Systems and methods for managing the distribution of on-demand media

• US 8,291,461 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2009
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: UV Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Thomas, William L., Ellis, Michael D., Berezowski, David M., Easterbrook, Kevin B., Baumgartner, Joseph P., Herrington, W. Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Pankaj
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAIG, SAHAR A
• Application Number:
  US12/637,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20100186025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 725/87, 725/95, 725/96, 725/105
• US Class Current: 725/95
• 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: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• 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 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• 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 21/26283 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 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• 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 21/441 Acquiring end-user identification , e.g. using personal code sent by the remote control or by inserting a card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• 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 21/47217 : for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• 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 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 : for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• 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 for managing the distribution of on-demand media in an interactive television application are provided. An interactive television application may receive a request for on-demand media from a user. The interactive television application may provide an option to the user for the transmission of the on-demand media. Such options may include, for example, an option to request a reduced-bandwidth version of the on-demand media, an option to schedule a future time for presentation of the on-demand media, an option to download the on-demand media to a recording device, and an option to check the availability of the on-demand media. A reduced price for transmission of the on-demand media may be provided to the user.

Claims

1. A method for managing the distribution of on-demand media using an interactive television application, the method comprising:

receiving a request for on-demand media from a user, wherein;

a television distribution facility is configured to transmit the on-demand media to the user at one of a plurality of bandwidths,

a first of the plurality of bandwidths is greater than a second of the plurality of bandwidths, and

the second of the plurality of bandwidths is less than an available bandwidth at the television distribution facility for transmission of the on-demand media;

comparing the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth; and

responsive to the comparison of the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth;

providing the user with an option to receive the on-demand media at the second of the plurality of bandwidths based at least in part on the comparison of the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth, wherein a selection of the option causes a transmission of the on-demand media at the second of the plurality of bandwidths from the television distribution facility exclusively to the user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the request comprises receiving the request for real-time transmission of the on-demand media.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the request comprises receiving the request for transmission of the on-demand media at a future time.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the request comprises receiving the request for on-demand media that is selected from the group consisting of an audio selection, a video selection, an electronic publication, an electronic game, a software application, and any combination thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising presenting the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the user.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein presenting the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the user comprises displaying time variation of the first of the plurality of bandwidths on the display.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein presenting the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the user comprises displaying a graphical representation of time variation of the first of the plurality of bandwidths on the display.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein presenting the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the user comprises audibly presenting the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising presenting the available bandwidth to the user by displaying a graphical representation of time variation of the available bandwidth on the display.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising presenting the available bandwidth to the user by audibly presenting the available bandwidth.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein comparing the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth comprises determining that the available bandwidth is greater than or equal to the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein comparing the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth comprises determining that the available bandwidth is less than the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the option for the transmission of the on-demand media comprises providing the user with an ability to schedule a time for the transmission of the on-demand media to the user.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein providing the user with the ability to schedule the time for the transmission of the on-demand media comprises basing a price for the transmission of the on-demand media on the scheduled time.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the option for the transmission of the on-demand media comprises recommending a time to the user for the transmission of the on-demand media to the user.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the option for the transmission of the on-demand media comprises presenting a general trend to the user of available time slots for transmitting on-demand media in response to user requests.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the user with the ability to request the version of the on-demand media having the second of the plurality of bandwidths comprises basing a price for the transmission of the on-demand media on the second of the plurality of bandwidths.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing another option to transmit the on-demand media to a recording device for presentation to the user at a scheduled time.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein providing the option to transmit the on-demand media to the recording device for presentation to the user at the scheduled time comprises basing a price for the transmission of the on-demand media to the recording device on the scheduled time.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising transmitting the on-demand media in a plurality of sections wherein each section is transmitted at the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising transmitting the on-demand media in a plurality of sections wherein at least one of the plurality of sections has a bandwidth that is different than the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

22. The method of claim 18 further comprising transmitting the on-demand media at a bandwidth that is different than the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

23. The method of claim 18 wherein providing the option to transmit the on-demand media to the recording device for presentation to the user at the scheduled time comprises basing a price for the transmission of the on-demand media on the available bandwidth.

24. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing another option relating to the transmission of the requested on-demand media at a future time; and

presenting to the user on a display a plurality of sessions that are available for downloading the requested on-demand media over a range of future days.

73. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a representation of a difference between the first of the plurality of bandwidths and the available bandwidth, responsive to the comparison of the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth.

25. A system for managing the distribution of on-demand media using an interactive television application, the system comprising:

a television distribution facility;

local processing circuitry on which an interactive television application is at least partially implemented, wherein the local processing circuitry is configured to;

receive a request for on-demand media from a user wherein;

the television distribution facility is configured to transmit the on-demand media to the user at one of a plurality of bandwidths,

a first of the plurality of bandwidths is greater than a second of the plurality of bandwidths, and

the second of the plurality of bandwidths is less than an available bandwidth at the television distribution facility for transmission of the on-demand media;

compare the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth; and

responsive to the comparison of the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth;

provide the user with an option to receive the on-demand media at the second of the plurality of bandwidths based at least in part on the comparison of the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth, wherein a selection of the option causes a transmission of the on-demand media at the second of the plurality of bandwidths from the television distribution facility exclusively to the user.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the request is a request for real-time transmission of the on-demand media.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the request is a request for transmission of the on-demand media at a future time.

28. The system of claim 25 wherein the on-demand media is selected from the group consisting of an audio selection, a video selection, an electronic publication, an electronic game, a software application, and any combination thereof.

29. The system of claim 25 wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to present the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the user.

30. The system of claim 29 further comprising a display on which the first of the plurality of bandwidths is displayed, wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to display time variation of the first of the plurality of bandwidths on the display.

31. The system of claim 29 further comprising a display on which the first of the plurality of bandwidths is graphically presented, wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to display a graphical representation of time variation of the first of the plurality of bandwidths on the display.

32. The system of claim 29 further comprising a speaker from which the first of the plurality of bandwidths is audibly presented.

33. The system of claim 25 further comprising a display on which the available bandwidth is graphically displayed, wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to display a graphical representation of time variation of the available bandwidth.

34. The system of claim 25 further comprising a speaker from which the available bandwidth is audibly presented.

35. The system of claim 25 wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to determine that the available bandwidth is greater than or equal to the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

36. The system of claim 25 wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to determine that the available bandwidth is less than the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

37. The system of claim 25 wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to provide the user with an ability to schedule a time for the transmission of the on-demand media to the user.

38. The system of claim 37 wherein a price for the transmission of the on-demand media is based on the scheduled time.

39. The system of claim 25 wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to recommend a time to the user for the transmission of the on-demand media to the user.

40. The system of claim 25 wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to present a general trend to the user of available time slots for transmitting on-demand media in response to user requests.

41. The system of claim 25 wherein a price for the transmission of the on-demand media is based on the second of the plurality of bandwidths.

42. The system of claim 25 further comprising a recording device, and wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to transmit the on-demand media to the recording device for presentation to the user at a scheduled time.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein a price for the transmission of the on-demand media to the recording device is based on the scheduled time.

44. The system of claim 42 wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to transmit the on-demand media in a plurality of sections and wherein each section is transmitted at the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

45. The system of claim 42 wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to transmit the on-demand media in a plurality of sections and wherein at least one of the plurality of sections has a bandwidth that is different than the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

46. The system of claim 42 wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to transmit the on-demand media at a bandwidth that is different than the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

47. The system of claim 42 wherein a price for the transmission of the on-demand media is based on the available bandwidth.

48. The system of claim 25 wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to:

provide another option relating to the transmission of the requested on-demand media at a future time; and

present to the user on a display a plurality of sessions that are available for downloading the requested on-demand media over a range of future days.

74. The system of claim 25 wherein the local processing circuitry is further configured to display a representation of a difference between the first of the plurality of bandwidths and the available bandwidth responsive to the comparison of the first of the plurality of bandwidths and the available bandwidth.

49. A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for:

receiving a request for on-demand media from a user, wherein;

a television distribution facility is configured to transmit the on-demand media to the user at one of a plurality of bandwidths,

a first of the plurality of bandwidths is greater than a second of the plurality of bandwidths, and

the second of the plurality of bandwidths is less than an available bandwidth at the television distribution facility for transmission of the on-demand media;

comparing the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth; and

responsive to the comparison of the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth;

providing the user with an option to receive the on-demand media at the second of the plurality of bandwidths based at least in part on the comparison of the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth, wherein a selection of the option causes a transmission of the on-demand media at the second of the plurality of bandwidths from the television distribution facility exclusively to the user.

50. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for receiving the request for real-time transmission of the on-demand media.

51. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for receiving the request for transmission of the on-demand media at a future time.

52. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 wherein the on-demand media is selected from the group consisting of an audio selection, a video selection, an electronic publication, an electronic game, a software application, and any combination thereof.

53. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for presenting the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the user.

54. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 53 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for displaying time variation of the first of the plurality of bandwidths on a display.

55. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 53 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for displaying a graphical representation of time variation of the first of the plurality of bandwidths on a display.

56. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 53 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for audibly presenting the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

57. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for presenting the available bandwidth to the user comprises displaying a graphical representation of time variation of the available bandwidth on a display.

58. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for audibly presenting the available bandwidth.

59. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for determining that the available bandwidth is greater than or equal to the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

60. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for determining that the available bandwidth is less than the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

61. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for providing a plurality of options for the transmission of the on-demand media of the on-demand media, which comprises providing the user with an ability to schedule a time for the transmission of the on-demand media to the user.

62. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 61 wherein a price for the transmission of the on-demand media is based on the scheduled time.

63. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for recommending a time to the user for the transmission of the on-demand media to the user.

64. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for providing a plurality of options for the transmission of the on-demand media, which comprises presenting a general trend to the user of available time slots for transmitting on-demand media in response to user requests.

65. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 wherein a price for the transmission of the on-demand media is based on the second of the plurality of bandwidths.

66. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for providing a plurality of options for the transmission of the on-demand media, which comprises providing the option to transmit the on-demand media to a recording device for presentation to the user at a scheduled time.

67. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 66 wherein a price for the transmission of the on-demand media to the recording device is based on the scheduled time.

68. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 66 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for transmitting the on-demand media in a plurality of sections wherein each section is transmitted at the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

69. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 66 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for transmitting the on-demand media in a plurality of sections wherein at least one of the plurality of sections has a bandwidth that is different than the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

70. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 66 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for transmitting the on-demand media at a bandwidth that is different than the first of the plurality of bandwidths.

71. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 66 wherein a price for the transmission of the on-demand media is based on the available bandwidth.

72. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for:

providing another option relating to the transmission of the requested on-demand media at a future time; and

presenting to the user on a display a plurality of sessions that are available for downloading the requested on-demand media over a range of future days.

75. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 49 further comprising computer program logic recorded thereon for displaying a representation of a difference between the first of the plurality of bandwidths and the available bandwidth, responsive to the comparison of the first of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth.