System and method for controlling video-on-demand content

• US 20050216941A1
• Filed: 03/26/2004
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TWL Knowledge Group, Inc. (Vector Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Primedia Workplace Learning LP (Redfin Corporation)
• Inventors: Flanagan, Mark, Vevera, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/809,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20050216941A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/88
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44224 Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/814 comprising emergency warnings arrangements specially adapted for emergency or urgency in broadcast systems H04H20/59; arrangements for providing alarms, notifications, alerts to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

A system for remotely controlling playback of VOD content is provided. The system comprises at least one receiving station for receiving and playing VOD content; and a control station for remotely controlling the VOD content over a communication network, the control station selectively transmitting a control signal to the at least one receiving station for controlling initiation of the VOD content. A method for remotely controlling content is also provided. The method comprises identifying at least one receiving station to control; transmitting a control signal over a communications network to the at least one receiving station; and controlling the content at the at least one receiving station.

Claims

1. A system for remotely controlling playback of VOD content, comprising:

at least one receiving station for receiving and playing VOD content; and

a control station for remotely controlling the VOD content over a communication network, the control station selectively transmitting a control signal to the at least one receiving station for controlling initiation of the VOD content.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the control signal comprises an interrupt command for interrupting programming playing at the at least one receiving station.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the interrupt command further comprises content to be played at the at least one receiving station.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the interrupt is followed by content to be played at the at least one receiving station.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the content comprises pre-recorded content to be played at the at least one receiving station.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the content comprises live content to be played at the at least one receiving station.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the communications network comprises a satellite communications network.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the communications network comprises the Internet.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the communications network comprises a cable communications network.

39. The system of claim 1 wherein the VOD content may be encrypted and decrypted.

40. The system of claim 1 wherein the VOD content may be remotely uploaded.

41. The system of claim 1 wherein the VOD content may be remotely requested.

42. The system of claim 1 further comprising a messaging module for permitting messaging over the communication network.

10. A system for transmitting and controlling VOD content, comprising:

at least one receiving station for playing VOD content, the at least one receiving station comprising a downloading module for downloading the VOD content, and at least one storage means for storing the VOD content;

a control station for transmitting the VOD content, the control station comprising a transmission module for transmitting the VOD content over a communications network, and a controlling module for selectively controlling the transmitted VOD content once it is received at the at least one receiving station.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the control station further comprises an upload module for uploading VOD content.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the controlling module operates to interrupt ongoing programming at the least one receiving station.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the controlling module transmits at least one control signal to the at least one receiving station.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the control signal comprises an alert or notification message.

15. A system for initiating on-demand administration of video content, comprising:

a receiving station having control means for controlling video content; and

a control station for interacting with the control means to remotely administer the video content.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the control station interacts with the control means to remotely maintain a catalog of video content stored at the receiving station.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the catalog of video content is updated, modified, verified, or revised by the control station.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the control station interacts with the control means to remotely initiate the video content.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein control station interrupts programming currently playing at the receiving station, and further initiates a designated alert or notification message.

20. A method for remotely controlling content, comprising:

identifying at least one receiving station to control;

transmitting a control signal over a communications network to the at least one receiving station; and

controlling the content at the at least one receiving station.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein controlling the content at the at least one receiving station comprises interrupting programming.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising transmitting an alert notification.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the alert notification comprises at least one of a pre-recorded or live message.

24. The method of claim 20 controlling the content at the at least one receiving station comprises administering or managing content stored at the at least one receiving station.

25. A method for controlling VOD content stored at a receiving station, comprising:

receiving a control signal over a communications network from a control station; and

allowing the control signal to control stored VOD content.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the VOD content is stored at the receiving station.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the control signal administers the storage and cataloging of the VOD content.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the control signal updates the VOD content.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein the control adds or deletes VOD content.

30. A system for remotely controlling VOD, comprising:

means for transmitting VOD content to at least one receiving station; and

means for remotely controlling the VOD content once it is received by the receiving station.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the transmission means comprises a transmission module.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein the controlling means comprises a control module.

33. The system of claim 30 wherein the VOD content is transmitted over a communications network.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein the control modules controls the VOD content by transmitting a control signal.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the control signal broadcasts a predetermined alert or notification message to the receiving station.

36. A method for controlling VOD content stored at a receiving station, comprising:

sending a control signal over a communications network to a receiving station; and

controlling stored VOD content via the control signal.

37. A system for controlling VOD content stored at a receiving station, comprising:

means for sending a control signal over a communications network to a receiving station; and

means for controlling stored VOD content via the control signal.

38. A system for controlling VOD content stored at a receiving station, comprising:

means for receiving a control signal over a communications network from a control station; and

means for allowing the control signal to control stored VOD content.

43. The system of claim wherein data relating to the VOD content is transmitted of the Public-Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).