CN1426234A - Data inserting system and method in customer general data request broadcast transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a universal set-top-box (STB) implemented by computer for receiving multiple data files comprising at least one DOD data file and at least one non-DOD data file, comprising the following steps: receiving at least one DOD data file in a non-client specific manner such that the DOD data file may be viewed on demand; receiving at least one non-DOD data file; providing the EPG data to the user of the universal STB; receiving user input from the user of the universal STB requesting access to the first data file; providing access to the first data file to the user; displaying at least a portion of the DOD data file to the user; and displaying at least one portion of the non-DOD data file to the user.

Description

In the transmission of client's conventional data interactive broadcasting, insert the system and method for data

Cross reference to related application

The application is the part continuation application of the following patent application of Khoi-Hoang: be used to transmit non-VOD service method and device, submit to October 25 calendar year 2001, attorney 60595-301801; Selectivity forbids and prevents copy that submit to August 20 calendar year 2001, application number 09/933,696; Control data program request client access, submit to July 9 calendar year 2001, application number 09/902,503; Have the standby time of reduction and the data-on-demand broadcast transmitted matrix of constant bandwidth, submit to June 25 calendar year 2001, application number 09/892,017; STB by the agreement exchange is false proof, and submit to June 25 calendar year 2001, application number 09/892,015; Universal STB structure and control method, submit application number 09/870,879 May 30 calendar year 2001; Non-client's specified point multicast data broadcasting (modification), on May 31st, 2000 was submitted application number 09/584,832; Be used for providing to broadcast system the method for video-on-demand service, on November 10th, 2000 submitted, and application number is 09/709,948; With universal digital broadcast system and method, submit April 24 calendar year 2001, and application number is 09/841,792, by reference with all these nine applications in conjunction with in this application.

Technical field

Relate generally to digital data interactive of the present invention (DOD) broadcast system.The present invention be more particularly directed to be used for inserting the system and method for the data file of for example advertisement to the service that ordering digital video by short message (VOD) provider provides.

Background technology

Video request program (VOD) system is a type of data-on-demand (DOD) system.In the VOD system, on the basis of program request, video data file is offered one or more clients by server or server network.Those skilled in the art can understand these systems well.Can comprise film, TV programme, Karaoke program, books, news etc. by the VOD service that these systems provide.

In traditional VOD structure, server or server network are with the layering client-server pattern and the client communication of standard.For example, the client sends request to data file (as video data file) to server.In response to client requests, server sends to the client with requested file.Under the client-server pattern of standard, the client can be satisfied by one or more servers the request of data file.The client may have any received data file of storage in the nonvolatile memory of this locality so that the ability of using future.The client-server pattern of standard needs two-way communication infrastructure.Current, two-way communication requires to set up new infrastructure, because existing cable can only provide one-way communication.The example of two-way communication infrastructure has hybred fiber-coax cable (HFC) or full fiber basis facility.Alternative existing cable is very expensive, and final resulting service may allow most burden for users not play expense.

In addition, the client-server pattern of standard attempts to have a lot of restrictions when a large amount of clients provide the VOD service service provider (as wired TV and Radio Corporation).One of restriction of the client-server pattern of standard is that the service provider must realize a kind of mechanism of intercepting constantly and satisfying each request of each client in the network; Like this, client's the quantity that can enjoy service just depends on a kind of like this ability of mechanism.A kind of mechanism is used has the massively parallel computer of the quick disk array of magnanimity as home server.But, even if the fastest existing home server also can only be simultaneously to about 1000 to 2000 client's transmitting video datas stream.Like this, in order to provide service, must increase the quantity of home server to more users.The home server that increases requires more top service device to safeguard the control of home server.

Another restriction of the client-server pattern of standard is its bandwidth of each customer requirement.Like this, total required bandwidth just is directly proportional with the quantity of ordering the client.Cache memory in the home server has been used to improve bandwidth constraints, but is to use cache memory not deal with problems, because cache memory also has limitation.

Except the restriction of these transmission DOD file, the transmission of other data also is restricted similarly.DOD service provider may want before DOD that a DOD client orders service shows, during or afterwards to DOD client's display ads or other data.In traditional DOD server system, these additional data file also must before the VOD program, during or be transmitted afterwards, this need transmit the additional bandwidth outside the required bandwidth of DOD program self.

Now, more can afford the expense of video-on-demand service in order to make the client, the existing service provider brings up to every home server client ratio on the capacity of home server.Usually, an energy provides the home server of service in fact bearing the task of serving 10,000 clients to 1000 clients.If order the great majority order video simultaneously not among the client, this technology just can work.But this technology begins failure from foundation, because most client may think that simultaneously (that is: at night and weekend) watch video frequency program, this just causes the home server overload.

Thereby people's expectation is independent of the VOD file with the general one way system of client provides video file, as advertisement, then these advertisements is shown with conserve transmission bandwidth together with the VOD program.People also expect to provide a kind of can provide order program service to a large amount of clients by in fact any transmission medium, and need not replace the system of existing infrastructure.People also are desirably in to be independent of provides the DOD service on the bandwidth of ordering client's quantity.In addition, use minimum additional transport bandwidth transmission advertisement so that the ability that shows with the DOD service also is desired.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a kind of energy and transmit order program service to a large amount of clients, and need not replace the system of existing infrastructure by in fact any transmission medium.The present invention also provides DOD service on the bandwidth that is independent of order client quantity.In addition, the invention provides the ability that is independent of DOD service transmission advertisement or other non-DOD data files and shows DOD data file and non-DOD data file (as advertisement) in the mode of seamless demonstration.

