I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIIII 111111111111111 IIIIII IIII IIII IIII
`US007440559B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Muhonen et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,440,559 B2
`Oct. 21, 2008
`
`(54)
`
`SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED TERMINAL,
`METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM
`PRODUCT FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW
`OF CONTENT
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Ahti Muhonen, Hirvihaara (FI);
`Antti-Pentti Vainio, Espoo (FI); Ari
`Hiinnikiiinen, Turku (FI)
`
`2002/0062336 Al
`2002/0069406 Al
`2002/0087997 Al
`2003/0084177 Al
`2003/0104801 Al
`2003/0134653 Al
`2003/0174645 Al
`2004/0213207 Al*
`2005/0086318 Al*
`
`5/2002 Toedosiu et al.
`6/2002 Aaltonen et al.
`7/2002 Dahlstrom
`5/2003 Mulligan
`6/2003 Koulakiotis
`7 /2003 Sarkkinen et al.
`9/2003 Paratainen et al.
`10/2004 Silver et al .................. 370/352
`4/2005 Aubault ...................... 709/213
`
`(73) Assignee: Nokia Corporation, Espoo (FI)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 820 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/690,692
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 22, 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2005/0089022 Al
`
`Apr. 28, 2005
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04M 3/42
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................ 379/201.01; 379/265.09;
`379/221.08; 379/221.09; 379/221.11; 379/221.12;
`370/352
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................. 370/352;
`379/265.09, 221.08, 221.09, 221.11, 221.12,
`379/201.01
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,450,482 A *
`5,884,032 A *
`5,974,454 A
`5,978,806 A *
`6,029,175 A
`2002/0021809 Al
`2002/0023264 Al
`
`9/1995 Chen et al. .................. 379/230
`3/ 1999 Bateman et al. ............. 709/204
`10/ 1999 Apfel et al.
`11/1999 Lund ........................... 707/10
`2/2000 Chow et al.
`2/2002 Salo et al.
`2/2002 Aaltonen et al.
`
`EP
`WO
`WO
`
`1130 459 A2
`WO 01/45319 Al
`WO03/001755 Al
`
`9/2001
`6/2001
`1/2003
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`3'a Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group
`Services and System Aspects; Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Ser(cid:173)
`vice; Stage 1 (Release 6); 3 GPP TS 22.146; Mar. 2003; 17 pages;
`V6.2.0; 3'a Generation Partnership Project (3GPP™).
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Quynh H Nguyen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Alston & Bird LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system for controlling a flow of content includes a terminal
`and a network entity. The terminal is capable of sending a
`content status including terminal status information having a
`listing of one or more pieces of content stored in a memory of
`the terminal. The network entity includes a content flow man(cid:173)
`ager that is capable of receiving the terminal status informa(cid:173)
`tion. Then, based upon the terminal status information, the
`content flow manager can control the flow of content to the
`terminal. More particuarly, for example, the content flow
`manager can be capable of controlling the terminal to delete
`at least one piece of content from a memory of the terminal,
`and/or download at least one piece of content from a source of
`content.
`
`24 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`102
`
`106
`
`108
`
`DETERMINE IF CONTENT TO DELETE
`BASED UPON TERMINAL STATUS AND
`SERVER STATUS
`
`DETERMINE IF CONTENT TO
`DOWNLOAD BASED UPON TERMINAL
`STATUS AND SERVER STATUS
`
`114
`
`112
`
`116
`
`Netflix v. VideoLabs
`IPR2023-00630
`Netflix. Ex. 1001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 2008
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 7,440,559 B2
`
`TERMINAL
`
`31
`
`28
`
`30
`
`DIGITAL
`BROADCASTER
`
`......
`
`20
`
`GTW
`
`TERMINAL
`
`BS
`
`14
`
`TERMINAL
`
`ORIGIN
`SERVER
`
`CONTENT
`FLOW
`SERVER
`
`GGSN
`
`24
`
`25
`
`29
`
`33
`
`20
`
`GTW
`
`12 ~
`0-10
`
`BS
`
`14
`
`TERMINAL
`
`16
`
`20
`
`GTW
`
`MSC
`
`SGSN
`
`27
`
`FIG. 1.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 2008
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 7,440,559 B2
`
`36
`
`32
`
`34
`
`INTERFACE
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`MEMORY
`
`FIG. 2.
`
`30
`
`68
`
`• • • MUX
`
`TX
`
`31
`
`60
`
`VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`
`62
`
`NON-
`VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`
`FIG. 4.
`
`

`

`\
`v-40
`
`48\
`
`28\
`
`/ 42
`
`54 \
`
`RX
`
`44 7
`
`TELEVISION
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I AN INTERFACE ~ PROCESSOR 1 - -
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`LOCAL
`INTERFACE
`
`\_45
`
`56
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`(')
`
`0
`:-+-
`N .... ~
`
`N
`0
`0
`QO
`
`('D
`('D
`
`~
`
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`0 ....
`
`Ul
`
`'I
`
`d r.,;_
`
`-....l
`~
`
`UI
`
`~ = tit
`\0 = N
`
`NON-VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`CONTENT
`FLOW
`MANAGER
`
`52_/
`5'
`
`53
`
`VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`
`1\-50
`
`FIG. 3.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 2008
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 7,440,559 B2
`
`TRANSMITTER
`
`70
`
`44A
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`88000
`t j
`
`BT
`
`IR
`
`82
`
`DISPLAY
`
`KEYPAD
`
`RINGER ITT
`78 __jVLJ
`
`94
`
`VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`
`84
`
`96
`
`NON(cid:173)
`VOLATILE
`
`MEMORY r 92
`
`SIM
`~ - - - - '
`
`FIG. 5.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 2008
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 7,440,559 B2
`
`START
`
`100
`
`102
`
`RECEIVE AND STORE PIECE(S)
`OF CONTENT AT TERMINAL
`
`RECEIVE STATUS AT CONTENT
`FLOW MANAGER INCLUDING
`TERMINAL STATUS INFORMATION
`
`104
`
`PROVIDE SERVER STATUS
`INFORMATION
`
`106
`
`108
`
`DETERMINE IF CONTENT TO DELETE
`BASED UPON TERMINAL STATUS AND
`SERVER STATUS
`
`DETERMINE IF CONTENT TO
`DOWNLOAD BASED UPON TERMINAL
`STATUS AND SERVER STATUS
`
`110
`
`SEND RESPONSE INCLUDING
`ANY ACTION(S) TO TERMINAL
`
`PIECE(S) OF
`CONTENT TO
`DELETE?
`
`YES
`
`DELETE EXPIRED
`CONTENT
`
`114
`
`NO - - - - - - - - - - '
`
`NEW
`PIECE(S) OF
`CONTENT TO
`DOWNLOAD?
`
`YES
`
`DOWNLOAD NEW
`CONTENT
`
`118
`
`112
`
`116
`
`FIG. 6.
`
`NO
`
`STOP
`
`STORE NEW
`CONTENT
`
`120
`
`

`

`US 7,440,559 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED TERMINAL,
`METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM
`PRODUCT FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW
`OF CONTENT
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention generally relates to systems and
`methods for controlling the flow of content and, more par(cid:173)
`ticularly, to systems and associated terminals, methods and
`computer program products for controlling the flow of con(cid:173)
`tent in terminals operable with mobile telecommunication
`and digital broadcast networks.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`tion technique is utilized in which content for transmission is
`placed into MPEG-2 packets which act as data containers.
`Thus, the containers can be utilized to transport any suitably
`digitized data including, but not limited to High Definition
`5 TV, multiple channel Standard definition TV (PAUNTSC or
`SECAM) and, of course, broadband multimedia data and
`interactive services.
`The combined use of mobile telecommunications with a
`broadband delivery technique such as DVB-T has been pro-
`10 posed in the past in order to achieve efficient delivery of
`digital services to users on the move. This would take advan(cid:173)
`tage of existing infrastructures in the effort to provide per(cid:173)
`sonal communications (already prevalent) and the growing
`demand for Internet access, together with the expected rise of
`15 digital broadcasting, so that users can receive these services
`with a single device. Furthermore, DVB-Tis a cross platform
`standard that is shared by many countries thereby making
`frequency compatibility and roaming less of an issue. The
`combination of mobile telecommunication and relatively
`20 very low cost digital broadband delivery techniques provides
`the possibility of interactive services such as uni-directional
`and bi-directional services such as audio and video streaming
`(e.g., TV, radio, etc.), file downloads and advanced gaming
`applications, etc.
`In mobile terminals for combined use of mobile telecom(cid:173)
`munications and digital broadband data broadcast tech(cid:173)
`niques, mobile terminals typically download content in
`accordance with a "pull" technique. In this regard, mobile
`terminals typically pull content from a server, such as by
`dispatching a uniform resource indicator (URI) from a mobile
`terminal to a server, which responds by providing information
`associated with the URI. Although mobile terminals typically
`download content in accordance with a pull technique, the
`server or content provider must typically have control over
`the content flow policy to the mobile terminal. For example,
`the server or content provider must typically have control
`over when pieces of content expire and are removed from the
`mobile terminal, when to deliver new pieces of content to the
`mobile terminal, what new pieces of content to deliver, etc.
`As will be appreciated, in various instances, user prefer(cid:173)
`ences, capabilities of the mobile terminal and/or previous
`contents stored or otherwise received by the mobile terminal
`can have an affect on the flow of new content to the mobile
`terminal. Current techniques for downloading content from
`mobile terminals, however, do not provide for such user pref(cid:173)
`erences, capabilities, previous contents and/or use of previous
`contents. Thus, current techniques for downloading content
`can suffer from inefficient content flow control between the
`mobile terminal and the server or content provider. More
`50 particularly, current techniques for downloading content can
`suffer from inefficient control of content received and there-
`after stored by mobile terminals, as well as inefficient control
`of content stored by mobile terminals.
`
`The deployment of advanced high bit-rate mobile networks
`has opened up new opportunities for delivering a host of
`services in a way that was not possible with earlier second
`generation wireless networks. Recent systems including third
`generation (3G) systems, such as those specified for use with
`the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) wire(cid:173)
`less standard, enable the delivery of new digital services such
`as video calls and the playback of multimedia applications
`that are comprised of audio and video clips. Although the 25
`increased bit rates of 3G systems widen the possibilities for
`providing digital services.
`The increased bit rates of 3G systems provide adequate
`performance for delivering high quality digital audio and
`acceptable quality moving image clips. However, at these 30
`transfer rates it may be difficult to handle exceedingly high
`data intensive tasks such as delivering high quality full-mo(cid:173)
`tion video and transferring very large data files to mobile
`terminals. In this regard, attempts at downloading large data
`files may lead to inconveniently long downloading times that 35
`can be undesirably costly for users. For this and other reasons,
`alternative broadband delivery techniques have been investi(cid:173)
`gated that could provide a practical solution for high data
`intensive tasks in terms oflower cost and convenience for the
`users involved.
`One such delivery technique that has shown promise is
`Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB). In this regard, DVB-T,
`which is related to DVB-H (handheld), DVB-C (cable) and
`DVB-S (satellite), is the terrestrial variant of the DVB stan(cid:173)
`dard. As is well known, DVB-Tis a wireless point-to-multi- 45
`point data delivery mechanism developed for digital TV
`broadcasting, and is based on the MPEG-2 transport stream
`for the transmission of video and synchronized audio. DVB-T
`has the capability of efficiently transmitting large amounts of
`data over a broadcast charmel to a high number of users at a
`lower cost, when compared to data transmission through
`mobile telecommunication networks using, e.g., 3G systems.
`Advantageously, DVB-T has also proven to be exceptionally
`robust in that it provides increased performance in geographic
`conditions that would normally affect other types of trans- 55
`missions, such as the rapid changes of reception conditions,
`and hilly and mountainous terrain.
`Digital broadband data broadcast networks are known. As
`mentioned, an example of such a network enjoying popularity
`in Europe and elsewhere world-wide is DVB which, in addi- 60
`tion to the delivery of television content, is capable of deliv(cid:173)
`ering data, such as Internet Protocol (IP) data. Other examples
`of broadband data broadcast networks include Japanese Ter(cid:173)
`restrial Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting (ISDB-T),
`Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), and MBMS, and those 65
`networks provided by the Advanced Television Systems
`Committee (ATSC). In many such networks, a containeriza-
`
`40
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In light of the foregoing background, embodiments of the
`present invention provide an improved system and associated
`terminal, method and computer program product for control(cid:173)
`ling the flow of content, particularly to mobile terminals that
`are operable with mobile telecommunication and digital
`broadcast networks. To facilitate control of the flow of con(cid:173)
`tent in accordance with embodiments of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, a terminal is capable of sending a content request that
`includes terminal status information. A network entity, such
`as a digital broadcast receiver, can then control the flow of
`content to the terminal based upon the terminal status infor-
`
`

`

`US 7,440,559 B2
`
`4
`present invention solve the problems identified by prior tech(cid:173)
`niques and provide additional advantages.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`25
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`3
`mation. Advantageously, the terminal status information can
`include information regarding the terminal that accounts for
`user preferences, capabilities of the terminal and/or previous
`contents stored by the terminal. Thus, in contrast to conven(cid:173)
`tional techniques for downloading content to a terminal, the 5
`network entity can control the flow of content to the terminal
`Having thus described the invention in general terms, ref(cid:173)
`based upon information that accounts for user preferences,
`erence will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
`capabilities of the terminal and/or previous contents stored by
`which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
`the terminal.
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless commu-
`According to one aspect of the present invention, a system 10 nications system according to one embodiment of the present
`is provided for controlling a flow of content. The system
`invention including a cellular network and a data network to
`includes a terminal and a network entity. The terminal is
`which a terminal is bi-directionally coupled through wireless
`capable of sending a content status including terminal status
`RF links;
`information having a listing of one or more pieces of content
`FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an entity capable of
`stored in a memory of the terminal. The network entity (e.g., 15
`operating as a terminal, origin server, digital broadcast
`content flow server, origin server, digital broadcast receiver,
`receiver and/or a digital broadcaster, in accordance with
`etc.) includes a content flow manager that is capable ofreceiv(cid:173)
`embodiments of the present invention;
`ing the terminal status information. Then, based upon the
`FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a digital broadcast
`terminal status information, the content flow manager can
`receiver, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`control the flow of content to the terminal. More particuarly, 20
`invention;
`for example, the content flow manager can be capable of
`FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the digital broad(cid:173)
`controlling the terminal to delete at least one piece of content
`caster, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`from a memory of the terminal, and/or download at least one
`invention;
`piece of content from a source of content ( e.g., an origin
`FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile station that
`server, digital broadcast receiver, etc.).
`may operate as a terminal, according to embodiments of the
`With the listing of one or more pieces of content stored in
`present invention; and
`the memory of the terminal in the terminal status information,
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of controlling the flow of
`the control flow manager can be capable of instructing the
`content in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`terminal to delete one or more pieces of content from the
`memory of the terminal based upon the listing of the piece( s) 30 invention.
`of content stored in the memory of the terminal. Similarly, the
`control flow manager can be capable of controlling the ter(cid:173)
`minal to download one or more pieces of content from the
`source of content based upon server status information
`including a listing of available piece(s) of content from the 35
`source.
`More particularly, the control flow manager can be capable
`of determining if the memory of the terminal includes at least
`one piece of content to delete. Then, when the control flow
`manager determines that the memory of the terminal includes 40
`piece( s) of content to delete, the control flow manager can be
`capable of sending a response to the terminal instructing the
`terminal to delete at least one piece of content. Additionally,
`or alternatively, the control flow manager can be capable of
`determining if the source of content includes at least one 45
`available piece of content for the terminal to download. In
`such instances, the control flow manager can be capable of
`sending a response to the terminal instructing the terminal to
`download at least one available piece of content when the
`control flow manager determines that the source includes 50
`available piece(s) of content for the terminal to download.
`According to other aspects of the present invention, a ter(cid:173)
`minal, method and computer program product are provided
`for controlling the flow of content. Therefore, embodiments
`of the present invention provide a system and associated 55
`terminal, method and computer program-product for control(cid:173)
`ling the flow of content. The system and associated terminal,
`method and computer program product of embodiments of
`the present invention are capable of controlling the flow of
`content based upon terminal status information from the ter- 60
`minal, where the terminal status information includes infor(cid:173)
`mation regarding the terminal. Advantageously, the terminal
`status information can include information reflecting user
`preferences, capabilities of the terminal, previous contents
`stored by the terminal, and/or the use of such previous con- 65
`tents. Therefore, the system, and associated terminal, method
`and computer program product of embodiments of the
`
`The present invention now will be described more fully
`hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.
