EP0706742A1 - Systeme de communication interactif a repartition de donnees - Google Patents

Systeme de communication interactif a repartition de donnees

Info

Publication number
EP0706742A1
EP0706742A1 EP94921256A EP94921256A EP0706742A1 EP 0706742 A1 EP0706742 A1 EP 0706742A1 EP 94921256 A EP94921256 A EP 94921256A EP 94921256 A EP94921256 A EP 94921256A EP 0706742 A1 EP0706742 A1 EP 0706742A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
data
iirt
interactive
television
transmission
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP94921256A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0706742A4 (fr
Inventor
Michael F. Kramer
Thomas E. Keith
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LINCOLN MINT HONG KONG Ltd
Original Assignee
LINCOLN MINT HONG KONG Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by LINCOLN MINT HONG KONG Ltd filed Critical LINCOLN MINT HONG KONG Ltd
Priority claimed from PCT/US1994/006408 external-priority patent/WO1995001060A1/fr
Publication of EP0706742A1 publication Critical patent/EP0706742A1/fr
Publication of EP0706742A4 publication Critical patent/EP0706742A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Definitions

  • the invention includes a specialized tuner and control computer or receiver unit positioned adjacent to the user's television to: (i) receive and decode digital and analog signals, and thereby serve as an access point for pay per view television programming; (ii) generate computer graphics and multimedia signals for display; (iii) accept user input through a graphical user interface for display; (iv) encode and transmit user generated command sequences and user inputs including credit card data; (v) print coupons and other hard copy outputs; and (vi) execute computer software for service as an integrated home data processing center.
  • the invention provides for a video and data transmission system which transmits digital commands, and data in a novel information format on existing television distribution pathways and which utilizes advanced compression and sequencing to efficiently distribute such data to many receivers simultaneously.
  • the information format is usable on a plurality of broadcast bands and modalities.
  • virtual channel maps can be used to control the mapping of television programming and would be transmitted to receiver units.
  • the receiver units are adapted to selectively extract information from a continuous broadcast stream as needed.
  • a bi-directional infrared port is provided with the IIRT for remote controllers and connection to other computing devices.
  • a magnetic card reader is provided with the IIRT to enable a user to input credit card information by physically taking a bank credit card and sliding it through a designated slot on the surface of the IIRT. This enables the automatic processing of credit card information without further input from the user.
  • the system for providing interactive video programming with remote document generation of the present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of the prior art.
  • the difficulties and limitations suggested in the preceding are not intended to be exhaustive but rather among the many which may tend to reduce the effectiveness and user satisfaction with prior video distribution systems and the like.
  • Other noteworthy problems may also exist.
  • those presented above should be sufficient to demonstrate that prior interactive video systems appearing in the past will admit to worthwhile improvement.
  • the present invention is particularly, although not exclusively, adapted for use as an interactive television system which streamlines data transfer to remote television viewers and returns user inputs and offers the unique advantage of permitting the generation of hard copy documents remotely in the home of the viewer.
  • the present invention consists of an improved method and hardware for supporting interactive television including: (i) a central processing station capable of providing digital television transmission and digital command and data transmission; (ii) a remote receiver unit having * processing and storage capability to extract interactive digital commands and or data from a digital television transmission and or digital data transmission,
  • the present invention is adapted to be a wholly integrated system capable of supporting the entire cycle of interactive television including item or program selection, transmission, response and billing.
  • the information formats or transmission protocols used are preferably, but not exclusively, directed to a unique digital scheme.
  • a further advantage of the present invention is its ability to produce hard copy documents in the home of a viewer.
  • a further advantage of the present invention is its unique reverse addressing scheme.
  • a still further advantage of the present invention lies in the unique object oriented base class that defines the most basic elements of the communication system.
  • Fig. 4A is a block schematic diagram of a source select circuit 110 for the IIRT shown in Fig. 3 in accordance with the invention
  • Fig. 4B shows truth logic tables for operation of source select circuit 110 as set out in Fig. 4A;
  • Fig. 4C is a schematic for logic circuitry used to implement the source select circuit 110 shown in Fig. 4A;
  • Fig. 5 is a block schematic diagram of a video graphic subsystem in accordance with the invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a block schematic diagram of an object packager according to the invention.
  • Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a method for an interleaving scheme for ordering objects incorporating data in accordance with the invention.
  • Fig. 10 is a class diagram showing the base class structure for an object that travels through a communications network in accordance with the invention.
  • Fig. 14 is a flowchart for software used to size object data blocks and commence continuous downloading of data objects in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 1 a partial perspective and block diagram showing an overview of an interactive television system according to the invention is shown in figure 1.
  • the interactive television system according to the invention shown in figure 1 is generally designated by reference numeral 10, and includes two major subsystems.
  • One of these two subsystems is a central processing station 20 having a distribution interface for receiving television programming, such as from a satellite 24.
  • the other of these subsystems is an Integrated Interactive Receiver Tuner (IIRT) unit 40, that is interconnected with the central broadcasting station 20 using a communications network or transmission modality.
  • IIRT Integrated Interactive Receiver Tuner
  • the central processing station 20 is provided with automated data processing equipment having sufficient speed and capacity for supporting real time interactive transmissions according to the invention.
  • a plurality of data servers 832 (“A" through “X” as shown, but can"be any number) , see figure 2, that are used to originate high speed data streams.
  • These data servers 832 the number and capacity of which are selected to satisfy requirements for providing high speed data streams as dictated by any particular interactive television system 10 - - use known Winchester disk drives as manufactured by Micropolis having several gigabytes of capacity.
  • Management of high speed data stream processing and transmission for the invention is accomplished with interface and management electronics controlled by master computer 800. Additionally, a multitasking operating system, e.g.
  • credit processing gateway 872 Interconnected between the expanded communication interfaces 808 and the master computer 800 can be credit processing gateway 872, order fulfillment gateway 874, and/or other goods & services gateway 876. Each of these gateways is providing a functional capability using known commercially available equipment.
  • credit processing gateway 872 can include an interconnect using telco 38 to credit verification equipment operated by TRW, Inc. These gateways are used for augmenting available services using commercially available equipment.
  • the invention includes features providing for real time transmission of substantial additional quantities of data to support interactive features over transmission modalities that previously had their bandwidth capacities saturated with television channels. To achieve this capability the invention reduces the bandwidth required for transmission of audio and video television signals and utilizes the residual bandwidth to transmit interactive data signals between the central processing station 20 and IIRT units 40 without disrupting or in any fashion interrupting prior existing television services.
  • the interactive television system 10 utilizes an object oriented class for transporting interactive data over transmission modalities.
  • object orientation provides a better paradigm, and tools for modeling the real world to achieve more efficient results over previous models.
  • Prior approaches to transmitting data were static because the transport systems were forced to move the data in fixed sized packets.
  • prior data exchange systems were severely limited in their capacity to process and transmit a wide range of data types because each prior system could only be efficient for a particular selected data type, e.g., video games.
  • a data exchange system were optimized for video games, for example, it would not provide efficient data processing or transmission for video conferencing or other data intensive applications.
  • this invention using modifiable object orientation uniquely recognizes and addresses the need for dynamic data structures to support multiple application needs. It also supports throughput capabilities for utilized communicating devices, and adapts to available network bandwidths and other variables that effect efficient data transport.
  • the invention can efficiently manipulate any size data structure because the object oriented base classes used for the invention can be adjusted in size.
  • fields labeled object entities are used to contain interactive data.
  • the field sizes for object entities are not statically fixed as explained above but are dynamically adjusted to facilitate rapid data transmission to all IIRT units 40 for essentially on-demand service in response to individual user requests as will be explained below.
  • Interactive data transmissions can, as discussed above, include software and other data base information, i.e., catalogs, coupon distribution, shop-at-home applications, theater and sporting event ticket deliveries, banking and financial services, video game distribution and support, electronic mail, and virtually any other distributed interactive data application.
  • the preferred embodiment for central processing station 20 incorporates an input from satellite dishes 812 for receiving television programming, interactive data, and other signals. Also available for input to the central processing station 20 is the satellite transponder 858 included in expanded communications interfaces 808. Other inputs from different sources could be used. However, those shown in figure 2 are considered adequate to support the interactive television system 10 according to the invention.
  • the number of analog to digital converters 818 and associated supporting circuitry corresponds to the number of channels the central processing station 20 will accommodate. This number is selectable depending on application, and * in fact the number of analog to digital converters 818 and associated supporting circuitry can be greater than the initial number of television channels serviced so as to provide expansion capacity.
  • Each channel of digitized signals is then passed for compression to an audio video compression circuit 820, such as are available from DiviCom, Inc. of Milpitas, California, or equivalent.
  • an audio video compression circuit 820 such as are available from DiviCom, Inc. of Milpitas, California, or equivalent.
  • the digitized and compressed signal can then be passed through a data encryption circuit 822, such as a DES circuit, Clipper circuit, DSD circuit as supplied by Teledyne, or equivalent, prior to retransmission from the central processing station 20.
  • channel multiplexer 830 which is a device as used for known television broadcasting and are available from DiviCom, Inc. of Milpitas, California and from other suppliers.
  • the multiplexed signals are impressed on a carrier using RF modulator 848.
  • RF modulator 848 For a preferred embodiment using a coaxial cable transmission modality to transport a high volume of information, a 256 Quadrature Amplitude Modulator (QAM) RF modulation scheme can be used.
  • QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulator
  • the interactive television system 10 of the invention can use what ever modulation scheme provides the best service.
  • a VSB modulation scheme can be employed.
  • Fully capable VSB modulators can be obtained from Zenith Data Systems.
  • the above-described processing of received analog television signals is managed by the master computer 800 using gating signals that are passed using gate connection 880 to channel multiplexer 830 and gate connection 884 to RF tuner demodulators 816.
  • the central processing station 20 is also capable of handling those * situations where previously digitized television signals are received by satellite dishes 812.
  • the digitized signals are passed from RF tuner demodulators 816 to channel multiplexer 878, that can be of the same type and therefore equivalent to channel multiplexer 830, and the recombined digitized signals are then passed as shown in figure 2 to an RF modulator 848 for retransmission.
  • the method for signal processing is controlled by the master computer 800 using gating signals.
  • gating signals are passed between the master computer 800 and channel multiplexer 878 over gate connection 882.
  • the master computer 800 allocates certain channels for television programming and other channels for bi-directional interactive data transmission. For example, the master computer 800 can use specific address information for particular IIRT units 40 to direct selected signals to those IIRT units 40 alone.