In one exemplary embodiment, in server one side, the computer implemented generic broadcasted method of a kind of usefulness comprises step: to a plurality of client's broadcaster client conventional data program requests (DOD) data, wherein the transmission of order program data (DOD) need be independent of certain transmission bandwidth of described a plurality of clients' quantity by transmission medium; With broadcast at least one non-DOD data file by described transmission medium to described a plurality of clients; Wherein the DOD data can be configured to show to the user; And wherein said at least one non-DOD data file can be configured to show together with the DOD data file.

In one exemplary embodiment, in client's one side, computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) (STB) method that is used to receive a plurality of data files that comprise at least one DOD data file and at least one non-DOD data file of a kind of usefulness comprises step: receive at least one DOD data file with non-client's ad hoc fashion, make that the DOD data file can be viewed in the mode near program request; Receive at least one non-DOD data file; User to universal STB provides EPG data; Receive user's input of request visit first data file from the user of universal STB; Provide visit to the user to first data file; At least a portion that shows the DOD data file to the user; With at least a portion that shows non-DOD data file to the user.

In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention also provides a kind of set-top box (STB) equipment that is used to visit at least one data-on-demand (DOD) data file of broadcasting as sequence of blocks of data on wide area network, comprising: be used for receiving the input unit from the file request of at least one file user, that select described DOD broadcast data file; Be used to start the processor of an authorized document retrieval process with at least one DOD data block of the described sequence of blocks of data of retrieval in very first time interval; Be used for showing after the very first time interval display unit of the first of DOD data file, wherein this display unit also is used at least a portion of non-DOD data file is shown with the DOD file.According to an embodiment, STB also is used for inserting this part that form shows non-DOD data file in response to commercial advertisement.And according to another embodiment, STB also is used for receiving commercial advertisement from the service provider and inserts form, and wherein this commercial advertisement is inserted form and adapted to the corresponding grade of service of user.

According to the present invention, a kind of data on demand system generally includes first group of channel server, be used to control the central control server of first group of channel server, be coupled to first group of upconverter of first group of channel server, be coupled to the combiner/amplifier of first group of upconverter and be suitable for sending the combiner/amplifier of data by transmission medium.In one exemplary embodiment, data on demand system also comprises channel monitoring module, switch matrix, second group of channel server and the second group of upconverter that is used for surveillance.The channel monitoring module is configured to report to central control server when the generation systems fault.The central control server response is from the report of channel monitoring module, and the command switch matrix is replaced the interior out of order channel server of first group of channel server and replaced out of order upconverter in first group of upconverter with a upconverter in second group of upconverter with a channel server in second group of channel server.

An alternative embodiment of the invention has been instructed a kind of universal STB that can receive and handle a plurality of digital service such as VOD and digital broadcasting.This embodiment has instructed an a kind of energy carries out the high flexible structure of complex process to the data that received universal STB that has.This structure comprises a data bus, first communicator that is suitable for being coupled to the digital broadcasting communication media, a memory that generally includes bidirectional coupled to the lasting and volatile storage of data/address bus, bidirectional coupled CPU (CPU) to the digital data decoder of data/address bus and bidirectional coupled to data/address bus.The CPU of this embodiment of the present invention has realized a STB control procedure that is used for control storage, digital decoder and demodulator.This STB control procedure can be used to handle the numerical data that for example receives in the first communicator place.Although be called as set-top box, according to the present invention, STB can be any design that is suitable for receiving transfer of data.According to the present invention, STB can comprise senior TV and have the monitor of whole receiver, microcomputer or the like.

Description of drawings

Figure 1A illustrates exemplary DOD system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1B illustrates exemplary DOD system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates exemplary channel server according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates exemplary set-top box according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary EPG Channel Transmission and a plurality of exemplary VOD transmission channel according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates a kind of according to an embodiment of the invention exemplary STB method that is used for to data-on-demand service insertion commercial advertisement.

Fig. 6 A illustrates exemplary VOD demonstration according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 B illustrates another exemplary VOD demonstration according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 illustrates exemplary commercial advertisement according to an embodiment of the invention and inserts control procedure.

Fig. 8 illustrates a kind of according to an embodiment of the invention process of inserting at the commercial advertisement of the client with different subscription level that is used to control.

Embodiment

The invention provides and a kind ofly needn't replace existing infrastructure just can be transmitted order program service by system from fact any transmission medium to a large amount of clients.The present invention also provides DOD service on the bandwidth that is independent of order client quantity.In addition, the present invention has also instructed with DOD service and has transmitted advertisement or other non-DOD data and non-DOD data file (as advertisement) is seamlessly inserted ability in the demonstration that these DOD serve.

Figure 1A illustrates exemplary DOD system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.In this embodiment, DOD system 100 provides the order program data file, as video file.But DOD system 100 not only is confined to provide the order video file, and other data files can also be provided, for example, and the program request game file.DOD system 100 comprises central control server 102, central memory 103, a plurality of channel server 104a-104n, a plurality of upconverter 106a-106n and combiner/amplifier 108.Central control server 102 control channel servers 104.Central memory 103 is with the number format storing data files.In one exemplary embodiment, the data file that is stored in the central memory 103 can be by any computer that is authorized to that is connected to network, as central control server 102, by network interface (connecting as the Ethernet) visit of a standard.Each channel server 104 is assigned to a channel, and is coupled to a upconverter 106.Channel server 104 provides the data file that retrieves according to the instruction from central control server 102 from central memory 103.The output of each channel server 104 be quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) with the frequency that is suitable for corresponding upconverter 106 through modulated medium frequency (IF) signal.The IF signal of QAM modulation depends on institute's accepted standard.Current is wired system data-interface standard (DOCSIS) standard in U.S. institute accepted standard, the IF frequency of the about 43.75MHz of this standard-required.Upconverter 106 is the IF conversion of signals that receives from channel server 104 radiofrequency signal (a RF signal).The RF signal that comprises frequency and bandwidth depends on desirable channel and institute's accepted standard.For example, under existing U.S.'s cable TV channel 80 standards, the RF signal has the frequency of about 559.25MHz and the bandwidth of about 6MHz.The output of upconverter 106 is applied in combiner/amplifier 108.The RF signal that combiner/amplifier 108 amplifies, adjusts and combination is received outputs to transmission medium 110 to signal then.

