Abstract:
An apparatus and method for maintaining operation of an automated theater are disclosed. An exemplary system includes an exhibitor support center for monitoring functional status of each of one or more exhibitor systems and for responding to failures at each of the one or more exhibitor systems. A secure network connection is provided from the exhibitor support center to each of the one or more exhibitor systems to communicate the functional status. The exhibitor support center can also initiate scheduled maintenance and extended diagnostic testing at the exhibitor systems.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of the following co-pending and commonly-assigned U.S. patent application, which is incorporated by reference herein: 
   U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/376,179, filed Apr. 29, 2002, by Joseph S. Ng and entitled “METHOD TO MONITOR AND PREVENT FAILURE OF AN AUTOMATED THEATER SYSTEM”. 
   This application is related to the following co-pending and commonly-assigned U.S. patent applications, which are both incorporated by reference herein: 
   U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/376,105, filed Apr. 29, 2002, by Charles F. Stirling, Bernard M. Gudaitis, William G. Connelly and Catherine C. Girardey, entitled “SECURE DATA CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR MULTIMEDIA APPLICATIONS UTILIZING BANDWIDTH EFFICIENT MODULATION”; and 
   U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/376,244, filed Apr. 29, 2002, by Ismael Rodriguez and James C. Campanella, entitled “A METHOD TO SECURELY DISTRIBUTE LARGE DIGITAL VIDEO/DATA FILES WITH OPTIMUM SECURITY”. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to systems and methods for an automated theater system. Particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods to prevent failure of an automated digital cinema system. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Complex equipment is difficult to maintain. Maintenance personnel require extensive training. Spare inventory is expensive and difficult to control. Systems such as digital cinema systems, which include satellite communication, smart card, computer server, high-speed networking and high intensity optical projector technologies are extremely advanced and complicated. These systems require maintenance technicians with a wide scope of knowledge, who are very costly to train and retain. System reliability is vital to the success of a revenue generating program such as digital cinema. 
   Currently there are a very few digital cinema exhibitor (theater) installations in the world. The few digital cinema exhibitor installations that do exist are not operating full time. When they are in operation, factory technicians are on-site with spare parts to assure the equipment is operating properly. Existing approaches to system maintenance will not support a large-scale deployment of the digital cinema. 
   Consequently, there is a need for automated and efficient systems and methods for maintaining complex digital cinema systems. There is further a need for such systems and methods to minimize the necessary training and expertise of maintenance personnel. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Embodiments of the present invention involve the use of automatic local and remote diagnostics, communication network and a maintenance infrastructure for an automated theater system to minimize down time and lower the overall maintenance costs. 
   Embodiments of the invention use modem automatic local and remote diagnostics in conjunction with communication networks and a maintenance infrastructure to predict and prevent failure of an automated digital cinema theater system. This system will centrally monitor thousands of digital cinema exhibitor (theater) systems. Preventive maintenance actions will be communicated to onsite technicians with clear instructions and required parts will also be sent from the central site to the theater. Pending failure will also be diagnosed; repair procedure and required parts will be sent from the central site to the theater. With this invention, the digital cinema exhibitor (theater) will not be required to retain specialized maintenance technicians, maintain a large inventory of spare parts and will be able to minimize down time. 
   For example a typical maintenance system embodiment of the invention includes an exhibitor support center for monitoring functional status of each of one or more exhibitor systems and responding to a failure at any of the one or more exhibitor systems and a secure network connection from the exhibitor support center to each of the one or more exhibitor systems to communicate the functional status. The exhibitor support center can include a database tracking operational status, failure statistics, system configuration, conditional use privileges and exhibition schedule for each of the one or more exhibitor systems. 
   In response to a failure, the exhibitor support center can automatically initiate delivery of parts to repair the failure and initiate a message to a technician. The message can be an e-mail message and/or a page. Furthermore, the message can include instructions regarding repairing the failure. 
   Each of the one or more exhibitor systems includes a plurality of subsystems, each subsystem including a failure detection and management system correcting any failure and at least one redundant component. The failure detection and management system of each subsystem attempts to activate the appropriate redundant component in response to a detected failure in the subsystem. Failures are communicated to the exhibitor support center. Typically, subsystems of the exhibitor systems include at least one receiver for receiving media content, a server for storing and processing the media content from the receiver, one or more display devices for displaying the media content from the server, a network for communicating the media content from the server to one or more display devices and a modem for communicating data for administration functions of the exhibitor system to a network operation center. 
   If the subsystem failure detection and management system is unable to resolve a failure, the exhibitor support center attempts to reconfigure the exhibitor system. If the exhibitor support center is unable to reconfigure the exhibitor system the exhibitor support center initiates a message to an exhibitor support center engineer. Thus, the failure is given increasing priority until the failure is resolved. 
   In further embodiments, the exhibitor support center directs scheduled maintenance at each of the one or more exhibitor systems. The exhibitor support center can automatically initiate delivery of parts for the scheduled maintenance and a message to a technician regarding the scheduled maintenance. The message can be in the form of an e-mail message and/or a page. Furthermore, the message can include instructions regarding performance of the scheduled maintenance. In addition, the exhibitor support center can adjust maintenance and diagnostic testing schedules in response to a global report from the database which tracks maintenance and repairs. 
   Finally, the exhibitor support center can also direct scheduled extended diagnostic testing at each of the one or more exhibitor systems. The exhibitor support center can initiate a repair procedure if any problems are indicated by the extended diagnostic testing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout: 
       FIGS. 1A &amp; 1B  depict a top-level functional block diagram of one embodiment of a typical media program distribution system; 
       FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of a computer system that can be used to perform the operations of the media preparation processor; 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a typical digital cinema maintenance system of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the maintenance system components at a typical exhibitor site; 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the maintenance system components at a typical network operations center; and 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart of the typical functions of a maintenance and repair system of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   In the following description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   1. Overview 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B  depict a top-level functional block diagram of one embodiment of a media program distribution system  100  (alternately referred to as an automated cinema system). The media distribution system  100  comprises a content provider  102 , a protection entity  104 , a distribution entity  106  and one or more presentation/displaying entities  108 . The content provider  102  provides media content  110  such as audiovisual material to the protection entity  104 . The media content  110 , which can be in digital or analog form, can be transmitted in electronic form via the Internet, by dedicated land line, broadcast, or by physical delivery of a physical embodiment of the media (e.g. a celluloid film strip, optical or magnetic disk/tape). Content can also be provided to the protection entity  104  (also referred to as a preparation entity) from a secure archive facility  112 . 
   The media content  110  may be telecined by processor  114  to format the media program as desired. The telecine process can take place at the content provider  102 , the protection entity  104 , or a third party. 
   The protection entity  104  may include a media preparation processor  116 . In one embodiment, the media preparation processor  116  includes a computer system such as a server, having a processor  118  and a memory  120  communicatively coupled thereto. The protection entity  104  further prepares the media content  110 . Such preparation may include adding protection to the media content  110  to prevent piracy of the media content  110 . For example, the preparation processor  116  can add watermarking  122  and/or encrypt  126  to the media content  110  to protect it. In addition, the preparation processor can also apply compression  124  to the media content  110 . Once prepared, the output media content  128  can be transferred to digital tape or a disk (e.g. a DVD, laserdisk, or similar medium). The output media content  128  can then be archived in a data vault facility  130  until it is needed. 
   When needed, the prepared output media content  128  is then provided to the distribution entity  106  (alternatively referred to hereinafter as the network operations center [(NOC)]. Although illustrated as separate entities, the protection entity  104  and the distribution entity  106  can be combined into a single entity, thus ameliorating some security concerns regarding the transmission of the output media content  128 . 