  • master computer 800 utilizes mass memory storage devices, not shown, that can be a bank of Winchester disk drives, optical disk media, or other high speed low cost mass storage systems.
  • mass memory storage devices Stored on the mass memory storage devices can be a variety of software programs, data base information, games, customer information for the IIRT units 40 of the interactive television system 10, still or moving images, or any other digitized interactive data to be transmitted over the interactive television system 10 of the invention.
  • the operating system for both the central processing station 20 and the IIRT units 40. The stored operating system is booted to the IIRT units 40 as explained below.
  • IRT unit 40 Individual users of the interactive television system 10 are provided with an IIRT unit 40 connected to a conventional television receiver 26.
  • a remote control unit 52 can be used for operating the IIRT unit 40.
  • a cable network 32 with a CATV Headend 30 is shown in figure 1 as being capable of supporting all communications between IIRT units 40 and the central processing station 20, it is again emphasized that any other * communications network or transmission modality system capable of passing digital signals and television signals can be used including telco 38.
  • An IIRT unit 40 is shown in block schematic diagram form in figure 3. Principal portions of the IIRT unit 40 include a central processing unit (CPU) 160 provided with supporting electronics in the form of a local bus controller 136.
  • This local bus controller 136 can be a 82420EX PCIset as sold by Intel, or equivalent.
  • a memory module 138 can include Random Access Memory (RAM) having a two megabyte capacity, Read Only Memory (ROM) having a 64k byte capacity and data access memory in the form of a Nonvolatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) having a 2k byte capacity such as a DS-1642 as sold by Dallas Semiconductor, or equivalent.
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • ROM Read Only Memory
  • NVRAM Nonvolatile Random Access Memory
  • the CPU 160 is coupled using the local bus 134 to a video coprocessor 122 that can include a graphics coprocessor 124, such as are available from Texas Instruments and S3 Corp. , or equivalent, and a video Random Access Memory (RAM) 126, such as are available from Texas Instruments, or equivalent.
  • the CPU 160 can be a 6502 as sold by Signetics, a A80486DX as sold by Intel, or a PowerPC601 as sold by IBM Corporation, or equivalent.
  • Principal advantages of the IIRT unit 40 according to the invention are its capabilities to simultaneously process large amounts of interactive data and television data in real time without requiring sophisticated and expensive circuitry thereby reducing cost and maintenance requirements for the many IIRT units 40 that would be included in an interactive television system 10.
  • the IIRT unit 40 though performing sophisticated processing for a multitude of signals does not include a mass memory. From a system perspective, substantial cost savings can be realized because much of the circuitry incorporated in the central processing station 20 and the IIRT units 40, though interconnected in unique arrangements to perform novel functions, is known and readily available from multiple sources.
  • the IIRT units 40 operate effectively without mass memory capabilities while still being capable of real time processing of all received signals because interactive data is continuously downloaded from master computer 800.
  • continuous downloading provides essentially on-demand services.
  • continuous downloading includes segmenting digitized data for continuous broadcasting to IIRT units 40. This continuous broadcasting is not done so that all data for a single interactive program is broadcast in an uninterrupted stream followed by continuous broadcasting of all data for another interactive program and so forth.
  • the IIRT units 40 for the preferred embodiment include twin channels as represented by signals passed to RF tuner & demodulator (1) (element 112) and RF tuner & demodulator (2) (element 112) from source select
  • circuits 110 • circuits 110. This invention, however, is not limited to only twin channels because more than twin channels can be included depending on system requirements. As channels are added, system capacity increases; however, so also does cost and complexity.
  • This RF modulator 848 is used to impress interactive data on a carrier for transmission from IIRT units 40 to the central processing station 20. Though shown with its output connected to cable feed 102, the RF modulator 848 can also have its output connected to any of the other available transmission modalities depending on which one is being used for bi-directional interactive data transmission. The RF modulator 848 is equivalent to that used for the central processing station 20.
  • a schematic of circuitry repeated for every transmission modality input to the source select circuits 110 is set out in figure 4C. In particular, the circuitry shown in figure 4C is labeled with inputs and outputs as it would be for incorporation in the digital data stream router, and is in fact duplicated in the digital data stream router for both the fiber optic 106 and interface expander 108 inputs.
  • Outputs from these circuits as shown are directed to either the object packager 131 or the channel demultiplexer 116.
  • the circuitry consists of a pair of AND gates 190, such as those incorporated in a TTL 7408 integrated circuit, or equivalent. Control of this AND gate 190 circuitry to direct routing of input signals is accomplished in accordance with logic as set out in figure 4B for the identified example. Logic signals provided to the identified select inputs are sent via local bus 134 from CPU 160, and so depending on provided logic signals the received data input signals can be directed to either the object packager 131 or the channel demultiplexer 116, or both.
  • Control signals are received by each IIRT unit 40 from master computer 800 of the central processing station 20, and are decoded by CPU 160 for the purpose of providing logic signals for selecting the proper output port from the source select circuits 110.
  • Both the cable television interface tuner selector and the satellite interface tuner selector, as incorporated in the source select circuits 110, include AND gate 190 circuitry as shown in figure 4C.
  • the outputs are to the RF tuner & demodulator (1) (element 112) and the RF tuner & demodulator (2) (element 112) thereby expanding the signal handling capacity of IIRT units 40. Gating for this circuitry again is provided from CPU 160 via local bus 134, and the controlling logic is identical to that set out in the truth logic table presented in figure 4B.
