This invention relates in general to broadband communications systems, and more particularly, to the field of cable-ready televisions acting as a host device for a conditional access (CA) module.
Broadband communications systems, such as satellite and cable television systems, are now capable of providing many services in addition to broadcast video. In implementing enhanced programming, the set-top terminal (STT), also known as the set-top box, has become an important computing device for accessing various audio/video services. In addition to supporting traditional broadcast audio/video functionality, many STTs now also provide other functionality, such as, for example, an interactive program guide (IPG), video-on-demand (VOD), digital video recording, and functionality traditionally associated with a conventional computer, such as e-mail. Additionally, services, such as digital program insertion (DPI), may insert targeted marketing advertisements and other information during broadcasted program breaks. When displaying a television program, a digital STT receives video and audio packet identifiers (PIDs) that correspond with a program defined through a program map table (PMT). Additionally, PIDs are provided that are associated with program insertion either through the program map table or through some other means. Depending upon the actual geographical location of the STT in the system, for example, the STT selects which PIDs, if any, to display to “insert” a targeted commercial into a broadcast program during a commercial break. Digital, or cable-ready, televisions are also now capable of receiving programs directly from the service provider in the communications system. In this case, the television may not require a STT. The digital cable-ready television connects to the communications system via a coaxial cable and is capable of viewing programs that are transmitted in the clear (i.e., not encrypted). However, a conditional access (CA) module, or CableCARD™, is required if the digital signals are encrypted. Accordingly, a CA module is inserted into a socket built into a digital cable-ready television set (i.e., a host device), and the module then decrypts the signals for the host device.
Unfortunately, a host device is unable to implement the digital insertion feature since it typically just governs the program stream as it is received. In other words, the host device is a “watch television” device that does not manipulate the broadcast stream thereby allowing any the insertion or overlay of any other digital programs. Therefore, there exists a need for systems and methods for addressing this problem associated with the CA modules to continue to allow service providers the opportunity to selectively advertise to host devices as well as STTs. Specifically, there exists a need for systems and methods that allow a host device including a CA module to have access to programming and content that could be digitally inserted into the broadcast program stream.
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Preferred embodiments of the invention can be understood in the context of a broadband communications system and a local network. Note, however, that the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. For example, transmitted broadband signals include at least one of video/audio, telephony, data, or Internet Protocol (IP) signals, to name but a few. Furthermore, devices included in the broadband communications system receiving the transmitted broadband signals may include an analog or a digital set-top terminal, a television, a television including a conditional access (CA) module, a consumer electronics device such as a DVD player/recorder, a computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or other device. All examples given herein, therefore, are intended to be non-limiting and are provided in order to help clarify the description of the invention.
The present invention is directed towards a conditional access (CA) module that is capable of decrypting at least one encrypted program stream. In other words, the CA module may be capable of decrypting multiple encrypted program streams, where one stream may be a broadcasted program and another stream may be a program for picture-in-picture or a program that is intended to be inserted into the broadcasted program, for example. It will be appreciated, however, that the multiple decryption capability is not necessary to implement the present invention. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the CA module receives PIDs associated with a broadcasted program, and when a splice request is received, the CA module swaps or inserts PIDs associated with an inserted program. In a further embodiment, a program map table may be replaced when the splice request is received. A further embodiment is directed towards storing a PMT or an insert program in memory within the CA module for insertion. Further detail concerning the hardware and software that allows the CA module the ability to insert digital programs is given hereinbelow.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the invention are merely possible examples, among others, of the implementations, setting forth a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the disclosure and invention and protected by the following claims. In addition, the scope of the invention includes embodying the functionality of the preferred embodiments of the invention in logic embodied in hardware and/or software-configured mediums.
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