U.S. patent application number 10/812039 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-16 for method and system for embedded network device installation.
This patent application is currently assigned to Navic Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Copeman, Ian, Hall, Peter, Kamenstky, Lee, Kanojia, Chaitanya.
Application Number | 20040181593 10/812039 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26880912 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040181593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kanojia, Chaitanya ; et
al. |
September 16, 2004 |
Method and system for embedded network device installation
Abstract
The present disclosed system is directed toward a communication
and management system that dynamically targets network devices for
content deployment, such as application programs, device drivers,
configuration files, and registry subhives. Moreover, the present
system targets users of network devices for promotions, such as
advertisements offered by Internet e-commerce sites. Promotions are
generally icons or graphic images with links to host web servers
overlaying a video display, but also includes audio and video clips
or data streams. Network devices and their users are targeted
through user profiles. User profiles are created when network
devices register with the system server and are continually updated
with information provided by user activity and event logs that are
periodically uploaded from each device. The present system
implements a scalable messaging system for data transmission
between the system server and among the network devices such that
it is neutral as to the specific hardware platforms on which it is
implemented.
Inventors: |
Kanojia, Chaitanya; (Newton,
MA) ; Kamenstky, Lee; (Arlington, MA) ; Hall,
Peter; (Ashtead Surrey, GB) ; Copeman, Ian;
(Wokingham, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAMILTON, BROOK, SMITH & REYNOLDS, P.C.
530 VIRGINIA ROAD
P.O. BOX 9133
CONCORD
MA
01742-9133
US
|
Assignee: |
Navic Systems, Inc.
Needham
MA
|
Family ID: |
26880912 |
Appl. No.: |
10/812039 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10812039 |
Mar 29, 2004 |
|
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|
09515032 |
Mar 6, 2000 |
|
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6714992 |
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60185202 |
Feb 25, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/220 ;
719/321 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 9/4411 20130101;
H04L 67/06 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/220 ;
719/321 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/177; G06F
017/00; G06F 019/00; A63F 013/00; A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for event driven content installation on a network
device over a data network, the system comprising: a network device
detecting a change in a configuration of the network device and
transferring information regarding the configuration change; a
remote server receiving the information regarding the configuration
change and searching a database for content corresponding to the
configuration change; the remote server sending a message notifying
the network device of a location of the content corresponding to
the configuration change; the network device requesting download of
the content at the location identified in the message; and the
server downloading the content to the network device in response to
the request.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the configuration change is an
addition of hardware associated with the network device.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the content is a driver,
application program, configuration file, registry data or promotion
associated with the additional hardware.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the configuration change is a
removal of hardware associated with the network device.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the content is an uninstall
program for removal of software associated with the removed
hardware.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the content is a driver,
application program, configuration file, registry data or
promotion.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote server comprises a bulk
download manager that downloads the content to the network
device.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote server comprises a
system manager that receives the information regarding the
configuration change and sends the message notifying the network
device of the location of the content in the database.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the network device comprises a
system agent that detects the change in the configuration of the
network device and transfers information regarding the
configuration change.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the network device comprises a
bulk download agent that requests the download of the content.
11. A method for event driven content installation on a network
device over a data network, the method comprising: detecting a
change in a configuration of a network device; transferring
information regarding the configuration change to a remote server;
receiving a message from the server that provides a location in a
database of the content corresponding to the configuration change;
and downloading the content from the database location identified
in the message.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the configuration change is an
addition or removal of hardware associated with the network
device.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the content is a driver,
application program, configuration file, registry data or
promotion.
14. A method for event driven content installation on a network
device over a data network, the method comprising: receiving the
information from a remote network device regarding a change in a
configuration of the network device; searching a database for
content corresponding to the configuration change; sending a
message to the network device including a location of the content
corresponding to the configuration change; receiving a request for
a download of the content at the location from the network device;
and downloading the content to the network device in response to
the request.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the configuration change is an
addition or removal of hardware associated with the remote network
device.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the content is a driver,
application program, configuration file, registry data or
promotion.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 09/515,032, filed Mar. 6, 2000, which claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/185,202, filed on Feb. 25,
2000. The entire teachings of the above applications are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.
[0002] Generally, under the current state of technology and in the
past, television has been delivered to the residential home either
through radio-frequency broadcasts, satellite downlink, or over
coaxial cable television (CATV) network. Data network
communications, such as Internet access, have been delivered via
the telephone networks through dial-up connections, ISDN
(Integrated Services Digital Network), and DSL (Digital Subscriber
Line) lines or over hybrid broadcast/data CATV networks, where a
portion of the bandwidth transmitted by the coaxial cable is
allocated for shared data network functionality using a
CSMA/CD-style transmission protocol. Less commonly, data
connections to the home are provided via satellite links where data
are downloaded via the satellite link and uploads are handled
through land lines, such as the telephone network. Another
technique is to transmit data to the home via wireless, CAMA, for
example, links.
[0003] Almost universally, the clients or network devices in the
residences are personal computers. Typically, they execute
application programs such as email clients and browsers that
utilize the data network connectivity offered by one of the above
techniques.
[0004] The trend, however, is towards a more ubiquitous computing
model where the network devices in the home will be embedded
systems designed for a particular function or purpose. This has
already occurred to some degree. Today, for example, CATV network
set-top boxes typically have limited data communication
capabilities. Their main function is to handle channel access
issues between residential users and a server on the cable TV
network.
[0005] In the future, the functionality offered by these set-top
boxes or other embedded platforms, such as a game system, will be
expanded. For example, they may offer Internet browsing
capabilities and e-commerce serving capabilities. Moreover, it is
anticipated that common-household appliances will also have network
functionality, in which they will be attached to the network to
automate various tasks.
