US5797010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple run-time execution environment support in a set-top processor
Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
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Filing: 1995-12-22
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Granted: 1998-08-18
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Expires: 2015-12-22
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a novel system and method for supporting the execution of applications of a full service network whereby each application is designed and compiled to execute in a particular execution environment. As the user/subscriber makes a request for a service, the head end accepts the request as one for the downloading of the application associated with the service. The head end downloads the execution environment associated with the particular application. The execution environment is stored in memory at the requesting set-top processor. The application is also downloaded from the head end server to the requesting set-top processor and stored at the set-top processor. The set-top then executes the environment and the application in turn.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph W. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/443; G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/445; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2801; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
In a network providing data-services to subscribers, said network including a head-end having servers for receiving requests for data-services from subscribers, and said network including memory for storing data-services, for storing applications related to data-services and for storing execution-environments that are designed and compiled to enable execution of applications, said head-end being coupled to a plurality of set-tops that are resident at subscriber locations, a method for supporting execution of applications by processors that are within said set-tops, comprising the steps of: sending a request for data-service from a given set-top to said head-end; accepting said data-service request at said head-end; downloading from said head-end to said given set-top execution-environments designed and compiled to enable processor-execution of applications; accepting and storing said downloaded execution-environment at said given set-top; downloading from said head-end to said given set-top applications; accepting and storing said downloaded applications at said given set-top; and utilizing a processor within said given set-top to execute said stored applications by the use of said stored execution-environment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
In a network providing data-services to subscribers, said network including a head-end having servers for receiving requests for data-services from subscribers, and said network including memory for storing data-services, for storing applications related to data-services and for storing execution-environments that are designed and compiled to enable execution of applications, said head-end being coupled to a plurality of set-tops that are resident at subscriber locations, a method for supporting execution of applications by processors that are within said set-tops, comprising the steps of: sending a request for data-service from a given set-top to said head-end; accepting said data-service request at said head-end; downloading from said head-end to said given set-top execution-environments designed and compiled to enable processor-execution of applications; accepting and storing said downloaded execution-environment at said given set-top; downloading from said head-end to said given set-top applications; accepting and storing said downloaded applications at said given set-top; and utilizing a processor within said given set-top to execute said stored applications by the use of said stored execution-environment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of downloading said execution-environment further comprises downloading said execution-environment at the same time that a subscriber associated with said given set-top processor is receiving service from said head-end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said service is analog television programming.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said service is a digital service.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said step of downloading said execution-environment is accomplished by tuning a plurality of channels of said given set-top processor, wherein one channel receives said service and another channel receives said execution-environment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as recited in claim 5 wherein said step of downloading said execution-environment is accomplished by tuning said given set-top processor to a physical channel, said physical channel comprising a virtual channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said physical channel is an analog television channel and said virtual channel is a vertical blanking interval of said analog television channel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-17 | 2002-02-16 | 2002-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-17 | 2006-02-16 | 2006-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-17 | 2010-02-16 | 2010-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |