Media on demand system and method

• US 20020016969A1
• Filed: 04/13/2001
• Published: 02/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kimble, David Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/835,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20020016969A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/87
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV

Abstract

A method and system for generating a media on demand (MOD) event. The invention uses a MOD event protocol file that is generated when a user selects a MOD event in a stateless software module to generate the MOD event. A VOD server may dynamically generate the MOD event protocol file to indicate how to tune to the selected MOD event.

Claims

1. A method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system, comprising the steps of:

a) generating a user selectable MOD event in a stateless software module;

b) receiving a MOD event protocol file for the selected MOD event, the protocol file indicating the source of a media signal for the selected MOD event; and

c) directing the media generation system to generate the MOD event based on the MOD event protocol file.

2. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 1, further comprising the step of parsing the MOD event protocol file and wherein step c) includes directing the media generation system to generate the MOD event based on the parsed MOD event protocol file.

3. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 1, wherein the stateless software module is a Web browser.

4. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 1, wherein step a) includes generating a user selectable link coupled to a MOD event in a page of a Web Browser.

5. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 4, wherein step b) includes receiving a MOD event protocol file from the selected link for the MOD event.

6. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 5, wherein the media generation system is a windowless system.

7. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 5, wherein the media generation system is a video generation system and the MOD event is a video on demand (VOD) event.

8. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 7, wherein the media generation system is a television set top box.

9. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 8, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the video media event within a page of the Web Browser.

10. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 9, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD event within the page of the Web Browser.

11. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 10, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.

13. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 12 wherein step c) includes the stateless software module evoking a MOD event handler software module upon receiving the MOD event protocol file, the MOD event handler software module performing the steps of:

a) parsing the MOD event protocol file; and

b) directing the media generation system to generate the MOD event based on the parsed MOD event protocol file.

14. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 12, wherein the stateless software module is a Web browser and wherein step a) includes generating a user selectable link coupled to a MOD event in a page of a Web browser.

15. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 14, wherein step b) includes receiving a MOD event protocol file from the selected link for the MOD event.

16. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 14, wherein the media generation system is a windowless system.

17. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 14, wherein the media generation system is a video generation system and the MOD event is a VOD event.

18. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 14, wherein the media generation system is a television set top box.

19. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 15, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the VOD event within a page of the Web Browser.

20. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 19, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD event within the page of the Web Browser.

21. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 20, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.

22. The method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 13, wherein the MOD event handler software module is a Web Browser plug-in.

24. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event in a windowless television set top box of claim 23 wherein step c) includes the Web Browser evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in performing the steps of:

a) parsing the media event protocol file; and

b) directing the set top box to generate the VOD event based on the parsed VOD event protocol file.

25. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event in a windowless television set top box of claim 24, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the VOD event within the page of the web browser.

26. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event in a windowless television set top box of claim 25, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD media event within the page of the web browser.

27. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event in a windowless television set top box of claim 26, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.

29. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 28 wherein step c) includes the Web Browser evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in performing the steps of:

a) parsing the media event protocol file; and

b) directing the generation of the VOD event based on the parsed VOD event protocol file.

30. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 29, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the VOD event within the page of the web browser.

31. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 30, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD media event within the page of the web browser.

32. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 28, further comprising the step of dynamically allocating a channel for the VOD event and wherein step c) includes generating a VOD event protocol file for the requested VOD event where the VOD event protocol file includes the dynamically allocated channel.

33. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 31, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.

35. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 34 wherein step c) includes evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in performing the steps of:

a) parsing the media event protocol file; and

b) directing the generation of the VOD event based on the parsed VOD event protocol file.

36. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 35, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the VOD event within the page of the web browser.

37. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 36, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD media event within the page of the web browser.

38. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 34, the VOD server further performing the step of dynamically allocating a channel for the VOD event and wherein step e) includes generating a VOD event protocol file for the requested VOD event where the VOD event protocol file includes the dynamically allocated channel.

39. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 34, the VOD server further performing the step of transmitting the VOD event on the dynamically allocated channel.

40. The method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 37, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.

