CN1178506C - Method and apparatus for providing an interactive program guide with headent processing - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for providing an interactive program guide with headent processing Download PDF

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Publication number
CN1178506C
CN1178506C CNB998082023A CN99808202A CN1178506C CN 1178506 C CN1178506 C CN 1178506C CN B998082023 A CNB998082023 A CN B998082023A CN 99808202 A CN99808202 A CN 99808202A CN 1178506 C CN1178506 C CN 1178506C
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China
Prior art keywords
information
top box
classification
database
end processor
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Expired - Fee Related
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CNB998082023A
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Chinese (zh)
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CN1308815A (en
Inventor
T・R・米绍
T·R·米绍
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Arris Technology Inc
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General Instrument Corp
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Publication date
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Publication of CN1308815A publication Critical patent/CN1308815A/en
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Publication of CN1178506C publication Critical patent/CN1178506C/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/68—Systems specially adapted for using specific information, e.g. geographical or meteorological information
    • H04H60/72—Systems specially adapted for using specific information, e.g. geographical or meteorological information using electronic programme guides [EPG]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/262—Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists
    • H04N21/26283—Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/435—Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/63—Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing
    • H04N21/64—Addressing
    • H04N21/6408—Unicasting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/84—Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
    • H04N7/165—Centralised control of user terminal ; Registering at central
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/16—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution of identical information repeatedly
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/28—Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
    • H04H20/33—Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information by plural channels
    • H04H20/34—Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information by plural channels using an out-of-band subcarrier signal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H2201/00—Aspects of broadcast communication
    • H04H2201/30—Aspects of broadcast communication characterised by the use of a return channel, e.g. for collecting users' opinions, for returning broadcast space/time information or for requesting data
    • H04H2201/37—Aspects of broadcast communication characterised by the use of a return channel, e.g. for collecting users' opinions, for returning broadcast space/time information or for requesting data via a different channel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H2201/00—Aspects of broadcast communication
    • H04H2201/40—Aspects of broadcast communication characterised in that additional data relating to the broadcast data are available via a different channel than the broadcast channel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H2201/00—Aspects of broadcast communication
    • H04H2201/70—Aspects of broadcast communication characterised in that receivers can be addressed

Abstract

A method and apparatus of providing an electronic guide to television programming includes a headend database and processor which segments and categorizes programming information, and then which is broadcast in a hierarchy over an out-of-band channel. Individual subscriber's set-top terminals access and display the guide information direct from the headend server in response to input from the subscriber. Alternatively, individual set-top terminals submit requests for particular guide information are filled by the server serially over the out-of-band channel.

