Technique for delivering entertainment programming content including commercial content therein over a communications network

• US 20040103429A1
• Filed: 11/25/2002
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Carlucci, John, Helms, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,716,700 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/32
• 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 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

Although personal video recorders (also known as digital video recorders) provide certain conveniences to viewers of programming content, such devices facilitate manipulation or “skipping” of commercials, frustrating the intent of the advertisers of the commercials. In accordance with the invention, when a user fast-forwards (rewinds) a commercial, alternate commercial(s) may be accessed for display in place of the original commercial, which provides a full impression of the goods and service promoted, otherwise impossible to appreciate at the fast-forward (rewind) speed. The duration of the alternate commercial(s) corresponds to the duration of the original commercial at the fast-forward (rewind) speed controlled by the user. With the invention, the user advantageously realizes the convenience of manipulating programming content, and at the same time can appreciate the full impression of an alternate commercial to the original commercial, albeit in a shorter duration.

Claims

1. A method for presenting programming content including a commercial therein, comprising:

providing access to one or more alternate commercials;

receiving a request for manipulation of a presentation of the programming content, the request including information concerning a manipulation speed affecting the presentation; and

in response to the request, selecting at least one of the alternate commercials for presentation, in lieu of the commercial, as a function of the manipulation speed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulation includes rewinding the programming content in presentation thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulation includes fast-forwarding the programming content in presentation thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulation includes pausing the programming content in presentation thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the request is made during a presentation of the commercial.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the manipulation includes changing a speed of fast-forwarding the commercial in presentation thereof.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the manipulation includes changing a speed of rewinding the commercial in presentation thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the commercial is related to the selected alternate commercial.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the commercial and the selected alternate commercial promote the same goods or service.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the commercial is unrelated to the selected alternate commercial.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the selected alternate commercial is targeted to a viewer of the programming content.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the selected alternate commercial is selected based on at least a subject matter of the programming content being viewed by the viewer.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the selected alternate commercial is selected based on at least personal information concerning the viewer.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein a presentation of the selected alternate commercial includes a video presentation.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein a presentation of the selected alternate commercial includes a presentation of one or more images.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the presentation of the one or more images includes a slide presentation.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternate commercials are associated with different manipulation speeds, respectively.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternate commercials have different durations.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulation speed is a selected one of a plurality of manipulation speeds.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the manipulation speed is selected by a viewer of the programming content.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulation speed is expressed as a relative speed.

22. A method for presenting programming content including a commercial therein, comprising:

providing access to one or more alternate commercials which have different durations;

receiving a request for manipulation of a presentation of the programming content, the request including a manipulation speed affecting the presentation;

determining a commercial duration based upon at least the manipulation speed; and

selecting at least one of the alternate commercials for presentation in lieu of the commercial, the alternate commercial being selected as a function of the commercial duration.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the manipulation includes rewinding the programming content in presentation thereof.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the manipulation includes fast-forwarding the programming content in presentation thereof.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the manipulation includes pausing the programming content in presentation thereof.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the request is made during a presentation of the commercial.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the manipulation includes changing a speed of fast-forwarding the commercial in presentation thereof.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the manipulation includes changing a speed of rewinding the commercial in presentation thereof.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein the commercial is related to the selected alternate commercial.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the commercial and the selected alternate commercial promote the same goods or service.

31. The method of claim 22, wherein the commercial is unrelated to the selected alternate commercial.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the selected alternate commercial is targeted to a viewer of the programming content.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the selected alternate commercial is selected based on at least a subject matter of the programming content being viewed by the viewer.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the selected alternate commercial is selected based on at least personal information concerning the viewer.

35. The method of claim 22, wherein a presentation of the selected alternate commercial includes a video presentation.

36. The method of claim 22, wherein a presentation of the selected alternate commercial includes a presentation of the one or more images.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the presentation of one or more images includes a slide presentation.

38. The method of claim 22, wherein the alternate commercials are associated with different manipulation speeds, respectively.

39. The method of claim 22, wherein the manipulation speed is a selected one of a plurality of manipulation speeds.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the manipulation speed is selected by a viewer of the programming content.

