Patent Application
20060101496
This invention relates to the field of cable and satellite content distribution networks and the interactive digital television bitstreams used therein to supply a user with access to a targeted WEB page.
It is a problem in the field of cable and satellite content distribution networks to provide interactive digital television bitstreams and, more particularly, to supply a consumer with access to a targeted WEB page. In particular, there is a need to link a consumer with a specific source of information, such as a WEB page, when the consumer is receiving a particular content stream (also termed “asset” herein) and needs to access this additional information.
There is presently no mechanism for the consumer to communicate with the business provider of the presently received content in a non-proprietary sense. In existing cable and satellite content distribution networks, it is difficult to provide a general application method to create functions that universally identify the business provider, go to the site maintained by the business provider of the presently received content, and send a message to the business provider to indicate the specific type of content presently being provided by this business provider to the consumer on their consumer device. Therefore, there is no way for the business provider to link the consumer to additional data, since there is no method of determining what additional information is relevant to the presently received content.
The above-described problems are solved and a technical advance achieved by the Targeted Messaging For A Content Distribution Network (termed “targeted messaging system” herein), which provides a mechanism to both identify a business provider of content and uniquely identify the content that is being provided to the consumer on their consumer device. The present targeted messaging system also provides an interactive link for a user interface that implements a common way for the consumer to communicate with the business provider of the content or its designated proxy across a variety of cable operator systems and content providers, regardless of the content: Video on Demand, games, software, audio, and the like.
This is accomplished by using the Video on Demand (VOD) Metadata Asset distribution identifier, which comprises a Provider ID and an Asset ID, to identify a business provider of this content that is transmitted to the consumer device along with the subscriber selected content. This identification is accomplished through the Provider ID, which is a registered domain name given by the business provider. The Asset ID component of the Video on Demand (VOD) Metadata Asset distribution identifier then uniquely identifies the content that is presently being provided by this business provider to the consumer on their consumer device. The Asset ID can also be used to identify a specific default WEB page that is controlled by the content provider or by a proxy associated with that content. If the Set Top Box or consumer device that is receiving the content is part of a two-way communication network or has an IP path and is aware of the unique identifier (Provider ID/Asset ID), this unique identifier can be used for a targeted messaging signal to the asset agent for the business provider of this content. The asset agent can be a cable company that delivers the content or the original business provider of the content.
The targeted messaging system opens a line of communication from the consumer to the asset agent for the business provider of this content and provides a means to identify what content is presently being addressed. In existing content distribution networks, there is presently no mechanism for the consumer to communicate with the asset agent in a non-proprietary sense. The targeted messaging system provides the consumer with a common way to communicate with the asset agent across a variety of cable operator systems and content providers.
System Environment
A Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) is a system of devices that allows cable television operators to offer high-speed Internet access to home computers. The Cable Modem Termination System sends and receives digital cable modem signals on a cable network, receiving signals sent upstream from a subscriber's cable modem, converting the signals to IP packets, and routing the signals on to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for connection to the Internet. The Cable Modem Termination System also sends signals downstream from the Internet to the user's cable modem. Cable modems cannot communicate directly with each other; they must communicate by channeling their signals through the Cable Modem Termination System.
DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) is a standard interface for cable modems, the devices that handle incoming and outgoing data signals between the cable operator and a subscriber's personal or business computer or television set. DOCSIS specifies modulation schemes and the protocol for exchanging the bi-directional signals over cable. In other words, DOCSIS is the protocol used for sending and receiving signals between the subscriber cable modem and the CMTS where the signals are converted to/from DOCSIS from/to IP packets.
In a DOCSIS-based cable data system, data on an individual subscriber's data use is collected by various means and uniquely identified by tagging the data collected with the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the subscriber's modem. The MAC address of the subscriber's modem is the modem's unique hardware number assigned to the cable modem by the manufacturer of the cable modem. When the subscriber is connected to the Internet, a corresponding table is used to correlate the subscribers IP address to the cable modem's MAC address. A data collection engine may be interfaced to the Cable Modem Termination System in the cable operator's network. In a DOCSIS-based cable high-speed data system, data on an individual subscriber's data use is collected by various means and uniquely identified by tagging the data collected with the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the subscriber's cable modem. The MAC address of the subscriber's cable modem is the cable modem's unique hardware number. When the subscriber is connected to the Internet, a corresponding database is used to correlate the subscriber's IP address to the cable modem's physical MAC address. The MAC address is used for routing data over the cable network while the IP address is used for routing data over the Internet.
Architecture of the Targeted Messaging System
The targeted messaging system provides a mechanism to both identify a business provider of content and uniquely identify the content that is being provided to the consumer on their consumer device. The content that is sent can be through a traditional MPEG-2 Cable Network or through an IP connection. The present targeted messaging system also provides an interactive link for a user interface that implements a common way for the consumer to communicate with the business provider of the content or its designated proxy across a variety of cable operator systems and content providers. This communication is through any number of application products that design around this targeted message system.
This is accomplished by providing a default interactive link for the User Interface. Most content for Cable Video on Demand (VOD) uses the CableLabs Video On Demand Metadata specifications which provide the unique identifier combination of Provider ID/Asset ID. If this Provider ID/Asset ID Metadata is transmitted to the Set Top Box or consumer device along with the content, then each asset provides sufficient data to enable the consumer device to provide an interactive link through an IP interface that can signal the content provider or cable operator with regard to a specific asset. This common link can be used to develop applications that work across many equipment platforms. There is value for this in targeted advertising, three-party marketing (coupons, merchandise, etc.), reporting, default screens, and interactive applications. The metadata included in this system incorporates simple elements such as the title of a Video on Demand movie as well as more complex elements, including information on how the content is licensed and displayed. Up to now, Cable Video on Demand content owners, server system providers, and set-top box makers have used their own proprietary metadata schemes. Using a common metadata specification helps cable operators cut Video on Demand operating costs and makes it easier for them to manage available bandwidth. Content providers could reduce production costs, and for set-top box makers it would be easier to integrate metadata with channel navigation software and electronic programming guides.
For this type of signaling, it is sufficient to use an interactive link connected to an IP distribution connection, which interactive link can be shared by many assets. Through the CableLabs Video on Demand Metadata specs, there is always a default link attached to every asset. An IP interactive link can be developed around this default link and the IP interactive link can behave differently according to the specific asset that is being used. This approach can make use of IP distribution or through Video on Demand return channel.
This is accomplished by using the Video on Demand Metadata Asset distribution identifier, which comprises a provider ID and an asset ID, to identify a business provider of this content. This identification is accomplished through the provider ID, which is a registered domain name given by the business provider. The asset ID component of the Video on Demand Metadata Asset distribution identifier then uniquely identifies the content that is presently being provided by this business provider to the consumer on their consumer device. The asset ID can also be used to identify a specific default WEB page that is controlled by the content provider or by a proxy associated with that content. If the Set Top Box or consumer device that is receiving the content is part of a two-way communication network or has an IP path and is aware of the unique identifier (provider ID/asset ID), this unique identifier can be used for a targeted messaging signal to the asset agent for the business provider of this content. The asset agent can be a cable company that delivers the content or the original business provider of the content.
The targeted messaging system opens a line of communication from the consumer to the asset agent for the business provider of this content and provides a means to identify what content is presently being addressed. In existing content distribution networks, there is presently no mechanism for the consumer to communicate with the asset agent in a non-proprietary sense. The targeted messaging system provides the consumer with a common way to communicate with the asset agent across a variety of cable operator systems and content providers. This allows for competitive application products to be built and be interoperable on concepts involving this approach.
Operation of the Targeted Messaging System
The targeted messaging system provides a mechanism to both identify a business provider of content and uniquely identify the content that is being provided to the consumer on their consumer device. The present targeted messaging system also provides an interactive link for a user interface that implements a common way for the consumer to communicate with the business provider of the content or its designated proxy across a variety of cable operator systems and content providers.