  • All signals provided to IIRT units 40 may not be transmitted in digitized form.
  • analog television signals may be passed to IIRT units 40 through cable feed 102 or any of the other transmission modality inputs.
  • a filter circuit can be used to pass the analog television signals to output conductor 42 for feeding the RF out terminal of the IIRT units 40 as shown in figure 3.
  • the digitized television signals are passed to the source select circuits 110.
  • This filtering circuitry can be provided for any or all of the other transmission modality interfaces depending on anticipated need. Previously multiplexed signals directed from the source select circuits 110 to the channel demultiplexer 116 for separation into individuals channels for each signal stream.
  • the audio/video decompressor circuits 120 can utilize MPEG 1 and 2, Digicipher 2, JPEG, or other standards as dictated by a condition signal provided from the central processing station 20 within a Table Of Contents (TOC) that is further discussed with respect to software shown by flowcharts in fig. 13, as downloaded to the IIRT unit 40.
  • the demultiplexed, decrypted and decompressed signals are passed to the video coprocessor 122 that includes a graphics coprocessor 124 and a video RAM 126.
  • the graphics coprocessor 124 can be a programmable DSP such as a TMS 34010 as sold by Texas Instruments, or equivalent, and the video RAM 126 as sold by Texas Instruments, or equivalent.
  • the signals are passed through a channel 3/4 RF modulator 140 so the signal can be viewed and heard on a conventional analog television receiver 26 tuned to either channel 3 or 4.
  • the channel 3/4 RF modulator 140 is a commercial device available from multiple sources.
  • the channel demultiplexer 116, data decryption circuit 118, audio/video decompressor 120, and video coprocessor 122 with its graphics coprocessor 124 and video RAM 126 are all conditioning previously digitized television signals for viewing and hearing using conventional analog television receivers 26. Not only would the cost and complexity of IIRT units 40 be reduced if these signal conditioning functions were performed with circuitry included in television receivers, but the utility of the television receivers would also be increased as broadcasters initiated digitized transmissions that could be directly received. A schematic diagram showing circuitry that could be included in television receivers for so conditioning previously digitized television signals is shown in figure 5.
  • a video decoder RAM 127 Bi-directionally connected to the audio/video decompressor 120 is a video decoder RAM 127 which can be a commercially available VRAM as are known.
  • the output of the audio/video decompressor 120 is a decompressed and decrypted video data steam passed to a digital video combiner 113 that can be a circuit comprised of known digital logic elements performing an OR function.
  • the digital video combiner 127 is incorporated as part of a video coprocessor 122 that is functionally equivalent to the one shown in figure 3 for the IIRT unit 40.
  • a graphics video data stream is provided from the graphics coprocessor 124 to the digital video combiner circuit 113 which combines it with the decompressed and decrypted video data stream from the audio / video decompressor 120.
  • a graphics video Random Access Memory (RAM) 130 that can be a commercially available VRAM as are known.
  • Controlling the graphics coprocessor 129 through a bi-directional interconnection is the control processor 125 that can be any of a 6502, 8051, 6800, Z80 or other known equivalent micro processor or micro controller with at least an eight bit data bus.
  • An output of the digital video combiner 113 is provided to an NTSC video generator 133, which can be a BT 851 as sold by Brooktree Corp. of San Diego, California, or equivalent. From the NTSC video generator 133 an analog video out signal is provided for display on the cathode-ray tube of the television receiver.
  • the analog audio output is provided from the digital to analog converter 114 that can be a CS4290 as sold by Crystal Semiconductor Corporation, or equivalent, for audio signal processing. Input to the digital to analog converter 114 is provided from the audio/video decompressor 120.
  • the IIRT unit 40 shown in figure 3 there are further processing electronics provided to condition signals received from the central processing station 20 that are then combined with signals from interactive inputs.
  • an audio processing module circuit 142 that can be a CS4231 as sold by Crystal Semiconductor Corporation, Austin, Texas, or equivalent is included to support signals from interactive ports included as part of the IIRT unit 40.
  • This audio processing module circuit 142 includes-an audio coprocessor, digital to analog and analog to digital converter, audio mixer, audio synthesizers, and midi Input / Output (I/O) to support audio as well as physical interactive ports.
  • the IIRT unit 40 also includes a peripheral processor 144 for introducing user provided input interactive signals.
  • the peripheral processor 144 can be a 68000 as sold by Motorola, or equivalent. Examples of home user provided input interactive signals to the IIRT unit 40 that can be supported by the peripheral processor 144 include:
  • - signals can be provided by the home user through a conventional remote control 52 (see figures 1 and 6) communicating with the infrared remote control transceiver 54 that can be a National Semiconductor 87334.
  • the infrared remote control transceiver 54 can be capable of providing a bi-directional link for communicating with the IIRT unit 40 and other like equipped devices. Bi-directional communications with the IIRT unit 40 using the peripheral processor 144 is also possible using modem 46 with telco 38. In particular this communications link over telco 38 can be used for data transmissions between IIRT unit 40 and the control processing station 20.
  • peripheral processor 144 can be used to provide information and data directly to the home user on a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display 56 that can be a Sharp Electronics Corp. LM40255, or through the printer 60 that can be a AXIOHM Inc. HTP-8050. All of these capabilities and others can be readily added thereby allowing the IIRT unit 40 to serve as an extensive and adaptable home electronics integration system.