In one exemplary embodiment, central control server 102 comprise one make the service provider can by drag-releasing operation comes the graphical user interface (not shown) of layout data transmission.Central control server 102 also differentiates according to transmission matrix and control channel server 104 starts or stops.In one exemplary embodiment, central control server 102 is selected a channel automatically and is calculated the transmission matrix that is used for transmission data file in selected channel.Central control server 102 provides the off-line of data file information (as duration, kind, rank and/or concise and to the point the description) to increase, delete and upgrade.Central control server 102 is data file and the database control central memory 103 by upgrading central memory 103 stored also.

In one exemplary embodiment, existing cable television system 120 can continue signal feed-in combiner/amplifier 108 so that non-DOD service to be provided to the client.Like this, do not interrupt current cable TV service according to DOD of the present invention system 100.

Figure 1B shows another exemplary embodiment according to DOD of the present invention system 100.Except the unit shown in Figure 1A, this DOD system 100 comprises switch matrix 112, channel monitoring module 114, one group of alternate channel server 116a-116b and one group of standby upconverter 118a-118b.In one embodiment, switch matrix 112 is physically between upconverter 106 and combiner/amplifier 108.Switch matrix 112 is by central control server 102 controls.Channel monitoring module 114 comprises a plurality of set-top box that are configured of simulating potential customers, and is used to monitor the state of DOD system 100.Monitor that the result is delivered to central control server 102 by channel monitoring module 114.At channel-failures (promptly, channel server fault, upconverter fault or communication link fails) situation under, central control server 102 is opened the isolation of components of fault and uses a good spare unit 116 and/or 118 service of recovering by switch matrix 112.

In one exemplary embodiment, the data file from 100 broadcasting of DOD system is comprised in Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) file.Each mpeg file dynamically is divided into data block and the sub-piece that is mapped to the data file specific part along time shaft.These data blocks and sub-piece were sent out according to the three-dimensional transmission matrix that is provided by central control server 102 in the predetermined time.Provide DOD service for DOD system 100, feedback channel is optional.But if feedback channel is arranged, feedback channel can be used to other purposes, as chargeing or Internet service being provided.

Fig. 2 shows exemplary channel server 104 according to an embodiment of the invention.Channel server 104 comprises controller server 202, CPU 204, QAM modulator 206, local storage 208 and network interface 210.Controller server 202 by indication CPU 204 data file be divided into piece (further being divided into sub-piece and packet), according to the transmission matrix that provides by central control server 102 select to be used for data block transmitted, to selected digital coding, compress coding data, whole operations of coming control channel server 104 for QAM modulator 206 then compressed transfer of data.QAM modulator 206 connects the data that reception will be transmitted by bus (being PCI, cpu local bus) or Ethernet.In one exemplary embodiment, QAM modulator 206 can comprise a descending QAM modulator, uplink orthogonal amplitude modulation(PAM)/orthogonal PSK (QAM/QPSK) burst demodulation device with forward error correction decoder, and/or a up tuner.The output of QAM modulator 206 is the IF signals that can directly be put on upconverter 106.

Network interface 210 couples together channel server 104 and other channel servers 104 and central control server 102 to carry out planning and the control command from central control server 102, gives central control server 102 state reporting and from central memory 103 received data files.Any data file that retrieves from central memory 103 can be stored in the local storage 208 of channel server 104 before processed from the instruction of controller server 202.In one exemplary embodiment, depend on the bit rate of bandwidth (for example 6,6.5 or 8MHz), QAM modulation (for example QAM64 or QAM256) and the compression standard/DOD data flow (being MPEG-1 or MPEG-2) of a wire message way, channel server 104 can send one or more DOD data flow.

Fig. 3 shows a general set-top box (STB) 300 according to an embodiment of the invention.STB 300 comprises qam demodulator 302, CPU 304, local storage 308, buffer storage 310, decoder 312, figure overlay module 314, user interface 318, communication link 320 with video and audio decoder ability and the fast data bus 322 that is connected these devices as shown in the figure.Whole operations of CPU304 control universal STB 300 with the request of customer in response select the data behind data, decode selected data, the uncompressed encoding, the decoded data of resetting, decoded storage in local storage 308 or buffer storage 310, and the data of being stored are sent to decoder 312.In one exemplary embodiment, local storage 308 comprises nonvolatile memory (as hard drives), and buffer storage 310 comprises volatile memory.

In one embodiment, qam demodulator 302 comprises the one or more modules in transmitter and receiver module and the following modules: private cryptography/deciphering module, forward error correction decoder/encoder, tuner control, descending and upstream processor, CPU and memory interface circuit.Qam demodulator 302 receives modulated IF signal, and sampling and these signals of demodulation are with restore data.

In one exemplary embodiment, after being granted visit, decoder 312 is decoded into the data block of selected data file the image that can show on output device 324.Decoder 312 supports from the order of ordering the client, as playing, stop, suspending, fall back, advance etc.Decoder 312 offers figure overlay module 314 with decoded data.Figure overlay module 314 is by providing the quality such as alpha mixing or picture-in-picture capability raising display graphics.The figure overlay module provides the shows signal of an improvement to be used for showing to the user for output device 324 then.In one exemplary embodiment, the figure when figure overlay module 314 can be used to game mode quickens, for example, and when the service provider uses system according to the present invention that the recreation order program service is provided.Output device 324 can be any proper device, as TV, computer, any suitable display monitor, VCR or the like.

