# US 8,788,534 B2 · Extending data records for dynamic data and selective acceptance based on hardware profile > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,788,534 B2 - Document ID: US8788534B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/019,532 - Filed: 2011-02-02 - Published: 2011-06-09 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2004-04-23 - Assignees: TVWorks, LLC - Applicants: James Hindle; Peter G. N. Scheyen; Mark A. Vickers - Inventors: James Hindle; Peter G. N. Scheyen; Mark A. Vickers - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8788534B2 ## CPC - H04N 21/235: Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors - H04N 21/2358: {for generating different versions, e.g. for different recipient devices} - H04N 21/26283: {for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic programme guide data} - H04N 21/435: Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream - H04N 21/478: Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application - H04N 21/4821: {using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time} - H04N 21/4828: {for searching programme descriptors (retrieval of video data G06F16/739)} - H04N 21/84: Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors {(systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73)} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A system, method and data structure for processing basic client application data types to add thereto extension types and priority levels adapted for use by each of a plurality of set top box classes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method, comprising: receiving, at a client device, a data record from a server, the data record comprising a base portion, an extension portion and a priority portion, the base portion comprising service data for providing a service of the client device, the extension portion comprising extended data supplemental to the service, the priority portion comprising a plurality of separate priority indicators dedicated to defining priority levels for the extension portion, and the plurality of separate priority indicators comprising a first priority comprising that is assigned to a first class of device and a second priority indicator that is assigned to a second class of device; extracting, by the client device, the first priority indicator corresponding to the first class of device from the priority portion; determining whether to process the extension portion based on an examination of the first priority indicator; upon determining to process the extension portion, processing the extended data supplemental to the service; and providing, by the client device, the service based on the service data. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether the first priority indicator corresponds to one of: always store or never store; and, storing the extended data when the first priority indicator corresponds to an always store indicator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first priority indicator is different from the second priority indicator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the client device conforms to the first class of device, wherein the extended data supplemental to the service is for providing an enhancement to the service, and wherein the enhancement is supported by the first class of device and is not supported by the second class of device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first class of device comprises one of: a low-end class, a mid-range class or a high-end class. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the extended data supplemental to the service comprises a pointer, the method further comprising: transmitting, to the server, a request for data indicated by the pointer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the data record comprises a plurality of extension portions, each of the extension portions associated with respective extended data that is for providing a service enhancement specific to a respective class of device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the service data comprises video on-demand content, wherein the service is a video-on-demand service, wherein providing the service is further based on the extended data supplemental to the service, and wherein the data record corresponds to a data record in a video-on-demand database comprising a plurality of records corresponding to a plurality of video-on-demand content items. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of priority indicators comprises a third priority indicator corresponding to a third class of device and wherein the data record further comprises a type identifier specifying a type of extension data stored in the extension portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the extended data supplemental to the service comprises promotional content; and wherein providing the service based on the service data comprises displaying the promotional content. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the client device is a set-top box. ### Claim 12 One or more non-transitory computer readable media storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause an apparatus to: receive a data record from a server, the data record comprising a base portion, an extension portion and a priority portion, the base portion comprising service data for providing a service of the client device, the extension portion comprising extended data supplemental to the service data, the priority portion comprising a plurality of separate priority indicators dedicated to defining priority levels for the extension portion, the plurality of separate priority indicators comprising a first priority indicator that is assigned to a first class of device and a second priority indicator that is assigned to a second class of device; extract the first priority indicator corresponding to the first class of device from the priority portion; determine whether to process the extension portion based on an examination of the first priority indicator; upon determining to process the extension portion, processing the extended data supplemental to the service; and provide the service based on the service data. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 12, wherein the data record comprises a plurality of extension portions, each extension portion corresponding to a different plurality of priority indicators included in the priority portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 12, wherein the first priority indicator is different from the second priority indicator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 12, wherein the extended data supplemental to the service comprises a pointer, and wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to transmit a request for data indicated by the pointer to the server. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is a set-top box. ### Claim 17 An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and memory operatively coupled to the at least one processor and storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the apparatus to: receive a data record from a server, the data record comprising a base portion, an extension portion and a priority portion, the base portion comprising service data for providing a service of the client device, the extension portion comprising extended data supplemental to the service data, the priority portion comprising a plurality of separate priority indicators dedicated to defining priority levels for the extension portion, the plurality of separate priority indicators comprising a first priority indicator that is assigned to a first class of device and a second priority indicator that is assigned to a second class of device; extract the first priority indicator corresponding to the first class of device from the priority portion; determine whether to process the extension portion based on an examination of the first priority indicator; upon determining to process the extension portion, processing the extended data supplemental to the service; and provide the service based on the service data. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is a set-top box. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the extended data supplemental to the service comprises a pointer, and wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to transmit a request for data indicated by the pointer to the server. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the data record comprises a plurality of extension portions, each extension portion corresponding to a different plurality of priority indicators included in the priority portion.