[0006] The data networks must evolve with deployment of these
embedded systems. Where the personal computer can be updated with
new network drivers as the network evolves, embedded client systems
remain relatively static. Moreover, the process of installation in
the residence must be made less complicated so that a network
technician is not required every time a new embedded device is
connected onto the network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] As the ubiquitous computing model is deployed, many of the
network devices installed on the data networks will be embedded
devices, as opposed to the more complex systems such as personal
computers. This has advantages in that embedded devices tend to be
more stable due to stable configuration and operating systems.
[0008] The disadvantage, however, is in the flexibility of the
network devices. It is more difficult for those systems to be
adapted to changes in configuration or changes to the network. As a
result, the network infrastructure must be more intelligent to
maintain these embedded devices.
[0009] One issue that arises involves driver installation. Many
times a peripheral device is connected to an embedded device. It
would be desirable if the network could handle the installation of
the drivers necessary to enable the network device to use the
peripheral.
[0010] The present disclosed system is directed toward a
communication and management system that dynamically targets
network devices for content deployment, such as application
programs, device drivers, configuration files, and registry
subhives.
[0011] Moreover, the present system targets users of network
devices for promotions, such as advertisements offered by Internet
e-commerce sites. Promotions are generally icons or graphic images
with links to host web servers overlaying a video display, but also
includes audio and video clips or data streams.
[0012] Network devices and their users are targeted through user
profiles. User profiles are created when network devices register
with the system server and are continually updated with information
provided by user activity and event logs that are periodically
uploaded from each device.
[0013] The present invention implements a scalable messaging system
for data transmission between the system server and among the
network devices such that it is neutral as to the specific hardware
platforms on which it is implemented.
[0014] In general, according to one aspect, the present invention
concerns a system for driver installation on a network device over
a data network. The system comprises a system agent that detects an
identification message from a peripheral device when attached to
the network device. Information concerning this message is then
transferred to a system manager. The system manager compares the
information to a database of driver information and notifies the
network device regarding an appropriate driver for the peripheral
device. In this way, the system supports changes on the embedded
devices.
[0015] In general, according to one aspect, the identification
message is a plug-and-play string that is generated by the
peripheral device, typically when attached to the network device.
The system agent, on the network device, transfers at least part of
this string to the system manager. The system manager then compares
the string to a database of strings for supported peripherals.
[0016] When the appropriate driver for the peripheral is found, the
system agent is notified of a location of the driver on the
network. Preferably, a bulk download transfer agent then requests
download of the file at the location. A bulk transfer download
manager, executing on the server system, answers this request by
loading the requested file to the network device.
[0017] Preferably, the server system maintains a status of the
network devices. For example, once the driver has been loaded, the
system manager is notified by the network device and updates a
database storing a status of the network device.
[0018] Further, the system preferably handles the disconnection of
the peripheral at the network device. Preferably, when the
peripheral is disconnected, the network device requests
uninstallation instructions. This allows the network device to save
operating system memory, and to load new peripheral devices if
required without restart. Preferably, the system manager provides
uninstallation instructions to the network device. Once successful
uninstallation of the driver has occurred, the system manager is
notified by the system agent. The system manager then updates its
database again concerning the status of the network device.
[0019] In general, according to another aspect, the invention also
features a method for driver installation on a network device over
a data network. The method comprises the network device detecting
an identification message for a peripheral device when attached to
the network device. The network device transfers information
regarding identification of the peripheral device to the server
system. A system manager of the server system compares the
information to a database of driver information to find an
appropriate driver. The system manager then notifies the network
device regarding the appropriate driver for the peripheral
devices.
[0020] The above and other features of the invention including
various novel details of construction and combinations of parts,
and other advantages, will now be more particularly described with
reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the
claims. It will be understood that the particular method and device
embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration and not as
a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this
invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments
without departing from the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to
the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not
necessarily to scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. Of the drawings:
[0022] FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram depicting a cable
network infrastructure in which one embodiment of the present
invention functions.
[0023] FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram depicting a satellite
network infrastructure in which another embodiment of the present
invention functions.
[0024] FIG. 1C is a schematic block diagram depicting a Digital
Subscriber Line (DSL) network infrastructure in which still another
embodiment of the present invention functions.
[0025] FIG. 1D is a schematic block diagram depicting a wireless
network infrastructure in which another embodiment of the present
invention functions.
[0026] FIG. 2A is a block diagram depicting the interaction of the
components of the server system and the embedded client system
according to the invention.
[0027] FIG. 2B is a process diagram illustrating the interaction
between a queue manager and the message router according to the
invention.
[0028] FIG. 2C is a process diagram illustrating a process for
delivering a message via the message router according to the
invention.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a state line diagram illustrating a process for
automatically registering a device and generating user profiles for
targeting content according to the invention.
[0030] FIG. 4A is a state line diagram illustrating a process for
targeting consumers with content (e.g., graphical promotion) and
deploying the content to a targeted device according to the
invention.
[0031] FIG. 4B is a process diagram illustrating a process for
scheduling activation of content with a predetermined date and time
according to the invention.
[0032] FIG. 4C is a process diagram illustrating a process for
scheduling activation of content by server activation according to
the invention.
[0033] FIG. 4D is a process diagram illustrating a process for
event driven activation of content according to the invention.
[0034] FIG. 4E is a block diagram depicting event driven activation
involving trigger signals in the video stream according to the
invention.
[0035] FIG. 5A is an example of the Document Type Definition used
to define the document structure of the user activity and event
logs written in XML (Extensible Markup Language) according to the
invention.
[0036] FIG. 5B is an example of the representation of events stored
in a user activity and event log written in XML according to the
invention.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a state line diagram illustrating a process for
automatically for updating user profiles through uploading and
parsing user activity and event logs according to the
invention.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a process diagram illustrating a process for
dynamically installing a driver on a network device according to
the invention.
[0039] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing the uninstallation of the
driver on the network device according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] The present invention is a communications and management
system executing over a data network for targeting content,
including promotions, to users of network devices whose attributes
match the attributes of a group profile along with maintaining
those network devices.
[0041] The system and methods of the present invention can be
implemented over a variety of data network infrastructure including
cable, satellite, Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), and wireless
networks.
[0042] FIG. 1A shows one embodiment of the present invention in
which the communications and management system is implemented over
a cable network. In this environment, audio and video broadcasts
are typically frequency multiplexed with data transmissions on the
coaxial cables extending from the head end 50 to the exemplary
network devices 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D (collectively referred to as
80).
[0043] Video content providers 20 as well as Internet content
providers 10 (i.e. host web servers) deliver their audio/video/data
signals to a cable service provider/internet service provider
(CSP/ISP) data center 40. The Internet content providers 10 deliver
their data to the data center 40 via the Internet 30. Typically,
video content providers 20 transmit their video signals to the data
center 40 via some broadcast medium, such as conventional
radio-frequency television broadcasting techniques, or via a
digital satellite downlink.
[0044] The CSP/ISP data center 40 transmits the audio/video/data
signals to multiple head ends 50 (only one being shown for
simplicity of illustration). The connection between the data center
40 and the head end 50 is typically a hybrid CATV/data connection,
which is supported by an optical fiber infrastructure. Part of this
infrastructure carries the audio/video signals, which are directed
from the data center 40 to the network devices 80. Part of this
network also carries the bi-directional data communications
associated with network control and internet service
provisioning.
[0045] The head end 50 distributes the audio/video/data signals
over a cable network of hubs 60 and local nodes 70 to a variety of
network devices 80, such as set-top boxes, web phones, and cable
modems. Some network devices 80D, such as a web phone, have a
built-in video display 310 and speaker system 315. Other network
devices 80C are peripherally attached to a video display device and
speaker system such as a television 300.
[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, the server
system (100A and 100B, collectively referred to as 100), is located
at the CSP/ISP data center 40 and the head end 50 of the cable
network. Installation of the server system at the data center 40
and the head end 40 allows for scalability. The server system 100A
at the data center 40 typically provides centralized management for
configuring group profiles and content deployment options, while
the server system 100B at the head end 50 preferably handles the
registration, user profile updates, content deployment, and other
services among the network devices 80.
[0047] There are alternative schemes for deploying the server
system 100 within the cable network infrastructure depending on the
capacity of the server system 100 and number of network devices 80.
For example, the server system 100 is deployed at the hub 60 level
when the population of devices is sufficiently dense to necessitate
such distribution of the communication load.
[0048] FIG. 1B shows an embodiment of the present invention in
which the communications and management system is implemented on a
satellite network. In this environment, the server system 100 is
located at data center 45.
[0049] The server system 100 transmits data to the network devices
80 via a satellite uplink device 90 to a satellite 93, which, in
turn, transmits the data to a residential satellite downlink dish
95. The data are received by the network devices 80 connected to
the downlink feed 97.
[0050] For the return, upload, path, the network devices 80
transmit data to the server system 100 through a built-in modem,
other dial-up device, or a land line system such as ISDN or DSL.
The modem connects to a central office or point-of-presence (POP)
55, which, in turn, transmits the return-path data over the
Internet 30 to the data center 45.
[0051] FIG. 1C shows an embodiment of the present invention in
which the communications and management system is implemented on a
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network. In this environment, the
server system 100 is located at data center 45.
[0052] The server system 100 communicates bi-directionally with the
network devices 80 via the Internet 30 or closed network
connection, such as frame-relay, to a central office or
point-of-presence (POP) 55. In one embodiment, the Internet
connection between the server system 100 and the central office 55
is over a Virtual Private Network (VPN) providing a private,
secure, encrypted connection tunnel.
[0053] The network devices 80 are connected to the Internet 30 by
the central office 55 via Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).
[0054] FIG. 1D shows an embodiment of the present invention in
which the communications and management system is implemented on a
wireless network. This environment is similar to the DSL network
with the exception that the network devices 80 are connected to the
Internet 30 by the central office 55 via wireless, typically CDMA,
connections.
[0055] FIG. 2A shows the organization of the server system 100 and
the embedded client system 200 interacting to implement the
communications and management system.
[0056] In brief overview, the server system 100 includes a
management console 110, a system manager 120, a data store 130, a
queue manager 140, a message router 150, a bulk data transfer
manager 160, and an XML file processor 170. The embedded client
system 200 executing in the network devices include a web browser
210, a system agent 220, a promotion notification agent 230, a
queue manager 240, a logging agent, 250, and a bulk data transfer
agent 260.
[0057] In more detail, the management console 100 is preferably
implemented as a web server. In one embodiment of the present
invention, the management console 100 is a Microsoft.RTM. Internet
Information Server (IIS) implementing Active Server Pages
(ASP).
[0058] The management console 100 provides, upon request by a
system administrator, a web page interface for specifying the
content to deploy, the attributes of a group profile that target a
market segment of potential consumers, installation information,
and criteria for activating the content or displaying the
promotions at the network devices. Upon submitting the web page,
the management console 100 communicates with the system manager
120, via an Application Programming Interface (API) to store the
targeted group profile, activation criteria, and the content and
promotions to the data store 130. In one embodiment the API is a
Microsoft.RTM. COM interface.
[0059] Content includes, but is not limited to, applications,
device drivers, data files, registry sub-hives, and promotions.
Promotions are a special type of content that advertise goods and
services. Promotions overlay the video display of a network device
with a graphic, image, or animated icon that launches a web browser
to a host web server in response to the user clicking or selecting
it. Promotions also include audio and video clips or data streams.
One or more promotions can be displayed on the video display at one
time.
[0060] The management console 110 also provides a web page
interface to users upon request during the initial registration of
their network devices. Users will register through the web page
interface, providing data about themselves. Upon submitting the web
page, the management console 110 communicates with the system
manager 120, via the COM interface, to store the user data as
attributes of a user profile. The attributes of the user profile
are associated with the attributes of the group profile in order to
target potential consumers who would be interested in the content
or promotions.
