Graphic user interface alternate download options for unavailable PRM content

• US 7,526,788 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2001
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synamedia Limited
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta Incorporated (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Arturo A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lonsberry; Hunter B.
• Application Number:
  US10/008,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20030005452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,723 Days
• Field of Search: 725 86- 87, 725/89, 725/91, 725 95- 97, 725/100, 725/104, 709/217, 709/227, 709/238
• US Class Current: 725/86
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25435 involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26241 involving the time of distribution, e.g. the best time of the day for inserting an advertisement or airing a children program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4117 for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02
• 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 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• 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 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/60 Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client , e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/08 Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band , e.g. by time division H04N7/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

A media system provides improved availability of purchasable recordable media content downloaded from a remote server. The media system preferably includes a memory with logic and a processor configured with the logic to provide a download option to a user. The processor is further configured with the logic to update the download option proximately in time if a change in download resources changes the availability of the download option.

Claims

1. A method for providing improved availability of purchasable recordable media content downloaded from a remote server, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a download option to a user, the download option associated with a purchasable recordable media content instance and comprising a plurality of times at which the purchasable recordable media content instance may be downloaded; and

updating the download option proximately in time to when a change in download resources changes the availability of the download option.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving notice from the remote server when the download resources change.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying the download option on a display device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of updating further comprises the step of omitting the download option that is no longer available to the user due to a greater than scheduled use of the download resources.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of updating further comprises the step of adding a download option that is available to the user due to a less than scheduled use of the download resources.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the added download option is available due to a second user canceling a previously selected download option.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the added download option is available to the user over a plurality of time intervals.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of updating occurs on a periodic schedule ahead of the start time of a next predefined download schedule.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of updating occurs upon the user requesting the download option.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of updating further comprises the step of updating pricing for the download option.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of requesting the download of the purchasable recordable media content instance, wherein said download is defined by the download option that is selected by the user.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the purchasable recordable media content instance is downloaded throughout a duration of a plurality of time intervals depending in part on whether the download resources are available for providing the purchasable recordable media content instance to the user.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded is stored in a video on demand server.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded is stored in a broadcast file server.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the download resources comprise downstream bandwidth, signaling support, and server storage.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of notifying the user when the download of the purchasable recordable media content instance is completed.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of notifying further includes the step of providing an audible signal.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of notifying further includes the step of providing a graphical message on a display device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of notifying further includes the step of providing a displayed code on a media client device.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of notifying further includes the step of providing visual and aural notification.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing purchasable recordable media content instance information, the download option, and a pricing option associated with the download option, in a data structure.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and providing an updated download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded earlier in time than the initially selected download option.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and providing an updated download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded at a later time than the initially selected download option.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and providing an updated download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded over a different duration than the initially selected download option.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and providing an updated download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded at the same time as the initially selected download option, but at a different quality level.

26. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and providing an updated download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded at a different time and at a different quality level than the initially selected download option.

27. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and providing an updated download option that, if selected, enables the user to be placed on stand-by for receiving the purchasable recordable media content instance of the initially selected download option.

28. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and providing an updated download option that, if selected, enables other purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded in place of the purchasable recordable media content instance of the initially selected download option.

29. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and providing an over-ride option that, if selected, enables the user to over-ride the unavailability status and receive the initially selected purchasable recordable media content instance by paying a premium.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of providing and updating the download option further include the steps of providing and updating pricing for the download option.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of providing and updating further include the steps of providing and updating a plurality of download options.

32. A media system for providing improved availability of purchasable recordable media content downloaded from a remote server, said media system comprising:

a memory with logic; and

a processor configured with the logic to provide a plurality of download options to a user, each of the download options associated with the same purchasable recordable media content instance and comprising an indication of when the purchasable recordable media content instance may be downloaded, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to update each of the download options proximately in time to when a change in download resources changes the availability of the corresponding one of the download options.

33. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to receive notice from the remote server when the download resources change.

34. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to display the download options on a display device.

35. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to omit each of the download options that is no longer available to the user due to a greater than scheduled use of the download resources.

36. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to add a download option that is available to the user due to a less than scheduled use of the download resources.

37. The media system of claim 36, wherein the added download option is available due to a second user canceling a previously selected download option.

38. The media system of claim 36, wherein the added download option is available to the user over a plurality of time intervals.

39. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to update on a periodic schedule ahead of the start time of a next predefined download schedule.

40. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to request the download of the purchasable recordable media content instance, wherein said download is defined by one of the download options that is selected by the user.

41. The media system of claim 40, wherein the purchasable recordable media content instance is downloaded as an in-band file transmission.

42. The media system of claim 40, wherein the purchasable recordable media content instance is downloaded as an out-of-band file transmission.

43. The media system of claim 40, wherein the purchasable recordable media content instance is downloaded as a video on demand session, in-band transmission.

44. The media system of claim 40, wherein purchasable recordable media content instance is downloaded throughout a duration of a plurality of time intervals depending in part on whether the download resources are available for providing the purchasable recordable media content instance to the user.

45. The media system of claim 32, wherein the download resources comprise downstream bandwidth, signaling support, and server storage.

46. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to notify the user when the download of the purchasable recordable media content instance is completed.

47. The media system of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide an audible signal.

48. The media system of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide a graphical message on a display device.

49. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to store purchasable recordable media content information, one of the download options, and a pricing option associated with the download option, in a data structure.

50. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide the user notice that one of the download options, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and provide an updated download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded earlier in time than the initially selected download option.

51. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide the user notice that one of the download options, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and provide an updated download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded at a later time than the initially selected download option.

52. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide the user notice that one of the download options, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and provide an updated download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded over a different duration than the initially selected download option.

53. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide the user notice that one of the download options, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and provide an updated download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded at the same time as the initially selected download option, but at a different quality level.

54. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide the user notice that one of the download options, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and provide an updated download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded at a different time and at a different quality level than the initially selected download option.

55. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide the user notice that one of the download options, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and provide an updated download option that, if selected, enables the user to be placed on stand-by for receiving the purchasable recordable media content instance of the initially selected download option.

56. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide the user notice that one of the download options, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and provide an updated download option that, if selected, enables other purchasable recordable media content to be downloaded in place of the purchasable recordable media content instance of the initially selected download option.

57. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide the user notice that one of the download options, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and provide an over-ride option that, if selected, enables the user to over-ride the unavailability status and receive the initially selected purchasable recordable media content instance by paying a premium.

58. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide and update pricing for each of the download options.

59. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to download the purchasable recordable media content instance into a portable medium in a portable media drive coupled to a media client device at a faster rate than the real-time playback rate.

60. The media system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to download the purchasable recordable media content instance into a portable medium in a portable media drive coupled to the media client device at a slower rate than the real-time playback rate.

61. A method for providing improved availability of purchasable recordable media content downloaded from a remote server, said method comprising the steps of:

displaying a list of download options to a user, each of the download options associated with the same one of a plurality of purchasable recordable media content instances;

adding a new download option to the list of download options, proximately in time to when a portion of download resources are freed up;

removing one of the download options from the list of download options proximately in time to when the download resources are insufficient to support the removed download option; and

providing alternate download options after one of the download options has been selected but the download resources are insufficient to support the selected download option.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising the step of adapting the download options over a plurality of time intervals.

63. A media system for providing improved availability of purchasable recordable media content downloaded from a remote server, said media system comprising:

a memory with logic; and

a processor configured with the logic to provide a list of download options to a user, the list associated with a purchasable recordable media content instance and a time at which the purchasable recordable media content instance may be downloaded, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to add a new download option proximately in time to when a portion of download resources are freed up, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to remove one of the download options from the list of provided download options, proximately in time to when the download resources are insufficient to support the removed download option, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide alternate download options after one of the download options has been selected but the download resources are insufficient to support the selected download option.

64. The media system of claim 63, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to adapt the download options over a plurality of time intervals.

65. A method for providing improved availability of purchasable recordable media content downloaded from a remote server, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a list of download options for a media content instance to a user, each download option comprising a content quality description and an indication of when the purchasable recordable media content may be downloaded; and

updating the list of download options proximately in time to when a change in download resources changes the availability of one of the download options.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the step of updating further comprises the step of omitting one of download options that is no longer available to the user due to a greater than scheduled use of the download resources.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the step of updating further comprises the step of adding to the list a download option that is available to the user due to a less than scheduled use of the download resources.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the added download option is available due to a second user canceling a previously selected download option.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein the added download option is available to the user over a plurality of time intervals.

70. The method of claim 65, wherein the step of updating occurs on a periodic schedule ahead of the start time of a next predefined download schedule.

71. The method of claim 65, wherein the step of updating occurs upon the user requesting the download option.

72. A media system for providing improved availability of purchasable recordable media content downloaded from a remote server, said media system comprising:

a memory with logic; and

a processor configured with the logic to provide a list of download options for a media content instance to a user, each download option comprising a content quality description and an indication of when the purchasable recordable media content may be downloaded, and the processor is further configured, with the logic, to update the list of download options proximately in time to when a change in download resources changes the availability of one of the download options.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein the processor is further configured, with the logic, to provide the user notice that one of the download options, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and to provide another download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded earlier in time than the initially selected download option.

74. The system of claim 72, wherein the processor is further configured, with the logic, to provide the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and to provide another download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded at a later time than the initially selected download option.

75. The system of claim 72, wherein the processor is further configured, with the logic, to provide the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and to provide another download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded over a different duration than the initially selected download option.

76. The system of claim 72, wherein the processor is further configured, with the logic, to provide the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and to provide another download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded at the same time as the initially selected download option, but at a different quality level.

77. The system of claim 72, wherein the processor is further configured, with the logic, to provide the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and to provide another download option that, if selected, enables the purchasable recordable media content instance to be downloaded at a different time and at a different content quality than the initially selected download option.

78. The system of claim 72, wherein the processor is further configured, with the logic, to provide the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and to provide an another download option that, if selected, enables the user to be placed on stand-by for receiving the purchasable recordable media content instance of the initially selected download option.

79. The system of claim 72, wherein the processor is further configured, with the logic, to provide the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and to provide an another download option that, if selected, enables other purchasable recordable media content to be downloaded in place of the purchasable recordable media content instance of the initially selected download option.

80. The system of claim 72, wherein the processor is further configured, with the logic, to provide the user notice that the download option, selected before the download resource change, is unavailable, and to provide an over-ride option that, if selected, enables the user to over-ride the unavailability status and receive the initially selected purchasable recordable media content instance by paying a premium.