Description

Provide the method and apparatus of interactive program guide by front-end processing
The present invention relates to distribute the TV program information field.More specifically, the present invention relates to a kind of method and apparatus that the interactive program guide is provided, wherein, programme information is focused on by the ISP, directly is downloaded on televiewer's the screen, and therefore, the televiewer there does not need a large amount of and expensive memory.
Because TV is extremely universal in the modern cultural life, cable TV network and satellite TV system are constantly supported TV station's number and the increase of television channel number purpose in the big city.The result is the huge and growth of number of programs, and specific spectators can be happy to this.Can to watch new program in order informing, to have developed multiple device to spectators.
Traditionally, make spectators learn that the standard method of list of television programmes is to publish program guide in magazine, or be published on the local newspaper.Yet when the listing content increased, the publication listing was more optional on newspaper.Otherwise publish the way of program guide and also can attempt, provide whole listings by it.But, it is so tediously long that program guide has become, fast determines to obtain the spectators of what program for hope, perhaps seeks out the spectators of whole tabulations of the program of particular type for hope, and they seem and no longer include help.And the listing of publication can not upgrade in time to reflect that at the last moment plan variation and program add.
For solve the publication listing intrinsic this class problem, developed electronic program guides.This system is stored into electronic program guides in the electrical storage in spectators' the television set, perhaps be stored into one with set-top box that spectators' television set is connected in.Then, the user can visit this program guide, makes it to be shown on the television screen.
For example, the United States Patent (USP) U.S.Pat.No.4 of Yabe, 288,809 and people's such as Hutt United States Patent (USP) U.S.Pat.No.4, such system has been described in 052,719 (the two is all quoted at this as a reference), and it sends out the alphanumeric programme information at the field blanking interval of incoming video signal.This information is identified by a kind of identification code, is stored in the memory that is associated with spectators' television set, and it can be called out and be shown on the television screen.Memory is a random-access memory (ram), transmits new information by the field blanking interval at incoming video signal, can constantly upgrade performance guide information.
Similarly, people's such as Doumit United States Patent (USP) U.S.Pat.No.4 has illustrated in 203,130 (it is quoted at this as a reference) for cable TV subscriber's program calendar information and the demonstration aspect other data.This performance guide information is included in the TV signal that transmits by cable, is stored in the memory that is associated with spectators' television set, and it can be retrieved and show.Utilized whole television screen during demonstration.
People's such as Reiter United States Patent (USP) U.S.Pat.No.4 discloses a kind of system that performance guide information similarly is provided in 751,578 (it is quoted at this as a reference).Yet the display modes that the people told about such as Reiter both can have been utilized whole screen, also can superpose or windowing on the TV programme that receives.Performance guide information is stored among the RAM of this machine, is upgraded by information encoded in the TV signal, and it can provide by telephone line, perhaps is recorded in magnetic card or the floppy disk.
The United States Patent (USP) U.S.Pat.No.4 of Young has shown a kind of similar electronic program guides in 706,121 (it is quoted at this as a reference).The Young system is stored into electronic program guide information in memory spectators there, it can be used for the VCR (video cassette recorder) that connects is programmed, with the recorded program table, and need not transmit and re-enter programme information to VCR by spectators.
All these systematic problems of elder generation are that this is to come the store electrons program guide at spectators there application memory.But along with the surge of viewing channel number and number of programs, must provide more and more multi-memory, in order to store relevant electronic program guides.Like this, the cost of equipment and the volume of equipment of spectators' electron gain program guide have been increased.
Therefore, need a kind of method and system that TV programme electronic guide information is provided in the present technique field, it can constantly upgrade according to spectators' request, search and organizational information, and is not limited to spectators' memory cell and processing hardware.
An object of the present invention is to satisfy the demand and other demand.Particularly, an object of the present invention is to provide a kind of method and system of TV programme electronic guide information, it can constantly upgrade according to spectators' request, search and organizational information, and is not limited to spectators' memory cell and processing hardware.
The present invention's other purpose, advantage and new features will provide in the explanation of back, and the those of ordinary skill in the present technique field just can be grasped the present invention by reading these data or putting into practice the present invention.By putting into practice the device of enumerating in the appending claims, can realize the present invention's purpose and advantage.
In order to reach various such purposes, be according to electronic program manual transmission information to the enforcement and the explanation of the present invention's system.Include the electronic program guide information database of possessing by the Network supplier in the system; And comprise a front-end processor, the information that it can be visited, classifies and collect and come from database, with message transmission to set-top box, on television set, to show this information.
Like this, do not need the copy of each set-top box download and stored data base to use so that this machine to be provided.So preferably set-top box need not be stored into the full detail that database comes in the memory.
Among another embodiment, include the transmitter that a request is transferred to front-end processor in the set-top box, requested database information that come, that can satisfy predetermined criterion.Front-end processor receives this request, collects out one the information in database to this request responding, and this response is broadcast on the set-top box of a destination, and it is the set-top box that proposes this request.
This destination is different from the set-top box of filing a request from other set-top box, and they are also broadcasted this response.Then, send the set-top box of this request and can discern this response, and will satisfy and ask the performance guide information of criterion (for example being the sports cast in 3 hours thereafter) to show.
Another kind of situation, front-end processor can be according to classification with the information classifications in the database, and classification is arranged by different level.Then, on the channel of front-end processor outside a band will according to the information of classification hierarchical classification as data flow transmission to set-top box.Comprise a catalogue signal in the data flow, it provides a catalogue according to the hierarchical classification information of classification to all set-top box.Then, set-top box application catalogue signal extracts information from data flow, and it is in response to information that indicate, desired in the user input.
The present invention also covers a kind of method, be used for by broadcasting electronic program guide information to subscriber computer top box transmission performance guide information, directly be presented on the television set, message transmission is implemented by front-end processor, and the information in the database of the electronic program information that it possesses the Network supplier is classified and collected.
Method of the present invention comprises that also request is from information database, that can satisfy predetermined criterion by request of one of set-top box front-end processor transmission.Preferably, information transmitted comprises the destination of a set-top box of filing a request in the request.
Front-end processor is carried out the following step and is responded: receive this request; To response of this request compilation, it includes the information that is provided by database, be adapted to predetermined criterion; And response is broadcast on the set-top box with the set-top box destination of filing a request.
Yet the set-top box of filing a request is carried out the following step: discern response by the identification destination; Extract described response; And described response is presented on the video screen.
