System and method for providing television programs on demand

• US 20020166121A1
• Filed: 05/02/2001
• Published: 11/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta LLC (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta LLC (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rovira, Luis A.
• Application Number:
  US09/847,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20020166121A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/41
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26275 for distributing content or additional data in a staggered manner, e.g. repeating movies on different channels in a time-staggered manner in a near video on demand system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26283 for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A user is provided with an interactive program guide identifying future television programs that are scheduled to be broadcast at a later time. After the user selects a future television program, the user is provided with the future television program in advance of its scheduled broadcast time.

Claims

1. A method for providing media services via an interactive media services client device coupled to a programmable media services server device, said method comprising:

providing a user with an interactive program guide (IPG) identifying a future television program, said television program scheduled to be broadcast at a later time;

receiving user input requesting said future television program; and

providing said user with said future television program prior to said later time.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

confirming that said user is authorized to receive said future television program.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

charging said user a fee in connection with the provision of said television program.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

charging said user a fee in connection with providing said user with access to future television programming.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said IPG identifies a plurality of episodes corresponding to a television show.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a type of said television show is from a group consisting of:

a sit-com, a drama series, and a soap opera.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said IPG identifies a plurality of television programs and a plurality of corresponding channels and start times.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said user input is provided via a remote control device and said future television program is displayed on a television screen.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said future television program is received from a headend.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said future television program is received from a content provider.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said future television program is stored in a memory located inside said client device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said future television program is stored in a storage device coupled to said client device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said future television program is stored in a storage device located in a hub.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said future television program is stored in a storage device located in a node.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said future television program is stored in a storage device located in a cable television system.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said future television program is stored in a storage device coupled to a cable television system.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said user is also provided with access to a previously broadcast television program identified in said interactive program guide.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said user is also provided with access to a currently broadcast television program identified in said interactive program guide.

20. The media serviced device of claim 19, further comprising:

logic configured to cause said user to be charged a fee in connection with the provision of said television program.

21. The media serviced device of claim 19, further comprising:

logic configured to cause said user to be charged a fee in connection with providing the user with access to future television programming.

22. The media serviced device of claim 19, further comprising:

logic configured to confirm that said user is authorized to receive said future television program.

23. The media serviced device of claim 19, wherein said IPG identifies a plurality of episodes corresponding to a television show.

24. The media serviced device of claim 23, wherein a type of said television show is from a group consisting of:

a sit-com, a drama series, and a soap opera.

25. The media serviced device of claim 19, wherein said IPG identifies a plurality of television programs and a plurality of corresponding channels and start times.

26. The media serviced device of claim 19, wherein said user input is provided via a remote control device and said future television program is displayed on a television screen.

27. The media serviced device of claim 19, wherein said future television program is received from a headend.

28. The media serviced device of claim 19, wherein said future television program is stored in a memory located inside said client device.

29. The media serviced device of claim 19, wherein said future television program is stored in a storage device coupled to said client device.

30. The media serviced device of claim 19, wherein said future television program is stored in a storage device located in a hub.

31. The media serviced device of claim 19, wherein said future television program is stored in a storage device located in a node.

32. The media serviced device of claim 19, wherein said future television program is stored in a storage device located in a cable television system.

33. The media serviced device of claim 19, wherein said future television program is stored in a storage device coupled to a cable television~system.

34. The media serviced device of claim 19, further comprising logic configured to provided said user with access to a previously broadcast television program identified in said interactive program guide.

35. The media serviced device of claim 19, further comprising logic configured to provided said user with access to a currently broadcast television program identified in said interactive program guide.

19. A media services device for providing a user with a media presentation, said device comprising:

logic configured to provide said user with an interactive program guide (IPG) identifying a future television program, said future television program scheduled to be broadcast at a later time; and

logic configured to provide said user with said future television program prior to said later time in response to receiving user input requesting said future television program.