Methods and apparatus for delivering regional parameters

REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS FOR PATENT

0001The present Application for Patent is related to the following co-pending U.S. Patent Applications:

0002“METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING CONTENT TO SUPPORT MULTIPLE CUSTOMER SERVICE ENTITIES AND CONENT PACKAGERS”, having Attorney Docket No. 050012, filed concurrently herewith, assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated by reference herein, “APPARATUS AND METHODS OF OPEN AND CLOSED PACKAGE SUBSCRIPTION”, having Attorney Docket No. 051242, filed concurrently herewith, assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated by reference herein, “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING CONTENT BASED ON RECEIVERS CHARACTERISTICS”, having Attorney Docket No. 051256, filed concurrently herewith, assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated by reference herein, “APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING AND PRESENTING CUSTOMIZED CHANNEL INFORMATION”, having Attorney Docket No. 051260, filed concurrently herewith, assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated by reference herein, “APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING AND PRESENTING AUXILIARY SERVICES FOR CUSTOMIZING A CHANNEL”, having Attorney Docket No. 051263, filed concurrently herewith, assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated by reference herein, “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FRAGMENTING SYSTEM INFORMATION MESSAGES IN WIRELESS NETWORKS”, having Attorney Docket No. 060136, filed concurrently herewith, assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated by reference herein, “FLEXIBLE SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING CONTENT TO A DEVICE”, having Attorney Docket No. 060137, filed concurrently herewith, assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated by reference herein, “SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING PACKAGES AND CHANNELS TO A DEVICE” having Attorney Docket No. 060138, filed concurrently herewith, assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated by reference herein; and

0003“METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SYSTEM INFORMATION TO A WIRELESS DEVICE”, having Attorney Docket No. 060153P1, filed concurrently herewith, assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

0004The present Application relates generally to parameter acquisition in a data network, and more particularly to a system for delivering regional parameters over a wide area network.

BACKGROUND

0005In current content delivery/media distribution systems, programming information that describes a delivery schedule of available content and/or services may be provided to devices in a distribution network. For example, a content distribution server that operates on the distribution network may provide the programming information to devices in communication with the network. Devices receiving the programming information operate to display the information in a two dimensional program guide (PG) to device users who may then select content and/or services to be received. For example, a device user views the PG and may then select and subscribe to receive content and/or services that include multimedia content, clips, programs, scripts, data, customer services, or any other type of content or service.

0006In conventional wide area networks, all programming information is delivered to all devices in the network whether or not the described content is available in a device's current operating area. For example, the programming information describes all programming available in the wide area network; however, in order to receive selected programming, a device may need to be operating within a certain region of the network. Thus, it is possible for a device to attempt to subscribe to programming that it cannot receive because of its location in the network. As a result, device users may become frustrated with the operation of the device, and may ultimately choose not to subscribe to receive content because of the bad user experience.

0007Therefore, what is needed is a system that operates to allow regional parameters to be delivered to devices operating in a wide area network so that devices are able to receive accurate programming information about content and/or services that are actually delivered in their operating regions.

SUMMARY

0008In one or more embodiments, a system for delivering regional parameters over a wide area network is provided. In one embodiment, the system operates to produce a parameter stream comprising one or more sets of regional parameters. The parameter stream is transmitted over a wide area network. A selected set of regional parameters are selected by a device based on the device's current position, which is determined in real-time. Thus, the system provides a fast and efficient mechanism for delivering information about content and/or services that are actually delivered in a particular device's operating region.

0009In one embodiment, a method is provided for delivering regional parameters. The method comprises receiving a parameter stream that comprises one or more sets of regional parameters associated with one or more regions. The method also comprises determining a first real-time region indicator, and selecting one or more selected sets of regional parameters from the parameter stream based on the first real-time region indicator.

0010In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for delivering regional parameters. The apparatus comprises transceiver logic configured to receive a parameter stream that comprises one or more sets of regional parameters associated with one or more regions. The apparatus also comprises positioning logic configured to determine a first real-time region indicator, and processing logic configured to select one or more selected sets of regional parameters from the parameter stream based on the first real-time region indicator.

0011In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for delivering regional parameters. The apparatus comprises means for receiving a parameter stream that comprises one or more sets of regional parameters associated with one or more regions. The apparatus also comprises means for determining a first real-time region indicator, and means for selecting one or more selected sets of regional parameters from the parameter stream based on the first real-time region indicator.

0012In one embodiment, a computer-readable media is provided that comprises instructions, which when executed by at least one processor, operate to deliver regional parameters. The computer-readable media comprises instructions for receiving a parameter stream that comprises one or more sets of regional parameters associated with one or more regions. The computer-readable media also comprises instructions for determining a first real-time region indicator, and instructions for selecting one or more selected sets of regional parameters from the parameter stream based on the first real-time region indicator.

0013In one embodiment, at least one processor is provided that is configured to perform a method for delivering regional parameters. The method comprises receiving a parameter stream that comprises one or more sets of regional parameters associated with one or more regions. The method also comprises determining a first real-time region indicator, and selecting one or more selected sets of regional parameters from the parameter stream based on the first real-time region indicator.

0014In one embodiment, a method is provided for delivering regional parameters. The method comprises determining one or more sets of regional parameters associated with one or more regions and adding one or more region identifiers to each of the one or more sets of regional parameters, wherein the one or more region identifiers indicate selected regions to which each of the one or more sets of regional parameters apply. The method also comprises generating a first parameter stream that comprises a first portion of the one or more sets of regional parameters.

0015In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for delivering regional parameters. The apparatus comprises processing logic configured to determine one or more sets of regional parameters associated with one or more regions. The apparatus also comprises stream generation logic configured to add one or more region identifiers to each of the one or more sets of regional parameters, wherein the one or more region identifiers indicate selected regions to which each of the one or more sets of regional parameters apply, and to generate a first parameter stream that comprises a first portion of the one or more sets of regional parameters.

0016In one embodiment, at least one processor is provided that is configured to perform a method for delivering regional parameters. The method comprises determining one or more sets of regional parameters associated with one or more regions, and adding one or more region identifiers to each of the one or more sets of regional parameters, wherein the one or more region identifiers indicate selected regions to which each of the one or more sets of regional parameters apply. The method also comprises generating a first parameter stream that comprises a first portion of the one or more sets of regional parameters.

0017In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for delivering regional parameters. The apparatus comprises means for determining one or more sets of regional parameters associated with one or more regions, and means for adding one or more region identifiers to each of the one or more sets of regional parameters, wherein the one or more region identifiers indicate selected regions to which each of the one or more sets of regional parameters apply. The apparatus also comprises mean for generating a first parameter stream that comprises a first portion of the one or more sets of regional parameters.

0018In one embodiment, a parameter message is provided that operates to provide system information to a device in delivery system. The parameter message comprises a first set of parameters identifying one or more packages and services, and a second set of parameters associated with the first set of parameters, wherein the second set of parameters identify regions in which selected packages and services are available.

0019Other aspects of the embodiments will become apparent after review of the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Description, and the Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0020The foregoing aspects of the embodiments described herein will become more readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows a network that comprises one embodiment of a system for delivering regional parameters;

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows one embodiment of an operations server for use in one embodiment of a system for delivering regional parameters;

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows one embodiment of a parameter stream for use in one embodiment of a system for delivering regional parameters;

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> shows one embodiment of a method for operating an operations server in one embodiment of a system for delivering regional parameters;

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows one embodiment of a device for use in one embodiment of a system for delivering regional parameters;

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows one embodiment of a method for operating a device in one embodiment of a system for delivering regional parameters; and

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows one embodiment of a message structure for use in embodiments of a system for delivering regional parameters.

DESCRIPTION

0028The following detailed description describes embodiments of a delivery system for delivering regional parameters over a wide area network. The system is especially well suited for delivering regional parameters to portable devices that may move from region to region during operation. The regional parameters comprise subscription information, programming guides, schedules, multimedia content, clips, real-time and non real-time presentations, services, and/or any other information that is to be distributed over regions of a wide area network. Regional parameters may be delivered to virtually any type of portable device, including but not limited to, portable telephones, PDAs, email devices, notebook computers, tablet computers or any other type of portable device. Furthermore, the system may be used in any type of network environment, including but not limited to, communication networks, content distribution networks, public networks, such as the Internet, private networks, such as virtual private networks (VPN), local area networks, wide area networks, long haul networks, or any other type of data or communication network.

0029In one or more embodiments, regional parameters operate to associate subscription information, packages, services or other types of content or services to one or more regions. The following definitions are used herein to describe embodiments of the delivery system. <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li id="ul0001-0001" num="0030"> Package A package is a collection of one or more tiers that are offered on a subscription basis. </li><li id="ul0001-0002" num="0031"> Tier A tier is a collection of one or more services. </li><li id="ul0001-0003" num="0032"> Service A service comprises a sequence of presentations offered under a single label and delivered using a defined set of flows. A service represents the smallest element that may be subscribed to in a distribution system. </li></ul>

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows a network <b>100</b> that comprises one embodiment of a delivery system for delivering regional parameters. The network <b>100</b> comprises an operations center <b>102</b> that operates to distribute parameters to devices coupled to a wide area network. For example, in one embodiment, the parameters comprise programming information that describes programming content available for devices to subscribe to received over the network <b>100</b>.

0034In this embodiment, the network <b>100</b> comprises a first wide area network <b>106</b> and a second wide area network <b>108</b>. For example, the wide area networks <b>106</b> and <b>108</b> may cover the entire U.S., portions of the U.S., or individual states. In another embodiment, the wide area networks <b>106</b> and <b>108</b> may cover different countries.

0035The operations center <b>102</b> communicates parameters to the wide area networks <b>106</b>, <b>108</b> through a satellite communication system and satellite <b>104</b>. For example, the operations center <b>102</b> communicates information to the satellite <b>104</b> through the communication link <b>118</b>. The satellite <b>104</b> then communicates the information to the wide area networks <b>106</b>, <b>108</b> through the communication links <b>124</b>. It should be noted that the satellite communication system including the communication links <b>118</b> and <b>124</b> may utilize any suitable communication technique or technology.

0036In other embodiments, the operations center <b>102</b> communicates parameters to the wide area networks <b>106</b>, <b>108</b> using one or more other communication technologies. For example, in one embodiment, a terrestrial communication system, such as a wireless communication network is utilized to provide a communication link between the operations center <b>102</b> and the wide area networks <b>106</b>, <b>108</b>. In another embodiment, a hardwired communication link, such as a wired network connection is utilized to provide a communication link between the operations center <b>102</b> and the wide area networks <b>106</b>, <b>108</b>. In still another embodiment, any combination of wired and wireless communication links are utilized to provide a communication link between the operations center <b>102</b> and the wide area networks <b>106</b>, <b>108</b>. Thus, the delivery system is not limited to the satellite system shown, so that any suitable communication system or technology may be used to provide a communication link between the operations center <b>102</b> and the wide area networks <b>106</b>, <b>108</b>.

0037The wide area networks <b>106</b> and <b>108</b> comprise one or more regions. For example, the wide area network <b>106</b> comprises regions <b>110</b> and <b>112</b>. The wide area network <b>108</b> comprises regions <b>114</b> and <b>116</b>. For example the wide area network <b>106</b> may cover a particular state and the region <b>110</b> may cover the northern portion of the state and the region <b>112</b> may cover the southern portion of the state. It should be noted that embodiments of the delivery system are suitable for use with any number of wide area networks and that each wide area network may comprise any number of regions. In one embodiment, a wide area network is comprised of only one region. In another embodiment, a region in a first wide area network is defined to be a second wide area network, which in turn is comprised of one or more sub-regions. In still another embodiment, a wide area network comprises several smaller regions and one or more overlapping regions that overlap one or more smaller regions. In one embodiment, an overlapping region is the size of the entire wide area network.

0038The operations center <b>102</b> comprises regional parameters <b>144</b> that are associated with selected regions. For example, the regional parameters <b>144</b> describe content that is available to be received in a particular region of a particular wide area network. In one embodiment, content providers provide the regional parameters <b>144</b> to the operations center <b>102</b> for distribution to devices operating in each region. In this embodiment, the regional parameters <b>144</b> comprise parameter sets for the following regions. <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li id="ul0002-0001" num="0039"> 1. W<b>1</b>R<b>1</b>—Wide area network <b>106</b>, region <b>110</b></li><li id="ul0002-0002" num="0040"> 2. W<b>1</b>R<b>2</b>—Wide area network <b>106</b>, region <b>112</b></li><li id="ul0002-0003" num="0041"> 3. W<b>2</b>R<b>1</b>—Wide area network <b>108</b>, region <b>114</b></li><li id="ul0002-0004" num="0042"> 4. W<b>2</b>R<b>2</b>—Wide area network <b>108</b>, region <b>116</b></li></ul>

0043In one embodiment, the operations center <b>102</b> operates to generate one or more parameter streams that include one or more of the regional parameter sets along with any necessary wide area parameters. Each regional parameter set that is included in a parameter stream comprises a region identifier that identifies the region for which the parameters apply. Once the parameter streams are generated they are transmitted to the wide area networks <b>106</b> and <b>108</b> through the satellite <b>104</b>. For example, a first parameters stream <b>120</b> is generated that comprises regional parameter sets W<b>1</b>R<b>1</b> and W<b>1</b>R<b>2</b>. A second parameter stream <b>122</b> is generated that comprises regional parameter sets W<b>2</b>R<b>1</b> and W<b>2</b>R<b>2</b>.

0044The parameter streams <b>120</b> and <b>122</b> are transmitted to the wide area networks <b>106</b> and <b>108</b> using the satellite communication system and satellite <b>104</b>. Each wide area network comprises transceivers that operate to receive the parameter streams. In one embodiment, the transceivers in each wide area operate to broadcast all received streams to devices in their respective areas. In another embodiment, the transceivers in each wide area operate to filter the received parameter streams and retransmit only those streams designated for broadcast in their respective networks. For example, the transceivers <b>126</b> and <b>142</b> operate to receive and retransmit the parameters stream <b>120</b> to devices in the wide area network <b>106</b>. Likewise, transceivers <b>140</b> and <b>134</b> operate to receive and retransmit the parameters stream <b>122</b> to devices in the wide area network <b>108</b>. For example, the transceiver <b>126</b> utilizes communication links <b>132</b> to transmit the parameters stream <b>120</b> to devices <b>128</b> and <b>130</b>. The transceiver <b>134</b> uses communication link <b>136</b> to transmit the parameter stream <b>122</b> to the device <b>138</b>. In one embodiment, each of the parameter streams <b>120</b>, <b>122</b> include information describing wide area networks to which the stream is to be broadcast. Thus, devices in each wide area network may receive only those streams associated with the wide area network in which they reside. In another embodiment, the parameter streams <b>120</b>, <b>122</b> include information indicating that each stream is to be broadcast to all wide area networks. In this case, devices within a wide area network receive all streams that have been transmitted by the operations center <b>102</b>.

0045Each of the devices in the wide area networks <b>106</b> and <b>108</b> comprise positioning logic that operates to determine a position indicator in real-time for that device. The position indicator allows a device to determine the wide area network and real-time region in which it is currently located. In one embodiment, a device receives a parameters stream, and based on its position indicator, operates to obtain the regional parameter set for the region in which it is located. For example, the device <b>128</b> determines from its position indicator that it is in the region <b>112</b>. The device <b>128</b> receives the parameter stream <b>120</b> and uses its position indicator to obtain the parameters set W<b>1</b>R<b>2</b> that is associated with the region <b>112</b>. In a similar fashion, all the devices in the wide area networks <b>106</b> and <b>108</b> are able to obtain regional parameters based on their current location.

0046In another embodiment, a new set of regional parameters is delivered to a device as the device moves from region to region. For example, as the device <b>128</b> moves into region <b>110</b> its position indicator is updated to reflect it's new position. As it receives the parameter stream <b>120</b>, it uses its new position indicator to obtain the parameter set W<b>1</b>R<b>1</b>. Thus, the device <b>128</b> is now able to subscribe, receive content, services, parameters, or other information that is available in region <b>110</b>. In a similar fashion, a new set of regional parameters is delivered as the device moves into a different wide area network. For example, as the device <b>130</b> moves into region <b>116</b> of wide area network <b>108</b>, its position indicator is updated to reflect it's new real-time position. As it receives the parameter stream <b>122</b>, it uses its new position indicator to obtain the parameter set W<b>2</b>R<b>2</b>. Thus, the device is now able to subscribe to content available in region <b>116</b>.

0047Therefore, embodiments of the delivery system operate to allow a regional parameter set to be delivered to a mobile device as the device moves between regions of one or more wide area networks. As a result, the device user is able to see what regional content is available for subscription.

0048<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows one embodiment of an operations server <b>200</b> for use in one embodiment of a delivery system for delivering regional parameters. For example, the operations server <b>200</b> is suitable for use as the operations server <b>102</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. The operations server <b>200</b> comprises processing logic <b>202</b> and transceiver logic <b>208</b>, which are coupled to an internal data bus <b>206</b>. The operations server system <b>200</b> also comprises parameter database <b>208</b> and stream generator logic <b>210</b>, which are also coupled to the data bus <b>206</b>.

0049In one or more embodiments, the processing logic <b>202</b> comprises a CPU, processor, gate array, hardware logic, memory elements, virtual machine, software, and/or any combination of hardware and software. Thus, the processing logic <b>202</b> generally comprises logic to execute machine-readable instructions and to control one or more other functional elements of the operations server <b>200</b> via the internal data bus <b>206</b>.

0050The transceiver logic <b>204</b> comprises hardware logic and/or software that operate to allow the operations server <b>200</b> to transmit and receive data and/or other information with remote devices or systems using communication channel <b>212</b>. For example, in one embodiment, the communication channel <b>212</b> comprises any suitable type of communication link to allow the operations server <b>200</b> to communicate with one or more data networks. For example, in one embodiment, the transceiver logic <b>204</b> operates to receive regional parameters from one or more remote content servers. The operations server <b>200</b> then operates to store the regional parameters in the parameter database <b>208</b> and process the regional parameters to produce one or more parameter streams that are transmitted to devices operating on one or more wide area networks.

0051The parameter database <b>208</b> comprises a database stored in any suitable type of memory device that is operable to store network parameters. For example, the memory may comprises any type of RAM, Flash memory, hard disk, optical disk, or any other type of memory device. In one embodiment, the parameter database <b>208</b> stores parameters for one or more wide area networks and one or more sets of regional parameters that are associated with each wide area network. In one embodiment, the regional parameters identify content and/or services that are available for subscription by devices operating in a selected region.

0052The stream generation logic <b>210</b> comprises a CPU, processor, gate array, hardware logic, memory elements, virtual machine, software, and/or any combination of hardware and software. Thus, the stream generation logic <b>210</b> generally comprises logic to execute machine-readable instructions and/or hardware to generate one or more wide area parameters streams.

0053In one embodiment, the stream generation logic <b>210</b> operates to generate a parameter stream that comprises wide area network parameters and one or more sets of regional parameters associated with each wide area network. For example, in one embodiment, the wide area parameters comprise parameters that identify a particular wide area network, its coverage area, and any other wide area information. In one embodiment, a set of regional parameters comprise region identifiers that identify one or more regions in which the parameters are applicable. The regional parameters may also comprise content and/or service identifiers that identify content and/or services that are available within a particular region. For example, the regional parameters identify content to which a device in a particular region may subscribe to receive. A more detailed description of a parameter stream generated by the stream generation logic <b>210</b> is provided in another section of this document.

0054During operation of one or more embodiments, the operations server <b>200</b> operates to deliver regional parameters associated with one or more wide area networks. For example, a set of regional parameters may be delivered to a device operating in a selected region of a wide area network. In one or more embodiments, the delivery system operates to perform one or more of the following functions. <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none"><li id="ul0003-0001" num="0055"> 1. Obtain sets of regional parameters for delivery over one or more wide area networks. </li><li id="ul0003-0002" num="0056"> 2. Generate one or more parameter streams for one or more wide area networks that comprise one or more sets of regional parameters for each wide area network. </li><li id="ul0003-0003" num="0057"> 3. Transmit the parameter streams to the one or more wide area networks. </li></ul>

0058In one embodiment, the delivery system comprises program instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, which when executed by at least one processor, for instance, the processing logic <b>202</b>, provides the functions described herein. For example, the program instructions may be loaded into the operations server <b>200</b> from a computer-readable media, such as a floppy disk, CDROM, memory card, FLASH memory device, RAM, ROM, or any other type of memory device or computer-readable medium that interfaces to the operations server <b>200</b>. In another embodiment, the instructions may be downloaded into the operations server <b>200</b> from an external device or network resource that interfaces to the operations server <b>200</b> through the transceiver logic <b>204</b>. The program instructions, when executed by the processing logic <b>202</b>, provide one or more embodiments of a delivery system as described herein.

0059Therefore, the operations server <b>200</b> operates in one or more embodiments of a delivery system to deliver regional parameters to devices operating on one or more wide area networks. It should be noted that the operations server <b>200</b> illustrates just one implementation and that other implementations are possible within the scope of the embodiments.

0060<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows one embodiment of a parameters stream <b>300</b> generated during operation of one embodiment of a delivery system. For example, the parameters stream <b>300</b> may be generated by the stream generator logic <b>210</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

0061The parameter stream <b>300</b> comprises wide area #<b>1</b> network parameters <b>302</b>. These parameters may comprise any suitable format and operate to provide information about the parameter stream <b>300</b> to transceiver systems associated with wide area network #<b>1</b>. For example, the parameters included in the stream <b>300</b> may identify the stream <b>300</b>, and/or may include one or more distribution parameters that describe how the stream <b>300</b> is to be distributed throughout the wide area network #<b>1</b>.

0062The parameter stream <b>300</b> also comprises regional parameters sets <b>304</b>, <b>306</b>, and <b>308</b>. The regional parameter sets <b>304</b>, <b>306</b>, and <b>308</b> operate to provide regional parameters that are applicable to selected regions of the wide area network #<b>1</b>. For example, the regional parameter set <b>304</b> may comprises any type of information that is formatted in any suitable format that operates to identify content and/or services that are available for devices to subscribe to within a selected region of the wide area network #<b>1</b>. The regional parameter sets <b>304</b>, <b>306</b>, and <b>308</b> also comprise region identifiers (ID) that identify the regions for which the parameters apply. Thus, regional parameter set <b>304</b> provides parameters applicable to a first region of the wide area network #<b>1</b>, regional parameter set <b>306</b> provides parameters applicable to a second region of the wide area network #<b>1</b>, and regional parameter set <b>308</b> provides parameters applicable to a third region of the wide area network #<b>1</b>. It should be noted that the wide area network #<b>1</b> may comprise any number of regions and that these region may be distinct or overlapping to any degree. It should also be noted that embodiments of the delivery system may operate to generate any number of parameter streams. For example, the operations server <b>200</b> may operate to generate any number of parameter streams that are associated with any number of wide area networks.

0063<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> shows one embodiment of a method <b>400</b> for operating an operations server in one embodiment of a delivery system. For clarity, the method <b>400</b> will be described with reference to the operations server <b>200</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. In one embodiment, at least one processor, such as the processing logic <b>202</b>, executes machine readable instructions to control the server <b>200</b> to perform the functions described below.

0064At block <b>402</b>, one or more parameters are received for inclusion in one or more parameter streams. For example, one or more content providers provide one or more regional parameters sets describing content available for subscription in one or more regions. In one embodiment, the parameter sets are received by the transceiver logic <b>204</b> and stored in the parameter database <b>208</b>.

0065At block <b>404</b>, one or more wide area networks to receive parameter streams are identified. For example, the processing logic <b>202</b> operates to identify one or more wide area networks that are to receive parameter streams that contain parameters stored in the parameter database <b>208</b>.

0066At block <b>406</b>, one or more regions within each wide area network are identified. For example, the processing logic <b>202</b> operates to identify one or more regions within each wide area network that are to receive regional parameters.

0067At block <b>408</b>, regional parameters for each of the identified regions are determined. For example, the processing logic <b>202</b> operates to search the database <b>208</b> to determine regional parameters associated with each region.

0068At block <b>410</b>, one or more parameter streams are generated. For example, the stream generation logic <b>210</b> operates to generate a parameter stream for each wide area network. In one embodiment, the generated parameter streams are formatted as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> so that each set of regional parameters has one or more region identifiers added. For example, the region identifiers indicate to which regions any particular set of regional parameters apply. As a result, the parameter stream generated for each wide area network comprises one or more sets of regional parameters (including region identifiers) that identify available content and/or services for each defined region of the wide area network.

0069At block <b>412</b>, the generated parameter streams are transmitted to the associated wide area networks. For example, the transceiver logic <b>204</b> broadcasts the parameter streams to the wide area networks through the communication channel <b>212</b>. The method then ends at block <b>414</b>.

0070Thus, the method <b>400</b> operates to deliver regional parameters to devices in a wide area network. It should be noted that the method <b>400</b> represents just one implementation and that other implementations are possible within the scope of the embodiments.

0071<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows one embodiment of a device <b>500</b> for use in one embodiment of a system for delivering regional parameters. For example, the device <b>500</b> is suitable for use as either of the devices <b>128</b> and <b>130</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. The device <b>500</b> comprises processing logic <b>502</b>, device resources and interface logic <b>504</b>, and transceiver logic <b>506</b>, which are coupled to an internal data bus <b>508</b>. The device <b>500</b> also comprises regional parameter storage <b>510</b> and position logic <b>512</b>, which are also coupled to the data bus <b>508</b>.

0072In one or more embodiments, the processing logic <b>502</b> comprises a CPU, processor, gate array, hardware logic, memory elements, virtual machine, software, and/or any combination of hardware and software. Thus, the processing logic <b>502</b> generally comprises logic to execute machine-readable instructions and to control one or more other functional elements of the device <b>500</b> via the internal data bus <b>508</b>.

0073The device resources and interfaces logic <b>504</b> comprise hardware and/or software that allow the device <b>500</b> to communicate with internal and external systems. For example, the internal systems may include mass storage systems, memory, display driver, modem, or other internal device resources. The external systems may include user interface devices, displays, printers, disk drives, keyboard, keypad, cursor keys, pointing device, or any other local devices or systems. For example, the device I/F logic <b>504</b> operates to receive user inputs from a keypad, and output information to be displayed on a device display.

0074The transceiver logic <b>506</b> comprises hardware logic and/or software that operate to allow the device <b>500</b> to transmit and receive data and/or other information with remote devices or systems using communication channel <b>514</b>. For example, in one embodiment, the communication channel <b>514</b> comprises any suitable type of communication link to allow the device <b>500</b> to communicate with one or more data networks. For example, in one embodiment, the transceiver logic <b>506</b> operates to receive a parameter stream from one or more remote servers. The parameters from the received parameter stream may then be stored in the regional parameter storage <b>510</b>.

0075The regional parameter storage <b>510</b> comprises a database stored in any suitable type of memory device that is operable to store regional parameters. For example, the memory may comprises any type of RAM, Flash memory, hard disk, optical disk, or any other type of memory device. In one embodiment, the regional parameter storage <b>510</b> stores parameters for one or more regions of a wide area network. In one embodiment, the regional parameters identify content and/or services that are available for subscription by devices operating in a selected region.

0076The position logic <b>512</b> comprises a CPU, processor, gate array, hardware logic, memory elements, virtual machine, software, and/or any combination of hardware and software. Thus, the position logic <b>512</b> generally comprises logic to execute machine-readable instructions and/or hardware to determine a device position or operating region.

0077In one embodiment, the position logic <b>512</b> operates to determine a position indicator in real-time that indicates the current position of the device <b>500</b>. For the purpose of this description, a real-time position indicator is defined as a position indicator that is determined in real-time by the position logic <b>512</b>. For example, in one embodiment, the position logic <b>512</b> comprises global positioning system (GPS) logic or any other type of positioning logic that may be used to determine the current geographic position of the device <b>500</b> as the device <b>500</b> moves from region to region. Thus, the position logic <b>512</b> operates to determine the current position of the device in real-time to obtain the real-time position indicator. In a similar fashion, once the real-time position indicator has been determined, it may be used to determine a real-time region indicator, which indicates the current operating region of the device <b>500</b>.

0078In one embodiment, the position logic <b>512</b> determines the position indicator in real-time from information received in a local transmission. For example, in one embodiment, one or more transmitters transmit position information to the device <b>500</b> during periodic communications. The position logic <b>512</b> operates to obtain the transmitted position information and use it to determine the position indicator in real-time. The real-time position indicator is used to determine a real-time region indicator. For example, the real-time region indicator indicates a selected region in a wide area network in which the device is currently located.

0079In one embodiment, the processing logic <b>502</b> operates to compare the real-time region indicator determined by the position logic <b>512</b> to region identifiers included in a received parameter stream. For example, a received parameter stream comprises one or more sets of regional parameters that include associated region indicators. The processing logic <b>502</b> compares the real-time region indicator to the region indicators of the parameters stream, and if they match, the processing logic <b>502</b> selects the associated sets of region parameters for storage in the regional parameter storage <b>510</b>. After one or more sets of regional parameters have been selected, the processing logic <b>502</b> operates to render the stored information on a device display using the device resources <b>504</b>.

0080During operation of one or more embodiments, the device <b>500</b> operates to receive sets of regional parameters associated with one or more wide area networks. For example, a set of regional parameters may be delivered to the device <b>500</b> based on the device's real-time operating region in a selected wide area network. In one or more embodiments, the device <b>500</b> operates to perform one or more of the following functions. <ul id="ul0004" list-style="none"><li id="ul0004-0001" num="0081"> 1. Obtain a parameter stream for a selected wide area network. </li><li id="ul0004-0002" num="0082"> 2. Determine a position indicator that indicates the device's current real-time position and real-time region indicator. </li><li id="ul0004-0003" num="0083"> 3. Select a set of regional parameters from the parameter stream based on the real-time region indicator. </li><li id="ul0004-0004" num="0084"> 4. Render information from the selected set of regional parameters to allow a device user to subscribe to content and/or services available in the device's current operating region. </li></ul>

0085In one embodiment, the delivery system comprises program instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, which when executed by at least one processor, for instance, the processing logic <b>502</b>, provides the functions described herein. For example, the program instructions may be loaded into the device <b>500</b> from a computer-readable media, such as a floppy disk, CDROM, memory card, FLASH memory device, RAM, ROM, or any other type of memory device or computer-readable medium that interfaces to the device <b>500</b>. In another embodiment, the instructions may be downloaded into the device <b>500</b> from an external device or network resource that interfaces to the device <b>500</b> through the transceiver logic <b>506</b>. The program instructions, when executed by the processing logic <b>502</b>, provide one or more embodiments of a delivery system as described herein.

0086Therefore, the device <b>500</b> operates in one or more embodiments of a delivery system to receive regional parameters from a parameter stream based on a device position indicator or operating region. It should be noted that the device <b>500</b> illustrates just one implementation and that other implementations are possible within the scope of the embodiments.

0087<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows one embodiment of a method <b>600</b> for operating a device in one embodiment of a delivery system. For clarity, the method <b>600</b> will be described with reference to the device <b>500</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>. In one embodiment, at least one processor, such as the processing logic <b>502</b>, executes machine readable instructions to control the device <b>500</b> to perform the functions described below.

0088At block <b>602</b>, a device position is determined in real-time. For example, in one embodiment, the device comprises position logic <b>512</b> that operates to determine a real-time position indicator. For example, the position logic <b>512</b> may comprises GPS logic or any other type of positioning logic to determine the real-time position indicator, which indicates the position of the device as it moves from region to region.

0089At block <b>604</b>, the device determines its current real-time region indicator based on the position indicator. For example, in one embodiment, the processing logic <b>502</b> is aware of the locations of one or more operating regions associated with a wide area network. The processing logic <b>502</b> determines which of the operating regions the device is currently located in based on its real-time region indicator.

0090At block <b>606</b>, a wide area parameter stream is received. For example, in one embodiment, the parameter stream is broadcast over a wide area network and the transceiver logic <b>506</b> operates to receive the parameter stream through the channel <b>514</b>. In one embodiment, the parameter stream comprises one or more sets of regional parameters associated with the wide area network.

0091At block <b>608</b>, a set of regional parameters associated with the current operating region of the device is selected from the received parameters stream. For example, in one embodiment, the processing logic <b>502</b> processes the received parameter stream to obtain the regional parameters associated with the device's current operating region. For example, the processing logic <b>502</b> compares a region identifier associated with each of the regional parameter sets to the device's known real-time region indicator. When a match occurs, the processing logic <b>502</b> then selects and stores the associated set of regional parameters in the regional parameter storage <b>510</b>.

0092At block <b>610</b>, the selected regional parameters are used to generate information about content and/or services that are available in the device's current operating region. For example, in one embodiment, the processing logic <b>502</b> processes the regional parameters in the regional parameter storage <b>510</b> to produce a program guide that describes the available content and/or services.

0093At block <b>612</b>, the program guide is rendered on the device. For example, in one embodiment, the processing logic <b>502</b> controls the device resources and interfaces <b>504</b> to render the program guide on a device display. After the program guide is displayed to the device user, one or more available content and/or services may be selected by the user for subscription.

0094Thus, the method <b>600</b> operates to allow a device to receive a regional parameter set in one embodiment of a delivery system. It should be noted that the method <b>600</b> represents just one implementation and that other implementations are possible within the scope of the embodiments.

0095<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows one embodiment of a parameter message structure <b>700</b> for use in embodiments of a delivery system. For example, the message structure <b>700</b> may be generated by the stream generator logic <b>210</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

0096The parameter message structure <b>700</b> operates to associate available services and packages with region identifiers. For example, service #<b>2</b> is associated with regions identifiers #<b>1</b> and #<b>2</b> as shown at <b>702</b>. Furthermore, package #<b>3</b> is associated with region identifiers #<b>2</b> and #<b>3</b> as shown at <b>704</b>.

0097Therefore, the parameter message structure <b>700</b> operates to allow a distribution system to transmit system information that identifies packages and services that are available in various regions of a wide area network. It should also be noted that embodiments of the delivery system are not limited to using only the message structure <b>700</b>, but may utilize other suitable message structures to associate available content, packages, services with selected regions.

0098The various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

0099The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

0100The description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments, e.g., in an instant messaging service or any general wireless data communication applications, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. The word “exemplary” is used exclusively herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

0101Accordingly, while one or more embodiments of a delivery system have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made to the embodiments without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.