Method for providing video programming nearly on demand

• US 5,583,937 A
• Filed: 07/01/1994
• Issued: 12/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cilstar Research LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: GTE Laboratories Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.), GTE Service Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Gillett, Thomas F., Ullrich, Kathryn E., Walker, Stephen S., Calaby, Lauren F., Seibel, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cain, David C.
• Application Number:
  US08/270,105
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 380/20, 380/10, 380/16
• US Class Current: 380/211
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/1739 the upstream communication being transmitted via a separate link, e.g. telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26275 for distributing content or additional data in a staggered manner, e.g. repeating movies on different channels in a time-staggered manner in a near video on demand system
• 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 21/47208 for requesting near-video-on-demand content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8549 Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer retrieval in video databases by using presentations in form of a video summary G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

A method for providing video programming in a nearly on demand basis is disclosed. A video network includes a video server that operates several video recorders to simultaneously exhibit video performances or programs on a plurality of channels. The video server is controlled in real time in accordance with data presented to it in an exhibition plan. The exhibition plan calls for two or more channels to show the same program on a time offset basis. Due to the offset in exhibiting a given program, a subscriber may view a program at any time, from the beginning of a program, by waiting for a period of time that is no longer than the offset. Preferably, this offset is substantially shorter than the run time of the program. The channels carrying this program are unscrambled prior to the beginning of the program and for a predetermined duration into the program so that subscribers may preview the program. However, the channels are scrambled for the remainder of the exhibition of the program. A subscriber may order the program when it begins and for a short duration after the program becomes scrambled.

Claims

1. A method of providing video programs to subscribers via a transmission system that comprises capacity for a plurality of video channels, the method comprising the steps:

(a) storing the video programs in a controllable video player system;

(b) controlling the video player system, according to a predetermined schedule, in a manner that causes the video programs to be applied at specified times to specified channels of the wideband transmission system, according to which schedule the video player system is controlled in a manner that causes at least one selected video program to be simultaneously applied to a plurality of channels, with the respective starting times of the selected video program on the respective plurality of channels staggered by time intervals of relatively short period in relation to the run-time of the selected video program;

(c) processing video programs in a manner that renders those programs substantially unintelligible to subscribers;

(d) broadcasting the video programs to subscribers via the transmission system;

(e) processing a request from a subscriber to view the selected video program; and

(f) in response to the request from the subscriber, rendering the selected video program intelligible to the subscriber on an appropriate one of the plurality of channels to which the selected video program is simultaneously applied.

2. A method of providing video programs as defined in claim 1 wherein the request is processed in Step (e) by receiving the request in the form of a telephone call placed to a customer service representative.

3. A method of providing video programs as defined in claim 1 wherein the request is processed in Step (e) by an audio response unit (ARU) that responds to DTMF signals emanating from a subscriber'"'"'s telephone set.

4. A method of providing video programs as defined in claim 3 additionally comprising the step of providing voice prompts to the subscriber in order to facilitate the request.

5. A method of providing video programs as defined in claim 1 wherein the processing of a request in Step (e) utilizes automatic number identification of the subscriber'"'"'s telephone number.

6. A method of providing video programs as defined in claim 1 wherein the processing of a request according to Step (e) includes storing the request in equipment accessible by the subscriber and subsequently forwarding the request to a provider of the video programs.

7. A method of providing video programs as defined in claim 6 wherein the request is stored in an addressable converter box.

8. A method of providing video programs as defined in claim 6 wherein the processing of a request according to Step (e) includes transmitting the request substantially immediately over the transmission system.

9. A method of providing a video program to a subscriber on a nearly-on-demand basis, method comprising the steps:

storing the video program in a controllable video delivery system;

coupling the video delivery system to a transmission system that comprises a plurality of channels;

controlling the video delivery system in a manner that causes the video program to be sequentially applied to respective ones of the channels according to a predetermined schedule so that the starting time of the video program on each of the respective channels is offset from the starting time on one of the other channels by a time period that is substantially less than the run-time of the video program;

broadcasting the video program on the respective ones of the channels so that the video program appears simultaneously on those channels, but on a time-offset basis;

processing a request from a subscriber to view the video program; and

enabling the subscriber to view the video program in a nearly-on-demand mode so that the subscriber may view the beginning of the video program at a discrete point in time on a video channel that is selected from a plurality of available points in time on respective ones of the plurality of video channels.

10. A method of providing a video program as defined in claim 9, further including the step:

applying to one of the plurality of channels a menu representing the schedule of the specific times at which the beginning of the video program may be viewed.

11. A method of providing a video program as defined in claim 10, further comprising the step:

prior to the beginning of the video program on a channel, performing on that channel, a preview of the video program.

12. A method of providing a video program as defined in claim 9 wherein the preview is performed for a limited period of time without request from the subscriber, but the remainder of the video program is viewable in an intelligible form by the subscriber only upon request of the subscriber.

13. A method of providing a video program as defined in claim 9, further comprising the steps:

enabling the subscriber to view promotional material related to the video program during a first interval prior to the starting time of the video program;

enabling the subscriber to view a beginning portion of the video program during a second interval immediately subsequent to the first interval;

enabling the subscriber to enter a request to view the video program during a third interval that includes within its duration substantially the entirety of the second interval; and

in the absence of a request from the subscriber to view the video program, rendering the video program unviewable in an intelligible form by the subscriber subsequent to the end of the second interval.

14. A method of providing a video program as defined in claim 13, wherein the third interval extends beyond the end of the second interval.

15. A method of providing a video program as defined in claim 13 further comprising the step:

during a fourth interval that substantially includes the third interval and a predetermined duration after the third interval, responding to an indication of the subscriber'"'"'s intent to cancel the request to view the video program.

16. A method of providing a video program as defined in claim 15 wherein the third interval extends beyond the end of the second interval.

17. A method of providing a video program to subscribers, the method comprising the steps:

storing the video program in a controllable video delivery system that provides at least two video outputs;

coupling the video delivery system to a transmission system that comprises a plurality of channels, so that a first output of the video delivery system is coupled to a first channel and a second output of the video delivery system is coupled to a second channel;

controlling the video delivery system in a manner that causes the video program to be applied to the first and to the second channels according to a predetermined schedule so that the starting time of the video program on the first channel is offset from the starting time on the second channel by an offset time period that is less than the run-time of the video program;

broadcasting the video program on the first and the second channels so that the video program appears substantially simultaneously on those channels, but on a time-offset basis;

processing requests from subscribers to view the video program; and

enabling subscribers to view the video program on either the first or the second channel, according to the time at which the subscriber prefers to view the video program.

18. A method of providing a video program to subscribers as defined in claim 17 wherein, subsequent to processing an initial request from a subscriber and enabling the subscriber to view the video program on the first channel, the method includes the steps of subsequently processing a second request from the subscriber, the second request occurring before the video program has ended on the first channel, and enabling the subscriber to view the video program on the second channel.

19. A method of providing a video program as defined in claim 18 wherein requests are processed by receiving the requests in the form of telephone calls placed to a customer service representative.

20. A method of providing video programs as defined in claim 18 wherein requests are processed by an audio response unit (ARU) that responds to DTMF signals emanating from a subscriber'"'"'s telephone set.

21. A method of providing video programs as defined in claim 20 wherein the ARU provides voice prompts to the subscriber in order to facilitate the request.

22. A method of providing video programs as defined in claim 18 wherein the processing of a request utilizes automatic number identification of the subscriber'"'"'s telephone number.

23. A method of providing video programs as defined in claim 18 wherein the processing of a request includes storing the request in equipment accessible by the subscriber and subsequently forwarding the request to a provider of the video program.

24. A method of providing a video program as defined in claim 23 wherein the request is stored in an addressable converter box.

25. A method of providing video programs as defined in claim 23 wherein the processing of a request includes transmitting the request over the transmission system to a provider of the video program.

26. A method of enabling a viewer to view the beginning of a video program at a selected one of a plurality of predetermined discrete points of time, the method comprising the steps:

(a) operating a controllable video server that provides a plurality of outputs in a manner that causes at least portions of the video program to appear concurrently, but not synchronously, at respective outputs of the video server;

(b) applying the outputs of the video server to respective downstream channels of a transmission system that includes a plurality of downstream channels and at least one upstream channel;

(c) controlling the operation of the video server according to a predetermined schedule, which schedule causes the beginning of the video program to occur at staggered starting times on the respective channels so that the starting times on at least a selected pair of the channels are offset by a time interval that is short with respect to the run-time of the video program;

(d) broadcasting the video program to viewers via the transmission system;

(e) receiving from a viewer a request transmitted via an upstream channel, which request indicates the viewer'"'"'s preference to view the video program at a specific time; and

(f) enabling the viewer to view the video program on a channel determined by the specific time at which the viewer requests to view the video program.

27. A method as defined in claim 26 comprising the step:

receiving the request through channel-selection equipment accessible to the viewer and coupled to the transmission system, which channel-selection equipment includes means for storing the request prior to transmission of the request via the transmission system.

28. A method as defined in claim 27 comprising the step:

extracting the request from the channel-selection equipment via the transmission system.

29. A method as defined in claim 27 comprising the steps:

compiling, in a master scheduler, said master schedule to define the times at which the beginning of the video program will occur on respective ones of the plurality of downstream channels, and

providing information compiled by the master scheduler to the controllable video server.

30. A method as defined in claim 29 wherein information compiled by the master scheduler includes (i) identification of the video program, (ii) the run-time length of the video program, and (iii) starting time of the active portion of the video program.

31. A method as defined in claim 30 wherein information compiled by the master scheduler includes the dates and starting times of the video program on respective channels of the transmission system.

32. A method as defined in claim 29 comprising the step:

providing information compiled by the master scheduler to a billing processor.

33. A method as defined in claim 29 comprising the step:

providing information compiled by the master scheduler to the channel-selection equipment that is accessible to the viewer.

34. A method as defined in claim 29 comprising the step:

providing information by the master scheduler that anticipates a need to acquire a quantity of media on which the video program is recorded.

35. A method as defined in claim 26 wherein Step (a) includes loading a plurality of storage media, on which media the video program is stored, into a plurality of video players and wherein Step (c) includes causing the plurality of video players to be sequentially activated so that the beginning of the video program appears at a time T1 on a first downstream channel, at a time T2 on a second downstream channel, . . . , and at a time TN on an Nth downstream channel, wherein T2 through TN occur prior to the end of the video program on the first downstream channel.

36. A method as defined in claim 35 comprising the step:

receiving the request through channel-selection equipment accessible to the viewer and coupled to the transmission system, which channel-selection equipment includes means for storing the request prior to transmission of the request via the transmission system.

37. A method as defined in claim 36 comprising the step:

extracting the request from the channel-selection equipment via the transmission system.

38. A method as defined in claim 36 comprising the steps:

compiling, in a master scheduler, said master schedule to define the times at which the beginning of the video program will occur on respective ones of the plurality of downstream channels, and

providing information compiled by the master scheduler to the controllable video server.

39. A method as defined in claim 38 wherein information compiled by the master scheduler includes (i) identification of the video program, (ii) run-time length of the video program, and (iii) starting time of the active portion of the video program.

40. A method as defined in claim 39 wherein information compiled by the master scheduler includes the dates and starting times of the video program on respective channels of the wideband transmission system.

41. A method as defined in claim 38 comprising the step:

providing information compiled by the master scheduler to a billing processor.

42. A method as defined in claim 38 comprising the step:

providing information compiled by the master scheduler to the channel-selection equipment that is accessible to the viewer.

43. A method as defined in claim 38 comprising the step:

providing information by the master scheduler that anticipates a need to acquire a quantity of media on which the video program is recorded.

44. A method as defined in claim 36 wherein, prior to Step (f), the video program is processed in a manner that renders the program substantially unviewable in an intelligible form by a viewer.

45. A method as defined in claim 36 wherein, subsequent to processing an initial request from a subscriber and enabling the subscriber to view the video program on the first channel, the method includes the step of subsequently processing a second request from the subscriber, the second request occurring before the video program has ended on the first channel, and enabling the subscriber to view the video program on the second channel.

46. A method as defined in claim 26 wherein, subsequent to processing an initial request from a viewer and enabling the viewer to view the video program on an initial channel, the method includes the step of subsequently processing a second request from the viewer, the second request occurring before the video program has ended on the initial channel, and enabling the viewer to view the video program on another channel as determined by the time of occurrence of the second request.

47. A method as defined in claim 46 wherein, prior to Step (f), the video program is processed in a manner that renders the video program substantially unviewable in an intelligible form by a viewer.

48. A method as defined in claim 47 comprising the steps:

compiling, in a master scheduler, said master schedule to define the times at which the beginning of the video program will occur on respective ones of the plurality of downstream channels, and

providing information compiled by the master scheduler to the controllable video server.

49. A method as defined in claim 48 wherein information compiled by the master scheduler includes (i) identification of the video program, (ii) run-time length of the video program, and (iii) starting time of the active portion of the video program.

50. A method as defined in claim 48 comprising the step:

providing information compiled by the master scheduler to a billing processor.

51. A method as defined in claim 50 comprising the step:

providing information compiled by the master scheduler to the channel-selection equipment that is accessible to the viewer.

52. A method as defined in claim 51 comprising the step:

providing information by the master scheduler that anticipates a need to acquire a quantity of media on which the video program is recorded.

53. A method of providing a video program comprising the steps:

enabling a subscriber to view promotional material related to the video program during a first interval prior to the starting time of the video program;

enabling the subscriber to view a beginning portion of the video program during a second interval immediately subsequent to the first interval;

enabling the subscriber to enter a request to view the video program during a third interval that includes within its duration substantially the entirety of the second interval; and

in the absence of a request from the subscriber to view the video program, rendering the video program unviewable by the subscriber in an intelligible form subsequent to the end of the second interval.

54. A method of providing a video program as defined in claim 53, wherein the third interval extends beyond the end of the second interval.

55. A method of providing a video program as defined in claim 53 further comprising the step:

during a fourth interval that includes the third interval and a predetermined duration after the third interval, responding to an indication of the subscriber'"'"'s intent to cancel the request to view the video program.

56. A method of providing a video program as defined in claim 55 wherein the third interval extends beyond the end of the second interval.