the second configuration file and the second deployment group identifier cause the set top box that is associated with the first subset of set to boxes to switch from the first subset of set top boxes to a second subset of set top boxes that share the common characteristic, wherein the switching is done by replacing the first deployment group identifier assigned to the set to box with the second deployment group identifier, and wherein the first configuration file and the second configuration file are services configuration files that identify services associated with the respective first deployment group identifier and the second deployment group identifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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receiving a cable signal; extracting encapsulated data from the cable signal; executing an application to download from a head end of a cable system a first configuration file to provision a set top box which is associated with a first deployment group identifier, wherein the first deployment group identifier determines content of the encapsulated data and is associated with a first subset of set top boxes that share a common characteristic; and executing the application to download from the head end a second configuration file to provision the set top box that is associated with the first subset of set to boxes in accordance with a second deployment group identifier, wherein the second configuration file and the second deployment group identifier cause the set top box that is associated with the first subset of set to boxes to switch from the first subset of set top boxes to a second subset of set top boxes that share the common characteristic, wherein the switching is done by replacing the first deployment group identifier assigned to the set top box with the second deployment group identifier, and wherein the first configuration file and the second configuration file are services configuration files that identify services associated with the respective first deployment group identifier and the second deployment group identifier. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions cause a computing device to perform operations comprising:
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receiving a cable signal; extracting encapsulated data from the cable signal; and executing an application to download from a head end of a cable system a first configuration file to provision a set top box which is associated with a first deployment group identifier, wherein the first deployment group identifier determines a first content of the encapsulated data and is associated with a first subset of set top boxes that share a common characteristic; and executing the application to download from the head end a second deployment group identifier and a second configuration file that causes the set top box that is associated with the first subset of set to boxes to switch from the first subset of set top boxes to a second subset of set top boxes that share the common characteristic, wherein the switching is done by replacing the first deployment group identifier assigned to the set to box with the second deployment group identifier, and wherein the first configuration file and the second configuration file are services configuration files that identify services associated with the respective first deployment group identifier and the second deployment group identifier. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification