l • I Office de la Propriete
`
`I ntellectuelle
`du Canada
`Un organisme
`d'lndustrie Canada
`
`Canadian
`Intellectual Property
`Office
`An agency of
`Industry Canada
`
`(22) Date de dep6UFiling Date: 2000/09/29
`(41) Mise a la disp. pub./Open to Public lnsp.: 2002/03/29
`(45) Date de delivrance/lssue Date: 2004/04/06
`
`CA 2321462 C 2004/04/06
`
`(11)(21) 2 321 462
`(12i BREVET CANADIEN
`CANADIAN PATENT
`(13J C
`
`(51) Cl.lnt.7/lnt.Cl. 7 H04N 7/173, H04L 12/16
`(72) I nventeurs/1 nventors:
`CAMERON, ALLAN B., CA;
`JONES, IAN K., CA;
`SWANSBURG, DARREN B., CA;
`ALSTON, DAVID J., CA;
`HIGGINS, SEANG., CA;
`FURLONG, JEFF L., CA
`
`(73) Proprietaire/Owner:
`IMAGICTV INC., CA
`
`(74) Agent: CASSAN MACLEAN
`
`(54) Titre: SYSTEME NUMERIQUE A APPLICATIONS SUR DEMANDE PERMETTANT LA DIFFUSION INTERACTIVE
`PAR TELEVISION/MUL Tl MEDIA/INTERNET
`(54) Title: DIGITAL INTERACTIVE DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR TV/MUL Tl MEDIA/INTERNET WITH ON-DEMAND
`APPLICATIONS
`
`Head End 24
`
`IP Multicast
`
`~ Transcoder 130
`
`1:
`
`Video Source 12
`MPTS (cid:143)
`I
`
`1g11a1
`
`~ -~ - - - -SPTS Digital
`~--~---~
`Satellte Receiver
`
`Video Encoder 14
`
`----~NTSC/PAL Analog
`
`Broadcast
`Provider network
`16
`
`IP Multicast
`
`DSLAM 18
`
`ADSL Modem 20
`
`-+
`IP Multicast
`
`V
`Set-top Box 22 ~ I
`
`r
`
`Television 32
`
`... PC30
`
`(57) Abrege/Abstract:
`This invention relates to a system for interactive on-demand delivery of multimedia using a multicast broadband backbone
`
`dl • I
`ana a http://opic.gc.ca · Ottawa-Hull KIA OC9 · http://cipo.gc.ca
`C
`
`OPIC · CIPO 191
`
`0 PI C
`
`CI P 0
`
`DISH, Exh.1013, p.0001
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`

`

`CA 2321462 C 2004/04/06
`(11)(21) 2 321 462
`(13J C
`
`(57) Abrege(suite)/Abstract(continued):
`network transmitting IP- configured digital multimedia (e.g. television) signals. More particularly the on-demand system provides,
`inter alia, a Virtual Digital Video Recorder functionality. A system manager provides interactive access to the multimedia signals
`by a subscriber through either a decoder in a set top box (connected to a television) or a decoder in a computer (connected to a
`monitor) configured for converting the IP format signal into a format for display on the television or monitor. A central multimedia
`storage means is located within the network and remote from the subscriber for storing multimedia content. An on-demand
`component is configured for receiving a deliver request from a subscriber for the stored content, for locating the requested
`multimedia content from the storage means and for delivering the requested multimedia content for display on the television or
`monitor. The multimedia content is stored in the storage means in a format configured for locating same in response to a deliver
`request. An interactive program guide (IPG) may provide access to the multimedia signals and the multimedia signals are
`transmitted through the network according to scheduling corresponding to the interactive program guide. The on-demand
`component receives a record request (which includes broadcast channel and time information identifying the multimedia content
`and may utilize the IPG) from a subscriber and stores the multimedia content in response to the record request.
`
`-2-
`
`DISH, Exh.1013, p.0002
`
`

`

`CA 02321462 2000-09-29
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`5
`
`This invention relates to a system for interactive on-demand delivery of
`
`multimedia using a multicast broadband backbone network transmitting IP-configured
`
`digital multimedia (e.g. television) signals. More particularly the on-demand system
`
`provides , inter alia, a Virtual Digital Video Recorder functionality. A system manager
`
`provides interactive access to the multimedia signals by a subscriber through either a
`
`1 o
`
`decoder in a set top box (connected to a television) or a decoder in a computer
`
`(connected to a monitor) configured for converting the IP format signal into a format
`
`for display on the television or monitor. A central multimedia storage means is located
`
`within the network and remote from the subscriber for storing multimedia content. An
`
`on-demand component is configured for receiving a deliver request from a subscriber
`
`15
`
`for the stored content, for locating the requested multimedia content from the storage
`
`means and for delivering the requested multimedia content for display on the
`
`television or monitor. The multimedia content is stored in the storage means in a
`
`format configured for locating same in response to a deliver request. An interactive
`
`program guide (IPG) may provide access to the multimedia signals and the multimedia
`
`2 o
`
`signals are transmitted through the network according to scheduling corresponding to
`
`the interactive program guide. The on-demand component receives a record request
`
`(which includes broadcast channel and time information identifying the multimedia
`
`content and may utilize the IPG) from a subscriber and stores the multimedia content
`
`in response to the record request.
`
`DISH, Exh.1013, p.0003
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`

`

`CA 02321462 2000-09-29
`
`DIGITAL INTERACTIVE DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR
`TV/MULTIMEDIA/INTERNET WITH ON-DEMAND APPLICATIONS
`
`5
`
`Technical Field
`
`This invention relates generally to a system for the delivery of IP-configured
`
`digital multimedia (e.g. television) signals to a subscriber (consumer) using multicast
`
`transmissions over a broadband network and, more particularly, to a system for
`
`interactive on-demand delivery of multimedia providing, inter alia, a Virtual Digital
`
`1 o
`
`Video Recorder functionality.
`
`Background
`
`With the proliferation of TV broadcast providers delivering regular programming
`
`as well as specialty services, such as pay per view and first run movies, TV viewers
`
`1 s
`
`are frequently faced with scheduling problems in order to view their favorite programs.
`
`The scheduling problem is even more severe in a typical household having one
`
`television with several potential viewers each having their own viewing preferences.
`
`The known video cassette and digital video recorders (VCRs and DVRs) which attach
`
`to televisions enable consumers to record a television program on a current or
`
`2 o
`
`scheduled basis but they do not permit one to record two programs simultaneously
`
`and, further, have associated with them many inconveniences such as the need to
`
`have a usable recording medium (i.e. tape or disc) at hand at the time one wishes to
`
`record a program and considerable operational time and know-how with respect to
`
`use of the hardware which has become more complex with the addition of pre-
`
`2 5
`
`programming features which utilize program codes.
`
`TV broadcasts are currently delivered through service providers such as cable
`
`companies, and satellite operators and, of course, direct broadcast reception via
`
`traditional antennas and rabbit ears. Conventional cable service requires the
`
`3 o
`
`installation of a dedicated cable to the subscriber's residence. Satellite broadcast
`
`service requires that the user have a satellite dish located on or somewhere close to
`
`1
`
`DISH, Exh.1013, p.0004
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`

`

`CA 02321462 2000-09-29
`
`their residence. Antennas and rabbit ears are generally limited to the reception of
`
`local programming. Additionally, program delivery via all of these services is at the
`
`convenience of the service provider or broadcaster and, hence, the user or subscriber
`
`must arrange his or her schedule to coincide with program availability.
`
`5
`
`It is well known that the purchase of personal computers by homeowners has
`
`increased dramatically in recent years. Previously, these computers were used
`
`primarily for word processing, accounting and other record keeping purposes and also
`
`for Web surfing and email using modems and conventional telephone service for
`
`1 o
`
`connecting to the Internet. Frequently, however, these modems have a low baud rate
`
`making the transfer of data, particularly graphics, unacceptably slow. More recently,
`
`however, with the development of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technologies such as
`
`ADSL an expanded scope of broadband capacity exists for the copper wire (twisted
`
`pairs) at the user-end of the telecommunications network and this capacity may be
`
`15
`
`used to provide enriched communications services to consumers including multimedia
`
`such as television and video.