41. The method of claim 22, wherein the manipulation speed is expressed as a relative speed.

42. A method for presenting programming content including a commercial therein, comprising:

receiving a data stream containing the programming content, the data stream including a message concerning the commercial which precedes data representing the commercial in the data stream;

providing a presentation of the programming content based on selected data in the data stream, the presentation being subject to a manipulation thereof;

in response to the message, identifying one or more alternate commercials; and

selecting at least one of the alternate commercials for presentation in lieu of the commercial when the presentation of the programming content is manipulated.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the message includes information identifying the commercial.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the message includes information concerning a duration of the commercial.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the selected data is encoded in an MPEG format.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein the presentation of the programming content is manipulated at a selected manipulation speed.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising determining a commercial duration as a function of at least the selected manipulation speed.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the selected manipulation speed is expressed as a relative speed.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein the alternate commercials are in different lengths, the selected alternate commercial being selected based on a comparison of the commercial duration and the length of the selected alternate commercial.

50. The method of claim 42, wherein the presentation of the programming content is manipulated by fast-forwarding thereof.

51. The method of claim 42, wherein the presentation of the programming content is manipulated by rewinding thereof.

52. The method of claim 42, wherein the presentation of the programming content is manipulated by a pause thereof.

53. The method of claim 42, wherein the message precedes the data representing the commercial in the data stream by a predetermined period.

54. The method of claim 42, wherein the commercial is related to the selected alternate commercial.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the commercial and the selected alternate commercial promote the same goods or service.

56. The method of claim 42, wherein the commercial is unrelated to the selected alternate commercial.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the selected alternate commercial is targeted to a viewer of the programming content.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the selected alternate commercial is selected based on at least a subject matter of the programming content being viewed by the viewer.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the selected alternate commercial is selected based on at least personal information concerning the viewer.

60. Apparatus for presenting programming content including a commercial therein, comprising:

a mechanism for providing access to one or more alternate commercials;

an interface for receiving a request for manipulation of a presentation of the programming content, the request including information concerning a manipulation speed affecting the presentation; and

a processing element responsive to the request for selecting at least one of the alternate commercials for presentation, in lieu of the commercial, as a function of the manipulation speed.

61. The apparatus of claim 60 comprising a headend in a cable system.

62. The apparatus of claim 60 comprising a set-top terminal.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising storage for storing the alternate commercials, the storage being incorporated in the set-top terminal.

64. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising storage for storing the alternate commercials, the storage being connected to the set-top terminal.

65. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the manipulation includes rewinding the programming content in presentation thereof.

66. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the manipulation includes fast-forwarding the programming content in presentation thereof.

67. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the manipulation includes pausing the programming content in presentation thereof.

68. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the request is made during a presentation of the commercial.

69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the manipulation includes changing a speed of fast-forwarding the commercial in presentation thereof.

70. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the manipulation includes changing a speed of rewinding the commercial in presentation thereof.

71. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the commercial is related to the selected alternate commercial.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the commercial and the selected alternate commercial promote the same goods or service.

73. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the commercial is unrelated to the selected alternate commercial.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the selected alternate commercial is targeted to a viewer of the programming content.

75. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the selected alternate commercial is selected based on at least a subject matter of the programming content being viewed by the viewer.

76. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the selected alternate commercial is selected based on at least personal information concerning the viewer.

77. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein a presentation of the selected alternate commercial includes a video presentation.

78. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein a presentation of the selected alternate commercial includes a presentation of one or more images.

79. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein the presentation of the one or more images includes a slide presentation.

80. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the alternate commercials are associated with different manipulation speeds, respectively.

81. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the alternate commercials have different durations.

82. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the manipulation speed is a selected one of a plurality of manipulation speeds.

83. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the manipulation speed is selected by a viewer of the programming content.

84. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the manipulation speed is expressed as a relative speed.

85. A system for presenting programming content including a commercial therein, comprising:

a mechanism for providing access to one or more alternate commercials which have different durations;

an interface for receiving a request for manipulation of a presentation of the programming content, the request including a manipulation speed affecting the presentation;

a controller for determining a commercial duration based upon at least the manipulation speed; and

a processing element for selecting at least one of the alternate commercials for presentation in lieu of the commercial, the alternate commercial being selected as a function of the commercial duration.

