U.S. patent application number 12/349503 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-09 for advertisement presentation and tracking in a television apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to THOMSON LICENSING. Invention is credited to Jill Suzanne Allen, Mike Arthur Derrenberger, Thomas Herman Hamilton, Robert Joseph Logan, Hugh Boyd Morrison, Steven Charles Rhoads, John Frederick Teskey, Michael Eugene Willcox.
Application Number | 20090178079 12/349503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26829888 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090178079 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Derrenberger; Mike Arthur ;
et al. |
July 9, 2009 |
ADVERTISEMENT PRESENTATION AND TRACKING IN A TELEVISION
APPARATUS
Abstract
A system and a method is disclosed which allows both
advertisement and program information to be shown on a channel
banner, while user changes channel. In another embodiment, an
"advertisement channel" is inserted into an active channel list
(e.g., scan list), so that when a user is changing channel, a
selected ad will be displayed. In yet another embodiment, a method
for tracking and collating advertisement display activity in a
video system supporting composite display of image data associated
with different multimedia functions and advertisements is
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Derrenberger; Mike Arthur;
(Fishers, IN) ; Teskey; John Frederick;
(Indianapolis, IN) ; Hamilton; Thomas Herman;
(Indianapolis, IN) ; Rhoads; Steven Charles;
(Carmel, IN) ; Willcox; Michael Eugene;
(Knightstown, IN) ; Morrison; Hugh Boyd; (Seattle,
WA) ; Logan; Robert Joseph; (Indianapolis, IN)
; Allen; Jill Suzanne; (Indianapolis, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomson Licensing LLC
P.O. Box 5312, Two Independence Way
PRINCETON
NJ
08543-5312
US
|
Assignee: |
THOMSON LICENSING
Princeton
NJ
|
Family ID: |
26829888 |
Appl. No.: |
12/349503 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09959140 |
Oct 17, 2001 |
7493640 |
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PCT/US00/11381 |
Apr 28, 2000 |
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12349503 |
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60131886 |
Apr 30, 1999 |
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60186465 |
Mar 2, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/478 20130101;
H04N 21/4622 20130101; H04N 21/4316 20130101; H04N 21/4821
20130101; H04N 21/812 20130101; H04N 7/163 20130101; H04N 5/44543
20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 21/42684 20130101; H04N 21/458
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/42 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/445 20060101
H04N005/445 |
Claims
1. A method for tracking advertisements in an apparatus comprising
the steps of: generating a signal that is capable of being
displayed as an electronic program guide, wherein said electronic
program guide contains at least one advertisement; and in response
to a selection, by a user, of said advertisement, information is
transmitted to a server indicating the source of said
advertisement, as such an advertisement can originate at least two
sources.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to the field of providing
effective user interactivity for electronics devices and more
particularly, to a system and method for automatically displaying
selected advertisements while a user changes the channel on a video
apparatus. In addition, advertisements are selected and tracked
automatically to increase ad effectiveness.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Electronic devices such as televisions or VCRs require a
control system that includes a user interface system. Typically, a
user interface system provides information to a user and simplifies
use of the device. One example of a user interface is an electronic
menuing system in a television system. The menuing system allows a
user to easily interact with and control a television system that
is becoming more complex.
[0003] Electronic Program Guides (EPG) are very useful for
providing program information while a consumer is watching TV.
These EPGs are generally supported by advertising displayed along
with the program information. However, the consumer must access the
EPG to see the program information. In some EPGs, such as current
DSS receivers, program information is shown in the channel banner,
which is seen while changing channels. To force a user to use the
EPG (where advertisements are shown) more often, the prior systems
have been showing minimum amount of program information in the
channel banner, with no advertisement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present inventors recognize that in the future, the
channel banner feature may not be economically viable because it
takes away from the use of the EPG (where the advertisements are
shown), and therefore reducing the number of ad views in the EPG.
The present inventors recognize that it is desirable to be able
show ads in the channel banner while the consumer is viewing
program information at the same time, providing both convenience
for the user as well as additional financial benefit for the
advertisers and the service providers.
[0005] In addition, the present inventors recognize that it may be
desirable to insert an advertisement channel (with or without
corresponding channel banner description information) onto a
channel list of a video apparatus. The way an ad is inserted into
the channel surfing list may be dependent on, for example, a user's
channel surfing manner.
[0006] Also, it is desirable to select the advertisement to be
displayed intelligently and to be able to track advertisement
display activity in a television receiver to maximize ad
effectiveness.
[0007] Therefore, a system and a method is disclosed which allows
both advertisement and program information to be shown on a channel
banner, as shown for example, in FIG. 1. In another embodiment, a
channel representing advertisement is inserted into the active
channel list (e.g., scan list), so that when a user is channel
surfing, a selected ad will be displayed. In yet another
embodiment, a method for tracking advertisement display activity in
a video decoder system supporting composite display of image data
associated with different multimedia functions and advertisements
is disclosed, comprising the steps of:
[0008] acquiring broadcast video data representing a multimedia
function image and video data representing an advertisement
image;
[0009] generating advertisement display tracking data collating
display characteristics of said advertisement image by different
multimedia function; and
[0010] formatting said advertisement display tracking data for
output.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] In the drawing:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows an example of a banner ad and channel banner
with program information in accordance with the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows an example of a television system suitable for
processing user commands and displaying exemplary user interface
screens in accordance to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows an example of a digital video processing
apparatus suitable for processing user commands and displaying
exemplary user interface screens in accordance with the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a specific implementation of
a digital satellite system suitable for processing user commands
and displaying exemplary user interface screens in accordance with
the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 shows an example of a program guide for selecting
programs.