`
`With the increased availability of broadband backbone and delivery networks,
`
`and increased usage of PCs by consumers, an increasing demand is evolving for on-
`
`2 o
`
`demand multimedia services which enable consumers to plan their entertainment to
`
`their own schedule and interests rather than tailor their entertainment viewing habits to
`
`a service provider's broadcast schedule. Moreover, there is a need to overcome the
`
`inherent limitations presented by the usual home installations of VCRs and DVRs
`
`connected to television sets. The fixed hardware of such machines is inherently time-
`
`2 s
`
`limited and any upgrades or design changes to implement new services must be done
`
`physically either by installing new hardware/software packages in the machine or,
`
`more likely, by buying a new machine to replace an outdated one (causing much
`
`expense to the consumer). Further, from the perspective of consumers, using VCR
`
`and DVR machines to record and view broadcast multimedia is undesirably machine-
`
`3 o
`
`limited in that one mush have a separate VCR/DVR machine connected to its own
`
`2
`
`DISH, Exh.1013, p.0005
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`

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`CA 02321462 2000-09-29
`
`television in order for two persons in a household to watch different recorded
`
`programs. Further, from the perspective of multimedia content providers, home usage
`
`of VCR/DVR machines to record proprietary multimedia content undesirably renders
`
`that content fully in the hands of the consumer (i.e. in the form of a video tape or disk
`
`5
`
`on which a program is stored) and, thus, beyond the control of the multimedia content
`
`provider whose interests are best served in an environment providing digital rights
`
`management.
`
`Summary of the Invention
`
`1 o
`
`In accordance with the invention there is provided an on-demand multimedia
`
`delivery system and method for use in an integrated multimedia broadcast delivery
`
`system extending from a broadcast provider to a subscriber. The broadcast delivery
`
`system comprises means for providing multimedia signals configured according to IP
`
`(Internet Protocol) format for multicast transmission over a broadband network and a
`
`15
`
`system manager for providing interactive access to the multimedia signals by the
`
`subscriber through conversion means, being either a decoder in a set top box and a
`
`television or a decoder in a computer and a computer monitor, configured for
`
`converting the IP multicast format signal into a format for display on the television or
`
`monitor. The on-demand delivery system comprises central multimedia storage
`
`2 o
`
`means located within the broadcast delivery system and remote from the subscriber
`
`for storing multimedia content. An on-demand component is configured for receiving a
`
`deliver request from a subscriber for the stored content, for locating the requested
`
`multimedia content from the storage means and for delivering the requested
`
`multimedia content to the conversion means for display on the television or monitor.
`
`2 s
`
`The multimedia content is stored in the storage means in a format configured for
`
`locating same in response to the deliver request.
`
`An interactive program guide (IPG) is preferably provided to the subscriber by
`
`the system manager of the broadcast delivery system for said access and the
`
`3 o
`
`multimedia signals are transmitted through the network according to scheduling
`
`3
`
`DISH, Exh.1013, p.0006
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`CA 02321462 2000-09-29
`
`corresponding to the interactive program guide. The on-demand component is further
`
`configured for receiving a record request from a subscriber and for storing the
`
`multimedia content from the signals in response to the record request. The record
`
`request includes broadcast channel and time information identifying the multimedia
`
`5
`
`content and may be made from the interactive program guide. The multimedia
`
`content may correspond to one or multiple broadcast programs. The record request
`
`may be received any time up to the end of transmission of the signal corresponding to
`
`the program.
`
`10
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings
`
`The present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to
`
`the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements
`
`throughout.
