System and method for creating and distributing virtual cable systems
First Claim
1. A method for creating and distributing virtual channels of digital video content, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) acquiring digital video content from one or more sources;
b) storing said digital video content into a database storage device;
c) selecting digital video content and grouping said selected digital video content to form virtual specialty channels, each virtual specialty channel having content customized for a particular viewer base, said virtual specialty channels being stored in said database storage device;
wherein said database storage device is accessible by a distributor over a public communications network, said distributor capable receiving virtual specialty channels over said public network and distributing one or more said virtual specialty channels to individual viewers over a broadband communications channel.
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Abstract
A system and method for creating and distributing virtual channels of digital video content. Initially, a first entity is enabled to acquire digital video content from one or more sources and store the digital video content into a database storage device. Next, the first entity is enabled to select digital video content and group the selected digital video content to form virtual specialty channels, each virtual specialty channel having content customized for a particular viewer base. The created virtual specialty channels are stored in the database storage device which is accessible by a second entity over a public communications network. The second entity comprises infrastructure for delivering virtual specialty channels to individual viewers over a broadband communications channel. The second entity receives a webcast of the virtual specialty channels, and the second entity distributes one or more virtual specialty channels to individual viewers over a broadband communications channel, where they are received by viewer television devices. Viewer interactivity is enhanced as interactive links may be embedded in the video content by the first and second entities with the links displayed on the television. The links are selectable by viewers, and when selected, a viewer is enabled to interact with third entities via their associated television set-top box and over the public communications network.
75 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method for creating and distributing virtual channels of digital video content, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) acquiring digital video content from one or more sources;
b) storing said digital video content into a database storage device;
c) selecting digital video content and grouping said selected digital video content to form virtual specialty channels, each virtual specialty channel having content customized for a particular viewer base, said virtual specialty channels being stored in said database storage device;
wherein said database storage device is accessible by a distributor over a public communications network, said distributor capable receiving virtual specialty channels over said public network and distributing one or more said virtual specialty channels to individual viewers over a broadband communications channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for creating and distributing virtual channels of digital video content, the system comprising:
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means for receiving digital video content;
database storage means for storing digital video content, including said digitized analog video content;
means for selecting digital video content and grouping selected digital video content into virtual specialty channels, each virtual specialty channel having content customized for a particular viewer base, said virtual specialty channels being stored in said database storage means; and
,means for communicating said virtual specialty channels over a public communications network for receipt by a distributor entity, said distributor entity subsequently broadcasting said one or more said virtual specialty channels to individual viewers over a broadband communications channel. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method for increasing user interactivity with cable television system programming comprising channels of digital video content, the method comprising:
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enabling a first entity to acquiring digital video content from a plurality of content providers, select and schedule said video content for subsequent distribution as a virtual specialty channel;
inserting tags in said digital video content enabling subsequent viewer interactivity;
bundling collections of channels into one or more virtual cable systems and storing said virtual cable systems in a memory storage means connected to a public communications network;
webcasting one or more virtual cable systems to a second entity over said public communications network, said second entity distributing said virtual cable systems to subscribing viewers over a broadband communications channel for receipt by a viewer television device, said subscribing viewers receiving digital video content via a control device associated with said television device and initiating display of said content via a display means;
enabling said control device to provide on-screen link on said display means corresponding to said inserted interactive tags, said on-screen links selectable by viewers for initiating interactivity with a third entity over said public communications network; and
,forwarding viewer requests from said control device over said public communications network to said third entity for interaction therewith. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 49)
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48. A virtual cable system comprising:
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means for acquiring digital video content from a plurality of content providers, interactive means for inserting tags in said digital video content enabling subsequent viewer interactivity;
means for selecting and scheduling said video content for subsequent distribution as a virtual specialty channel, said selecting and scheduling means further including means for bundling collections of channels into one or more virtual cable systems;
memory means for storing said virtual cable systems, said memory storage means connected to a public communications network;
means for webcasting one or more virtual cable systems to a second entity over said public communications network, means provided by said second entity for distributing said virtual cable systems to subscribing viewers over a broadband communications channel for receipt by a viewer television display device;
a control device associated with said viewer television display device for initiating display of said content;
means provided by said control device for generating on-screen links for corresponding to said inserted tags, said on-screen links selectable by viewers for initiating interactivity with a third entity over said public communications network; and
,back-channel communication means for forwarding viewer requests from said control device over said public communications network to said third entity for interaction therewith.
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Specification