Methods for enabling near video-on-demand and video-on-request services using digital video recorders
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- connecting a digital video recorder (DVR) to a network server over a data network;
requesting a video-on-demand (VOD) selection by the DVR from the network server;
receiving a compressed multimedia data signal by the DVR from the network server, the compressed multimedia data signal containing the requested VOD selection;
storing a first received portion of the received multimedia data signal on the DVR;
decompressing the first received segment of the received multimedia data signal by the DVR;
playing the decompressed first received segment by the DVR for display on a display device; and
simultaneously during the playing of the first received segment receiving and storing a second received segment of the received multimedia data signal on the DVR while playing the first received segment for display on the display device, whereby the requested VOD selection begins playing on the display device prior to the reception of the entire compressed multimedia data signal containing the requested VOD selection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A near video-on-demand (VOD) service enabled using a digital video recorder (DVR) for the simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data. A DVR is connected over a network to a multimedia network source. A VOD selection is requested by the DVR from the network source. A multimedia data signal is received by the DVR from the network source. The data signal contains the requested VOD selection. A first received portion of the received data signal is stored on the DVR. The first received segment is played by the DVR for display on a display device. Simultaneously during the playing of the first received segment, a second received segment of the received data signal is received from the network source and stored on the DVR while the first received segment is played the display device. Thus, the requested VOD selection begins playing on the display device prior to the reception of the entire compressed multimedia data signal so that a requested VOD selection can begin being displayed nearly instantaneously after the request for it is made. A video-on-request (VOR) service is also enabled using a DVR. VOR selection data is received by a centralized database device, such as a network server, from a plurality of users. Each VOR selection data includes at least one requested video selection and video recorder identifying information for identifying each particular video recorder. A transmission priority of requested video selections is determined dependent on the frequency of requests ‘received from the plurality of users. A transmission channel and time is determined based on the transmission priority. DVR control signals are transmitted to automatically tune in the determined transmission channel at the determined transmission time and record the particular video selection.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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connecting a digital video recorder (DVR) to a network server over a data network;
requesting a video-on-demand (VOD) selection by the DVR from the network server;
receiving a compressed multimedia data signal by the DVR from the network server, the compressed multimedia data signal containing the requested VOD selection;
storing a first received portion of the received multimedia data signal on the DVR;
decompressing the first received segment of the received multimedia data signal by the DVR;
playing the decompressed first received segment by the DVR for display on a display device; and
simultaneously during the playing of the first received segment receiving and storing a second received segment of the received multimedia data signal on the DVR while playing the first received segment for display on the display device, whereby the requested VOD selection begins playing on the display device prior to the reception of the entire compressed multimedia data signal containing the requested VOD selection. - 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 comprising:
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means for requesting media content from a network server;
means for receiving a first segment of the media content from the network server;
means for storing the first segment of the media content;
means for playing the first segment of the media content for display on a display device; and
means for receiving and storing a second segment of the media content from the network server while the playing means is simultaneously playing the first segment such that the requested media content begins playing prior to receipt of the entire requested media content. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. One or more computer readable media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, direct a digital video recorder to:
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request a video-on-demand (VOD) selection from a network server;
receive a data signal from the network server, the data signal comprising portions of the VOD selection;
store a first portion of the VOD selection;
play the first portion of the VOD selection for display on a display device; and
simultaneously store a second portion of the VOD selection while playing the first portion such that display of the VOD selection on the display device begins before the VOD selection is received in its entirety. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification