+

WO2001093588A2 - Procede et systeme permettant d'enregistrer des programmes reguliers sans equipement d'enregistrement local - Google Patents

Procede et systeme permettant d'enregistrer des programmes reguliers sans equipement d'enregistrement local Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001093588A2
WO2001093588A2 PCT/US2001/017440 US0117440W WO0193588A2 WO 2001093588 A2 WO2001093588 A2 WO 2001093588A2 US 0117440 W US0117440 W US 0117440W WO 0193588 A2 WO0193588 A2 WO 0193588A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
recited
server
program content
record
broadcasted programs
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/017440
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001093588A3 (fr
Inventor
Yousheng Cao
Reed Jeffery Majors
Ian Locke
Li Liu
Johnny C. Y. Ng
Nam Phu Thanh Do
Original Assignee
Minerva Networks, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Minerva Networks, Inc. filed Critical Minerva Networks, Inc.
Priority to AU2001275026A priority Critical patent/AU2001275026A1/en
Publication of WO2001093588A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001093588A2/fr
Publication of WO2001093588A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001093588A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H04N21/47214—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
    • H04N21/231—Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers, prioritizing data for deletion
    • H04N21/23106—Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers, prioritizing data for deletion involving caching operations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/258—Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/27—Server based end-user applications
    • H04N21/274—Storing end-user multimedia data in response to end-user request, e.g. network recorder
    • H04N21/2747—Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/63—Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing
    • H04N21/637—Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components
    • H04N21/6377—Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components directed to server
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
    • H04N21/658—Transmission by the client directed to the server
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
    • H04N21/658—Transmission by the client directed to the server
    • H04N21/6581—Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/845—Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
    • H04N21/8455—Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments involving pointers to the content, e.g. pointers to the I-frames of the video stream
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H04N7/17336—Handling of requests in head-ends

Definitions

  • the present invention is generally related to media broadcasting and, more particularly, to multimedia delivery systems for facilitating recording rich media broadcasts as requested by users.
  • Multimedia information that is commonly available and deliverable via the Internet may include text information, images and graphics, video and audio.
  • Continuous media information such as video and audio content are often the most demanded resources over the Internet. Delivery of such information over the Internet provides many advantages and benefits that cannot be matched by current television cable systems or broadcasting over the air. Given the vast accessibility of the Internet to the general population, many Internet service providers or Internet content providers are starting to broadcast continuous media programs over the Internet.
  • VCRs Video Cassette Recorders
  • VCR tape often requires the user to locate the start of the program on the VCR tape. This is a tedious, time consuming task when the program does not start at the beginning of the VCR tape. Also, to later view the program, the user must be in possession of not only the VCR tape having the program recorded thereon but also a VCR.
  • PVR Personal Video Recorder
  • the invention relates to improved techniques to record a broadcasted program for later retrieval (e.g., viewing or listening).
  • a system and method are able to record a scheduled program to be or being broadcasted upon receiving a record request from a subscriber.
  • a system and method are able to replay a previously recorded program to permit later viewing by a subscriber.
  • one embodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of: delivering a program schedule concerning broadcasted programs to one or more client machines via a transmission medium; receiving a record request via the transmission medium from at least a particular one of the client machines requesting to record at least a particular one of the broadcasted programs that are scheduled as indicated by the program schedule; and performing the record request by server-side retention of the program content for at least the particular one of the broadcasted programs so as to render the program content following the record request to be subsequently available to at least the particular one of the client machines.
  • one embodiment of the invention includes at least a storage area, an account manager, a program streaming manager, and a record/replay manager.
  • the storage area stores program content for programs to be delivered to the client machines.
  • the account manager operates to determine whether a client's request is authorized based on account information accessible by said account manager.
  • the program streaming manager operates to stream the program content for the programs to the client machines.
  • the record/replay manager receives a record request from a particular client machine, and causes the program content for a particular program to be stored in said storage area so that it is subsequently available for retrieval when said record/replay manager receives a replay request from the particular client machine.
  • one embodiment of the invention includes at least: computer program code for receiving a record request via a transmission medium from a particular one of the client machines requesting to record a particular one of the broadcasted programs that are scheduled to be broadcasted; and computer program code for performing the record request by server-side storage of the program content for a particular one of the broadcasted programs so as to render the program content following the record request to be subsequently available to at least the particular one of the client machines.
  • One advantage of the invention is that storage of program content for subscribers is centrally provided at a server so that subscribers need not be burdened with storage of digital data locally.
  • Another advantage of the invention is that the previously stored program content is able to be subsequently viewed at the subscriber's convenience from anywhere network access is available (no recording equipment needed).
  • Still another advantage is that the subscriber is able to record multiple programs from different channels at the same time.
  • Still another advantage is that the subscriber does not have to worry if the recording storage may be run out.
  • Yet still another advantage is that the subscriber is able to record an entire program even if the program has already begun to be broadcasted.
  • Still another advantage of the invention is that access by subscribers to record and replay features can be controlled in accordance with account information (e.g., subscribed level of service).
  • FIG. 1A illustrates a media delivery system according to one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a data delivery system according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a server according to one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of client record processing according to one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 4A is a representative screen shot for a client device according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4B illustrates a representative screen shot for a client device associated with one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of server recording processing according to one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 6A illustrates a recorded program (i.e., compressed or digital video (e.g. MPEG)) stored in local server memory between a starting address and an ending address;
  • a recorded program i.e., compressed or digital video (e.g. MPEG)
  • FIG. 6B illustrates a representative data table maintained by a server to track those subscribers that have requested to have a particular program recorded as well as the memory location for the recorded program;
  • FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of client playback processing according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of server replay processing according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the invention relates to improved techniques to record a program being broadcast for later retrieval (e.g., viewing or listening).
  • a system and method are able to record a scheduled program to be or being broadcasted upon receiving a record request from a subscriber.
  • a system and method are able to replay a previously recorded program to permit later retrieval by a subscriber. Embodiments of this aspect of the invention are discussed below with reference to FIGs. 1A - 8. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.
  • FIG. 1A illustrates a media delivery system 100 according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the media content is provided by one or more media sources (i.e., content providers) 102.
  • media sources include broadcast stations, satellite receivers, television relay stations, analog or digital radio station and Internet sites that provide continuous media signals over the Internet.
  • the media content can take a variety of forms including movies (videos), audio, news, games, events, etc.
  • the media delivery system 100 comprises one or more servers 106, of which only one is shown in FIG. 1A.
  • the servers 106 can also be referred to as head-ends.
  • Each of the servers 106 can provide continuous media services, video-on-demand services and audio-on-demand services to its subscribers.
