SCHEDULING TRIGGER APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20060259924A1
• Filed: 07/26/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Concrete Pictures, Inc.
• Inventors: Boortz, Jeffery Allen
• Granted Patent: US 9,060,100 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

A method of alerting a user of a scheduled event on a network includes transmitting a promotion to a first consumer premises equipment (“CPE”), the promotion being associated with event scheduling metadata, and causing the event scheduling metadata to be transmitted from the first CPE to a second CPE based on a selection of the promotion at the first CPE. The method further includes causing a reminder message to be transmitted from the second CPE to the first CPE based on the event scheduling metadata.

Claims

1. A method of alerting a user of a scheduled event on a network, the method comprising:

transmitting a promotion to a first consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), the promotion being associated with event scheduling metadata;

causing the event scheduling metadata to be transmitted from the first CPE to a second CPE based on a selection of the promotion at the first CPE; and

causing a reminder message to be transmitted from the second CPE to the first CPE based on the event scheduling metadata.

2. The method according to claim 1, f the reminder message is transmitted from the second CPE to the first CPE via the network.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the reminder message is wirelessly transmitted from the second CPE to the network.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the reminder message is wirelessly transmitted from the network to the first CPE.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reminder message is transmitted directly from the second CPE to the first CPE.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising activating delivery of an alert based on the reminder message.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the alert is an audio or visual alert.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network is a cable or satellite television network.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reminder message is transmitted prior to the scheduled event.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the alert further comprises time, date, and channel data.

11. A consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), comprising;

a receiver configured to receive a promotion associated with event scheduling metadata from a network, and further configured to receive a reminder message;

a user interface configured to permit input of a selection of the promotion from a user, and further configured to deliver a reminder to the user based on the reminder message; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the event scheduling metadata based on the selection.

12. The CPE according to claim 11, wherein said CPE is a wireless CPE.

13. The CPE according to claim 11, wherein the reminder message comprises time, data, and channel data.

14. A consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), comprising;

a receiver configured to receive event scheduling metadata from a network;

an application configured to activate delivery of a scheduled event from the network based on the event scheduling metadata; and

a transmitter configured to transmit a reminder message based on the event scheduling metadata.

15. The CPE according to claim 14, wherein said CPE is a wireless CPE.

16. The CPE according to claim 14, wherein said CPE is a digital set-top box.

17. The CPE according to claim 14, wherein the reminder message comprises time, data, and channel data.

18. A method of alerting a user of a scheduled event on a network, the method comprising:

transmitting a promotion to a consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), the promotion being associated with event scheduling metadata;

storing the event scheduling metadata at the CPE based on a selection of the promotion; and

activating delivery of an alert based on the event scheduling metadata.

19. A consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), further comprising;

a receiver configured to receive from a network a promotion associated with event scheduling metadata;

a user interface configured to deliver the promotion to a user and receive input of a selection of the promotion from the user,

a storage device configured to store the event scheduling metadata based on the selection; and

an application configured to activate delivery of an alert and the scheduled event from said network based on the event scheduling metadata.

20. A method of accomplishing delivery of a scheduled event on a network, the method comprising:

associating a promotion code with event scheduling metadata;

causing the event scheduling metadata to be transmitted to a second consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

) based on the promotion code being input at a first CPE; and

activating delivery of the scheduled event from the network at the second CPE based on the event scheduling metadata.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising transmitting the promotion code to the first CPE.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising transmitting the event scheduling metadata to the first CPE.

23. The method according to claim 20, further comprising receiving the promotion code from the first CPE, wherein causing the event scheduling metadata to be transmitted further comprises transmitting the event scheduling metadata based on the received promotion code.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein the first CPE and/or the second CPE are wireless CPEs.

25. The method according to claim 20, wherein the network is a cable or satellite television network.

26. A method of accomplishing delivery of a scheduled event on a network, the method comprising:

associating a promotion code with event scheduling metadata; and

activating delivery of the scheduled event at a wireless consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

) based on the promotion code being input at the CPE.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising transmitting the promotion code and event scheduling metadata to the CPE.