   The distribution entity  106  includes a conditional access management system (CAMS)  132  (also referred to as a configuration management engine), that accepts the output media content  128 , and determines whether access permissions are appropriate for the content  128 . Further, CAMS  132  may be responsible for additional encrypting so that unauthorized access during transmission is prevented. Once the data is in the appropriate format and access permissions have been validated, CAMS  132  provides the output media content  128  to an uplink server  134 , ultimately for transmission by uplink equipment  136  to one or more displaying entities or exhibitor systems  108  (shown in FIG.  1 B). This is accomplished by the uplink equipment  136  and uplink antenna  138 . Also, as shown, in addition or in the alternative to transmission via satellite, the media program can be provided to the displaying entity  108  via a forward channel fiber network  140 . Additionally, information may be transmitted to displaying entity  108  via a modem  142  using, for example, a public switched telephone network line, fiber network or other suitable communications network. A land based communication such as through modem  142  is referred to as a back channel  174 . Thus, information can be transmitted to and from the displaying entity  108  via the back channel  174 , forward channel fiber network  140  or the satellite  150  network. Typically, the back channel  174  provides data communication for administration functions (e.g. billing, authorization, usage tracking, etc.), while the forward channel fiber network  140  or satellite  150  network provides for transfer of the output media content  128  through transceiver  162  and/or receiver  154  to the displaying entities  108 . 
   The output media content  128  may be securely stored in a database  144 . Data is transferred to and from the database  144  under the control and management of the business operations management system (BOMS)  146 . Thus, the BOMS  146  manages the transmission of information to displaying entity  108 , and assures that unauthorized transmissions do not take place. 
   Turning to  FIG. 1B , the data transmitted via uplink  148  is received in a satellite  150 A, and transmitted to a downlink antenna  152 , which is communicatively coupled to a satellite or downlink receiver  154 . 
   In one embodiment, the satellite  150 A also transmits the data to an alternate distribution entity  156  and/or to another satellite  150 B via crosslink  158 . Typically, satellite  150 B services a different terrestrial region than satellite  150 A, and transmits data to displaying entities  108  in other geographical locations. 
   A typical displaying entity or exhibitor system  108  comprises a modem  160  for receiving and transmitting information through the back channel  174  (i.e., via a communication path other than that provided by the satellite system or forward channel fiber network  140  described above) to and from the distribution entity  106 . For example, feedback information (e.g. relating to system diagnostics, billing, usage and other administrative functions) from the exhibitor system  108  can be transmitted through the back channel  174  to the distribution entity  106 . The output media content  128  and other information may be accepted into a processing system  164  (also referred to as a content server) such as a computer similar to that which is illustrated in  FIG. 2  (see description below). The output media content  128  may then be stored in the storage device  166  for later transmission to displaying systems (e.g., digital projectors)  168 A- 168 C. Before storage, the output media content  128  can be decrypted to remove transmission encryption (e.g. any encryption applied by the CAMS  132 ), leaving the encryption applied by the preparation processor  116 . 
   When the media content  110  is to be displayed, final decryption techniques are used on the output media content  128  to substantially reproduce the original media content  110  in a viewable form which is provided to one or more of the displaying systems  168 A- 168 C. For example, encryption  126  and compression  124  applied by the preparation processor  118  is finally removed, however, any latent modification, undetectable to viewers (e.g., watermarking  122 ) is left intact. In one or more embodiments, a display processor  170  prevents storage of the decrypted media content in any media, whether in the storage device  166  or otherwise. In addition, the media content  10  can be communicated to the displaying systems  168 A- 168 C over an independently encrypted network  172 , such as on a gigabit LAN. 
     FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of a computer system  200  that can be used to perform the operations of the media preparation processor  116 , processing system  164  as well as an exhibitor support center  304  (detailed hereafter). Embodiments of the invention are typically implemented using a computer  200 , which generally includes, inter alia, a display device  202 , data storage devices  204 , cursor control devices  206 , and other devices. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any combination of the above components, or any number of different components, peripherals, and other devices, may be used with the computer  200 . 
   Programs executing on the computer  200  (such as an operating system) are comprised of instructions which, when read and executed by the computer  200 , causes the computer  200  to perform the steps necessary to implement and/or use the present invention. Computer programs and/or operating instructions may also be tangibly embodied in a memory and/or data communications devices of the computer, thereby making a computer program product or article of manufacture according to the invention. As such, the terms “article of manufacture,” “program storage device” and “computer program product” as used herein are intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer readable device or media. 
   2. Digital Cinema Maintenance System 
     FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a typical automated cinema maintenance system  300 . The maintenance system can function as an integral component within the general architecture of an automated cinema system  100 , such as that previously detailed. Typical embodiments of the invention involve three major components of the automated cinema system  100 , the network operation center  106 , an exhibitor system (ES)  108  and a communication system  302 . The network operation center  106  can include an exhibitor support center (ESC)  304  to operate as the central maintenance and diagnostics site. One or more exhibitor systems  108  are the entities being monitored. Status messages  310  which can include diagnostic as well as failure information are reported back to the exhibitor support center  304  over the communication system  302 . Finally, the communication system  302  provides a link between exhibitor support center  304  and the exhibitor systems  108 . 
   In general, the exhibitor support center  304  monitors the functional status of the exhibitor systems  108  and responds to any failures detected at the individual exhibitor sites. For example, depending upon the type of failure indicated, a response can include an automated order for parts  312  from a spare depot  306  delivered directly to the exhibitor system  108  and/or transmitting an automated notification to the appropriate repair personnel via a communication service  308  such as a paging service. 
     FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the maintenance system components and operations at a typical exhibitor site. As previously detailed, in the exhibitor system  108  there are typically five major subsystems, the receivers (satellite  154  and/or fiber  162 ), a content server  164  (including content management, data storage, file decryption, decompression, etc.), gigabit LAN  172 , and digital projectors  168 . 
   As part of the automated maintenance system  100 , each of these subsystems has built in redundant key components  400 A- 400 H and a failure detection and management system  402 A- 402 H. During the power on process each subsystem will perform an initial self diagnostic to verify its operational readiness. If there is any failure detected, the failed component will be automatically replaced by the redundant component  400 A- 400 H. Upon the completion of the initial self diagnostic each subsystem will report its status information  310  to the exhibitor support center  304  through the communication system  302 . The failure detection and management system  402 A- 402 H will continue to monitor the subsystem as it operates for any failures. 
   Within the exhibitor system  108 , diagnostic and system status information  310  can be routed through the existing connections between the components or through a separate diagnostic and maintenance communication network. For example, in one embodiment the server  164  tracks and compiles all diagnostic and system status information  404  and then relays that information out through the modem  160  via the back channel  174  to the exhibitor support center  304 ; the back channel  174  functions as the communication system  302  for the exhibitor support center  304 . Alternately, the information  404  can be communicated over a separate network connection, independent from the functional connections of the automated theater system  100 . 
   During the exhibitor systems  108  normal operation each subsystem continually monitors its operation and switches to redundant components  400 A- 400 H if required. A status message  310  will be communicated back to the exhibitor support center  304  whenever a switch to a redundant component  400 A- 400 H occurs. Under command from the exhibitor support center  304 , a subsystem in the exhibitor system  108  may be switched to a redundant component  400 A- 400 H or reconfigured for proper operation of the exhibitor system  108 . Furthermore, at scheduled times each subsystem will report its status back to the exhibitor support center  304 . In addition, major events (such as the light in the digital projector  168  being turned on or turn off) will generate a status message to the exhibitor support center  304 . If any subsystem of an exhibitor system  108  is powered down, it will also generate a message notifying the exhibitor support center  304 . 
     FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the maintenance system components at a typical network operations center  106 . The exhibitor support center  304  is the heart of the automated exhibitor system  108  monitoring and failure prevention system. A comprehensive database  500  for all exhibitor systems  108  is kept in the exhibitor support center  304 , it tracks operational status  502 , failure statistics  504 , system configuration  506 , conditional use privileges  508  and each exhibitor&#39;s schedule  510 . In a typical system there are as many as seven major functions triggered and coordinated by the exhibitor support center  304  as detailed hereafter. 
     FIG. 6  is a flowchart of the typical functions of a maintenance and repair system of the invention. In general, the system responds either to a subsystem failure  600  or a schedule (scheduled maintenance  602  or scheduled diagnostics  604 ). Whenever a subsystem fails the exhibitor support center  304  is notified in a status message  310 . 
   2.1 Subsystem Failure Response 
   The failed subsystem first attempts to correct the problem directly at decision block  606 . Based on the status messages  310  from the exhibitor system  108 , if a subsystem fails and corrects the problem (e.g. by switching to a redundant component  400 A- 400 H), a message will be sent via e-mail  314  and/or alphanumeric pager  308  to the exhibitor&#39;s maintenance technician at block  608 . The technician will be informed of the failure and provided information regarding the shipment of replacement parts  312 . The exhibitor support center  304  will automatically order replacement parts  312  for the failed components which will be shipped to the exhibitor system  108  at block  610 . In addition, repair instructions can be included in the e-mail  314  notification to the maintenance technician. 
   2.2 Exhibitor Support Center Failure Response 
   However, if a status message  310  from the exhibitor subsystem indicates a failure, but that subsystem is not able to resolve the problem (e.g., by invoking a redundant component  400 A- 400 H), the exhibitor support center  304  will attempt to remotely reconfigure the exhibitor system  108  to mitigate the problem at decision block  612 . The process then continues to block  608  where a message is sent via e-mail  314  and/or alphanumerical pager  308  to the exhibitor&#39;s maintenance technician. The technician will be informed of the failure and provided information regarding the shipment of replacement parts  312 . Then replacement parts  312  for failed components are automatically shipped to the exhibitor system  108  at block  610 . Repair instructions can be included in the e-mail notification to the maintenance technician. 
   Various scenarios for remote reconfiguration by the exhibitor support center are possible. For example, if the failure occurs within displaying system  168 A and the cause is a memory failure, such that some but not all memory is available to it&#39;s input processor, the failure detection and management system  402 F will determine the root cause. If there is no additional memory (i.e., a redundant component  400 F) and the failure detection and management system  402 F is otherwise unable to resolve the issue, the system  402 F will report the problem to the exhibitor support center  304 . The exhibitor support center  304  may then determine that, although the input processor is unable to receive data from the network  172  at it&#39;s maximum speed, it can receive at a slower speed. The exhibitor support center  304  will remotely reconfigure the exhibitor system  108 , directing the network  174  to reduce the speed of data flow to the failed displaying system  168 A to maintain operation of the exhibitor system  108 . Concurrently, maintenance procedures will also be initiated (i.e., messaging the technician and ordering replacement components). In general, reconfiguration by the exhibitor support center  304  is possible when the subsystem failure is a “partial” failure and/or an adjustment to one or more other subsystems can temporarily reduce or eliminate the impact. 
   2.3 Automated Technician Response to Unresolved Failure 
   If a status message  310  from the exhibitor subsystem indicates a failure, but that subsystem is not able to resolve the problem and the exhibitor support center is also not able to automatically resolve the problem (e.g. by reconfiguring the exhibitor system  108 ), a message (via status message, e-mail and/or alphanumerical pager) to the exhibitor support center&#39;s on duty engineer at block  614 . The process then continues to block  608  where a message is sent via e-mail  314  and/or alphanumerical pager  308  to the exhibitor&#39;s maintenance technician. The technician is informed of the failure and provided information regarding the shipment of replacement parts  310 . Replacement parts  310  for failed components will be automatically shipped at block  610  to the exhibitor system  108 . Here, too, repair instructions can be included in the e-mail  314  notification to the maintenance technician. 
