System and method for providing a callback proxy for a set top box with support of ism-band wide area network access

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016150263-A1
Application number	US-201414551404-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 24, 2014
Priority date	Nov 24, 2014
Publication date	May 26, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A dongle is configured to connect to a set top box. The dongle includes a memory for storing data, such as callback data files, and a wireless communication module for forwarding the stored data to an access point, for delivery to a television service provider head end. The dongle can also receive information to be provided to the set top box. Authentication and authorization of the dongle ensure only authenticated and authorized devices can access the system. A communication technology is used that allows for a large coverage area and simultaneous communication with many set top boxes.

First claim

1 . A dongle to be connected to a set top box to provide a callback proxy, comprising:
a data I/O port comprising a connection to the set top box; a memory to store at least a portion of a data file transmitted from the set top box through the connection, wherein the dongle is configured to receive the at least a portion of the data file using a direct memory access protocol, wherein the dongle is configured to allow the set top box to use legacy functionality; a processor coupled to the memory; and a wireless communication module under control of the processor to wirelessly transmit the data file from the dongle to an access point.

2 . The dongle of claim 1 , wherein the dongle is configured to transmit the data file after a randomly created delay that is unique to the dongle.

3 . The dongle of claim 1 , wherein the connection is a USB connection.

4 . The dongle of claim 1 , further comprising a first data I/O controller to process the data of the data file received through the data I/O port to be stored into the memory.

5 . The dongle of claim 1 , further comprising authentication data to be used to authenticate the dongle, wherein the processor is configured to authenticate the dongle using the authentication data.

6 . The dongle of claim 1 , further comprising authorization data to be used to authorize the dongle, wherein the processor is configured to authorize the dongle using the authorization data.

7 . The dongle of claim 1 , further comprising:
a power source; and a second data I/O port through which power is supplied by the power source when a device is connected to the first data I/O port.

8 . The dongle of claim 7 , further comprising a second data I/O controller to process data received through the second data I/O port to be stored in the memory.

9 . (canceled)

10 . The dongle of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication module is configured to wirelessly transmit data using a communication technology that provides a wide coverage area and can handle a large number of simultaneous communications.

11 . A method for wirelessly transmitting a data file from a set top box to an access point using a dongle, comprising:
receiving the data file to be transmitted from the set top box through a data I/O port that comprises a connection to the set top box, wherein the dongle is configured to receive at least a portion of the data file using a direct memory access protocol; configuring the dongle to allow the set top box to use legacy functionality; storing the received at least a portion of the data file in a memory; wirelessly transmitting the data file from the dongle to the access point under the control of a processor.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising transmitting the data file after a randomly created delay that is unique to the dongle.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the connection is a USB connection.

14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising processing data from the data file received through the data I/O port to be stored into the memory using a first data I/O controller.

15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
storing authentication data; and configuring the processor to authenticate the dongle using the authentication data.

16 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
storing authorization data; and configuring the processor to authorize the dongle using the authorization data.

17 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
connecting the dongle to a device through a second data I/O port under the control of a second data I/O controller; and supplying power to the connected device using a power supply.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
receiving data through the second data I/O port; and processing the received data for storage in the memory.

19 . (canceled)

20 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising wirelessly transmitting the data using a communication technology that provides a wide coverage area and can handle a large number of simultaneous communications.

21 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the dongle is configured to transmit the data file in multiple parts as subfiles.

22 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising configuring the dongle to transmit the data file in multiple parts as subfiles.

Assignees

• Directv Group Inc

Inventors

• Patino Graciano

Classifications

• H04N21/6181

  involving transmission via a mobile phone network (arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004) · CPC title

• H04N21/2393

  involving handling client requests (scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60) · CPC title

• H04N2007/1739

  the upstream communication being transmitted via a separate link, e.g. telephone line · CPC title

• H04N7/17309

  Transmission or handling of upstream communications · CPC title

• H04N7/173

  with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal · CPC title