[0061] The system manager 120 is an application-level process that
manages the reading and writing of data to the data store 130. The
system manager 120, through its COM interface, allows the
management console 110 to store user profiles, content including
promotions along with associated group profiles, installation
information, and activation criteria. In addition, the system
manager 120 updates the user and group profiles whenever new
attributes are received.
[0062] The system manager 120 also interacts with the system agent
220 of the targeted network devices by sending and receiving
messages through a messaging protocol. The interaction of the
system manager 120 and the system agent 220 implement the
scheduling of content deployment as well as installation and
activation of the content. In one embodiment, the system manager is
implemented as a Microsoft.RTM. COM object.
[0063] The queue manager 140 is an application-level process that
communicates with the message router 150 on behalf of other
processes, such as the system manager 120, in order to send and
receive messages among the embedded client systems 200. In one
embodiment, the queue manager 140 is implemented as a C++ object.
The queue manager 140 also manages incoming and outgoing queues on
behalf of the other processes in the system server 100.
[0064] The queue manager 140 handles two types of queues,
persistent queues and volatile queues. Messages, whose message type
indicates persistent storage, are stored such that the message will
not be lost during power outages and lost network connections. A
persistent queue is stored in persistent flash memory or in a
location on the hard disk of the network device. Other messages,
not intended for persistent storage, are stored to volatile queues
and might be lost during power outage and lost network
connections.
[0065] The data store 130 is a database that stores the attributes
of the user profiles, group profiles, content and promotions along
with the activation criteria. In addition, the data store 130
stores messages intended for network devices that are unavailable
during the initial delivery attempt. The data store provides
persistence to the data stored such that the content, profiles, and
messages will not be lost during a power outage. In one embodiment,
the data store 130 is a Microsoft.RTM. SQL version 7 database.
Since the data store stores content, it is also known as a content
store.
[0066] The bulk data transfer manager 160 is an application-level
process that is responsible for the transfer of bulk data to
targeted network devices. Bulk data include large stream-oriented
data, such as a promotions, files, or registry sub-key hives. The
bulk data transfer manager 160 does not transmit data over the
messaging protocol. Instead, it transmits serialized data over a
network transport protocol, such as TCP/IP. The bulk data transfer
manager 160 has access to the data store 130 for transmitting
content and promotions.
[0067] The XML File Processor 170 is an application-level process
that is responsible for parsing out the user attributes from the
raw user activity and event logs and updating the appropriate user
profiles. In one embodiment, the logs are stored as XML files in
the data store 130.
[0068] In more detail of the embedded client system 200, the system
agent 220 is an application-level process that communicates with
the system manager 120 handling various request messages and
registration. In handling the various request messages, the system
agent communicates with the other embedded client system components
in order to effect a proper response or behavior. In one
embodiment, the system agent 220 is implemented as a C++
object.
[0069] As in the system server, the queue manager 240 is an
application-level process that communicates with the message router
150 on behalf of other processes, such as the system agent 220, in
order to send and receive messages to the system server 100 and
other network devices. In one embodiment, the queue manager 240 is
implemented as a C++ object. The queue manager 240 also manages
incoming and outgoing queues on behalf of the other processes in
the embedded client system 200.
[0070] The queue manager 240 handles two types of queues,
persistent queues and volatile queues. Messages, whose message type
indicates persistent storage, are stored such that the message will
not be lost during power outages and lost network connections. A
persistent queue is stored in persistent flash memory or in a
location on the hard disk of the network device. Other messages,
not intended for persistent storage, are stored to volatile queues
and might be lost during power outage and lost network
connections.
[0071] The bulk data transfer agent 260 is an application-level
process that handles requests from the system agent 220 to either
download content and promotions or upload user activity and event
logs. The bulk data transfer agent 260 communicates with the bulk
data transfer manager 160 of the system server 100 over a network
transport protocol, such as TCP/IP. The bulk data transfer agent
260 notifies the system agent 220 upon completion or failure of the
data transfer. In one embodiment, the system agent 220 is
implemented as a C++ object.
[0072] The promotion notification agent 230 is an application-level
process that triggers and handles the display of promotions. The
promotion notification agent 230 overlays the promotion or
promotions onto the video signal that gets displayed on a monitor
connected to a set-top box or to a web phone display. The promotion
notification agent 230 coordinates the activation of promotions. A
promotion notification agent 230 will display the promotion in
response to an event, invocation by the system manager 120, or
scheduling information provided with the promotion itself.
[0073] The web browser 210 is an application-level process that
displays web pages from web host servers such as the management
console 110 of the system server 100 enabling registration of user
attributes.
[0074] The logging agent 250 is an application-level component that
monitors and logs a variety of user activities and events. In one
embodiment, the logging agent 250 stores the log files in XML
format. User activities and events that are tracked by the logging
agent 250 are channel events, promotion events, power events,
peripheral events, and application events.
[0075] Channel events occur whenever the network device stays tuned
to a channel for a configurable amount of time. Promotion events
occur in response to consumer actions taken with respect to
promotions displayed on the video display. For example, a promotion
event is recorded when the consumer clicks or selects the promotion
icon to navigate to the web server hosting the promotion.
[0076] The interaction of the server system 100 and the embedded
client system 200 provides a system for targeting and scheduling
deployment of promotional content to consumers of a targeted market
segment, for managing the activation of the promotional content,
and for tracking consumer response to the promotion.
[0077] Application-level processes, such as the system manager 120
of the server system and the system agent 220 of the network
device, communicate over the data network through messages.
[0078] Messages transfer requests for action, responses to
requests, and small data transfers. Messages are transported in the
payload of a network transport protocol, such as TCP/IP. Messages
are sent to destinations using a globally unique identifier, GUID,
in order to identify the destination network device or application.
This messaging protocol allows application-level processes to
transmit data without knowing about the network transport
interface, the device's network address, or whether the device is
active on the data network.
[0079] The interaction of the message router 150 with the queue
managers of the source and destination processes implements the
messaging protocol. Any queue manager whether it is executing on
the system server 100 or the embedded client system 200
communicates with the message router 150 in the same manner.
[0080] FIG. 2B illustrates the interaction between a queue manager
and the message router 150 according to the invention. For example,
when the system manager 120 needs to transmit a message to a system
agent 220, the system manager 120, in step 1000, sends the message
to the queue manager 140 indicating the message type, a globally
unique identifier (i.e., GUID) of the destination device, and the
message data. The details on how a network device obtains a GUID is
described later with reference to FIG. 3.
[0081] In step 1002, the queue manager 140 stores the message in a
queue for the system manager 120 and then attempts to establish a
connection with the message router 150.
[0082] In brief overview, there are three steps in order for the
queue manager 140 to establish a connection to the message router
150. In step 1004, the queue manager 140 determines the IP address
of the message router 150. In step 1006, the queue manager 140
creates and opens a socket pair connection to the message router
150 for transmitting serialized data. In step 1008, the queue
manager 140 sends a message to the message router 150 indicating
that the queue manager 140 is alive and connected and ready to
transmit serialized data.
[0083] In more detail of step 1004, the queue manager 140 has one
of its properties being the location or name of the message router
150. Using DNS, or IP host name services, the queue manager 140
determines the IP address of the message router 150. If the queue
manager 140 cannot resolve the IP address of the message router
150, the queue manager 140 resorts to a broadcasting scheme. The
queue manager 140 broadcasts a locator message on its subnet
attempting to locate the message router 150. If there is a message
router 150 on that subnet, the message router 150 responds back
with its IP address. This address is cached by the queue manager
140 for future connections.
[0084] In step 1006, the queue manager 140, knowing the IP address
of the message router 150, creates and opens a socket pair on
predetermined, known ports for transmitting serialized data.
[0085] In step 1008, once the socket pair is opened, the queue
manager 140 sends a message notifying the message router 150 that
the queue manager 140 is alive and connected and has socket pairs
on which to read or write serialized data.
[0086] In step 1010, the queue manager 140 writes the message for
delivery to the message router 150 through the established TCP/IP
socket connection
[0087] FIG. 2C illustrates the process of delivering the message
once received by the message router 150.
[0088] Upon completion of the writing of the message, the message
router 150 extracts the message type and the destination GUID from
the message in step 1012.
[0089] In step 1014, the message router 150 resolves the
destination GUID by looking-up the IP address associated with the
GUID in the data store 130.
[0090] In step 1016, the message is encapsulated in an IP packet,
with the appropriate destination IP address. In one embodiment, the
IP address of the network device becomes known to the system server
100 during initial registration of the network device and is stored
as an attribute of the user profile.
[0091] In step 1018, the message router 150 determines the type of
the message. The message type indicates the quality of service that
the message router 150 provides for delivery of the message.
[0092] If the message type is a standard datagram, the message
router 150 simply transmits the message in step 1022. The message
router 150 will not keep track of whether the message was actually
received.
[0093] If the message type indicates guaranteed delivery, the
message router 150 will transmit the message and wait for an
acknowledgment from the destination device in step 1024.
[0094] If no acknowledgment is received after several attempts, the
destination is deemed unavailable and the message is stored in the
data store 130 for later retransmission when the destination is
active on the data network in step 1028. Specifically, in step
1029, the message router waits for the network device 80 to become
active in order to deliver the message. In one embodiment, the
message router 150 is notified that the network device is active by
receiving a message from the network device 80 indicating its
active status. In an alternative embodiment, the message router is
notified of the active status of a previously unavailable network
device by the system manager 120 which monitors the status of the
network devices 80. When the network device becomes active, the
message router proceeds back to step 1018 to begin the process of
delivery again.
[0095] If the acknowledgment is received, then, in step 1030, the
delivery is complete and the message is removed from the data store
130 if the network device was previously unavailable.
[0096] The interaction of the message router 150 and the queue
manager 140 for delivering messages occurs whenever a message is
sent or received using the messaging protocol.
[0097] In order for the server system 100 to target content and
promotions to a particular market segment, the server system 100
references its stored user profiles, each user profile being a
collection of user and device attributes associated with a network
device. All network devices whose user profiles match the
attributes of the group profile, targeted by a system
administrator, are scheduled for content deployment.
[0098] However, when a network device is connected to the network
infrastructure for the first time, the system server does not have
a user profile for the network device. The present invention
provides an automated system and method for initially registering
and generating a user profile for an network device.
[0099] FIG. 3 is a state line diagram showing the interaction of
the server system 100 and the embedded client system 200 for
generating an initial user profile for a network device.
[0100] In step 1, the system agent 220 of the network device
generates and transmits a registration request message containing a
number of device attributes to the system manager 120.
[0101] The device attributes describes the network device and is
configured during the manufacturing process of the device itself.
For example, the network device may be configured with a model
number attribute for a particular group of network devices, such as
intelligent set-top boxes, version 1.0.
[0102] In step 2, the system manager 120 receives the registration
request message and, in response, retrieves a globally unique
identifier, GUID, from an available pool of GUIDs stored in the
data store 130.
[0103] In step 3, the system manager 120 generates and transmits a
registration response message containing the assigned GUID to the
system agent 220 of the registering device.
[0104] The assigned GUID is used by the network device to identify
itself in messages transmitted to the system server 100 and to
other network devices. The assigned GUID is also used by the system
server 100 to associate the network device with a user profile
within the data store 130.
[0105] In step 4, the system agent 220 launches a web browser 210.
The web browser 210 transmits an HTTP request to the URL (Uniform
Resource Locator) of the management console 110 for a registration
web page. The assigned GUID is included in the URL string in order
to identify the registering network device.