`This invention may, however, be embodied in many different
`forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodi(cid:173)
`ments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are pro(cid:173)
`vided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete,
`and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those
`skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements through(cid:173)
`out.
`Referring to FIG. 1, an illustration of one type of terminal
`and system that would benefit from the present invention is
`provided. The system, method and computer program prod(cid:173)
`uct of embodiments of the present invention will be primarily
`described in conjunction with mobile communications appli(cid:173)
`cations. It should be understood, however, that the system,
`method and computer program product of embodiments of
`the present invention can be utilized in conjunction with a
`variety of other applications, both in the mobile communica(cid:173)
`tions industries and outside of the mobile communications
`industries. For example, the system, method and computer
`program product of embodiments of the present invention can
`be utilized in conjunction with wireline and/or wireless net(cid:173)
`work (e.g., Internet) applications.
`As shown, a terminal 10 may include an antenna 12 for
`transmitting signals to and for receiving signals from a base
`site or base station (BS) 14. The base station is a part of a
`cellular network that includes elements required to operate
`the network, such as a mobile switching center (MSC) 16. As
`well known to those skilled in the art, the cellular network
`may also be referred to as a Base Station/MSC/Interworking
`function (BMI). In operation, the MSC is capable of routing
`calls and messages to and from the terminal when the terminal
`is making and receiving calls. The MSC also provides a
`
`

`

`US 7,440,559 B2
`
`5
`connection to landline trunks when the terminal is involved in
`a call. Further, the MSC can be coupled to a server gateway
`(GTW) 20.
`The MSC 16 can be coupled to a data network, such as a
`local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network
`(MAN), and/or a wide area network (WAN). The MSC can be
`directly coupled to the data network. In one typical embodi(cid:173)
`ment, however, the MSC is coupled to a GTW 20, and the
`GTW is coupled to a WAN, such as the Internet 22. In turn,
`devices such as processing elements (e.g., personal comput(cid:173)
`ers, server computers or the like) can be coupled to the ter(cid:173)
`minal 10 via the Internet. For example, the processing ele(cid:173)
`ments can include one or more processing elements
`associated with an origin server 24, one of which is illustrated
`in FIG. 1. As explained below, the processing elements can
`additionally or alternatively include a content flow server 25
`capable of operating a content flow manager to control the
`flow of content to the terminal.
`In addition to the MSC 16, the BS 14 can be coupled to a
`signaling GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) support
`node (SGSN) 27. As known to those skilled in the art, the
`SGSN is typically capable of performing functions similar to
`the MSC 16 for packet switched services. The SGSN, like the
`MSC, can be coupled to a data network, such as the Internet
`22. The SGSN can be directly coupled to the data network. In
`a more typical embodiment, however, the SGSN is coupled to
`a packet-switched core network, such as a GPRS core net(cid:173)
`work 33. The packet-switched core network is then coupled to
`another GTW, such as a GTW GPRS support node (GGSN)
`29, and the GGSN is coupled to the Internet. In addition to the
`GGSN, the packet-switched core network can also be coupled
`to aGTW20.
`By coupling the SGSN 27 to the GPRS core network 33
`and the GGSN 29, devices such as origin servers 24 and/or the
`content flow server 25 can be coupled to the terminal 10 via
`the Internet 22, SGSN and GGSN. In this regard, devices such
`as origin servers can communicate with the terminal across
`the SGSN, GPRS and GGSN. For example, origin servers can
`provide content to the terminal, such as in accordance with
`the Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS). For
`more information on the MBMS, see Third Generation Part(cid:173)
`nership Project (3GPP) technical specification 3GPP TS
`22.146, entitled: Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service
`(MEMS), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by
`reference in its entirety.