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart, in accordance with the present
invention, for processing user commands and displaying exemplary
user interface screens in accordance with the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention where advertisement tracking information is
generated.
[0019] FIG. 8 shows the manner in which auxiliary information may
be displayed with the program content associated with a television
signal.
[0020] FIG. 9 shows the manner in which auxiliary information may
be displayed with an electronic program guide.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The present inventors recognize that EPGs deliver two
important types of data to a video apparatus: program information,
such as title, extended description, rating and genre; and
advertisements. To increase effectiveness, it is desirable to
coordinate these items to user actions to optimally display an ad.
These items would be taken from the data already in the EPG and
rearranged to fit the format of the channel banner.
[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, when
the consumer changes channel, the program information changes to
reflect what is currently on the channel. At the same time the ad
can either remain the same or change. The ad that is shown could be
based on the time of day, the channel that is displayed, or the
program that is currently on. It could also be changed randomly or
according to a predetermined pattern.
[0023] This advertising display in the channel banner can be turned
on and off by the consumer. Turning it on allows the consumer to
see program information while changing the channel, but it will
also requires that ads be shown. Turning it off minimizes the size
of the channel banner because the ad is not shown, but the program
information is not shown either. The choice will be made in the
receiving apparatus's menu system. In addition, the ad can be
interactive, letting users select it to get more information or to
link to more contents such as web content. If the ad is for a
program, the consumer can set up a one-touch recording or set their
TV to show program when it comes on.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows an example of a television system suitable for
processing user commands and displaying exemplary user interface
screens in accordance with the present invention. The television
receiver shown in FIG. 2 is capable of processing both analog NTSC
television signals and internet information. The system shown in
FIG. 1 has a first input 1100 for receiving television signal RF_IN
at RF frequencies and a second input 1102 for receiving baseband
television signal VIDEO IN. Signal RF_IN may be supplied from a
source such as an antenna or cable system while signal VIDEO IN may
be supplied, for example, by a video cassette recorder (VCR). Tuner
1105 and IF processor 1130 operates in a conventional manner for
tuning and demodulating a particular television signal that is
included in signal RF_IN. IF processor 1130 produces baseband video
signal VIDEO representing the video program portion of the tuned
television signal. IF processor 1130 also produces a baseband audio
signal that is coupled to an audio processing section (not shown in
FIG. 1) for further audio processing. Although FIG. 2 shows input
1102 as a baseband signal, the television receiver could include a
second tuner and IF processor similar to units 1105 and 1130 for
producing a second baseband video signal from either signal RF_IN
or from a second RF signal source.
[0025] The system shown in FIG. 2 also includes a main
microprocessor (mP) 1110 for controlling components of the
television receiver such as tuner 1105, picture-in-picture
processing unit 1140, video signal processor 1155, and
StarSight.RTM. data processing module 1160. As used herein, the
term "microprocessor" represents various devices including, but not
limited to, microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers and
controllers. Microprocessor 1110 controls the system by sending and
receiving both commands and data via serial data bus I.sup.2C BUS
that utilizes the well-known I.sup.2C serial data bus protocol.
More specifically, central processing unit (CPU) 1112 within mP
1110 executes control programs contained within memory, such as
EEPROM 1127 shown in FIG. 2, in response to commands provided by a
user, e.g. via JR remote control 1125 and JR receiver 1122. For
example, activation of a "CHANNEL UP" feature on remote control
1125 causes CPU 1112 to send a "change channel" command along with
channel data to tuner 1105 via I.sup.2C BUS. As a result, tuner
1105 tunes the next channel in the channel scan list. Another
example of a control program stored in EEPROM 1127 is software for
implementing the operations shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7 and 8 in flow
chart form to be discussed below and in accordance with the present
invention.
[0026] Main microprocessor 1110 also controls the operation of a
communications interface unit 1113 for providing the capability to
upload and download information to and from the Internet.
Communication interface unit 1113 includes, for example, a modem
for connecting to an Internet service provider, e.g. via a
telephone line or via a cable television line. The communication
capability allows the system shown in FIG. 1 to provide email
capability and Internet related features such as web browsing in
addition to receiving television programming.
[0027] CPU 1112 controls functions included within mP 1110 via bus
1119 within mP 1110. In particular, CPU 1112 controls auxiliary
data processor 1115 and on-screen display (OSD) processor 1117.
Auxiliary data processor 1115 extracts auxiliary data such as
StarSight.RTM. data from video signal PIPV.
[0028] StarSight.RTM. data, which provides program guide data
information in a known format, is typically received only on a
particular television channel and the television receiver must tune
that channel to extract StarSight.RTM. data. To prevent
StarSight.RTM. data extraction from interfering with normal use of
the television receiver, CPU 1112 initiates StarSight.RTM. data
extraction by tuning the particular channel only during a time
period when the television receiver is usually not in use (e.g.,
2:00 AM). At that time, CPU 1112 configures decoder 1115 such that
auxiliary data is extracted from horizontal line intervals such as
line 16 that are used for StarSight.RTM. data. CPU 1112 controls
the transfer of extracted StarSight.RTM. data from decoder 1115 via
I.sup.2C BUS to StarSight.RTM. module 1160. A processor internal to
the module formats and stores the data in memory within the module.