`
`Figure 1 is a block diagram of a preferred multimedia broadcast delivery system
`
`15
`
`in accordance with the invention (hereinafter referred to as the "delivery system");
`
`Figure 2 is a further block diagram of the delivery system;
`
`Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of the elements of the delivery system
`
`and the operational components of the system manager component 40 (hereinafter
`
`referred to as the "system manager");
`
`20
`
`Figure 4 is a schematic operational diagram of the delivery system and system
`
`manager;
`
`Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a layered relationship of the
`
`components of the delivery system and system manager;
`
`Figure 6 is an exemplary interactive program guide (IPG) generated by the
`
`2 5
`
`system manager for display by a television through a set-top box;
`
`Figure 7 is another exemplary interactive program guide (IPG) generated by the
`
`system manager for display by a personal computer (PC);
`
`Figure 8 is an exemplary player window and virtual remote control generated by
`
`the system manager for display by a personal computer (PC);
`
`30
`
`Figure 9 is an exemplary virtual remote controller, showing the basic functions
`
`4
`
`DISH, Exh.1013, p.0007
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`

`

`CA 02321462 2000-09-29
`
`available, as generated by the system manager for display by a personal computer
`
`(PC);
`
`Figure 10 is the virtual remote controller of Figure 10 but showing the "options"
`
`box selected and the various available optional functions displayed; and,
`
`s
`
`Figure 11 illustrates a system for concurrent transmission of MPEG-1 and
`
`MPEG-2 encoded signals;
`
`Figure 12 shows three exemplary interactive television or computer display
`
`windows (GU ls) generated by the virtual DVR on-demand application of the present
`
`invention by which the user may instruct the recording of a designated program
`
`10
`
`selected from an IPG (a), a program display (b) or a main menu (c);
`
`Figure 13 is an exemplary interactive television or computer display window
`
`(GUI) screen generated by the virtual DVR on-demand application of the present
`
`invention by which the user may instruct the recording of a designated program by
`
`selecting a channel, day and time;
`
`1 s
`
`Figure 14 is an exemplary interactive television or computer display window
`
`(GUI) generated by the virtual DVR on-demand application showing a sample Play
`
`List of a current program recordings which may be played;
`
`Figure 15 is an exemplary interactive television or computer display window
`
`(GUI) screen generated by the virtual DVR on-demand application of the invention
`
`2 o
`
`showing the program information for a program selected for recording and providing
`
`recording options;
`
`Figure 16 is another exemplary interactive television or computer display
`
`window (GUI) screen generated by the virtual DVR on-demand application of the
`
`invention showing the program information for a program which has been selected for
`
`2 s
`
`recording and providing play and delete options for that recording;
`
`Figure 17 is an architectural schematic diagram of the Virtual DVR system
`
`described herein; and,
`
`Figure 18 is a schematic model diagram illustrating the Administration and
`
`Operations aspects of the Virtual DVR system described herein.
`
`30
`
`5
`
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`CA 02321462 2000-09-29
`
`Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment
`
`Figure 1 is a high-level block diagram of the basic elements of an exemplary
`
`multimedia delivery system as contemplated herein; for the convenience of the reader
`
`a glossary of several terms used herein, setting out their well-known meaning in the
`
`s
`
`communications art, is provided herein as Appendix A.
`
`At the head-end 24 of the system a video source 12 retrieves multimedia/
`
`television/Internet signals for broadcast from various sources such as satellites in the
`
`form of MPEG-compliant, Multi-Program Transport Streams (MPTS) and these signals
`
`10
`
`are delivered to (analog-to-digital) video encoders 14 or (digital-to-digital) transcoders
`
`130 where they are converted to one or more IP Multicast Single-Program Transport
`
`Streams (SPTS). The encoder 14 encodes analog video and audio inputs. The
`
`transcoder 130 decodes digital video and audio signals, perhaps high-speed MPEG
`
`video SPTS or MPTS, and re-encodes them into a format which is suitable for the
`
`15
`
`subscriber device being STB 22 or PC 30. Each IP multicast SPTS is a packetized
`
`MPEG stream which is subsequently sent out over a broadcast provider network 16
`
`to a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM 18) 18 which might be located
`
`in a telephone company central office. The DSLAM 18 serves two purposes: firstly, it
`
`connects broadband lines in the transport network to xDSL lines in the access network
`
`2 o
`
`and, secondly, it separates high-speed data from voice data, putting high speed data
`
`on the data network and low speed data on the conventional phone system. This
`
`allows concurrent use of the telephone and the system manager components on the
`
`same phone line. An IP Multicast signal from the DSLAM 18 is delivered to a
`
`subscriber's residence over an xDSL link such as an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber
`
`2 s
`
`Line (ADSL), where it is received by an ADSL modem 20 and delivered to a client
`
`server such as a set top box (STB) 22 or a PC 30. More precisely, xDSL lines
`
`connect the DSLAM 18 to an ethernet interface on the xDSL modem, and a 1 0BaseT
`
`cable connects the ethernet interface on the xDSL modem to an ethernet interface
`
`card on the set-top or PC.
`
`30
`
`6
`
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`CA 02321462 2000-09-29
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`The delivery system comprises software for enabling a service provider to offer
`
`broadcast television over Internet Protocol (IP), including IP multicast and unicast,
`
`which allows channel browsing by selecting and retrieving IP multicast streams. IP
`
`multicast is characterized by the sending out of data to distributed servers on a
`
`5
`
`multicast backbone network. For large amounts of data (including video
`
`transmissions), IP multicast is more efficient than normal Internet unicast
`
`transmissions because the server can broadcast a message to many recipients
`
`simultaneously. Unlike traditional Internet traffic that requires separate connections
`
`for each source-destination pair, IP multicasting allows many recipients to share the
`
`1 o
`
`same source. This means that just one set of packets is required to be transmitted for
`
`all the destinations.
`
`If the bit rate of the satellite transmission is not greater than 1 MBPS the signal
`
`may be transcoded directly to IP multicast MPEG. This takes existing digital
`
`15
`
`transmissions from a satellite and reprocesses them for delivery on an IP Multicast
`
`delivery system. The advantages of this are that it lowers the cost of head-end
`
`equipment 24 (satellite dish, etc.) by replacing the encoder 14 with a transcoder 130,
`
`and it also maximizes the quality of the signal being delivered from a digital signal
`
`source at the head-end (since it is only digitized once, and remains that way). At the
`
`2 o
`
`broadcast provider location a split/distributed head-end (signal from satellite) can also
`
`be employed to optimize transport facility cost. As shown in Figure 2, the video
`
`source may be a satellite located at head-end 24, which may be operated by a
`
`broadcast provider such as a telephone company or other service provider. The head
`
`end 24, and a system server complex 40, interface with a broadband network 26
`
`2 5
`
`through an IP multicast router 28 and a transport router 42, respectively.
`
`Digital video equipment gathers, processes, and distributes video. This
`equipment can include satellite dishes, satellite receiver units, encoders,
`
`remultiplexers, video servers, and IP gateways. Encoders and remultiplexers process
`live video, and video servers support the distribution of stored video. Encoders and
`
`3 o
`
`7
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`CA 02321462 2000-09-29
`
`remultiplexers perform two main functions: firstly, they convert individual MPEG(cid:173)
`
`compliant, Multi-Program Transport Streams (MPTS) from satellite into one or more IP
`
`multicast Single Program Transport Streams (SPTS) in real time and, secondly, they
`
`multicast the IP SPTS's over the service provider's IP network.
`
`5
`
`The server complex of the management system 40 (also referred to herein as
`
`the "system manager", "DTVM" or "Digital TV Manager") contains vital software
`
`components and comprises two main servers, namely, a system manager (DTVM)
`
`server and a database server. The DTVM server incorporates standard web server
`
`1 o
`
`software, and other standard software, such as JVM (Java Virtual Machine),
`
`DHCP/BootP, RPG, and NFS. The database server runs standard database software
`
`and stores all data for consumers (such as IPG data) including events data.
`
`The broadband network is IP Multicast compatible and has sufficient bandwidth
`
`15
`
`capacity to transport encoded video signals. A subscriber to the broadcast service
`
`has access to the network via a broadband link. Examples of broadband links include
`
`Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) (such as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL))
`
`Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay, Synchronous Optical Network
`
`(SONET), Local Multipoint Distribution System (LMDS), Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC), or
`
`2 o
`
`Fiber To The Home (FTTH). xDSL is of particular significance because it allows a
`
`broadcast provider to deliver programming to residential communities over existing
`
`copper wire (i.e. the twisted pairs linking the customer premises to the
`
`telecommunications network) without having to delay introduction of the service until
`
`the other access technologies become widely available.
`
`25
`
`The subscriber can access the TV broadcast with either a personal computer
`
`(PC) 30 having an associated monitor or a television 32 with a set top box (STB) 22
`
`such that, in essence, the STBs and PC's act as network computers. Each PC and
`
`STB is configured from downloaded multicasted data sources and uses a head-end
`
`3 o
`
`server for persistent storage. Accordingly, the consumer access 20 operates out of
`
`8
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`CA 02321462 2000-09-29
`
`memory (RAM) rather than a hard disk and this means that there is no dependence at
`
`the consumer end on moving parts and this, in turn, provides improved performance,
`
`decreased costs, reduced noise and fewer equipment failures and facilitates automatic
`
`software upgrades. Dependence on servers at the consumer-end is minimized and
`
`s
`
`servers are not required for regular television viewing or Web browsing. Once an STP
`
`or PC boots up, basic television viewing depends only on the availability of the video
`
`source and the associated network.
`
`The set top box 22 includes decoding circuitry for decoding MPEG-1 and/or
`
`10
`
`MPEG-2 as well as IP Multicast. To view the broadcast from a PC 30 it is equipped
`
`with appropriate software and may optionally be equipped with an associated MPEG
`
`card. The STB 22 is activated by an interface unit such as a keyboard or remote
`
`device 23 and the PC 30 interfaces the subscriber via a keyboard and/or mouse.
`
`15
`
`As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the broadcast provider is able to access television
`
`broadcast signals from various sources such as satellite 12, off-air broadcast or a
`
`static source such as a storage medium containing movies or the like. The service
`
`provider encodes the broadcast signal (MPEG) and makes it available to service
`
`subscribers (i.e. consumer users of the delivery system) through the broadband
`
`2 o
`
`network 26 using the Internet protocol (IP). The system manager 40 is linked to the
`
`network 26 via a transport router 42 and provides end-to-end management of services
`
`and resources provided by the integrated broadcast delivery system.
`
`Figure 3 shows the architectural configuration of the delivery system including
`
`2 s
`
`the consumer end appliances (PC and/or STB), the broadband IP network and the
`
`DTVM components. Figure 3 also shows another aspect of the deliverable services,
`
`i.e. Internet access 56. User access to the network is through an xDSL access
`
`element such as an ADSL Transmission Unit (ATU) 20. The broadband IP network
`
`and services section includes access router 28 and the transport network 'cloud' 26.
`
`3 o
`
`The transport network 26 has access to various components running parallel to the
`
`9
`
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`CA 02321462 2000-09-29
`
`head-end, namely, video-on-demand (VOD) 50 and near video-on-demand (NVOD)
`
`52, and the following additional "on-demand" applications: virtual digital video recorder
`
`(VDVR) 90 90?, "timeless" TV application and TV-on-demand, as well as e-mail 54
`
`and Web access through the Internet 56.
`
`5
`
`For standard broadcast signals and pay-per-view (PPV) or near video on
`
`demand (NVOD) services a multicast IP protocol is used in order to make efficient use
`
`of bandwidth. With this protocol numerous subscribers can have access to a program
`
`at the same time. For true video-on-demand service (VOD, VDVR, timeless TV and
`
`10
`
`TV-on-Demand), however, a unicast IP protocol is used. The DTVM software
`
`application 40 provides several features to a subscriber of the delivery and manager
`
`systems. These include but are not limited to customer profile management 68, billing
`
`and reporting 84, Interactive Program Guide (IPG) access 60, connection and channel
`
`packaging 104 including a self-service option 71, channel blocking (not shown), on-
`
`15
`
`line multilingual support (not shown) and information banner functions 64.
`
`Figure 4 is an operational schematic diagram of the broadcast delivery system.
`
`The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM 18) 18 at the edge of the high
`
`speed IP network is a network device which may be located at a telephone company
`
`2 o
`
`central office. The DSLAM 18 enables a telephone company to provide subscribers
`
`with xDSL, such as ADSL, technology and to connect the subscriber to a fast
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`backbone such as an A TM transport network 26. The ATM network routes the
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`various broadcast services, previously mentioned, to the DSLAM 18 which, in turn,
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`makes them accessible to subscribers via their PC 30 and/or STB 22. Figure 5 shows
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`2 5
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`in a layer format the relationship between suppliers of the various components of the
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`overall TV broadcast delivery system. At the bottom layer (layer 1) are the equipment
`
`and appliance suppliers such as set top box and computer suppliers, etc. The second
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`layer (layer 2) represents the service provider such as a Telco who make available the
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`IP and other protocols necessary to transport the video and furnish the manager
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`3 o
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`application functions between the service provider and subscriber. The third layer
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`CA 02321462 2000-09-29
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`(layer 3) includes the application functionality of the DTVM. As indicated in Figure 5,
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`these include consumer 80 and administration 82 service components, reporting and
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`billing components 84 and IPG 65 and browser 75 components.
