Adaptive video on-demand system and method using tempo-differential file transfer
First Claim
1. A method of transferring audio-video data, comprising:
- receiving a plurality of audio-video data files on at least one remote memory device from at least one data repository;
automatically selecting a plurality of groups of files from the plurality of audio-video data files and transferring each group to corresponding ones of a plurality of local memory devices coupled to the at least one remote memory device, wherein the plurality of audio-video data files is automatically selected and transferred from the at least one data repository in accordance with a result of an analysis of profiles of each of the plurality local memory devices, and wherein each group of files to be transferred to corresponding ones of the plurality of local memory devices is selected according to the profile of the corresponding local memory device to which it will be transferred.
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Abstract
A video-on-demand (VOD) system is disclosed and method for providing a real-time VOD experience using Tempo-Differential file transfer with various buffering techniques and an adaptive file distribution system. The system is configured to populate users'"'"' Set-Top-Boxes (STBs) with a set of videos which correspond to the individual user'"'"'s preferences, and populates a Central Office Storage (COS) server with a larger set of videos based on an analysis of all of the users'"'"' preferences. The system thus provides a real time VOD service by either correctly predicting the videos that a user will request and preloading them onto that user'"'"'s STB, or by delivering the requested video from the COS to the STB using a Tempo-Differential file transfer which delays the playing of the requested video while video trailers or other information is displayed on the video screen. When using a DSL connection to the COS, only a portion of the requested video needs to be buffered on the STB before the requested video begins playing. Accordingly, by predicting which videos a user will request and by using the Temp-Differential file transfer, a real time VOD experience is achieved.
167 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of transferring audio-video data, comprising:
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receiving a plurality of audio-video data files on at least one remote memory device from at least one data repository;
automatically selecting a plurality of groups of files from the plurality of audio-video data files and transferring each group to corresponding ones of a plurality of local memory devices coupled to the at least one remote memory device, wherein the plurality of audio-video data files is automatically selected and transferred from the at least one data repository in accordance with a result of an analysis of profiles of each of the plurality local memory devices, and wherein each group of files to be transferred to corresponding ones of the plurality of local memory devices is selected according to the profile of the corresponding local memory device to which it will be transferred. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A video-on-demand file transfer system, comprising:
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at least one set top box (STB), configured to maintain a list of available data and store a first prescribed portion of the available data;
at least one central office storage and processing device (COS), communicatively coupled to the at least one STB, and configured to store a second prescribed portion of the available data and maintain a database of activity of the at least one STB; and
a main storage facility, communicatively coupled with the at least one COS, configured to store all of the available data, wherein the first and second prescribed portions of the available data are selected based on at least one of user and community interest profiles. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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14. A method of achieving real time video on demand using Tempo-Differential file transferring, comprising:
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receiving a request from a user to view a video;
determining if the requested video is stored on the user'"'"'s set top box (STB) memory;
initiating a download of the requested video to the user'"'"'s STB memory if the requested video is not stored in the user'"'"'s STB;
prompting the user to input or confirm user information using the STB as an input device and a video screen as an output device, wherein the time used to input or confirm user information comprises a first period of time;
displaying initial information on the video screen for a second period of time;
at least partially buffering the requested video in the user'"'"'s STB memory during the first and second prescribed periods of time; and
displaying the selected video on the video screen while completing the download of the requested video.
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20. A method of achieving real time video on demand (VOD), comprising:
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populating a Central Office Storage Device with a first set of video recordings in accordance with an analysis of a plurality of user'"'"'s viewing preferences;
populating a user'"'"'s Set-Top-Box with a second set of video recordings in accordance with a profile of that user'"'"'s preferences, the second set being a sub-set of the first set;
receiving a request from the user to view a video;
determining if the requested video is currently stored on the user'"'"'s STB;
initiating a download of the requested video from the COS to the user'"'"'s STB if the requested video is not currently stored in the user'"'"'s STB;
prompting the user to input or confirm user information using the STB as an input device and a video screen as an output device, wherein the time used to input or confirm user information comprises a first period of time;
displaying initial information on the video screen for a second period of time;
at least partially buffering the requested video in the user'"'"'s STB memory during the first and second prescribed periods of time;
displaying the selected video on the video screen while completing the download of the requested video; and
updating the user'"'"'s preferences in accordance with the request to view a video.
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Specification