Internet set-top box having an in-band tuner and cable modem

Details Internet set-top box having an in-band tuner and cable modem Internet set-top box having an in-band tuner and cable modem

1999-12-29

2004-06-29

Faile, Andrew (Department: 2611)

Interactive video distribution systems

Video distribution system with upstream communication

Having link to external network

C380S210000, C725S025000, C725S031000, C725S110000, C725S109000, C725S002000, C709S217000, C709S218000, C709S219000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06757909

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of intelligent transceivers such as set-top boxes, in particular bi-directional set-top boxes. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a modular set-top box architecture in which the devices needed for bi-directional communication are substantially located in a single functional block.
2. Background Art
Digital broadcast systems include direct broadcast digital satellite systems, interactive World Wide Web access systems, and digital cable systems. Digital broadcasting provides a number of advantages to subscribers, such as variety and flexibility of programming, useful and comprehensive support services (such as detailed electronic programming guides), and superior audio and video quality. Subscribers receive broadcast digital signals via set-top boxes or other similar consumer electronic equipment (generally, a “transceiver”) located in the subscriber's home. In an intelligent set-top box, information and instructions associated with receiving and processing digital broadcast signals are stored in a memory unit of the set-top box and executed by a processor. With a bi-directional set-top box, in addition to receiving broadcast signals, a subscriber can transmit messages to the digital broadcast system operator (also referred to as a Multiple System Operator, MSO).
Using a bi-directional set-top box, a subscriber can select a premium service offered by the MSO, such as a pay-per-view event or movie, and the subscriber's selection as well as information needed for billing purposes are transmitted to the MSO. In a common implementation, a “smart card” stores the information needed for billing, and on a periodic basis (perhaps once per month) an automatic connection is made between the transceiver and the MSO so that the billing information can be transmitted to the MSO. To prevent unauthorized use, MSOs typically broadcast a scrambled signal. The signal is descrambled in the transceiver using a “scramble key” provided by the MSO.
A set-top box performs a number of functions associated with processing a broadcast digital signal. In a typical prior art embodiment, the digital signal received by the set-top box is scrambled, and the signal is descrambled by the set-top box before further processing occurs. The descrambled signal is then encrypted within the set-top box in order to prevent unauthorized duplication and use (“pirating”) of the descrambled signal. Once the encrypted signal is at a more secure location within the set-top box, it is decrypted for further processing. The digital signal is typically in a compressed data format such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) for video signals and/or Dolby AC3 for audio signals, and so the decrypted signal is decoded (uncompressed) by the set-top box. After decoding, the audio content and video content contained in the digital signal are processed so that it can be viewed and/or listened to by the subscriber using, for example, a television set.
Prior Art
FIG. 1
is an illustration of the various frequencies associated with different types of broadcast signals. The frequencies in the range of approximately 5-42 MHz are known as “upstream” signals, and the frequencies in the range of approximately 54-860 MHz are known as “downstream” signals. From the perspective of a set-top box, an upstream signal is transmitted and a downstream signal is received.
Within the upstream range, the range of frequencies from approximately 5-26 MHz are known as “out-of-band (OOB) upstream,” and the range of signals from approximately 26-42 MHz are known as “cable modem upstream.” Within the downstream range, the range of frequencies from approximately 70-130 MHz are known as “out-of-band downstream.”
The OOB upstream range is used by the set-top box to send billing information, for example, to the broadcast system operator or MSO. The cable modem upstream range is used by the set-top box for communicating with the World Wide Web, for sending e-mail, and the like. The in-band downstream range is used by the set-top box for receiving audio and video content. The OOB downstream range is used by the set-top box for receiving service information (e.g., electronic programming guide information, EPG) and for receiving the scramble key used by the set-top box to descramble a scrambled broadcast digital signal. An EPG typically provides information such as the names of programs, the time and channel associated with each program, and extended text tables with information regarding the subject matter of the program, actors names, and the like. An EPG generally is formatted as a table, with channels along one axis of the table, times along the other axis, and the name of the program at the intersection of the time and channel.
Current broadcast systems typically need to support both analog and digital television, and so the in-band downstream range is used for carrying both analog and digital audio and video (A/V) content. However, the bandwidth of the in-band downstream range is too narrow to accommodate the service information and scramble key in addition to the analog and digital A/V content. As a result, the OOB downstream range is used to carry the service information and scramble key.
Prior Art
FIG. 2
is a block diagram showing the architecture of a typical broadcast system
200
. A/V content for broadcast system
200
is provided by A/V content provider
230
. The A/V content is provided in the in-band downstream range to the many set-top boxes in broadcast system
200
(e.g., set-top boxes
250
a
,
250
b
,
250
c
,
250
d
and
250
e
). Depending on the type of system, broadcast system
200
may utilize a terrestrial broadcast (e.g., a wireless broadcast) or a terrestrial line (e.g., cable).
EPG server
210
provides the service information and scramble key for broadcast system
200
, although there may be a different source for this information in other implementations. The service information and scramble key are forwarded to out-of-band modulator
220
and then broadcast in the OOB downstream range to set-top boxes
250
a
,
250
b
,
250
c
,
250
d
and
250
e.
Set-top boxes
250
a
,
250
b
,
250
c
,
250
d
and
250
e
may also be communicatively coupled to the Internet via Internet router
240
. Communication with the Internet typically uses Internet Protocol (IP).
Prior Art
FIG. 3
is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an intelligent transceiver (e.g., set-top box
250
a
) used in broadcast system
200
of FIG.
2
. Central processing unit (CPU)
330
contains a processor and memory (not shown) for processing information and instructions used by set-top box
250
a.
With reference to FIG.
2
and
FIG. 3
, set-top box
250
a
includes an in-band tuner
305
for receiving the in-band downstream signals from A/V content provider
230
. In-band tuner
305
typically receives fixed frequency broadcast channels. The in-band downstream signal is demodulated by demodulator
310
, then forwarded to A/V decoder
315
for decoding, as described above. From A/V decoder
315
, the decoded signal is sent to a graphics block (not shown) for processing so that it can be displayed and/or listened to.
Continuing with reference to FIG.
2
and
FIG. 3
, set-top box
250
a
also includes an out-of-band tuner
320
for receiving the out-of-band downstream signal containing the scramble key and service information (SI). The out-of-band downstream signal is demodulated by modulator/demodulator
325
. The scramble key can be applied to the in-band downstream signal to descramble that signal and retrieve the A/V content (when the in-band downstream signal is scrambled, e.g., for a pay-per-view movie or event). The service information (if compressed) is decoded by A/V decoder
315
, then sent to a graphics block for processing so that the electronic programming guide can be displayed. Messages from set-top box
250
a
, such as a selection of a pay-per-view movie or event and the associated billing information, is modulated u

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