JPH06506334A - Device that generates and collects viewing statistics - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Device that generates and collects viewing statistics (Technical field) The present invention provides a method for viewing from multiple remote terminals in a cable television system. Relating to methods and apparatus for generating and collecting hearing statistics, particularly for generating and collecting listening statistics; Remote terminals can be remotely programmed to monitor and record at specific times, and can be aggregated and processed. how to send this data back to the system manager in a timely manner so that it can be Regarding equipment.

(Background technology) The deployment of cable television systems is desirable to provide a two-way flow of information. It has reached the stage where it is actually required by the realization of new services, rather than new permissions. . For example, a subscriber impulsively selects an event to view and accepts the charge. Telephone communication channels or radio frequencies in the configuration of pay-per-view services. At least one data channel, such as in the upstream (reverse) direction from the cable television headend to the cable television headend. Required for reporting service usage data. Other uses for return routes include Power meter reading, alarm services, subscriber polling and voting (votes), collecting subscriber viewing statistics, and home shopping. Each case The cable television system operator does not perform two-way transmission. However, manufacturers of cable television equipment It has an inclination to prepare for direct transmission. In practice, all such manufacturers A frequency spectrum for upstream transmission that includes at least a band of 5 to 30 MHz. A so-called split or two-way system is provided. A band of problems like this The area is cable television channel T7 (5.75~11.75MH) z), T8 (11,75~17.75MHz), T9 (17,75~23 ．． 75 MHz) and TIO (23,75-29.75 MHz). each one These return path channels with television signal bandwidth are e.g. Used for conferences. So-called "sub-split", "mid-split" Either a ``high split'' or ``high split'' system is used by the headend operator. all three of these in a split transmission system. type typically handles upstream transmission in the 5-30 MHz transmission band of interest. include.

Although the concept of impulse pay per view (IPPV) is well understood in the art, it is not completely For completeness, I will briefly describe it. This is essentially pay (cable) television. A sales method in which subscribers purchase specific program events individually. Further more In addition, the purchase is made by interacting with a set top terminal (STT) in the subscriber's home. Contracts are made more exclusively on an "impulse" basis. The event to be purchased is Purchasing an event where the system is "in progress" is not a requirement It is a requirement to support This purchase allows subscribers to watch the event instantly to avoid significant delays in what can be done (i.e., instant gratification). must be processed.

There are several technologies to achieve the above sales method, but all technologies share the same requirements. has. Certain parts of the system allow for the purchase and subsequent viewing of events. A decision must be made whether to If you allow it, sell the program. Purchase of a specific event so that the vendor effectively receives the proceeds from the transaction. Inputs are recorded and used as a “billing system.” It must be communicated to those who are typically known.

In order to notify of purchased events, so-called "store and forward" A store and forward technique is used. Store A Under the forward-end method, set-top terminals are If it is possible to purchase the event in advance, it is considered that the purchase of the event is permitted.

A payment in which a subscriber takes the necessary steps to purchase an event (typically set top (by unscrambling the video signal in the channel) The tap terminal allows viewing of the event and records information or data regarding the purchase of the event. Record. The records represent revenue to the program vendor and are therefore typically Stored in confidential non-volatile memory.

In order to materialize revenue, Pengu's billing system clearly Purchase record data stored on set-top terminals must be collected in a timely manner. No. To do this, the system's control computer (hereinafter referred to as the system control computer) The set top terminal (referred to as a program manager) is an IPP vRequest periodically to return purchase data. The system manager sets When data is received from the top terminal, it is typically necessary to confirm receipt to this terminal. (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,078), this data is relative to other purchase data. Cleared from memory to make room. The system manager then data to the billing system, completing the IPPV purchase cycle.

Closely related to this "ITr dynamic viewing and viewing payment" concept is the remote subscriber terminal This is a requirement for collecting viewing statistics from. These viewing statistics are: may include. i.e. the channels viewed on the subscriber's television set. , whether the television set is on or off, This includes the volume level of your computer, the brightness level of your television set, etc. Furthermore, television It is useful to determine the number, age or gender of the audience for the program. Will. - For example, the number of television programs that are being offered to subscribers. To determine success, cable television system operators must So, which television channels are being watched at each remote terminal location? It is highly desirable to inquire. Once this viewing information is collected, the cable ・Operators can plan future programs based on actual viewing habits and subscriber customer preferences. planning can be better planned. Also, potential cable television advertisers are more aware of the markets in which they broadcast their commercial messages. Able to exercise good judgment. The above list of types of viewing statistics are for remote terminals. Other types of information about subscriber usage habits can be collected as well. Therefore, it is of course not included.

Additionally, cable television companies have recently been ordered by regulatory agencies to Providing emergency and/or “essential” services or incorporating government measures; There is a need to request the provision of certain programs such as: influenced It is necessary to determine the success of such requirements by measuring individual viewing habits. Coexist.

Some of the ways to collect viewership statistics in cable television systems technology exists. However, all of these technologies have significant limitations in their implementation. has. A common limitation with all these technologies is that each remote set top end Quickly transmits requested viewing statistics from the terminal to the system manager at the headend. It lacks the ability to deliver quickly and effectively.

One technique for collecting such viewing statistics is to tell each subscriber which videos to watch at a particular time. It consists of manually asking if you want to watch the revision channel. . This may be done by telephone, mail, or in person. Obvious shortcomings of this method The problem is that viewing information cannot be collected in a timely manner, and the previously viewed channels The reliability of the subscriber's memory in recalling may be limited.

Another method used to collect viewing statistics is the system manager at the headend. These viewing statistics are generated at each remote terminal in response to instructions from the manager. including Viewing statistics are typically stored in storage at each remote terminal. , which is then transmitted to the system manager via a pre-dialed telephone call. this method is an improved system for timely and reliable transmission of channel viewing information. However, this technique has several disadvantages. First, a pre-wired telephone line are used for transmission, and therefore these lines are not suitable for normal domestic use during the period of transmission. is unavailable. Second, connect the remote terminal and system manager to the telephone line. special equipment must be provided to connect the system, which increases the expense and maintenance costs of this system. increase. Third, since non-leased lines are used, while the appropriate outgoing connections are made, Substantial time overhead exists, significantly reducing effective data throughput .

As a result, viewing statistics from remote terminals in cable television systems A technical need for methods and apparatus to quickly and effectively generate and collect values. remains.

(Summary of the invention) The present invention relates to remote terminals in bidirectional cable television systems. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for collecting viewing statistics. The present invention mainly includes: Related to programming remote terminals to record channel viewing information in the future and then once this information is recorded, it is passed upstream to the system. Concerning returning remote terminals.

One object of the present invention is to enable collection of viewing statistics for a billing system. No significant changes are required. In addition, the collection of viewing statistics is based on phone line replies. must operate independently of, i.e., in parallel.

In addition, the collection of viewing statistics is based on the heads used for forward or downstream transmission. Must be shareable with end or terminal devices. If you refer to the following, the system You will become familiar with stem equipment and terminology. That is, >79mu-efu-;q -This is the main control combination for cable television systems. . This system manager manages human operators and billing computers. Accepts input commands from both sides. This is on the forward (downstream) cable path. the appropriate control transmitter sent to the set top terminal via the control transmitter. generate a transaction. This is a frequency inverted data receiver and processor (Also referred to as RF-IPPVPP upper sender in this text) and forwards the returned data to the billing computer.

These are the standard R5-23 files from the system manager. 2 Serial data via cable to set top terminal or IPPV module This is a device for converting a modulated RF signal for transmission. From the assignee of this invention In available known cable systems, the control transmitter wireless configurable transmitter (ATX) or headend controller or This may be a combination of a scrambler and a scrambler, or a combination of both. For the purpose of this invention The control transmitter is primarily a pass-through device and is not described for completeness. It will be done.

Bidirectional amplifiers, these mains distribution amplifiers and line extenders are Some parts of the RF spectrum in the flow direction) and RF spectra in the opposite direction Amplify and communicate different parts of the file. This allows "bi-directional" communication over a single coaxial cable make it possible. This "bidirectional" amplifier is also a pass-through device, and for the sake of completeness Explained only for the sake of.

Set-top terminals: These devices connect cable systems and subscribers to It is the interface between their television sets. These devices are Can be placed in close proximity to the associated television set or at an off-premises location. can. For purposes of this invention, the term set top terminal is defined as either point to the remote terminal that was Among other features, set top terminals provide tuning, frequency Provides down conversion and selective descrambling of cable video signals. child They configure and control the services they send, so they Transactions of regional and specified control (i.e., all or individual) transactions sent to that terminal). Furthermore, the set top A terminal with an internal radio frequency reply module or a terminal with an external module. When a purchase event or other data is returned that secure storage on either side of the The interface to the external data return module is provided to store the data. Equipped with a face. Furthermore, the set top terminal or associated module includes a divided reverse path data transmitter according to the present invention. RF-IP Such set top terminals equipped with or associated with PV modules are , referred to herein as RF-5TT, ,STT or simply remote terminal.

RF-I PPV module: RF-IPPV module is a set top end If an internally divided reverse path RF data transmitter is not provided, then This is a module related to the top terminal.

RF-IPPVPP superuser: RF-IPPVPP superuser is mainly used for terminals or The reverse path of the module is the divided RF data receiver to the transmitter. server. This allows up to four (or more) individual backward data - Recover data from the modulated RF multiplied signal in the channel. This then uses the redundant data messages, assembles the data into packets, and converts the packets into standard R3- forwarded to the system manager on the H.232 data link. Each cable/tele At least one processor is required for the vision system headend .

The overall purpose of the present invention is to collect reliable viewing statistics and to provide high data processing. The objective is to have the following: integrity, integrity and confidentiality. Furthermore, the present invention has four special features. intended to meet specific performance objectives. That is, 1. Collection of viewing statistics is based on subscriber maximum amount of content within a predetermined period of time to enable regular monitoring of viewing patterns. Must utilize a data processing method where data is returned from a set top terminal. do not have.

2. The period allotted for the collection of viewing statistics is based on a reliable statistical sample of the viewing population. The time must be sufficient to obtain a sample.

3. The time to collect viewing statistics from each set-top terminal is that a true ``picture'' of the state of the top terminal is received by the system manager. must be precisely defined to ensure

4. The types and formats of viewing statistics that can be generated and collected must be flexible. Must be.

According to the present invention, viewing statistics from a plurality of remote terminals that meet the four above goals are generated. A method and apparatus for collecting and collecting information is provided. Viewing statistics data is collected from remote terminals. The various data that correspond to the types of viewers who watch the TV series data in terms of data format and the state of the remote terminal itself.

Each remote terminal has a recording time storage location, viewing statistics storage location, and recording time, viewing Record the time each statistics information and viewing statistics were generated and other corresponding information. at least one collection slot consisting of a time code storage location for storing Ru. In a preferred embodiment, the television channel being watched is the intended viewing statistics to be collected and hence the storage location of said viewing statistics. will correspond to the storage location of one channel. However, viewing statistics are The storage location is just the volume storage location, the remote terminal on/off indicator storage location, or the remote terminal on/off indicator storage location. is data related to the viewers watching the television set (viewer contour data) Or data related to the state of the television cent itself (the state of the television (status data) and other corresponding indications.

Recording time can be accessed from the system manager by each set top terminal based on specific viewing statistics. The state is stored downstream and sent to each set top terminal corresponding to some future point in time. It consists of information that can be used. Furthermore, this recorded time is stored in a recorded time storage location and recorded. When the recording time is equal to the current real time, it corresponds to the specific viewing statistics format recorded. The state of the remote terminal is stored in the viewing statistics storage location, and the time representing the current time is The time code is stored in the time code storage location. For example, In a preferred embodiment where channels are being stored and collected, Channels are stored in viewing statistics storage locations (in this case called channel storage locations). The time code is stored in a time code storage field where the recorded time is equal to the real time at the time. be stored in place.

In a preferred embodiment, viewing statistics such as channels and time codes are After being stored in the appropriate storage locations on your device, the contents of these storage locations are automatically or sent upstream to the system manager in response to a polling signal. Ru. The system manager first sends a message downstream to each set top terminal. Specify which collection slots are returned with time codes that are returned to the recorded time list. Decide whether This allows the System Manager to determine which collection slots are assigned to each sensor. It is possible to verify whether the set-top terminal Viewing statistics can be compiled for the entire population.

Further, according to the present invention, viewing statistics are generated by the above steps and another step. A method is provided for creating and collecting information. As mentioned earlier, the recording time is the recording time memory field. Once the recorded time equals the actual time at the time, the appropriate viewing statistics The time code to be changed is stored in the channel memory location and time code memory location. be done. However, the system manager collects various downstream slots at once. Unlike the case where all recorded time is transmitted to The controller can transmit recorded time downstream to any collection slot at any time. is allowed. For this reason, the system manager will While programming one acquisition slot to record channels, the system The manager receives another collection transmitted from the same or another set top terminal. Viewing statistics information and time codes for slots can be received.

These and other features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings. It will be easily understood if you read it.

(Brief explanation of the drawing) Figure 1 shows the RF data return packet to the headend containing divided data and 1 nonover. “Two-way” distribution allowing connection of remote set-top terminals including transmitters Complete diagram showing a cable television distribution plant with amplifiers and splitters body block diagram, Figure 2 shows the billing system, system manager, and divided RF data response receipt. server, and set top terminal and its associated RF data return module. a system block diagram showing several components of the system according to FIG. 1, including; FIG. 3 shows a typical example where a particular terminal is shown to include an out-of-band addressing command receiver. A schematic block diagram of a typical set top terminal, FIG. the set of FIG. 3 connected to the terminal via an appropriate bus system or - Schematic block diagram of the RF-IPPV module for the top terminal, FIG. 5 shows the data return sequence from the divided RF data return transmitter according to FIG. timing diagram for Figure 6 shows the RF-IPPVPP upper receiver (receiver) shown in the system diagram of Figure 2. Block Diagram, 7-11 show an assembly of some components of the RF-IPPVPP supersonicator of FIG. 7 shows the prefix module and FIG. 8 shows the frequency synthesizer. Figures 9A to 9C show the RF receiver, and Figure 10 shows the signal strength analyzer. 11 shows the controller assembly, and FIG. 12 shows the RF-IPPV data transmission. The transmission transmission sequencing diagram, Figure 13, shows each collection slot in the cent top terminal. a diagram illustrating the various storage locations associated with the Figure 14 shows the recorded time sent to the remote terminal and the result returned to the system manager. A timing diagram showing the resulting time code, FIG. A tag indicating the program and collection sequence for each pair of storage locations on the top terminal. The timing diagram, FIG. 16, is the content of the event/viewing statistics reply as shown in FIG. 17. The sample sent from the RF-IPPVPP supersedor to the system manager, including A diagram showing the event/viewing statistics reply packet, Figure 17 shows the upstream from the RF-IPPV module located at the set top terminal. Figure 18 is a diagram showing the contents of the event/viewing statistics reply sent to the system. ・Statistics recording time commands sent downstream from the manager to the set top terminal. It is a diagram.

(Example) FIG. 1 illustrates the distribution of cable television signals to subscribers and from subscriber terminals 120 to A typical cable television distribution plant 1 receiving upstream messages of Indicates 00. The CATV plant 100 connects the head end 110 to the CATV terminal 1 20 to multiple subscriber televisions 130. CATV plant 100 has a "tree" shape with branches 148, 150 using splitter 143 connected in a state. Sometimes, at the location of splitter 143, a bridge switch The upstream input of splitter 143 is used to communicate between the headend and the subscriber. Switch to only one branch. One object of the present invention is to Bridge speeds have been used to improve data processing capabilities for remote ends. The goal is to eliminate the requirement for itcha. In the downstream direction, multiple accessions The same signal sent from the headend 110, typically one wideband C Receive ATV signal. Future systems with increased bandwidth such as fiber optic systems In the system, different subscribers can be assigned to a range previously reserved only to the telephone company. It is unlikely that they will receive the different signals intended for them. distribution amplifier 142 also uses cable plugs to boost or repeat the transmitted signal. distributed regularly along the runt 100. From head end 110 to CATV end Transmission to terminal 120 is via main line 141 and branch line 148.147.146.145. and is susceptible to noise generated along drop line 144. But much larger Significant noise intrusion occurs during transmission from the subscriber to the headend 110.

The divided RF data return transmitter 200 is included in the CATV terminal 120. Or related to this, transmitting messages upstream within a CATV plant. allows subscribers to communicate with headend 110. head end 1 10 is at the CATV terminal 120 or any one of a plurality of subscribers or RF data return transmitter 2 in associated modules located in all a multi-frequency RF data receiver 300 that receives messages sent by include. Another person provided with IPPV or other services requesting data return. The customer has a telephone for communication with a telephone processor (not shown) at the head end. A transmitter is provided.

Many CATV plants use two-way transmission, i.e., from the headend to the subscriber or This is a so-called split system with transmission from the subscriber to the headend. Ru. In these CATV plants, amplifier 142 includes reverse path amplification. Provided for "bi-directional" transmission. CAT in conventional CATV plants The two-way transmission in the V-Plant is partially upstream from the subscriber to the headend. by cable television companies because their transmissions are extremely susceptible to interfering noise. It has been avoided. Upstream communication is carried out between the CATV plant and each CATV plant. It is constructed in the form of a "tree" that propagates and amplifies interference noise from a certain point in the upstream direction. Therefore, it is more susceptible to interference noise. This is called the funnel effect. It will be revealed. For example, the interference noise 160 and 161 on lines 144.154 is Interference in splitter 143 connected to drop-in line 144 and branch line 154 Combined with noise 162. As the signal travels towards the headend 110, the noise is one of the branch lines 153.152.151.150 and the entire CATV plant. Combine with noise in the other lines. In the upstream direction, the head end 110 The transmitted data signal is processed by the noise induced in each branch line of the CATV plant. It can be difficult to distinguish between

Interference noise includes impulse noise, common mode distortion, interference and amplifier may include nonlinearities. The lightning bolt 10, the power line 12 every other radio broadcast 11, and the interference noise This is an example of a source. The CATV plant has noise somewhere in the CATV plant. This includes old, defective grounding and stuck cable jackets that introduce obtain. The splitter 143 that has deteriorated over time or the non-linear amplifier 142 that has become old (also It may also cause interference noise. Single downstream line (141, 148, 147, 146, 145, 144) while C Interference noise from each branch line of the ATV plant affects upstream transmission. Therefore, as the upstream CATV plant changes over time, the downstream CAT V plants (requires costly maintenance). Upstream transmission was difficult without costly routine maintenance of the ATV plant. “Enabling the transmission of upstream communications in incomplete J CATV plants. Invention allows CATV plants to be much noisier than previously possible Enables "bidirectional" sending of messages in Typical at various frequencies Regarding the amount of noise found in cable television plants, Pending U.S. Patent Application No. 3, filed Aug. 3, 1990, incorporated herein by reference No. 071562.675 r cable Te1evision Radio F This method is described in Requency Return Method J.

FIG. 2 is an overall diagram of the RF-IPPV system according to the present invention. This system is A billing computer that records and maintains records for each system's subscribers. That is, system 305 is included. This record typically includes the subscriber's name, address and telephone number, the type of equipment the subscriber owns, and which paid services the subscriber is allowed to watch. Contains information such as whether there is a service or not. According to the invention, said record is recorded by the subscriber at the remote terminal. related to the identification code you enter before watching certain television programs. Subscriber age, gender, marital status, income level, and Jit's l! Contains information on IN, etc. This information is provided by your cable operator. Or research help to make your television programming more effective for advertisers. This can prove useful in this respect.

Typically, cable operators have billing computers or Either rent the equipment from a vendor that specializes in this type of equipment, or ask the billing vendor Billing featuring computer usage time on machines owned by Computer 305 interfaces to system manager 310. be done. System manager 310 controls the operation of the cable system. . System manager 310 typically provides a program for algorithm storage. HPlooOA400 Micr with program memory.

24 computer or HPlooOA400 Micro14: + computer It is a personal computer such as The system manager System Manager IV or V available from the assignee of the patent application, or Manager V. System manager 310 provides information on the cable system. All addressable set-top terminals and each terminal in the maintains a list of services that are System manager 310 also Defines and maintains parameters selected by the cable operator for the stem do. These parameters are associated with each CATV channel in the system. the frequency, which channels are being scrambled, and the security features of the system. time, and system time. Additionally, system manager 310 Responsible for authorizing and revoking pay-per-view payments for events in the system.

System manager 310 also stores IPPV information. system management If the program resident on the controller is a set top terminal in a cable system Read the 122M transaction uploaded from 122M transaction system until they are retrieved by billing computer 305. stored in the system manager's database. The system manager 310 Sending data requests to set-top terminals in cable systems This controls reverse notification of IPPV purchase information.

As shown in Figure 2, commands generated by the system manager are bidirectional. is sent to the set top terminal. In the first technique, addressing A capable transmitter (ATX) 314 has a dedicated channel (e.g., 104° 2 MHz) (optionally via headend controller 312). - Send commands from the manager 310. In the second technique, the command is in-band. The so-called in-band system included in the video signal through the operation of the scrambler 313 Sent using tem. In-band systems are incorporated into the text for reference. No. 188,481, assigned to the same assignee. ing. Addressing data from the headend to subscriber set-top terminals Other techniques can be used as well to send globally or The invention is not to be constructed as limited in this respect. For example, data under audio, data over audio, spread spectrum, Alternatively, other techniques can be implemented on the same cable, or equivalent group Alternatives can also be implemented on switched or dedicated telephones or power lines. .

A subscriber in a cable system is provided with a set top terminal 315. There is. FIG. 2 shows that two (315a, 315b) are associated with the in-band spectrum and one (315c) shows three set top terminals associated with out-of-band spectrum.

For example, set top terminals 315a and 315b have Sc1enti f 1c Atlanta models 8570 and 8590, set top The terminal 315c is a 5cientific Atlanta model 8580 set. A top terminal is fine. The set top terminal synchronizes to allow the subscriber to connect to the cable system. services requested by the system operator. Ru. Each set top terminal has a unique digital address, such as a digital address. Contains an identifier that allows the cable operator to send commands directly to the side set top. Allows sending to the terminal. These commands are called addressable commands.

Set top terminal also refers to all set tops in a cable system. Global commands can be received to be processed by the terminal. Pay per impulsive view Subscribers who are allowed to purchase the event will receive a set top that includes the impulse module. A device will be issued. In summary, the Impulse module allows subscribers to Receives pay-per-view events on the tap device and records event purchases and related data. storage and allow transmission of the stored data to the cable operator. figure 2, the stored data is switched via the telephone processor 321. by telephone impulse module using public telephone network 317, or by R F-I RFF operation using RFF transmission path 319 via PPV processor 322 The module allows for return to the cable operator. RF data The return path is discussed in more detail below. telephone processor 321 and The RF-IPPVPP supersedor 322 is a suitable The system manager 310 is connected to the system manager 310 through a standard interface.

Billing computer 305 transfers transactions to system manager 3. 10 and this manager determines whether a particular set top terminal in the system is Identify whether to use the F return return route 319 or the telephone return route 317 . System manager 310 then connects set top terminal 315 to Download Kujiyon to enable and configure the Sesoto Top terminal. example For example, the RF motion module may be used for RF transmission and calibration procedures detailed below. must be loaded with the frequency to be used. These frequencies are set at the time of manufacture. module, or a global command from system manager 310. Loaded in a transaction. Alternatively, this frequency is addressable Loaded by command.

The system manager downloads configuration transactions to the set top terminal. another transaction that sets the real time at each set top terminal. You can download the version. Set top as described below The terminal uses an internal real-time clock in the present invention to maintain high accuracy. Using periodic refrenoyu transactions from the system manager be able to.

FIG. 3 depicts a conventional addressable set top terminal known in the art. Outline of the 5cientific At1anta8580 set top terminal A block diagram is shown. According to the principles of one embodiment of the present invention, the set top terminal This is a passing device for sending revision signals to a television receiver. Microp Through the ports of processor 400, microprocessor 400 can All commands received via the capable data receiver 430 are sent to the IPPV connector 4. The associated RF-IPPV data return module map shown in FIG. 4 via 80 The microprocessor 504 is notified. In another embodiment, the module of FIG. The functions of the microprocessor 504 in this example have a larger capacity than the M5JO751. The microprocessor 400 can be incorporated into the microprocessor 400, which is a microprocessor.

Basic building blocks for out-of-band addressable set-top terminals A down converter is used to receive and down convert incoming cable signals. inverter and tuning device 410. Data receiver 430 is a downconverter. 104.2MHz out of the converted band, or down converter 410. and other suitable data carriers. down converter down converter For converted television signal output, descrambler 42 is used as required. Descrambled at 0. Unscrambled channels are subscriber's television, video tape recorder, or other subscriber equipment (as shown). Channel 3 or Channel 4 hair that is input (without input) is converted .

Microprocessor 400 has associated NVM 470 and timing logic. Receives direct inputs such as parent information codes, volume control and channel selection. an infrared or other remote input keyboard 440 for receiving remote control input; It has a seater 450 and a display 460. For example, the display Indicates the tuned channel number or time.

The Model 8580 set-top terminal as previously described is a communication terminal for purposes of the present invention. It is an oversized device. Model 8570.8590 and other sets from other manufacturers Each top terminal typically includes a processor such as a microprocessor 400. controller, which is responsible for exchanging data with all the modules shown in Figure 4. or when the module does not contain a microprocessor to control the elements in Figure 4. must have a port or connector to do so. The NVM 502 in FIG. , non-volatile auxiliary memory that simply supplements the amount of memory provided by the NVM470. Yes, and accessed by microprocessor 400.

Home shopping, energy management, economic reading, burglar alarm, and IPPV In order to provide other services, terminals are installed in various locations in the subscriber's home. Includes appropriate interference for data output to peripheral W (not shown in Figure 3). Must be.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an RF-I PPV module according to the invention. RF- The IPPV module reverses or uploads information from the subscriber location to the headend. A microprocessor-based BPSK protocol used to send data through a flow system. is a transmitter. Microprocessor 504 is a set top terminal microphone. interface with processor 400 to NVM503 (for laser transmission) Receive information to be stored or receive instructions to transmit. During the send cycle, my The Cropro sensor 504 turns on power to the frequency synthesizer circuit and sends the appropriate frequency. Program the wavenumber, turn on the final amplifier, and modulate the predetermined gain level. and send the requested information.

MicroProsensor 504 is the "brain" of the module (described in more detail below). determines when to transmit (based on commands sent from the headend) and schedules the transmission The wave number and power level are determined and set and stored in the NVM 503 for transmission. code the obtained data. To ensure prompt and effective data return, data is It is desirable that the data be formatted in advance when stored in the NVM 503. of sending Upon completion, microprocessor 504 also switches off the RF circuitry, which This reduces the module's noise output and reduces overall power requirements. N.V.M. 503 includes event data (pre-formatted for transmission), storage information, transmit frequency and power level, and module identification information.

The NVM 503 also supports an accompanying television set, as described in further detail below. Specified viewers who watch Cent. The state of the cent itself is memorized.

Phase locked loop 505, low pass filter 506 and voltage controlled oscillator (VCO ) 507 synthesizes the frequencies used for transmission. This frequency is 4MHz is synthesized from the crystal clock 501 of the microprocessor 504, which also controls the microprocessor 504. control This configuration reduces the number of parts required to complete the synthesis while maintaining the same Eliminates problems that can result from using two taroks of different frequencies. remove.

The module's phase-locked loop 505 connects the serial data from the microprocessor 504. data and set its register to the appropriate frequency. Phase synchronization Loop 505 converts the sampled signal from the output of VCO 507 to a 4MHz clock. polarity indicating a “higher” or “lower” generated frequency compared to the signal obtained from the The frequency generated by is higher or lower than the programmed synthesizer frequency Decide whether LPF section 506 performs mathematical integration of this signal and calculates the voltage A DC voltage that controls the output frequency of a controlled oscillator (vcO) 507 is generated. ■C The output of O507 is sent to modulator 508 so that it can also be sampled again. The signal is then sent back to phase-locked loop 505 and the process is repeated during transmission.

Data filter 510 filters similar frequency energy of the digital information being sent. It is a bandpass type filter that prevents the RF carrier from being modulated. The data filter 510 thereby adjusts the modulation energy of the modulated signal within specified limits. functions to include.

Modulator 508 receives filtered data input from microprocessor 504 and and receives the RF carrier from the VCO 507, and transmits the phase of the RF carrier as data signal. The signal is modulated in proportion to the signal. This modulator also uses a resistive D/A network. The resulting DC bias voltage is used to control the overall gain of the modulating signal. D/A net Work is directly controlled by microprocessor 504. About the modulator 508 will be discussed in more detail below with respect to FIG.

RF data return and candy modulation schemes were considered for implementation in the present invention.

i.e. binary frequency shift keying (FSX), binary phase shift keying (BPSK), and direct sequence spread spectrum (BPSK) with BPSK modulation. DSSS). Many schemes consider bandwidth conservation because it is not a critical requirement. It was too complicated and unnecessary.

Of the three, BPSK has the highest resistance to broadband noise (DSSS has the highest resistance to broadband noise). It has the highest resistance to scattered frequency interference (FSX is the easiest to implement).

On the other hand, BPSK and FSK have little resistance to strong common-mode interference. However, DSSS receivers are somewhat complex and have very large bandwidths. Also , the DSSS transmitter eliminates interference from both forward and reverse video signals. Requires very complex filters to block it. Furthermore, the FSK receiver (this (Example) In this situation, the problem of "capture" effect cannot be avoided.

The system according to the invention offers some of the best features of each. This system is , using BPSK signaling for four different frequencies. This attempt is based on the frequency It is called diapersity BPSK (or FDBPSK). in this way, The noise bandwidth of the receiver is very small and the inherent noise rejection characteristics of BPSK are used. and by reasonable selection of frequencies, discrete interference is avoided. However, the above Although BPSK modulation was used for reasons other modulation techniques are available and the present invention should not be limited in this respect. A complete description of BPSK modulation is available for reference Pending U.S. Patent Application No. 07156, filed August 3, 1990, incorporated herein by reference. 2.675 r cable Te1evision Radio Freque Included in ncy Return MethodJ.

A final amplifier 509 directs the resulting signal from modulator 508 to the module. Amplify to the required output power. The gain of this amplifier is at a fixed level and the anti- Signal from bubble control wave ff51.3 controls on/off switching of amplifier 509 do.

The anti-bubble control device 513 is configured so that the microprocessor 504 controls the final amplifier 509. It is a circuit designed to make it possible to control the state of microprocessor In case of failure of sensor 504, after a predetermined period or several consecutive After the signal is sent, the anti-bubble controller 513 disables the final amplifier 509. this If the monoyl is longer than designed, or if the microprocessor is Prevents sending more frequencies than intended in any situation. “Ba Terminals that cause "bulls" or "freedoms" may be allowed to get out of control and may be removed from the system. A terminal that produces noise messages that can tie up the entire system. longest After a long predetermined period of data messages are sent, the anti-bubble cycle is The bubbles are prevented by blocking the data transmitter. antiba The bull control device 513 has been transferred to the same assignee, which is incorporated into the text for reference. No. 4,692,919.

Diplex filter 511 consists of two components: the module transistor 12-19MHz bandpass filter 5 for emitter harmonic energy rejection 15 and high frequencies for CATV signals sent to unobstructed set-top terminals. This is a filter having a pass filter 516.

Design of RF-IPPV modules and related designs for so-called "in-premises" systems The above considerations are particularly unsuitable for the design of so-called "off-premises" systems. This “premises” The system is, for example, 5cientific At1anta8570.858 In-band and out-of-band addressable sets such as 0 and 8590 terminals. Related to top terminals. The “off-premises” environment is the set-top end from the subscriber's premises. The assumption is that the equipment will be removed. Such “off-premises” systems can be used, for example, to and trap techniques. As a result, for example, if not a service line, then at least The store is equipped with cable television terminals and subscriber equipment that is particularly unsuitable for data communications. There is cable separation between the On the other hand, some subscriber equipment IPPV, home shopping and two-way services that cannot be obtained from receiving devices. required for this purpose. As a result, assuming a bus or other end-to-end/module communication path The module in Figure 4, which is This is difficult to implement on cables or drop-in cables. Therefore, the present invention From the design of on-premises terminals to the so-called off-premises arrest and trap system subscriber equipment terminal/module configuration that can be expanded to IPPV module design for It concerns the principle of metering.

The operation of the various components described above in accordance with features of the present invention will now be described.

As mentioned earlier, IPPV event purchase information is sent to system manager 310. To report back, each set top terminal, 5TT315, follows a reverse communication path. Must have (control information from system manager 310 to 5TT 315) (as opposed to the forward path used to send As mentioned earlier, RF-I A PPV system is a cable plan with sub-split channel capability. It is intended for use in These cable systems are T7 , T8, T9 and Tl0 (approximately 0 to 30 MHz) channels in opposite directions, immediately It has a mains amplifier that allows it to propagate towards the head end.

The present invention uses part of the T8 channel to select from the terminal or from the module. to the headend via multiple selectable modulated RF data carrier channels. RF-I PPV as shown in FIG. Provide Mon-1-ru. T7, T9 and T9 for video conferencing or multi-communications The use of the It will not be adversely affected by.

A cable such as a data communication network for retrieving subscriber information from terminal location Reverse channels in Le Plant suffer from two main deficiencies. That is, , the high noise and interference environment of directional communication, and the data There is a lack of an access contention mechanism where data compete for access to the network/work.

Both problems arise from the topology of the system, which is an inverted tree as shown in Figure 1. Ru.

) – From a wafer perspective, the branches of the “tree” can be seen as a large antenna network. Function I, get. Defective coatings and cracks in no-pull systems or loose connectors will prevent RF interference from “invading” into the system as described above. forgive.

Because the mains amplifier is preset to produce an overall gain of 1, there is no in-band interference. interference and noise are reproduced in each amplifier. Furthermore, in the reverse path The interference and noise from the eight branches are additively combined at each trunk intersection.

As a result, all interference and noise picked up throughout the cable system end up is added to the headend, where the RF-rPPV data receiver is placed. has been done. , due to the use of reverse cable TV channels for data communication In order to minimize these problems, the T8 telephony channel bandwidth is Multiple 4 channels range of 23 100KHz data channels Based on the consideration of data processing capacity, the sea urchins are selected. As further described in the text, the present invention utilizes four channels. should not be construed as limited to channels, and should not be construed as limited to You can also The probability of receiving a message is used (additive channel Additional transmitters for additional channels/channels and The cost of providing receivers is difficult to compare.

6MHz reverse video channel with 60 100KHz wide communication channels 23 of which are used in the current configuration. 23 C Four of n are selected based on the frequency location of noise and interference. Trance Both the transmitter and receiver are frequency sensitive. used for reverse communication Frequencies are designed to avoid channels that are noisy or contain significant interference. Can be automatically programmed by stem manager computer .

These frequencies are used as often as necessary to handle time-varying interference. Can be changed.

Each transmitter transmits its data preferably 20 times on each of four frequencies. Successfully transmit at a data rate of bits per second. At the head end (each channel Four RF receivers (each tuned to a channel) are used. This configuration is , creating redundancy for each mensage. At that time, errors due to same channel interference The probability is that each of the four channels uses this channel's transmitter. It is the product of four probabilities that have interference present at times. This results in very high transmission/ You will get the reception success rate.

This is because the sequential transmission method introduces some time inequality as well as frequency inequality. It is noted that the configuration may provide even better performance than that of spread spectrum. In a typical reverse system, four video channels are available.

namely, T7, T8, T9 and TIO. Usually the lowest channel (T 7) is the noisiest and the highest channel (TIO) is the least noisy. .

This suggests that TIO is the best choice. However, the choice of frequency There are other considerations that must be taken into account when Pending U.S. Patent Application No. 071562, filed August 3, 1990, incorporated by reference No. 675 rcable Te1evision Radio Frequenc y Return Method J.

IPPV Media Access Data Return Protocol IPPV Cable System Operation In production, data return message requirements are determined based on several different criteria. - Possibility of “polling” of 5TT4 with IPPV module (RF-3TT) It is generally desirable that the The list below is from a specific group of STTs. It summarizes the most useful cases for requesting data returns. That is, 1. Unconditionally, that is, all RF-5TTs must broadcast 2. One or more All RF-3T3s that store 1 ppv data for two events, All RF-8TT4, individual bases that store IPPV data for events Specific RF-8TT (regardless of event data) Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, even in the first case (of unconditional data requests), all RF-3TT is capable of returning data within a period of 24 hours or less. Very important. This is possible with a population of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of RF-3TTs. with a "throughput" of approximately 25,000 RF-8TT data responses per hour. Become a landmark.

Each narrowband data channel in the reverse direction carries only one message at a time. It is only possible to send. i.e. which in a particular cable system. If two or more RF-8TTs send messages that overlap in time, the transmission interfere, and all data messages involved in a "collision" exhibit a high loss rate. do. Therefore, in the three cases listed above, some type of media access control The control procedure allows multiple RF-8TTs to use one data return channel simultaneously. Required to prevent attempts to

Of course, all cases can be treated as a series of individual data requests (the fourth case Go no yo (). However, this is a typical "repeat" request/response message sequence. throughput goals are not met due to system message delays caused by . Sending one “group data request” to a relatively large group of RF-3TTs Next, this RF-3TT follows the planned procedure, i.e. the “medium access protocol”. It is therefore much more effective to return the data. This protocol allows messages to This should ensure a high success rate for the system, i.e. no collisions.

Unfortunately, local networks that rely on carrier detection mechanisms to help prevent transmission collisions Common media access protocols such as those used in area networks cable is not suitable for use in cable systems. cable system counter The inverted tree topology adds the transmitted signals from different branches and divides these signals into Send it to the head end. each isolated by a mains amplifier or other device. RF-3TTs located in different branches are actively transmitting in another branch. Unable to detect presence of RF-3TT.

Another access protocol, time partitioning, also reduces system message delays. is subject to worst-case variation in This is for each RF-3TT. Forces time slots to be unreasonably long, resulting in inferior throughput becomes.

All of the above items can be achieved at an acceptable height by having calculated tolerances for collisions. This has led to the development of media access protocols that yield high throughput rates. This method is A controlled evenly distributed random RF-3TT data return attempt rate gives Anticipated against conflict (and, conversely, against successful message handling) Use statistical probabilities.

In very simple conditions, this is a manageable size sample of the entire RF-8TT population. Contains a system manager that sends data requests to the group. (this These subgroups are independent of the four polling cases shown above. ) Each subgroup, or simply "group", has a defined period of time during which it will return data. do. Within this period, 3RF-8TT will independently (pseudo) randomly return data. Pick up the programmed number of through times. to a relatively large subgroup used In contrast, return attempts are statistically equally distributed over this period. Furthermore, Since the average attempt rate is predetermined and the average length of returned messages is known, for at least one successful data return message to any RF-3TT. The resulting probability is predictable.

Although the statistical concepts described above are the basis of the data return method, a number of other key elements required to enable. These are summarized below. i.e. 1, maximum An optimal attempt rate that yields good data return throughput is determined.

2. Overall RF-3TT population at each cable system headend are divided into manageable groups of known size. This size and the number of subgroups, along with the data return period, are determined given the optimal attempt rate. can do.

3. Configure how the system manager requests return data from individual groups. A data return plan that provides structure is required.

4.1 set of rules explains how RF-3TTs in a group handle data return requests and and respond to data acknowledgments in the data return sequence.

Description of R1-I PP~r processor Next, in FIG. 6, a block diagram of the RF-T PPV processor of FIGS. 1 and 3 is shown. is shown in more detail. The RF return signal from the cent top terminal is sub-VHF Transmitted on channel T8. The order that the set top sends is 100KH Can be set in the frequency range from 118 to 17.7 MHz with a resolution of 7. and up to 60, preferably 23 different 100KHz bandwidth data channels. channels for selection. Changes from a set top terminal or module The key carrier is 20KBPS mirror (Milier) coded BPS Contains K information. RF times from the entire population of cent top terminals in the system The signals are combined and sent back to the RF-IPPVPP superuser located at the headend. It will be done.

The function of the RF-I PPV processor is to receive the RF return input signal and demodulate the information. and provide the demodulated message to the system manager.

Although only the data return from the set top terminal will be described in detail, the present invention RF-IPPVPP supersonicator is bidirectional amplifier and data transmitter Used for condition monitoring of other elements of cable television distribution plants with can do. In addition, the RF-IPPVPP superuser supports BERT and cable transmitted from other test equipment connected anywhere in the network. can receive signals sent to it.

Referring again to Figure 6, the RF return signal typically has a single carrier level of 12 dBmV. You can pick it up at the bell. This RF-I PPV processor has +2 to +22 dBm It is designed to function over a single carrier level range of V. often one or more carriers are received simultaneously, and the total received power is proportional to +12 dBmV. The RF-I PPV processor simultaneously performs four changes at different frequencies. If the modulated carrier can be received, demodulated and decoded, only non-redundant decoded messages can be sent. connects the R8-232 series interface from the control board of the RF-IPPVPP sent to the system manager via the

The first element to be mentioned about the RF-I PPV processor is the so-called front module. It is 800 joules. The RF return signal from the terminal is routed from the input cable to the front module. module 800 connector, and this module can be a separate assembly. Most desirable. The front module 800 has an input with a nominal 75Ω termination impedance. generates a force signal. This assembly includes a bandpass filter, a preamplifier, and an incoming RF Power splitting network that splits the doubled signal into four RF receiver modules A to D It consists of A bandpass filter ignores the T8 band because it does not remove out-of-band signals. Pass with attenuation and distortion. Preamplifier reduces filter insertion loss and power Compensate for split losses. RF double signal, 4 R from RF connector of front module Sent to F receiver. The pre-module has a gain of approximately 1 dB, so that The signal given to the RF receivers 810 to 813 is approximately +13 dBmV. R All coaxial interconnections internal to the F-I PPV processor are connected to incoming RF signals. Nominally ends at 50Ω, except for the Cable providing +24VDC and ground The module is routed directly from the power supply assembly (not shown) to the front module. this Front module 800 directly interfaces with control board module 840. I don't use it. Other receivers and synthesizers on RF-IPPVPP The assembly includes interconnects to control board module 840.

The second major building block of the RF-IPPVPP superuser is the RF receiver It's a bar. The RF-IPPVPP upper has four RF receiver assemblies A-D8. There are 10 to 813. These are functionally equivalent devices, three of which are Supports 50Ω termination on the signal strength analyzer (SSA) output port. make sure that the locations are compatible. The fourth (channel D) is for SSA assembly 830. shown with coaxial interconnects. The RF receiver operates as a local oscillator on the high voltage side. Downconvert the signal sent to the prefix module using several synthesizer outputs do. The output frequency of this synthesizer is between 22.5 and 28.4 MHz. 26.2 to 28.4 MHz, preferably 11.8 to 17.7 MHz z, preferably corresponding to an input frequency range of 15.5 to 17.7 MHz. IF Flaw signal center frequency 1.0. 7MI-(z. Centered on 10.7MHz Ceramic IF filters pass the intended signal while allowing adjacent channels and Remove other mixers. Next, the narrowband filter IF signal is shown in the received signal strength table in the main text. detected by a circuit that provides an approximate estimate of the signal strength called R3S It will be done. The output of R35t is proportional in magnitude to the level of the received RF signal. DC voltage. The R85I oscillator, along with other signals, The face ribbon cable assembly is routed to the control board module.

The R55I information is set top as received by the RF-IPPVPP superior. Displays the RF return signal level. This information is available from System Manager. It is possible.

R55I data for a particular terminal represents a terminal requesting recalibration. this eye Due to the Maintain a list of "too low" data and provide a unique address for these terminals. is queued for recalibration. Such recalibration is not periodic. but with higher priority, i.e. priority equal to new terminals requesting initial calibration. This is done based on rank. Additionally, the R55I data in the table over a period of time is gradient/ It can be used for determining the slope characteristic curve. Next, the slope/slope characteristic curve is downloaded to the terminal and the set top terminal performs the From the results of the appropriate Be able to determine the level of confidence.

The main function of the RF receiver is to demodulate the 10.7 MHz IF flaw signal.

This signal is demodulated using a double balanced mixer. demodulated data stream systems are filtered and synchronized. Mirror encoding of this detected 20KBPS Data is sent to the control board module. R55I and BPSK demodulator Functions are performed by each of the four RF receivers. Appropriate level of +13dBmV Narrowband filtered 10.7 MHz IF flaw signal from RF receiver D at sent to the signal strength analyzer assembly.

Associated with the operation of the RF receiver is a signal strength analyzer 830. strong signal The functionality of the analyzer assembly is determined by the selected RF receiver assembly for calibration purposes. The purpose is to detect the level of the 10.7MHz IF flaw signal sent from the. RF The receiver output does not encounter automatic gain control (AGC) and, as a result, the RF-IP RF input level to PV processor is 10.7MH varying to SSA This will result in an IF level of z. RF return system is 10.7M Which terminal/module transmits when encountering calibration by detecting HzlF SSA controls the display of whether the level corresponds to the received signal level of +12 d BmV. control board 840. Control board 840 further includes an R3-232-interface. system manager via the interface. Until the next calibration cycle For details in the text below, the system manager controls the cent top terminal. Command to use the transmission signal level reported by the control board.

The 103MHz IF signal with +13dBmV is terminated with 50Ω by SSA. It will be done.

Two buffer amplifiers provide approximately 30 dB of IF gain. Amplified IP Double The peak value is detected by a network based on number diodes. third diode A network based on I) is similarly multiplied by Cbias. two diodes - The network is added to produce temperature compensation according to known techniques.

This output accurately reflects the IF level due to the diode DC component cancellation. Ru. This detected signal is filtered and further amplified. IF signal level and ratio The final output DC signal for example is sent to the control hoard.

A frequency synthesizer under the control of the system manager processes the incoming data carrier. Synthesizes frequencies for demodulating the rear signal. This frequency synthesizer is an RF synthesizer. This is a local oscillator for a single frequency conversion performed at the single frequency The synthesizer assembly includes four discrete devices 820-823. control board 8 40 provides frequency tuning information via serial data commands. 4 frequency ranges The synthesizer devices 820-823 correspond to four RF receivers 810-813. The frequency synthesizers are represented by frequency synthesizers A, B, C and D as shown in FIG. control board 81 There are a total of 60 frequencies in the T8 channel bandwidth that can be set by 0. rf exists, but according to the invention only 23 are used. The output frequency range is 2 51 to 28.4 MH2, preferably in the upper part of the T8 band, i.e. 1 It is down-converted from 4.4 to 17.7 MHz. Frequency resolution is 100 It is KHz. The output signal is at a typical level of +17 dBm.

An 8-frequency synthesizer device includes an oscillator, frequency divider, phase-locked loop (PLL), and includes an integrated circuit (IC), and an active loop filter. These components together Configure one phase-locked loop. The output frequency of the oscillator is 4MH, which operates freely. The phase and frequency match the crystal oscillator of z. P L L is synthesizer ensures that the output is spectrally pure and frequency accurate. oscillator The output drives a Buson Yupur amplifier. Bunyuburu structure is required +1 Used to provide a local oscillator level of 7dbm.

The front module is shown in FIG. 7 as a block diagram tube. Prefix/Power division thing Neil consists of a bandpass preselector filter 900 and a preamplifier 910. , for example, to power the MHWl 134 and four RF Lenha modules. It consists of a split network 930. Gain in module containing transformer 920 is indicated by each element listed below.

Next, in FIG. 8, the frequency synthesizer assembly of the RF-I PPV processor This will be described in more detail. This frequency synthesizer assembly consists of four Includes PCB subassembly. Each subassembly consists of a control board for the RF-IPPVPP upper The frequency is set to 840. Frequency synthesizer range is 26.2M It is desirable to be in the range of Hz to 28.4 MHz, but 22.5 to 28.4 It can be as wide as MHz. The tuning resolution is 100KHz. 4 frequency synthesizer Each sizer medium assembly has 60 channels ranging from 225 to 28.4 M)Iz. It can be set to any of the following files. RF ratio of frequency synthesizer subassembly Output, RF-I Local oscillator signal of 1 to 4 RF receiver in PPV processor This is the number.

The local oscillator is on the high frequency side, 15.5 to 17.7M) (the RF range of z is It is down-converted to a receiver IF of 10, 7 MHz. Figure 8 shows the circumference FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wavenumber synthesizer subassembly. Also for frequency synthesizer KHz , there are four such subassemblies.

4MHz fundamental mode crystal 100 is a high gain feedback amplifier 10 01. This amplifier is a PLL (phase locked loop) LSU (large scale (simulated integrated circuit) device U1, preferably of Motorola's MC145158. Part of it. The 4MHz output signal is sent to the divide-by-40 counter 1002 within Ul. Ru. The output of this counter is sent to a phase/frequency detector 1003 in Ul. 00KHz reference signal.

The phase/frequency detector 1003 receives two input signals (reference value IQQKHz and possible When the two inputs are not the same frequency and phase, Generates an error signal pulse. These pulses are generated by a 100KHz variable frequency signal. The oscillator is forced to the same frequency and phase as the 100KHz reference signal. Synchronize. When this condition occurs, the output of the frequency synthesizer will not be at the correct frequency. Ru. The differential error signal from phase/frequency detector 1003 is routed from Ul to the loop filter. to filter U3 1004 and related components. U3 filters the error signal and convert this into one coded tuning voltage that operates the oscillator 1005. Ru. Oscillator 1005 consists of Ql and related components. Oscillator 1005 has a tuning voltage at the input of 22.5 to 28.4 MHz, more preferably 26 MHz. ゜Results in an output frequency that includes the desired output range from 2 to 28.4 MHz. It is designed to be The oscillator output is sent to buffer amplifier Q2 1006. Ba Buffer amplifier 1006 provides a relatively high impedance and doubles the oscillator. Modulus divider U2 1008 and power amplifier Q3 Q4 1009 Insulate from The buffered oscillator output signal is passed to dual modulus divider U2. where the frequency is divided by 10 or 11. programmable divider U2, together with divider A and N1007, divides the sum by the ratio Nt=10XN+A arise. Counters N and A are set so that F, , = NtXO,IMHz, Printed by control board 840 via serial data command on RF-IPPVPP processor. be programmed. For example, the control board may have an Nt of 25. OMH2 output frequency Nt is set to 250 on the control board, preferably between 225 and 284. can be set to one of 60 values between 251 and 284. dual ・The function of the modulus control line is estimated when U2 is divided by 10 and when it is divided by 11. It's worth it.

Buffer amplifier Q2 also drives power amplifiers Q3, Q4 1009. output Adjust the potentiometer (not shown) so that the signal level is approximately -17 dBm. adjustment is used. After the power amplifier, the synthesizer output signal is mainly A low pass filter 1010 follows, which attenuates the second and third harmonics. +17dBm circumference The wavenumber synthesizer output is transmitted to the associated RF receiver of the RF-I PPV processor. Sent to assembly.

The RF Renova module is shown in block diagram form in FIGS. 9A-C.

There are four RF Renova (RFRX) modules. First, smell A in Figure 9. Each RF receiver has a mixer that converts the input signal to an IF frequency of 10.7MHz. 1101 included. High frequency side rejection is carried out. The IF signal is ceramic filters 1104 and 1105 to remove adjacent channel signals and distortion procedures. Ku.

It is then sent to an IF multiplier signal amplifier 1106 and a level detector 1115.

The detection circuit provides a rough estimate of signal strength (R3SI). The detection circuit 1115 is For example, it is constructed from NE604AN in a well-known manner. R35I output is system Control/processor module for digitization and transmission to manager This is the analog voltage sent to the module 840.

The signal is then sent to the IF multiplied signal directional coupler 1108. The tap output is sent to the external port for use by the analyzer (SSA) module.

This IF multiplied signal is further amplified and sent to a demodulator.

Next, in FIG. 9B, the demodulator includes a frequency doubler 1125 and a Ca rder) preferably consists of a removed lock oscillator al130 for restoration.

Data recovery according to Figure 9C requires a modem filter, clock recovery circuit, and This is done through plastic. The output of the demodulator is digital data.

Next, in Figure 10, a signal strength analyzer receiving a signal strength indicating signal from an RF receiver is shown. The riser is shown. This signal strength analyzer (SSA) module is a data used to obtain highly accurate measurements of transmitted power. The measured RF multiplied signal, R from one IF of the F receiver module, eg channel D. signal Strength analyzer module includes 30dB preamplifier 1200, level detector 1201 and a buffer stage 1202. This output can be digitized and Controller/processor module for transmission to system manager This is the analog voltage sent to the Two separate diodes form the differential amplifier 12 used for temperature compensation prior to input to 03, i.e. diode 1204 compensates diode 1201.

Next, in Figure 11, a controller that manages the operation of the RF-I PPV processor is shown. La module is shown. This module configures the synthesizer and Monitor the strength and decode messages received by the RF receiver for validity. messages, establish a queue for unambiguous messages, and page to the system manager. Controller messages are diagnostic, error - User interface for notification and switchless configuration (keypad and display).

The controller board consists of six functional blocks according to FIG. Microprocessor 1300, memory subsystem, 8097 processor and a dual port RAM for each receiver. interface, system manager interface, and front panel interface. Consists of a face.

Control microprocessor 1300 used in controller module is Intel's 801.88. It has 2 DMA channels, 4 interrupts, 3 timers, 13 decoded address ranges and 8-bit external input It is a 16-bit processor that includes an interface.

The memory subsystem includes data points at 256 for message and variable storage. Dynamic RAM 1380, non-volatile RAM 1370 to 2 for parameters , and a socket for an EPROM 1360 at 128 for program storage. It consists of

Two 256 DRAMAs are used for the DRA~1 array. these are , for example, to store group statistics, validly received messages, and calibration results. and system cent top terminals. As a result, these Memory must be sized appropriately to store packet data. do not have. When message data is sent to the system manager, the terminal message The table storing the message data is cleared. Read to EPROM Every time a cycle occurs, the CASJ refresh cycle before rRAS is A~1 array. Normal code retrieval for EPROM is DRA It must be sufficient to keep M refreshed. EPROM activation If a process query exists for more than 15 μs, the DMA controller reads the EPROM. put out.

LC3 in the 80188 is used to access the DRAM array.

After reset, LC3 must be programmed to the active memory range .

After the initial setup of the DMA controller, refresh There will be no input.

Two EPROM sockets provide up to 128K of program memory It will be done. These sockets can be used with EPROMs between 2764 and 27512. I can do that. One socket is accessed by UCS and the other by MC33. accessed. After a reset condition, the UCS will change from hex FFBFO to FF Active in memory range up to FFF. MC33 has a professional range of activities. must be grammed.

One 2KEPROM 1370 is provided for non-volatile storage of configuration information.

Two identical copies of configuration information are stored in EPROM. copy for each copy A checksum is stored to provide a means to verify accuracy. A stop during a write operation If one of the copies is destroyed by electricity, etc., the other copy is destroyed using the correct copy. Restore the copied copy. The programmer waits 10 millimeters after one byte is written to the chip. Care must be taken not to access the EPROM for 2 seconds. Read size There is no delay in recovery after the cruise. The chip is accessed by MC5O. MC3O must be programmed for the range of activity.

Each RF receiver channel has a dedicated Intel1 interface element. It has 8097 1310-1340. 8097 processor is an RF receiver (RFRX) module to decode and frame mirror-encoded data from the module; from each RFRX module as well as the Signal Strength Analyzer (SSA) module. Monitor signal strength levels and control the frequency of RF synthesizer (SYN) modules control

Each 8097 has its own associated IK bytes of dual port RAM 131 It has 11341. Use these dual-port memories to store data and and send commands between 8097 and 80188. This memory is Contains a mechanism for embedding. Software uses memory and interrupts It is possible to define a convenient protocol for EPROM1312-1342 , 8097 is provided for program storage. Also, LED1313 ~1343 are provided for receiver status indicators as described in the text.

The traditional UART8250 serial chip provides serial input to the system manager. interface 1350. One of the 80188 interrupts is A serial channel is connected to the 8250 for interrupt driving. 825° may operate at frequencies below 38.4 baud.

Modem initial procedure signals are available (RTS, DTR, etc.). system management The multiplexer in the controller uses or disables these signals as needed. can be viewed. The receiver is a DTE similar to known telephone processor boards. It can be configured as

The front panel includes a keypad 860, an LCD display 850, and an LED panel. It consists of 1390 blocks. The keypad 860 has decimal numbers 0 to 9, help, 16-key keypad including Next Page, Next Line, Enter, Clear and Menu It is most desirable that there be. Keypad/display is non-switchable, meaningful Provides clear error indication and local access to test and diagnostic routines.

LED bank 1390 provides various indications as described herein.

LCD display for 4 lines x 20 characters is accessed via two registration ports. be accessed. The viewing angle can be determined by keyboard operation as further explained in the text below. Can be changed. Display data is loaded into one port and strobe finger The instruction is loaded into the second port. Strobes to the display are relatively slow. (1 millisecond).

When a key is pressed, an interrupt is generated to 188. Encoding key Data can be identified by a 4-bit register. This register is When accessed, the interrupt is cleared. The keyband logic has different interrupts. It includes a debounce circuit that prevents the debounce delay from being generated until the end of the debounce delay.

The controller module also provides power distribution to the RF-I PPV processor. serve as a supporter. This controller module supplies power to the elements as needed. Switch against. Each cable that connects both to the RF Lenoha or synthesizer 4+12V line, 3-12V line, 3+5V line and 6 cables as required. including the ground wire.

RF-I for status monitoring 12 FBI) in front of PP~r processor be.

Eight LEDs 1313-1343, two for each receiver, Indicates the status of the bar. A bank of four LEDs 139o is also provided.

Two LEDs monitor activity on the series port. One LED is a buff The discovery LED indicates the power status. These four latches Shown as an LED bank 1390 connected to the bus system via.

When data is received on a channel, the first LED on this channel is Blink green. If the channel becomes enabled, the maximum The bottom LED will be green and red when the channel is disabled. invalid frequency into the System Manager or front panel to disable the channel. do. Normally all channels must be enabled.

Under unusual conditions where one of the receivers is self-testing, the The top LED remains red and the bottom LED flashes red.

Denoted as TXD and RXD 211117) LEDI;! , RF-IPPVP Displays activity on the serial port that connects the PC to the system manager do. If data is sent from the RF processor to the system manager, T The light on the XD blinks. Conversely, data is transferred from the system manager to the RF process. If received by the server, the RXD indicator light will flash.

One LED labeled Buffer is used between the RF processor and the system manager. Display the status of the buffer. If this LED is off, the System Manager There is no data in the buffer for. If the LED is green, the buffer is half full. The condition is less than 1 minute. When the buffer is half full, the LED will flash from continuous green. The color changes to green. When the buffer is completely full, the LED will turn blinking green. change. Under normal conditions, the buffer is never completely full.

The LED labeled Power will be a dark line with power on. After power on , this LED simply turns red and then green. RF processor is in an unrecoverable state If a condition is encountered, this LED will simply illuminate while the RF processor restarts itself. turns red.

The System Manager RF-I PPV Calibration Controller program is R F-IP)) RF-TPP associated with set top terminals, along with V processors Responsible for calibrating the V module transmitter. The calibration process is cent ・The data sent from the top terminal to the RF processor reaches an appropriate level. guaranteed. Additionally, all terminals in the system are automatically and periodically calibrated. Therefore, the requirements for automatic gain control in the RF-I PPV processor are removed. The calibration controller receives data from the module during the calibration sequence. control the flow of commands to the RF-IPPV module based on the responses received. Determine the calibration shape tube. The calibration controller program and process are for reference only. Pending U.S. Patent Application No. 071, filed August 3, 1990, incorporated herein by reference. No. 562.675 rcable Te1evision Radio Freq It is described in detail in Uency Return Method J.

Generating and collecting viewing statistics The present invention allows each set-top terminal to generate viewing statistics at predetermined times and system system manager to collect this. Viewing statistics generated and collected The value may be a set top such as viewing name contour data or television status data. It can contain various data that can be measured by the tap terminal. of the viewers Contour data determines who in a household watches a particular television program. This includes information such as this person's age, gender, etc. television state day TV channels that are watched at a particular time, channels that are watched information such as the volume level of the television, the brightness of the television channel, etc. Main departure In one example, a television channel viewed by subscribers of 1A or more specific viewing statistics that are generated and collected by the channel. Generate this type of viewing statistics The process of collecting this information is discussed in detail below. Other types of viewing statistics The apparatus and method for generating and collecting the Ru.

In the diagram in FIG. 13, various storage locations within each STT are shown. Each STT is Recording time storage location RTSL, channel storage location C3L (viewing statistics storage location ) and time code storage location TCSL. Ru. For example, in this configuration, the system manager There are four channels on which Joule should record the channels to which the cent top terminal is tuned. Generate a global transaction that defines a recording point. This recording point is via the recording point storage location RTSL-2 RTSL4 on the top terminal. These storage locations are non-volatile storage locations (NVM 503 in Figure 4). ), but may also be a random access memory location. child These recording time points may be within any convenient time period, such as one day, one week, two weeks, etc.

For purposes of illustration, the system manager tunes the set top terminal channel Sunday at 7:00 PM, Tuesday at 9:00 PM, and Thursday at 80:00 PM during one week. 0PM and Thursday 1. O: OOPMI: Record l: RF-IP Assume that you want to command the PV module. As mentioned earlier, these four notes In the preferred embodiment, the recording time is four times located in the non-volatile memory NVM503. It is stored in the recording time memory location (RTSL+ to RTSL4). 4 MHz The real-time clock obtained from the crystal clock (501 in FIG. 4) of each RF-I PP Maintain the current real time for each V module. To maintain accuracy and uniformity , this clock is passed to the system manager via downstream transactions. It can be updated periodically.

Microprocessor 504 periodically updates various recording times stored in NVM5Q3. A comparison is made between the point and the value of the real-time clock, and if a match occurs, the RF-I PP ■The processor then records which channel is tuned by the set top terminal. It is recorded in the channel storage location C8L corresponding to the time point. In Figure 4, the channel The storage location of the file is located in memory 503 and under the control of microprocessor 504. is memorized. The microprocessor is the microprocessor in the set top terminal. The current channel being viewed via data bus 490 from server 400 (FIG. 3) Get the channel. Microprocessor 400 is viewed from NVM 470 Get the current channel.

As described below, this viewing statistics data is submitted to the System Manager. Included in the "event/viewing statistics response" sent to the streaming direction. For example, this answer is the number of bytes in the message, the type of message, and the digital address of the STT. address, recording time and channel tuned by the STT at the recording time; and information regarding IPPV purchase data. However, in other embodiments, this Responses are not limited to this data, but may also include data representing other viewing statistics about a particular viewer, or - May also contain data corresponding to the state of the set itself.

In the preferred embodiment, the recording time points sent to the set top terminal are Consists of a multi-bit quantity that uniquely indicates one or more future points in time for recording viewing statistics . The unique number of time points that can be shown in this case can be expressed by the following formula. Ru. That is, #=2′′ at unique time However, b is equal to the number of bits used. For example, the recording time point uniquely defines an interval of 1 minute. 216 or 65.536 different 16-bit quantities specified by It can represent intervals of 1 minute. If an hour is 60 minutes and a day is 24 hours, , this resolution could theoretically correspond to any 1 minute interval in a 45 day period ( 65.536/60/24=45.5. ,,). more or less amount Cuts are readily available and can be used with larger or smaller resolutions (e.g. down to seconds) and/or give more or less time.

After the recording time has been sent to each set top terminal, this is being addressed. The recording time associated with the particular acquisition slot is stored in the storage location RTSL.

A certain recording time stored in a particular collection slot is then stored within the set top terminal. The channel being watched matches the current real time clock placed on the is stored in the channel's storage location C3L, and for this collection slot its The hour and the corresponding time code are stored in the corresponding time code storage location.

Set top terminals and associated television stations were used at this time. Due to its 61 potential, there may be no on/off switch on the cent top terminal. The state of can also be made to be recorded in the same way. The set top terminal in Figure 3 In the block diagram, the power source is the auxiliary AC outlet to which the television set is connected. Including. The viewer then turns off the set top terminal via the external keypad. , this AC outlet will be turned off and the television set will be turned off. Ru.

Whether this AC outlet is on or off is determined by the microprocessor 400. This state information is controlled by the Can be stored with or in place of a channel.

As mentioned earlier, when the recording time is equal to the value of the real-time clock, various types of Viewing statistics are stored 1 For convenience, data monitored and recorded at a remote STT. There are two categories of data: viewer profile data and television status. It can be classified into data. Viewer contour data is provided by Television Program Identification of the viewer watching Ram, the age of this viewer and the gender of this viewer. Contains data such as Referring again to Figure 3, commands by the user at the set top terminal and a keyboard 440 for entering data. This keyboard is Also, if a television program is displayed before or during a television program, It can also be used by a viewer to enter the viewer's identity for the program. this The data is then stored in the NVM 503 or other memory along with other viewing statistics. stored, included in upstream responses to the system manager, and sent to different telecoms. Profile of subscribers to determine specific audience types for vision programs compared to data.

In addition to data entered at the keyboard by viewers of television programs. for the purpose of comparison with the subscriber profile data stored by the system manager. Therefore, unique remote terminal identification codes assigned to various remote terminals can be transmitted upstream. It can also be included as viewing statistics data in the answer. as opposed to individual viewers , subscriber profile data for a particular remote terminal, not for individual viewers (home viewing It can also be used to determine listening patterns. A specific remote terminal identification code Since it is already stored within a particular remote terminal, individual views are required to gather this information. It is necessary for the listener to enter their identity on the keyboard of the set-top terminal. do not have.

Television status data includes the TV/con channel being watched, the television on/off status of the television set, volume level of the television set, Contains data such as John St.'s brightness. This information is stored in the RF-I PPV module. can be accessed directly by modules and set-top terminals, and by other can be stored in NVM 503 or other memory along with viewing statistics data; Also, as described below, the system management It can also be sent upstream to the controller.

After the recording time has elapsed and the channel and time code have been memorized, the system The system manager stores the contents of one of its channel and time code storage locations. upstream to the system manager, the set top terminal global or addressed polling directives for Can be issued. At that time, each set top terminal collects viewing statistics (desired In a preferred embodiment, channel viewing data) and time code data and sends the answer containing the answer to the system manager for processing. The content of this answer and Bifus-manoto will be discussed in more detail below.

The above time code indicates which channels SIMA is returning viewing information for. stored on the set-top terminal and stored in the system to ensure that Sent to manager. The various acquisition slots each have different recording times. programmed and collected repeatedly, and thus returned from each cent top terminal. It is necessary to be able to match viewing information to the corresponding point in time when it was generated. It is. For example, before a particular acquisition slot is programmed again with a different recording time. In this case, one Cent Top terminal will view that channel for this collection slot. If the information cannot be returned, the returned time code will be used for the returned channel viewing. As an indication that information was generated for a previous programming/collection cycle It will be helpful. This allows the system manager to record records associated with each slot. This can be done because the time can be recorded.

Like recorded time, time codes uniquely identify a specific point in time within a specific time period. This is a multi-bit amount. In the preferred embodiment, this time code is one hourly. Consists of 8 bits with resolution. In this case, 28 or can represent 256 different one-hour intervals. If there are 24 hours in a day , which corresponds to approximately 10 days (256/24=10.6). Similarly, another implementation In the example, the time code has a larger or smaller resolution within a longer or shorter time period. be able to.

In Figure 1-.1, the recording time sent to the remote terminal and the desired In an embodiment, the system manager generates a time code indicating the resulting time code returned. A timing diagram is shown. In a preferred embodiment, the resolution of the recording time RT is in minutes, but the resolution of time code TC, etc. is in hours. Also, desirable fruit In the example, four slots A to A are slots where information is viewed more than four times per hour. configured to record channels.

In this example, the one-hour resolution of the time code is This is sufficient to uniquely identify the time at which the Two or more for a particular slot Later recorded times fall within the same time period and therefore a 1 hour solution for this time code. The image resolution shall be sufficient to sufficiently identify the returned viewing information. In other words , the resolution of the time code is not tied to the recording time recording and is simply used for collection The number of slots and how often the slots are used (in this case, 1 hour) (once). System Manager allows you to specify which slots are being programmed. Each collection slot is never used more than once per hour. Therefore, there can be ambiguity about the recording time to which the viewing information collected relates. do not have. Also, since the number of bits in the time code is kept at a minimum value, The amount of time required to send the code upstream to the system manager is also minimal. is minimized, thus reducing the probability of collisions between transmissions from different STTs.

For example, in FIG. 14, the recording times RT, , RT2, RTS, and RT4 are all 7:10, 7:00, which falls within the same one-hour period (7:00 to 8:00). 25. These correspond to 7:35 and 7:50, respectively. Recording time for each S When equal to the real time clock in TT, the channel being watched at the time is The current time in the time increment is stored in the channel storage location and the time code is stored in a memory location. In this example, the contents of the time code storage location are 7:0 This corresponds to the period from 0 to 8:00. Each STT will later use these storage locations. When returning the contents of the system manager to the system manager, the system manager In contrast to the previous recording time programmed in the programming/acquisition cycle. The information returned must be related to recording times that fall within the period 7:00 to 8:00. and decide.

The period that can be represented by an 8-bit time code is the same as the 16-bit time code mentioned earlier. Although it does not completely cover the period that could be represented by the recorded time of For a period of 10 days, all RF-IPPV modules will have their viewing statistics information systemized. We believe this is sufficient to return the transaction to the system manager. Recording time mentioned earlier and the number of bits and resolution of the time code should be construed as limiting the invention. (This is merely an example of a preferred and practical mode of operation.)

FIG. 15 shows how each RF-IPPV module is operated at a recording time in a preferred embodiment. Sample tie to program and then collect channel viewing information Fig. 3 shows a timing diagram. As can be seen from the figure, each slot can be used independently from the other. can do. In other words, the system manager can record time using RF-IP P ■ While transmitting to the module one slot at a time, the previously stored channel and time code are card information can be collected from different slots. from one slot to another To better understand this method of [rolling] Let's go.

Initially, starting at time RT, collection slot A is set by the system manager to It can be assumed that the recording time RT, was previously programmed. Furthermore, R In T, collection slots B and C record RT2 and RT3, respectively. At the time/in the process of being programmed by the stem manager, the collection slot D is then being collected by the system manager.

In an RT, a system manager provides upstream support for one or more STTs. Collect slot A and its corresponding channel memory location C3L and time code Global or address commanding to start sending the contents of memory location TC3L Issue one of the specified polling signals. Each STT then During this time, an attempt is made to transfer viewing information for collection slot A to the system manager. Look into it. In the preferred embodiment, the programming and acquisition period is divided approximately equally within the hourly cycle in which the cuts are used. Each slot If the collection is normally programmed and collected less than once per hour, the collection period will be It will be correspondingly longer. However, the maximum time for collection is that this amount of time Arbitrarily, one sample is sufficient to obtain a reasonable response rate from the set top terminal. It can be left for a cycle time (1 hour). Therefore, in the figure (RTs-RT The collection time allocated for each slot is 1, denoted as υ/2. The cycle time and (approximately) the half of the time between one recording time and the next. The smaller of the two is fine.

Moving forward in time, the collection period for collection slot D ends just before RT2. this At that point, presumably enough answers are obtained from each STT for this slot, and After , the programming period for slot D begins. System Manager records Begin reprogramming this slot by sending time RT4 to each STT; This is the storage location RC3L of the recording time of each STT for this slot (Figure 13 reference).

At RT, the programming period for acquisition slot B ends and the system The slot manager will set the viewing statistics collection period for this slot to begin. , sends global or addressed polling signals to one or more STTs. after that , each STT addressed by the polling signal has its Viewing information (the contents of its channel and time code storage location) is stored in the system manager. Start sending upstream to the manager. The time reserved for the upcoming collection period is , as described above for collection slot A. During this time, Figure 15 As can be seen, acquisition slots A, C and D have their respective programming or operating independently of each other in the collection state.

Immediately before RT3, the collection period for collection slot A ends and the system money The controller enters a reprogram of this slot with a new recording time (RT, ). At this time By this point, multiple STTs responding to the collected polling signals have collected their viewing statistics into the system. have sufficient opportunity to return to the system manager. Collection polling signal mentioned earlier Similarly, the system manager can configure the STT globally or can be programmed by law. The collection slot is reprogrammed with a new recording time. When programmed, the channel and time code memory locations for this slot are stored. The then-existing information sent to the system manager will cause the same data to be retransmitted to the system manager. Cleared to prevent.

At RT3, the programming period for acquisition slot C ends and the system The system manager sends a polling signal downstream to one or more STTs; Begins a collection period for this slot. allocated for subsequent collection periods. The amount of time for collection slots A and B is the same as described above for collection slots A and B.

RT, the collection period for slot B ends and the system manager reprograms this slot at recording time RT7. Finally, RT to , the programming period for collection slot D has ended and the system manager The controller sends polling signals for other slots to one or more S slots as described above. Send to TT. Each STT is placed in slot D for a specified period of time, as mentioned above. It starts sending its viewing information upstream to the system manager.

Just before RT5, the collection period for collection slot C ends and this slot is It is programmed again at recording time RT. Finally, in RT, the collection slot The programming period for A has ended and the system manager has completed one or more Send a polling signal commanding the STT to start a collection period. Then each The STT informs the system manager of its channel and time code. Start sending the contents of the memory location. At this time, a complete cycle in each collection slot is Complete and the process starts anew.

The "rolling" method from one slot to the next is to Some significant advantages over collecting from one slot after programming Has a point. All slots are programmed before the corresponding sales information is collected. Once the programming/acquisition cycle is complete, the amount of time available for acquisition is It is reduced to such slots that have closer recording times. For example, 4 slots The recording time for each slot is 7:10 and 7:14.7, respectively. 40 and 7; if 50, this slot will be used for the next programming cycle. Only a minimal amount of time is collected before the cycle begins. Next program If the cycle started at 8200, the RF-IPPV module System Manager to check the channel information before the slot is programmed again. Since it is sent in the upstream direction, it has only 10 minutes.

A related constraint on how all slots are programmed after an acquisition is that Situations where there is too little time to reprogram a slot after a period exhibits. For example, in the above case, the first programming period starts at 7:00. If you start at the beginning and then proceed hourly, all four are recorded before the end of the first recording time. There is not enough time to program all slots. Therefore, all four slots The total time required to program the Let's cross the gap. One of these recording times before a particular slot is programmed or both have already passed and the exact time to record the channels watched There is a possibility that it will disappear.

As mentioned earlier, Figure 15 shows programming that alleviates the two constraints mentioned earlier. and schematically illustrate the "rolling" method of collection. Each slot is professional By staggering the periods during which the data is programmed and collected, the time for each operation can be divided into four It can be an equal proportion for all slots. Programming alternately Instead of deciding to collect all the slots together after You can do this in one collection slot and use another slot as an intermediary for another operation. .

For example, referring again to FIG. 15, in RT4, the collection period is for slot D. The system manager sends a polling command to one or more STTs to initiate send to Meanwhile, collection slot A is the second half of its programming period, and the slot slot B at the beginning of its programming period and slot C in the middle of its collection period. do. Therefore, the system manager performs a polling operation on slot D only. It is necessary to perform operations on the other three slots, and this is the first slot. This can give rise to the timing issues outlined. System management at all times If the player does not operate on more than one slot at a time, the results in an even distribution of time demands over the programming and collection period. Become.

In one alternative embodiment, the system manager manages the addressed viewing statistics. Transfer value transactions to subscribers who agree to allow their viewing habits to be monitored. can be downloaded. In yet another embodiment, the system manager: Addressed viewing statistics transactions can be set to only one specific group. It can also be downloaded to top terminals.

Viewing statistics recording time programming In the preferred embodiment, one or more addressed The record time programming instructions sent to the set top terminal are shown in Figure 18. be done. In the preferred embodiment, there are 24 4-bit nibbles within a 32-bit word. The recording time command divided into 96 bits consists of 96 bits. (From the left) The first four Bull contains values 1.5.0 and 0 respectively, 9th, 10th and 12th nibbles contain the values 6.5 and O, respectively. The values of these nibbles are Uniquely identified as a recording time programming instruction. The rest of the nibbles are in the program The collection slots that are programmed and the corresponding recording times associated with these collection slots. Contains the value.

The legend to Figure 18 shows that there are two types of data included in programming instructions: , TxO to Tx3 (where X is the collection slot indication A to D). There is a recording time and an acceptance time mask ACT. Recording time for each collection slot consists of four nibbles, or 16 bits. Acceptance time: 1 mask It consists of nibbles, or 4 bits. The figure shows when recording to slot A. Between TAO and TA3 occupy the 5th, 6th and 8th nibbles from the left, and the slot The recording time TBO-TBS for TBS is 13th, 14th, 15th and 1st. It occupies the 6th and 11th nibble, and the recording time TCO-TC3 for slot C is the 17th nibble. occupies the th, 18th, 19th and 20th nibbles [] and for slot D Recording special table 16-506334 (15) Interval TDO-TD3 occupies the 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th nibbles. This indicates that the

The legend to Figure 18 also indicates that the recording time bits are sent with the most significant bit first. shows. That is, for example, TAO includes bits 12-15 and TAI includes bits 8-15. 11, 11, and so on. For acceptance time masks, the least significant bit (AC TO) corresponds to acquisition slot A, and the most significant bits (ACTs) correspond to acquisition slot D. It corresponds to

In one embodiment of the invention, more than one collection slot may be in the same transaction. It is programmed with one recording time. Another example, i.e. the program mentioned above. In the “rolling” method of mining, only one collection slot is programmed in the main unit. The structure of the current recording time programming instructions is The same instruction format is used to accomplish either of these situations. This is This is done by using the input time mask ACT.

As mentioned earlier, the acceptance time mask ACT consists of one nibble of data, i.e. 4 Consists of bits. Each bit has four bits used in the preferred embodiment. Corresponds to one of the collection slots. If the value of a particular bit is 1, this is set. The relevant recording time as interpreted by the top terminal is a valid recording time and the STT is Indicates that channels viewed at appropriate times should be recorded. On the other hand, certain bits If the value of and the channel will be recorded at some time in the future for this particular slot Show what should be done.

For example, a system manager might send messages to each cent top terminal from time 8:00 to 8:00. Suppose you want to instruct 15 to record the channels watched. cormorant. In this case, the system manager will set the 8:00 and 8:15 recording times to It can be sent to TAO to TA3 and TBO to TB3, respectively. TCO~ The contents of TC3 and TDO to TD3 are not used, but still programming Included to hold the length of the instruction constant. The value of acceptance time mask ACT is Set the top terminal accordingly to see which slot is being programmed. will be played. In this case, the system manager sets bits ACT, and ACT+. 1, and set ACT2 and ACT3 to a value of O. in this way , set to end shows which collection slot was being programmed. I will know.

Recording time location TAO...-TA3 to TDO-TD3 are each independent of each other. It is important to recognize that it can be used. In the previous case, slot B and D, like slots A and B, could be programmed to eight. Second In this case, appropriate recording time locations TBO to TB3 and corresponding to slots B and D are selected. and TDO to TD3 are loaded at recording time and masked for slots B and D. ・Hit ACT and ACT3 are set to 1, and the recording time of these two is Indicates that it is valid. Therefore, the mask bits for throwers I-A and (C) ACT, and ACT, are set to O, and these two slots are Indicates that no valid recording time is included. Recording time location TAO-TA3 and T The values placed in CO~TC3 indicate that these locations are simply location holders in the instruction. can be set to any arbitrary value. in this way, Any number of recording times can be programmed into any collection slot combination with each instruction. can be used.

Data return sequence FIG. 5 shows a time diagram of a typical data return sequence. as mentioned earlier , the entire R1”-8TT globulus was divided into manageable subgroups of approximately equal size. It will be done. These are simply called groups. Each group returns data The allowed length of time is called the group period (or simply, period). RF- During rppv data retrieval, the /stem manager directs data requests to the cable system. sequentially to each group at the head end of the system. one of all groups A complete data return sequence of is called a cycle. Finally, complete (typical a sequence of two or more cycles that make up a data return sequence (typically a daily) data return sequence. interval is called an interval. One RF-5TT transmits its data in a given interval. If it returns and receives confirmation, this RF-3TT may retry during this interval. The data return request for each group sent by the system manager is , including the group number and the current cycle and interval number.

There are two types of auto-answers: global and addressed. global self Dynamic responses are further divided into periodic and continuous automatic responses. Periodic automatic answer , the user defines the time interval during which the RF-IPPV module responds.

In continuous auto-answers, the system defines time intervals, such as 24 hours.

In Figure 5, for either periodic or continuous automatic responses, the time interval is called an interval. Each interval is assigned a unique number and therefore the RF-I PPV The module can check if this has already responded during a particular interval. Ru.

Each interval is subdivided into multiple cycles. One cycle attempts to answer R Defined as the amount of time required for the entire population of F-IPPV modules.

Each cycle is assigned a unique number (within one interval) and therefore 1) The PV module checks if it has already responded during that cycle. can be done. Due to RF collision, all R1'-I PPV modules are Cannot connect to F receiver. The probability that a specific RF-I PPV module will pass through To increase the minimum number of cycles within an interval is defined. within the interval or the minimum number of Cycles are configurable.

Each cycle is subdivided into groups. One group is R in the system F-I is a subset of the total population of PPV modules. Each RF-IPPV model A module is assigned to a specific group and has an associated group number. this The group number can be set to the RF-I PPV module via an external source (user defined). or by using shift values as described in more detail below. It can be obtained from a digital address. What is its associated group number? Regardless of whether the RF-I PPV module is available at that group time, will only respond to global automatic responses. Each RF-I PPV Mojiko The file is also assigned a configurable retry number. This retry number is represents the number of times the RF-IPPV module attempts to respond during that group time. vinegar.

The number algorithm of the present invention will be described in general at first, and then in more detail. Let's describe it.

The number of times algorithm of the present invention is based on attempting to maintain a constant number of attempted times.

This constant is called the answer (attempt) rate and is the measured in numbers. Response rate is configurable. In order to maintain a constant response rate, one The number of RF-IPPV modules in a group must be limited. child The constant of is called the maximum number of modules in one group. one guru This maximum number of modules in a group is configurable. the highest within a group Based on a large number of modules, the number of groups in one cycle is calculated as follows: can be done. That is, # of groups = population of RF modules in nib loop/maximum number of groups In a system automatically obtained from a digital address as described below. , the group number is rounded to the next power of two.

The average number of RF modules in one group can be calculated as follows: . That is, The average # in the group = nib loop RF module population/number of mouths is: is used to calculate the group length in seconds, as in That is, group length = Average # in Group/Response Rate Therefore, the length of one cycle in seconds is: It can be calculated as follows. That is, Cycle length = group length * (number of groups) The number of cycles in one section is as follows. It can be calculated as follows. That is, cycle # = (end time of section start time)/cycle length The calculated number of cycles is less than the minimum number of cycles allowed. If not, the number of cycles is set to the minimum. Therefore, the minimum interval length is as follows: can be calculated easily. That is, Minimum Interval Length = Cycle # * Cycle Length This number is Is the given interval length long enough compared to the interval length assigned by the user? Please judge.

At the beginning of the auto-answer sequence, the above values are calculated. The system will start the new section Assign number and start cycle number. The auto-answer control sequence then starts I can do it. The system starts from the first group in this cycle on this interval. Start and proceed until the calculated number of groups in one cycle is reached.

This number of cycles is incremented and exceeds the total number of cycles for this interval (i.e. (the end of the interval has been reached). If not, The group number is reset and the sequence continues.

The system receives data while a group of RF-I PPV modules responds. Riko's data is being put into that database. RF-IPPV module After the data has been successfully entered into the database, confirmation is performed by the RF-IPPV module. sent to the module. Data sent from the RF-IPPV module to the system Part is a checksum of all event data. This checksum is the verification code is sent back to the RF-IPPV module in a confirmation message. certain If the authorization code matches the one originally sent with the event data, this The data is deleted from the RF-I PPV module's memory. FIM is that If no confirmation message is received from the system in the time cycle, the RF-I The PPV module will respond again during the next (missing) cycle when the (missing) The RF-IPPV module receives a confirmation message in the next section. Does not respond until All responding RF-IPPV modules are The confirmation code is sent regardless of whether the data was sent with the data. this reduces the number of collisions for each successive cycle in the interval.

Addressed auto-answer or polling is available from specific RF-IPPV modules. Intended to search IPPV data. RF-I Send to PPV module The information provided is the same as in the global auto-answer except for the following: polled Contains the digital address of the RF-IPPV module to be installed, and the number of sections is zero. The rest of the information (group, cycle, shift value, etc.) is set to The RF-I PPV module will respond as quickly as possible even if there is no purchase required. It is set up like this.

In this configuration, the group size is 2500 to 5000 setups. maintained between devices. Each group has 5000 set top terminals. is added to the current group until it becomes a top terminal. Each group receives 5000 se When it comes to set top terminals, the number of groups is reduced to 2500 sets each group again. Will be doubled to become the top terminal. For illustrative purposes, set top collection Assume that Group P initially consists of 3500 set top terminals in one group. .

When a set top terminal joins population P, the entire population is compared to the upper limit of 5000. compared. When the population consists of 5000 set top terminals, the number of groups is 1? is doubled to 2. Therefore, the two groups each have a set top of 2500. Including tap terminals. When a new set top terminal is added to the population, two groups The number of terminals in each group increases. Each of the two groups has 5000 terminals. When including, the number of groups doubles again, resulting in a total of 4 groups, and 4 groups. Each of the groups contains 2500 set top terminals.

RF-II) The optimal attempt rate for the PV return system is 5 per hour. It was determined experimentally that there would be o, ooo attempts. Keep this attempt rate constant Therefore, group time changes when set top terminals are added to the system. Must. In this configuration, in order to maintain a constant attempt rate, the length of time each set top terminal in the group sends its data. The length of time an attempt must be made should increase from 3 minutes to 6 minutes. do not have.

The above principle can be expressed by a simple algorithm. This algorithm The group uses the bits of the cent top terminal's digital address to Can be used when automatically cents. Initially, the number of group G is 1. Equally, if the total set-top terminal population is equal to N, then 1) (G <2) or (P/G>5000), where S is the combination per group. T is equal to the group time, and K is set to maintain a constant attempt rate. With the constant chosen, in this example it is equal to 3 minutes per 2500 converters. stomach.

Which group a particular converter is a member of can be determined by converter address is determined using a specific number of bits. For example, if the number of groups is equal to 8, then The last three bits of the inverter's address are used. The number of groups is equal to 16 If so, the last four bits of the set top address are used.

At the beginning of the group time, the system manager connects to the RF-IPPVPP Download the transaction to indicate that a new group time is starting. vinegar. The system manager then sends an entry command to the set top terminal, Indicates that a new group time is starting and which group number is being polled. Indicates whether The set top terminal includes a pseudo-random number generator. This pseudo-random number generation For example, a free running timer or counter associated with each set top terminal Including data. The pseudorandom number generator has multiple starts corresponding to the number of attempts and return frequency. Generate time. For example, the set top is commanded to make three attempts, If the return path uses 4 frequencies, the pseudorandom number generator will generate 12 random numbers. Ru. These random numbers are scaled to the group period.

Messages from the STT to the headend do not overlap. However, in the current configuration does not generate random numbers within a given group period that does not overlap (even if strictly Even if the second message starts before the end of the first message, Before starting, the module waits until a given transmission is complete. To those skilled in the art , a set of non-overlapping random numbers is generated and used to determine the number of transmissions, and the present invention It will be clear that the invention is not limited to this characteristic.

group One way to have the RF-3TT return data is to The idea is to have this data transmitted to the entire population over a period of time. However, this technique If the entire population attempted to transmit at the same time, potentially overloading the reverse amplifier. This can result in undesirable effects on the forward path. For this reason, the population It is desirable to divide into multiple groups. Despite this, all of the RF-8TT Groups equal to the population are used.

RF-3TTs are assigned to groups in one of two ways. Individual RF-3TT belongs to a specific group (e.g., the use of bridge thousand switching (required), each RF-8TT shall Assigned to a specific group using a transaction. cable operator purchase rates or other factors associated with specific groups or subsets of the overall population. You may wish to assign a given set top terminal to a specific group based on be. A cable operator assigns a given member of a population to a given group. There may be other reasons for the assignment, and the invention is not limited to this aspect. do not have. In such a case, the number of groups is arbitrary within the range of 2 to 255. Also , the group sizes are unequal (the group duration allows groups of different sizes). must be individually adjusted to accommodate The purpose of the invention is to switch the bridge thousand The group assignment is to eliminate the bridger switching network. It is even more preferable if it is not predetermined by.

In the more general case, no individual group assignments are required. All RF-3 A global transaction allows the TT to create a unique diary of the STT as the number of groups. It is instructed to use the least significant bit of the digital identifier (address). In this case The number of groups is always a power of 2 (2, 4, 8, 16, etc.). Lower RF-3 The focus pattern of TT addresses is very evenly distributed over a large population of units. Therefore, the number of STTs in each group is the total number of RF-3TTs divided by the number of groups. substantially the same as the number. Two factors determine the actual number of groups.

The first factor is that no matter how many retries the STT sends the message to the RF-I The optimal rate R to attempt to send to the PM processor. The second factor is the desired minimum The group recall period P, . Therefore, the total population of RF-IPPV is By using the largest n value for groups of manageable size up to a maximum of 2° Can be divided. In this, STT's #/2' > RXPffiI.

The number n of 2 determined by this formula is determined by which group each RF-3TT is a member of. is the number of low order bits that must be used to determine whether the example For example, if n is determined to be 4, there are a total of 16 groups and each RF-8TT has The four least significant bits of that address will be used as the group number.

attempt rate The optimal RF-3TT attempt rate R used in the above equation is simply is expressed as the average number of RF-3TTs. However, each RF-3TT is configured has a possible retry count and therefore the actual message attempt rate is Multiply the number of RF-3TTs in the group by the number of transactions (retries) performed by each device, and Equal to the length of the loop period divided by the length of the loop period. Messages generated during the data return period The average speed and length of transmission determines the message density and therefore the Determine the probability of a collision occurring for a given action. The average length of transmissions is fixed relative to each other. The rate at which the RF-STT attempts to send back data is determined by the probability of collision. , on the contrary, is the main influence on message processing ability. #low message test A high message attempt rate will result in a low probability of collision, and a high message attempt rate will result in a low probability of collision. This will result in a correspondingly high probability of collision for a given message. deer and a high success rate at a low attempt rate versus a low success rate at a high attempt rate is This can still result in low overall throughput.

Therefore, the actual success rate measurement is the message multiplied by the RF-3TT attempt rate. It is the probability of success. For example, 1000 RF-8TTs return data within a 1 minute period. If the probability of a message colliding is 20%, then the actual success is The success rate is 1000RF-3TTX (100-20)%/MIN=800RF-3TT/ MIN The numerically high success rate of RF-3TT means that it has a nearly 100% success rate. If the results do not result in It is not a measured value. The data returned represents revenue to the cable operator. To do this, all RF-3TTs must return the data stored on them. omitted As each approach approaches a 100% success rate, it is recommended to wait for more than one period of statistical data return attempts. It takes. Continuing with the example, during the first data return cycle one group 800 RF-3TTs per minute is highly desirable. Regarding processing capacity, it is unacceptable to leave 20% of groups in a non-reporting state. . On the next data return cycle, 800 successful RF-3TTs received Data must be verified. As mentioned earlier, it is stored in sensitive memory. The RF-8TT receives the corresponding confirmation, including correct data, until the new leg begins. Then don't respond again. Therefore, 200 RF- 3TT should attempt to return the data. As a result, in the second cycle The probability of collision is much lower. For illustrative purposes, if a message is involved in a collision, Let us assume that the probability of doing so is 196. During this 1 minute period, 200X (100 -1) RF-5TT of %-198 is successful. Combine the two cycles and The following effective success rate is obtained. That is, 800→-198RF-5TT, /2MIN i.e. 499RF-STT/MI N This rate is achieved with nearly 100% RF-3TT broadcasting and therefore is a very good measure of a system's processing power. In this way, the “optimal” trial The detection rate is approximately 100% effective for a given number of RF-8TTs in a minimum amount of time. Success rate is defined as the rate of attempts resulting in success rate.

The present invention provides a synchronization method based on a model of an RF-I PPV data return system. was used to determine the optimal attempt rate. 1 However, the selection of the optimal attempt rate depends on the nature of the system. It should be noted that this may affect performance, but is not critical to the operation of the invention. Ru.

A more detailed explanation and calculations are provided for the IPPV event from the IPPAV module. It is assumed that the data will be sent back in order to return the original data. However, the original Ming's RF return system allows multiple remote devices or terminals to send stored data to a central location. It is widely applicable to systems that attempt to transfer data to other locations. burglar alarm, energy Requirements for management, home shopping and other services are generally It is in addition to the requirements of the service. But different transactions, especially Although suitable for real-time requirements such as carrying two-way voice (telephone) communications, such Transport for IPPV users to send data back to some other service. Efficiency in scale can be achieved by combining

RF-IPPV module transmitter level adjustment S/N ratio and adjacent channel For a number of reasons including channel interference requirements, RF-! PPVI-Transmitter data carrier output level is set close to optimal for the reverse channel. It is necessary to Furthermore, low installation reduces cost, ease of maintenance, repeatability and reliability. For reliability, it is highly desirable that output level adjustment be as automatic as possible. Yes. Therefore, a complete description of the procedure and equipment for automatic transmitter calibration is , a pending U.S. patent application filed August 3, 1990, incorporated herein by reference. No. 071562,675 rcable Te1evisjon Radio It is described in Frequency Return MethodJ.

Between RF-IPPVPP superuser and system manager, and between STT and RF-I A complete description of the procedures and equipment for communication between PPV modules is provided for reference only. Pending U.S. Pat. No. 071, filed Aug. 3, 1990, incorporated herein by reference. No. 562.675 rcable Te1evison Radio Frequ eney Return Method J.

Mirror (Mi I l e r) Data encoding RF-I PPV module The module transmits data using mirror data encoding. That is, slow change Miller coding, also known as ``1'' is transmitted. "0" will not be transmitted unless followed by another "0", In this case a transient state occurs at the end of the bit interval. Mirror code in the present invention The use of a pending application filed August 3, 1990, which is hereby incorporated by reference, is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Patent Application No. 071562,675 rcableTelevision R It is described in adio Frequency Return MethodJ.

RF-I PPV module and RF-I PPV processor data transmission system - For each data transmission, the RF-IPPV module performs the following sequence.

That is, A. Start the toggled transmitted data line at a frequency of 10 KHz. This is charging the filter.

B. Set gain to minimum value.

C, to turn on the switching +5V for the RF circuit or to settle the switching 5V Delay by approximately 1ms E, set correct PLL frequency (read from NVM) F. Delay approximately 20M5 to lock PLL. G. Key anti-bubble circuit. - down H, approximately to settle the final output stage], delay by ms, correct gain (NV Send J data that generates a ramp until M (read from M) Once the data transmission is complete, the RF-IPPV module performs the following sequence: . That is, A. Mirror in the data sent to finish the transmission (to the receiver) ・Generate error ramps the gain to its minimum value. C Key up the anti-bubble circuit D: Delay by approximately 1ms to avoid chirp E, switch +5V off to make These sequences are shown in detail in FIG. 15 using the definitions below. That is, 5 Switch V to PLL data in t,, 9P1, L lock delay to jL Data filter charging time tclIG anti-bubble PGC ramp up Key down t□PGC ramp up tRu PGC ramp down tIID Switch 5V off to PGC ramp down t. ,.

The data transmission sequence described in step rJJ above further includes its consistent elements. Can be divided. FIG. 16 shows a sample event/ Fig. 3 shows a graphical representation of a viewing statistics answer packet. The complete packet in the figure is RF - A typical packet sent from an IPPVPP superuser to a system manager include. The contents of this packet are sent to the set top terminal with additional pre- and post-information. Contains "event/viewing statistics responses" received from Sample packet configuration The elements are explained next.

In Figure 16, the leftmost column labeled [byte] indicates each specific position within the packet. Contains the number of bytes for each. The second column labeled "Description" provides a description of each specific location. including. The third column labeled "Value" contains the hexadecimal number (denoted by "h") for each particular location. Enter the range of legal values in either format (displayed) or decimal (not displayed). include. Finally, the last column labeled "Articles" provides additional information regarding appropriate values for each specific location. Contains descriptive comments. Furthermore, the various contents of the reply packet may be Each component is indented to graphically indicate whether it has been added.

"From component rRF-I PPV processor" and corresponds to bytes 0 to 17. ′ The first left-indented group indicates the data contained in the packet. Contains header information generated by the RF-IPPVPP superuser regarding the type.

This header information is passed to the accompanying set top terminal by the RF-IPPVPP overlay. Your answer will be rejected. Starting with the first component for bytes 1 and 2, write The statement is the "type of answer." As you can see from the Value column, the value for this location is equal to 0 for "Month/Viewing Statistics Response Packet". Calibration and frequency selection For other types of answers, such as answers, this value will be correspondingly different.

The next component consists of bytes 2 and 3 and corresponds to "Receiver Status".

The value of this location corresponds to the state of the RF-IPPVPP receiver. desire In the preferred embodiment, only 4 bits of this 2-byte component are used. Bit bit 0 indicates power-up status, bit 1 indicates set-up request, bit 2 indicates local lockout and bit 3 indicates an error condition.

Bytes 4-7 are sent from the RF-I PPV processor to the system manager. It consists of the number of ``messages'' that are sent and the corresponding ``message remaining count''. Book In the invention, the term "message" refers to "event/viewing statistics response"; As mentioned in , the RF-I PPV processor sends the It also refers to messages of the type . can be sent to the system manager at once. The number of messages that can be sent is limited, so the value of this component is the message of the current packet. Refers to the total number of messages waiting to be sent, including messages (answers). desirable fruit In the example, the value of this component is within the range of 0 to 65.535.

Bytes 8 to 11 are sent from multiple cent top terminals to RF-IPPVPP Unique message refers to the number of unique or uncopied messages received by Sausage Count" As mentioned earlier, the physical cable plant Given a somewhat noisy upstream environment of Send event/viewing statistics responses several times on different frequencies. This is necessarily a complex RF-I discarding the photo message is in the reply received by the PPV processor Provides redundancy. Therefore, the number of unambiguous messages received so far is The system manager is notified in the byte. In the preferred embodiment, this Component values range from 0 to 65,535.

Bytes 12 and 13 are read before the next component in this group. The message (response) in the event/viewing statistics packet and the corresponding "packet" ・Consists of "count". In the preferred embodiment, the value of this component is between O and 255. within the range of

Finally, bytes 14-17 correspond to the "packet length". This value is indicates the number of bytes in the set, and in the preferred embodiment ranges from 0 to 65.535. It's within.

Components of the event/viewing statistics response packet shown in "From rRF-8TT" The next group contains information related to information collected from one or more centtop terminals. Including the ket part. Most of this information is sourced from the RF- It is retrieved interactively from the viewing statistics sent to the tppv processor, which is shown in FIG. is shown graphically in The contents of this answer are processed upstream by the set top terminal. Reflects the content of the reply sent, and therefore the elements of this reply are shown in both Figure 20 and Figure 21. This is discussed below.

Event/viewing sent from set top terminal to RF-I PPV processor The statistics answer includes 4 bytes of initialization information. As can be seen from Figure 17, byte 1 - 3 indicates that the subsequent bytes sent are event/viewing statistics responses. Contains "Preface". This prefix consists of a 3-byte sequence equal to AA (hexadecimal). Consists of kens. After these 3 bytes are sent, “Start of message (SO M) Bytes are sent equal to AB (hex). Then the remaining bytes of the answer is sent as described below.

