METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CAUSING A PROMOTED PROGRAM TO BE CAPTURED

• US 20110078732A1
• Filed: 12/24/2008
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Original Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Inventors: Hutohison, Alan Gregor
• Application Number:
  US12/665,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20110078732A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/39
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape

Abstract

A method implemented at a network entity. The method comprises receiving an indication of a selection made by a user while the user is viewing a stream of video content, obtaining programming information regarding a program promoted in the stream of video content when the selection was made and causing the program to be captured for the user at least in part on the basis of the programming information regarding the program.

Claims

1. A method implemented at a network entity, comprising:

a. receiving an indication of a selection made by a user while the user is viewing a stream of video content;

b. obtaining programming information regarding a program promoted in said stream of video content when the selection was made, the program being promoted during a promotional time slot of a television channel; and

c. causing the program to be captured for the user at least in part on the basis of the programming information regarding the program.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein prior to causing the program to be captured, said method comprises storing at the network entity program capturing information on the basis of which the program is caused to be captured.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the program capturing information is generated at least in part on the basis of the programming information regarding the program.

4. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the program capturing information comprises information indicative of a television channel on which the program is playing.

5. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the program capturing information comprises information indicative of a time at which the program will be playing.

6. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the program capturing information comprises information indicative of a recording device operative for recording the program.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein causing the program to be captured comprises outputting a signal to a recording device operative for recording the program, the signal being output in response to at least one condition contained in the program capturing information.

8. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the recording device comprises a network recording device.

9. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the recording device comprises a television set top box.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein causing the program to be captured comprises outputting a signal to a capturing device operative for causing the television channel to be changed, the signal being output in response to at least one condition contained in the program capturing information.

11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the capturing device is operative for providing a prompt to a user for causing the user to change the television channel.

12. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising receiving from the user an identification of a device operative for capturing the program.

13. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the indication of a selection made by the user, is made while the user is viewing the television channel.

14. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the indication of a selection made by the user is provided via a remote control device.

15. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the indication of a selection made by the user is provided via a personal computer on which the user is viewing the stream of video content.

16. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the indication of a selection made by the user is provided via a remote communication device on which the user is viewing the stream of video content.

17. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the programming information regarding the program is received at said network entity from a video content provider.

18. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein obtaining programming information regarding the program comprises receiving the programming information from the video content provider in response to a request from said network entity.

19. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein the programming information regarding the program is received from the video content provider together with programming information for a plurality of programs.

20. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the programming information for the plurality of programs is stored in a memory of said network entity.

21. A method as defined in claim 20, wherein obtaining programming information regarding the program comprises retrieving from the memory of said network entity, the programming information regarding the program from the programming information for the plurality of programs.

22. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the programming information received for the plurality of programs is received from the video content provider at periodic time intervals.

23. A network entity, comprising:

a. a communication unit operative for;

i. receiving an indication of a selection made by a user while the user is viewing a stream of video content;

ii. obtaining programming information regarding a program promoted in the stream of video content when the selection was made, the program being promoted during a promotional time slot of a television channel; and

b. a program capturing unit operative for causing the program to be captured for the user, at least in part on the basis of the obtained programming information.

24. A network entity as defined in claim 23, wherein prior to causing the program to be captured, said program capturing unit is further operative for storing program capturing information on the basis of which the program is caused to be captured.

25. A network entity as defined in claim 24, wherein the program capturing information is generated at least in part on the basis of the programming information regarding the program.

26. A network entity as defined in claim 24, wherein the program capturing information comprises information indicative of a television channel on which the program is playing.

27. A network entity as defined in claim 24, wherein the program capturing information comprises information indicative of a time at which the program will be playing.

28. A network entity as defined in claim 24, wherein the program capturing information comprises information indicative of a recording device operative for recording the program.

29. A network entity as defined in claim 24, wherein the program capturing unit is operative for outputting a signal to a recording device operative for recording the program, the signal being output in response to at least one condition contained in the program capturing information.

30. A network entity as defined in claim 29, wherein the recording device is a network recording device.

31. A network entity as defined in claim 29, wherein the recording device is a television set top box.

32. A network entity as defined in claim 23, wherein causing the program to be captured comprises outputting a signal to a capturing device operative for causing the television channel to be changed, the signal being output in response to at least one condition contained in the program capturing information.

33. A network entity as defined in claim 23, wherein the capturing device is operative for providing a prompt to a user for causing the user to change the television channel.

34. A network entity as defined in claim 23, wherein said communication unit is further operative for receiving from the user an identification of a device operative for capturing the program.

35. A network entity as defined in claim 34, wherein the device operative for capturing the program comprises a television set top box.

36. A network entity as defined in claim 23, wherein the indication of a selection made by the user, is made while the user is viewing a television channel.

37. A network entity as defined in claim 23, wherein the indication of a selection made by the user is provided via a remote control device.

38. A network entity as defined in claim 23, wherein the indication of a selection made by the user is provided via a personal computer on which the user is viewing the stream of video content.

39. A network entity as defined in claim 23, wherein the indication of a selection made by the user is provided via a remote communication device on which the user is viewing the stream of video content.

40. A network entity as defined in claim 23, wherein said communication unit is operative for receiving from a video content provider the programming information regarding the program.

41. A network entity as defined in claim 40, wherein obtaining programming information regarding the program comprises receiving the programming information from the video content provider in response to a request from said network entity.

42. A network entity as defined in claim 40, wherein the programming information regarding the program is received from the video content provider together with programming information for a plurality of programs.

43. A network entity as defined in claim 42, wherein said network entity further comprises a memory unit, wherein the programming information for the plurality of programs received from the video content provider is stored in said memory unit.

44. A network entity as defined in claim 43, wherein obtaining programming information regarding the program comprises retrieving from the programming information for the plurality of programs stored in said memory unit, the programming information regarding the program.

45. A network entity as defined in claim 42, wherein the programming information received for the plurality of programs is received at periodic time intervals.

47. A system as defined in claim 42, wherein said program capturing unit is operative for outputting said signal in response to at least one condition contained in the program capturing information.

48. A system as defined in claim 42, wherein the indication of a selection made by the user is issued from a communication device on which the user is viewing the stream of video content, the communication device being different from said network entity and said capturing device.

49. A system as defined in claim 44, wherein said communication device is a personal computer.

50. A system as defined in claim 44, wherein said communication device is a mobile communication device.

51. A system as defined in claim 42, wherein said capturing device is a network recording device.

52. A system as defined in claim 42, wherein said capturing device is a television set top box.

46. A system comprising:

a. a network entity, comprising;

i. a communication unit operative for;

1. receiving an indication of a selection made by a user while the user is viewing a stream of video content;

2. obtaining programming information regarding a promoted program in said stream of video content when the selection was made, the program being promoted during a promotional time slot of a television channel; and

ii. a program capturing unit operative for;

1. storing program capturing information generated at least in part on the basis of the programming information regarding the program;

2. causing the program to be captured for the user on the basis of the program capturing information;

b. a capturing device in communication with said network entity, said capturing device being operative for capturing the program in response to a signal from said program capturing unit.

53. A method implemented at a network entity, comprising:

a. receiving an indication of a selection made by a user while the user is viewing a stream of video content;

b. obtaining programming information regarding a program promoted in said stream of video content when the selection was made; and

c. causing the program to be recorded for the user at least in part on the basis of the programming information regarding the program.