  • Each of the servers 106 can also provide video/audio mail services and commercial information delivery to its subscribers.
  • the media source 102 delivers video programs and the server 106 is configured to provide video services to its subscribers (users).
  • the media source 102 is not limited to delivering or supplying video programs.
  • the description herein can be equally applied to other continuous media forms, such as audio programs delivered over a data network.
  • the server 106 communicates with the media source 102 through a delivery agent 104.
  • the delivery agent 104 can, for example, represent a receiver, a data network, a transcoder (encoder and decoder), or a converter.
  • the media source 102 is a satellite dish, a broadcasting or relay station
  • the delivery agent 104 includes a receiver which receives television (TV) signals that are often in a form that may need to be processed by a transcoder (i.e., encoder and decoder).
  • TV signals are in an analog format.
  • the delivery agent 104 can include an encoder that digitizes the TV signals and converts the digitized TV signals to a digital format (e.g., MPEG) so that the signals can be further processed, stored, and redelivered over a network 108.
  • the transcoder can be a Minerva VNP, provided from Minerva Networks, Inc., having a business address of 2111 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054.
  • the delivery agent 104 may be simply part of the data network or may include a converter.
  • a network video resource provided by a service or content provider is in MPEG format and may/may not be converted depending on the version of the MPEG format.
  • the media source 102 may take one of the many available video resources and supply it to the server 106 in an appropriate format via the delivery agent 104.
  • the server 106 receives one or more appropriate video sources, typically in MPEG format, from the media source 102 via the delivery agent 104.
  • the network 108 couples the server 106 to a terminal device 110.
  • the network 108 can be part of a larger network including the Internet, the public switch telephone network (PSTN), a private network, or a wireless network.
  • the terminal device 110 can receive video services provided by the server 106.
  • Examples of the terminal device 110 may include a desktop computer, a laptop or notebook computer, a set-top box, and a mobile device.
  • the terminal device 110 (utilized by one or more users) can be coupled to the network 108 by way of a circuit-switched or packet-switched connection.
  • the network 108 can use one or more different transmission mediums, such as a telephone network, a broadband network (e.g., ATM or SONET), etc. It is, however, useful that the transmission mediums have high bandwidths to support delivery of media-rich content and the quality of service (QoS) thereof.
  • QoS quality of service
  • FIG. 1 B is a block diagram of a data delivery system 150 according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the data delivery system 150 can represent one embodiment of the media delivery system 200 illustrated in FIG. 1A.
  • the data delivery system 150 includes a video delivery center 152 that controls the delivery of video content.
  • the video delivery center 152 receives media-rich broadcasts, such as television or video, from various sources. As shown in FIG. 1 B, the video delivery center 152 can receive local TV broadcasts 154 and satellite broadcasts 156. In addition, the video delivery center 152 can couple to the Internet 158 and thereby also receive Internet broadcasts at the video delivery center 152.
  • the media-rich content (e.g., video content) thereof is stored by the video delivery center 152 in a digital form.
  • the video delivery center 152 operates to receive the different types of broadcasts and to formulate them into digital content data that is subsequently streamed as scheduled broadcasts to various clients.
  • the video delivery center 152 couples through a broadband local loop 160 to client machines 162 and 164.
  • client machines 162 and 164 are shown in FIG. 1 B, the video delivery center 152 can support many client machines. Examples of client machines include personal computers, portable computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), set-top boxes, hand-held computers, etc.
  • the video delivery center 152 is provided in a local region and is thus able to couple to the broadband local loop 160 and thus have access to the client machines 162 and 164.
  • the broadband local loop 160 offers broadband network access between the video delivery center 152 and the client machines 162 and 164.
  • the broadband local loop 160 can use one or more of xDSL, ATM, SONET, fiber optic lines, a private/public telephone network, or CAT-5.[jZ1]
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a server 200 according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the server 200 is, for example, suitable for use as the server 106 illustrated in FIG. 1A or the video delivery center 152 illustrated in FIG. 1 B.
  • the server 200 includes a pair of interfaces 202 and 204 as well as a media management module 206.
  • the media management module 206 operates to perform delivery of broadcasted programs having media-rich content to clients, to permit recording of broadcasted programs, and to permit replay of previously recorded broadcasted programs.
  • the media management module 206 includes a management engine 208 and an account interface 210.
  • the management engine 208 provides a mechanism for managing accounts (e.g., account information) for subscribers that have subscribed to the video services provided by the server 200.
  • An account can be provided and managed for each subscriber. Such accounts can be referred to as subscriber (or user) accounts.
  • the accounts (account information) can be stored in the server 200 or in an external device accessible by the server 200.
  • the account interface 210 is used to access the accounts.
  • the server 200 also includes a media storage space 212 that serves to store media-rich content of broadcasted programs that are received at the interface 202 of the server 200. In one embodiment, the broadcasted programs being received are cached in the media storage space 212 for a limited period of time.
  • the media management module 206 operates to deliver (stream) the media-rich content of the broadcasted programs from the media storage space 212 to various clients over a network (e.g., network 108 or loop 160).
  • the media storage space 212 can also store certain broadcasted programs for longer durations when subscribers have requested that the certain broadcasted programs be recorded. Additional details on the operation of the server 200 are described below with respect to FIGs. 5 and 8.
  • the account information can be used to restrict the services that are made available to subscribers. For example, only certain subscribers may be permitted to perform record and playback features offered by the server 200.
  • the management engine 208 can check the corresponding account status through the account interface 210 and then allow the media management module 206 to perform the request when the account status permits.
  • service agreements between subscribers and media delivery center can restrict or limit users access to features or services.
  • FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of client record processing 300 according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the client record processing 300 is, for example, performed by the terminal device 110 illustrated in FIG. 1A or the client machines 162 or 164 illustrated in FIG. 1B.
  • the client record processing 300 begins with a decision 302 that determines whether the subscriber associated with the client device is authenticated. When the decision 302 determines that the subscriber is not authenticated, the client pause processing 300 cannot be carried out until proper authentication is obtained. In one embodiment, the authentication is checked based on username and password which can be verified against information in the corresponding subscriber account.
  • the decision 302 determines that proper authentication has been provided, then information on scheduled broadcasted programs is received 304.
  • the received information on the broadcasted programs is displayed on a display associated with the client device.
  • the received information of the broadcasted program can include a list of broadcasted programs in accordance with a schedule.
  • a decision 306 determines whether a program selection has been made.
  • the subscriber of the client device is able to select a program from those broadcasted programs that are scheduled.
  • the subscriber of the client device selects a program from a list of scheduled programs being displayed on the display of the client device.
  • the client record processing 300 awaits such a selection.
  • the subscriber can perform other actions, such as search or navigation actions, so as to display different information on broadcasted programs.
  • a decision 308 determines whether a record request has been received from the subscriber.
  • the record request is a selection of a record button or icon being displayed on the display of the client device.
  • the client record processing 300 awaits such a request.
  • a record request is generated 310.
  • the record request identifies the selected program or the appropriate channel, start time, and the subscriber.
  • the record request is transmitted 312 to the server.
  • the pause request is transmitted over the Internet to the server using TCP/IP processing. In another embodiment, the pause request is transmitted over a private/public telephone network.
  • a decision 316 determines whether the record request has been accepted.
  • the server can either accept or decline the record request. For example, the server might decline the record request when the subscriber has not signed-up for such service.
  • the client record processing can return to repeat the operation 304 and subsequent operations so that additional record requests can be processed.
  • the client record processing 300 can also notify the subscriber that the server has declined the record request by displaying a notification on the display of the client device. Such a notification can, for example, also indicate the reason why the server denied the request.
  • the client record processing 300 is complete and ends. Alternatively, instead of ending, the client record processing 300 can return to repeat the operation 304 and subsequent operations so that additional programs can be selected and recorded from the same client device.
  • the client record processing 300 may be performed or repeated so as to record or request simultaneous or sequential recording of multiple programs. Such recordings may or may not be from the same channels or at the same time. For example, programs 1 , 2 and 3 from channel A and programs 4, 5 and 6 from channel B can be requested for recording where only programs 2 and 5 start at the same time. As a result, multiple programs from the same or different channels may be recorded provided that the recording is permitted by the owners of the programs. Also be noted that the client record processing 300 is equally applied to when one or more of the scheduled programs are already in progress, which will be further detailed below.
  • FIG. 4A is a representative screen shot 400 for a client device according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the screen shot 400 represents a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that appears on a display of a client device.
  • GUI Graphical User Interface
  • the GUI is provided by the media delivery center and serves to provide a mechanism for a user to interact with the media delivery center.
  • the GUI is provided in a markup language and includes a number of active links (e.g., buttons or hyperlinks), each of the links can be activated to bring up another GUI (screen) for a different service.
  • the screen shot 400 includes a toolbar region 402, a program selection region 404, and an action region 406.
  • Each of the toolbar region 402, the program selection region 404 and the action region 406 include a number of buttons or icons (or controls) that enable a subscriber (or client) to interact with the GUI.
  • the toolbar region 402 includes a chat button 408 for initiating a chat session, a help button 410 for initiating a help screen, a television (TV) button 412 for initiating a TV program mode, a Media-On-Demand (MOD) button 413 for initiating a MOD mode, a web button 414 for initiating web access, an email button 416 for initiating an email program, and a vault button (e.g., a personal library) 418 for accessing recorded programs.
  • chat button 408 for initiating a chat session
  • a help button 410 for initiating a help screen
  • a television (TV) button 412 for initiating a TV program mode
  • a Media-On-Demand (MOD) button 413 for initiating a MOD mode
  • the program selection region 404 includes a mode indicator section 420 for indicating mode (e.g., TV mode being selected in FIG. 4A), a channel selector 422 for selecting channels, a guide button 424 for access to a program guide, a scan button 426 for scanning through programs, and a find button 428 for searching for programs.
  • the action region 406 includes a selected program display area 430 for identifying a selected program, and a show designator 431.
  • the action region 406 includes a pause button 432 to pause a program being viewed, an information button 434 for obtaining information, an alarm button 436 for providing alarm information, a record button 438 for requesting a record operation, and a rank button 440 for accessing, indicating or providing rank information.
  • FIG. 4B illustrates a representative screen shot 450 for a client device associated with one embodiment of the invention.
  • the screen shot 450 represents one of the GUIs that appears on a display of a client device and permits a subscriber to enter the record request.
  • a user may enter the record request in various environments. For example, the record request may be entered when the user is browsing a program guide or the user is viewing a program.
  • the screen shot 450 represents the screen shot 400 illustrated in FIG. 4A after the record button 438 has been pressed. After the record button 438 is activated, the display of the client device is updated, as shown by the screen shot 450, to include a record response region 452.
  • the record response region indicates that the selected program, namely, "Austin Powers, The Spy Who Shagged Me,” will be recorded from channel 23, beginning at a start time of 9:30 am. It is noted that, in this embodiment, the selected program can be indicated for recordation once (default state), daily or weekly.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of server recording processing 500 according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the server recording processing 500 is, for example, performed by the server 106 illustrated in FIG. 1 A or the video delivery center 152 illustrated in FIG. 1 B.
