System and method for time shifting delivery of media content

• US 20110126249A1
• Filed: 11/24/2009
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dooreme, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Doorene Incorporated
• Inventors: Makhlouf, Sam
• Application Number:
  US12/592,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20110126249A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/109
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2547 Third Party Billing, e.g. billing of advertiser
• 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 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A subscriber unit is provided to receive a streaming feed of the media selection from first source upon determining that a broadcast time of the program selection falls within a current broadcasting time slot. The subscriber unit is configured to receive a streaming feed of a media selection from a second source where it is determined that the media selection falls within a time slot that has already elapsed.

Claims

1. A media content distribution system comprising:

subscriber unit comprising an input device for receiving user input indicative of a media content selection;

the subscriber unit comprises an input for receiving an input feed of media content from a predetermined media content source, and an output for outputting an output display signal to an associated display device;

the subscriber unit is configured to receive a streaming feed of a media selection from a first predetermined media content source upon determining that the broadcast time of the program selection falls within a current broadcasting time slot; and

where it is determined that the media selection falls within a time slot that has already elapsed, the subscriber unit is configured to receive a streaming feed of the media selection from a second predetermined media content source.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the display signal comprises a video signal.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first predetermined media content source is a cable television video feed generated by a cable television distributor.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the second predetermined media content source is a streaming video feed generated by a web based video hosting web site.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the first predetermined media content source is a streaming video feed from a web based video hosting web site.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the first predetermined media content source is a cable television video feed from a cable television distributor.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the input device comprises a remote control device.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the remote control device comprises a keypad.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the remote control device comprises a multi position joystick.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the subscriber unit comprises a wireless telephone device.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the subscriber unit comprises a personal media player.

12. A method of distributing a media content selection comprising the steps of:

receiving user input of a media content selection;

determining the scheduled time slot of the media content selection;

determining if the current time falls within the scheduled time slot of the media content selection;

initiating delivery of a media content feed from a first media content source where the current time falls within the schedule time slot of the video program selection; and

initiating delivery of a media content feed from a second media content source where the current time is past the scheduled time slot of media content selection.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first media content source comprises a cable television distribution system.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the second media content source comprises a web based streaming video hosting site published at a predetermined universal resource locator (URL).

15. A media content distribution system comprising a subscriber unit configured to carry out the steps of:

Receiving user input of a video program selection;

Determining the scheduled time slot of the video program selection;

Determining if the current time falls within the scheduled time slot of the video program selection;

Determining if the current time is later than the scheduled time slot of the video program selection;

initiating delivery of a video feed from a first source where the current time falls within the scheduled time slot of the video program selection; and

initiating delivery of a video feed from a second source where the current time is past the scheduled time slot of the video program selection.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the subscriber unit is further configured to carry out the step of outputting an output video feed to a display device associated with the subscriber unit.

17. A media content distribution system comprising:

distribution and control unit;

subscriber unit;

the subscriber unit is configured to carry out the steps of;

receiving input of a media content selection;

transmitting the received input to the distribution and control unit;

receiving a media content feed;

outputting a display signal to an associated display device

the distribution and control unit is configured to carry out the steps of;

determining the scheduled time slot of the media content selection;

determining if the current time falls within the scheduled time slot of the media content selection;

determining if the current time is later than the scheduled time slot of the media content selection;

initiating delivery to the subscriber unit of media content feed from a first source where the current time falls within the schedule time slot of the media content selection; and

initiating delivery to the subscriber unit of media content feed from a second source where the current time is past the scheduled time slot of the video program selection.

18. A media content distribution system comprising a subscriber unit configured to carry out the steps of:

receiving user input of a media content selection;

determining the scheduled time slot of the media content selection;

determining if the current time falls within the scheduled time slot of the media content selection;

determining if the current time is later than the scheduled time slot of the media content selection;

initiating delivery of a media content feed from a first source where the current time falls within the scheduled time slot of the media content selection; and

initiating delivery of a media content feed from a second source where the current time is past the scheduled time slot of the media content selection.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the subscriber unit is further configured to carry out the step of outputting an output video signal to a display device associated with the subscriber unit.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the media content comprises a video feed.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the media content comprises a video feed.

22. The system of claim 19 wherein the media content comprises copyrightable content.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein the media content comprises copyrightable content.