Abstract:
Near real time downloading and verifying of a subscriber&#39;s remote record request is provided to control a DVR using the existing satellite network. The insertion of the programming request into the continuous broadcast stream enables near real time processing of the request by a subscriber IRD to accommodate same day and even last minute remote programming requests. The use of a back channel to verify the request provides the subscriber with assurance that the request has been processed successfully and flexibility to change services on the fly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to satellite broadcast television, and more specifically to a near real time system and method for downloading and verifying a subscriber&#39;s remote record request via the satellite broadcast network to control a recording device such as a DVR or VCR.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Satellite television programming has become widely available and has become a popular alternative to analog broadcast and cable services. Service providers such as DIRECTV® and EchoStar Communications Corp. (Dish Network™) provide a wide variety of programming. The basic architecture for a satellite television network  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0005]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a DIRECTV® Access system  10  includes four primary components; a satellite broadcast center (SBC)  12  that manages subscriber services and billing and stores and uplinks programming content and authorization data, one or more satellites  14  that broadcast the uplinked programming on a number of transponders, subscriber sites  16  that download and play selected programming and a back channel  18  such as the public switched telephone network for communicating billing information to the SBC through a “callback” function.  
         [0006]     Satellite broadcast center  12  includes a video server  20  that receives video and associated audio services from a program provider(s) and converts them into separate audio and video packets that are stored in the server. These packets are of a fixed length and each has an identifier header which labels the type of packet, audio, video, CA, program guide, etc . . . .  
         [0007]     A conditional access management center (CAMC)  24  receives (a) subscription information such as subscribed services, rating limits, and credit and billing limits from a subscriber service center  26 , (b) subscriber programming selections during the “anniversary callback” or other special callbacks to report billing information and (c) current billing information including payment status, limits, etc. from a network billing center  28  and (a) sends new billing charges to billing center  28  and (b) generates Conditional Access (CA) packets  30  including audio/video encryption information, valid customer services, changed subscribed services, rating limits, credit limits etc. The CA packets  26  are assigned to a specific subscriber CAM, sometimes referred to as an Access Card.  
         [0008]     A bridge router  32  is used to form multi-purpose transport (MPT) packets  34 . These generic packets can be used for a variety of purposes, most typically to download software upgrades to the subscriber IRD. The packet includes a payload, e.g. the software upgrade, and a header that specifies the nature of the payload.  
         [0009]     An uplink system  36  inserts a CA packet  30 , an audio/video packet  22  or an MPT packet  34  into a transport packet that is inserted with other transport packets into an RF broadcast stream. The transport packet includes a payload, e.g. the A/V, CA or MPT packet, and a header that specifies the type of packet in the payload. A high power amplifier upconverts the RF signal to a higher frequency and power level, which is broadcast to the satellite via transmitter  38 .  
         [0010]     Subscriber site  16  includes a dish  40  where a low noise block downconverter amplifies the satellite signal and converts it to a lower frequency. This signal is then sent from the dish to the subscribers integrated receiver decoder (IRD)  42  where the individual transport packets are extracted from the RF signal. The IRD then routes the video and audio packets  22  to the audio and video decoders, the MPT packets  36  to the appropriate devices, and the CA packet  30  to a conditional access module (CAM)  44 . The CAM determines if the subscriber is authorized to watch the program, and if they are, sends an authorization to decode the audio and video packets and direct them to a television  46  for viewing and/or a recording device  48  such as a VCR or digital video recorder (DVR) that provides many other features and services such as Tivo® or ReplayTV®.  
         [0011]     The wide variety of programming available through digital satellite and cable services renders it likely that programs will be shown at times that are not convenient for a viewer. This, in turn, results in the desirability of recording such programs for later viewing at a more convenient time. Advanced models of satellite and cable receivers/decoders allow a subscriber to program the receiver to record a program for later viewing. The subscriber selects the program to be recorded from an on-screen program guide using a standard TV remote and the receiver sends IR or serial commands to the VCR or DVR to execute the recordings at the proper time. A subscriber may also connect from their home computer via the internet to a service center such as DIRECTV.com to access the program guide and select programming, review current billing information or even pay on-line.  
         [0012]     If the subscriber purchases any pay per view events, this information is then stored on the CAM, and at predetermined intervals, the CAM will initiate a callback to the Conditional Access Management Center via the phone lines  18 , where all of the subscriber&#39;s purchase information is transmitted. This purchase information is then sent to the Billing Center  28  where it gets processed for billing to the subscriber.  
