Program storage, retrieval and management based on segmentation messages

• US 20040015999A1
• Filed: 05/01/2003
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Buehl, Joseph, Williamson, Louis D., Callahan, John W., Urdang, Erik G., Gonder, Thomas L., Carlucci, John B., Kimble, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,312,504 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/136
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/06 among broadcast stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/10 Arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or the distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/46 for recognising users' preferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/218 Source of audio or video content , e.g. local disk arrays details of retrieval in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23424 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for inserting or substituting an advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23614 Multiplexing of additional data and video streams arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2407 Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2408 Monitoring of the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. client requests monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2625 for delaying content or additional data distribution, e.g. because of an extended sport event
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26603 for automatically generating descriptors from content, e.g. when it is not made available by its provider, using content analysis techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42228 the reprogrammable keys being displayed on a display screen in order to reduce the number of keys on the remote control device itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• 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 21/4325 : by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• 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 21/434 : Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream demultiplexing of data packets for data networks, e.g. RTP/UDP H04L65/00
• 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 21/4532 : 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 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• 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 21/4627 : Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• 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 21/4722 : 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 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 : for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63 : Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing real-time session protocols H04L65/1101; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8126 : involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/835 : Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 : by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/854 : Content authoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8545 : for generating interactive applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/602 : for digital sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17327 : with deferred transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of storing an expanse of a portion of a program signal stream, the program signal stream comprising a sequence of programs provided serially, wherein there is at least one segmentation message in the program signal stream, the method comprising:

receiving the program signal stream; and

storing an expanse of the portion of the program signal stream based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message in the program signal stream.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one segmentation message indicates at least one time period until at least one upcoming event.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the expanse of the program signal stream is a program of the plurality of programs, the method comprising:

identifying a start of the program based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message;

identifying an end of the program based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message; and

storing the expanse of the program between the start of the program and the end of the program.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one segmentation message comprises a first segmentation message indicating the start of the program and a second segmentation message indicating the end of the program, the method comprising:

identifying the start of the program based, at least in part, on the first segmentation message; and

identifying the end of the program based, at least in part, on the second segmentation message.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the expanse of the program signal stream comprises a portion of a program of the plurality of programs of the program signal stream, the method further comprising:

identifying a start of the program portion based, at least in part, on at least one first segmentation message;

identifying an end of the program portion based, at least in part, on at least one second segmentation message; and

then

storing the expanse of the program portion based, at least in part, on the at least one first and second segmentation message.

6. The method of claim 5, comprising:

identifying the start of the program portion by a first segmentation message in the program stream prior to the start of the program portion; and

identifying the end of the program portion by a second segmentation message in the program stream prior to the end of the program portion.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the program portion is a chapter or advertising.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one segmentation message comprises rights-related information related to the expanse of the program signal stream, the method comprising:

storing the expanse of the program signal stream based, at least in part, on the rights-related information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the expanse of the program signal stream is a program of the plurality of programs of the program signal stream, the method comprising:

storing the expanse of the program based, at least in part, on the rights-related information.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising storing the program based, at least in part, on at least one segmentation message containing rights-related information, within the expanse of the program.

11. The method of claim 8, comprising:

determining if there is a right to store the expanse of the program signal stream based, at least in part, on the rights-related information in the at least one segmentation message; and

storing the expanse only if there is a right to store the portion.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the stored expanse of the program signal stream defines an asset, the method further comprising:

deleting a stored asset based, at least in part, on the rights-related segmentation message.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the expanse of the program signal stream is a program of the plurality of programs of the program signal stream and the at least one segmentation message further comprises at least one second segmentation message, the method further comprising:

identifying a start of the program based, at least in part, on the at least one second segmentation message;

identifying an end of the program based, at least in part, on the at least one second segmentation message; and

storing the program based, at least in part, on the at least one rights-related segmentation message and the second segmentation message.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one segmentation message is encrypted, the method comprising:

decoding the encrypted segmentation message after receiving the program signal stream.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one segmentation message is a first segmentation message indicative of a time period until an upcoming event, the method comprising:

receiving a program stream with a plurality of first segmentation messages positioned serially in the program signal stream, each indicating a respective time until the upcoming event.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising receiving a program signal stream comprising a plurality of first segmentation messages prior to an upcoming event.

17. The method of claim 3, comprising:

identifying a start of the program, based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message, wherein the at least one segmentation message indicates a start of the program prior to interstitial material.

18. The method of claim 1, comprising receiving a program signal stream with at least one segmentation message in a vertical blanking interval.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising receiving a program signal stream with at least one segmentation message in Extended Data Services format.

20. The method of claim 1, comprising receiving a digital program signal stream.

21. The method of claim 20, comprising receiving a compressed digital program signal stream comprising at least one segmentation message in DVS 253 format.

22. The method of claim 1, comprising receiving an analog program signal stream.

23. The method of claim 22, comprising receiving an analog program signal stream comprising at least one segmentation message comprising at least one dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing electronic program guide data; and

updating the electronic program guide data based on the at least one segmentation message.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored expanse of the program signal stream defines an asset, the method further comprising:

receiving a request for the stored asset, from a party;

retrieving the stored asset; and

transmitting the requested stored asset to the party.

26. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

segmenting the expanse from the program signal stream as the program signal stream is being received based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message; and

then

storing the expanse.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one segmentation message comprises a plurality of segmentation messages, the method comprising:

receiving the plurality of segmentation messages in the form of a table.

28. The method of claim 27, comprising:

receiving the program signal stream comprising the table.

29. A system for storing an expanse of a portion of a program signal stream, the program signal stream comprising a sequence of programs provided serially and at least one segmentation message in the program signal stream, the system comprising:

means for receiving the program signal stream; and

storing means for storing the expanse based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message in the program signal stream.

30. The system of claim 29, further comprising means for identifying a start and an end of the expanse based on the at least one segmentation message.

31. The system of claim 29, further comprising:

means for determining rights related to the expanse based on the at least one segmentation message.

32. A system for storing an expanse of a portion of a program signal stream, the program signal stream comprising a sequence of programs provided serially and at least one segmentation message in the program signal stream, the system comprising:

at least one processor programmed to segment the expanse of the program signal stream from the program signal stream based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message in the program signal stream; and

memory to store the segmented portion of the program signal stream.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein:

the at least one segmentation message is indicative of a start of the expanse to be segmented and an end of the expanse to be segmented; and

the at least one processor is programmed to segment the program signal stream based, at least in part, on the start and end indicated by the at least one segmentation message.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein:

the at least one segmentation message comprises a first segmentation message indicative of the start of the expanse to be segmented and a second segmentation message indicative of the end of the expanse to be segmented; and

the at least one processor is programmed to segment the program signal stream based, at least in part, on the first and second segmentation messages.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein:

the at least one segmentation message comprises a third, rights-related segmentation message comprising information indicative of rights related to the expanse; and

the at least one processor is programmed to segment the expanse based, at least in part, on the first, second and third segmentation messages.

36. The system of claim 32, wherein:

the at least one segmentation message comprises rights-related information related to the expanse; and

the at least one processor is programmed to segment the expanse from the program signal stream based, at least in part, on the rights-related information in the at least one segmentation message.

37. The system of claim 32, wherein the expanse of the program signal stream is an expanse of a program, an expanse of a chapter or an expanse of advertising.

38. The system of claim 32, wherein the at least one segmentation message is encrypted, the processor being further programmed to:

decrypt the at least one segmentation message.

39. The system of claim 32, wherein the stored expanse of the program signal stream defines an asset, the at least one processor being further programmed to:

receive a request for the stored asset from a party;

retrieve the stored asset; and

transmit the requested stored asset to the party.

40. A method of transmitting a stored asset to a requesting party, wherein the stored asset is an expanse of a portion of a previously broadcast program signal stream, the method comprising:

receiving a request for the stored asset;

retrieving the requested stored asset; and

transmitting the requested stored asset to the party.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

determining if there is a right to transmit the requested stored asset; and

transmitting the requested stored asset only if there is a right to transmit the stored asset.

