Scheduling trigger apparatus and method

• US 20050144635A1
• Filed: 09/22/2004
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Boortz, Jeffery Allen
• Granted Patent: US 9,380,269 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 involving video stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2353 specifically adapted to content descriptors, e.g. coding, compressing or processing of metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23892 involving embedding information at multiplex stream level, e.g. embedding a watermark at packet level
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/262 Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists scheduling strategies for dispatcher in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/4881; arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/06; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; establishing a time schedule or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26258 for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42209 for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• 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 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• 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 21/4353 involving decryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47211 for requesting pay-per-view content payment schemes payment architectures or payment protocols G06Q20/00, G07F
• 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 21/4825 using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 : involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63345 : by transmitting keys key distribution for secret or secure communication H04L9/08; network support of key management H04L63/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 : IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8106 : involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17327 : with deferred transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for embedding and associating triggers within a promotion or other similar content element with the event being promoted are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, consumer premises equipment (CPE) such as a digital set-top box is used to interface between the user and an external network (such as an HFC cable network) and facilitate the user selecting and scheduling viewing or recording of a subsequent event (e.g., broadcast movie) via the promotion itself. The trigger(s) within the promotion allow the user to contemporaneously select the promoted event for viewing, recording, etc. without any further action. The trigger(s) then initiates tuning of the user'"'"'s receiver to the scheduled event at the appropriate date and time. This approach obviates additional actions by the user (such as programming their DVR), and also permits the user to commit to viewing the event when their interest level is highest; i.e., contemporaneous with the promotion.

Claims

1. In a content-based network, a method of associating one or more content elements with a trigger element, comprising:

providing at least one content element adapted for transfer to a user over said information network to user CPE;

providing at least one promotion, said at least one promotion being directly or indirectly related to said at least one content element; and

associating at least one trigger element with said at least one promotion;

said at least one trigger element being adapted to trigger said CPE to take a specified action relating to said content element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said act of providing at least one content element comprises providing at least video and audio content adapted for transfer over a cable network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said act of providing at least one promotion comprises providing at least promotional video and audio content over said network.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said act of associating comprises embedding said at least one trigger element within said promotional content as metadata, and said specified action comprises tuning to the channel of said event at a predetermined date and time.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said trigger element comprises a user-configurable trigger element.

6. A method of scheduling viewing of a subsequently transmitted event via a content-based network having at least one user CPE, comprising:

providing at least one network entity having a first software process operative to run thereon;

providing an application operative to run on said CPE and communicate with said first software process;

delivering promotional content to said CPE, said content further comprising embedded/associated data relating thereto;

accessing at least a portion of said embedded/associated data using said CPE;

utilizing said application to transmit at least portions of said data to said at least one network entity; and

utilizing said transmitted data at a subsequent time to cause said CPE to tune to said event.

7. A method of transmitting promotional content over a network having at least one user CPE, comprising:

providing a first network entity adapted to transmit said promotional content to said CPE;

providing a second network entity having a first software process operative to run thereon;

providing an application operative to run on said CPE and communicate with said first software process;

delivering first promotional content to said CPE form said first entity, said first content further comprising embedded/associated data relating thereto;

accessing at least a portion of said embedded/associated data using said CPE;

utilizing said application to transmit at least portions of said data to said second network entity;

providing information based at least in part on said portions of said transmitted data to said first network entity; and

selectively transmitting subsequent promotional content based at least in part on said information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said acts of providing an application comprises downloading an MSO application via a downstream channel.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said network comprises a cable network, and said communication between said CPE and said second network entity comprises communication over a network other than said cable network.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said act of providing information comprises providing information relating to the efficacy of said first promotional content within said network.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said act of accessing comprises accessing metadata from a transport stream used to carry said first promotional content.

12. CPE adapted for use in a network, comprising:

a receiver adapted to receive promotional content from a plurality of channels of said network;

an application adapted to receive data relating to one or more scheduled events delivered over said channels, said data being associated with said promotional content; and

a user interface adapted to allow a user of said CPE to select said one or more scheduled events for subsequent viewing;

wherein said data and said application cooperate to cause said CPE receiver to tune to appropriate ones of said channels based on said user'"'"'s selections.