[0106] In step 5, the management console 110 receives the HTTP
request. In response, the management console 110 makes a call via
the COM interface of the system manager 120 to retrieve the device
and user attributes, if any, associated with the GUID of the
registering network device. The management console 110 generates
the registration web page customized for the registering network
device. The web page is transmitted via HTTP to the web browser
210.
[0107] In step 6, the web browser 210 displays the registration web
page wherein the user submits information which will be used to
generate a user profile of user attributes associated with the
network device. Such information includes, but is not limited to,
name and address information, channels frequently watched, requests
for installation of optional value-add services and applications,
and various demographic and personal information.
[0108] Upon submitting the registration data, the web browser 210
transmits the user attributes, represented as HTML data via HTTP,
to the management console 110.
[0109] In step 7, the management console 110 interprets the HTML
data stream and makes calls via the COM interface of the system
manager 120 to update the user profiles in the data store 130 with
the provided user attributes.
[0110] In step 8, the system manager 120 updates the user profile
of the registering network device with the user attributes on the
data store 130. After updating the user profile, the system manager
120 associates the user profile with group profiles whose
attributes match user attributes of the user profile.
[0111] For example, the user profile will be added to the group
profile for network devices with the same model number attribute.
The user profile is added to any number of group profiles that
target particular attributes of the registered user or network
device. These group profiles are used by the system manager 120 for
targeting consumers of particular market segments for various
e-commerce promotions or application services.
[0112] Once the network device is registered and is associated with
a user profile, the device is capable of being targeted for
deployment of content or promotions.
[0113] FIG. 4A is a state line diagram showing the interaction of
the server system and the embedded client system for deployment of
content and promotions to a network device. Deployment includes,
but is not limited to, downloading and installing.
[0114] Before content can be deployed to a targeted device, the
content must be stored in the data store 130 along with a group
profile and an activation schedule. The group profile indicates the
attributes of network devices to target. The activation schedule
indicates when to activate the content or promotions. Activation
can be event driven, scheduled from the system server 100, or
initiated by the system manager 120.
[0115] In step 1, a system administrator with access to the
management console 110 populates a server-based web page indicating
the content to deploy as well as the criteria with which to define
the group profile. Additionally, the system administrator indicates
when to activate the content. Upon submitting the data, the
management console 110 makes a call to the COM interface of the
system manager 120 to generate a group profile in the data store
130 with user profiles whose attributes match the criteria defined
by the system administrator.
[0116] In step 2, the system manager 120 updates the data store 130
creating the group profile and populating the group profile with
user profiles with matching attributes.
[0117] In step 3, the management console 110 make a call through
the COM interface of the system manager 120 to download the content
or promotion to the data store 130.
[0118] In step 4, the system manager 120 writes the content to the
data store 130.
[0119] The system manager 120 is configured to schedule deployment
of content during off-peak hours when bandwidth utilization is
typically at a minimum. For example, during the hours of 3:00 AM
and 5:00 AM, more bandwidth is available for efficient deployment
of content and promotions. Alternatively, the system manager 120
monitors network utilization and is configured to schedule
deployment of content when the detected bandwidth utilization falls
below a predetermined level.
[0120] In step 5, the system manager 120 sends a download and
install request message to each of the system agents 220 of the
network devices whose user attributes match the attributes of the
group profile. The download and install message informs the system
agent 220 to download install the content or promotion referenced
by a GUID.
[0121] Alternatively, the system manager 120 sends a download,
install, and start request message which indicates, in addition,
when or under what event conditions the content should be activated
(i.e. promotion displayed or an application launched).
[0122] In step 6, the system agent 220 makes a C++ object method
call to the bulk data transfer agent 260 to download the content
having the provided GUID.
[0123] In step 7, the bulk data transfer agent 260 sets up a TCP/IP
socket connection to the bulk data transfer manager 160 of the
server system to initiate the delivery of the application.
[0124] In step 8, the bulk data transfer manager 160 delivers the
requested content to the bulk data transfer agent 260 through the
TCP/IP socket connection. In cases where the connection is broken,
the bulk data transfer agent 260 and the bulk data transfer manager
160 can detect that a connection was broken and will continue the
download the content from the point in the transfer where the break
occurred.
[0125] In step 9, the bulk data transfer agent 260 notifies the
system agent 220 the result of the data transfer via an C++ object
method call.
[0126] In step 10, the system agent 220 sends a message to the
system manager 120 indicating the result of the data transfer.
[0127] After the content is installed on the targeted network
device, the present invention provides a system and method for
activating that content. Activation allows the user to interact
with the installed content, such as playing a game or initiating an
e-commerce transaction.
[0128] There are two types of activation that the present invention
implements--scheduled activation and event driven activation.
Scheduled activation allows the system administrator to specify
when to activate the content, whereas event driven activation
allows the system administrator to specify an event which triggers
the activation of the content.
[0129] Scheduled activation is implemented in two ways,
predetermined scheduling and activation by the system server.
[0130] FIG. 4B illustrates the steps associated with content
activation via predetermined scheduling. Predetermined scheduling
based upon date and time provides the most autonomy to the network
device. After the content is deployed, the network device simply
waits for the specified date and time to arrive, at which time it
displays the content.
[0131] In step 1110, when the group profiles are configured and the
content is downloaded to the data store 130, the system
administrator also specifies the date and time to activate the
content. Where the content is a promotion, a duration period is
specified along with the activation date and time.
[0132] In step 1112, the system manager 120 sends the download,
install, and start request message to the system agent 220 of a
targeted network device. In addition to requesting the system agent
220 to install content, the message indicates the date and time to
activate the installed content.
[0133] If the content is a not a promotion, the system agent 220
waits for the specified activation date and time in step 1116.
[0134] In step 1118, the content is activated by the system agent
220 at the specified date and time.
