Dynamic application loader for set top box

• US 10,003,839 B1
• Filed: 06/17/2015
• Issued: 06/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CSC Holdings LLC (Altice USA, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CSC Holdings LLC (Altice USA, Inc.)
• Inventors: Neill, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Ricky
• Application Number:
  US14/742,195
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2362 Generation or processing of Service Information [SI]
• 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 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25858 involving client software characteristics, e.g. OS identifier
• 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 21/26291 for providing content or additional data updates, e.g. updating software modules, stored at the client deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• 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 21/4432 Powering on the client, e.g. bootstrap loading using setup parameters being stored locally or received from the server resetting in general G06F1/14; program loading or initiating in general G06F9/445; bootstrapping in general G06F9/4401; secure boots of computer platforms G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4586 Content update operation triggered locally, e.g. by comparing the version of software modules in a DVB carousel to the version stored locally deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction of the data by redundancy during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• 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 21/8166 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

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.

Claims

1. A method for updating a first version of a software application to a second version of the software application, the method comprising:

transmitting a first executable file to a set top box from among a plurality of set top boxes having a common characteristic, wherein the first executable file, when launched by the set top box, determines a configurable deployment group identifier of the set top box;

transmitting a first configuration file corresponding to the configurable deployment group identifier to the set top box, wherein the first configuration file is utilized by the first executable file to determine the first version of the software application launched on the set top box and a location of the second version of the software application;

transmitting a second executable file corresponding to the configurable deployment group identifier to the set top box, wherein the second executable file, when launched by the set top box, downloads the second version of the software application from the location of the second version of the software application; and

transmitting a second configuration file corresponding to the configurable deployment group identifier, wherein the second configuration file identifies one or more features available on the set top box, and

wherein the second version of the software application is launched by the set top box in accordance with the one or more features available on the set top box.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more features available on the set top box are associated with the configurable deployment group identifier.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the first executable file, the first configuration file, the second executable file, or the second configuration file comprises:

transmitting the first executable file, the first configuration file, the second executable file, or the second configuration file using a video transport channel set to a particular frequency.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

reconfiguring the configurable deployment group identifier of the set top box.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the reconfiguring further comprises:

transmitting a broadcast message to the set top box, wherein the broadcast message includes a new deployment group identifier, and

wherein the new deployment group identifier causes the set top box to download the second version of the software application.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the first executable file comprises:

transmitting the first executable file in response to the set top box executing a reboot and registration process.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first executable file, when executed by the set top box, parses the first configuration file to determine the first version of the software application launched on the set top box and the location of the second version of the software application.

8. A head end system for updating a first version of a software application to a second version of the software application, the head end system comprising:

a memory that stores a first executable file, a first configuration file, a second executable file, and a second configuration file,

wherein the first configuration file corresponds to a configurable deployment group identifier of a set top box and includes a location of the second version of the software application configured to execute on the set top box,

wherein the second executable file corresponds to the configurable deployment group identifier and the second version of the software application, and

wherein the second configuration file corresponds to the configurable deployment group identifier and identifies one or more features available on the set top box;

a processor configured to identify the configurable deployment group identifier of the set top box; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the first executable file, the first configuration file, the second executable file, and the second configuration file to the set top box,

wherein the first executable file is configured to cause the set top box to determine the configurable deployment group identifier of the set top box,

wherein the first configuration file is configured to cause the set top box to determine the first version of the software application launched on the set top box,

wherein the second executable file is configured to cause the set top box to download the second version of the software application from the location of the second version of the software application, and

wherein the second version of the software application is launched by the set top box in accordance with the one or more features available on the set top box.

9. The head end system of claim 8, wherein the one or more features available on the set top box are associated with the configurable deployment group identifier.

10. The head end system of claim 8, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the first executable file, the first configuration file, the second executable file, or the second configuration file using a video transport channel set to a particular frequency.

11. The head end system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to:

reconfigure the configurable deployment group identifier of the set top box.

12. The head end system of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a broadcast message to the set top box, and

wherein the broadcast message includes a new deployment group identifier, and

wherein the new deployment group identifier causes the set top box to download the second version of the software application.

13. The head end system of claim 8, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the first executable file in response to the set top box executing a reboot and registration process.

14. The head end system of claim 8, wherein the first executable file is configured to parse the first configuration file to determine the first version of the software application launched on the set top box and the location of the second version of the software application.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations, the operations comprising:

transmitting a first executable file to a set top box from among a plurality of set top boxes having a common characteristic, wherein the first executable file, when launched by the set top box, determines a configurable deployment group identifier of the set top box;

transmitting a first configuration file corresponding to the configurable deployment group identifier to the set top box, wherein the first configuration file is utilized by the first executable file to determine the first version of the software application launched on the set top box and a location of the second version of the software application;

transmitting a second executable file corresponding to the configurable deployment group identifier to the set top box, wherein the second executable file, when launched by the set top box, downloads the second version of the software application from the location of the second version of the software application; and

transmitting a second configuration file corresponding to the configurable deployment group identifier, wherein the second configuration file identifies one or more features available on the set top box, and

wherein the second version of the software application is launched by the set top box in accordance with the one or more features available on the set top box.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more features available on the set top box are associated with the configurable deployment group identifier.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising reconfiguring the configurable deployment group identifier of the set top box.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the transmitting the first executable file comprises:

transmitting the first executable file in response to the set top box executing a reboot and registration process.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the first executable file, when executed by the set top box, parses the first configuration file to determine the first version of the software application launched on the set top box and the location of the second version of the software application.