   2.4 Automated Preventive Maintenance 
   At block  602  scheduled maintenance can also prompt action at an exhibitor system  108 . For example, each day the exhibitor support center  304  will review the preventative maintenance schedule for all exhibitor subsystems. If a preventive maintenance action is required, the process moves to block  608  where a message will be sent via e-mail  314  and/or alphanumerical pager  308  to the exhibitor&#39;s maintenance technician. The technician will be informed of the necessary maintenance action and provided information regarding the shipment of maintenance parts  312  (e.g., filters, projector bulbs, etc.). Maintenance parts  312  will be automatically shipped to the exhibitor system  108  at block  610 . Preventative maintenance instructions can be included in the e-mail notification to the maintenance technician. 
   2.5 Automated Maintenance and Repair Monitoring 
   At block  616  the exhibitor support center  304  monitors all maintenance and repairs performed at the exhibitor systems  108 . The exhibitor support center  304  will keep track of all repair and preventive maintenance actions to ensure that each action is completed and validate that the exhibitor system  108  is fully functional. For example, the exhibitor support center  304  will confirm that the exhibitor systems  108  are not left operating on redundant components  400 A- 400 H for too long as this exposes the system to a risk of shutting down if the redundant component should fail. Monitoring can be performed through the regular status messages from the exhibitor system  108  to the exhibitor support center  304 . As necessary, reminder messages and/or pages can be sent to the exhibitor system technician at block  608 . (Parts will not be resent as they should already be on site from the original failure/maintenance.) 
   2.6 Automated Diagnostics and Scheduled Maintenance 
   Based on the exhibitor&#39;s presentation schedule, the exhibitor support center  304  will periodically schedule and direct the exhibitor system  108  to execute extensive diagnostics at block  604 . At decision block  618 , if any problems are detected, the process moves to block  608  where a message will be sent via e-mail  314  and/or alphanumerical pager  308  to the exhibitor&#39;s maintenance technician. The technician will be informed of the failure and provided information regarding the shipment of replacement parts  312 . Replacement parts  312  for failed components will be automatically shipped to the exhibitor system  108  at block  610 . Again, repair instructions can be included in the e-mail notification to the maintenance technician. 
   2.7 Flexible Failure and Maintenance Management System 
   The exhibitor support center  304  is aware of the status of all exhibitor systems  108  through the monitoring at block  616 . At block  620 , comprehensive global reports regarding system status are generated by schedule or upon demand. In this way, the health of the overall automated theater system  100  is tracked. The comprehensive reports can be used to identify when more frequent scheduled maintenance and/or diagnostics are required at decision block  622 . For example, if a particular projector  168 C component has been identified as causing a number of failures (e.g. switching to redundant component  400 H), the maintenance frequency for the component can be increased for all such projectors  168 C to reduce the occurrence of failures. Consolidating all the maintenance and failure information across all the exhibitor systems  108  will serve to constantly aid in preventing failure and improve the response to their occurrence. 
   3. Communication Architecture 
   The communication system  302  provides communication paths between the exhibitor support center  304  and the exhibitor systems  108 . The communication system  302  also participates in the diagnostic process. The communication system  302  supporting the exhibitor support center  304  can be autonomous or integrated into the communication system of the automated theater system. For example, the back channel  174  which is used to communicate other information related to the operation of the automated theater system  100  can also be used to convey the status information  310  of the exhibitor systems  108 . 
   The communication system  302  operates through network connections provided at each of the exhibitor systems  108  as well as the exhibitor support center  304 . A network connection embodies the communication access point of one entity to another entity, but not necessarily the totality of the physical communication system  302  supporting that access. For example, a network connection can be supported by the Internet, but providing a network connection does not require the operator to provide the entire network infrastructure. A secure network connection can be provided by operating a virtual private network over a distributed unsecured network, such as the Internet. 
   CONCLUSION 
   This invention will provide an automated system to monitor and prevent failure of an exhibitor system in a cost-effective matter and will make large-scale digital cinema deployment possible. 
   This concludes the description including the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.