12. A method of generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system, comprising the steps of:

a) generating a user selectable MOD event in a stateless software module;

b) receiving a MOD event protocol file for the selected MOD event; and

c) the stateless software module evoking a MOD event handler software module upon receiving the MOD event protocol file, the MOD event handler software module performing the step of directing the media generation system to generate the MOD event based on the MOD event protocol file.

23. A method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event in a windowless television set top box, comprising the steps of:

a) generating a user selectable link coupled to a VOD event in a page of a Web Browser;

b) receiving a VOD event protocol file for the VOD event from the selected link;

c) the Web Browser evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in performing the step of directing the set top box to generate the VOD event based on the VOD event protocol file.

28. A method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event, comprising the steps of:

a) generating a user selectable link coupled to a VOD event in a page of a Web Browser;

b) receiving the request for the VOD event;

c) generating a VOD event protocol file for the requested VOD event;

d) transmitting the VOD event protocol file to the requesting link;

e) receiving the VOD event protocol file for the VOD event from the selected link; and

f) the Web Browser evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in performing the step of directing the generation of the VOD event based on the VOD event protocol file.

34. A method of generating a Video on demand (VOD) event, comprising a set top box performing the steps of:

a) generating a user selectable link coupled to a VOD event in a page of a Web browser;

b) receiving a VOD event protocol file for the VOD event from the selected link; and

c) evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in performing the step of directing the generation of the VOD event based on the VOD event protocol file;

and a VOD server performing the steps of;

d) receiving a request for the VOD event from the set top box;

e) generating a VOD event protocol file for the requested VOD event; and

f) transmitting the VOD event protocol file to the requesting link of the set top box.

41. An article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system, the article of manufacture comprising computer readable storage media including program logic embedded therein that causes control circuitry to perform the steps of:

a) generating a user selectable MOD event in a stateless software module;

b) receiving a MOD event protocol file for the selected media event, the protocol file indicating the source of a media signal for the selected MOD event; and

c) directing the media generation system to generate the MOD event based on the MOD event protocol file.

42. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 41, further performing the step of parsing the MOD event protocol file and wherein step c) includes directing the media generation system to generate the MOD event based on the parsed MOD event protocol file.

43. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 41, wherein the stateless software module is a Web browser.

44. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 41, wherein step a) includes generating a user selectable link coupled to a MOD event in a page of a Web Browser.

45. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 44, wherein step b) includes receiving a MOD event protocol file from the selected link for the MOD event.

46. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 45, wherein the media generation system is a windowless system.

47. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 45, wherein the media generation system is a video generation system and the MOD event is a video on demand (VOD) event.

48. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 47, wherein the media generation system is a television set top box.

49. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 48, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the video media event within a page of the Web Browser.

50. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 49, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD event within the page of the Web Browser.

51. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 50, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.

52. An article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system, the article of manufacture comprising computer readable storage media including program logic embedded therein that causes control circuitry to perform the steps of:

a) generating a user selectable MOD event in a stateless software module;

b) receiving a MOD event protocol file for the selected media event; and

c) the stateless software module evoking a MOD event handler software module upon receiving the MOD event protocol file, the MOD event handler software module performing the step of directing the media generation system to generate the MOD event based on the MOD event protocol file.

53. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 52 wherein step c) includes the stateless software module evoking a MOD event handler software module upon receiving the MOD event protocol file, the MOD event handler software module performing the steps of:

a) parsing the MOD event protocol file; and

b) directing the media generation system to generate the MOD event based on the parsed MOD event protocol file.

54. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 52, wherein the stateless software module is a Web browser and wherein step a) includes generating a user selectable link coupled to a MOD event in a page of a Web browser.

55. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 54, wherein step b) includes receiving a MOD event protocol file from the selected link for the MOD event.

56. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 54, wherein the media generation system is a windowless system.

57. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 54, wherein the media generation system is a video generation system and the MOD event is a VOD event.

58. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 54, wherein the media generation system is a television set top box.

59. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 55, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the VOD event within a page of the Web Browser.

60. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 59, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD event within the page of the Web Browser.

61. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 60, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.