86. The system of claim 85, wherein the request is received through a communication network.

87. The system of claim 86, wherein the communication network includes a cable network.

88. The system of claim 85, wherein the manipulation includes rewinding the programming content in presentation thereof.

89. The system of claim 85, wherein the manipulation includes fast-forwarding the programming content in presentation thereof.

90. The system of claim 85, wherein the manipulation includes pausing the programming content in presentation thereof.

91. The system of claim 85, wherein the request is made during a presentation of the commercial.

92. The system of claim 91, wherein the manipulation includes changing a speed of fast-forwarding the commercial in presentation thereof.

93. The system of claim 91, wherein the manipulation includes changing a speed of rewinding the commercial in presentation thereof.

94. The system of claim 85, wherein the commercial is related to the selected alternate commercial.

95. The system of claim 94, wherein the commercial and the selected alternate commercial promote the same goods or service.

96. The system of claim 85, wherein the commercial is unrelated to the selected alternate commercial.

97. The system of claim 96, wherein the selected alternate commercial is targeted to a viewer of the programming content.

98. The system of claim 96, wherein the selected alternate commercial is selected based on at least a subject matter of the programming content being viewed by the viewer.

99. The system of claim 96, wherein the selected alternate commercial is selected based on at least personal information concerning the viewer.

100. The system of claim 85, wherein a presentation of the selected alternate commercial includes a video presentation.

101. The system of claim 85, wherein a presentation of the selected alternate commercial includes a presentation of the one or more images.

102. The system of claim 101, wherein the presentation of one or more images includes a slide presentation.

103. The system of claim 85, wherein the alternate commercials are associated with different manipulation speeds, respectively.

104. The system of claim 85, wherein the manipulation speed is a selected one of a plurality of manipulation speeds.

105. The system of claim 104, wherein the manipulation speed is selected by a viewer of the programming content.

106. The system of claim 85, wherein the manipulation speed is expressed as a relative speed.

107. A system for presenting programming content including a commercial therein, comprising:

an interface for receiving a data stream containing the programming content, the data stream including a message concerning the commercial which precedes data representing the commercial in the data stream;

a mechanism for providing a presentation of the programming content based on selected data in the data stream, the presentation being subject to a manipulation thereof; and

a processing element responsive to the message for identifying one or more alternate commercials, at least one of the alternate commercials being selected for presentation in lieu of the commercial when the presentation of the programming content is manipulated.

108. The system of claim 107, wherein the message includes information identifying the commercial.

109. The system of claim 107, wherein the message includes information concerning a duration of the commercial.

110. The system of claim 107, wherein the selected data is encoded in an MPEG format.

111. The system of claim 107, wherein the presentation of the programming content is manipulated at a selected manipulation speed.

112. The system of claim 107, further comprising determining a commercial duration as a function of at least the selected manipulation speed.

113. The system of claim 112, wherein the selected manipulation speed is expressed as a relative speed.

114. The system of claim 112, wherein the alternate commercials are in different lengths, the selected alternate commercial being selected based on a comparison of the commercial duration and the length of the selected alternate commercial.

115. The system of claim 107, wherein the presentation of the programming content is manipulated by fast-forwarding thereof.

116. The system of claim 107, wherein the presentation of the programming content is manipulated by rewinding thereof.

117. The system of claim 107, wherein the presentation of the programming content is manipulated by a pause thereof.

118. The system of claim 107, wherein the message precedes the data representing the commercial in the data stream by a predetermined period.

119. The system of claim 107, wherein the commercial is related to the selected alternate commercial.

120. The system of claim 119, wherein the commercial and the selected alternate commercial promote the same goods or service.

121. The system of claim 107, wherein the commercial is unrelated to the selected alternate commercial.

122. The system of claim 121, wherein the selected alternate commercial is targeted to a viewer of the programming content.

123. The system of claim 122, wherein the selected alternate commercial is selected based on at least a subject matter of the programming content being viewed by the viewer.

124. The system of claim 122, wherein the selected alternate commercial is selected based on at least personal information concerning the viewer.

