US 2006/0242675 A1 · Return path management system and method

Abstract

There is provided a return path management system and method positioned between a user television and a provider system which delivers return paths from user televisions to provider systems in a packetized form. The return path management system comprises return path server, a provider database, a user database and a content database, wherein the provider database maintains providers information depending on levels which the provider systems belong to and which determine service levels, the user database maintains users information required for users authentication, a content database maintains contents information provided from the provider systems, and the return path server receives order information, identifies a provider to whom the received order information should be delivered, determines a service level based on the level which the provider belongs to in reference to the provider database, and performs interpretation and communication packetization of the order information depending on the determined service level. The return path management system according to the present invention can satisfy various demands of providers, because the system provides services dependent upon the provider systems. In addition, the return path management system according to the present invention can relieve excessive burdens loaded to return path servers caused by indiscriminate treatment of the return paths.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A return path management system which delivers return paths from user televisions to provider systems in a packetized form, comprising a return path server, a provider database, a user database and a content database, wherein the provider database maintains providers information depending on levels which the provider systems belong to and which determine service levels, the user database maintains users information required for users authentication, a content database maintains contents information provided from the provider systems, and the return path server receives order information, identifies a provider to whom the received order information should be delivered, determines a service level based on the level which the provider belongs to in reference to the provider database, and performs interpretation and communication packetization of the order information depending on the determined service level.

A return path management method, comprising:

a) providing a return path management system comprised of a provider database which maintains providers information depending on service levels of which the provider requests, in which the return path management system receives order information from a user, identifies a provider to whom the received order information should be delivered, determines a service level based on the level which the provider belongs to in reference to the provider database, and providing the determined service level;
b) determining whether an order information from a user is received or not;
c) if an order information from a user is received, identifying a provider to whom the received order information should be delivered, followed by determination of a service level based on the level which the provider belongs to in reference to the provider database;
d) performing interpretation and communication packetization of the order information depending on the determined service level.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Return path management system and method

Life of this patent

Return path management system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9