Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Network computer configuring
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-07
2004-04-06
Follansbee, John (Department: 2154)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Network computer configuring
C709S222000, C725S116000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06718374
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of initializing a set-top terminal of a cable television system and upgrading the software or firmware in the set-top terminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of identifying and then downloading a specific version of a base platform code or other code object over the cable network that is appropriate to the architecture and capabilities of set-top terminal performing the download.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a typical cable television system, subscribers are provided with a set-top box or terminal. The set-top terminal is a box of electronic equipment that is used to connect the subscriber's television, and potentially other electronic equipment, with the cable network. The set-top box is usually connected to the cable network through a co-axial wall outlet.
The set-top box is essentially a computer that is programmed to process the signals from the cable network so as to provide the subscriber with the cable services. These services from the cable television company typically include access to a number of television channels and, perhaps, an electronic program guide. Additional premium channels may also be provided to subscribers at an additional fee. Pay-per-view events and video-on-demand may also be provided over the cable network. The set-top box is programmed to provide these and other services to the subscriber.
However, the services of the cable company need not be limited to providing television programming. Some cable companies are now offering internet access and e-mail over their cable networks at speeds much faster than are available over conventional telephone lines. It is anticipated in the future that more and more services will be provided over the cable network, including even basic telephone service. Eventually, each home or office may have a single connection, via the cable network, to all electronic data services.
When a new set-top terminal is added to the cable network, it must be initialized. To initialize a set-top terminal, the terminal must be provided with the programming required to allow it to function within the specific cable network to which it is connected and to thereby provide the services for which the subscriber has paid. Additionally, as the cable network and the services provided evolve, the set-top terminal must also evolve to be able to provide subscribers with all the services of the cable network. This set-top box evolution will primarily involve changes to the programming, or perhaps a re-initialization, of the set-top box. By upgrading the soft- or firmware of the set-top box, the box can be made to perform more efficiently or offer new services as the cable network evolves.
In order to initialize new set-top terminals and upgrade the programming in the existing population of set-top boxes on a cable network, it is preferable to transmit the necessary programming to the set-top boxes via the cable network itself. Otherwise, a technician must visit each subscriber to install or upgrade the set-top boxes. Such field installations and upgrades would obviously be at significant expense. The headend is the facility from which the cable network operator broadcasts television signals and provides other services over the cable network. Software that is provided to the population of set-top terminals could be broadcast from the headend over the cable network.
However, there are a variety of problems associated with initializing and upgrading set-top terminals by broadcasting programming from the headend. For example, over time the population of set-top terminals will likely include different makes and models of set-top terminals with different capacities. The software required to initialize or upgrade each make and model of set-top terminal may be different. Consequently, there is a need in the art for a method of matching the proper programming code to the capabilities of the set-top terminal being initialized or upgraded. Additionally, there is a need to automate the initialization process so as to eliminate or decrease the time required by a technician to install, upgrade or re-initialize a set-top terminal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to meet the above-described needs and others. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and mechanism for matching the proper programming code being broadcast over the cable plant to the capabilities of the set-top terminal being initialized or upgraded. Additionally, it is a further object of the present invention to automate the initialization process so as to eliminate or decrease the time required by a technician to install, upgrade or re-initialize a set-top terminal.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows or may be learned by those skilled in the art through reading these materials or practicing the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be achieved through the means recited in the attached claims.
To achieve these stated and other objects, the present invention may be embodied and described as a method of identifying a code object for download by a set-top terminal from a data transport stream broadcast to the set-top terminal over a cable television system where the object identified is appropriate to the architecture and capabilities of the set-top terminal. The method is performed by matching a platform identifier stored in the set-top terminal with a platform identifier in a download locator message that specifies where in the data transport stream a particular code object can be acquired. The platform identifier is specific to the architecture and capabilities of the set-top terminal. Preferably, the download locator message is an entitlement management message.
Prior to comparing the platform identifiers, the method includes tuning the data transport stream with the set-top terminal based on a table of control channels carrying data transport streams. After tuning the data transport stream, the method proceeds by collecting PID 1 packets from the data transport stream and extracting from the data of those packets a table specifying packet identifiers for a group of download locator messages being transmitted on the data transport stream. With this table, the method proceeds by successively acquiring each of the download locator messages listed in the table and extracting from each download locator message a platform identifier. This continues until a download locator message is found bearing a platform identifier that matches the platform identifier stored in the set-top terminal.
After a match is found, the method proceed by obtaining locator data from the download locator message that has the platform identifier that matches the platform identifier stored in the set-top terminal. The locator data specifies where in the data transport stream a particular code object can be acquired. That particular code object will be appropriate for and compatible with the set-top terminal as indicated by the matched platform identifiers. The method then concludes with downloading to the set-top terminal the particular code object specified by the locator data from the download locator message that contains the platform identifier that matches the platform identifier stored in the set-top terminal.
The particular code object being acquired can be any of several different classes of objects. For example, the object can be a base platform code object, an operating system code object or a resident application code object.
The present invention also encompasses the necessary hardware to perform the method described above. For example, the present invention encompasses a system for of identifying a code object for download by a set-top terminal from a data transport stream broadcast to the set-top terminal over a cable television system where the object identified is appropriate to the architecture and capabilities of the set-top terminal. Su
Bahraini Ardie
Del Sordo Christopher S.
Goffin, II Glen P.
Makofka Douglas S.
Poli Christopher
Follansbee John
General Instrument Corporation
Kananen Ronald P.
Lin Kenny
Nichols Steven L.
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