In response to the StarSight.RTM. EPG display being activated
(e.g., a user activating a particular key on remote control 125),
CPU 1112 transfers formatted StarSight.RTM. EPG display data from
StarSight.RTM. module 1160 via I.sup.2C BUS to OSD processor
1117.
[0029] An EPG is an interactive, on-screen display feature that
displays information analogous to TV listings found in local
newspapers or other print media. In addition, an EPG also includes
information necessary for collating and decoding programs. An EPG
provides information about each program within the time frames
covered by the EPG that typically ranges from the next hour up to
seven days. The information contained in an EPG includes
programming characteristics such as channel number, program title,
start time, end time, elapsed time, time remaining, rating (if
available), topic, theme, and a brief description of the program's
content. EPGs are usually arranged in a two-dimensional table or
grid format with time information on one axis and channel
information on the other axis. An example of an program guide is
shown in FIG. 5.
[0030] Unlike non-interactive guides that reside on a dedicated
channel and merely scroll through the current programming on the
other channels for the next 2 to 3 hours, EPGs allow viewers to
select any channel at any time during some period into the future,
e.g., up to seven days forward. Further EPG features include the
ability to highlight individual cells of the grid containing
program information. Once highlighted, the viewer can perform
functions pertaining to that selected program. For instance, the
viewer could instantly switch to that program if it is currently
being aired. Viewers could also program one touch video cassette
recording (VCR) or the like if the television is properly
configured and connected to a recording device. Such EPGs are known
in the art and described, for instance, in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,353,121; 5,479,268; and 5,479,266 issued to Young et al. and
assigned to StarSight Telecast, Inc.
[0031] In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,106, issued to Chaney et
al., and assigned to the same assignee of the present invention,
describes in detail an exemplary embodiment including data packet
structure necessary to implement an exemplary program guide system.
The exemplary data packet structure is designed so that both the
channel information (e.g., channel name, call letters, channel
number, type, etc.) and the program description information (e.g.,
content, title, rating, star, etc.) relating to a program may be
transmitted from a program guide database provider to a receiving
apparatus efficiently.
[0032] OSD processor 1117 operates in a conventional manner to
produce R, G, and B video signals OSD_RGB that, when coupled to a
displayed device (not shown), will produce a displayed image
representing on-screen display information in according to flow
charts to be shown in FIGS. 6-8 and to be described later. OSD
processor 1117 also produces control signal Fast-Switch (FSW) which
is intended to control a fast switch for inserting signals OSD_RGB
into the system's video output signal at times when an on-screen
display is to be displayed. Therefore, when a user enables the
various user interface screens of the present invention to be
described later, OSD processor 1117 produces the corresponding
signals OSD_RGB representing the on-screen display information
previously stored or programmed in the memory 1127. For example,
when a user enables an EPG, e.g., by activating a particular switch
on remote control 1125, CPU 1112 enables processor 1117. In
response, processor 1117 produces signals OSD_RGB representing the
program guide data information previously extracted and already
stored in memory, as discussed above. Processor 1117 also produces
signal FSW indicating when the EPG is to be displayed.
[0033] Video signal processor (VSP) 1155 performs conventional
video signal processing functions, such as luma and chroma
processing. Output signals produced by VSP 1155 are suitable for
coupling to a display device, e.g., a kinescope or LCD device (not
shown in FIG. 2), for producing a displayed image. VSP 1155 also
includes a fast switch for coupling signals produced by OSD
processor 1117 to the output video signal path at times when
graphics and/or text is to be included in the displayed image. The
fast switch is controlled by control signal FSW which is generated
by OSD processor 1117 in main microprocessor 1110 at times when
text and/or graphics are to be displayed.
[0034] The input signal for VSP 1155 is signal PIPV that is output
by picture-in-picture (PIP) processor 1140. When a user activates
PIP mode, signal PIPV represents a large picture (large pix) into
which a small picture (small pix) is inset. When PIP mode is
inactive, signal PIPV represents just the large pix, i.e., no small
pix signal is included in signal PIPV. PIP processor 1140 provides
the described functionality in a conventional manner using features
included in unit 1140 such as a video switch, analog-to-digital
converter (ADC), RAM, and digital to analog converter (DAC).
[0035] As mentioned above, the display data included in the EPG
display is produced by OSD processor 1117 and included in the
output signal by VSP 1155 in response to fast switch signal FSW.
When controller 1110 detects activation of the EPG display, e.g.,
when a user presses an appropriate key on remote control 1125,
controller 1110 causes OSD processor 1117 to produce the EPG
display using information such as program guide data from
StarSight.RTM. module 1160. Controller 1110 causes VSP 1155 to
combine the EPG display data from OSD processor 1117 and the video
image signal in response to signal FSW to produce a display
including EPG. The EPG can occupy all or only a portion of the
display area.
[0036] When the EPG display is active, controller 1110 executes an
EPG control program stored in EEPROM 1127. The control program
monitors the location of a position indicator, such as a cursor
and/or highlighting, in the EPG display. A user controls the
location of the position indicator using direction and selection
keys of remote control 1125. Alternatively, the system could
include a mouse device. Controller 1110 detects activation of a
selection device, such as clicking a mouse button, and evaluates
current cursor location information in conjunction with EPG data
being displayed to determine the function desired, e.g., tuning a
particular program. Controller 1110 subsequently activates the
control action associated with the selected feature.