62. The article of manufacture for use in generating a media on demand (MOD) event in a media generation system of claim 53, wherein the MOD event handler soft ware module is a Web Browser plug-in.

63. An article of manufacture for use in generating a Video on demand (VOD) event in a windowless television set top box, the article of manufacture comprising computer readable storage media including program logic embedded therein that causes control circuitry to perform the steps of:

a) generating a user selectable link coupled to a VOD event in a page of a Web Browser;

b) receiving a VOD event protocol file for the VOD event from the selected link;

c) the Web Browser evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in performing the step of directing the set top box to generate the VOD event based on the VOD event protocol file.

64. The article of manufacture for use in generating a Video on demand (VOD) event in a windowless television set top box of claim 63 wherein step c) includes the Web Browser evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in performing the steps of:

a) parsing the media event protocol file; and

b) directing the set top box to generate the VOD event based on the parsed VOD event protocol file.

65. The article of manufacture for use in generating a Video on demand (VOD) event in a windowless television set top box of claim 64, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the VOD event within the page of the web browser.

66. The article of manufacture for use in generating a Video on demand (VOD) event in a windowless television set top box of claim 65, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD media event within the page of the web browser.

67. The article of manufacture for use in generating a Video on demand (VOD) event in a windowless television set top box of claim 66, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.

69. The article of manufacture for use in generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 68 wherein step c) includes the Web Browser evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in performing the steps of:

a) parsing the media event protocol file; and

b) directing the generation of the VOD event based on the parsed VOD event protocol file.

70. The article of manufacture for use in generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 69, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the VOD event within the page of the web browser.

71. The article of manufacture for use in generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 70, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD media event within the page of the web browser.

72. The article of manufacture for use in generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 68, further comprising the step of dynamically allocating a channel for the VOD event and wherein step c) includes generating a VOD event protocol file for the requested VOD event where the VOD event protocol file includes the dynamically allocated channel.

73. The article of manufacture for use in generating a Video on demand (VOD) event of claim 71, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.

78. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 73, wherein the means for receiving includes means for receiving a MOD event protocol file from the selected link for the MOD event.

80. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim of 78, wherein the MOD generation system is a video generation system and the MOD event is a video on demand (VOD) event.

81. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 80, wherein the MOD generation system includes a television set top box.

82. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 81, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the video media event within a page of the Web Browser.

83. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 82, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD event within the page of the Web Browser.

84. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 83, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.

68. An article of manufacture for use in generating a Video on demand (VOD) event, the article of manufacture comprising computer readable storage media including program logic embedded therein that causes control circuitry to perform the steps of:

a) generating a user selectable link coupled to a VOD event in a page of a Web Browser;

b) receiving the request for the VOD event;

c) generating a VOD event protocol file for the requested VOD event;

d) transmitting the VOD event protocol file to the requesting link;

e) receiving the VOD event protocol file for the VOD event from the selected link; and

f) the Web Browser evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in performing the step of directing the generation of the VOD event based on the VOD event protocol file.

74. A media on demand (MOD) generation system, comprising:

a) means for generating a user selectable MOD event in a stateless software module;

b) means for receiving a MOD event protocol file for the selected media event, the protocol file indicating the source of a media signal for the selected MOD event; and

c) means for directing the generation of the MOD event based on the MOD event protocol file.

75. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 74, further comprising means for parsing the MOD event protocol file and wherein the means for directing the generation of the MOD event includes means for directing the generation of the MOD event based on the parsed MOD event protocol file.

76. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 74, wherein the stateless software module is a Web browser.

77. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 74, wherein the means for generating a user selectable link includes means for generating a user selectable link coupled to a MOD event in a page of a Web Browser.

79. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 78, wherein the MOD generation system is a windowless system.

85. A media on demand (MOD) generation system, comprising:

a) means for generating a user selectable MOD event in a stateless software module;

b) means for receiving a MOD event protocol file for the selected media event; and

c) means for evoking a MOD event handler software module upon receiving the MOD event protocol file, the MOD event handler software module including means for directing the generation of the MOD event based on the MOD event protocol file.

86. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 85 wherein the means for evoking includes means for evoking a MOD event handler software module upon receiving the MOD event protocol file, the MOD event handler software module includes means for performing the steps of:

a) parsing the MOD event protocol file; and

b) directing the generation of the MOD event based on the parsed MOD event protocol file.

87. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 85, wherein the stateless software module is a Web browser and wherein means for generating a user selectable link includes means for generating a user selectable link coupled to a MOD event in a page of a Web browser.

88. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 87, wherein the means for receiving includes means for receiving a MOD event protocol file from the selected link for the MOD event.

89. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 87, wherein the MOD generation system is a windowless system.

90. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 87, wherein the MOD generation system is a VOD generation system and the MOD event is a VOD event.

91. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 87, wherein the MOD generation system includes a television set top box.

92. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 91, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the VOD event within a page of the Web Browser.

93. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 92, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD event within the page of the Web Browser.

94. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 93, wherein the MOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.

95. The media on demand (MOD) generation system of claim 86, wherein the MOD event handler software module is a Web Browser plug-in.

96. A Video on demand (VOD) system, comprising:

a) means for generating a user selectable link coupled to a VOD event in a page of a Web Browser;

b) means for receiving a VOD event protocol file for the VOD event from the selected link; and

c) means for evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in including means for directing the generation of the VOD event based on the VOD event protocol file.

97. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 96 wherein the means for evoking includes means for evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file and the VOD event handler plug-in includes means for performing the steps of:

a) parsing the media event protocol file; and

b) directing the set top box to generate the VOD event based on the parsed VOD event protocol file.

98. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 97, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the VOD event within the page of the web browser.

99. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 98, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD media event within the page of the web browser.

100. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 99, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.

101. A Video on demand (VOD) system, comprising:

a) means for generating a user selectable link coupled to a VOD event in a page of a Web Browser;

b) means for receiving the request for the VOD event;

c) means for generating a VOD event protocol file for the requested VOD event;

d) means for transmitting the VOD event protocol file to the requesting link;

e) means for receiving the VOD event protocol file for the VOD event from the selected link; and

f) means for evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in including means for directing the generation of the VOD event based on the VOD event protocol file.

102. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 101 wherein the means for evoking includes means for evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in includes:

a) means for parsing the media event protocol file; and

b) means for directing the generation of the VOD event based on the parsed VOD event protocol file.

103. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 102, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the VOD event within the page of the web browser.

104. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 103, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD media event within the page of the web browser.

105. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 101, further comprising means for dynamically allocating a channel for the VOD event and wherein the means for generating the VOD event protocol file includes means for generating a VOD event protocol file for the requested VOD event where the VOD event protocol file includes the dynamically allocated channel.

106. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 104, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.

107. A Video on demand (VOD) system, comprising:

a set top box performing the steps of;

a) a set top box comprising;

i) means for generating a page in a Web browser having a user selectable link coupled to a VOD event;

ii) means for receiving a VOD event protocol file for the VOD event from the selected link; and

iii) means for evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in including means for directing the generation of the VOD event based on the VOD event protocol file; and

b) a VOD server comprising;

i) means for receiving a request for the VOD event from the set top box;

ii) means for generating a VOD event protocol file for the requested VOD event; and

iii) means for transmitting the VOD event protocol file to the requesting link of the set top box.

108. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 107, wherein the means for evoking includes means for evoking a VOD event handler plug-in upon receiving the VOD event protocol file, the VOD event handler plug-in including:

a) means for parsing the media event protocol file; and

b) means for directing the generation of the VOD event based on the parsed VOD event protocol file.

109. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 108, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the screen location for the VOD event within the page of the web browser.

110. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 109, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the height and width of the VOD media event within the page of the web browser.

111. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 107, the VOD server further including means for dynamically allocating a channel for the VOD event and wherein the means for generating the VOD event protocol file includes means for generating a VOD event protocol file for the requested VOD event where the VOD event protocol file includes the dynamically allocated channel.

112. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 111, the VOD server including means for transmitting the VOD event on the dynamically allocated channel.

113. The Video on demand (VOD) system of claim 110, wherein the VOD event protocol file includes the channel location of the VOD event.