[0135] If the content is a promotion, the system agent 220
transfers the predetermined date, time, and duration to the
promotion notification agent 230 in step 1120.
[0136] In step 1122, the promotion notification agent 230 waits for
the specified activation date and time.
[0137] In step 1124, the promotion is activated by the promotion
notification agent 230 at the specified activation date and
time.
[0138] If the promotion is a icon or graphic linked to a URL of a
host web server, the promotion notification agent 230 overlays the
promotion on a portion of the video display built-in or attached to
the network device. If the promotion is audio clip or data stream,
the audio is played through a speaker built-in or attached to the
network device. If the promotion is a video clip or data stream,
the video overlays a portion of the video display built-in or
attached to the network device.
[0139] FIG. 4C illustrates the steps associated with server
activation of content. Server activation of content allows control
to reside at the server system 100, therefore, maximizing the
control by the institution operating the server system 100.
[0140] As described previously, the content is installed on the
network device in step 1210 with no activation information.
[0141] In step 1212, the system agent 220 waits for a start message
from the system server 100.
[0142] In step 1214, upon request of the system administrator, the
system manager 120 sends a start message to the system agent 220
specifying the installed content to activate.
[0143] If the installed content is not a promotion, the system
agent activates the content in response to receiving the message in
step 1218. This may include, but not limited to, launching an
application installed within the network device.
[0144] If the installed content is a promotion, the system agent
220 notifies the promotion notification agent 230 via a C++ object
method call to activate the specified promotion in step 1220.
[0145] In step 1222, the promotion is activated by the promotion
notification agent 230.
[0146] Event driven activation is particularly suited for
coordinating the activation of content with a particular event or a
particular moment in a corresponding analog and/or digital video
stream.
[0147] Event activation has advantages associated with high
scalability. The content can be loaded in the days or weeks
preceding the general time period when it is to be displayed.
[0148] In one embodiment, events that trigger content activation
are channel events, power events, and peripheral events. A power
event is an event relating to the power supply, such as the network
device being powered on or off. A peripheral event is an event
relating to peripheral devices being connected or disconnected from
the network device, such as a joy stick or other gaming console. A
channel event is an event relating to the channel being watched by
the user.
[0149] FIG. 4D illustrates the steps associated with event driven
activation according to the invention.
[0150] In step 1310, when the group profiles are configured and the
content is downloaded to the data store 130, the system
administrator also specifies an event map. An event map associates
events to content indicating when to activate the content. Where
the content is a promotion, a duration period is specified as
well.
[0151] In step 1312, the system manager 120 sends the event map in
a message, such as a download, install, and start message, to the
system agent 220 of a targeted network device.
[0152] If the content is not a promotion, the system agent 220
waits for the specified event or events that trigger the activation
of the content in step 1316.
[0153] In step 1318, the system agent 220 activates the content
when the specified event or events occur.
[0154] Conversely, if the content is a promotion, the system agent
220 transfers the event map to the promotion notification agent 230
in step 1320.
[0155] In step 1322, the promotion notification agent 230 waits for
the specified event or events to occur.
[0156] In step 1324, the promotion notification agent 230 activates
the promotions associated with the event or events that
occurred.
[0157] An example of event driven activation is where the event map
provides for the activation of promotions involving sporting goods
when the potential consumer has been watching a particular sports
channel for a period of time. The watching of the sports channel
for a period of time triggers a channel event. The channel event
triggers the activation of the promotion or promotions.
[0158] The present invention provides an additional implementation
of event driven activation involving technology from ATVEF
(Advanced Television Enhancement Forum). ATVEF provides a standard
for embedding HTML tags within a video signal.
[0159] The promotion content agent 230 monitors the video signal
for the embedded triggers, such as the HTML tag. The capture of
this embedded trigger causes the activation of one or more
promotions in real-time coinciding with the video signal.
[0160] Such a system has advantages in that very little video
signal editing is required. Only a small trigger has to be embedded
in the video signal, requiring little analog video editing
capabilities at the data center.
[0161] The content, is simultaneously activated on all of the
network devices allowing high levels of synchronization to the
video signal. For example, the promotion can be synchronized to
occur during a television commercial.
[0162] The provider of the commercial simply embeds an
initialization or start HTML tag within its video signal. In
response to the promotion notification agent 230 capturing the HTML
tag, the promotion notification agent 230 activates the appropriate
promotion or promotions specified in the event map for that HTML
tag.
[0163] FIG. 4E shows one embodiment of this system on a
conventional set-top box 80 for an analog or an analog/digital
video display device such as a television 300. Specifically, the
data and audio/video stream is received by the set-top box 80. This
data audio/video stream is received from the head end 50 via the
hub 60.
[0164] The promotion content agent 230 of the embedded client
system 200 monitors the video stream for the embedded trigger
signal. When the trigger signal is detected, the promotion content
agent 230 inserts the associated graphical promotion content
indicated in the event map into the analog or digital video stream
to the display 310 of the television 300. As a result, the
promotion 320 appears on the display screen 310, overlaying the
video.
[0165] User selection of this promotion through a selecting device,
such as a remote control device, sends a URL to the web browser 210
bringing the browser window to the forefront of the display 310 of
the television 300. In this way, user selection of the promotion
allows the user to receive and view data from the URL enabling
e-commerce transactions.
[0166] Therefore, the event-driven activation, as well as the other
scheduling options, presents promotions in an appropriate context
to further increase the likelihood of consumer e-commerce
transactions.
[0167] In addition to the initial registration process, the present
invention includes a system and method for updating user profiles
through uploading distributed user activity and event logs to the
system server 100, parsing out the user and device attributes from
the logs, and updating the user profiles in the data store 130.