User interface 318 has enabled user's control of STB 300, and can be any proper device, as remote control, keyboard, smart card etc.Communication link 320 provides additional communicating to connect.It can be coupled to another computer, perhaps can be used to realize two-way communication." fast " data/address bus that is suitable for carrying out data communication that data/address bus 322 is preferably commercially available with real-time mode of the presently claimed invention.Suitable examples has USB, live wire (firewire) etc.

In one exemplary embodiment, although data file is broadcasted to all cable TV subscribers, the subscriber who only has compatible STB 300 can decode and enjoy the data-on-demand service.In one exemplary embodiment, the permission to acquisition point multicast data file can obtain by the smart card system in the user interface 318.Smart card can be supplemented with money on the shop of this locality or the vending machine set up by the service provider again.In another exemplary embodiment, the system of a unified expenses standard provides unrestricted access to all data available files to the subscriber.

In a preferred embodiment, the interaction feature of data-on-demand allows the client to select available data file at any time.Be called as response time by select button to the time that selected data file begins to play from the client.Be used to provide DOD when service when many more resources are assigned with (for example bandwidth, server capacity), the response time becomes short more.In one exemplary embodiment, can on basis, determine the response time to resource allocation and the estimation of required service quality.When placing the embodiment of a parallel flow to combine first data block, the response time only becomes with to receive and handle the used time of first data block relevant.

In one embodiment, the quantity of the data block of each data file (NUM_OF_BLKS) can be by following calculating: Estimated_BLK_Size=(DataFile_Size*TS)/(DataFile_Length) (1) BLK_SIZE=(Estimated_BLK_Size+CLUSTER_SIZE-1Byte)/CLUSTER_SIZE (2) BLK_SIZE_BYTE=BLK_SIZE*CLUSTER_SIZE (3) NUM_OF_BLKS=(DataFile_Size+BLK_SIZE_BYTE-1Byte)/BLK_SIZE_BYTE (4)

In equation (1)-(4), Estimated_BLK_Size is the block size of estimating (is unit with the byte); DataFile_Size is data file size (is unit with the byte); TS is the duration (is unit with the second) of time slot; DataFile_Length is the duration (is unit with the second) of data file; BLK_SIZE be each data block required bunch quantity; CLUSTER_SIZE be in the local storage 208 of each channel server 104 bunch size (for example 64K byte); BLK_SIZE_BYTES is to be the size of the piece of unit with the byte.In this embodiment, the quantity of piece (NUM_OF_BLKS) size (is unit with the byte) that equals data file adds with the byte to be that the size of data block of unit deducts a byte and again divided by being the size of the data block of unit with the byte.A specific embodiment has been illustrated in equation (1)-(4).It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the method that also has other is used for the quantity of the data block of calculated data file.For example, data file be divided into a lot of data blocks mainly be estimate block size and channel server 104 local storage 208 bunch the function of size.Thereby, the specific embodiment that the present invention should not be limited to provide above.

The data block that comprises data programs is transmitted in such a way,, makes that receiving STB almost can visit any data programs that is transmitted at once that is.This is to realize by each data block of retransmitting each data programs with predetermined sequence repeatedly, and wherein said predetermined sequence makes the reception client be required this data block of visit before the request user shows in each data block.These methods of broadcasting DOD service are at length discussed in the patent application of the following title of Khoi Nhu Hoang: universal STB structure and control method, and submit May 30 calendar year 2001; Be used for providing to broadcast system the system and method for video-on-demand service, on May 31st, 2000 submitted, and application number is 09/584,832; Be used for providing to broadcast system the method for video-on-demand service, November 10 in 2000 submitted, and application number is 09/709,948 and universal digital broadcast system and method, submit April 24 calendar year 2001, application number is 09/841,792, and each in them is introduced into by reference at this.

As disclosed in the application of being quoted in the above, these numerical data programs can comprise film, concert, motion race, e-book, music video, computer game or any other data file.

According to the present invention, additional non-VOD data file as advertisement, is independent of these DOD broadcast channel transmission.According to the present invention, these advertisements subsequently by before the VOD program, during or be shown to spectators afterwards.According to an embodiment, these additional non-VOD data files are in the EPG channel.

Fig. 4 shows an exemplary EPG Channel Transmission and a plurality of exemplary VOD transmission channel 400.EPG Channel Transmission 402 comprises EPG data 410.EPG data 410 can comprise: the tabulation of available programs; Channel guide; The summary of available programs etc.

The also transmission on EPG channel 402 of first advertisement data file 412.First advertisement data file 412 is commercial advertisements of goods or service, as visual automotive advertising.The also transmission on EPG channel 402 of second advertisement data file 414.Second advertisement data file 414 also is the commercial advertisement of goods or service, as designer's dress advertisements.The also transmission on EPG channel 402 of the 3rd advertisement data file 416.The 3rd advertisement data file 414 also is the commercial advertisement of goods or service, the trailer of the VOD film of selling as giving a discount.

First film transmits on a DOD (data-on-demand) channel 404.This film is used as the VOD sequence of blocks of data transmission that comprises first film.As described earlier, the VOD data block is transmitted, and makes to communicate by letter with broadcasting server, and first film just can be play by program request.

Second film transmits on the 2nd DOD channel 406.This film is used as the VOD sequence of blocks of data transmission that comprises second film.As described earlier, the VOD data block is transmitted, and makes to communicate by letter with broadcasting server, and second film just can be play by program request.

The 3rd film transmits on the 3rd DOD channel 408.This film is used as the VOD sequence of blocks of data transmission that comprises the 3rd film.As described earlier, the VOD data block is transmitted, and makes to communicate by letter with broadcasting server, and the 3rd film just can be play by program request.

STB 300 (Fig. 3) is configured to receive simultaneously all four channels 402,404,406 and 408.Advertisement 412,414 and 416 is stored in sometimes on the internal hard drive device 308 (Fig. 3) and is used for time showing afterwards.According to one embodiment of present invention, stored advertisement data file is only upgraded once in a while.Advertisement can regular update or response be updated from the update signal of broadcasting server.

Fig. 5 shows exemplary being used for 500 and inserts the STB method of commercial advertisement to the data-on-demand service.In step 502, STB be tuned to a special-purpose EPG channel, and receive the EPG data flow of the non-DOD data file comprise for example commercial advertisement.In step 504, STB 300 checks whether the advertisement that before had been stored in the memory is current then.If not, process proceeds to step 506, and STB on STB memory 308, covers older advertisement to newer ad storage there.

Then in step 508, the user selects the DOD that is used to watch to serve from the DOD file list that the EPG program shows.In step 510, STB shows one or more previously stored commercial advertisements with predetermined format to the user.According to an embodiment, commercial advertisement was shown before selected film, common doing in present cinema.

In step 512, STB receives the data block of selected DOD service, and shows selected DOD service in step 514 to the user.Embodiment according to a fine delay of needs before selected DOD file can be shown, the demonstration of the DOD service that promotional literature can be used to provide more seamless wherein loads the required any delay of first data block of selected DOD file by showing that very short advertisement is covered up.

According to an embodiment, one or more commercial advertisements are before DOD service is shown to the user and be shown afterwards.According to another embodiment, a commercial advertisement is used as headline advertisement and shows during the beginning of DOD demonstration.According to such an embodiment, advertisement can be during the credit but not be shown during the DOD plot.Above embodiment just can under the inventive method inspires, realize serve several examples in a lot of different possibility methods of display ads (or other non-DOD data) together with VOD or DOD.

Fig. 6 A illustrates exemplary VOD demonstration 600 according to an embodiment of the invention.Selected the first and second VOD films 604 and 608 so that after watching the user, STB 300 at first shows first advertisement 602, shows first VOD film 604 then.Then, after having play first VOD film 604, STB 300 shows second advertisement 606.Like this, according to the present invention, commercial advertisement is before video film demonstration and be inserted into afterwards.

Then, STB 300 shows second film 608, is the 3rd advertisement 610 subsequently.Perhaps, can before the VOD film, show several advertisements in the mode of a plurality of movie trailer of projection before the positive demonstration that is similar in the present cinema.According to an embodiment, public service announcement or other non-DOD demonstrations can be inserted in the position of advertisement 602,606,610 or its combination in any.Equally, top embodiment only is in DOD or example in the unlimited possibility of non-DOD demonstration is inserted in positive demonstration place that approaches DOD.

Fig. 6 B illustrates exemplary VOD demonstration 620 according to an embodiment of the invention.STB300 shows the visable representation of EPG (electronic program guides) with the title 624 that comprises one or more commercial advertisements.The user selects VOD film 628 from the shown available DOD services menu of EPG program.

According to an embodiment, commercial advertisement shows that 624 is at one jiao of video ads frame that shows of video screen, and the remainder of video screen shows various EPG menus.After the EPG menu was selected desired film, STB 300 showed non-DOD advertisement 626 to the user, then shows VOD positive 628 the user.According to an embodiment, STB 300 shows the 3rd advertisement 630 in the ending of VOD positive demonstration 628.

According to an embodiment, promotional literature can be used as and be similar to the used headline advertisement demonstration of internet web page provider.Perhaps, such headline advertisement can be simple text message.According to another embodiment, advertisement data file can be in any time showing that is not showing the DOD service, when for example watching electronic program guides.In another embodiment, these promotional literatures are in the position display of third party's advertisement of for example radio and television commercial advertisement.So, the DOD service that the client ordered does not reduce because of the appearance of advertisement.

Although top example includes only promotional literature, can transmit the data file of any kind of by this way.Such file can comprise the stock " market report " of the price that shows each B shareB or commodity.Perhaps, such file can comprise that burst news, weather or any other may be desired information.

Fig. 7 shows exemplary commercial advertisement according to an embodiment of the invention 650 and inserts control procedure.In step 652, DOD service provider's selection is used for the configurations shown form to one or more DOD client's display ads.Selected configuration format can comprise the insertion of the advertisement of selecting at random the commercial advertisement on being stored in the STB hard drives, and wherein selected advertisement showed before the VOD positive is selected at once.Configuration format can be included in before the VOD positive, afterwards or during show commercial advertisement.Configuration format can be specified commercial advertisement waited as video display, audio presentation, video title or picture-in-picture and be shown.

In step 654, DOD service provider is transferred to all reception STB to selected configuration format as data file.According to an embodiment, the configuration format data file is in the EPG channel.

In step 656, STB 300 receives configuration data file and configuration data file is stored in the internal storage 308.In step 658, STB carries out institute's configuration data stored file.Like this, selected configuration format just is applied to STB.

In step 660, the stored commercial advertisement (or non-DOD file of other appointments) that STB 300 shows by selected configuration format appointment.Configuration format has determined that commercial advertisement (or other non-DOD files) is displayed to user's time and mode.

Fig. 8 shows according to a kind of process of inserting at the commercial advertisement of the client with different subscription level that is used to control of the present invention 800.In step 802, DOD service provider is that commercial advertisement shows selection configurations shown form at a selected subscription level.According to such an embodiment, each STB has the subscription level of the selected grade of service of expression client.For example, pay senior expense, the client can obtain the unconfined visit that does not have commercial advertisement to the DOD service.According to present embodiment, this client's STB will not show commercial advertisement, but may show movie trailer, public service announcement, attracting thing on the horizon etc.This client's STB will utilize the commercial advertisement configuration format that does not show commercial advertisement.To lower subscription level (corresponding lower scale of charges is arranged), client's STB will show goods or service, as the commercial advertisement of household goods, zero-mileage car, food etc.The use of subscription level is gone through in the patent application of the following title of Khoi Hoang: control data program request client access, and submit July 9 calendar year 2001, and application number is 09/902,503, by reference this application is introduced here.Client's energy defrayment is so that need not watch advertisement like this.

In step 804, the DOD server transmits configuration format as the configuration data file that comprises title.File title comprises that expression subscription level or configuration format are by the code of the grade that is suitable for.According to an embodiment, the configuration format data file is in the EPG channel.

In step 806, STB 300 receives configuration data file.In step 808, STB 300 does contrast to represented subscription level in the subscription level of STB and the configuration data file title.If the subscription level coupling, process proceeds to step 810.In step 810, STB is in internal storage 308 stored configuration data file.In step 812, STB carries out institute's configuration data stored file.Like this, selected configuration format is applied to STB.

In step 814, the advertisement of being stored (or non-DOD file of other appointments) that STB 300 shows by selected configuration format appointment.Configuration format has determined that commercial advertisement (or other non-DOD files) is displayed to user's time and mode.

In step 808, if the subscription level of configuration data file and STB does not match, process advances to step 816.In step 816, STB 300 abandons this configuration data file of configuration.By this way, STB will be provided with a configuration format that adapts to client's subscription level.

According to a preferred embodiment, the STB subscription level can be changed by remote control by DOD service provider.

According to another one embodiment, can select different configuration format at each STB.In such an embodiment, configuration data file will comprise one corresponding at STB in the code of unique code, and only can by such one at the STB visit.

In another embodiment, the user who only has the suitable grade of service will watch advertisement.Like this client can defrayment needn't watch advertisement.The use of the grade of service is gone through in the patent application of the control data program request client access by name of Khoi Hoang.

General operation

The service provider can planning send lot of data file (as video file) to channel server 104 before broadcasting.These data files had both comprised that the DOD data file also comprised non-DOD promotional literature (commercial advertisement).Central control server 102 calculates and sends three-dimensional transmission matrix (ID, time slot and data block sending order) to channel server 104.During broadcasting, channel server 104 is with reference to three-dimensional transmission matrix so that with the suitable data block of suitable order transmission.Each DOD data file is divided into data block so that a large amount of order clients can begin to watch continuously successively data file respectively randomly.

In one exemplary embodiment, the size of data block is adjusted to the higher multiple that closes on most of bunch size that is the memory in the local storage 208 of channel server 104.For example, if the data block length that calculates according to equation (1) is the 720K byte, and local storage 208 bunch size be the 64K byte, then final resulting data block length should be the 768K byte.In this embodiment, data block should further be divided into a plurality of sub-pieces, and each sub-piece all has and bunch same size.In this example, data block has the sub-piece of 12 64K bytes.

Sub-piece can further be divided into packet.Each packet comprises packet header and bag data.The length of bag data depends on that the CPU of each channel server sends the MTU of the physical layer of data.In a preferred embodiment, total size of packet header and bag data should be less than MTU.But for obtaining peak efficiency, the longer the better for the bag data length.

In one exemplary embodiment, the data in the packet header comprise permission order client's STB 300 any data that receive of decoding and the information whether the specified data bag belongs to a selected data file (as agreement signature, version, ID or bag type information).Packet header can also comprise other information, as piece/sub-piece/Bale No., packet length, Cyclic Redundancy Check and sub-block offset, and/or coded message.

In case received by channel server 104, packet is sent to QAM modulator 206, and another stature is added on the packet to produce the IF output signal of QAM modulation there.The maximum output bit rate of QAM modulator 206 depends on available bandwidth.For example, to having the QAM modulator 206 of 6MHz bandwidth, Maximum Bit Rate is 5.05 (bit/symbol) X6 (MHz)=30.3 mbit/.

The IF signal of QAM modulation is sent to upconverter 106 to be converted to the RF signal that is suitable for particular channel (as wired television channel 80,559.250MHz and 6MHz bandwidth).For example, if cable network has high bandwidth (or bit rate), each channel can be used to provide more than a data flow, and each data flow takies a virtual subnet channel.For example, adopt three MPEG-1 data flow of QAM modulation 6MHz channel of packing into.The output of upconverter 106 is applied to combiner/amplifier 108, and the latter sends to transmission medium 110 with the signal of combination.

In one exemplary embodiment, the total system bandwidth (BW) that is used for transmitting " N " individual data flow is BW=Nxbw, and wherein bw is the required bandwidth of each data flow.For example, the DOCSIS wire message way that three MPEG-1 data flow can be had 30.3 mbit/system bandwidths transmits simultaneously, because each MPEG-1 data flow takies the system bandwidth of 9 mbit/.

Generally speaking, all want bandwidth consumed no matter how much order client's quantity of actual access DOD service is.Like this, use the DOD service, still want bandwidth consumed to guarantee the program request ability of system even without ordering the client.