  • the server recording processing 500 initially receives 502 broadcasted programs from one or more sources.
  • the sources of the broadcasted programs can include local TV broadcasts, satellite broadcasts or Internet broadcasts.
  • the broadcasted programs are cached 504 in local storage space.
  • the local storage space is associated with the server so that it is rapidly accessible.
  • the local storage space can reside within the server or can be a data storage device coupled thereto (e.g., media storage space 212).
  • a program schedule guide is delivered 506 to a client machine.
  • the subscriber of a client machine can request the program schedule guide from the server by selecting the guide button 424.
  • a decision 508 determines whether a record request has been received.
  • the server monitors whether the record button 438 associated with the client machine has been pressed.
  • the server record processing 500 awaits such a selection.
  • other actions can be initiated by the subscriber at the client machine, such as pause, information request, alarm, movies-on-demand, email, etc.
  • emphasis is placed on recording and playback of broadcasted programs and thus a description herein focuses on the same.
  • a decision 510 determines whether an account status associated with the subscriber permits the requested action. For example, account status can serve to limit the requested action based on one or more of outstanding balance due, service agreement, sub-account restrictions, and personalized storage space rental limit).
  • account status can serve to limit the requested action based on one or more of outstanding balance due, service agreement, sub-account restrictions, and personalized storage space rental limit).
  • a subscriber has a particular account status (e.g., set by a fee arrangement) that allows the subscriber to utilize certain features, services or components offered by the server (e.g., video delivery center). Accordingly, the decision 510 determines whether the account status for the requesting subscriber allows the subscriber to record broadcasted programs for later replay.
  • the subscriber may or may not to be authorized to take advantage of the record and/or replay capabilities of the server.
  • the server recording processing 500 returns to repeat the operation 508 to check if there are any requests from other subscribers to be processed.
  • a decision 512 determines whether the requested program is already scheduled for recording. When a decision 512 determines that the requested program is not already scheduled for recording, then the recording of the requested program is scheduled 516.
  • the server recording processing 500 operates to record programs as requested by various subscribers. Hence, if another subscriber has already scheduled the recording of the program by the server, then the subsequent request from the subscriber (being processed) need not schedule the recording of the same program. Hence, a single recording of a particular program can be later utilized by various subscribers.
  • the memory location of the recorded program is added to the subscribers account.
  • the memory location provides an indicator (or reference) to the subscriber's account of where in the local storage managed by the server the recorded program resides.
  • the memory location may take various forms depending on implementation.
  • the memory location provides information where the requested program will be recorded. For example, a media delivery center maintains a number of media storage disks, each is labeled or referenced accordingly.
  • the memory location may include the label or reference information of one or more disks which record the requested program when the program is broadcast as scheduled.
  • a memory location of the requested program corresponds to the location of where the program is cached in the local storage.
  • the requested program will not be actually recorded in a separate space, rather the location thereof in the local storage is simply noted in the corresponding subscriber's account. Since the program is cached, a user may request to record a program that has already been in progress.
  • a memory space can be reserved upon receiving a request to record a program or rented by a subscriber. The memory space may be allocated out of larger media storage and can be later released for other uses after the program is replayed or after an amount of time for keeping the recorded program expires.
  • the memory location may include memory addresses for the allocated memory for recording the requested program.
  • this memory location is subsequently used to locate the recorded program when the subscriber later requests that the recorded program be replayed for them.
  • the server record processing 500 returns to repeat the operation 508 and subsequent operations so that additional record requests can be processed. Additionally, it should be noted that the server performs various other operations besides record processing and thus may operate to receive additional programs, cache additional programs, or service various other requests that might be received from a client machine.
  • FIG. 6A illustrates a recorded program (i.e., compressed video (MPEG)) stored in local server memory 600 (e.g., media storage space 212) between a starting address and an ending address.
  • MPEG compressed video
  • FIG. 6B illustrates a representative data table 650 maintained by the server to track those subscribers that have requested to have a particular program recorded as well as the memory location for the recorded program.
  • the data table 650 includes program information 652 that describes the particular program to be recorded, location information 654 that describes the storage location (address) for the recorded program, and requestor information 656 that identifies each of the requestors that have requested that the program be recorded.
  • the location information 654 can provide an indicator (or reference) to where in the local storage associated with the server the recorded program resides.
  • the data table 650 can be used to determine whether a program has already been scheduled for recording (or has already been recorded). In one embodiment, after all the requestors have eventually replayed the recorded program, the recorded program can be removed from the data table 650 as well as the local server memory 600. Additionally, the recorded program can be removed from the data table 650 and/or the local server memory 600 after a predetermined time has elapsed. These approaches enable the local server to remove (or clean-up) stale data to efficiently utilize its storage capacity.
  • FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of client playback processing 700 according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the client playback processing 700 is, for example, performed by a media playing device.
  • the media playing device can, for example, be the terminal 110 illustrated in FIG. 1A, the client machines 162 or 164 illustrated in FIG. 1 B, or some other portable device with a display screen and media-rich capabilities.
