Scheduling trigger apparatus and method

• US 20070079353A1
• Filed: 03/22/2006
• Published: 04/05/2007
• 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, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,291,453 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/135
• 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. A method of accomplishing delivery of a scheduled event on a network, comprising the steps of:

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 upon a selection of the promotion at the first CPE, with at least a portion of the transmitting of the event scheduling metadata occurring wirelessly; and

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

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the event scheduling metadata is transmitted from the first CPE to the second CPE via the network.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the event scheduling metadata is wirelessly transmitted from the first CPE to the network.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the event scheduling metadata is wirelessly transmitted from the network to the second CPE.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the event scheduling metadata is transmitted directly from the first CPE to the second CPE.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of causing the event scheduling metadata to be transmitted firther comprises transmitting the event scheduling metadata to the first CPE.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the event scheduling metadata is transmitted to the first CPE with the promotion.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the event scheduling metadata is transmitted to the first CPE separately from the promotion.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of encrypting the event scheduling metadata.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein activating delivery of the scheduled event further comprises the step of tuning the second CPE to an appropriate channel.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein activating delivery of the scheduled event further comprises the step of causing the second CPE to record.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein activating delivery of the scheduled event further comprises the step of powering-on a display.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein activating delivery of the scheduled event further comprises the step of reminding a user of the scheduled event.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network is a cable television network.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network is a satellite television network.

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

transmitting a promotion to a consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), the promotion being associated with event scheduling metadata, with at least a portion of the transmitting of the promotion occurring wirelessly; and

activating delivery of the scheduled event from the network at the CPE, based upon a selection of the promotion at the CPE.

17. A wireless content delivery system, comprising:

a network, said network transmitting a scheduled event and a promotion, the promotion associated with event scheduling metadata;

a first consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), further comprising;

a first receiver, said first receiver receiving the promotion from the network,

a first user interface, said first user interface delivering the promotion to a user and inputting a selection of the promotion from the user, and

a transmitter, said transmitter transmitting the event scheduling metadata based upon the selection; and

a second CPE, further comprising;

a second receiver, said second receiver receiving the event scheduling metadata,

an application, said application activating delivery of the scheduled event from the network, based upon the event scheduling metadata, and

a second user interface, said second user interface delivering the scheduled event to the user;

wherein the first CPE and/or the second CPE are wireless devices.

18. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 17, wherein said first CPE and/or said second CPE are mobile wireless devices.

19. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 17, wherein said first CPE comprises a mobile wireless device, and wherein said second CPE comprises a digital set-top box.

20. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 17, wherein the first CPE and/or the second CPE are personal digital assistants, handheld computers, personal communicators, devices utilizing the J2ME®

software platform, cellular telephones, laptop computers, “

smart”

phones, or remote control devices.

21. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 17,

wherein the network comprises a cable television system network,

wherein the scheduled event comprises a movie, a play, a sporting event, a show, a news broadcast, a pay-per-view (“

TPV”

) event, or an instructional video, and

wherein the event scheduling metadata comprises time, date, and channel data.

22. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 17,

wherein the network comprises a satellite television system network;

wherein the scheduled event comprises a movie, a play, a sporting event, a show, a news broadcast, a pay-per-view (“

PPV”

) event, or an instructional video, and

wherein the event scheduling metadata comprises time, date, and channel data.

23. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 17, wherein the network is a wide area network.

24. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 23, wherein the network is the Internet.

25. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 23, wherein the network is an intranet.

26. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 17, wherein the network is a personal area network (“

PAN”

).

27. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 17, wherein the first CPE and/or the second CPE filther comprise a wireless coupling.

28. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 27, wherein the wireless coupling comprises an INFRARED DATA ASSOCIATION®

(“

IrDA®

”

) wireless coupling, an optical wireless coupling, an INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS®

(“

IEEE®

”

) Standard 802.11 wireless coupling, a BLUETOOTH®

wireless coupling, an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (“

OFDM”

) ultra wide band (“

UWB ”

) wireless coupling, or a time-modulated ultra wide band (“

TM-UWB”

) wireless coupling.

29. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 17, wherein the first CPE and/or the second CPE further comprise an integrated wireless interface.

30. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 17, wherein the first CPE and/or the second CPE further comprise a wireless dongle.

31. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 17, wherein the network comprises a wireless, packet-switched network.

32. The wireless content delivery system according to claim 17, wherein the network comprises a wireless, circuit-switched network.

33. A wireless consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), comprising;

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

a user interface, said user interface being configured to permit input of a selection of the promotion from the user; and

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

34. The wireless CPE according to claim 33, wherein said wireless CPE is mobile.

35. The wireless CPE according to claim 33, wherein the wireless CPE comprises a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a personal communicator, a device utilizing the J2ME®

software platform, a cellular telephone, a laptop computer, a “

smart”

phone, or a remote control device.

36. The wireless CPE according to claim 33, further comprising an integrated wireless interface.

37. The wireless CPE according to claim 33, further comprising a wireless dongle.

38. A wireless consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), comprising;

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

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

a user interface, said user interface being configured to permit delivery of the event to the user.

39. A network host for delivering a scheduled event on a network, the network host comprising:

a first transmitter configured to transmit a promotion to a first consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), the promotion being associated with event scheduling metadata; and

a second transmitter configured to deliver the scheduled event to a second CPE,

wherein the first transmitter and/or the second transmitter are wireless transmitters.

40. The network host according to claim 39, further comprising:

a receiver configured to receive the event scheduling metadata from the first CPE; and

a third transmitter configured to transmit the event scheduling metadata from the first CPE to a second CPE.

41. The network host according to claim 40, wherein the receiver is a wireless receiver, and/or the third transmitter is a wireless transmitter.

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

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 upon a selection of the promotion at the first CPE; and

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

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

transmitting a promotion to a consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), the promotion being associated with event scheduling metadata; and

activating delivery of the scheduled event from the network at the second CPE, based upon a selection of the promotion at the CPE.

44. A content delivery system, comprising:

a network, said network transmitting a scheduled event and a promotion, the promotion associated with event scheduling metadata;

a first consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), further comprising;

a first receiver, said first receiver receiving the promotion from the network,

a first user interface, said first user interface delivering the promotion to a user and inputting a selection of the promotion from the user, and

a transmitter, said transmitter transmitting the event scheduling metadata based upon the selection; and

a second CPE, further comprising;

a second receiver, said second receiver receiving the event scheduling metadata,

an application, said application activating delivery of the scheduled event from the network, based upon the event scheduling metadata, and

a second user interface, said second user interface delivering the scheduled event to the user.

45. A consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), comprising;

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

a user interface, said user interface being configured to permit input of a selection of the promotion from the user; and

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

46. 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 upon the event scheduling metadata; and

a user interface, said user interface being configured to permit delivery of the event to the user.

47. A network host for delivering a scheduled event on a network, the network host comprising:

a first transmitter configured to transmit a promotion to a first consumer premises equipment (“

CPE”

), the promotion being associated with event scheduling metadata; and

a second transmitter configured to deliver the scheduled event to a second CPE.