In a single day STB 300 is opened, and just receives and update stored in the program guide in the local storage 308 of STB 300 continuously.In one exemplary embodiment, STB 300 shows the data file information that comprises up-to-date program guide on video screen.Data file information, as video file information, can comprise strategy (as price, free charge preview time span), order time limit, film poster and the movie preview of film ID, movie name, description (using multilingual), classification (as action movie, film for children), rank (as R, PG13), wired company.In one exemplary embodiment, data file information sends as the channel that keeps for firmware update, commercial advertisement and/or emergence message via the physical channel that keeps.In another exemplary embodiment, information is sent out on the physical channel of being shared by other data flow.

Order the client can watch the category arrangement that shows on video screen data available file list.When one of customer selecting data available file, its hardware of STB 300 control be tuned to corresponding physical channel and/or virtual subnet channel, to begin to receive the packet of this data file.STB 300 checks each data packet head, the data in the decoded data packets, and determine whether the packet that is received should keep.If STB 300 specified data Bao Buying keep, then packet is dropped.Otherwise the bag data are stored in and are provided with the back retrieval in the local storage 308, or are temporarily stored in buffer storage 310, are sent to decoder 312 up to it.

In one exemplary embodiment, STB 300 response order clients by infrared (IR) remote control unit button, IR keyboard or comprise time-out, slow play, fall back, order that the front panel button of convergent-divergent and single step button is sent.In one exemplary embodiment, in predetermined periods, do not import any operation (, or selecting a classification or film), then automatically play a predetermined commercial advertisement as the rolling program guide if order the client.When ordering client when operation an is provided button of remote control unit (as press), predetermined commercial advertisement is stopped automatically.In another exemplary embodiment, STB 300 can insert commercial advertisement automatically when a video frequency program is played.Service provider (as wired company) can set up the video frequency program that just is being played is interrupted in the decision commercial advertisement with which kind of frequency pricing strategy.

If in data packet head, found the emergence message position, then STB 300 suspend any Data Receiving operation and control its hardware be tuned to the channel that is used for received data file information that keeps any emergence message that will on output screen, show that obtains and decode.In one exemplary embodiment, when STB300 was idle, it was tuned to the channel that keeps for received data file information, and was always undelayed reception and shows that any emergence message is ready.

Previous example has been illustrated some exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and other embodiment, variation and modification will become apparent those skilled in the art in view of the above.Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to specific embodiment discussed above, and is limited by following claim.

Claims (50)

1. one kind with computer implemented generic broadcasted method, comprises step:

On first channel to a plurality of client's broadcasted contents;

Broadcast at least one data file to described a plurality of clients on second channel, wherein said at least one data file is not used to watch by described customer selecting; And

Wherein said at least one data file can be configured to show with described content.

2. one kind with computer implemented generic broadcasted method, comprises step:

On first channel to a plurality of client's broadcast datas;

On second channel, broadcast at least one advertisement to described client; And

Wherein said at least one advertisement can be configured to show with described data.

3. as method as described in the claim 2, wherein said advertisement is broadcasted in very first time section so that it can be stored and is provided with the back use, and the part of wherein said data is broadcasted in second time period so that it can be stored and is provided with the back use, makes that the described part of described advertisement energy and described data is viewed together in the 3rd time period.

4. as method as described in the claim 3, wherein said second time period and described the 3rd time period are the part coexistence at least.

5. one kind with computer implemented generic broadcasted method, comprises step:

To a plurality of client's broadcaster client conventional data order program datas (DOD), the transmission of wherein said order program data (DOD) need be independent of certain transmission bandwidth of described a plurality of client's quantity by transmission medium; With

Broadcast at least one non-DOD data file by described transmission medium to described a plurality of clients;

Wherein said DOD file can be configured to show to the user; With

Wherein said at least one non-DOD data file can be configured to show with described DOD data file.

6. as claimed in claim 5ly use computer implemented method, wherein said at least one non-DOD data file is that the client is general.

7. as claimed in claim 5ly use computer implemented method, wherein said be configured to show with described DOD data file comprise and can be configured to before described DOD data file, show at once.

8. as claimed in claim 5ly use computer implemented method, wherein said be configured to show with described DOD data file comprise and can be configured to after described DOD data file, show at once.

9. as claimed in claim 5ly use computer implemented method, also comprise:

Provide at least one configuration format to described a plurality of clients, described configuration format determines how to show described at least one non-DOD data file with respect to described DOD data.

10. as claimed in claim 5ly use computer implemented method, wherein said be configured to show with described DOD data file comprise that the visual image and the described DOD data file that can be configured to take display screen at least a portion show simultaneously.

11. as claimed in claim 10ly use computer implemented method, wherein with described DOD data file show simultaneously the credit that is included in described DOD data file at least a portion during in show.

12. as claimed in claim 10ly use computer implemented method, wherein with described DOD data file show simultaneously the end title that is included in described DOD data file at least a portion during in show.

13. as claimed in claim 10ly use computer implemented method, wherein show simultaneously to comprise as headline advertisement and showing with described DOD data file.

14. as claimed in claim 10ly use computer implemented method, wherein said headline advertisement is a text message.

15. as claimed in claim 5ly use computer implemented method, wherein said non-DOD data file is advertisement.

16. as method as described in the claim 5, wherein said non-DOD data file is a news program.

17. as method as described in the claim 9, wherein said configuration format determines when that the non-DOD data file with for example commercial advertisement is shown to the user.

18. as method as described in the claim 9, wherein said configuration format is configured to be stored on the local computer operating system, is displayed to user's mode so that described computer operating system can be determined described at least one non-DOD data file.

19. as method as described in the claim 18, wherein said configuration format determines which file in described a plurality of non-DOD data file watched by the user.

20. as method as described in the claim 18, wherein said client has subscription level, described computer operating system is used for showing described non-DOD data file in response to described subscription level.

21. as method as described in the claim 20, wherein a plurality of configuration format are provided for described client, described computer operating system is used for the configuration format of selecting one to adapt with described subscription level.