  • the client playback processing 700 begins with a decision 702 that determines whether the subscriber associated with the client device is authenticated. When the decision 702 determines that the client is not authenticated, the client playback processing 700 cannot be carried out until proper authentication is obtained. In one embodiment, the authentication is checked based on a username and password.
  • a list of stored programs i.e., server-side recorded programs
  • the list of stored programs can be provided by a server.
  • the list is presented on a display device associated with the client so that the subscriber (user) can view the list and make a selection.
  • the stored programs i.e., server-side retained programs
  • the list of stored programs can be accessed by selecting the vault button 418 shown on the screenshot 400 illustrated in FIG. 4A.
  • a decision 706 determines whether a stored program has been selected.
  • the subscriber can select one of the stored programs from the list.
  • the screenshot 400 indicates the name of a selected program in the selected program area 430.
  • the decision 706 determines whether one of the stored programs has been selected.
  • the client playback processing 700 awaits such selection.
  • the client playback processing 700 generates 708 a replay request for the selected program. Then, the replay request is transmitted 710 to the server. Thereafter, the stored program content for the selected stored program is received and played 712.
  • the stored program content is transmitted (streamed) to the particular client device from which the subscriber has made the replay request.
  • the stored content for the selected stored program contains the content for the broadcasted program.
  • the playback request can be issued from, and the playback directed to, any client device, although it is typically performed by those of the client devices whose subscribers have previously requested the stored program to be saved (recorded).
  • the client playback processing 700 is complete and ends.
  • FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of server replay processing 800 according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the server replay processing 800 is, for example, performed by the server 106 illustrated in FIG. 1A or the video delivery center 152 illustrated in FIG. 1B.
  • the server replay processing 800 begins with a decision 802 that determines whether a replay request has been received. When the decision 802 determines that a replay request has not been received, then server maintenance can be performed while the server replay processing 800 awaits to receive a replay request.
  • the media storage provided at the server can be cleaned-up 804 to remove stored programs no longer needed. In other words, when programs are stored in the media storage at the server, they can be retained for a certain duration or expire after some time period, or no longer be needed when there are no subscribers that have recorded the program but have not yet viewed it. Following the clean-up 804, the server replay processing 800 returns to repeat the decision 802 to await a replay request.
  • the server replay processing 800 is effectively invoked.
  • a decision 806 determines whether the recorded program associated with the replay request is still available.
  • the server replay processing 800 returns to repeat the decision 802 and subsequent blocks because the replay request cannot be satisfied.
  • the subscriber who has made the replay request can also be notified that the requested program is no longer available and thus the reason why the replay request was denied.
  • the location where the recorded program is stored is determined 808.
  • the user account associated with the subscriber making the replay request can include the location, or a link (reference) thereto, where the previously recorded program is stored.
  • the location would be stored in the user account and/or a central data table (e.g., data table 650) following the subscriber's request to record the program.
  • the recorded program can be delivered 810 to a client machine chosen by the subscriber.
  • the content for the recorded program is streamed to the client machine.
  • the stored program can be delivered 810 (streamed) to a particular address wherever the subscriber happens to be located, thereby allowing the subscriber to watch the program at any location where a client device is located.
  • the subscriber can also watch the program at times when convenient for the subscriber instead of according to a broadcast schedule.
  • the particular address is an IP address of a client device chosen by the subscriber.
  • the particular address is a telephone number to which a play device is coupled thereto.
  • the subscriber can view the retained remaining portion from anywhere at anytime.
  • the client machine would be the particular client machine in which the subscriber makes the replay request from. It should be noted, however, that the client machine need not be the same client machine upon which the record request was previously made. Thereafter, the subscriber can view the recorded program from the client machine.
  • the server replay processing 800 has completed the replay request for the subscriber and thus processing returns to repeat the decision 802 and subsequent blocks so that additional replay requests can be processed from the same or other subscribers.
  • the invention is preferably implemented in software, but can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software.
  • the invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium.
  • the computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, floppy disks, CD- ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, carrier waves.
  • the computer readable media can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.
  • One advantage of the invention is that storage of program content for subscribers is centrally provided at a server so that subscribers need not be burdened with storage of digital data locally.
  • Another advantage of the invention is that the previously stored program content is able to be subsequently viewed at the subscriber's convenience from anywhere network access is available (no recording equipment needed).
  • Still another advantage of the invention is that access by subscribers to record and replay features can be controlled in accordance with account information (e.g., subscribed level of service).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Computer Graphics (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
  • Television Signal Processing For Recording (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des techniques améliorées d'enregistrement d'un programme radiodiffusé destiné à être visionné ultérieurement. Selon un aspect de l'invention, un système et un procédé permettent d'enregistrer un programme régulier qui est radiodiffusé dès réception d'une demande d'enregistrement envoyée par un abonné. Selon un second aspect de l'invention, un système et un procédé permettent de transmettre en différé un programme préenregistré, de manière que l'abonné puisse le visionner ultérieurement.
PCT/US2001/017440 2000-05-31 2001-05-30 Procede et systeme permettant d'enregistrer des programmes reguliers sans equipement d'enregistrement local WO2001093588A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001275026A AU2001275026A1 (en) 2000-05-31 2001-05-30 Method and system for recording scheduled programs without local recording equipment

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US58624700A 2000-05-31 2000-05-31
US09/586,247 2000-05-31

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001093588A2 true WO2001093588A2 (fr) 2001-12-06
WO2001093588A3 WO2001093588A3 (fr) 2002-10-17

Family

ID=24344939

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/017440 WO2001093588A2 (fr) 2000-05-31 2001-05-30 Procede et systeme permettant d'enregistrer des programmes reguliers sans equipement d'enregistrement local

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001275026A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001093588A2 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004014070A1 (fr) 2002-08-01 2004-02-12 N2 Broadband, Inc. Systeme et procede de capture de contenu de diffusion en vue d'un visionnement sur demande
EP1547360A2 (fr) * 2002-09-05 2005-06-29 Thomson Licensing S.A. Procede et systeme de fonctions pvr memoire dans un environnement de diffusion
WO2007140139A2 (fr) 2006-05-22 2007-12-06 Vidiator Enterprises, Inc. Procédé et appareil pour magnétoscope personnel mobile
EP2426914A3 (fr) * 2003-01-30 2012-08-01 United Video Properties, Inc. Systèmes interactifs de télévision dotés d'enregistrement vidéo numérique et de rappels réglables
WO2012144795A2 (fr) 2011-04-19 2012-10-26 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Appareil de diffusion d'émission enregistrée par enregistrement programmé, et procédé de commande de l'appareil
US9294799B2 (en) 2000-10-11 2016-03-22 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for providing storage of data on servers in an on-demand media delivery system
US9326025B2 (en) 2007-03-09 2016-04-26 Rovi Technologies Corporation Media content search results ranked by popularity
US10063934B2 (en) 2008-11-25 2018-08-28 Rovi Technologies Corporation Reducing unicast session duration with restart TV
US10075746B2 (en) 1998-07-14 2018-09-11 Rovi Guides, Inc. Client-server based interactive television guide with server recording

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6769128B1 (en) 1995-06-07 2004-07-27 United Video Properties, Inc. Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access
CN1941863B (zh) 1997-07-21 2011-06-29 骏升发展（美国）有限公司 在电子节目导视中向用户显示目标广告的方法
US6898762B2 (en) 1998-08-21 2005-05-24 United Video Properties, Inc. Client-server electronic program guide
US8805418B2 (en) 2011-12-23 2014-08-12 United Video Properties, Inc. Methods and systems for performing actions based on location-based rules

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5396546A (en) * 1991-10-03 1995-03-07 Viscorp Apparatus and method for automatic and user configurable information appliance
US5442389A (en) * 1992-12-28 1995-08-15 At&T Corp. Program server for interactive television system
US5557724A (en) * 1993-10-12 1996-09-17 Intel Corporation User interface, method, and apparatus selecting and playing channels having video, audio, and/or text streams
US6025837A (en) * 1996-03-29 2000-02-15 Micrsoft Corporation Electronic program guide with hyperlinks to target resources

