Interactive video distribution systems – User-requested video program system – Video-on-demand
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-18
2001-03-20
Faile, Andrew (Department: 2611)
Interactive video distribution systems
User-requested video program system
Video-on-demand
C725S116000, C725S146000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205582
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to cable television systems, particularly those providing private channels on demand to users for interactive-type services.
BACKGROUND ART
Bandwidth problems have long restricted the ability of cable television systems to provide private information services to subscribers. Such information services may include Internet access, video-on-demand, games, catalogs, etc. Private services may also include allowing the user to select from among hundreds of less popular programming that is thus made available only on a demand basis. One solution to the limits on system bandwidth has been to assign a portion of cable system bandwidth to conventional or popular channels that are universally broadcast to all subscribers. The remaining available channels are then available for assignment to requesting subscribers on a demand basis.
One such system for providing interactive services on a demand basis is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,578. The full disclosure of this reference is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Basically the cable service distribution network divides the subscriber pool into various service areas, each served by a different trunk. A first group of channels broadcast to all service areas may provide conventional channels on channels 2 to 73 for example. A second group of channels, 74 to 79, for example, may be reserved for private information services. While the information on channels 2 to 73 is the same in each service area, the information on channels 74 to 79 is different in each service area. Of these channels, those that are in use are individually assigned to requesting subscribers. Subscribers receiving analog signals will use a full channel, those receiving digital signals will share the assigned channel with other subscribers on a packet addressed or time shared basis. A subscriber in one service area may be interacting on channel 74 at the same time a different subscriber in a different service area was also assigned to channel 74. The headend is equipped with the necessary processing, switching or splitting and combining systems for setting up these private channels on demand. Once assigned a channel for interactive services, the subscriber can request from any of a number of interactive services. Different interactive services may be accessed by the user requesting a different channel. For example, channels 80 to 300 can be virtual channels each of which accesses a different interactive service. As the subscriber continues to change channels among the interactive alternatives, the program being watched will change but the subscriber will remain tuned to the assigned channel for receiving interactive services. The information services can thus be provided to a subscriber over virtual channels in which the channel number changes for different interactive information services, even though the various information services may be provided over a fixed frequency input to the set top. The control data from the subscriber is set top can cause the back end to supply a different information service as the subscriber appears to be changing the channel.
In the system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,578, the headend includes a finite number of interactive controllers (or processors) for assignment to subscribers requesting interactive service. The interactive controllers are often dedicated to a particular type of interactive service whether it be Internet access, games, catalog shopping, movies or other service. Thus for interactive service as a whole and particularly for given types of interactive services the available resources at the headend in the form of interactive controllers is limited. It is expensive and therefore undesirable to provide a full complement of interactive controllers for each given type of interactive service for each service area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an interactive cable system in which a frame server is included in the headend along with a plurality of assignable interactive controllers. The frame server of an embodiment of the invention interfaces with a plurality of home interface controllers. Each home interface controller is associated with a subscriber television and a subscriber selection device that permits subscriber interaction. The frame server generates display images to be supplied to the subscriber television associated with the assigned home interface controller in a digital television signal over the cable system's information service distribution network. The display images from the frame server are preferably limited to interactive pages as defined herein. The subscriber selection device of a home interface controller assigned to the frame server can communicate with the frame server through a transmitter in the home interface controller and over a data communication link. The data communication link is typically either a frequency band on the cable distribution network or the telephone lines.
The plurality of interactive controllers also at the headend each receive data communications from an assigned home interface controller. The interactive controller generates information signals to be supplied over television signals through the information service distribution network to the subscriber television of the assigned home interface controller. A system manager in the headend is in data communication with the home interface controllers so that it can assign the frame server or one of the interactive controllers to a home interface controller requesting interactive service.
The frame server advantageously accommodates a large number of subscribers requesting interactive service so that the overall demand for interactive controllers is reduced. Such a system can be cost effectively built with fewer interactive controller cards and modules than would otherwise be needed to satisfy subscriber demand for interactive services. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the following description of the presently preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the drawings.
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Bromberg & Sunstein LLP
Bui Kieu-Oanh
Faile Andrew
ICTV Inc.
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