Use of messages in or associated with program signal streams by set-top terminals

• US 20040040035A1
• Filed: 05/01/2003
• Published: 02/26/2004
• 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: DeHart, Michael L., Carlucci, John B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,443,383 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/32
• 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 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 21/21815 comprising local storage units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/231 Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers, prioritizing data for deletion
• 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 21/2625 for delaying content or additional data distribution, e.g. because of an extended sport event
• 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 21/42204 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 21/435 : 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 21/47 : 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 21/6582 : 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 21/8545 : 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 5/782 : 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

Methods of operating a communications system comprise inserting advertising in a program stream by a receiving device based, at least in part, on an embed, encrypted segmentation message embedded in the program stream. The at least one segmentation message defines an expanse of the program stream to receive the advertising. At least one embedded decoy message is included in the program stream, as well. The receiving device, which may be a set-top terminal, for example, is coupled to a display device, such as a television, at a user location. A method of operating a receiving device coupled to a display device at a user location is also disclosed, comprising programming the receiving device to record a program and recording the program based, at least in part, on at least one segmentation message in a program stream. Systems are disclosed, as well.

Claims

1. A method of operating a communications system comprising receiving devices coupled to respective display devices at user locations, the method comprising:

broadcasting a program signal stream to a receiving device, the program signal stream comprising at least one embedded, encrypted segmentation message to indicate an expanse of a portion of the program signal stream for insertion of advertising, and at least one embedded decoy message;

decrypting the at least one segmentation message by the receiving device;

identifying the expanse by the receiving device based, at least in part, on the at least one decrypted segmentation message; and

inserting advertising in the expanse by the receiving device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

identifying an end of the expanse based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising:

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

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

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

inserting the at least one decoy message into the program signal stream, prior to broadcasting the program signal stream.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

encrypting the at least one segmentation message prior to broadcasting the program signal stream.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

encrypting the at least one segmentation message prior to broadcasting the program signal stream.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

broadcasting the program signal stream with a plurality of embedded, encrypted segmentation messages prior to at least one of a start and an end of the expanse, each of the plurality of segmentation messages indicating a respective time until at least one of the start and end of the expanse.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

inserting the plurality of embedded, encrypted segmentation messages into the program stream prior to broadcasting.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising:

decrypting the at least one segmentation message based on a key.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

disregarding the at least one decoy message while identifying the expanse.

11. A communications system comprising:

a first processor programmed to;

cause broadcast of a program signal stream including at least one embedded, encrypted segmentation message to indicate an expanse of a portion of the program signal stream for insertion of advertising, and at least one decoy message; and

a receiving device to be coupled to a display device at a user location, the receiving device being coupled to the first processor to receive the program signal stream;

wherein;

the receiving device comprises;

an interface to receive the program signal stream;

a second processor coupled to the interface; and

memory to store advertising, coupled to the second processor; and

the second processor is programmed to;

 

decrypt the at least one encrypted segmentation message;

 

identify the expanse of the program signal stream based, at least in part, on the at least one decrypted segmentation message;

 

retrieve advertising from the memory; and

 

insert the advertising into the expanse of the program signal stream.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second processor is programmed to:

identify a start of the expanse based, at least in part, on the at least one decrypted segmentation message; and

identify an end of the expanse based, at least in part, on the at least one decrypted segmentation message.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one segmentation message comprises a first segmentation message to identify the start of the expanse and a second segmentation message to identify the end of the expanse, wherein the processor is programmed to:

identify a start of the expanse based, at least in part, on the at least one decrypted segmentation message; and

identify an end of the expanse based, at least in part, on the at least one 10 decrypted segmentation message.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the first processor is programmed to insert the at least one decoy message into the program signal stream; and

the second processor is programmed to disregard the at least one decoy message.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the first processor is further programmed to insert a plurality of segmentation messages prior to at least one of a start and an end of the expanse, each of the plurality of segmentation messages indicating a respective time until at least one of the start and end of the expanse.

16. A method of operating a communications system comprising set-top terminals coupled to respective televisions at user locations, the method comprising:

broadcasting a program signal stream to a set-top terminal, the program signal stream comprising at least one embedded, encrypted segmentation message to indicate an expanse of a portion of the program signal stream for insertion of advertising, and at least one embedded decoy message;

decrypting the at least one segmentation message by the set-top terminal;

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

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

disregarding the at least one segmentation message while identifying the start and the end of the expanse; and

inserting advertising in the expanse by the set-top terminal.

17. A method of operating a receiving device coupled to a display device at a user location, the receiving device receiving a program signal stream comprising at least one program, wherein there is at least one message in the program signal stream, the method comprising:

programming the receiving device to record a program; and

recording the program based, at least in part, on the at least one message.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising:

programming the receiving device to record the program by selecting the program from a program listing.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the program listing defines a first start time of the program and the at least one message defines a second start time of the program, the method further comprising:

setting a recording start time for the program based on the start time defined by the program listing;

comparing the second start time of the program defined by the at least one message to the first start time defined by the program listing; and

adjusting the recording start time of the one program if the second start time is different than the first start time.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the program listing defines a first end time of the program and the at least one message defines a second end time of the program, the method further comprising:

setting a recording end time for the one program based on the first end time defined by the program listing;

comparing the second end time of the program defined by the at least one message to the first end time defined by the program listing; and

adjusting the recording end time of the one program if the second end time is different than the first end time.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one message comprises a first message defining the second start time and a second message defining the second end time, the method comprising:

receiving the program signal stream including the first and second messages.

22. The method of claim 17, comprising:

receiving the program signal stream and at least one encrypted message.

23. A receiving device to receive a program signal stream comprising at least one program and at least one message, the receiving device to be coupled to a display device, the receiving device comprising:

an interface to receive the program signal stream and to provide the program signal stream to the display device;

a processor coupled to the interface, wherein;

the processor is programmable by a user to record the program; and

the processor is programmed to record the at least one program based, at least in part, on the at least one message; and

memory coupled to the processor to store the recorded program.

24. The receiving device of claim 23, wherein the processor is programmable to record the program by selecting the program from a program listing.

25. The receiving device of claim 24, wherein the program listing defines a first start time of the program and the at least one message defines a second start time of the program, the method further comprising:

setting a recording start time for the program based on the start time defined by the program listing;

comparing the second start time of the program defined by the at least one message to the first start time defined by the program listing; and

adjusting the recording start time of the program if the second start time is different than the first start time.

26. The receiving device of claim 25, wherein the program listing defines a first end time of the program and the at least one message defines a second end time of the program, the method further comprising:

setting a recording end time for the program based on the first end time defined by the program listing;

comparing the second end time of the program defined by the at least one message to the first end time defined by the program listing; and

adjusting the recording end time of the one program if the second end time is different than the first end time.

27. The receiving device of claim 26, wherein the at least one message comprises a first message defining the second start time and a second message defining the second end time, the method comprising:

receiving the program signal stream including the first and second messages.

28. The receiving device of claim 23, where in the at least one message is encrypted and the second processor is programmed to:

decrypt the encrypted message.

29. A method of operating a receiving device coupled to a display device at a user location, the method comprising:

programming the receiving device to record a program to be received;

receiving the program from a source;

receiving at least one message associated with the program from the source of the program; and

recording the program based, at least in part, on the at least one message.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one message is provided by the source, separate from the program.

The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one message is provided from the source, with the program.