  • LCD Liquid Crystal Display
  • This capacity to provide home electronics integration system capability is achieved not only by providing interfaces for facsimile machines, home stereos, Compact Disk (CD) players, Video Cassette Recorders (VCR) and computer equipment such as personal computers, disk drives, keyboards and joy stocks, but also by providing interfaces that can be used to monitor / control security systems and household utilities such as water, gas and electricity.
  • CD Compact Disk
  • VCR Video Cassette Recorders
  • a magnetic card reader 70 can be interconnected to the IIRT unit 40 through the peripheral processor 144.
  • Magnetic card readers 70 sometimes known as card swipe readers, commercially available. They transform magnetically coded information stored on credit cards to digital bit streams identifying the card owner's name, card number, expiration date, and other relevant information. Having a magnetic card reader 70 allows an IIRT unit 40 user to simply and accurately enter credit card information when making a purchase or paying a bill.
  • the peripheral processor 144 receives the digital bit stream signal from the magnetic card reader 70, and in cooperation with the CPU 160, the IIRT unit 40 stores the signal in the RAM portion of memory module 138. The signal is then compressed and encrypted for transmission to the central processing station 20. This automatic and direct ability to download credit card information to the central processing station 20 reduces the risk of credit card fraud and misappropriation. The process for transmitting such data from the IIRT unit 40 to the central processing station 20 is discussed below.
  • the printer 60 it is possible to provide home users of the interactive television system 10 with printed documents including tickets and coupons.
  • the printer 60 depending on selected equipment, which is unrestricted by the invention, can utilize dot matrix or other conventional printing techniques capable of producing letter quality print and graphics.
  • the printer 60 is of standard design and is driven using conventional printer sequences.
  • the printer 60 can utilize a paper and ink cartridge 62.
  • Compact design can be achieved if printer 60 provides two to four inches of printing width. This amount of printing width provides sufficient space for producing coupons, tickets, receipts and other documents. Thus, documents ranging from coupons to lottery tickets, and from receipts to messages can be conveniently produced for the home user.
  • the software utilized for initialization including booting of the operation system to IIRT units 40, is now described with reference to figure 7.
  • the operating system for all IIRT units 40 is booted from the central processing station 20 every time an IIRT unit 40 is turned on.
  • the process begins when the home user brings power to the IIRT unit 40 (Step 900) by, for example, activating a switch that causes electrical voltage and current to be brought to all IIRT unit 40 devices (Step 910) .
  • the CPU 160 uses data stored in the NVRAM portion of the memory module 138 directs the RF tuner & demodulator (2) (element 112) to be tuned for passing signals on the channel used by the central processing station 20 for transmitting the operating system. If for some reason the previously identified channel is not active, i.e., the operating system is not being downloaded on this channel, the RF tuner & demodulator (2) (element 112) is directed by the CPU 160 to tune to the next channel so an evaluation of whether that channel is active can be made. If that next channel is not active then the RF tuner & demodulator (2) (element 112) is directed to tune to the next channel until the active channel is obtained (912) .
  • Data for the operating system which is continuously downloaded from the central processing station 20, is packaged in objects having a header identifiable by the object packager 131 in the IIRT unit 40. It is such identification by object packager 131 that is used to confirm a channel as being active.
  • the contained packaged data is loaded into RAM 138 (Step 914) .
  • a check of the booted operating system data is conducted to assure accuracy and authenticity of the received data. This check is accomplished using an algorithm stored in the ROM of the memory module 138 (Step 916) . If the data fails to comply with the check, the process for downloading is repeated as shown in figure 7. In the alternative, if the check is passed, the CPU 160 directs a jump to the operating system and IIRT unit 40 operations are begun.
  • the object packager 131 functions as a filter to identify objects received at both the IIRT units 40 and the central processing station 20. This identification is accomplished by reading each object header, which are described below. These object headers are coded using digital data incorporated in fields within the object. Exemplary circuitry for an object packager 131 is shown in block schematic form in figure 8. The specific example shows circuitry usable for reading four bit headers. The invention, however, is not so limited. Object hearers incorporating greater or lesser bit patterns can be accommodated by straight forward scaling of the suggested circuitry or its equivalent. As shown a received object header signal is input to a four bit parallel access shift register 90 that can be a Texas Instruments 74LS95.
  • the four bit pattern for the object header that is to be read is input from local bus 134 to a four bit parallel latched bus transceiver 92 that can be a Texas Instruments 74LS226.
  • the outputs of the four bit parallel latched bus transceiver 92 and the four bit parallel access shift register 90 are input to a four bit magnitude comparator 94 that can be a Texas Instruments 74LS85.
  • the four bit magnitude comparator 94 outputs a signal indicating the selected object is being received, and is ready for further processing.
  • the IIRT units 40 and central processing station 20 can identify and pass objects for processing.
  • Such reading and passing of identified object headers is accomplished in the central processing station 20 circuitry using an object packager 131, as shown in figure 8, or equivalent, that is included in the expanded communications interfaces 808.
  • object packager 131 as shown in figure 8, or equivalent, that is included in the expanded communications interfaces 808.
  • received signals are read, identified and selectively passed after passing through the interfaces.