22. as method as described in the claim 18, wherein said configuration format makes the client with senior subscription level can avoid advertisement.

23. as method as described in the claim 18, wherein said client with senior subscription level watches non-commercial non-DOD data, and the client with basic subscription level watches commercial non-DOD data.

24. as method as described in the claim 5, wherein said at least one non-DOD data file is configured to show in intermittence between two DOD positives show.

25. the computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) of usefulness (STB) method that is used to receive a plurality of data files that comprise at least one DOD data file and at least one non-DOD data file comprises step:

Receive at least one DOD data file with non-client's ad hoc fashion, make that described DOD file can be viewed in the mode near program request;

Receive at least one non-DOD data file;

Described user to described universal STB provides EPG data;

Receive user's input of request visit first data file from the described user of described universal STB;

Provide visit to described user to described first data file;

At least a portion that shows described DOD data file to described user; With

At least a portion that shows described non-DOD data file to described user.

26. the computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) of usefulness as claimed in claim 25 (STB) method, wherein said at least one DOD data file is that the client is general.

27. the computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) of usefulness as claimed in claim 25 (STB) method wherein showed before at least a portion of described non-DOD data file is included in described DOD data file to described user to show described non-DOD data file at once.

28. the computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) of usefulness as claimed in claim 25 (STB) method wherein shows after at least a portion of described non-DOD data file is included in described DOD data file to described user to show described non-DOD data file at once.

29. the computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) of usefulness as claimed in claim 25 (STB) method also comprises:

Receive at least one and be used for determining the configuration format of described at least some non-DOD data files with respect to the mode of described DOD data demonstration.

30. the computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) of usefulness as claimed in claim 25 (STB) method comprises described non-DOD data file is shown simultaneously as visual image that takies display screen at least a portion and described DOD data file.

31. the computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) of usefulness as claimed in claim 30 (STB) method shows described non-DOD data file in wherein showing during at least a portion of the credit that is included in described DOD data file simultaneously as visual image and described DOD data file to described non-DOD data file.

32. the computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) of usefulness as claimed in claim 30 (STB) method shows described non-DOD data file in wherein showing during at least a portion of the end title that is included in described DOD data file simultaneously as visual image and described DOD data file to described non-DOD data file.

33. the computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) of usefulness as claimed in claim 30 (STB) method comprises described non-DOD data file is presented on the display screen part as headline advertisement.

34. the computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) of usefulness as claimed in claim 29 (STB) method, wherein said configuration format determine for example when the non-DOD data file of commercial advertisement is displayed to the user.

35. the computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) of usefulness as claimed in claim 29 (STB) method also comprises:

Described configuration format is stored on the local computer operating system, is shown to user's mode so that described STB can determine described at least one non-DOD data file.

36. the computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) of usefulness as claimed in claim 35 (STB) method, wherein said configuration format determine which file in a plurality of non-DOD data files watched by the user.

37. as method as described in the claim 29, wherein said STB has subscription level, described computer operating system is used for showing described non-DOD data file in response to described subscription level.

38. as method as described in the claim 37, wherein a plurality of configuration format are provided for described STB, and described STB is used for the configuration format of selecting one to adapt to described subscription level.

39. as method as described in the claim 28, wherein said configuration format makes the user with senior subscription level can avoid advertisement.

40. as method as described in the claim 28, the user who wherein has senior subscription level watches non-commercial non-DOD data, and the user with basic subscription level watches commercial non-DOD data.

41. as method as described in the claim 25, wherein said at least one non-DOD data file showed in the intermittence between two DOD positives show.

42., also comprise as method as described in the claim 25:

Receive numerical data and an electronic program guides (EPG) that shows the character of the data of in described a plurality of channels, being transmitted on each channel in a plurality of channels, in wherein said a plurality of channel first comprises data-on-demand (DOD) program that order program data is provided with non-client's specific format, described EPG shows that described data-on-demand program comprises first data file of being represented by first group of a plurality of data block, described first group of a plurality of data block are provided in a plurality of time slots in such a way successively, that is, make described universal STB user can begin to visit described first data file in the time slot at any time.

43. the computer implemented universal set-top box (STB) of usefulness as claimed in claim 42 (STB) method wherein saidly provides the visit to described first data file to comprise substep to described user:

Described STB be tuned to described first channel so that the data of selecting described user to ask;

Described first data file is offered the output device of described user's selection of described universal STB; With

Described at least one non-DOD data file is offered described output device.

44. as claimed in claim 43ly use computer implemented method, wherein said output device is a TV.

45. as claimed in claim 43ly use computer implemented method, wherein said output device is a display monitor.

46. as claimed in claim 43ly use computer implemented method, wherein said output device is video tape recorder (VCR).

47. as claimed in claim 43ly use computer implemented method, wherein said output device is a computer system.

48. one kind is used to visit at least one set-top box (STB) equipment as data-on-demand (DOD) data file of a data block sequence broadcast on wide area network, comprises:

Be used for receiving the input unit of the file request of at least one file of selecting described DOD broadcast data file from the user;

Be used to start the processor of an authorized document retrieval process with at least one DOD data block of the described sequence of blocks of data of retrieval in very first time interval;

Be used for showing after the described very first time interval display unit of the first of DOD data file, wherein said display unit also is used at least a portion of described non-DOD file is shown with described DOD data file.

49. as equipment as described in the claim 48, wherein said STB also inserts the described part that form shows described non-DOD data file in response to commercial advertisement.

50. as equipment as described in the claim 49, wherein said STB also receives described commercial advertisement from a service provider and inserts form, the respective service grade that form and described user are inserted in wherein said commercial advertisement adapts.

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