[0168] The logs provide useful information, because the logs track
a variety of information which the system can use in order to more
accurately target users for content and promotional deployment. In
one embodiment, the logs track channel events and e-commerce
transactions initiated through the display of promotions. In
another embodiment, the logs track peripheral events, such as the
addition of a joystick and console for gaming purposes, power
events, application events, and promotion events. Continuous
updating of user profiles through this system and method improves
the targeting of consumers for content deployment, and in
particular, for promotional content deployment.
[0169] In brief overview, the network device includes a logging
component 250 that monitors and logs user activity and events in an
generic file format. For example, the logging component 250
monitors user activity at a user interface device such as the
television remote channel control. In one embodiment, the generic
file format is Extensible Markup Language (XML). The format of the
log files, using XML, correspond to the structure of the user
profiles in the data store 130. This allows for processing of the
logs in an automated fashion.
[0170] In addition, the user activity and event logs include a
description of the structure of the document itself. Using XML, the
description of the structure of the document is the Document Type
Definition (DTD). Providing a description of the document structure
within the logs themselves, allows for the server system 100 to
process logs with different document structures. This avoids the
necessity of having to update the server system 100 every time a
new document structure is used within the logs.
[0171] FIG. 5A is an example of a DTD for an event log where each
event that occurs is recorded with the GUID of the device, the time
of the event, the event type, and a description of the event.
[0172] FIG. 5B is an example of an event log written in XML using
the DTD of FIG. 5A. The event log contains two events, stored in
the structure described by the DTD. FIG. 5B demonstrates how a
channel event and an application event are described within this
log.
[0173] The uploading and parsing of these user activity and event
logs will provide additional user attributes for targeting
consumers including information regarding responses to prior
promotions. If the logs indicate that a user is interested in a
particular type of promotion, the system server modifies the user
attributes of his user profile such that they match the attributes
of a group profile associated with that type of promotion.
[0174] FIG. 6 is a state line diagram showing the interaction of
the server system 100 and the embedded client system 200 for
updating user profiles through the upload and parsing of user
activity and event logs.
[0175] In step 1, the system manager 120 sends a message to the
system agent 220 to upload its activity logs to the server
system.
[0176] In step 2, the system agent 220 makes a C++ object method
call to the bulk data transfer agent 260 to upload the user
activity and event logs.
[0177] In step 3, the bulk data transfer agent 260 sets up a TCP/IP
socket connection to the bulk data transfer manager 160 of the
server system to initiate the delivery of the logs.
[0178] In step 4, the bulk data transfer agent 260 delivers the
logs to the bulk data transfer manager 160 through the TCP/IP
socket connection where they are stored in the data store 130.
[0179] In cases where the connection is broken, the bulk data
transfer agent 260 and the bulk data transfer manager 260 can
detect that a connection was broken and will continue the download
the content from the point in the transfer where the break
occurred.
[0180] In step 5, the bulk data transfer agent 260 notifies the
system agent 220 the result of the data transfer via a C++ object
method call.
[0181] In step 6, the system agent 220 sends a message to the
system manager 120 indicating the result of the data transfer.
[0182] In step 7, the system manager 120 makes a call to the XML
file processor 170 to update the user profiles from the user
activity and event logs.
[0183] In step 8, an XML file processor 170 at the server system
parses the logs stored on the database and updates the user
attributes of the user profile of the network device. This system
and method for scheduling remote uploads of the user activity and
event logs provides improves the efficiency for targeting consumers
for content and promotion.
[0184] There are situations where a user will change the hardware
configuration of a network device in order to expand its
capabilities. In that situation, the present invention provides a
system and method by which the network device notifies the server
system 100 of a change to its hardware configuration and, in
return, receives the appropriate device drivers to support the new
hardware configuration.
[0185] FIG. 7 shows the dynamic installation of device drivers on
the network device according to the present invention.
[0186] Specifically, the dynamic driver installation process is
triggered when the user installs a peripheral device on a network
device for which the network device requires a driver. In the
typical example, the process occurs when the user plugs in a
peripheral device such as a joy stick into a port such as a serial
port or USB (universal serial bus) port.
[0187] In step 1002, the system agent 220 intercepts the plug and
play string from the peripheral device when it is attached to the
USB port.
[0188] In step 1004 the system agent 220 then sends this plug and
play string to the system manager 120 via the message router 150
and the queue managers along the path between the system agent 220
and the system manager 120.
[0189] In step 1006, the system manager 220 then searches for a
matching driver in its data store 130. Specifically, it compares
the plug and play string received from the network device to plug
and play strings of supported operating systems and supporting
peripheral devices for which drivers are available.
[0190] In step 1008, assuming the valid device driver has been
located, the system manager 120 sends a message to the system agent
220 to download the driver providing its location in the data store
130.
[0191] In step 1010, the system agent requests the bulk data
transfer agent 260 on the network device to download the driver.
The bulk data transfer agent 260 then contacts the bulk data
transfer manager 160 and downloads and stores the device driver on
the network device. In parallel, the system manager 120 instructs
the system agent 220 on how to install the device driver on the
network device.
[0192] In step 1012, in the typical implementation, the device
driver is dynamically loaded onto the network device.
[0193] In step 1014, when the driver has been successfully
installed, the system agent 220 notifies the system manager 120.
The system manager, in turn, updates the status of the network
device in the system manager's data store 130.
[0194] FIG. 8 illustrates the mirror process in which the
peripheral device driver is uninstalled.
[0195] In step 1016, the system agent 220 is notified when the
peripheral is disconnected by the user from the network device.
[0196] In step 1018, the system agent 220 then requests an
uninstall program from the system manager 120.
[0197] In step 1020, typically, the bulk data transfer agent 260
obtains the uninstalled program from the bulk data transfer manager
160.
[0198] In step 1022, the driver is then uninstalled.
[0199] In step 1024, upon the successful uninstall, the system
agent 220 notifies the system manager 120 that the driver has been
installed and the system manager 120 updates the network device's
status.
[0200] While this invention has been particularly shown and
described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
form and details may be made therein without departing from the
scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
* * * * *