Location profiling

One or more of a system, method, apparatus, and computer-program product to identify or approximate or estimate where a particular television receiver is geographically located using spot beam transport information as described in the specification and/or shown in any of the drawings.

BACKGROUND

A spot beam as discussed within the context of the present disclosure may refer to a particular satellite signal that is directed or projected towards a specific and precisely-defined region or area of the surface of the Earth. Among other things, a spot beam may allow a service provider to deliver more local channels to a particular region since an allocated frequency band associated with the spot beam may be reused across different geographically separated regions.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, a method may include or comprise receiving at a television receiver a command to access a listing that contains at least one transponder identifier that identifies a particular signal detected by the television receiver. The method may include or comprise querying based on the command a memory location of the television receiver that is associated with the listing, to obtain each transponder identifier within the listing. The method may include or comprise queuing a message that includes a representation of each transponder identifier within the listing for transmission over a network interface of the television receiver to a computing system that is configured to estimate geographic location of the television receiver based on each transponder identifier within the listing.

In an aspect, a television receiver is disclosed. The television receiver may include or comprise at least one processor. The television receiver may further include or comprise a smartcard coupled to the at least one processor and that is configured to receive an instruction to access a memory location of the television receiver that contains at least one transponder identifier that identifies a particular signal detected by the television receiver. The television receiver may further include or comprise a network interface coupled to the at least one processor and the smartcard and that is configured to transmit in a secure message a representation of the at least one transponder identifier over a network to a computing system that is configured to estimate geographic location of the television receiver based on the at least one transponder identifier within the secure message.

In an aspect, a non-transitory processor-readable medium is disclosed. The non-transitory processor-readable medium may include or comprise processor-readable instructions to cause one or more processors to detect receipt of a command at a television receiver to query a listing that contains at least one transponder identifier that identifies a particular signal detected by the television receiver. The non-transitory processor-readable medium may include or comprise processor-readable instructions to cause one or more processors to instantiate transmission of a secure message that includes a representation of each transponder identifier within the listing over a network to a computing system that is configured to approximate geographic location of the television receiver based on each transponder identifier within the listing.

In an aspect, one or more of a system, method, apparatus, and computer-program product is or are disclosed to identify or approximate or estimate where a particular television receiver is geographically located using spot beam transport information as described in the specification and/or shown in any of the drawings.

Other aspects are possible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to or towards using spot beam transport information to identify, approximately, where a particular television receiver is geographically located. In one example implementation, a smartcard in a television receiver may query the receiver to obtain a list of spot beam transports that the receiver has access to, possibly in response to a received command to do so. That spot beam transport information may then optionally be stored within the smartcard. Subsequently, in response to another received command, or possibly as part of an automated process, the smartcard may attempt to instantiate a process to report the spot beam transport information to a service provider over a network or phone connection as or within a secure message. When the message is received by the provider, the provider may derive or extrapolate where the receiver is geographically located, approximately, based on a geographical intersection of identified spot beam transports contained within the message. Derived location of the receiver is “approximate” because in many instances it may not be exactly precise. For example, the receiver may be determined or estimated to be located generally within a particular city or region, but not a particular household or location within the particular city or region. It is contemplated that such derived information may then be used for any of a number of different purposes. For example, the derived information may be used along with other information to identify accounts and/or television receivers being used for illegitimate purposes, as well to provide a troubleshooting service for legitimate customers. Although not so limited, an appreciation of the various aspects of the present disclosure may be gained from the following discussion in connection with the drawings.

For instance, referring now toFIG. 1, an example media content distribution system100is shown in which aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented. For brevity, the system100is depicted in a simplified and conceptual form, and may generally include more or fewer systems, devices, networks, and/or other components as desired. Further, number and type of features or elements incorporated within the system100may or may not be implementation-specific, and at least some of the aspects of the system100may be similar to a cable television distribution system, an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) content distribution system, and/or any other type of media or content distribution system.

The example system100may include a service provider102, a satellite uplink104, a plurality of orbiting (e.g., geosynchronous) satellites106a-c, a satellite dish108, a PTR (Primary Television Receiver)110, a plurality of STRs (Secondary Television Receivers)112a-b, a plurality of televisions114a-c, and a plurality of computing devices116a-b. In the present example, the PTR110may include a LPE (Location Profiling Engine) module118. In general, and as discussed throughout, the LPE module118may be configured to query a memory location of the PTR110to obtain a list of spot beam transports that the PTR110has access to, possibly in response to a received command to do so. Subsequently, in response to another received command, or possibly as part of an automated process, the LPE module118may attempt to instantiate a process to report the spot beam transport information to the service provider102over at least one network120as or within a secure message. When the message is received by the service provider102, the service provider102may derive or extrapolate where the PTR110is geographically located, approximately, based on a geographical intersection of identified spot beam transports contained within the message.

The network120of the system100establishes a bi-directional communication path for data transfer between and among each respective element or component of the example system100. The network120is intended to represent any number of terrestrial and/or non-terrestrial network features or elements. For example, the network120may incorporate or exhibit any number of features or elements of various wireless and/or hardwired packet-based communication networks such as, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) network, a HAN (Home Area Network) network, a LAN (Local Area Network) network, a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) network, the Internet, a cellular communications network, or any other type of communication network configured such that data may be transferred between and among respective elements of the system100.

The PTR110, and the STRs112a-b, as described throughout may generally be any type of television receiver, such as a STB (Set-Top-Box) for example. In another example, the PTR110, and the STRs112a-b, may exhibit functionality integrated as part of or into a television, a DVR, a computer such as a tablet computing device, or any other computing system or device, as well as variations thereof. Further, the PTR110and the network120, together with the STRs112a-band televisions114a-c, and possibly one or more of the computing devices116a-b, may be incorporated within or form at least a portion of a particular home computing network, and may each be respectively configured so as to enable communications in accordance with any particular communication protocol(s) and/or standard(s) including, for example, TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), DLNA/DTCP-IP (Digital Living Network Alliance/Digital Transmission Copy Protection over Internet Protocol), HDMI/HDCP (High-Definition Multimedia Interface/High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection), etc. Other examples are possible. For example, one or more of the various elements or components of the example system100may be configured to communicate in accordance with the MoCA® (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) home entertainment networking standard. Still other examples are possible.

