Television Computer, Inc.

Joseph M Newcomer

Robert Thibadeau

David Touretzky

James Large

A data processor is connected to a digital communication system such that information packets broadcast on the system are examined to determine if the contents of each packet meet selection criteria, whereupon the packet is coupled to the processor. A state machine or interface processor is connected between the processor and the network, and compares packets to the selection criteria, passing accepted packets and blocking rejected ones. The selection criteria are programmed into the state machine as a decision tree of any length, configuration or data requirements, preferably by the attached data processor, and can include examination of arbitrary sections of the packet for equality/inequality, greater-than/less than, signed and unsigned comparisons and bit mask comparisons. Thus content is variably examined, as opposed to checking for an address or key code at a given byte position. The state machine operates on recognition instructions including byte offset and content specifics. The recognition instructions can include plural distinct criteria, determined by the data processor to serve applications programs running in a multitasking environment. Thus, the data processor compiles a series of recognition instructions that are passed to the state machine as tasks in the multitasking environment are added or deleted, or when a task decides to change selection requirements. Preferably, signaling lines allow the data processor to determine the reason for selection of a packet, for example by the state machine reporting to the data processor its program count upon acceptance.

Packet filter engine

Location specific messages or programming are generally broadcast and selectively filtered by user terminals which have encoded one or more arbitrary locations of interest. The area surrounding a user, a remote location, a route to be travelled, or the like may be selected for receipt of local warnings, local commercial messages, and the like. A set-top receiver being a preferably tunable apparatus capable of receiving digital information transmitted by a variety of means. Transmitted messages contain information targeted to geographical groups of users, with location designation coding accompanying location-specific messages. A geographic location selection code is entered into a data processor coupled to the user's receiver to define the user's selected location(s) of interest. The processor receives the information segment and its designation code and compares the designated location to the selected one. Segments where the designated and selected points or areas overlap are processed. e.g., being displayed, stored or used to trigger a warning. The user's selection code is variable and plural locations can be used and prioritized. Preferably, regions are encoded by their boundaries, e.g., in longitude, latitude, altitude or the like, and in absolute or relative coordinates, and shorthand designations can refer to stored definitions of areas. Filtering segments based on message content, prioritizing the messages and additional features can be included. The system is especially useful for distributing local commercial messages, hazard warnings, or the like.

Method of identifying set-top receivers

Location specific messages or programming are generally broadcast and selectively filtered by user terminals which have encoded one or more arbitrary locations of interest. The area surrounding a user, a remote location, a route to be travelled or the like may be selected for receipt of local warnings, local commercial messages and the like. Transmitted messages contain information targeted to geographical groups of users, with location designation coding accompanying location-specific messages. A geographic location selection code is entered into a data processor coupled to the user's receiver to define the user's selected location(s) of interest. The processor receives the information segment and its designation code and compares the designated location to the selected one. Segments where the designated and selected points or areas overlap are processed, e.g., being displayed, stored or used to trigger a warning. The user's selection code is variable and plural locations can be used and prioritized. Preferably, regions are encoded by their boundaries, e.g., in longitude, latitude, altitude or the like, and in absolute or relative coordinates, and shorthand designations can refer to stored definitions of areas. Filtering segments based on message content, prioritizing the messages and additional features can be included. The system is especially useful for distributing local commercial messages, hazard warnings or the like.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Joseph M Newcomer