`In addition to being coupled to the BS 14, the terminal 10
`one or more wireless access points (APs) 26. The APs can
`comprise access points configured to communicate in accor(cid:173)
`dance techniques such as, for example, radio frequency (RF),
`Bluetooth (BT), infrared (IrDA) or any of a number of differ(cid:173)
`ent wireless networking techniques, including WLAN tech(cid:173)
`niques. TheAPs may be coupled to the Internet 22. Like with
`the MSC 16, the APs can be directly coupled to the Internet.
`In one advantageous embodiment, however, theAPs are indi(cid:173)
`rectly coupled to the Internet via a GTW 20. As will be
`appreciated, by directly or indirectly connecting the terminals
`and the origin server 24, as well as any of a number of other
`devices, to the Internet, the terminals can communicate with
`one another, the origin server, etc., to thereby carry out vari(cid:173)
`ous functions of the terminal, such as to transmit data, content 60
`or the like to, and/or receive content, data or the like from, the
`origin server. As used herein, the terms "data," "content,"
`"information" and similar terms may be used to interchange(cid:173)
`ably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received
`and/or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present
`invention. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to
`limit the spirit and scope of the present invention.
`
`6
`Further, the terminal 10 can additionally, or alternatively,
`be coupled to a digital broadcaster 30 via a digital broadcast
`network, such as a terrestrial digital video broadcasting ( e.g.,
`DVB-T, DVB-H, ISDB-T, ATSC, etc.) network. As will be
`5 appreciated, by directly or indirectly connecting the terminals
`and the digital broadcaster, the terminals can receive content,
`such as content for one or more television, radio and/or data
`channels, from the digital broadcaster. In this regard, the
`digital broadcaster can include, or be coupled to, a transmitter
`10 (TX) 31, such as a DVB-T TX. Similarly, the terminal can
`include a receiver, such as a DVB-T receiver (not shown). The
`terminal can be capable of receiving content from any of a
`number of different entities in any one or more of a different
`number of manners. In one embodiment, for example, the
`15 terminal can comprise a terminal 10' capable of transmitting
`and/or receiving data, content or the like in accordance with a
`DVB (e.g., DVB-T, DVB-H, etc.) technique as well as a
`cellular (e.g., lG, 2G, 2.5G, 3G, etc.) communication tech(cid:173)
`nique. In such an embodiment, the terminal 10' may include
`20 an antenna 12A for receiving content from the DVB-T TX,
`and another antenna 12B for transmitting signals to and for
`receiving signals from a BS 14. For more information on such
`a terminal, see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/894,532,
`entitled: Receiver, filed Jun. 29, 2001, the contents of which is
`25 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`In addition to, or in lieu of, directly coupling the terminal
`10 to the digital broadcaster 34 via the TX 31, the terminal can
`be coupled to a digital broadcast (DB) receiving terminal 28
`which, in turn, can be coupled to the digital broadcaster 30,
`30 such as directly and/or via the TX. In such instances, the
`digital broadcast receiver can comprise a DVB-T receiver,
`such as a DVB-T receiver in the form of a set top box. The
`terminal can be locally coupled to the digital broadcast
`receiver, such as via a personal area network. In one advan-
`35 tageous embodiment, however, the terminal can additionally
`or alternatively be indirectly coupled to the digital broadcast
`receiver via the Internet 22.
`Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of an entity
`capable of operating as a terminal 10, origin server 24, con-
`40 tent flow server 25, digital broadcast receiver 28, and/or a
`digital broadcaster 30 is shown in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention. Although shown as
`separate entities, in some embodiments, one or more entities
`may support one or more of a terminal, origin server, digital
`45 broadcast receiver, and/or a digital broadcaster, logically
`separated but co-located within the entit(ies). For example, a
`single entity may support a logically separate, but co-located,
`terminal and digital broadcast receiver. Also, for example, a
`single entity may support a logically separate, but co-located
`50 digital broadcast receiver and digital broadcaster.
`As shown, the entity capable of operating as a terminal 10,
`origin server 24, content flow server 25, digital broadcast
`receiver 28, and/or a digital broadcaster 30 can generally
`include a processor 32 connected to a memory 34. The pro-
`55 cessor can also be connected to at least one interface 36 or
`other means for transmitting and/or receiving data, content or
`the like. The memory can comprise volatile and/or non-vola(cid:173)
`tile memory, and typically stores content, data or the like. For
`example, the memory typically stores software applications,
`instructions or the like for the processor to perform steps
`associated with operation of the entity in accordance with
`embodiments of the present invention. Also, for example, the
`memory typically stores content transmitted from, or
`received by, the terminal, digital broadcast receiver, and/or
`65 digital broadcaster.
`Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a func(cid:173)
`tional block diagram of a digital broadcast receiver 28, in
`
`

`

`US 7,440,559 B2
`
`7
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As
`shown, the digital broadcast receiver includes an antenna 40
`for receiving signals from a digital broadcaster 30 and feeding
`the signals into a receiver (RX) 42. In tum, the receiver is
`capable of decrypting, demodulating and/or demultiplexing 5
`the signals, such as to extract content data. The receiver can
`feed the content data to a processor 44, which can thereafter
`decode the content data. The processor can then feed the
`decoded signal into an audio/video (AN) interface 46, which
`can convert signals to a form suitable for display by a monitor, 10
`such as a television set 48.
`The digital broadcast receiver 28 can include volatile
`memory 50, such as volatile Random Access Memory (RAM)
`including a cache area for the temporary storage of data. The
`digital broadcast receiver can also include non-volatile
`memory 52, which can be embedded and/or may be remov(cid:173)
`able. The non-volatile memory can additionally or alterna(cid:173)
`tively comprise an EEPROM, flash memory, hard disk or the
`like. The memories can store any of a number of pieces of
`information, content and data, used by the digital broadcast
`receiver to implement the functions of the digital broadcast
`receiver. For example, as indicated above, the memories can
`store content, such as that received from a digital broadcaster
`3 0. As explained below, the memories can also store a content
`flow manager 53 capable of controlling storage of content by 25
`the digital broadcast receiver and/or a terminal 10.
`The digital broadcast receiver 28 can also include one or
`more interface means for sharing and/or obtaining data from
`electronic devices, such as terminals 10 and/or digital broad(cid:173)
`casters 30. More particularly, the digital broadcast receiver 30
`can include a network interface means 54, for sharing and/or
`obtaining data from a network, such as the Internet 22 and/or
`the DVB-T 31. For example, the digital broadcast receiver
`can include an Ethernet Personal Computer Memory Card
`International Association (PCMCIA) card configured to 35
`transmit and/or receive data to and from a network, such as
`the Internet.
`The digital broadcast receiver 28 can also include one or
`more local interface means 56 for locally sharing and/or
`obtaining data from electronic devices, such as a terminal. For
`example, the digital broadcast receiver can include a radio
`frequency transceiver and/or an infrared (IR) transceiver so
`that data can be shared with and/or obtained in accordance
`with radio frequency and/or infrared transfer techniques.
`Additionally, or alternatively, for example, the digital broad(cid:173)
`cast receiver can include a Bluetooth (BT) transceiver oper(cid:173)
`ating using Bluetooth brand wireless technology developed
`by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group such that the digital
`broadcast receiver can share and/ or obtain data in accordance
`with Bluetooth transfer techniques. Further, the digital broad(cid:173)
`cast receiver can additionally or alternatively be capable of
`sharing and/or obtaining data in accordance with any of a
`number of different wireline and/or wireless networking
`techniques, including LAN and/or WLAN techniques.
`Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which illustrates a func- 55
`tional block diagram of the digital broadcaster 30 of one
`embodiment of the present invention. Like the digital broad(cid:173)
`cast receiver 28, the digital broadcaster can include volatile
`memory 60, such as volatile Random Access Memory (RAM)
`including a cache area for the temporary storage of data. The 60
`digital broadcaster can also include non-volatile memory 62,
`which can be embedded and/or may be removable. The non(cid:173)
`volatile memory can additionally or alternatively comprise an
`EEPROM, flash memory or the like. The memories can store
`any of a number of pieces of information, content and data, 65
`used by the digital broadcaster to implement the functions of
`the digital broadcaster. For example, as indicated above, the
`
`8
`memories can store content, such as content for a television
`channel and other content for a number of other television,
`radio and/or data channels.
`The digital broadc