`
`5
`
`The system manager (DTVM) utilizes some standards-based components and
`
`its components can be categorized into two groups, namely, client (subscriber) and
`
`server components. Client components run locally on the STB or PC and are
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`collectively referred to herein as subscriber device components. They provide three
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`capabilities: firstly, they provide viewing capability based on a user profile; secondly,
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`1 o
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`they provide business rules based on a user profile that specify permissions and
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`restrictions to resources; and, thirdly, they forward events and registration information
`
`to the server. Registration information includes, among other things, the IP address of
`
`each device. Server components generate, manage, and update the data that is sent
`
`to the STB or PC. Server components also organize data according to a user profile.
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`15
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`The DTVM may run on a Sun Solaris platform (this currently being a preferred
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`platform) but the platform used will be dictated by the service provider based on its
`
`needs.
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`The subscriber device component of this embodiment uses four components
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`2 o
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`that are installed the STB or PC, namely, an MPEG player, a browser, a networking
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`API and a windowing API. The MPEG player supports video viewing and the browser
`
`supports Web browsing. The networking API supports the protocols used by the
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`DTVM applications such as IP, NFS, and MPEG. The windowing API specifies what
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`interface screens can be drawn and how. Within the DTVM software there are many
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`2 5
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`components which perform the following functions: management of the display of all
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`content (including MPEG video, Interactive Program Guide (IPG), and web pages),
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`processing of remote control commands, providing time measurement ability, sending
`
`of events data to the server, listening for updates from the server in the IP multicast
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`stream, prompting the user for registration input, sending retrieved data to the server
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`3 o
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`for further processing, and registering STB or PC with the DTVM/service provider. An
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`CA 02321462 2000-09-29
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`SNMP Management Information Base (MIB) component is also provided in each STB
`
`or PC which, conventionally, uses SNMP to query and reset remote indicators (i.e.
`
`receives and responds to SNMP compliant messages) and, unconventionally, uses
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`SNMP to update consumer specific data on client devices for purposes of remote
`
`5
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`diagnostics, notification of new data availability and reminders or news items.
`
`Several "off the shelf' server components are used by the system manager and
`
`they play the following roles:
`
`• A Web server stores servlets that support administration (provisioning, remote
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`1 o
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`diagnostics, etc.) and self service (pay-per-view, channel blocking, etc.) transactions
`
`and standard products such as the Netscape™ Enterprise Server and Apache TM are
`
`used in this.
`
`• JDBC (Java TM Database Connectivity) and SOL *NET™ are used to enable the Java
`
`applications of the DTVM to access the database.
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`15
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`• A database stores all data for consumers, the IPG, events, etc., and the
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`persistence architecture of the DTVM is able to support multiple database models,
`
`including Oracle™ and SyQuest™.
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`• The operating system layer provides BootP/DHCP and NFS components to support
`
`set top box boot up and profile retrieval.
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`20
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`The DTVM server components are written in the Java TM programming language
`
`and their roles are as follows:
`
`• DTVM uses two daemons (i.e. automated background processing modules):
`
`multicast and Remote Procedure Call ('RPC'). The multicast daemon broadcasts
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`2 5
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`multicast data content to specific multicast addresses to deliver data to the STB or PC.
`
`The RPC daemon forwards events data and registration information from the STB or
`
`PC to the database server. The RPC daemon also has an RMI (Remote Method
`
`Invocation) interface to support distributed Java applications. Both daemons use the
`
`Sun™ native JVM (Java Virtual Machine).
`• Batch transactions automate the IPG update process. The IPG update process
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`3 o
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`consists of three phases: in phase one a retrieval process uses FTP to retrieve a data
`
`file from the data provider that contains television programming data, in phase two a
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`mapping process maps the data file to the database and in phase three a preparation
`
`process formats and forwards the IPG data to the multicast server.
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`5
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`• Servlets may be used to generate HTML pages that support service administration
`
`and self service transactions and also to invoke persistence architecture components
`
`in order to make changes to the database. Alternatively, JSP (Java Servlet Pages)
`
`and applets may be used (instead of servlets) if increased configurability and
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`1 o
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`interactivity of self-service screens is desired.
`• Persistence architecture components facilitate connections and exchanges between
`Java business objects and database tables.
`
`The subscriber accesses the IPG through components in the STB 22 or