System & apparatus for displaying substitute content

• US 20020194592A1
• Filed: 09/24/2001
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Novak, Robert E., Miller, Douglas A., Tsuchida, Ted
• Granted Patent: US 8,375,407 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/10 Arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or the distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4333 Processing operations in response to a pause request
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4335 Housekeeping operations, e.g. prioritizing content for deletion because of storage space restrictions storage management, e.g. defragmentation G06F3/0604; unloading stored programs G06F9/445; storage management in file systems G06F16/10; buffering arrangements in a network node or in an end terminal in packet networks H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/437 Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. for transmitting client requests to a VOD server flow control in data networks H04L47/10; streaming protocols, e.g. RTP or RTCP, H04L65/65; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests in data packet switching networks H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44008 involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in the video stream arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44016 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for substituting a video clip
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4542 Blocking scenes or portions of the received content, e.g. censoring scenes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• 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 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/858 : Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 : Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 : between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 : on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 : the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 : Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/16 : Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309

Abstract

An apparatus for performing a substitution for a broadcast content, includes: a substitute content engine configured to detect a break in a broadcast content and to show substitute content in response to the break in a broadcast content; and a processor configured to execute the substitute content engine. An apparatus for substituting broadcast content displayed on a screen, including: a customer premise equipment capable to receive broadcast content; the customer premise equipment including a viewing engine capable to permit the display of substitute content in response to a break in the broadcast content.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing a substitution for a broadcast content, the apparatus comprising:

a substitute content engine configured to detect a break in a broadcast content and to show substitute content in response to the break in a broadcast content; and

a processor configured to execute the substitute content engine.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content engine is configured to record substitute content.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content engine is configured to display the broadcast content when the break terminates.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the broadcast content comprises live programming content.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the broadcast content comprises buffered programming content.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the broadcast content comprises video telecast content.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the broadcast content comprises teleconference content.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the teleconference content comprises remote learning session broadcast content.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the teleconference content comprises video conference content.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the break in the broadcast content includes a commercial segment.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the break in the broadcast content includes a commercial skip segment.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the break in the broadcast content represents a broadcast stoppage.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the break in the broadcast content represents non-activity in a broadcast event.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content comprises live broadcast content.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content comprises buffered broadcast content.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content comprises recorded broadcast content.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content comprises Internet Protocol channel content.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the Internet Protocol channel content comprises streaming video.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the Internet Protocol channel content comprises electronic mail interaction.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content is displayed in full screen mode.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content is displayed as a main screen view and the broadcast content is displayed as a picture-in-picture.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content is displayed in the screen foreground and the broadcast content is displayed in the screen background.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content is displayed in a first screen area and the broadcast content is displayed in a second screen area.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content is displayed in response to a user-enabled command.

25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content is automatically displayed upon detection of the break in the broadcast content.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the viewing engine is capable to display a timer to indicate a time length for showing the substitute content.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content is automatically displayed in response to the break in the broadcast content.

28. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the viewing engine is capable to pause the substitute content when the break in the broadcast content terminates.

29. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content engine is configured to record the broadcast content when the substitute content is displayed.

30. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content engine is configured to pause the broadcast content when the break ends.

31. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the broadcast content includes a tag to prevent disruption of the display of the broadcast content during the occurrence of the break.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein a first party pays an operator to include the tag in the broadcast content.

33. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein a subscriber pays an operator to disable the tag.

34. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the broadcast content includes a trigger.

35. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substitute content is associated with the trigger.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the trigger is associated with an information site.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the information site is loaded prior to a break in the broadcast content.

38. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an aggregator communicatively coupled to the customer premise equipment and capable to aggregate at least one substitute content based upon a viewer preference.

39. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the broadcast content is recorded to permit viewing of a missed segment in the broadcast content when the display of the substitute content terminates.

40. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a pre-selected segment of the broadcast content is recorded during display of the substitute content.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the pre-selected segment is content replayed during the showing of the broadcast content.

42. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the pre-segment is viewed while displaying close caption text from the broadcast content.

43. An apparatus for substituting broadcast content displayed on a screen, the apparatus comprising:

a customer premise equipment capable to receive broadcast content;

the customer premise equipment including;

a marking engine capable to mark at least one trigger in a broadcast content; and

a viewing engine communicatively coupled to the marking engine and capable to permit the display of information associated with a selected marked trigger on the screen.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the displayed information is an interactive site.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the interactive site can receive a purchase or request from the viewer.

49. The system of claim 48 wherein the trigger is inserted in the broadcast content based upon payment of a fee.

46. An apparatus for substituting broadcast content displayed on a screen, the apparatus comprising:

means for determining an occurrence of a break in a broadcast content; and

coupled to the determining means, means for displaying substitute content on the screen in response to the occurrence of the break.

47. An apparatus for substituting broadcast content displayed on a screen, the apparatus comprising:

means for marking at least one trigger in a broadcast content;

coupled to the marking means, means for determining an occurrence of a break in the broadcast content; and

coupled to the marking means, means for displaying information associated with a selected marked trigger on the screen in response to the occurrence of the break.

48. A system for preventing the disruption of break segments in a broadcast content, the system comprising:

a first stage configured to insert a trigger in a broadcast content, the trigger configured to prevent the disruption of a break in the broadcast content;

a transmission path configured to transmit the trigger from the first stage; and

a destination stage configured to receive the trigger along the transmission path and to prevent the disruption of the break in the broadcast content.

50. A system for permitting the display of content during break segments in a broadcast content, the system comprising:

a first stage configured to insert a trigger in a broadcast content, the trigger configured to prevent the disruption of a break in the broadcast content;

a transmission path configured to transmit the trigger from the first stage; and

a destination stage configured to receive the trigger along the transmission path and to disable the trigger to permit display of substitute content during the break in the broadcast content.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein the trigger can be disabled based upon payment of a fee.

52. An apparatus for substituting broadcast content displayed on a screen, the apparatus comprising:

a customer premise equipment capable to receive broadcast content;

the customer premise equipment including a viewing engine capable to permit the display of substitute content in response to a break in the broadcast content.

53. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the broadcast content is displayed when the break terminates.

54. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the broadcast content comprises live programming content.

55. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the broadcast content comprises buffered programming content.

56. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the broadcast content comprises video telecast content.

57. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the broadcast content comprises teleconference content.

58. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the teleconference content comprises remote learning session broadcast content.

59. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the teleconference content comprises video conference content.

60. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the break in the broadcast content includes a commercial segment.

61. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the break in the broadcast content includes a commercial skip segment.

62. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the break in the broadcast content represents a broadcast stoppage.

63. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the break in the broadcast content represents non-activity in a broadcast event.

64. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the substitute content comprises live broadcast content.

65. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the substitute content comprises buffered broadcast content.

66. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the substitute content comprises recorded broadcast content.

67. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the substitute content comprises Internet Protocol channel content.

68. The apparatus of claim 67 wherein the Internet Protocol channel content comprises streaming video.

69. The apparatus of claim 67 wherein the Internet Protocol channel content comprises electronic mail interaction.

70. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the substitute content is displayed in full screen mode.

71. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the substitute content is displayed as a main screen view and the broadcast content is displayed as a picture-in-picture.

72. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the substitute content is displayed in the screen foreground and the broadcast content is displayed in the screen background.

73. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the substitute content is displayed in a first screen area and the broadcast content is displayed in a second screen area.

74. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the substitute content is displayed in response to a user-enabled command.

75. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the substitute content is automatically displayed upon detection of the break in the broadcast content.

76. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the viewing engine is capable to display a timer to indicate a time length for showing the substitute content.