         [0013]     Television related products and services are available that greatly enhance the flexibility and capability of a standard video tape recorder (VTR) or DVR in conjunction with off air, cable or satellite broadcast programming. Tivo, Inc. offers features such as Season Pass™, Wish List™ and Smart Recording™ that record every episode of a selected program even if scheduling changes, find and record programming based on preferences and suggest programming based on viewing habits. Sonic Blue offers ReplayTV® with features such as Commercial Advance™ that seamlessly removes all commercials from programming and MyReplayTV™ which allows a user, whether you are at work or on vacation, if you can get online, you can setup recordings, view your personal Channel Guide or Find Shows. The record requests are downloaded once daily during the nightly “call back” that is made for billing purposes via a public phone line.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     The present invention provides a near real time system and method for downloading and verifying a subscriber&#39;s remote record request to control a recording device such as a VCR, DVR or VTR using the existing satellite network.  
         [0015]     To accomplish this, a subscriber logs into the satellite service provider&#39;s system and accesses an interactive program guide via the internet, WAP enabled cell phone, wireless personal digital assistant (PDA) or some other means. The subscriber selects a program to record and submits a remote record request that includes a program code and a subscriber ID. The programming request is sent to a satellite broadcast center for validation and insertion into a packet that is submitted to the center&#39;s uplink stream and then broadcast at near real time via satellite. This packet is addressed to target only the subscriber&#39;s integrated receiver decoder (IRD).  
         [0016]     The subscriber&#39;s IRD receives the packet, extracts the programming information, determines whether the request is addressed to that IRD, performs a validation test to check for programming overlap, passwords and rating limitations. If all tests are passed, the program code is tagged for recording. At the selected time, the IRD tunes to the channel specified by the program code and the DVR records the event. In many systems the IRD is integrated as part of the DVR.  
         [0017]     The IRD then sends a verification response to the subscriber via a back channel. The packet contains a setting that allows the IRD to call out through a phone line, DSL or cable modem via the IRD&#39;s modem or other communication port, e.g. USB or Firewire®, to a subscriber utility or web site. The verification response confirms that the request has been successfully received or informs the subscriber that the request was denied or failed. In the latter case, the subscriber may be provided the opportunity to resolve a programming conflict, sign up for the requested service, increase a billing limit or change a rating limitation.  
         [0018]     The insertion of the programming request into the continuous broadcast stream enables near real time processing of the request to accommodate same day and even last minute remote programming requests. The use of a back channel to verify the request provides the subscriber with assurance that the request has been processed successfully and flexibility to change services on the fly.  
         [0019]     These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]      FIG. 1 , as described above, is a block diagram of a satellite broadcasting system;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of satellite broadcasting system for downloading and verifying a remote record request in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  flowchart the steps for issuing, verifying and executing a remote record request;  
         [0023]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   e  are schematic views of a PDA screen displaying remote record request and verification messages;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of a transport packet carrying an MPT packet with a remote record request; and  
         [0025]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are diagrams illustrating IRD validation of a request and control of the DVR. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     The present invention provides a near real time system and method for downloading a subscriber&#39;s remote record request to control a recording device and for sending a verification response to the subscriber using the existing satellite network.  
         [0027]     Although the existing satellite network  10  shown in  FIG. 1  lacks the capability to download and verify remote record requests, the capability can be provided in a satellite network  50  as shown in  FIG. 2 , in which like numbers are used for existing network components, with minimal modifications to the software and communication links.  
         [0028]     A subscriber is provided with a personal communication device  52  such as a PDA, WAP enabled phone, palm phone, wired or wireless laptop computer. The subscriber logs into the satellite service provider&#39;s system and accesses an interactive program guide  54  via the internet, wireless network or some other means  56  to review and then select a program such as provided by DIRECTV.com. The subscriber issues a remote record request  57  that includes a program code and, generically, a subscriber ID, which can be the subscriber&#39;s account or other identifying number or a manufacturer&#39;s number for the subscriber&#39;s IRD or CAM.  
         [0029]     The satellite broadcast center  12  is provided with a secure I/O port  58 . The port serves as a “firewall” to ensure system integrity and enable communications between a remote subscriber and the satellite network via the internet, wireless network or some other means  56 . For example, the port may be a website address to which all remote record requests are directed. A validation switch  60  is provided either in the port or, as shown here, between the port and bridge router  32 . When presented with a remote record request, the validation switch  60  queries the billing center  28  or, alternately, the CAMC  24  to validate the request (service package, subscriber ID, billing limits, rating limits). If valid, the request is directed to the bridge router  32 , which inserts the request information (program code, subscriber ID, override information) into an MPT packet  34 . The MPT packet is forwarded to uplink system  36  where it is inserted into a transport packet and uplinked to satellite  14  for transmission in a broadcast stream  61 .  