42. The method of claim 41, comprising:

determining if there is a right to transmit the stored asset based, at least in part, on at least one rights-related message associated with the stored asset.

43. The method of claim 42, comprising:

determining if there is a right to transmit the stored asset based, at least in part, on at least one rights-related message within the asset.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

assembling the requested stored asset from component stored assets, prior to transmitting the requested stored asset.

45. The method of claim 44, comprising:

assembling the requested stored asset without advertising.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the requested stored asset is a program, the method comprising:

providing substitute advertising for original advertising in the program.

47. The method of claim 40, wherein the requested stored asset is a chapter of a program, the method comprising:

receiving a request for the chapter from a party;

retrieving the chapter; and

transmitting the chapter to the party.

48. A system for transmitting a stored asset to a requesting party, wherein the stored asset is an expanse of a portion of a previously broadcast program signal stream, the system comprising:

means for receiving a request for the stored asset;

means for retrieving the requested stored asset;

means for transmitting the requested stored asset to the requesting party; and

means for determining if there is a right to transmit the requested stored asset.

49. A system for transmitting a stored asset to a requesting party, wherein the stored asset is an expanse of a portion of a previously broadcast program signal stream, the system comprising:

memory to store a plurality of assets; and

at least one processor programmed to;

retrieve a requested asset from the memory; and

transmit the requested asset to the requesting party.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the processor is programmed to:

determine if there is a right to transmit the stored asset; and

transmit the stored asset only if there is a right to transmit the stored asset.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the processor is programmed to:

determine if there is a right to transmit the stored asset based, at least in part, on at least one rights-related message associated with the asset.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein:

the asset comprises at least one rights-related message within the asset; and

the processor is programmed to;

determine if there is a right to transmit the stored asset based, at least in part, on the at least one rights-related message.

53. The system of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:

assemble the requested asset from component stored assets, prior to transmitting the requested asset.

54. The system of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor is programmed to assemble the asset without advertising.

55. The system of claim 49, wherein:

the asset is a program; and

the at least one processor is programmed to assemble the asset by providing substitute advertising for original advertising in the program.

56. The system of claim 49, wherein the asset comprises a program, a chapter of a program or advertising.

57. The system of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:

check a rights-related message associated with each stored asset in memory; and

delete a stored asset if the rights-related message indicates that rights to transmit have expired.

58. A method of generating a program signal stream comprising:

creating a serial sequence of programs; and

inserting at least one segmentation message proximate a portion of the program signal stream, indicating at least storage and transmission rights related to that portion of the program signal stream.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the at least one segmentation message is in a table inserted into the program signal stream.

60. A method of processing a program signal stream for delivery comprising:

creating a serial sequence of programs, wherein a program comprises a program portion; and

inserting at least one segmentation message in the program signal stream to indicate an expanse of the portion.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the at least one segmentation message is in a table inserted into the program signal stream.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein the program portion is a chapter, the method comprising:

inserting at least one segmentation message in the program signal stream prior to a start of the chapter to indicate an expanse of the chapter.

63. The method of claim 60, wherein the at least one segmentation message is further indicative of rights related to the portion, the method comprising:

inserting the at least one segmentation message in the program signal stream to indicate rights related to the portion.

64. The method of claim 60, comprising:

inserting at least one segmentation message in the program signal stream to indicate a start of an expanse of a program prior to interstitial material.

65. A method of storing an expanse of a portion of a program signal stream, the program signal stream comprising a sequence of programs provided serially, the method comprising

receiving the program signal stream from a source;

receiving at least one segmentation message from the source; and

storing an expanse of the portion of the program based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message.

66. The method of claim 65, comprising:

receiving the at least one segmentation message from the source, separately from the program signal stream.

67. The method of claim 66, comprising:

receiving a second program signal stream from the source, including the at least one segmentation message.

68. The method of claim 65, comprising:

receiving the at least one segmentation message from the source, within the program signal stream.