Systems and methods for caching data in media-on-demand systems

• US 8,255,961 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2001
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UV Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Ellis, Michael D
• Primary Examiner(s): SHANG, ANNAN Q
• Application Number:
  US09/974,666
• Publication Number:
  US 20020042921A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,976 Days
• Field of Search: 725 37- 61, 725 87-118, 709217-232
• US Class Current: 725/93
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2183 Cache memory caches in web servers or browsers G06F16/9574; intermediate storage and caching in data networks H04L67/568
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25825 involving client display capabilities, e.g. screen resolution of a mobile phone optimising the visualisation of content during browsing in the Internet G06F16/9577; processing of terminal status or physical abilities in wireless networks H04W8/22; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• 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 21/262 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 21/26283 for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2743 Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• 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 21/278 Content descriptor database or directory service for end-user access details of content or meta data based information retrieval of video data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• 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 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• 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 21/441 Acquiring end-user identification , e.g. using personal code sent by the remote control or by inserting a card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44213 Monitoring of end-user related data arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4508 : Management of client data or end-user data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 : Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• 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 21/47208 : for requesting near-video-on-demand content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 : for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 : for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 : for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 : involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/858 : Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 : between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 : on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 : involving data reduction

Abstract

Systems and methods may be provided for retrieving non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data that is provided by separate data sources. On-demand media data may be cached to reduce system latencies and the burden on the distribution network.

Claims

1. A method for retrieving data for use in an interactive television application system having an interactive television application implemented at least partially on user television equipment, in which non-on-demand media data is provided by a non-on-demand media data source and a plurality of on-demand media data is provided by an on-demand media data source, and wherein the non-on-demand and on-demand media data sources are separate, comprising:

receiving a broadcast of the non-on-demand media data from the non-on-demand media data source;

receiving a first user request to display a set of on-demand media data;

in response to receiving the first user request;

displaying the set of on-demand media data; and

automatically retrieving, from the on-demand media data source, additional on-demand media data that corresponds to the displayed set of on-demand media data and that is different from the displayed set of on-demand media data through a client-server connection;

automatically storing the retrieved additional on-demand media data in a memory on the user television equipment;

receiving a second user request to access the additional on-demand media data, wherein the second user request is different from the first user request and is received after the additional on-demand media data is stored;

displaying the additional on-demand media data stored in the memory of the user television equipment in response to the second user request; and

displaying the non-on-demand media data in response to a user indication to access at least the non-on-demand data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-on-demand media data received is television program listings data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is genre data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive television application software data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is video-on-demand listings data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is audio-on-demand listings data.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive video game listings data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is weather data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is sports statistics data.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is stock market data.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing metadata contemporaneously with non-on-demand media data.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing metadata contemporaneously with on-demand media data.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving on-demand media data from the on-demand media data source in response to a user selection of an on-demand media listing.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining if the on-demand media data is stored on the user television equipment.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining if on-demand media data needs to be retrieved from the on-demand media data source.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether a connection exists between the interactive television application system and the on-demand media data source.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data concurrently.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of on-demand media data includes a first page of on-demand media program listings and the additional on-demand media data includes a second page of on-demand media program listings.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of on-demand media data includes a plurality of categories and the additional on-demand media data includes a plurality of on-demand media program listings corresponding to one of the plurality of categories.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of on-demand media data includes a plurality of on-demand media program listings and the additional on-demand media data includes detailed information associated with the plurality of on-demand media program listings.

87. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically establishing the client-server connection comprises automatically establishing a session with a server of the on-demand media data source.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable media for retrieving data for use in an interactive television application system having an interactive television application implemented at least partially on user television equipment, in which non-on-demand media data is provided by a non-on-demand media data source and a plurality of on-demand media data is provided by a on-demand media data source, and wherein the on-demand and non-on-demand media data sources are separate, where the computer-readable media is encoded with machine-readable instructions for performing the method comprising:

receiving a broadcast of the non-on-demand media data from the non-on-demand media data source;

receiving a first user request to display a set of on-demand media data;

in response to receiving the first user request;

displaying the set of on-demand media data; and

automatically retrieving, from the on-demand media data source, additional on-demand media data that corresponds to the displayed set of on-demand media data and that is different from the displayed set of on-demand media data through a client-server connection;

automatically storing the retrieved additional on-demand media data in a memory on the user television equipment;

receiving a second user request to access the additional on-demand media data, wherein the second user request is different from the first user request and is received after the additional on-demand media data is stored;

displaying the additional on-demand media data stored in the memory of the user television equipment in response to the second user request; and

displaying the non-on-demand media data in response to a user indication to access at least the non-on-demand data.