         [0030]     At subscriber site  16 , currently existing IRDs  42  although capable are not configured to execute a remote record request. Consequently, when a subscriber first signs up for the remote record request service, a software download (MPT packet) is sent to the subscriber&#39;s IRD to enable downloading, executing and verifying a remote record request. Next generation IRDs will most likely be configured to support this feature without such a patch.  
         [0031]     Upon receipt of a transport packet carrying an MPT packet  34  with a remote record request, the properly configured IRD  42  determines that it is an MPT packet, decodes the packet and compares the subscriber ID information in the packet to similar ID information (manufacturer ID or subscriber ID) resident in the IRD to determine whether the remote record request is directed to that subscriber site. If not, the IRD ignores the request. If so, the IRD validates the request (no conflicts, enough memory, etc.) and tags the program code for recording, which in turn programs the recording device  48  to record the event. The IRD sends a verification response that the request was received and either executed or rejected and, if so, why via backchannel  18  to the CAMC  24 , which forwards the response to the subscriber via the internet, wireless network or some other means  56 . Alternately, the verification response can be sent via a different backchannel such as an ISP or, perhaps, directly to the subscriber, such as an e-mail, bypassing the SBC altogether.  
         [0032]     The specific sequence of steps involved in initiating, delivering, validating and verifying a remote record request are illustrated by way of a specific illustrative example in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  with reference to  FIGS. 4 through 6 . In this example, the subscriber has left home and forgot to set the DVR to record the Wimbledon® tennis finals as he had promised his wife and daughter. Our subscriber is standing on the 4 th  tee of his favorite golf course when he realizes he forgot to set the DVR and the match starts in only 30 minutes. Unbeknownst to our subscriber, Wimbledon® tennis is now carried on a pay-per-view tennis channel outside his standard subscription, his older son has already programmed the DVR to record a conflicting program and the DVR hard disk is almost full.  
         [0033]     To initiate a remote record request, our subscriber removes his wireless PDA  52  from his golf bag and logs into the service provider&#39;s system (step  70 ). As shown in  FIG. 4   a , the subscriber uses a stylus  72  to select the “TV Program Guide” icon  74  on the display screen  76  of his wireless PDA  52 . The system verifies the subscriber or PDA ID as valid and as having an active service program that supports remote record requests. If the subscriber&#39;s current package does not support remote requests, the subscriber is prompted to add that service and continue. Assuming proper validation, the subscriber is provided access to account information and an additional link is opened up to allow the subscriber to review an interactive program guide (step  78 ). Alternately, the program guide could be downloaded off-line and then accessed at a later time. In this case, the request capability is either validated when the guide is downloaded or at the SBC when the request is made.  
         [0034]     The subscriber works his way through the screens of the program guide to the Wimbledon® tennis program as shown in  FIG. 4   b , selects the program, selects record program once or all occurrences, and hits send (step  80 ). Feeling relieved, the subscriber turns his wireless PDA to vibrate, sticks it in his pocket and proceeds down the fairway.  
         [0035]     Meanwhile, the remote record request is directed via the internet, wireless network or some other means  56  to the secure I/O port  58  in satellite broadcast center  12  (step  82 ). SBC  12  receives the remote record request  57  (step  84 ). Validation switch  60  confirms that our subscriber is in fact a subscriber, confirms that the selected tennis program does not exceed any rating limits but rejects the request because the “tennis package” is not part of the subscriber&#39;s current package and the Wimbledon® Finals have a premium charge of $34.95, which is above the one-time billing limit. The broadcast center formulates a verification response that (a) rejects the request, (b) indicates why the request was rejected, e.g. outside package and exceeds billing limit and (c) prompts the subscriber to sign up for the required package and increase the billing limit (step  86 ). This response is relayed back to the subscriber in near real-time over the same or different wireless connection to the subscriber&#39;s wireless PDA causing it to vibrate in the middle of the subscriber&#39;s backswing.  
         [0036]     Showing great composure, the subscriber stops his swing, answers the PDA, presses the blinking message icon and is presented with the rejection message as shown in  FIG. 4   c . The subscriber quickly checks the boxes to purchase the tennis package and to override the billing limit and hits send (step  88 ). The billing center records the new package subscription and spending override and validates the request (step  90 ). The new package and billing limit info is sent out to the subscriber IRD immediately in an MPT packet to update the settings in the subscriber&#39;s CAM.  
         [0037]     Once validated, the programming request (program code), any override information and the subscriber ID (CAM ID, IRD ID or subscriber ID) are directed to bridge router  32 , which creates an MPT packet  34  (step  92 ) with a unique packet ID number for each recording request. The uplink system  36  inserts the MPT packet into a transport packet  94  as shown in  FIG. 5 , which, in turn, is inserted into the broadcast chain along with the audio, video and CA transport packets for delivery to the subscriber sites (step  96 ). The transport packet includes a payload  98 , e.g. the MPT packet  34 , and a header  100  that specifies the payload is an MPT packet including a subscriber ID  99  and a program code  101 . Since it is not possible to know what transponder the subscriber&#39;s IRD is currently tuned, the transport packet is broadcast out on all transponders in the satellite to ensure delivery (step  102 ). This is necessary to prevent any service or recording interruptions in case the subscriber IRD is already in the process of recording an event. The remote record request can be cycled into the broadcast several times in a given duration to help assure receipt in case of signal interruption, such as rain fade. Since the MPT packet has a unique ID, and the IRD validates the MPT packet, the IRD will ignore all subsequent MPT packets with the same ID.  
         [0038]     Upon receipt of a transport packet carrying an MPT packet  34  with a remote record request, the IRD  42  determines that it is an MPT packet, decodes the packet and compares the subscriber ID in the packet to similar ID information resident in the IRD to determine whether the remote record request is directed to that subscriber site (step  103 ). Once the IRD confirms that the requesting subscriber and the subscriber IRD match, the IRD validates the programming request (step  104 ). In no particular order, the IRD validates the program code, revalidates that the requested program is included in the subscriber&#39;s package (optional), revalidates that the request does not exceed the billing limit (optional), validates that the request does not conflict with a pre-existing request and validates that the DVR has enough memory to store the programming (step  106 ).  
         [0039]     In our example, the program number 123456 is a valid number, the premium fee of $39.95 is less than the newly updated one-time billing limit of $50 and tennis package (code  49 ) is included in the newly updated service package. However, the request to record from 1-4 pm on Sunday unfortunately conflicts with a pre-existing request to record from 3-5 pm on Sunday and the DVR is running out of memory, only 300 Mb left and 1 Gb required for the recording as illustrated in  FIG. 6   a . Depending upon the override status of the current request, the IRD will either override the earlier request and delete old or low priority programming from memory to process the current request or will send a “request unsuccessful” message back to the subscriber, suitably via the satellite broadcast center, asking him to make an override decision (step  108 ). In his hurry our subscriber had not checked the override box, so a message is sent in near real-time to the subscriber&#39;s wireless PDA causing it to vibrate once again. While waiting his turn to putt, our subscriber answers the PDA, clicks the message icon, reads the message indicating a “programming conflict” and “low memory”, quickly clicks “override” and sends the message as shown in  FIG. 4   d  (step  110 ).  
         [0040]     The override message is directed to the I/O port  58 , validated, formatted into an MPT packet  34 , inserted into a transport packet and uplinked into the broadcast stream (step  112 ). The IRD downloads the transport packet, decodes the MPT packet, validates the subscriber, processes the override request by deleting the earlier request and deleting the oldest or lowest priority programming currently saved on the DVR and programs the DVR to record the Wimbledon® tennis program (step  114 ). As shown in  FIG. 6   b , the necessary overrides have been set. The IRD then issues a “request valid &amp; executed” message, which is routed to the subscriber (step  116 ). Now on the 5 th  tee, the subscriber answers his PDA, clicks the message icon and is relieved to see verification, as shown in  FIG. 4   e , that the Wimbledon® tennis match is being recorded on time as promised (step  118 ). The verification may also provide other account information such as current billing, other record requests, memory left, executed overrides, etc.  
         [0041]     As this example illustrates, the capability to provide near real-time response and verification of the request are critical elements in any commercially successful remote programming service. Almost by definition, the remote record request will be used when a subscriber forgets to program the DVR or is running late. Near real-time service and ability to interact via verification messages is a must in these circumstances. By using commercially available wired or wireless internet and by inserting the request in standard packets in the satellite broadcast stream, the initiation, delivery, validation and verification of a remote record request can be done in near real-time. Furthermore, by validating at the program guide, billing center and subscriber IRD, the subscriber can be provided with timely and informative messages that allow him or her to expand their subscription package, override rating or spending limits, override conflicting programming and override space limitations on the DVR on the fly and in near real-time.  
         [0042]     While several illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.