In practice, the satellites106a-cmay each be configured to receive uplink signals122a-bfrom the satellite uplink104. In this example, the uplink signals122a-bmay contain one or more transponder streams of particular data or content, such as particular television channel, that is supplied by the service provider102. For example, each of the respective uplink signals122a-bmay contain various media content such a plurality of encoded HD (High Definition) television channels, various SD (Standard Definition) television channels, on-demand programming, programming information, and/or any other content in the form of at least one transponder stream, and in accordance with an allotted carrier frequency and bandwidth. In this example, different media content may be carried using different ones of the satellites106a-c. Further, different media content may be carried using different transponders of a particular satellite (e.g., satellite106a); thus, such media content may be transmitted at different frequencies and/or different frequency ranges. For example, a first and second television channel may be carried on a first carrier frequency over a first transponder of satellite106a, and a third, fourth, and fifth television channel may be carried on second carrier frequency over a first transponder of satellite106b, or, the third, fourth, and fifth television channel may be carried on a second carrier frequency over a second transponder of satellite106a, and etc.

The satellites106a-cmay further be configured to relay the uplink signals122a-bto the satellite dish108as downlink signals124a-b. Similar to the uplink signals122a-b, each of the downlink signals124a-bmay contain one or more transponder streams of particular data or content, such as various encoded and/or at least partially electronically scrambled television channels, on-demand programming, etc., in accordance with an allotted carrier frequency and bandwidth. The downlink signals124a-b, however, may not necessarily contain the same or similar content as a corresponding one of the uplink signals122a-b. For example, the uplink signal122amay include a first transponder stream containing at least a first group or grouping of television channels, and the downlink signal124amay include a second transponder stream containing at least a second, different group or grouping of television channels. In other examples, the first and second group of television channels may have one or more television channels in common. In sum, there may be varying degrees of correlation between the uplink signals122a-band the downlink signals124a-b, both in terms of content and underlying characteristics.

Continuing with the example implementation-specific scenario, the satellite dish108may be provided for use to receive television channels (e.g., on a subscription basis) provided by the service provider102, satellite uplink104, and/or satellites106a-c. For example, the satellite dish108may be configured to receive particular transponder streams, or downlink signals124a-b, from one or more of the satellites106a-c. Based on the characteristics of the PTR110and/or satellite dish108, however, it may only be possible to capture transponder streams from a limited number of transponders concurrently. For example, a tuner of the PTR110may be configured to tune to a single transponder stream from a transponder of a single satellite at a time.

Additionally, the PTR110, which is communicatively coupled to the satellite dish108, may subsequently select via tuner, decode, and relay particular transponder streams to the television114cfor display thereon. For example, the satellite dish108and the PTR110may, respectively, be configured to receive, decode, and relay at least one premium HD-formatted television channel to the television114c. Programming or content associated with the HD channel may generally be presented live, or from a recording as previously stored on, by, or at the PTR110. In this example, the HD channel may be output to the television114cin accordance with the HDMI/HDCP content protection technologies. Other examples are possible.

Further, the PTR110may select via tuner, decode, and relay particular transponder streams to one or both of the STRs112a-b, which may in turn relay particular transponder streams to a corresponding one of the television114aand the television114afor display thereon. For example, the satellite dish108and the PTR110may, respectively, be configured to receive, decode, and relay at least one television channel to the television114aby way of the STR112a. Similar to the above-example, the television channel may generally be presented live, or from a recording as previously stored on the PTR110, and may be output to the television114aby way of STR112ain accordance with a particular content protection technology and/or networking standard. Still further, the satellite dish108and the PTR110may, respectively, be configured to receive, decode, and relay at least one premium television channel to one or both of the computing devices116a-b. Similar to the above-examples, the television channel may generally be presented live, or from a recording as previously stored on the PTR110, and may be output to one or both of the computing devices116a-bin accordance with a particular content protection technology and/or networking standard.

Referring now toFIG. 2, an example block diagram of the PTR110ofFIG. 1is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In some examples, at least one of the STRs112a-bmay be configured in a manner similar to that of the PTR110. In other examples, at least one of the STRs112a-bmay be configured to exhibit reduced functionality as compared to the PTR110, and may depend at least to a certain degree on the PTR110to implement certain features or functionality. In this example, the STRs112a-bmay be referred to as a “thin client.”

For brevity, the PTR110is depicted in a simplified and conceptual form, and may generally include more or fewer elements or components as desired in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, the PTR110is shown inFIG. 2to include the LPE module118as mentioned above in connection withFIG. 1. The PTR110is shown inFIG. 2to further include a SBT (Spot Beam Transport) listing126, discussed in further detail below. Additionally, although not explicitly shown inFIG. 2, the PTR110may include one or more logical modules configured to implement a television steaming media functionality that encodes video into a particular format for transmission over the Internet such as to allow users to remotely view and control a home cable, satellite, or personal video recorder system from an Internet-enabled computer with a broadband Internet connection. The Slingbox® by Sling Media, Inc. of Foster City, Calif., is one example of a product that implements such functionality. Additionally, the PTR110may be configured to include any number of other various components or logical modules that are implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof, and such components or logical modules may or may not be implementation-specific.

Referring still toFIG. 2, the PTR110may include at least one processor202, including a central processor202aand a control processor202b, a plurality of tuners204a-c, at least one network interface206, at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium208, at least one EPG database210, at least one television interface212, at least one NIT (Networking Information Table)214, at least one DVR database216, at least one user interface218, at least one PID filter220, at least one smartcard222, at least one descrambling engine224, at least one PMT (Program Map Table)226, and at least one decoder228. In other examples of the PTR110, fewer or greater numbers of components or modules may be present. Further, functionality of one or more components or modules may be combined; for example, functions of the descrambling engine224may be performed by the central processor202a. Still further, functionality of components may be spread among additional components. For example, the PID filter220may be handled by hardware and/or software separate from the PMT226.

The processor202may include one or more specialized and/or general-purpose processors configured to perform processes such as tuning to a particular channel, accessing and displaying EPG information from the EPG database210, and/or receiving and processing input from a user. For example, processor202may include one or more processors dedicated to decoding video signals from a particular format, such as MPEG, for output and display on a television and for performing or at least facilitating descrambling.