[0037] An exemplary embodiment of the features of the system shown
in FIG. 2 that have been described thus far comprises an ST9296
microprocessor produced by SGS-Thomson Microelectronics for
providing the features associated with mP 1110; an M65616
picture-in-picture processor produced by Mitsubishi for providing
the described basic PIP functionality associated with PIP processor
1140; and an LA7612 video signal processor produced by Sanyo for
providing the functions of VSP 1155.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows another example of an electronic device capable
of processing user commands and displaying exemplary user interface
screens in accordance with the present invention. As described
below, the system shown in FIG. 3 is an MPEG compatible system for
receiving MPEG encoded transport streams representing broadcast
programs. However, the system shown in FIG. 2 is exemplary only.
The user interface system described herein is also applicable to
other types of digital signal processing devices including non-MPEG
compatible systems, involving other types of encoded datastreams.
For example, other devices include digital video disc (DVD) systems
and MPEG program streams, and systems combining computer and
television functions such as the so-called "PCTV". Further,
although the system described below is described as processing
broadcast programs, this is exemplary only. The term `program` is
used to represent any form of packetized data such as telephone
messages, computer programs, Internet data or other communications,
for example.
[0039] In overview, in the video receiver system of FIG. 3, a
carrier modulated with video data is received by antenna 10 and
processed by unit 15. The resultant digital output signal is
demodulated by demodulator 20 and decoded by decoder 30. The output
from decoder 30 is processed by transport system 25 which is
responsive to commands from remote control unit 125. System 25
provides compressed data outputs for storage, further decoding, or
communication to other devices.
[0040] Video and audio decoders 85 and 80 respectively, decode the
compressed data from system 25 to provide outputs for display. Data
port 75 provides an interface for communication of the compressed
data from system 25 to other devices such as a computer or High
Definition Television (HDTV) receiver, for example. Storage device
90 stores the compressed data from system 25 on storage medium 105.
Device 90, in a playback mode also supports retrieval of the
compressed data from storage medium 105 for processing by system 25
for decoding, communication to other devices or storage on a
different storage medium (not shown to simplify drawing).
[0041] Considering FIG. 3 in detail, a carrier modulated with video
data received by antenna 10, is converted to digital form and
processed by input processor 15. Processor 15 includes radio
frequency (RF) tuner and intermediate frequency (IF) mixer and
amplification stages for down-converting the input video signal to
a lower frequency band suitable for further processing. The
resultant digital output signal is demodulated by demodulator 20
and decoded by decoder 30. The output from decoder 30 is further
processed by transport system 25.
[0042] Multiplexer (mux) 37 of service detector 33 is provided, via
selector 35, with either the output from decoder 30, or the decoder
30 output further processed by a descrambling unit 40. Descrambling
unit 40 may be, for example, a removable unit such as a smart card
in accordance with ISO 7816 and NRSS (National Renewable Security
Standards) Committee standards (the NRSS removable conditional
access system is defined in EIA Draft Document IS-679, Project
PN-3639). Selector 35 detects the presence of an insertable,
compatible, descrambling card and provides the output of unit 40 to
mux 37 only if the card is currently inserted in the video receiver
unit. Otherwise selector 35 provides the output from decoder 30 to
mux 37. The presence of the insertable card permits unit 40 to
descramble additional premium program channels, for example, and
provide additional program services to a viewer. It should be noted
that in the preferred embodiment NRSS unit 40 and smart card unit
130 (smart card unit 130 is discussed later) share the same system
25 interface such that only either an NRSS card or a smart card may
be inserted at any one time. However, the interfaces may also be
separate to allow parallel operation.
[0043] The data provided to mux 37 from selector 35 is in the form
of an MPEG compliant packetized transport datastream as defined in
MPEG systems standard section 2.4 and includes program guide
information and the data content of one or more program channels.
The individual packets that comprise particular program channels
are identified by Packet Identifiers (PIDs). The transport stream
contains Program Specific Information (PSI) for use in identifying
the PIDs and assembling individual data packets to recover the
content of all the program channels that comprise the packetized
datastream. Transport system 25, under the control of the system
controller 115, acquires and collates program guide information
from the input transport stream, storage device 90 or an internet
service provider via the communication interface unit 116. The
individual packets that comprise either particular program channel
content or Program Guide information, are identified by their
Packet Identifiers (PIDs) contained within header information. As
discussed above, the program description contained in the program
guide information may comprise different program descriptive fields
such as title, star, rating, etc., relating to a program.
[0044] The user interface incorporated in the video receiver shown
in FIG. 3 enables a user to activate various features by selecting
a desired feature from an on-screen display (OSD) menu. The OSD
menu may include an electronic program guide (EPG) as described
above, and other features discussed below.
[0045] Data representing information displayed in the OSD menu is
generated by system controller 115 in response to stored on-screen
display (OSD) information representing text/graphics, stored
program guide information, and/or program guide and text/graphics
information received via the input signal as described above and in
accordance with exemplary control programs to be shown in FIGS.
6-8, and to be discussed below. The software control programs may
be stored, for example, in embedded memory (not shown) of system
controller 115.
[0046] Using remote control unit 125 (or other selection means such
as a mouse) a user can select from the OSD menu items such as a
program to be viewed, a program to be stored (e.g., recorded), the
type of storage media and manner of storage. System controller 115
uses the selection information, provided via interface 120, to
configure system 25 to select the programs for storage and display
and to generate PSI suitable for the selected storage device and
media. Controller 115 configures system 25 elements 45, 47, 50, 55,
65 and 95 by setting control register values within these elements
via a data bus and by selecting signal paths via muxes 37 and 110
with control signal C.
