Integrated receiver decoder management in http streaming networks

Abstract

A method is provided to provide configuration information from a broadcast network controller (BNC) to a decoder in an HTTP live streaming (HLS) network. The method includes the steps of: (a) initiating a configuration event notification by the BNC; (b) writing the configuration information as file; (c) announcing the configuration information as a SCTE-104 request; (d) translating the SCTE-104 request into an SCTE-35 message; (e) translating the SCTE-35 message into an HLS playlist file; and (f) retrieving the HLS playlist file at the decoder.

1 . A method of providing configuration information from a broadcast network controller (BNC) to a decoder in an HTTP live streaming (HLS) network, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) initiating a configuration event notification by the BNC;   (b) embedding the configuration information into an HLS playlist file;   (c) sending the HLS playlist file to the decoder; and;   (f) retrieving the HLS playlist file at the decoder.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the configuration information comprises decoder command and control event notification information comprising one or more of authorization, content selection, and output configuration. 
     
     
         3 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the decoder executes commands from the configuration information embedded in the HLS playlist file. 
     
     
         12 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising retrieving and executing instructions provided by the configuration information at the decoder. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating a report file at the decoder, the report file comprising one or more of current and historical decoder configuration, health and status information. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising receiving and processing the report file at the BNC for system configuration, event logging, and the like. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein initiating a configuration event notification is scheduled in advance or requested by the BNC or BNC proxy. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein embedding the configuration information comprises generating a proprietary file to the CDN for retrieval by a decoder. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the configuration information from a broadcast network controller (BNC) to a decoder in an HTTP live streaming (HLS) network is provided in addition to configuration information provided by a BNC in a satellite broadcast system. 
     
     
         21 . A method for implementing configuration changes at a decoder in an HTTP live streaming (HLS) network, the method comprising;
 receiving from a Broadcast Network Controller (BNC) an HLS playlist file at the decoder;   processing the HLS playlist file to retrieve configuration information;   using the configuration information to implement the configuration changes at the decoder.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  where the configuration information is written in the HLS playlist file as an SCTE-35 message. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  where the decoder executes commands from the configuration information embedded in the HLS playlist file. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  including generating a report file at the decoder, the report file comprising one or more of current and historical decoder configuration, health and status information. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising sending the report file to the BNC. 
     
     
         26 . A decoder in an HTTP live streaming (HLS) network, the decoder comprising;
 an input in operative communication with a Broadcast Network Controller (BNC);   a processor configured to process an HLS playlist file received from the BNC to retrieve configuration instructions from the BNC; and   the processor also configured to use the configuration information to implement configuration changes at the decoder.   
     
     
         27 . The decoder of  claim 26  where the configuration information is written in the HLS playlist file as an SCTE-35 message. 
     
     
         28 . The decoder of  claim 26  where the processor is configured to execute commands from the configuration information embedded in the HLS playlist file. 
     
     
         29 . The decoder of  claim 26  where the processor is configured to generate a report file, the report file comprising one or more of current and historical decoder configuration, health and status information. 
     
     
         30 . The decoder of  claim 29 , where the processor is configured to send the report file to the BNC.