Bytes 1 and 2 of the answer in Figure 16 are from the set top terminal to the RF-IP Paired with a "level rating" value indicating the power level of the answer received by the PvPP superior. respond. Since this measurement is performed by the RF-IPPVPP is not initially sent by the top terminal, but is instead sent to the system manager. Only one of this part of the packet is added by the RF-IPPV processor during the transmission of There are two components. This value can then be passed to the System Manager, if required. is used to initiate a recalibration of the set top terminal's output level. desirable In the example, the value of this component is in the range f from 0 to 2, where 0 is the level is too high, 1 means the level is OK, 2 means the level is too low. and Recalibration occurs if the level is too high or too low.

Bytes 2 and 3, shown as “Response Length” in Figure 16, contain the previous level rating value. Represents the length in bytes of the subsequent message. The set point shown in Figure 17 In the original reply sent upstream by the drop terminal, this element is placed in byte 5. placed. In the preferred embodiment, the value of this component is within the range of 0 to 255. be.

The next component of the answer is byte 4, shown as “Message Type” in Figure 16. and 5. The source transmitted from the set top terminal as shown in Figure 17. In the answer, this element is placed in byte 6. The value of this component is indicates whether the top end operates in-band or out-of-band as described above.

This value is sent from the set top terminal to the RF-IPPVPP superuser. this If the component value is equal to 4, this indicates out-of-band operation, and 14 (hex) , this indicates in-band operation.

Bytes 6 to 13 correspond to "rATTA address" in FIG. In Figure 17 In the original answer sent from the set top terminal as shown, this element contains bytes. Placed between 7 and 10. Each set top terminal is assigned a unique address. , which is returned to the RF-IPPVPP supervisor along with the event/viewing statistics response, This identifier is sent along to the system manager.

The event/viewing statistics response indicated by bytes 14 to 29 in Figure 16 The next part is sent upstream from the set top terminal to the RF-IPPMPP upper Contains actual viewing statistics. From a set top terminal as shown in Figure 17 In the original answer, this element would be placed in bytes 11-18. In the preferred embodiment As shown in FIGS. 16 and 21, the four viewing slots (A to D) are each with the ability to return the channel being watched and the time being watched. Ru. In the figure, the channel to be viewed is represented by "viewing channel", The time a channel is viewed is represented by "time code n", where n is the time code The lot symbols are A to A. Valid for the “viewing channel n” component. The value must be in the range 0-128 and 255, where O is watched 1-128 indicates the channel being watched, and 255 indicates the channel being watched. This indicates that the slot has already been broadcast. “Time code n” ranges from 0 to 255. This value must be within This corresponds to a time that has a lower resolution than the recording time.

Programming and collecting "roller" from different collection slots as described above In the preferred embodiment using the R F-I is sent to the PPV processor and therefore, except for the slot in question, the various All values in the "watch channel n" location will be equal to 255, and the slot will be 0 (if no channels are watched), or for a specific channel number. Any one from 1 to 128.

The 4 bytes remaining in this part, i.e. the “confidential nibble” in Figure 16 and rOut h channel checksum”, and [AUTHJ and rEVEN in FIG. Bytes 30-33, denoted by TJ, ensure system integrity and set Only the channels that are allowed to be viewed on the device are actually viewed. #RF-[System Manager by PPV Processor] corresponds to special confidential and verification information sent to.

The next part of the event/viewing statistics packet is RF- Contains information regarding event information sent upstream to the IPPVPP superior. nothing. Although the present invention is mainly related to upstream transmission of viewing statistics, this system The entire system can also be used to monitor events occurring at each set top terminal. This part of the packet is included for completeness because it is possible to Figure 16 and As can be seen from Figure 21, one or more packets each occupy 10 bytes. The above events are monitored and reported. In Figure 16, event 1 is byte 0 to 9, and another event broadcast within the packet is another 10-byte block. occupies the bulk of the book. Sent from set top terminal to RF-IPPV processor and source In the original answer, each event constitutes 5 bytes, and the first event is byte 21. Required by ~25.

In Figure 16, [Response Test Total (First LSB) The next part of the packet, denoted as ``, is generated by the set top terminal and corresponds to another checksum used as an error detection means. sent back in a packet Two bytes are used for previous answer information and sent with this packet. this The checksum adds each character transmitted to the least significant bit (LSB) of the checksum. It is generated by As a result, it is rotated to the left by one bit. The checksum is Initially set to 0. Each of the following characters not included in the checksum is included in this checksum: Ru.

The following part of the packet, indicated as "packet checksum", is the RF-IP Corresponds to another checksum produced by the PV processor and is used as an error detection means. used. This checksum is not the answer information of the set top terminal (it is sent generated exactly as described above, except that each character of the entire packet is added be done.

Finally, is the carriage return (CR) character RF-I PPV Broce Sosa? is sent to the system manager to indicate the end of the packet. At this time, the system The manager checks all checksums to ensure that no errors occurred during transmission. Verify. If an error is detected, a retransmission command is sent to the RF-IPPV processor. and the entire transmission sequence is repeated.

What is described herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention. Other embodiments are known to those skilled in the art. It would be obvious. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the text, but is Limited only by scope.

FI6.11 sent back Slot Recording Time Hours FIG. 16 01, -03 PREAM Preamble. $AA, $AA, $AA.

07-10 ADDRST Digital address 11 VIEWi viewing channel Channel A 12 TIMEL Time code A 13　V　　　EW2　Watch + rn*le B14　TIME2　Time code B L 5 V I EW3 Viewing channel C16TIME3 Time code C 17VIEW4 Viewing Channel D RF-[PPV configuration parameters, in-band transactions 1.4-4-0 μ issued to 0) 20 AUTHSTT permission channel list!・Checksa M2L-22EVENT Event number, MSB first.

programmed. MSB first.

(n-1) 16-bit checksum. MSB first.

Bytes 21-25 are repeated for each event in NVM.

F [G, 17 Procedural amendment 1. Display of incidents PCT/US92102211 1992 Patent Application No. 509075 2. Name of the invention Device that generates and collects viewing statistics 3. Person who makes corrections Relationship to the incident: Patent applicant Address: 30348 One Technoro, Atlanta, Georgia, USA G Parkway.

Box 105600 Name: Scientific-Atlanta Incorporated 4. Agent Address: Shin-Otemachi Building, 206-ku, 2-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Phone 3270-6641~6 (1) Domestic document stating the applicant's representative pitch name (2) Power of attorney and translation international search report

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Multiple remote ends in a cable television signal distribution system (100) in both directions, including a system manager (310) that controls the terminals (120, 315) viewed on at least one remote terminal in a cable television system. How to generate and collect viewing statistics, including data representing channels listened to. There, (a) the specific times at which each of the remote terminals (120, 315) stores viewing statistics data; The system manager (310) sends data representing the recording time consisting of to one or more remote terminals (120, 315); 0, 315) in one of a plurality of recording time storage locations (503). (c) storing the contents of each of said recording time storage locations (503) in said remote location; The clock is generated from the clock (504) placed in each of the remote terminals (120, 315). (d) generate viewing statistics data; (e) If the contents of the recorded time storage location (503) match the real time; Viewing statistical data on each of the remote terminals (120, 315) is recorded as a channel. Store in storage location (503) A method featuring steps. 2. The viewing statistics generated in step (d) are transmitted to the remote terminal (120, 315). of claim 1 corresponding to the television status data held in each of the How viewing statistics are generated and collected. 3. The viewing statistics generated in step (d) are determined by the remote terminal (120, 315) from a source (440) that is external to each of the 2. A method for generating and collecting viewing statistics according to claim 1, which corresponds to the viewing statistics. 4. The transmission in step (a) is to all said remote terminals (120, 315). generation of viewing statistics according to claim 1, which is addressed globally; and Collection method. 5. If the transmission in step (a) is to a particular group of said remote terminals (120, 315) Viewing statistics generation and collection as claimed in claim 1 addressed to a loop. Method. 6. The transmission in step (a) is directed to a particular remote terminal (120, 315). 2. A method for generating and collecting viewing statistics according to claim 1, wherein a viewing statistics value is specified. 7. (f) The contents of the recording time storage location (503) are stored in the real time clock (503). 4), the time code storage location (503) corresponds to the actual time. The viewing system according to claim 1, further comprising the step of storing a time code. Measurement generation and collection methods. 8. (g) If the contents of the recording time step (503) match the real time; For example, from each of said remote terminals (120, 315) the system manager (310 ) to said channel storage location (503) and said time code storage location (503). ) Viewing statistics according to claim 7, further characterized by the step of transmitting the contents of Value generation and collection methods. 9. (g) responding to a polling signal from said system manager (310); and a system manager (310) from each of said remote terminals (120, 315). ) to said channel storage location (503) and said time code storage location (503). ) Viewing statistics according to claim 7, further characterized by the step of transmitting the contents of Value generation and collection methods. 10. One recording time memory location (503) is one channel memory location (50 3) and one time code storage location (503) and corresponding claim 7 How viewing statistics are generated and collected. 11. The time code storage location (503) is the same as all recorded time storage locations (503). ) has a resolution at least equal to the minimum period used. 11. The viewing statistics generation and collection method according to claim 10. 12. 4 recording time storage locations (503) and 4 channel storage locations (50 3) and four time code storage locations (503) are used. How to generate and collect viewing statistics as described in Section. 13. The recording time storage location (503) consists of at least 16 bits and A claim for storing recording time with a resolution that uniquely specifies a period of at most 1 minute. 12. The method for generating and collecting viewing statistics as set forth in item 12. 14. Said time code storage location (503) consists of at least 8 bits and the most A request to store a time code with a resolution that uniquely specifies a period of at most one hour. The viewing statistics generation and collection method according to item 12. 15. (h) Steps (a) to () for different recording time storage locations (503). The viewing statistics value generation method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of repeating g). How to create and collect. 16. Steps (a) to (g) are performed on the first recording time storage location (503). Before completion, step (h) is performed on the second recording time storage location (503). 16. The method for generating and collecting viewing statistics according to claim 15. 17. Remote terminal channel in a two-way cable television system In a channel monitoring device that monitors viewing information, (a) channel viewing information is A program that programs the remote terminal (120, 315) to record at a particular recording time. a system manager (310) that initiates a logging function; (b) the remote terminal (120, 315) represents at least the channel being viewed; A recording time associated with a particular time for storing viewing statistics data is stored at one or more remote ends. a transmitting means (313, 314) for transmitting to a terminal (120, 315); Channel monitoring device. 18. The transmitting means (313, 314) transmits all of the above in step (b). A channel according to claim 17 for transmitting globally to a remote terminal (120, 315). channel monitoring device. 19. said transmitting means (313, 314) transmitting said remote end in step (b); The channel according to claim 17, which transmits to a specific group of terminals (120, 315) Channel monitoring device. 20. In step (b), the transmitting means (313, 314) Channel monitoring according to claim 17 transmitting to a remote terminal (120, 315) Visual device. 21. (c) said channel transmitted from one or more remote terminals (120, 315); Claim 17 further comprising receiving means (322) for receiving channel viewing information. Channel monitoring device as described in section. 22. (c) Send the channel viewing information to the system manager (310) a polling signal instructing one or more remote terminals (120, 315) to Transmitting means for transmitting to one or more addressed remote terminals (120, 315) (313, 314) and (d) said channel views transmitted from one or more remote terminals (120, 315); 17. Receiving means (322) for receiving auditory information. Channel monitoring device included. 23. (d) Processing means (31) for storing and collecting the received channel viewing information. 22. The channel monitoring device according to claim 21, further characterized by: 0). 24. A remote terminal chip used in two-way cable television systems. In the channel recording and transmitting device, (a) A feature that allows the remote terminal (120, 315) to remember the channel that is currently being viewed. receiving means (490) for receiving one or more recorded times associated with a given time; ) a plurality of recording time storage location means (503) for storing the one or more recording times; , (c) The contents of the recording time storage location means (503) are stored in the remote terminal (120). 315) compared with the real-time clock generated from the clock (504) placed in a comparison means (504) to (d) Generation means (50 4) and (e) If the contents of the recording time storage location means (503) match the real time; For example, one or more channels storing viewing statistics data on the remote terminal (120, 315). channel storage location means (503); A remote terminal channel recording and transmitting device characterized by: 25. The viewing statistics generated in step (d) include the remote terminal (12). 0, 315) and the corresponding claims. 25. A remote terminal channel recording and transmitting device according to clause 24. 26. The viewing statistics generated in step (d) are based on the remote terminal (1 20, 315) from an external source (440). A remote terminal channel recording and transmitting device according to claim 24 corresponding to the input. Place. 27. If the contents of the recording time storage location means (503) match the real time; one or more time code storage locations storing time codes corresponding to said real time; Remote terminal channel according to claim 24, further characterized by means (503). Recording and transmitting equipment. 28. (g) If the contents of the recording time storage location means (503) match the actual time; If so, the channel storage location means (503) and the time code storage location means (503) The contents of the request means (503) are sent to the system manager from the remote terminal (120, 315). Claim 1 further characterized by transmitting means (509) for transmitting to the controller (310). 28. A remote terminal channel recording and transmitting device according to clause 27. 29. (g) Addressed polling signals from the system manager (310); In response to a signal, said channel storage location means (503) and said time code recorder. The contents of the storage location means (503) are sent to the system from the remote terminal (120, 315). Claims further characterized by transmitting means (509) for transmitting to a manager (310). 28. A remote terminal channel recording and transmitting apparatus according to clause 27. 30. One recording time storage location means (503) is one channel storage location means. stage (503) and one time code storage location means (503) and corresponding claims. A remote terminal channel recording and transmitting apparatus according to scope 29. 31. The time code storage location means (503) stores all recorded time storage location means. (503) is a time code with a resolution at least equal to the minimum period used. 31. The remote terminal channel recording and transmitting apparatus of claim 30. 32. Four recording time memory location means (503) and four channel memory location means A claim in which a stage (503) and four time code storage location means (503) are used. A remote terminal channel recording and transmitting apparatus according to clause 30. 33. The recording time storage location means (503) comprises at least 16 bits. and has a resolution that uniquely specifies a period of up to 1 minute. 33. A remote terminal channel recording and transmitting apparatus as claimed in claim 32. 34. said time code storage location means (503) comprising at least 8 bits; and store a time code with a resolution that uniquely specifies a period of up to one hour. 33. A remote terminal channel recording and transmitting apparatus as claimed in claim 32.