The control processor202bmay communicate with the central processor202a. The control processor202bmay control the recording of television channels based on timers stored in the DVR database216. The control processor202bmay initiate recording of a television channel by sending a record command along with an indication of the television channel to be recorded to the central processor202a. The control processor202bmay not send a second record command, when additional recording is to begin at the same time, until an acknowledgement that recording of the first television channel has successfully been received and initiated by the central processor202a. The control processor202bmay also provide commands to the central processor202awhen recording of a television channel is to cease. In addition to providing commands relating to the recording of television channels, the control processor202bmay provide commands to the central processor202athat indicate television channels to be output to the decoder228for output to a presentation or display device (e.g., television114c).

The control processor202bmay also communicate with the network interface206and the user interface218. The control processor202bmay handle incoming data from the network interface206and the user interface218. Additionally, the control processor202bmay be configured to output data, such as a secure message for example, via the network interface206, and graphical user interface, such as a system warning message for example, via the user interface218, as described in further detail below. Other examples are possible. For example, such functionality may be wholly or at least partially implemented or controlled by the central processor202a. Still other examples are possible.

The tuners204a-cmay be used to tune to television channels, such as television channels transmitted via satellite or cable, such as satellites106a-c. Each respective one of the tuner204a-cmay be capable of receiving and processing a single stream of data from a satellite transponder, or a cable channel, at a given time. As such, a single tuner may tune to a single transponder or, for a cable network, a single cable channel. Additionally, one tuner (e.g., tuner204a) may be used to tune to a television channel on a first transponder stream for display using a television, while another tuner (e.g., tuner204b) may be used to tune to a television channel on a second transponder for recording and viewing at some other time. Still another tuner (e.g., tuner204c) may be used to check various television channels to determine if they are available or not. If multiple television channels transmitted on the same transponder stream are desired, a particular tuner (e.g., tuner204a) may be used to receive the signal containing the multiple television channels for presentation and/or recording. The tuners204a-cmay receive commands from the central processor202aand/or control processor202b. Such commands may instruct the tuners204a-cwhich frequencies are to be used for tuning

The network interface206may be used to communicate via an alternate communication channel with the service provider102. For example, the primary communication channel between the television service provider and the PTR110may be via satellites106a-c, which may be unidirectional to the STB, and an another communication channel between the service provider102and the PTR110, which may be bidirectional, via the network120, such as the Internet and/or a phone line. In this example, data such as at least a secure message may be transmitted from the PTR110to the service provider102, and from the service provider102to the PTR110. The network interface206may be configured to communicate via one or more networks, such as the Internet, to communicate with the service provider102. Information may be transmitted and/or received via the network interface206.

The storage medium208may represent a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium208may include memory and/or a hard drive. The storage medium208may be used to store information received from one or more satellites and/or information received via the network interface206. The storage medium208may store information related to the EPG database210, the NIT214, and/or the DVR database216, among other elements or features, such as the SBT listing126. In general, the SBT listing126may include a list of spot beam transports that the PTR110has access to or can “see” or “detect,” as discussed further below. Recorded television programs may be stored using the storage medium208. The storage medium208may be partitioned or otherwise divided such that predefined amounts of the storage medium208are devoted to storage of omnibus channel files and user-selected television programs.

The EPG database210may store information related to television channels and the timing of programs appearing on such television channels. The EPG database210may be stored using the storage medium208, which may be a hard drive. Information from the EPG database210may be used to inform users of what television channels or programs are popular and/or provide recommendations to the user. Information from the EPG database210may provide the user with a visual interface displayed by a television that allows a user to browse and select television channels and/or television programs for viewing and/or recording. Information used to populate the EPG database210may be received via the network interface206and/or via satellites, such as satellites106a-cofFIG. 1via the tuners204a-c. For instance, updates to the EPG database210may be received periodically via satellite. The EPG database210may serve as an interface for a user to control DVR functions of the PTR110, and/or to enable viewing and/or recording of multiple television channels simultaneously.

In addition to being used to provide users with information about scheduled programming, information from the EPG database210may be used to determine when television programs begin and end for the purposes of recording. For instance, when a channel-specific file is recorded that contains multiple television channels, the start and end of time of specific television programs within the channel-specific file may be based on the start and end times indicated in the EPG database210. Other data may be stored within the EPG database210that may be useful in managing channel-specific files, such as series identifiers and episode identifiers, which may be used by a television service provider to identify particular television programs.

The decoder228may serve to convert encoded video and audio into a format suitable for output to a display device. For instance, the decoder228may receive MPEG video and audio from the storage medium208, or the descrambling engine224, to be output to a television. MPEG video and audio from the storage medium208may have been recorded to the DVR database216as part of a previously-recorded television program. The decoder228may convert the MPEG video and audio into a format appropriate to be displayed by a television or other form of display device and audio into a format appropriate to be output from speakers, respectively.

The television interface212may serve to output a signal to a television, or another form of display device, in a proper format for display of video and playback of audio. As such, the television interface212may output one or more television channels, stored television programming from the storage medium208, such as television programs from the DVR database216and/or information from the EPG database210for example, to a television for presentation.

The NIT214may store information used by the PTR110to access various television channels. The NIT214may be stored using the storage medium208. Information used to populate the NIT214may be received via satellite, or cable, via the tuners204a-cand/or may be received via the network interface206from a service provider. As such, information present in the NIT214may be periodically updated. The NIT214may be locally-stored by the PTR110using the storage medium208. Information that may be present in the NIT214may include, for example: television channel numbers, a satellite identifier, a frequency identifier, a transponder identifier, an ECM (Entitlement Control Message), a PID (Packet Identifier), one or more audio PIDs, and a video PID. A second audio PID of a channel may correspond to a SAP (Second Audio Program) program, such as in another language. In some examples, the NIT214may be divided into additional tables. For example, rather than the specific audio PIDs and video PIDs being present in the NIT214, a channel identifier may be present within NIT214which may be used to look up the audio PIDs and video PIDs in another table, such as the PMT226. For example, the PMT226may store information on audio PIDs and video PIDs for television channels that are transmitted on a transponder frequency.

Table 1 below provides a simplified example of the NIT214for several television channels. It should be understood that in other examples, many more television channels may be represented in the NIT214. The NIT214may be at least periodically updated by a television service provider. As such, television channels may be reassigned to different satellites and/or transponders, and the PTR110may be able to handle this reassignment as long as the NIT214is updated.