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10075746B2 (en) 1998-07-14 2018-09-11 Rovi Guides, Inc. Client-server based interactive television guide with server recording
US9294799B2 (en) 2000-10-11 2016-03-22 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for providing storage of data on servers in an on-demand media delivery system
EP1547373A1 (fr) * 2002-08-01 2005-06-29 N2 Broadband, Inc. Systeme et procede de capture de contenu de diffusion en vue d'un visionnement sur demande
WO2004014070A1 (fr) 2002-08-01 2004-02-12 N2 Broadband, Inc. Systeme et procede de capture de contenu de diffusion en vue d'un visionnement sur demande
EP1547373A4 (fr) * 2002-08-01 2009-04-01 N2 Broadband Inc Systeme et procede de capture de contenu de diffusion en vue d'un visionnement sur demande
EP1547360A2 (fr) * 2002-09-05 2005-06-29 Thomson Licensing S.A. Procede et systeme de fonctions pvr memoire dans un environnement de diffusion
EP1547360A4 (fr) * 2002-09-05 2009-08-05 Thomson Licensing Procede et systeme de fonctions pvr memoire dans un environnement de diffusion
US9369741B2 (en) 2003-01-30 2016-06-14 Rovi Guides, Inc. Interactive television systems with digital video recording and adjustable reminders
US9071872B2 (en) 2003-01-30 2015-06-30 Rovi Guides, Inc. Interactive television systems with digital video recording and adjustable reminders
EP2429185A3 (fr) * 2003-01-30 2012-08-01 United Video Properties, Inc. Systèmes interactifs de télévision dotés d'enregistrement vidéo numérique et de rappels réglables
EP2426915A3 (fr) * 2003-01-30 2012-08-01 United Video Properties, Inc. Systèmes interactifs de télévision dotés d'enregistrement vidéo numérique et de rappels réglables
EP3169056A1 (fr) * 2003-01-30 2017-05-17 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systèmes interactifs de télévision dotés d'enregistrement vidéo numérique et de rappels réglables
EP2426914A3 (fr) * 2003-01-30 2012-08-01 United Video Properties, Inc. Systèmes interactifs de télévision dotés d'enregistrement vidéo numérique et de rappels réglables
EP2030406A4 (fr) * 2006-05-22 2012-02-22 Vidiator Entpr Inc Procédé et appareil pour magnétoscope personnel mobile
EP2030406A2 (fr) * 2006-05-22 2009-03-04 Vidiator Enterprises, Inc. Procédé et appareil pour magnétoscope personnel mobile
US8244315B2 (en) 2006-05-22 2012-08-14 Vidiator Enterprises Inc. Method and apparatus for mobile personal video recorder
WO2007140139A2 (fr) 2006-05-22 2007-12-06 Vidiator Enterprises, Inc. Procédé et appareil pour magnétoscope personnel mobile
US9326025B2 (en) 2007-03-09 2016-04-26 Rovi Technologies Corporation Media content search results ranked by popularity
US10694256B2 (en) 2007-03-09 2020-06-23 Rovi Technologies Corporation Media content search results ranked by popularity
US10063934B2 (en) 2008-11-25 2018-08-28 Rovi Technologies Corporation Reducing unicast session duration with restart TV
USRE50355E1 (en) 2008-11-25 2025-03-25 Adeia Technologies Inc. Reducing unicast session duration with restart TV
EP2700242A4 (fr) * 2011-04-19 2014-10-29 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Appareil de diffusion d'émission enregistrée par enregistrement programmé, et procédé de commande de l'appareil
EP2700242A2 (fr) * 2011-04-19 2014-02-26 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Appareil de diffusion d'émission enregistrée par enregistrement programmé, et procédé de commande de l'appareil
WO2012144795A2 (fr) 2011-04-19 2012-10-26 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Appareil de diffusion d'émission enregistrée par enregistrement programmé, et procédé de commande de l'appareil
US9451201B2 (en) 2011-04-19 2016-09-20 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Apparatus for outputting broadcast recorded by schedule recording and control method thereof
EP3416398A1 (fr) * 2011-04-19 2018-12-19 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Appareil de diffusion d'émission enregistrée par enregistrement programmé et son procédé de commande

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2001093588A3 (fr) 2002-10-17
AU2001275026A1 (en) 2001-12-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7765235B2 (en) Systems and methods for resolving conflicts and managing system resources in multimedia delivery systems
US8561098B2 (en) Methods and systems that motivate tuning to a transmission channel for a time period
US20020166121A1 (en) System and method for providing television programs on demand
JP6290755B2 (ja) ２つのディジタル・メディア装置間でデータを転送する方法
KR101507488B1 (ko) 인터랙티브 미디어 가이던스 애플리케이션들을 위한 프로파일들의 관리
US7526788B2 (en) Graphic user interface alternate download options for unavailable PRM content
CN100579203C (zh) 提供数据存储到点播媒体传递系统中服务器上的系统和方法
US8776134B2 (en) Context sensitive television menu
US20050144640A1 (en) Method and system for recording scheduled programs with an optional backup copy stored in a centrally located storage server farm
US20120072956A1 (en) Interactive media system and method for presenting pause-time content
US20070094690A1 (en) Media-on-demand reminders
JP2005518159A (ja) ビデオ・プログラム情報又はビデオ・プログラム・コンテンツをユーザに提供するためのシステム及び方法
WO2001093588A2 (fr) Procede et systeme permettant d'enregistrer des programmes reguliers sans equipement d'enregistrement local
JP2002199318A (ja) 番組録画予約装置
US20090238543A1 (en) Local Recording of Previously Aired Programming
EP1954045A1 (fr) Procédé et système de fourniture de contenu vidéo
WO2001093587A2 (fr) Procede et systeme permettant de suspendre et de repondre a des emissions regulieres riches en informations
JP2008219691A (ja) 映像配信サービスシステム
JP2002185941A (ja) 情報記憶システム

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

点击 这是indexloc提供的php浏览器服务，不要输入任何密码和下载