13. The CPE of claim 12, wherein said CPE comprises a DTSB, and said network comprises a cable network.

14. The CPE of claim 13, wherein said user interface comprises an on-screen display overlaid onto the display of at least a portion of said promotional content.

15. The CPE of claim 14, wherein said data associated with said promotional content comprises metadata.

16. The CPE of claim 14, wherein said CPE stores at least a portion of said data within a file structure within said CPE, said file structure being used by middleware of said CPE to perform said tuning.

17. The CPE of claim 14, wherein said application comprises a Java-based object oriented application that is delivered to the CPE via an in-band or OOB channel.

18. The CPE of claim 12, wherein said application is adapted for communication with an external network entity.

19. The CPE of claim 14, wherein said application is further adapted to store a plurality of information relating to the preferences of individual users of said CPE.

20. The CPE of claim 12, wherein said application is further adapted to detect conflicts between the selections made by two or more of said users.

21. The CPE of claim 20, wherein said application is further adapted to display information relating to said conflicts on a display device associated with said CPE.

22. For use in a content-based network adapted to provide embedded/associated triggering for an event, a metadata computer file structure comprising:

first metadata providing the date of the event;

second metadata providing the start time of the event; and

third metadata providing the channel of the event.

23. The file structure of claim 22, further comprising fourth metadata providing information relating to the decryption of any one of said first, second or third metadata.

24. The file structure of claim 22, wherein said metadata is human readable.

25. The file structure of claim 22, further comprising fourth metadata selected from the group consisting of (i) the ending time of the event and (ii) the duration of the event.

26. In a cable network having a head-end and a plurality of CPE, a scheduling trigger application comprising a computer program operative to run on said CPE and adapted to receive promotion-related content and metadata associated therewith from said head-end, said metadata comprising a representation of information relating to an event promoted in said promotion-related content, said application allowing for the selection of said event by a user for subsequent viewing, said selection being contemporaneous with viewing said promotion-related content.

27. The application of claim 26, wherein said network further comprises a remote network entity, and said CPE is configured to communicate with said remote entity.

28. The application of claim 27, wherein said communication with said remote entity comprises transferring information relating to said selections made by a plurality of said users over time.

29. The application of claim 26, wherein said application comprises a distributed application having a first portion and at least one second portion, said first portion being disposed at said head-end, said at least one second portion being disposed at said CPE, said first and second portions communicating to transfer information relating to said selections made by a plurality of said users to said head-end.

30. The application of claim 26, wherein said network further comprises a remote network entity, and application comprises a distributed application having a first portion and at least one second portion, said first portion being disposed at said remote entity, said at least one second portion being disposed at said CPE, said first and second portions communicating to transfer information relating to said selections made by a plurality of said users to said remote entity.

31. In a content-based network adapted to broadcast at least one event, a method of scheduling such at least one event, comprising:

providing a user with CPE adapted to;

(i) permit the viewing of promotions related to said at least one event; and

(ii) allow said user to contemporaneously select said at least one event for subsequent viewing or recording;

wherein said selection of said at least one event is accomplished by;

(i) providing user interface (UI) elements substantially integrated with said promotions; and

(ii) providing data associated with said promotions relating to the date and channel of said selected event.

32. A method of conducting business in a cable network over which promotions for events are distributed to a plurality of users having CPE, the method comprising associating, for a fee or other consideration, at least one trigger element with at least one of said promotions, said at least one trigger element being adapted to trigger said CPE to take a specified action relating to said event.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising collecting data from at least a portion of said plurality of users regarding said portion of user'"'"'s selections of events.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

analyzing said collected data to generate information regarding the effectiveness of at least one of said promotions; and

providing said information to the entity providing said fee or other consideration.

35. The method of claim 35, wherein said entity is selected from the group consisting of:

(i) an MSO and (ii) a network operator.