Based on information in the NIT214, it may be possible to determine the proper satellite and transponder to which to tune for a particular television channel. In some examples, the NIT214may list a particular frequency to which to tune for a particular television channel. Once tuned to the proper satellite/transponder/frequency, the PMT PID may be used to retrieve a program management table that indicates the PIDs for audio and video streams of television channels transmitted by that transponder. The values provided in Table 1 are for example purposes only. Actual values, including how satellites and transponders are identified, may vary. Additional information may also be stored in NIT214. The same PID may be reused on different transponders.

A DVR may permit a television channel to be recorded for a period of time. DVR functionality of the PTR110may be managed by the control processor202b. The control processor202bmay coordinate the television channel, start time, and stop time of when recording of a television channel is to occur. The DVR database216may store information related to the recording of television stations. The DVR database216may store timers that are used by the control processor202bto determine when a television channel should be tuned to and its programs recorded to the DVR database216. However, other examples are possible. For example, in some examples, the storage medium208may store timers. Timer files may be defined as a daily schedule db.dat file and a gloal timer db.dat file. In general, when a “new” timer is created, a “new” entry may be added into the daily schedule db.dat and gloal timer db.dat files, which may include all timer related information such as channel number, start time, duration, etc. Further, a limited amount of the storage medium208may be devoted to the DVR database216. Timers may be set by a service provider and/or one or more users of the PTR110.

DVR functionality of the control processor202bmay have multiple modes. For example, DVR functionality of the control processor202bmay be configured to record individual television programs selected by a user to the DVR database216. Using the EPG database210, a user may select a particular television program. Based on the date, time period, and television channel indicated by the EPG database210, the control processor202bmay record the associated television program to the DVR database216. In another example, the DVR database216may be used to store recordings of predefined periods of time on one or more television channels. These predefined periods of time may include one or more television programs. For example, primetime on a particular television network may be recorded each weekday night. Further, multiple television channels may be recorded for such predefined periods of time. Such recording of television channels for predefined periods of time may be defined by a television service provider (e.g., service provider102).

The user interface218may include a remote control, physically separate from PTR110, and/or one or more buttons on the PTR110that allows a user to interact with the PTR110. The user interface218may be used to select a television channel for viewing, view information from the EPG database210, and/or program a timer stored to the DVR database216wherein the timer may be used to control the DVR functionality of the control processor202b.

Referring back to tuners204a-c, television channels received via satellite, or cable, may contain at least some scrambled data. Packets of audio and video may be scrambled to prevent unauthorized users, such as nonsubscribers, from receiving television programming without paying the television service provider. When one of the tuners204a-cis receiving data from a particular transponder of a satellite, the transponder stream may be a series of data packets corresponding to multiple television channels. Each data packet may contain a PID, which, in combination with the NIT214and/or the PMT226, can be determined to be associated with particular television channel. Particular data packets, referred to as ECMs may be periodically transmitted. ECMs may be associated with another PID and may be scrambled; the PTR110may use the smartcard222to descramble ECMs. Descrambling of an ECM may only be possible when the user (e.g., PTR110) has authorization to access the particular television channel associated with the ECM. When an ECM is determined to correspond to a television channel being stored and/or displayed, the ECM may be provided to the smartcard222for descrambling.

When the smartcard222receives a scrambled ECM, the smartcard222may descramble the ECM to obtain some number of control words. In some examples, from each ECM received by the smartcard222, two control words are obtained. In some examples, when the smartcard222receives an ECM, it compares the ECM to the previously received ECM. When the two ECMs match, the second ECM is not descrambled because the same control words would be obtained. In other examples, each ECM received by the smartcard222is descrambled; however, when a second ECM matches a first ECM, the outputted control words will match; thus, effectively, the second ECM does not affect the control words output by the smartcard222. The smartcard222may be permanently part of the PTR110or may be configured to be inserted and removed from PTR110.

The central processor202amay be in communication with the tuners204a-cand the control processor202b. The central processor202amay be configured to receive commands from the control processor202b. Such commands may indicate when to start/stop recording a television channel and/or when to start/stop causing a television channel to be output to a television. The central processor202amay control the tuners204a-c. The central processor202amay provide commands to the tuners204a-cthat instruct the tuners which satellite, transponder, and/or frequency to tune to. From the tuners204a-c, the central processor202amay receive transponder streams of packetized data. As previously detailed, some or all of these packets may include a PID that identifies the content of the packet.

The central processor202amay be configured to create at least one PID filter220that sorts packets received from the tuners204a-cbased on the PIDs. When a tuner is initially tuned to a particular frequency, such as a particular transponder of a satellite, a PID filter may be created based on a PID of PMT data. The PID of PMT data packets may be known because it is stored as part of the NIT214. From the PMT data packets, the PMT226may be constructed by central processor202a.

Table 2 below provides an example extract of a PMT. The PMT226may be specific to a particular transponder. As such, when tuning to a different transponder occurs, a new PMT may be created for the different transponder. Accordingly, based on the information present in the PMT226, the audio and video PIDs for specific television channels may be identified. A television channel may have multiple audio PIDs due to a second audio program, which may be in a different language.

The values provided in Table 2 are for example purposes only. Actual values may vary. Additional information or less information may also be stored in the PMT226.

The PID filter220may be configured to filter data packets based on PIDs. In some examples, the PID filter220is created and executed by central processor202a. In other examples, separate hardware may be used to create and execute multiple PID filters. Depending on a television channel selected for recording/viewing, a PID filter may be created to filter the video and audio packets associated with the television channel, based on the PID assignments present in the PMT226. For example, when a transponder data stream includes multiple television channels, data packets corresponding to a television channel that is not desired to be stored or displayed by the user, may be ignored by PID filters. As such, only data packets corresponding to the one or more television channels desired to be stored and/or displayed may be filtered and passed to either the descrambling engine224or the smartcard222; other data packets may be ignored. For each television channel, a stream of video packets, a stream of audio packets, one or both of the audio programs, and/or a stream of ECM packets may be present, each stream identified by a PID. In some examples, a common ECM stream may be used for multiple television channels. Additional data packets corresponding to other information, such as updates to the NIT214, may be appropriately routed by the PID filter220. At a given time, one or multiple PID filters may be executed by the central processor202a.

The descrambling engine224may use the control words output by the smartcard222in order to descramble video and/or audio corresponding to television channels for storage and/or presentation. Video and/or audio data contained in the transponder data stream received by the tuners204a-cmay be scrambled. Video and/or audio data may be descrambled by descrambling engine224using a particular control word. Which control word output by the smartcard222to be used for successful descrambling may be indicated by a scramble control identifier present within the data packet containing the scrambled video or audio. Descrambled video and/or audio may be output by the descrambling engine224to the storage medium208for storage in the DVR database216and/or to the decoder228for output to a television or other presentation equipment via the television interface212.

For simplicity, the PTR110ofFIG. 2has been reduced to a block diagram; commonly known parts, such as a power supply, have been omitted. Further, some routing between the various modules of PTR110has been illustrated. Such illustrations are for exemplary purposes only. The state of two modules not being directly or indirectly connected does not indicate the modules cannot communicate. Rather, connections between modules of the PTR110are intended only to indicate possible common data routing. It should be understood that the modules of the PTR110may be combined into a fewer number of modules or divided into a greater number of modules. Further, the components of the PTR110may be part of another device, such as built into a television. Also, while the PTR110may be used to receive, store, and present television channels received via a satellite, it should be understood that similar components may be used to receive, store, and present television channels via a cable network.

Referring now toFIG. 3, an example representation300of areal satellite spot beam coverage is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In general, a spot beam may refer to a satellite broadcast signal that is directed or projected towards and covers a specific region or area of the Earth's surface. For example,FIG. 3illustrates a first spot beam302approximately centered on the city of Denver, Colo., a second spot beam304approximately centered on the city of Grand Junction, Colo., and a third spot beam306approximately centered on the city of Cheyenne, Wyo. It will be appreciated though that the example representation300is idealized for discussion purposes. For example, none of the respective spot beams302,304,306need neccesarily be centered on any particular city. Further, relative size of the respective spot beams302,304,306measured for example as projected on the Earth's surface (e.g, coverage approximated by the radius of a circle) may vary as desired. For example, the first spot beam302may have an areal coverage of about 100 square miles, whereas the second spot beam304may have an areal coverage of about 50 square miles, and etc. Still further, relative shape of the respective spot beams302,304,306may be about or approximately circular as shown inFIG. 3, but may not be defined by a sharp or drastic coverage cut-off, and instead may exhibit a gradual coverage cut-off, as discussed further below.

Each of the respective spot beams302,304,306may have a particular signal transmission frequency band. For example, the first spot beam302may have a transmission frequency band F1, the second spot beam304may have a transmission frequency band F2, and the third spot beam306may have a transmission frequency band F3. The frequency bands F1-3may be separated in spectrum such the none of the respective frequency bands F1-3interfere with each other. In general, the frequency bands F1-3may be licensed to the service provider102ofFIG. 1for the purpose of providing broadcast programming to customers at or at least near regions on the Earth's surface associated with the respective spot beams302,304,306. One benefit in using spot beams to deliver or provide broadcast programming, as opposed to using beams that cover a much greater geographical area, such as the contintental United States (CONUS), is that a spot beam may allow the service provider102to deliver more local channels to specific, precisely defined areas since an allocated frequency band may be reused across different geographically separated areas. For example, the frequency band F1used to provide broadcast programming to customers at or near Denver, Colo. may also be used to provide broadcast programming to customers at or near Boston, Mass., for example. In this manner, the service provider102is essentially enabled to provide more content per licensed bandwidth than that might be achieved using CONUS broadcast technology.

Referring still toFIG. 3, a specific, exactly precise geographic location, indicated by marker “x” inFIG. 3, of a number of different television receivers are shown for example purposes. In general, it may be observed that each of the respective receivers is geographically located within coverage provided by at least one of the spot beams302,304,306. For example, the receiver TR1is geographically located or positioned within coverage provided by the first spot beam302, the receiver TR2is geographically located or positioned within coverage provided by the first spot beam302and the second spot beam304, the receiver TR3is geographically located or positioned within coverage provided by the first spot beam302and the third spot beam306, and the receiver TR4is geographically located or positioned within coverage provided by the first spot beam302. Other examples are possible.

In one example, each of the respective receivers TR1-4may be configured so as to only be able to decode programming provided by the first spot beam302. For example, at least the service provider102may dictate that each of the receivers TR1-4is approved to decode and output for display by a particular presentation or display device (e.g., television114c) programming provided by the first spot beam302, because the receivers TR1-4are each geographically located within a television market associated with Denver, Colo. In general, the receivers TR1-4may be programmed as part of an installation process, for example, to detect and output for display programming provided by the first spot beam302. However, even though each of the receivers TR1-4is only approved to output for display programming provided by the first spot beam302, some of the receivers TR1-4may still be able to detect at least one of the other respective spot beams304,306. Table 3 below provides a summary of various parameters, some similar to those discussed in this paragraph, that may be associated with respective ones of the receivers TR1-4.

The first column of Table 3 identifies a particular one of the receivers TR1-4ofFIG. 3. The second column of Table 3 includes a unique account identifier associated with each particular one of the receivers TR1-4. Although the unique account identifier is shown as a numeric digit, it will be appreciated that the unique account identifier may take the form of any particular identifier as desired such as, for example, a string of ten or so digits that correspond or may be mapped to a particular customer account number. In this manner, each one of the receivers TR1-4may be associated or correlated to or with a particular customer account.

The third column of Table 3 includes a transponder identifier that uniquely identifies the first spot beam302(and a particular transponder of a particular satellite that broadcasts the first spot beam302) as in the present example the service provider102has dictated that each of the receivers TR1-4is approved to output for display programming provided only by the first spot beam302. In this example, the unique transponder identifier that identifies the first spot beam302is for simplicity defined as “X,” although other examples are possible. The third column of Table 3 also includes an entry “SS1” that is associated with the receiver TR1, an entry “SS2” that is associated with the receiver TR2, an entry “SS3” that is associated with the receiver TR3, and an entry “SS4” that is associated with the receiver TR4. Each of the respective entries SS1-4may represent a signal strength parameter that, in arbitrary units, quantifies strength of the signal of the first spot beam302as detected by each one of the receivers TR1-4at their particular or respective geographic location within the coverage area of the first spot beam302.

The fourth column of Table 3, in some instances in addition to “X,” includes a transponder identifier that uniquely identifies the second spot beam304as “Y,” or a transponder identifier that uniquely identifies the third spot beam306as “Z.” Specifically, with reference to the receiver TR2, the fourth column of Table 3 includes an entry “X:SS2/Y:SS2,” meaning that the receiver TR2is able to detect both the first spot beam302having a particular signal strength and the second spot beam304having a particular signal strength. This is because, as shown inFIG. 3, the receiver TR2is geographically located within an intersection of the first spot beam302and the second spot beam304. Here, even if the specific, exactly precise geographic location of the receiver TR2is not known, it will be appreciated that the geographic location of the receiver TR2may be approximated based on the information contained within the fourth column of Table 3. Specifically, if it is determined by some mechanism, such as the receiver TR2reporting to the service provider102, that the receiver TR2can detect both the first spot beam302and the second spot beam304, the service provider102may extrapolate or derive an approximate geographical location of the receiver TR2as being at least somewhere within the intersection or overlap of the first spot beam302and the second spot beam304.

Similarly, with reference to the receiver TR3, the fourth column of Table 3 includes an entry “X:SS3/Z:SS3,” meaning that the receiver TR3is able to detect both the first spot beam302having a particular signal strength and the third spot beam306having a particular signal strength. This is because in the present example, and as shown inFIG. 3, the receiver TR3is geographically located within an intersection of the first spot beam302and the third spot beam306. Here, even if the specific, exactly precise geographic location of the receiver TR3is not known, it will be appreciated that the geographic location of the receiver TR3may be approximated based on the information contained within the fourth column of Table 3. Specifically, if it is determined by some mechanism, such as the receiver TR3reporting to the service provider102, that the receiver TR3can detect both the first spot beam302and the third spot beam306, the service provider102may extrapolate or derive an approximate geographical location of the receiver TR3as being at least somewhere within the intersection or overlap of the first spot beam302and the third spot beam306.

Similarly, with reference to the receiver TR4, the fourth column of Table 3 includes an entry “X:SS4/Z:SS4” meaning that the receiver TR4is able to detect both the first spot beam302and the third spot beam306. This is because in the present example, and as shown inFIG. 3, the receiver TR4is geographically located within coverage provided by the first spot beam302, and is also relatively near or close to coverage provided by the third spot beam306. As mentioned above, relative shape of the respective spot beams302,304,306may be about or approximately circular, but may not be defined by a sharp coverage cut-off, and instead may be defined by a gradual coverage cut-off Here, even if the specific, exactly precise geographic location of the receiver TR4is not known, it will be appreciated that the geographic location of the receiver TR4may be approximated based on the information contained within the fourth column of Table 3. Specifically, if it is determined by some mechanism, such as the receiver TR4reporting to the service provider102, that the receiver TR4can detect the first spot beam302and the third spot beam306, the service provider102may extrapolate or derive an approximate geographical location of the receiver TR4as being at least somewhere near the arc of the third spot beam306that is located geographically near or within the first spot beam304. Here, it is contemplated that detected signal strength of the third spot beam306may also be reported back to the service provider102so that a more precise location profiling may be implemented. For example, strength of the third spot beam306may fall-off as power law near the periphery of the coverage provided by the third spot beam306, and thus it will be appreciated that a more precise approximation of the location of the receiver TR4may be achieved with this type of information.

Referring now toFIG. 4, and additionally with reference toFIGS. 1-2, an example method400is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In general, steps or modules of the method400as described may ultimately be implemented by at least one of the LPE module118of the PTR110ofFIG. 1, and/or PTR110itself. Other examples are however possible. For instance, one or more steps or modules of the method400may be implemented wholly or at least partially by or on one or more of the other respective devices or components of the example system100as described above in connection withFIG. 1.

At step402, the LPE module118of the smartcard222may receive a scrambled message sent from the service provider102over one of the satellites106a-cto access the SBT listing126that is stored on the storage medium208. As mentioned above, the SBT listing126may include a list of spot beam transports that the PTR110has access to or can see or detect. In one example, the scrambled message may be embodied as a particular ECM that may be routed to the smartcard222in a manner similar to other types of ECM messages as discussed above. Other examples are possible. For instance, the scrambled message may be incorporated within a particular communication sequence between the PTR110and the service provider102over the network120. In this manner, the scrambled message may be sent to the PTR110from the service provider102over one or more of a satellite communication link and a terrestrial communication link.

At step404, the LPE module118may, in response to receiving the scrambled message at step402, query the SBT listing126and retrieve and store the list of spot beam transports that the PTR110has access to or can see or detect. For example, assuming that the PTR110corresponds to the receiver TR2discussed above in connection withFIG. 3, the LPE module118may retrieve and store the information “X:SS2/Y:SS2” to the smartcard222. In general, the information X:SS2/Y:SS2stored to the smartcard222may, for example, be stored in an encrypted form so that it may be difficult if not impossible for a third party to access and determine precisely what the encrypted version of the information X:SS2/Y:SS2corresponds to. Other examples are possible

At step406, and continuing with the present example, the LPE module118may instantiate a process to transmit a secure message to the service provider102that includes at least the information X:SS2/Y:SS2. For example, the smartcard122may provide an instruction to the control processor202bto generate a scrambled message that includes an encrypted version of the information X:SS2/Y:SS2as well “Account ID 2” so that information within the secure message may ultimately be mapped back to the PTR110by the service provider102. The control processor202bmay then activate the network interface206so that the secure message may be sent to the service provider102over the network120. In many instances, however, the PTR110may not be connected to the network120. For example, if the PTR110is being used for illegitimate purposes, the PTR110may be intentionally not connected to the network120. In another example, the PTR110may be used for legitimate purposes by a particular customer but that customer may not have access to the network120. For example, the customer may not have Internet or landline phone services. Other examples are possible.

At step408, the LPE module118may determine whether or not the secure message was successfully transmitted to the service provider102over the network120. It is contemplated that the determination may be enabled in any number of ways. For example, the LPE module118may detect via the network interface206a confirmation message from the service provider102that the secure message was received by the service provider102. In another example, the LPE module118may detect via ECM message sent over one of the satellites106a-cby the service provider102a confirmation message from the service provider102that the secure message was received. In this manner, the confirmation message may be sent to the PTR110from the service provider102over one or more of a satellite communication link and a terrestrial communication link. When it is determined that the secure message was successfully transmitted to the service provider102over the network120, process flow within the example method400may branch to step410, which corresponds to termination of the method400. When it is determined that the secure message was not successfully transmitted to the service provider102over the network120, process flow within the example method400may branch to step412.

At step412, the LPE module118may start a timer, and further attempt to output for display by the television114c, for example, a warning interface so that a customer may be notified that it has been detected that the PTR110does not have access to the network120, and that the customer should contact an account representative of the service provider102in order to ensure that no service disruption would potentially occur. In many cases, if the PTR110is being used for illegitimate purposes, the PTR110may not be connected to any particular presentation or display device and thus it is contemplated that the warning interface may not necessarily ever be viewed by a particular individual. If the PTR110is being used for legitimate purposes, however, the PTR110may very likely be connected to a particular presentation or display device, and thus it is contemplated that the warning interface is likely to viewed by a particular individual who would then contact an account representative of the service provider102in order to ensure that no service disruption would potentially occur. Other examples are possible.

At step414, the LPE module118may determine whether or not the timer has reached a particular time value or “timed-out.” The particular time value may be reached for example if the timer is started at step412at t=0 and then counts “upwards” to a finite non-zero value t=t1. In another example, the particular time value may be reached if the timer is started at step412at a finite non-zero value t=t2and then counts “backwards” to t=0. Other examples are possible. When it is determined that the timer has not reached the particular time value, process flow within the example method400may branch back to step410, after a predetermined time period or delay dT, so that the LPE module118may again instantiate a process to transmit the secure message to the service provider102that includes at least the information X:SS2/Y:SS2. It is contemplated that the predetermined time period or delay dT is configurable and may be defined as desired. For example, the predetermined time period or delay dT may be defined or otherwise programmed to be on the order of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, and etc., and also may or may not be implementation-specific. Still other examples are possible.

When it is determined that the timer has reached the particular time value, process flow within the example method400may branch to step416. Similar to the predetermined time period or delay dT, it is contemplated that the particular time value may be configurable and may be defined as desired. For example, the particular time value may be defined or otherwise programmed to be on the order of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, and etc., and also may or may not be implementation-specific. At step416, the LPE module118may disable the smartcard222so that the smartcard222no longer is able to perform its part in enabling the PTR110to output for presentation by a display device broadcast programming received by any particular spot beam that is detected by the PTR110. Process flow within the example method400may then proceed to step410which corresponds to termination of the method400. Such an implementation may prevent the PTR110from possibly being used for illegitimate purposes. If the PTR110is though being used for legitimate purposes, it may be very likely that a customer may contact an account representative of the service provider102to rectify the issue since the customer would no longer be able to watch satellite broadcast programming using the PTR110.

Referring now toFIG. 5, an example communication sequence500is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In particular, the communication sequence500shows example messaging between one or more components of the PTR110as described above in connection with at leastFIG. 2. In this example, the LPE module118of the smartcard222may initially receive at least one ECM502sent from the service provider102over one of the satellites106a-cthat includes an instruction or command for the smartcard222to access the SBT listing126that is stored on the storage medium208. The SBT listing126may include a list of spot beam transports that the PTR110has access to or can see or detect. The LPE module118may, in response to receiving the ECM502, query the SBT listing126and retrieve and store the list of spot beam transports that the PTR110has access to or can see or detect as a file504. The file504may for example, and assuming for discussion purposes that the PTR110corresponds to the receiver TR2as discussed above in connection with at leastFIG. 4, include the information “Account ID 2” and “X:SS2/Y:SS2,” and possibly other information as well.

The LPE module118may then instantiate a process to transmit a secure message506to the service provider102, where the secure message506at least includes information contained within the file504. For example, the smartcard122may provide an instruction message508to the control processor202bto generate the secure message506to include the information Account ID 2 and X:SS2/Y:SS2, as possibly encrypted and contained within the file504. The control processor202bmay then activate the network interface206with a control message510so that the secure message506may be sent to the service provider102over one or more terrestrial networks, such as the network120.

It is contemplated that the LPE module118may determine whether or not the secure message506was successfully transmitted to the service provider102. For example, the LPE module118may detect via the network interface206a confirmation message512sent from the service provider102that indicates that the secure message506was received by the service provider102. In another example, the LPE module118may detect via at least one other ECM514sent from the service provider102over one of the satellites106a-c, where the ECM514may include a confirmation that the secure message506was received by the service provider102. In instances where it is determined that the secure message506was not successfully transmitted to the service provider102, the LPE module118may start or otherwise activate a timer516, and further attempt to output for presentation by a display device, via the television interface212, a warning518so that a customer may be notified that it has been detected that the PTR110does not have access to any particular terrestrial network. The warning518may further include a notification that the customer should contact an account representative of the service provider102in order to ensure that no service disruption would potentially occur.

For example, the warning518may include the narrative or statement “A potential issue has been detected by the system. Please contact an account representative to ensure that no service disruption occurs. 1-800-AN-ISSUE.” In many cases, if the PTR110is being used for illegitimate purposes, the PTR110may not be connected to any particular display device, and thus it is contemplated that the warning518may not necessarily ever be viewed by a particular individual. If the PTR110is being used for legitimate purposes, however, the PTR110may very likely be connected to a particular display device, and thus it is contemplated that the warning518is likely to viewed by a particular individual, who would then likely contact an account representative of the service provider102in order to ensure that no service disruption would potentially occur.

In the scenario where it is determined that the secure message506was not successfully transmitted to the service provider102, the LPE module118may be configured to determine at a subsequent point in time whether or not the timer516has reached a particular time value. When it is determined that the timer516has not reached the particular time value, the LPE module118may, following a predetermined time period or delay dT, again instantiate a process to transmit the secure message506to the service provider102. In this manner, the PTR110may periodically or at least intermittently attempt to report the secure message506to the service provider102. When it is determined however that the timer516has reached the particular time value, the LPE module118may disable the smartcard222so that the smartcard222no longer is able to perform its part in enabling the PTR110to output for presentation by a display device satellite broadcast programming.

The present disclosure is directed to one or more of a system, method, apparatus, and computer-program product to identify or approximate or estimate where a particular television receiver is geographically located using spot beam transport information as described in the specification and/or shown in any of the drawings. For instance, in one example implementation, a method may include or comprise receiving at a television receiver a command to access a listing that contains at least one transponder identifier that identifies a particular signal detected by the television receiver, and querying, based on the command, a memory location of the television receiver that is associated with the listing, to obtain each transponder identifier within the listing. In general, it is contemplated that the listing may comprise of any particular data structure, type of which may be implementation-specific, possibly dependent on type of the memory location. For example, it is contemplated that the listing could be a look-up table stored in a database or flash memory of the television receiver. Other examples are possible.

It is further contemplated that the listing, and thus data contained therein, may be encrypted so as to not be easily readable by anyone unauthorized to access data stored or contained within the listing. It is still further contemplated that the command itself may be received by the television receiver over any particular communication channel, such as via a terrestrial communication link (e.g., via Internet, telephone) and/or via a non-terrestrial communication link (e.g., via satellite) within an entitlement control message or ECM, or possibly generated by the television receiver itself in response to expiration of a particular timer or other timekeeping mechanism as maintained, managed, and/or implemented by the television receiver itself. Other examples are possible.

The method may further include or comprise queuing a message that includes a representation of each transponder identifier within the listing for transmission over a network interface of the television receiver to a computing system that is configured to estimate geographic location of the television receiver based on each transponder identifier within the listing. The method may further include or comprise transmitting the message over the network interface of the television receiver to the computing system that is configured to estimate geographic location of the television receiver based on each transponder identifier within the listing. The method may further include or comprise receiving by the television receiver from the computing system confirmation of receipt of the message by the computing system.

Here, it is contemplated that the message itself may be embedded within an encrypted data stream, that which might include other information normally or typically reported back to the computing system, such as versioning information that identifies type and/or model of the television receiver and/or one or more components of the television receiver (e.g., smartcard), video-on-demand information that might be reported back to the computing system for billing purposes, and etc. In this manner, the message may be securely and privately transmitted, and then may be used or utilized by an entity associated with the computing system to derive or estimate physical or geographic location of the television receiver. Other examples are possible.

For instance, the method may further include or comprise receiving by the television receiver an indication of unsuccessful transmission of the message to the computing system. The method may further include or comprise retransmitting the message over the network interface in response to passage of a predetermined time period following receiving the indication of unsuccessful transmission of the message to the computing system. The method may further include or comprise generating by the television receiver a warning message for transmission over a television interface of the television receiver to a television that is configured to output for display the warning message to prevent unintended service disruption. The method may further include or comprise disabling by the television receiver a smartcard of the television receiver following passage of a predetermined time period to disrupt service. In general, the smartcard may be considered an access restricted processer that when disabled may prevent or preclude the television receiver from outputting any television programming to any display device,

Here, it is contemplated that when the television receiver is unable to, after a number of attempts, access a communication link to report the message to the computing system, steps may be taken remedy the situation via user prompt or other mechanism. Additionally, in instances when the television receiver is unable to, after a number of attempts, access a communication link to report the message to the computing system, steps may be taken to disable the television receiver, in order to ensure that satellite-sourced programming is not accessed without permissions or authorizations.

FIG. 6shows an example computer system or device600in accordance with the present disclosure. An example of a computer system or device includes an enterprise server, blade server, desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, personal data assistant, smartphone, gaming console, STB, television receiver, and/or any other type of machine configured for performing calculations. The computer system600may be wholly or at least partially incorporated as part of previously-described computing devices, such as the service provider102, a PTR110, STRs112a-b, televisions114a-c, and computing devices116a-bof at leastFIG. 1. Further, the example computer device600may be configured to perform and/or include instructions that, when executed, cause the computer system600to perform the method ofFIG. 4. Still further, the example computer device600may be configured to perform and/or include instructions that, when executed, cause the computer system600to instantiate and implement functionality of the LPE module118of at leastFIG. 1.

The computer device600is shown comprising hardware elements that may be electrically coupled via a bus602(or may otherwise be in communication, as appropriate). The hardware elements may include a processing unit with one or more processors604, including without limitation one or more general-purpose processors and/or one or more special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processing chips, graphics acceleration processors, and/or the like); one or more input devices606, which may include without limitation a remote control, a mouse, a keyboard, and/or the like; and one or more output devices608, which may include without limitation a presentation or display device, e.g., television, printer, and/or the like.

The computer system600may further include (and/or be in communication with) one or more non-transitory storage devices610, which may comprise, without limitation, local and/or network accessible storage, and/or may include, without limitation, a disk drive, a drive array, an optical storage device, a solid-state storage device, such as a random access memory, and/or a read-only memory, which may be programmable, flash-updateable, and/or the like. Such storage devices may be configured to implement any appropriate data stores, including without limitation, various file systems, database structures, and/or the like.

The computer device600might also include a communications subsystem612, which may include without limitation a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, a wireless communication device, and/or a chipset (such as a Bluetooth™ device, an 602.11 device, a WiFi device, a WiMax device, cellular communication facilities (e.g., GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc.), and/or the like. The communications subsystem612may permit data to be exchanged with a network (such as the network described below, to name one example), other computer systems, and/or any other devices described herein. In many examples, the computer system600will further comprise a working memory614, which may include a random access memory and/or a read-only memory device, as described above.

As mentioned above, in one aspect, some examples may employ a computer system (such as the computer device600) to perform methods in accordance with various examples of the disclosure. According to a set of examples, some or all of the procedures of such methods are performed by the computer system600in response to processor604executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions (which might be incorporated into the operating system616and/or other code, such as an application program618) contained in the working memory614. Such instructions may be read into the working memory614from another computer-readable medium, such as one or more of the storage device(s)610. Merely by way of example, execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the working memory614may cause the processor(s)604to perform one or more procedures of the methods described herein.

Example forms of physical and/or tangible computer-readable media may include a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, a RAM, a PROM, EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer may read instructions and/or code.

The communications subsystem612(and/or components thereof) generally will receive signals, and the bus602then might carry the signals (and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by the signals) to the working memory614, from which the processor(s)604retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by the working memory614may optionally be stored on a non-transitory storage device610either before or after execution by the processor(s)604.

Furthermore, the example examples described herein may be implemented as logical operations in a computing device in a networked computing system environment. The logical operations may be implemented as: (i) a sequence of computer implemented instructions, steps, or program modules running on a computing device; and (ii) interconnected logic or hardware modules running within a computing device.