24. The computer-readable media of claim 23, wherein the non-on-demand media data received is television program listings data.

25. The computer-readable media of claim 23, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is genre data.

26. The computer-readable media of claim 23, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive television application software data.

27. The computer-readable media of claim 23, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is video-on-demand listings data.

28. The computer-readable media of claim 23, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is audio-on-demand listings data.

29. The computer-readable media of claim 23, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive video game listings data.

30. The computer-readable media of claim 23, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is weather data.

31. The computer-readable media of claim 23, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is sports statistics data.

32. The computer-readable media of claim 23, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is stock market data.

33. The computer-readable media of claim 23, the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for providing metadata contemporaneously with the non-on-demand media data.

34. The computer-readable media of claim 23, the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for providing metadata contemporaneously with the on-demand media data.

35. The computer-readable media of claim 23, the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for retrieving on-demand media data from the on-demand media data source in response to a user selection of an on-demand media listing.

36. The computer-readable media of claim 23, the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for determining if the on-demand media data is stored on the user television equipment.

37. The computer-readable media of claim 23, the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for determining if on-demand media data needs to be retrieved from the on-demand media data source.

38. The computer-readable media of claim 23, the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for determining whether a connection exists between the interactive television application system and the on-demand media data source.

39. The computer-readable media of claim 23, the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for retrieving on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources.

40. The computer-readable media of claim 23, the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for storing on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources.

41. The computer-readable media of claim 23, the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for displaying non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data concurrently.

42. The computer-readable media of claim 23, the computer-readable media further encoded with computer-readable instructions for automatically establishing a session with a server of the on-demand media data source.

43. The computer-readable media of claim 23, wherein the retrieving is based on a viewing history stored on the user television equipment.

44. The computer-readable media of claim 43, wherein the viewing history comprises at least one of on-demand media data that is commonly accessed by a user, on-demand media data that is likely to be accessed by the user and on-demand media data that is popular among a plurality of users.

45. The computer-readable media of claim 43, wherein the viewing history is generated based on monitored user activity.

46. A system for retrieving data for use in an interactive television application system having an interactive television application implemented at least partially on user television equipment, in which non-on-demand media data is provided by a non-on-demand media data source and a plurality of on-demand media data is provided by a on-demand media data source, and wherein the on-demand and the non-on-demand media data sources are separate, comprising:

means for receiving a broadcast of the non-on-demand media data from the non-on-demand media data source;

means for receiving a first user request to display a set of on-demand media data;

in response to receiving the first user request;

means for displaying the set of on-demand media data; and

means for automatically retrieving, from the on-demand media data source, additional on-demand media data that corresponds to the displayed set of on-demand media data and that is different from the displayed set of on-demand media data through a client-server connection;

means for automatically storing the retrieved additional on-demand media data in a memory on the user television equipment;

means for receiving a second user request to access the additional on-demand media data, wherein the second user request is different from the first user request and is received after the additional on-demand media data is stored;

means for displaying the additional on-demand media data stored in the memory of the user television equipment in response to the second user request; and

means for displaying the non-on-demand media data in response to a user indication to access at least the non-on-demand data.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the non-on-demand media data received is television program listings data.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is genre data.

49. The system of claim 46, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive television application software data.

50. The system of claim 46, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is video-on-demand listings data.

51. The system of claim 46, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is audio-on-demand listings data.

52. The system of claim 46, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive video game listings data.

53. The system of claim 46, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is weather data.

54. The system of claim 46, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is sports statistics data.

55. The system of claim 46, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is stock market data.

56. The system of claim 46, further comprising means providing metadata contemporaneously with non-on-demand media data.

57. The system of claim 46, further comprising means for providing metadata contemporaneously with on-demand media data.

58. The system of claim 46, further comprising means for retrieving on-demand media data from the on-demand media data source in response to a user selection of an on-demand media listing.

59. The system of claim 46, further comprising means for determining if the on-demand media data is stored on the user television equipment.

60. The system of claim 46, further comprising means for determining if on-demand media data needs to be retrieved from the on-demand media data source.

61. The system of claim 46, further comprising means for determining whether a connection exists between the interactive television application system and the on-demand media data source.

62. The system of claim 46, further comprising means for retrieving on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources.

63. The system of claim 46, further comprising means for storing on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources.

64. The system of claim 46, further comprising means for displaying non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data concurrently.

65. The system of claim 46, wherein the means for automatically establishing the client-server connection comprises means for automatically establishing a session with a server of the on-demand media data source.

66. The system of claim 46, further comprising means for identifying the additional on-demand media data based on a viewing history stored on the user television equipment.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the viewing history comprises at least one of on-demand media data that is commonly accessed by a user, on-demand media data that is likely to be accessed by the user and on-demand media data that is popular among a plurality of users.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein the viewing history is generated based on monitored user activity.

69. A system for retrieving data for use in an interactive television application system having an interactive television application implemented at least partially on user television equipment, in which non-on-demand media data is provided by a non-on-demand media data source and a plurality of on-demand media data is provided by an on-demand media data source, and wherein the non-on-demand and on-demand media data sources are separate, comprising:

a communications device for communicating with the on-demand media data source and non-on-demand media data source;

a memory;

a display device;

a user input device;

control circuitry programmed to;

direct the communications device to receive a broadcast of the non-on-demand media data from the non-on-demand media data source;

receive a first user request to display a set of on-demand media data;

in response to receiving the first user request;

display on the display device the set of on-demand media data; and

automatically direct the communications device to retrieve, from the on-demand media data source, additional on-demand media data that corresponds to the displayed set of on-demand media data and that is different from the displayed set of on-demand media data through a client-server connection;

automatically store the retrieved additional on-demand media data in the memory;

receive a second user request to access the additional on-demand media data, wherein the second user request is different from the first user request and is received after the additional on-demand media data is stored;

in response to receiving the second user request, direct the display device to display the additional on-demand media data stored in the memory; and

in response to receiving a user indication to access at least the non-on-demand media data from the user input device, direct the display device to display the non-on-demand media data.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein the non-on-demand media data received is television program listings data.

71. The system of claim 69, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is genre data.

72. The system of claim 69, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive television application software data.

73. The system of claim 69, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is video-on-demand listings data.

74. The system of claim 69, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is audio-on-demand listings data.

75. The system of claim 69, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive video game listings data.

76. The system of claim 69, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is weather data.

77. The system of claim 69, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is sports statistics data.

78. The system of claim 69, wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is stock market data.

79. The system of claim 69, wherein metadata is contemporaneously retrieved along with the non-on-demand media data.

80. The system of claim 69, wherein metadata is contemporaneously retrieved with the on-demand media data.

81. The system of claim 69, wherein the control circuitry is directed to determine if the on-demand media data is stored in the cache memory of the user television equipment.

82. The system of claim 69, wherein the control circuitry is directed to determine if on-demand media data needs to be retrieved from the on-demand media data source.

83. The system of claim 69, wherein the control circuitry is directed to determine whether a connection exists between the communications device and the on-demand media data source.

84. The system of claim 69, wherein the control circuitry is directed to retrieve on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources using the communications device.

85. The system of claim 69, wherein the control circuitry is directed to store on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources in the memory.

86. The system of claim 69, wherein the control circuitry is directed to display non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data concurrently on the display device.

88. The system of claim 69, wherein the control circuitry is directed to automatically establish a session with a server of the on-demand media data source.

89. The system of claim 69, wherein the control circuitry is directed to identify the additional on-demand media data based on a viewing history stored on the user television equipment.

90. The system of claim 89, wherein the viewing history comprises at least one of on-demand media data that is commonly accessed by a user, on-demand media data that is likely to be accessed by the user and on-demand media data that is popular among a plurality of users.

91. The system of claim 89, wherein the viewing history is generated based on monitored user activity.

92. A method for retrieving data for use with a user equipment device, the method comprising:

receiving a first user request to display a set of on-demand media data;

in response to receiving the first user request;

displaying the set of on-demand media data; and

automatically retrieving, from an on-demand media data source, additional on-demand media data that corresponds to the displayed set of on-demand media data and that is different from the displayed set of on-demand media data through a client-server connection;

automatically storing the retrieved additional on-demand media data in a memory of the user equipment device;

receiving a second user request to access the additional on-demand media data, wherein the second user request is different from the first user request and is received after the additional on-demand media data is stored;

displaying the additional on-demand media data stored in the memory of the user equipment device in response to the second user request.

93. A system for retrieving data for use with a user equipment device, the system comprising:

a display device;

a memory on the user equipment device; and

control circuitry configured to;

receive a first user request to display a set of on-demand media data;

in response to receiving the first user request;

display the set of on-demand media data on the display device; and

automatically retrieve, from an on-demand media data source, additional on-demand media data that corresponds to the displayed set of on-demand media data and that is different from the displayed set of on-demand media data through a client-server connection;

automatically store the retrieved additional on-demand media data in the memory;

receive a second user request to access the additional on-demand media data, wherein the second user request is different from the first user request and is received after the additional on-demand media data is stored;

display, on the display device, the additional on-demand media data stored in the memory in response to the second user request.