  • FIG. 9 shows three different interactive data Programs, i.e., A, B and C, all of which are to be transmitted from the central processing station 20. Also shown in the upper portion of figure 9 is the fact that the included interactive data is segmented and incorporated in objects 1, 2, 3, etc. for each Program.
  • the lower portion of figure 9 shows an organization for interleaved .continuous downloading transmission on a single channel according to the invention.
  • the interleaving technique positions object 1 for Program A to be transmitted first, and this transmission is immediately followed by object 1 for Program B, which is followed by object 1 for Program C, and so forth.
  • this interleaved continuous downloading technique no object from the same Program is transmitted immediately after a transmission of any other object for that same Program. Therefore, no IIRT unit 40, for this example, is required to download more than every third object on a channel. Irrespective of the example, moreover, no IIRT unit 40 is required to download two or more consecutively transmitted objects. All downloaded objects are followed in transmission by at least one object that is not downloaded.
  • use of this interleaved continuous downloading technique enables IIRT units 40 to accomplish real time processing of received data using cheaper and less sophisticated electronics than would be required for real time processing of interactive data continuously received for the same Program.
  • the interactive television system 10 utilizes object oriented classes for transporting interactive data over transmission modalities. Accordingly, an unlimited number of interactive data constructs and types are supported by the unique object oriented classes of the invention. These capabilities are achieved using the unique object oriented classes of the invention because object orientation provides better paradigms and tools for modeling the real world to achieve better and more efficient results than do previous non-object oriented structures.
  • a system in general, must comply with four rules to be object oriented: - Abstraction must be a characteristic used by each kind of object to distinguish it from all other kinds of objects.
  • abstraction is initiated from the base class, see figure 10, because the base class includes the least common elements essential for constructing each kind of object that can be transported over a transmission modality.
  • Encapsulation must be utilized so that elements of the abstraction are compartmentalized.
  • the invention uses an encapsulated object address 504 in the base class, see figure 10, for enabling proper receipt of an object over a transmission modality.
  • Modularity must be a property of an object system permitting decomposition into a set of cohesive but loosely coupled modules.
  • modularity is incorporated in the definition of the base class shown in figure 10 so it can be loosely and cohesively coupled to extended sets of objects that share a common structure and behavior, i.e., classes, through a relationship among classes, and also share the structures or behavior defined in other classes. These relationships are known as inheritance.
  • Hierarchy must be utilized for ranking or ordering of abstractions within the system. Since the base class, see figure 10, is constructed using the minimum number of elements required for an object according to the invention, all subsequent classes are built from the base class. Such construction from a base class defines an hierarchy of objects. Inheritance, because of hierarchy, enables code and structure sharing among objects, thus creating a source of reusable modules.
  • a class diagram showing a base class structure for an object that can travel over transmission modalities according to the invention is shown in figure 10.
  • the object structures for the invention are assembled at the central processing station 20 using the master computer 800 or at the IIRT unit 40 using the CPU 160.
  • the digital signals for the object are transmitted using shift register devices such as sixteen bit parallel in serial out shift registers, which can be 74LS674 devices as sold by Texas Instruments, or equivalent.
  • shift register devices such as sixteen bit parallel in serial out shift registers, which can be 74LS674 devices as sold by Texas Instruments, or equivalent.
  • the sixteen bit parallel serial out shift register used as an object creator 143, can be included between the local bus controller 134 and the RF modulator 848 as shown in fig. 4A; while, for the central processing station 20 this object creator 143 can be included with the master computer 800 as is the mass memory.
  • a separately encapsulated start of object identifier 502 and object address 504 are utilized by the present invention.
  • Prior art directed toward transmitting data utilized a static or fixed size packet that had a non-adjustable capacity of, for example, 1024 or 4096 bytes.
  • the present invention is not so constrained because the object entity 506 is a variable size field capable of being tailored to system needs. Each object can thus have its object entity 506 size adjusted by master computer 800 or CPU 160 to optimize performance of interactive television system 10.
  • Both the prior art and the present invention utilize an error correction value 508 field, which can be a Cyclic Redundancy Code (CRC) algorithm, as are known, and a postamble or end of object identifier 510 field to complete the base class.
  • CRC Cyclic Redundancy Code
  • Data Block Identifier 226 Provides identification information at the data block level.
  • Byte Count 228 Provides the number of bytes of data within the object.
  • Offset Address 230 Provides offset address from the beginning of the object, to permit flexibility in ordering of objects.
  • Encryption Type Code 232 Identifies type of encryption used to encrypt data block.
  • Compression Type Code 234 Identifies type of compression used to compress data block.
  • Data Class & Subclass 236 Identifies type of data being transmitted, e.g., object code, software code, graphic data for video display or hard copy printing, etc.
  • Next Object Channel 238 If a new channel needs to be used for transmitting the next object, e.g., to optimize system performance, this field identifies that information.
  • Next Object ID 240 Identifies the Object Address 230 for the next object.
  • Next Object Data Block ID 242 Identifies the Data Block
  • System Time 244 This field provides data to synchronize events to a common time base.
  • Receipt Validation Code 246 Provides the code information used for confirming receipt of a particular transmission.
  • IIRT Address 248 Identifies a preselected IIRT unit 40 for receipt of an object.
  • Command Code 250 Used to direct execution of system level commands, e.g., to print a document.
  • Command Data 252 Field contains data to implement execution of system level commands, e.g. , data to be printed on document.
  • FIG 12. a member object class diagram for a data object according to the invention is shown in figure 12.
  • the class diagram set out in figure 12 shows inheritance of properties from the base class shown in figure 10, and inheritance of properties from the header shown in figure 11.
  • an object entity 506 containing a data header 222 and a data block 224.
  • the data header 222 includes data block identifier 226, byte count 228, and offset address 230 fields. These data header 222 fields provide the information for achieving the functions as set out in the proceeding table.
  • the data block 224 contains interactive data, and as explained above, is an adjustable sized field tailored to provide maximum system efficiency.
  • objects according to the invention are members of a base class and as such inherit dynamic object entity size.
  • Substantial transmission efficiency is achievable when interactive data is bi-directionally transmitted using both objects and interleaved continuous downloading according to the invention. This efficiency is realistically demonstrated by considering an interactive television system 10 that is capable of transmitting 24 megabits per second which is 3 mega bytes per second. Such transmission rates are reasonable when using presently available equipment. For the situation where 16 different start of object identifiers 502 are allocated at any one time (interleave factor of 16) , and each object is sized at 2,048 bytes, there would be a 10.9 millisecond period required to transmit each individual object. Stated differently 92 individual objects for each of the 16 different start of object identifiers 502 would be transmitted every second.
  • This number results from dividing the bytes transmitted per second by the product of the individual object size and the interleave factor. Assuming a system overhead of 10 percent for non-interactive data in each object, which may be high, and an interactive data stream 350 K bytes long, which is the size of a typical dictionary in a word processing program, a period of 33 seconds would be required to transmit the 350 K byte stream along with a similar amount of interactive data for the other 15 sets. This example illustrates the reason why the invention can effectively be used as an on-demand interactive system for bi-directional transmission of substantial amounts of interactive data.
  • FIG 13 a flowchart for software used for preparing interactive data for transmission in object form over transmission modalities is shown.
  • This software is used to collate information from source object files for interactive data to be transmitted including: start of object identifiers 502; encryption type codes 232; compression type codes 234; and data class & subclasses 236 (see figure 11) .
  • Execution of the software is performed using master computer 800 in the central processing station 20 and results are transmitted to CPU 160 in IIRT unit 40.
  • Step 202 To begin operations using the software all databases or source object files containing information regarding interactive data to be transmitted are opened (Step 202) .
  • Step 204 After opening these databases for reading, a list is generated (Step 204) of all enabled files including those from gateway streams, i.e., credit processing gateway 872, order fulfillment gateway 874, and other goods & services gateway 876 (see figure 2) .
  • This listing from enabled source object files now includes at least: sufficient information for writing start of object identifiers 502; encryption type codes 232; compression type codes 234; and data class & subclasses 236 (see figure 11) .
  • TOC Table of Contents
  • Next master computer 800 uses software as described by the flowchart in figure 14 for preprocessing interactive data for transmission in object form in an interleaved continuous downloading fashion as illustrated in figure 9.
  • the TOC 208 from Step 208 shown in figure 13 is loaded into the memory buffer (Step 522) of master computer 800.
  • This memory buffer is then scanned and all listed objects are opened for reading including TOC file 208 (Step 524) .
  • a header object is next generated (Step 526) for each of the opened files.
  • the master computer 800 using object data class & subclasses 236 listed in TOC 208 references system tables stored at master computer 800 to determine optimum data block 224 sizes (Step 527) . This is a look-up process with optimum data block 224 sizes listed in the system tables as a function of operating conditions.
  • Step 528 The starting and ending offset addresses 230 for each object data block 224 is now generated in list form (Step 528). Finally, a file titled DATABLKS.DAT containing each object header, followed by the list of beginning and ending data block offset addresses 230 for each object is generated and saved in memory (Step 530) . At this point operation of the software described by the flowchart set out in figure 14 is complete.
  • Step 302 the DATABLKS.DAT file, from Step 530 in figure 14, is loaded from disk (Step 302) .
  • Step 304 the software directs successive pointing to each header object and data block 224, so as to create a list of pointers that interleave the data blocks 224 for continuous downloading (Step 308) .
  • the software now executes a looping through of the list of pointers, an updating of header object and data block 224 system information, and can direct outputting of objects in their assigned order.
  • the software compares the loaded DATABLKS.DAT file (Step 302) with the version in memory (Step 310) . If there is a difference, the software reinitiates Step 302 and proceeds. If there are no differences, the software returns to Step 308 and completes the operation.
  • the IIRT 40 downloads a fresh copy of the TOC header before downloading an object to verify that the TOC in IIRT memory is current. If the TOC in IIRT 40 memory is not current, the IIRT 40 downloads a new TOC into IIRT 40 memory.
  • FIG. 16A Flowcharts for a method, using this invention, to request and pay for transmission of interactive data from a central processing station 20 are set out in figures 16A through 16C.
  • the method begins with a user of IIRT unit 40 inputting a signal using remote control 52 or other signal generator to request specific interactive data (Step 402) .
  • This inputting of a request signal can be in response to selecting a particular item from a displayed menu, or from any range of information made available to IIRT unit 40 users.
