Method and apparatus for preventing disruptions in set-top terminal function due to the download of updated programming or data to the set-top terminal
US7640571B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 29, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/8166
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and device prevent a set-top terminal from accepting a download of new programming or data over a cable network when the download would be redundant of information already possessed by the set-top terminal or would cause an inconvenience to subscribers. When the set-top terminal is signaled that a new download is being offered, the set-top terminal checks to see if the download in fact contains a newer version of data or programming than is currently resident in the set-top terminal. The set-top terminal also checks whether criteria for accepting a download are met. The criteria are conditions that tend to indicate that an interruption of service to accept a download would not inconvenience the subscriber at that time. When the criteria are met, the download is accepted. Otherwise, the download is not accepted or is not accepted until the criteria are satisfied. Similar criteria govern the termination of the older, executing programming and the execution of the newer, downloaded programming to, again, prevent unwarranted disruptions in service.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.