Another kind of situation, method of the present invention be by coming information in the taxonomy database according to classification on front-end processor, and with the level that is arranged to of all categories, so as to providing the information of programming; Will be according to the information of classification hierarchical classification as transmitting in the channel of data flow outside a band; And data flow provided with a catalogue signal, it provides a catalogue of carrying out information classification according to the classification level to set-top box.In this embodiment, set-top box according to the desired information that indicates in user's input, is used the catalogue signal is carried out the information that extracts from data flow step then.
Show clear the present invention in the accompanying drawing, they are parts of the technology of the present invention standard.All accompanying drawings are together with following explanation, prove and have shown principle of the present invention.
Fig. 1 is according to a system schematic of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a flow chart, shows the treatment step of first embodiment that understands the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a flow chart, shows the treatment step of second embodiment that understands the present invention.
Now, with reference to accompanying drawing the present invention is described.
As shown in fig. 1, the essential part according to the present invention's system is the television set 102 that is connected on the set-top box 101.Can know, also the function of set-top box 101 can be enclosed in the television set 102 during fabrication, can not influence principle of the present invention.
Shown in the example, set-top box 101 is connected on the cable TV ISP by a wired network.Particularly, set-top box 101 is connected on the central front-end processor 103 that the ISP possesses.Front-end processor 103 can interview show information database 104, and database 104 is constantly with up-to-date list of television programmes information updating.
Be appreciated that, be connected to all the so much users on ISP's the wired network, separately television set and set-top box are arranged.They all are connected front-end processor 103.Though, used a cable television network in the example, can know that the present invention also can realize in the broadcasting and television network of satellite or routine.
The present invention has utilized the more television network of high bandwidth, particularly wired network, to provide a kind of interactive electronic program guide in a radio and television environment.According to principle of the present invention, the electronic databank 104 of programme information is stored on the fore device, also promptly is stored in ISP or CNN place, rather than is stored on each user's on the spot the television set 102.
Information in the front end data storehouse 104 is handled by front-end processor 103, transfers to user's television set 102 for showing by television network after collecting.Therefore, do not need to transmit entire database 104 and be stored in each user's on the spot the set-top box 101.
Front-end processor 103 can provide programme information with different main components with various forms.For example, front-end processor 103 can provide programming information on the samsara conveyer of a broadcasting, and by the program that tabulation operation can Gong be watched, the user chooses by means of indicate it on program guide, can connect any program in tabulating with interactive mode.
Therefore, receive in the set-top box 101 or television components of this information, only need minimum disposal ability and memory span.And its central server plays the effect of front-end processor 103, makes it be easy to upgrade and corrigendum program information database 104.So the integrity of database is enhanced.
Another kind of situation, as shown in Figure 2, under principle of the present invention, front-end processor can provide a data flow by different level, and its each level is adapted to a kind of specific programme information classification, can be for user capture.
At first, in step 201, program information database has collected.Then, in step 202, according to the program category taxonomy database.For example can comprise in the program category: 4 hours thereafter can be for whole programs of watching; Whole sports casts of broadcasting in the same day; The whole adventure films that to broadcast that night.
Include in the program guide data storehouse 104 for example is each programm name that can watch program, airtime and broadcasting channel.The classification of data or the importance of segmentation are that it has determined the smallest particles amount of database 104.Set up suitable data storehouse chopping rule by the server operator, to guide the work of server.The operator is also by the classification of setting up classification and the classification that level comes supporting database.
Then, in step 202, front-end processor 103 will be set up each independent program table, and they can supply usefulness in each the specific classification during the stipulated time section.So, in step 203, these tabulation arrangements according to classification are gone in the taxonomical hierarchy, for example, adventure film and legend film are included in the single stratigraphic classification " film ".
Then, the network operator Boot Server is divided into each data flow with database component, is used for broadcasting on network.So user's application examples is their personal device of set-top box 101 and so in this way, the user just can directly visit the data flow that includes required programme information from front-end server 103.
In the step 204, also comprise a catalogue signal component in the front-end processor 103, it supports set-top box 101 according to each composition in the level accessing database of broadcast data stream.Under principle of the present invention, in the step 205, can use the outer communication channel of a band and come to all set-top box broadcasting directory informations.When in broadcast data stream, having the ability that fits into the short time database file that has directory information, can provide a kind of applied environment more flexibly.Server and network operator can also provide a kind of access control system, and it allows different segmentation in the database that user capture sold.
In example, include essential hardware and software in the set-top box 101, can on step 206, receive directory information, wherein list the segmentation and the level of database in detail, and can on step 207, use this directory information comes each data segment in the navigation data stream according to user's sensing level.Then, on step 208,101 couples of users of set-top box demonstrate selected programme information.
Example goes out an alternative embodiment of the invention among Fig. 3, and programme information is constant to be categorized into the broadcasting that some classification levels carry out, and is replaced by a kind of interactive data Request System.In this embodiment, on the step 301, the user also is to select program category and the time segment table from the sorting criterion table that can supply usefulness, and it provides the guide of information needed.On the step 302, will ask to transfer on the server in the front-end processor 103 by television network by a transmitter that includes in the set-top box 101.
Then, on step 303, front-end processor 103 receives these requests, and on step 304 and 305 user's information requested is classified and collect.The response that request is made provides with a code, and it can be recognized by the subscriber computer top box 101 of filing a request.Then, on step 306, by make the broadcasting response with outer performance guide information channel.The new request of reception is met.
On the step 307, the subscriber computer top box 101 of filing a request monitors the info-channel that band is outer after the request that transfers out information; And on step 308, from outside the data of info-channel transmission identify its request responding.Then, 101 pairs of these responses of set-top box are retrieved, to be shown to the user.Like this, the user can ask desirable search severally, and it can provide more variable and more detailed information than it system by different level described above.
The explanation that provides previously is only to example of the present invention and explanation, and its purpose is not to want exhaustive or limit the invention on disclosed arbitrary concrete form.According to top telling about, might make many kinds of modifications and changes.
Selecting and illustrate preferred embodiment for use, is for the principle of explaining the present invention best and its practical application.The explanation of front its with being intended to, make other those of ordinary skill in the present technique field can utilize the present invention in various embodiments best, and be suitable for the application-specific envisioned with the modification of various kinds.To this, stipulated out claim scope of the present invention in the following claims.

Claims (3)

1. one kind in order to propagate the system of electronic program guide information, comprises:
An electronic program information database of possessing by Internet Service Provider; And
A front-end processor, visit described database, to classifying from the information of described database and collecting, and send described information to a set-top box, described information is shown on the television set, wherein said front-end processor is classified the described information in the described database according to the classification that the operator by front-end processor determines, and with the described level arrangement of pressing of all categories, described front-end processor is sent to the information of described hierarchical classification according to classification on the set-top box as the data flow in the out of band channel, comprise a catalogue signal in the described data flow, provide with the catalogue of described information according to the classification hierarchical classification so that the desired information that described set-top box indicates in can be to user's input plays response to described set-top box, use described catalogue signal extraction information from described data flow.
2. system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described set-top box is not stored into the full detail that described database comes in the memory.
3. one kind in order to propagate the method for electronic program guide information, performance guide information is transferred on user's the set-top box in order to directly to be presented on the television set, said method comprising the steps of: the described information that provides a front-end processor to be used for an electronic program guide information database that the Network supplier is maintained is classified and is collected; The classification of determining according to operator by described front-end processor by front-end processor and in level to the arrangement of described classification, the described information in the described database is classified; With the information of described hierarchical classification according to classification as transmitting in the channel of data flow outside a band; And provide a catalogue signal to described data flow, provide the catalogue of a described information according to the classification hierarchical classification so that the desired information that described set-top box indicates in can be according to user's input is used described catalogue signal extraction information from described data flow to described set-top box.
CNB998082023A 1998-05-01 1999-04-27 Method and apparatus for providing an interactive program guide with headent processing Expired - Fee Related CN1178506C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US7075998A 1998-05-01 1998-05-01
US09/070,759 1998-05-01

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CN1178506C true CN1178506C (en) 2004-12-01

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JP (1) JP2002514864A (en)
CN (1) CN1178506C (en)
AU (1) AU766265B2 (en)
BR (1) BR9910183A (en)
CA (1) CA2331092A1 (en)
TW (1) TW492252B (en)
WO (1) WO1999057904A1 (en)

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AU3763599A (en) 1999-11-23
AU766265B2 (en) 2003-10-09
EP1078527A1 (en) 2001-02-28
JP2002514864A (en) 2002-05-21
WO1999057904A1 (en) 1999-11-11
CA2331092A1 (en) 1999-11-11
CN1308815A (en) 2001-08-15
BR9910183A (en) 2001-12-11

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