Technique for delivering programming content based on a modified network personal video recorder service

• US 20050034171A1
• Filed: 08/06/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Benya, Robert
• Application Number:
  US10/913,064
• Publication Number:
  US 20050034171A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/143
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/46 for recognising users' preferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23106 involving caching operations prefetching while addressing of a memory level in which the access to the desired data or data block requires associative addressing means within memory systems or architectures G06F12/0862; caching at an intermediate stage in a data network H04L67/568
• 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 21/2408 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 21/2625 for delaying content or additional data distribution, e.g. because of an extended sport event
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26291 for providing content or additional data updates, e.g. updating software modules, stored at the client deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• 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 21/4147 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 21/4227 Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• 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 21/4583 : Automatically resolving scheduling conflicts, e.g. when a recording by reservation has been programmed for two programs in the same time slot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• 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 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• 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

A network personal video recorder (NPVR) service is modified so that some or all of the programs on an NPVR enabled channel are deprived of a fast-forward capability otherwise afforded by the NPVR service. As a result, a user cannot fast-forward one such program to skip commercials and product placement advertisements therein. In addition, some or all of the programs on an NPVR enabled channel cannot be freely time-shifted without regard for their broadcast schedule. Rather, in an illustrative embodiment, the end time of one such program is restrictively extended past its scheduled end time.

Claims

1. A system for providing a service receptive to a fast-forward command for fast-forwarding a program on a program channel in a presentation thereof, the system comprising:

a mechanism for providing a plurality of programs on a selected program channel, a subset of the programs being identified;

an interface for receiving a fast-forward command from a device for presenting a selected program on the selected program channel to a user; and

a processor for determining whether the selected program is one of the identified programs in the subset, the processor being unresponsive to the fast-forward command if it is determined that the selected program is one of the identified programs in the subset.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the identified programs in the subset are selected based on times of broadcast thereof.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the identified programs in the subset are in a prime time lineup.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the selected program is punctuated with one or more commercials.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the selected program contains one or more product placement advertisements.

6. The system according to claim 1, comprising a broadband communications system.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the broadband communications system includes a cable TV system.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the device includes a set-top terminal.

9. A system for providing programming content over a communications network, comprising:

a mechanism for delivering a plurality of programs on a selected program channel according to a broadcast schedule, a subset of the plurality of programs being identified;

an interface for receiving from a device over the communications network a command for manipulating a presentation of a selected program on the selected program channel, the device being used for presenting the selected program to a user; and

a processor responsive to the command when received during a broadcast of the selected program for determining whether the selected program is one of the identified programs in the subset, a presentation time of the selected program presented using the device being adjusted as a function of the broadcast schedule if it is determined that the selected program is one of the identified programs in the subset.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the presentation time is extended to end the presentation of the selected program past a scheduled end time in accordance with the broadcast schedule.

11. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a mechanism for providing to the device information concerning remaining play time of the selected program after the presentation time thereof is adjusted.

12. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a mechanism for providing to the device information concerning remaining view time of the selected program after the presentation time thereof is adjusted.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein the command does not include a fast-forward command.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the command includes a rewind command, and an alert is issued when the selected program is being rewound past a selected point thereof, the selected point being selected as a function of at least the extended presentation time.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the alert includes a display of a warning.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the command includes a restart command, and an alert is issued as a function of at least a duration of the selected program and the extended presentation time.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the alert includes a display of a warning.

18. The system according to claim 9, wherein the identified programs in the subset are selected based on times of broadcast thereof.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the identified programs in the subset are in a prime time lineup.

20. The system according to claim 9, wherein the communications network includes a broadband communications network.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the broadband communications network includes a cable TV network.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the device includes a set-top terminal.

23. A method for providing a service receptive to a fast-forward command for fast-forwarding a program on a program channel in a presentation thereof, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of programs on a selected program channel;

identifying a subset of the programs;

receiving a fast-forward command from a device for presenting a selected program on the selected program channel to a user;

determining whether the selected program is one of the identified programs in the subset; and

not responding to the fast-forward command if it is determined that the selected program is one of the identified programs in the subset.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the identified programs in the subset are selected based on times of broadcast thereof.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the identified programs in the subset are in a prime time lineup.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein the selected program is punctuated with one or more commercials.

27. The method according to claim 23, wherein the selected program contains one or more product placement advertisements.

28. The method according to claim 23, wherein the service comprises a broadband communications service.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the broadband communications service includes a cable TV service.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the device includes a set-top terminal.

31. A method for providing programming content over a communications network, comprising:

delivering a plurality of programs on a selected program channel according to a broadcast schedule;

identifying a subset of the plurality of programs;

receiving from a device over the communications network a command for manipulating a presentation of a selected program on the selected program channel, the device being used for presenting the selected program to a user; and

in response to the command when received during a broadcast of the selected program, determining whether the selected program is one of the identified programs in the subset, a presentation time of the selected program presented using the device being adjusted as a function of the broadcast schedule if it is determined that the selected program is one of the identified programs in the subset.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the presentation time is extended to end the presentation of the selected program past a scheduled end time in accordance with the broadcast schedule.

33. The method according to claim 31, further comprising providing to the device information concerning remaining play time of the selected program after the presentation time thereof is adjusted.

34. The method according to claim 31, further comprising providing to the device information concerning remaining view time of the selected program after the presentation time thereof is adjusted.

35. The method according to claim 31, wherein the command does not include a fast-forward command.

36. The method according to claim 32, wherein the command includes a rewind command, and an alert is issued when the selected program is being rewound past a selected point thereof, the selected point being selected as a function of at least the extended presentation time.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the alert includes a display of a warning.

38. The method according to claim 32, wherein the command includes a restart command, and an alert is issued as a function of at least a duration of the selected program and the extended presentation time.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the alert includes a display of a warning.

40. The method according to claim 31, wherein the identified programs in the subset are selected based on times of broadcast thereof.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the identified programs in the subset are in a prime time lineup.

42. The method according to claim 31, wherein the communications network includes a broadband communications network.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the broadband communication network includes a cable TV network.

44. The method according to claim 43, wherein the device includes a set-top terminal.