125. A method for presenting programming content including a commercial therein, comprising:

receiving a request for presenting the programming content at a selected speed; and

in response to the request, manipulating a presentation of the programming content, except the commercial, at the selected speed, and presenting a selected commercial in lieu of the commercial, the selected commercial having a predetermined duration.

126. The method of claim 125, wherein the request includes rewinding the programming content in presentation thereof.

127. The method of claim 125, wherein the request includes fast-forwarding the programming content in presentation thereof.

128. The method of claim 125, wherein the commercial is related to the selected commercial.

129. The method of claim 128, wherein the commercial and the selected commercial promote the same goods or service.

130. The method of claim 125, wherein the selected commercial is targeted to a viewer of the programming content.

131. The method of claim 130, wherein the selected commercial is selected based on at least a subject matter of the programming content being viewed by the viewer.

132. The method of claim 130, wherein the selected commercial is selected based on at least personal information concerning the viewer.

133. The method of claim 125, wherein a presentation of the selected commercial includes a video presentation.

134. The method of claim 125, wherein a presentation of the selected commercial includes a presentation of one or more images.

135. The method of claim 134, wherein the presentation of the one or more images includes a slide presentation.

136. A method for presenting on a display programming content including a commercial therein, comprising:

defining at least first and second portions of the display;

receiving a request for manipulation of a presentation of the programming content; and

in response to the request, presenting a manipulated version of the programming content on the first portion of the display, and presenting a selected commercial the second portion of the display.

137. The method of claim 136, wherein the manipulation includes rewinding the programming content in presentation thereof.

138. The method of claim 136, wherein the manipulation includes fast-forwarding the programming content in presentation thereof.

139. The method of claim 136, wherein the manipulation includes pausing the programming content in presentation thereof.

140. The method of claim 136, wherein the request is made during a presentation of the commercial.

141. The method of claim 140, wherein the manipulation includes changing a speed of fast-forwarding the commercial in presentation thereof.

142. The method of claim 140, wherein the manipulation includes changing a speed of rewinding the commercial in presentation thereof.

143. The method of claim 136, wherein the commercial is related to the selected commercial.

144. The method of claim 143, wherein the commercial and the selected commercial promote the same goods or service.

145. The method of claim 136, wherein the selected commercial is targeted to a viewer of the programming content.

146. The method of claim 145, wherein the selected commercial is selected based on at least a subject matter of the programming content being viewed by the viewer.

147. The method of claim 145, wherein the selected commercial is selected based on at least personal information concerning the viewer.

148. The method of claim 136, wherein a presentation of the selected commercial includes a video presentation.

149. The method of claim 136, wherein a presentation of the selected commercial includes a presentation of one or more images.

150. The method of claim 149, wherein the presentation of the one or more images includes a slide presentation.

151. The method of claim 136, wherein the selected commercial is associated with a manipulation speed.

152. The method of claim 151, wherein the manipulation speed is a selected one of a plurality of manipulation speeds.

153. The method of claim 152, wherein the manipulation speed is selected by a viewer of the programming content.

154. The method of claim 151, wherein the manipulation speed is expressed as a relative speed.

155. The method of claim 136, wherein a selected commercial is presented on the second portion of the display only when the commercial included in the programming content is manipulated.

156. The method of claim 136, wherein a selected commercial is presented on the second portion of the display when programming content, other than the commercial included in the programming content, is manipulated.

157. The method of claim 155, wherein informational content is presented on the second portion of the display when programming content, other than the commercial included in the programming content, is manipulated.

158. The method of claim 155, wherein the manipulated version of the programming content is presented across the first and second portions of the display when programming content, other than the commercial included in the programming content, is manipulated.

159. A method for providing programming content which contains an interactive commercial, and a program segment which follows the interactive commercial and is scheduled to begin at a selected time, the interactive commercial including an interactive option for obtaining commercial detail information, the method comprising:

detecting a selection of the interactive option;

presenting the commercial detail information upon a detection of the selection of the interactive option, a presentation of the commercial detail information ending after the selected time; and

providing the program segment from a beginning thereof after the presentation of the commercial detail information.