28. The method according to claim 26, further comprising receiving the promotion code from the CPE.

29. A consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), comprising

a user interface configured to receive input of a promotion code from a user,

a receiver configured to receive event scheduling data associated with the promotion code;

an application configured to activate delivery of a scheduled event from a network based on the event scheduling metadata associated with the promotion code.

30. The CPE according to claim 29, wherein the CPE is a wireless CPE.

31. A method of accomplishing delivery of coinciding scheduled events on a network, the method comprising:

transmitting first and second promotions to a first consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), the first and second promotions being associated with first and second event scheduling metadata for the first and second coinciding scheduled events, respectively;

causing the first and second event scheduling metadata to be transmitted from the first CPE to a second CPE based on a selection of the first and second promotions at the first CPE;

activating delivery of the first scheduled event from the network at the second CPE based on the first event scheduling metadata;

receiving a user-initiated interrupt request to interrupt delivery of the first scheduled event;

activating delivery of a list of the first and second coinciding scheduled events based on the first and second event scheduling metadata and the interrupt request;

receiving a user selection of the second scheduled event; and

activating delivery of the second scheduled event from the network based on the user selection and the second event scheduling metadata.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the first CPE and/or the second CPE are wireless CPEs.

33. The method according to claim 31, wherein activating delivery of the first scheduled event further comprises tuning the second CPE to an appropriate channel.

34. A consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

) comprising;

a receiver configured to receive first and second event scheduling metadata for first and second coinciding scheduled events, respectively,

an application configured to activate delivery of the first scheduled event from a network based on the first event scheduling metadata, activate delivery of a list of the first and second coinciding scheduled event based on the first and second event scheduling metadata and a user-initiated interrupt request to interrupt delivery of the first scheduled event, and activate delivery of the second scheduled event based on a user selection of the second scheduled event and the second event scheduling metadata, and

a user interface configured to receive input of the interrupt request and the user selection.

35. A method of accomplishing delivery of coinciding scheduled events on a network, the method comprising:

transmitting first and second promotions to a consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), the first and second promotions being associated with first and second event scheduling metadata for first and second coinciding scheduled events, respectively;

storing the first and second event scheduling metadata at the CPE based on a selection of the first and second promotion at the CPE;

activating delivery of the first scheduled event from the network at the CPE based on the first event scheduling metadata;

receiving a user-initiated interrupt request to interrupt delivery of the first scheduled event;

activating delivery of a list of the first and second coinciding scheduled events based on the first and second event scheduling metadata and the interrupt request;

receiving a user selection of the second scheduled event; and

activating delivery of the second scheduled event from the network based on the user selection and the second event scheduling metadata.

36. A method of accomplishing delivery of scheduled events on a network, the method comprising:

transmitting first and second promotions to a first consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), the first and second promotions being associated with first and second event scheduling metadata for the first and second scheduled events, respectively;

causing the first and second event scheduling metadata to be transmitted from the first CPE to a second CPE based on a selection of the first and second promotion at the first CPE;

building a viewing list based on the selection of the first and second promotion; and

activating delivery of the first scheduled event or the second scheduled event based on the viewing list.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the viewing list is built by the first CPE.

38. The method according to claim 36, wherein the viewing list is built by the second CPE.

39. The method according to claim 36, wherein the viewing list is built by the network.

40. The method according to claim 36, further comprising altering the viewing list at the first CPE or the second CPE.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein altering the viewing list further comprises prioritizing the first scheduled event or the second scheduled event.

42. A method of accomplishing delivery of scheduled events on a network, the method comprising:

transmitting first and second promotions to a consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), the first and second promotions being associated with first and second event scheduling metadata for first and second coinciding scheduled events, respectively;

storing the first and second event scheduling metadata at the CPE based on a selection of the first and second promotion at the CPE;

building a viewing list based on the selection of the first and second promotion; and

activating delivery of the first scheduled event or the second scheduled event based on the viewing list.