[0047] In response to control signal C, mux 37 selects either, the
transport stream from unit 35, or in a playback mode, a datastream
retrieved from storage device 90 via store interface 95. In normal,
non-playback operation, the data packets comprising the program
that the user selected to view are identified by their PIDs by
selection unit 45. If an encryption indicator in the header data of
the selected program packets indicates the packets are encrypted,
unit 45 provides the packets to decryption unit 50. Otherwise unit
45 provides non-encrypted packets to transport decoder 55.
Similarly, the data packets comprising the programs that the user
selected for storage are identified by their PIDs by selection unit
47. Unit 47 provides encrypted packets to decryption unit 50 or
non-encrypted packets to mux 110 based on the packet header
encryption indicator information.
[0048] The functions of decryptors 40 and 50 may be implemented in
a single removable smart card which is compatible with the NRSS
standard. The approach places all security related functions in a
removable unit that can easily be replaced if a service provider
decides to change encryption techniques or to permit easily
changing the security system, e.g., to descramble a different
service.
[0049] Units 45 and 47 employ PID detection filters that match the
PIDs of incoming packets provided by mux 37 with PID values
pre-loaded in control registers within units 45 and 47 by
controller 115. The pre-loaded PIDs are used in units 47 and 45 to
identify the data packets that are to be stored and the data
packets that are to be decoded for use in providing a video image.
The pre-loaded PIDs are stored in look-up tables in units 45 and
47. The PID look-up tables are memory mapped to encryption key
tables in units 45 and 47 that associate encryption keys with each
pre-loaded PID. The memory mapped PID and encryption key look-up
tables permit units 45 and 47 to match encrypted packets containing
a pre-loaded PID with associated encryption keys that permit their
decryption. Non-encrypted packets do not have associated encryption
keys. Units 45 and 47 provide both identified packets and their
associated encryption keys to decryptor 50. The PID look-up table
in unit 45 is also memory mapped to a destination table that
matches packets containing pre-loaded PIDs with corresponding
destination buffer locations in packet buffer 60. The encryption
keys and destination buffer location addresses associated with the
programs selected by a user for viewing or storage are pre-loaded
into units 45 and 47 along with the assigned PIDs by controller
115. The encryption keys are generated by ISO 7816-3 compliant
smart card system 130 from encryption codes extracted from the
input datastream. The generation of the encryption keys is subject
to customer entitlement determined from coded information in the
input data stream and/or pre-stored on the insertable smart card
itself (International Standards Organization document ISO 7816-3 of
1989 defines the interface and signal structures for a smart card
system).
[0050] The packets provided by units 45 and 47 to unit 50 are
encrypted using an encryption technique such as the Data Encryption
Standard (DES) defined in Federal Information Standards (FIPS)
Publications 46, 74 and 81 provided by the National Technical
Information Service, Department of Commerce. Unit 50 decrypts the
encrypted packets using corresponding encryption keys provided by
units 45 and 47 by applying decryption techniques appropriate for
the selected encryption algorithm. The decrypted packets from unit
50 and the non-encrypted packets from unit 45 that comprise the
program for display are provided to decoder 55. The decrypted
packets from unit 50 and the non-encrypted packets from unit 47
that comprise the program for storage are provided to mux 110.
[0051] Unit 60 contains four packet buffers accessible by
controller 115. One of the buffers is assigned to hold data
destined for use by controller 115 and the other three buffers are
assigned to hold packets that are destined for use by application
devices 75, 80 and 85. Access to the packets stored in the four
buffers within unit 60 by both controller 115 and by application
interface 70 is controlled by buffer control unit 65. Unit 45
provides a destination flag to unit 65 for each packet identified
by unit 45 for decoding. The flags indicate the individual unit 60
destination locations for the identified packets and are stored by
control unit 65 in an internal memory table. Control unit 65
determines a series of read and write pointers associated with
packets stored in buffer 60 based on the First-In-First-Out (FIFO)
principle. The write pointers in conjunction with the destination
flags permit sequential storage of an identified packet from units
45 or 50 in the next empty location within the appropriate
destination buffer in unit 60. The read pointers permit sequential
reading of packets from the appropriate unit 60 destination buffers
by controller 115 and application interface 70.
[0052] The non-encrypted and decrypted packets provided by units 45
and 50 to decoder 55 contain a transport header as defined by
section 2.4.3.2 of the MPEG systems standard. Decoder 55 determines
from the transport header whether the non-encrypted and decrypted
packets contain an adaptation field (per the MPEG systems
standard). The adaptation field contains timing information
including, for example, Program Clock References (PCRs) that permit
synchronization and decoding of content packets. Upon detection of
a timing information packet, that is a packet containing an
adaptation field, decoder 55 signals controller 115, via an
interrupt mechanism by setting a system interrupt, that the packet
has been received. In addition, decoder 55 changes the timing
packet destination flag in unit 65 and provides the packet to unit
60. By changing the unit 65 destination flag, unit 65 diverts the
timing information packet provided by decoder 55 to the unit 60
buffer location assigned to hold data for use by controller 115,
instead of an application buffer location.
[0053] Upon receiving the system interrupt set by decoder 55,
controller 115 reads the timing information and PCR value and
stores it in internal memory. PCR values of successive timing
information packets are used by controller 115 to adjust the system
25 master clock (27 MHz). The difference between PCR based and
master clock based estimates of the time interval between the
receipt of successive timing packets, generated by controller 115,
is used to adjust the system 25 master clock. Controller 115
achieves this by applying the derived time estimate difference to
adjust the input control voltage of a voltage controlled oscillator
used to generate the master clock. Controller 115 resets the system
interrupt after storing the timing information in internal
memory.
[0054] Packets received by decoder 55 from units 45 and 50 that
contain program content including audio, video, caption, and other
information, are directed by unit 65 from decoder 55 to the
designated application device buffers in packet buffer 60.
Application control unit 70 sequentially retrieves the audio,
video, caption and other data from the designated buffers in buffer
60 and provides the data to corresponding application devices 75,
80 and 85. The application devices comprise audio and video
decoders 80 and 85 and high speed data port 75. For example, packet
data corresponding to a composite program guide generated by the
controller 115 as described above and as shown in FIG. 5, may be
transported to the video decoder 85 for formatting into video
signal suitable for display on a monitor (not shown) connected to
the video decoder 85. Also, for example, data port 75 may be used
to provide high speed data such as computer programs, for example,
to a computer. Alternatively, port 75 may be used to output data to
an HDTV decoder to display images corresponding to a selected
program or a program guide, for example.
[0055] Packets that contain PSI information are recognized by unit
45 as destined for the controller 115 buffer in unit 60. The PSI
packets are directed to this buffer by unit 65 via units 45, 50 and
55 in a similar manner to that described for packets containing
program content. Controller 115 reads the PSI from unit 60 and
stores it in internal memory.
[0056] Controller 115 also generates condensed PSI (CPSI) from the
stored PSI and incorporates the CPSI in a packetized datastream
suitable for storage on a selectable storage medium. The packet
identification and direction is governed by controller 115 in
conjunction with the unit 45 and unit 47 PID, destination and
encryption key look-up tables and control unit 65 functions in the
manner previously described.
[0057] In addition, controller 115 is coupled to a communication
interface unit 116 that operates in a manner similar to interface
unit 1113 in FIG. 2. That is, unit 116 provides the capability to
upload and download information to and from the Internet.
Communication interface unit 116 includes, for example, a modem for
connecting to an Internet service provider, e.g., via a telephone
line or via a cable television line. The communication capability
allows the system shown in FIG. 3 to provide email capability and
Internet related features such as web browsing in addition to
receiving television programming.
[0058] FIG. 4 is a specific implementation of an electronic device
generally shown in FIG. 3 and described in detail above. FIG. 4
represents a satellite receiver set-top box, designed and
manufactured by Thomson Consumer Electronics, of Indianapolis,
Ind., USA, for receiving DirecTV.TM. satellite service provided by
Hughes Electronics.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, the set-top box has a tuner 301 which
receives and tunes applicable satellite RF signals in the range of
950-1450 MHz from a satellite antenna 317. The tuned analog signals
are outputted to a link module 302 for further processing. Link
module 302 is responsible for further processing of the analog
tuned signals I_out and Q_out from tuner 301, including filtering
and conditioning of the analog signals, and conversion of the
analog signals into a digital output signal, DATA. The link module
302 is implemented as an integrated circuit (IC). The link module
IC is manufactured by SGS-Thomson Microelectronics of Grenoble,
France, and has Part No. ST 15339-610.
[0060] The digital output, DATA, from the link module 302 consists
of compliant packetized data stream recognized and processable by
the transport unit 303. The datastream, as discussed in detail in
relation to FIG. 3, includes program guide data information and the
data content of one or more program channels of the satellite
broadcast service from Direct TV.TM.. As discussed above, program
guide data contains information relating to the type of program
(e.g., audio-only, video-only, etc.) as indicated, for example, by
the "class" type.
[0061] The function of the transport unit 303 is the same as the
transport system 25 shown in FIG. 3 and discussed already. As
described above, the transport unit 303, processes the packetized
data stream according to the Packet Identifiers (PID) contained in
the header information. The processed data stream is then formatted
into MPEG compatible, compressed audio and video packets and
coupled to a MPEG decoder 304 for further processing.
[0062] The transport unit 303 is controlled by an Advanced RISC
Microprocessor (ARM) 315 which is a RISC based microprocessor. The
ARM processor 315 executes control software residing in ROM 308.
Exemplary components of the software may be, for example, control
programs shown in FIGS. 6-8 for processing user interface commands
and displaying OSD information in accordance with aspects of the
present invention as will be discussed below.
[0063] The transport unit 303 is typically implemented as an
integrated circuit. For example, a preferred embodiment is an IC
manufactured by SGS-Thomson Microelectronics and has a Part No. ST
15273-810 or 15103-65C.
[0064] The MPEG compatible, compressed audio and video packets from
the transport unit 303 are delivered to a MPEG decoder 304. The
MPEG decoder decodes the compressed MPEG datastream from the
transport unit 303. The decoder 304 then outputs the applicable
audio stream which can be further processed by the audio
digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 305 to convert the digital audio
data into analog sound. The decoder 304 also outputs applicable
digital video data which represents image pixel information to a
NTSC encoder 306. The NTSC encoder 306 then further processes this
video data into NTSC compatible analog video signal so that video
images may be displayed on a regular NTSC television screen. The
MPEG decoder as described above may be implemented as an integrated
circuit. One exemplary embodiment may be an MPEG decoder IC
manufactured by SGS-Thomson Microelectronics having Part No. ST
13520.
[0065] Included in the MPEG processor 304 is an OSD processor 320.
The OSD processor 320 reads data from SDRAM 316 which contains
stored OSD information. OSD information corresponds to bitmap OSD
graphics/text images. The OSD processor is capable of varying the
color and/or translucency of each pixel of an OSD image under the
control of the ARM microprocessor 315 in a conventional manner.
[0066] The OSD processor is also responsible for generating an
exemplary program guide as shown in FIG. 5 under the control of the
ARM processor 315. In the exemplary embodiment, upon detecting a
user request to generate a guide display, the ARM microprocessor
315 processes the program guide data information obtained from a
data stream provided by a program guide information provider and
formats the guide data information into OSD pixel data
corresponding to a "grid guide" as shown in FIG. 5. The OSD pixel
data from the transport unit 303 is then forwarded to OSD processor
320 in the MPEG audio/video decoder 304 for generating the guide
image, as described before.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 5, the "grid guide" 500 typically occupies
the whole screen of a display. The grid guide 500 shows a program
schedule in a time-and-channel format, similar to a TV schedule
listed in a newspaper. In particular, one dimension (e.g.,
horizontal) of the guide shows the time information while the other
dimension (e.g., vertical) of the guide shows the channel
information. The time information is conveyed to the user by having
a time line 501 on the top portion of the guide and is demarked by
half hour intervals. The channel information is conveyed to the
user by channel numbers 510-516 and corresponding channel station
names 520-526.
[0068] In addition, the program guide 500 contains icons Internet
550 and Email 560. By clicking on these icons, a user can surf the
Internet and send/receive email respectively through the
communication interface unit 307. In addition, an Internet web site
icon may also be incorporated into a grid of a program guide. For
example, by clicking on "ESPN.com" within grid 570, the user will
automatically be linked to, for example, an ESPN web site.
[0069] A low speed data port 330 is used to connect to an
IR-Blaster (not shown) for controlling a VCR for recording a
program. As discussed before, an IR blaster is basically a
programmable VCR remote control emulator controlled by the
satellite receiver shown in FIG. 4. It is positioned in front of a
VCR remote sensor of an attached VCR and will transmit commands
such as "ON" and "RECORD" under the control of the satellite
receiver at the appropriate time, according to the timer screen
information entered by the users.
[0070] Additional relevant functional blocks of FIG. 4 include
modem 307 which corresponds to the communication interface unit 116
shown in FIG. 3 for access to the Internet, for example.
Conditional Access Module (CAM) 309, corresponds to the NRSS
decryption unit 130 shown in FIG. 3 for providing conditional
access information. Wideband data module 310 corresponds to High
Speed Data Port 75 shown in FIG. 3 for providing high speed data
access to, for example, a HDTV decoder or a computer. A keyboard/IR
Receiver module 312 corresponds to Remote Unit interface 120 shown
in FIG. 3 for receiving user control commands from a user control
unit 314. Digital AV bus module 313 corresponds to I/O port 100
shown in FIG. 3 for connection to an external device such as a DVD
player.
[0071] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram detailing the processing and
displaying of advertisements in accordance with the present
invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that this
flow chart can be applied to any of the systems shown in FIGS. 2-4.
To eliminate redundancy, the flow chart will be described only in
connection with exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0072] In step 601, a user, as usual, presses either a channel up
or down key on remote control 314 to channel surf. In step 602, a
determination is made by for example, microprocessor 315, to see
whether the user has activated channel information OSD display.
This channel information display is shown for example, as a channel
banner on top of FIG. 1.
[0073] Also, in step 604, microprocessor 315 determines what the
new channel number is in response to either the channel up or down
key being pressed. The determination is made in connection with
what is currently in the channel surfing list or scan list.
[0074] A channel surfing list or a scan list is the list of all
active video channels accessible when pressing and holding the
channel up or down key of a remote control. The concept of an
active channel list is not new. The active channel list is simply a
collection of channels that the user wishes to cycle through when
pressing the channel up or channel down button on the remote.
Additionally, any channel in the active channel list can be
directly displayed by manually entering the channel number.
[0075] In step 606, after the new channel number is determined,
microprocessor 315 will query the EPG data to find the correct
program information to be displayed. This is based in part on the
current time and channel number information determined in step 604.
The microprocessor 315 will also query an advertisement database to
determine which advertisement to show concurrently with the
selected channel. As shown in step 608, the particular ad shown may
depend on current time and/or channel, or other algorithm. Other
algorithm may include displaying an advertisement according to the
type of program shown (e.g., comedy, drama, sports, etc.) or likely
viewing demography of the viewers, etc.
[0076] In steps 609 and 610, microprocessor 315 will then cause the
OSD processor 320 to extract the necessary text and/or graphics
information from the ad database. The OSD will display program
information, channel video and selected ad at the same time as
shown for example, in FIG. 1.
[0077] In addition, the displayed ad will be automatically
highlighted, as in step 611. Microprocessor 315 will then determine
whether the user has selected the ad, for example, by pressing an
"OK" key on the remote 314, shown in step 612. In step 614, if the
ad has been selected by the user, microprocessor 315 will then
cause the display of, for example, detailed information and choices
for the ad, for example, allowing the user to watch and/or record
video/audio clips of the ad, or to conduct a transaction through
modem 307, for example.
[0078] Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
shown in FIG. 7. The system concerns a video processing apparatus
701, which may be implemented as the video apparatus shown in FIG.
4 and described above, capable of communicating television program
signals and electronic program guide (EPG) signals each enhanced
with auxiliary information, such as advertisements, by a television
communication channel 703 such as terrestrial broadcast, cable
distribution, satellite broadcast or the like.
[0079] The system shown in FIG. 7 receives the enhanced television
program and EPG signals via a video server 702, which combines
signal sources representing both television program signal source
704 and electronic program guide signal source 705. The television
receiver 701 displays the auxiliary information on a monitor 706
connected to the television receiver 701 in association with the
displayed video portion corresponding to a selected television
program signal and the displayed EPG derived from the EPG signal.