  • the IIRT unit 40 will select the transmission modality for communicating with the central processing station 20, which can include use of modem 146 and telco 38. After the transmission modality is selected, the IIRT unit 40 transmits both the request signal and the identification code for the requesting IIRT unit 40 to the central processing station 20 (Step 406) . Upon receipt of the IIRT unit 40 identification code and the request signal, the master computer 800 references a previously stored look-up table to determine whether the identified IIRT unit 40 is in good standing, e.g., all outstanding charges have been paid (Step 410). If the identified IIRT unit 40 is not in good standing, the central processing station 20 transmits an error report signal to the identified IIRT unit 40 for display (Step 411) .
  • the master computer 800 proceeds to reference a second previously stored look-up table to determine the charge associated with transmission of the requested interactive data or service (Step 414) . If there is a charge, then the amount of that charge is transmitted back to the IIRT unit 40 and displayed on television receiver 26 or LCD display 56. In response to this information, the user can initiate transmission to the central processing station 20 of a signal with credit card information using magnetic card reader 70. Upon receipt of the signal, the charge card information is validated as to whether the charge card is in good standing for payment of the charge. This validation (Step 415) can be accomplished using the other goods & services gateway 876 as discussed above.
  • Step 417 If the charge card is not validated as being capable of covering the charge, then an error report is transmitted to the IIRT unit 40 (Step 417) .
  • the master computer 800 proceeds to allocate for transmission the object address 504, data block identifier 226, next object channel 238, and delivery schedule (Step 416) .
  • This allocated information is now transmitted from the central processing station 20 to the IIRT unit 40 (Step 418) .
  • an encryption type code 232 is also transmitted to the IIRT unit 40. All preparations for transmission of the object are now completed and the object is transmitted to the IIRT unit 40 (Step 424) .
  • Step 426 If the transmitted object meets the previously identified delivery schedule (Step 426) , and if there is no charge for the transmission (Step 428) , then the process is complete. However, if the transmission did not meet the previously announced delivery schedule, then the IIRT unit 40 transmits an error signal to the central processing station 20 (Step 432) and delivery of the object is rescheduled (Step 434) . To accomplish redelivery, the process must return to Step 418.
  • Step 426) if the transmission did meet the announced delivery schedule (Step 426) and there is a charge for the transmission (Step 428) , then the IIRT unit 40 transmits a receipt validation code 426 to the central processing station 20 (Step 436) . At this point actual payment is made. If Step 436 is not executed, no payment is made because the IIRT unit 40 has not acknowledged receipt of the requested interactive data. Finally, if required, the central processing station 20 transmits an encryption type code 232 so the received objects can be decrypted. Further, if documents are to be printed, the necessary signals are transmitted to printer 60 (Step 438) .

Landscapes

  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système d'émission télévisuelle interactif comprenant une station de traitement centrale (20) comportant une source de programmation, un mini-ordinateur central (800) configuré pour gérer plusieurs applications télévisuelles interactives dont des signaux vidéo et audio codés numériquement, et d'autres données numériques dont, entre autres, des programmes, des commandes, des systèmes, des instructions, une base de données informatiques, des transactions financières, des applications de distribution de coupons, de télé-achat, de distribution de billets de théâtre et d'évènements sportifs, de messagerie, une unité de réception/traitement (40) consistant en un processeur-central (160), une mémoire à accès sélectif, une ROM de logiciel système (138), une interface utilisateur (54), un affichage à cristaux liquides (56) et un générateur graphique (124). Le système se caractérise principalement par une imprimante (60) et un lecteur de cartes ainsi qu'un équipement de traitement électronique de support et un logiciel de gestion système permettant la production de coupons et d'autres documents sur demande au domicile de l'utilisateur, et le téléchargement les données de cartes de crédit directement dans le système.
EP94921256A 1993-06-03 1994-06-03 Systeme de communication interactif a repartition de donnees Withdrawn EP0706742A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US7081493A 1993-06-03 1993-06-03
US70814 1993-06-03
US15829393A 1993-11-29 1993-11-29
US158293 1993-11-29
US22400794A 1994-04-06 1994-04-06
US224007 1994-04-06
PCT/US1994/006408 WO1995001060A1 (fr) 1993-06-03 1994-06-03 Systeme de communication interactif a repartition de donnees

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1991003112A1 (fr) * 1989-08-23 1991-03-07 Delta Beta Pty. Ltd. Optimisation de la transmission de programmes
WO1992012599A1 (fr) * 1991-01-07 1992-07-23 Greenwich Technologies Systeme de transmission et de reception audio et video

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1991003112A1 (fr) * 1989-08-23 1991-03-07 Delta Beta Pty. Ltd. Optimisation de la transmission de programmes
WO1992012599A1 (fr) * 1991-01-07 1992-07-23 Greenwich Technologies Systeme de transmission et de reception audio et video

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
COMMUNICATIONS - RISING TO THE HEIGHTS, DENVER, JUNE 23 - 26, 1991, vol. 2 OF 3, 23 June 1991 INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS, pages 842-846, XP 000269608 GELMAN A D ET AL 'A STORE-AND-FORWARD ARCHITECTURE FOR VIDEO-ON-DEMAND SERVICE' *
IEEE TRANSACTIONS OM CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, vol. 38, no. 3, August 1992 pages 319-324, JOSEPH, ET AL. 'PRIORIZATION AND TRANSPORT IN THE ADTV DIGITAL SIMULCAST SYSTEM' *
See also references of WO9501060A1 *

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