FIG. 8 shows the manner in which auxiliary information may be
displayed with the program content associated with a television
signal; and FIG. 9 shows the manner in which auxiliary information
may be displayed with an electronic program guide.
[0080] When the auxiliary information such as advertisement is
selected by a user via a control system of a television receiver
such as a remote control 314 shown in FIG. 4, the system
communicates information concerning the selection from the
television receiver via a back channel such as a modem 706, to a
"store and forward" server 710.
[0081] The store and forward server 710 collects and categorizes
the selection information 714 from receiver 701 into packages
related to the origin of the auxiliary information, and at a later
time communicates the selected information back to a designated
party, such as the originator of the auxiliary information. The
time delay allows for the selection of the transmission times
(e.g., at night) to minimize costs. The server 710 also determines
the signal source associated with the selected auxiliary
information (i.e., the source of the television signal or the EPG
signal) and the number of times the auxiliary information has been
selected. The number is used by the operator of the server to
determine a fee to be paid, e.g., by the originator of the
auxiliary information. This information may also be used to
selectively determine the type of auxiliary information to be
transmitted to or displayed for the user.
[0082] The selection information 714 communicated to the store and
forward server from a television receiver may include
identification data 713 for identifying the television receiver 701
from which the selection information 714 was sent. Such a provision
allows the originator of the auxiliary information to identify and
communicate with the consumers making the selection for the
purposes of providing additional information and making sales. In a
related feature, the provision of identifying the television
receiver through the back channel may allow an audience survey
company to monitor the viewing habits of the consumers.
[0083] Various signal formats for embedding the auxiliary
information in the television program signals and EPG signals are
available. For example, a protocol known as ATVEF proposed by the
Advance Television Enhancement Forum, an alliance of television
communication and computer companies is advantageous. The protocol
is based on the HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) utilized in the
Internet. The ATVEF protocol may be used with both analog and
digital television systems. Other protocols may be used. In an
analog television system, the auxiliary information may be included
in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the television program
signal, together with the EPG signal. In a digital television
system the auxiliary information may be "packetized" and inserted
into the digital data stream including the television program data
and EPG data.
[0084] Another tier or feature level of the television system may
also include provisions for communicating E-mail information, e.g.,
via the store and forward sever, also enhanced with auxiliary
information, such as advertisements, to television receivers. In
that case, the store and forward server also collects and
categorizes the selection information associated with e-mail and
quantifies the selection information for revenue tracking purposes.
In this tier, providing auxiliary information, such as
advertisements, subsidizes the cost of the E-mail service and may,
in fact, allow for "free-mail". However, since the server delays
the transmission of data so as to be economic, still other tiers of
the system may provide for accelerated E-mail communication service
and possibly also connection to the Internet upon the payment of
fees by the consumer. Such an e-mail server 711 and Internet server
712 are shown in FIG. 7.
[0085] The auxiliary information may also contain software for
operating the television receiver or for providing an additional
functionality to it, such as video games or personal computer
functions including, e.g., word processing and spread sheet
programs. To the extent that the television receiver itself has
insufficient data processing capability itself, e.g., insufficient
memory, such data processing may be shared from a personal computer
linked to the television receiver via a bus.
[0086] Another aspect of such an apparatus provides for integrating
a web browser and either an Ethernet or HomePNA interface for
networking. Connecting the apparatus to a personal computer (PC)
enhances the functionality by being able to download software
applications, such as a word processor or spreadsheet, from the PC.
Further, the apparatus could utilize the PC for data storage or for
printing. A network connection would enable storing a URL directly
and/or automatically on the PC.
[0087] As described previously, manufacturers and service providers
are adding advertisements to items such as Electronic Program
Guides. However, some users do not use EPGs or use EPGs
infrequently. Instead, they "channel surf" by simply holding the
channel up or down key of a remote control. Therefore, one aspect
of the present invention "inserts" an advertisement (with or
without corresponding channel banner description information) into
the channel list of the TV.
[0088] A channel surfing list is the list of all active video
channels accessible when pressing and holding the channel up or
down key of a remote control. Thus, when the user "surfs" (channel
up or direct channel entry) to the ad page, rather than tuning to a
video frequency, the advertisement is presented. This embodiment
therefore, provides the capability to insert an advertisement
"channel" into this channel list so that the user can view an
advertisements. Further, this invention enables the compilation of
ad hits as people channel surf. The ad insertion can either be made
to specific unmapped (not used by video) channels, or by inserting
the advertisement after a certain number of channels have been
surfed.
[0089] From an implementation standpoint, the active channel list
must contain an attribute identifying what the "channel" is. That
is, is it tunable video or is it an advertisement. When traversing
the active channel list, the consumer device checks the attribute
and determines if it needs to tune to the video or take some other
action.
For devices that provide channel banner information (a title of the
program), a banner for the advertisement will also be generated,
such as shown for example, in FIG. 1.
[0090] Another aspect of the present invention is that the
following electronic content can be inserted into the channel
surfing list: [0091] TV Home Page [0092] EPG [0093] Email
Application [0094] Internet Connection Page [0095] Local (meaning
stored in the TV or consumer product device) Video
Advertisements
[0096] It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that
the teachings of the present invention described above may be
applied to a television, VCR, settop boxes, a video storage and
playback unit such as a Tivo, etc., without departing from the true
scope of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *