Use of messages in or associated with program signal streams by set-top terminals

• US 9,788,023 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2016
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Carlucci, John B., DeHart, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): HANCE, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US15/090,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20160219315A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/06 among broadcast stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/46 for recognising users' preferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/218 Source of audio or video content , e.g. local disk arrays details of retrieval in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21815 comprising local storage units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/231 Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers, prioritizing data for deletion
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23424 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for inserting or substituting an advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23614 Multiplexing of additional data and video streams arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2407 Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2625 for delaying content or additional data distribution, e.g. because of an extended sport event
• 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 21/42204 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 21/42228 the reprogrammable keys being displayed on a display screen in order to reduce the number of keys on the remote control device itself
• 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 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4333 : Processing operations in response to a pause request
• 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 21/4335 : Housekeeping operations, e.g. prioritizing content for deletion because of storage space restrictions storage management, e.g. defragmentation G06F3/0604; unloading stored programs G06F9/445; storage management in file systems G06F16/10; buffering arrangements in a network node or in an end terminal in packet networks H04L49/90
• 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 21/4532 : 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 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 : 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 21/4722 : for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 : for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• 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 21/8545 : for generating interactive applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/602 : for digital sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17327 : with deferred transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

Methods of operating a communications system comprise, in one example, inserting advertising in a program stream by a receiving device based, at least in part, on an encrypted segmentation message embedded in the program steam. The at least one segmentation message defines an expanse of the program stream to receive the advertising. At least one embedded decoy message is included in the program stream, as well. In one example the receiving device, which may be a set-top terminal, for example, is coupled to a display device, such as a television, at a user location. A method of operating a receiving device coupled to a display device at a user location is also disclosed, comprising programming the receiving device to record a program and recording the program based, at least in part, on at least one segmentation message in a program stream. Systems are disclosed, as well.

Claims

1. A method of distributing program content to a receiving device, comprising:

receiving a first program signal stream from a source of programming content, the program signal stream comprising;

a first expanse of program content and a first segmentation message indicating at least a start of the first expanse; and

a second expanse of advertising content and a second segmentation message indicating at least a start of the second expanse;

removing from the program signal stream the first segmentation message without removing the second segmentation message, after receipt of the first program signal stream, to form a second program signal stream, by a processor; and

broadcasting the second program signal stream, including the second segmentation message, to a receiving device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising;

inserting at least one decoy message in the program signal stream, by the processor.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising removing the first segmentation message if the first segmentation message is not needed by the receiving device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the program signal stream further comprises a third segmentation message separate from the first and second segmentation messages to indicate an end of the second expanse, the method further comprising;

removing the second segmentation message.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising removing the third segmentation message if the third segmentation message is not needed by the receiving device.

6. A distributor of program content comprising:

an receiver to receive a program signal stream from a source of program content, the program signal stream comprising;

a first expanse of program content and at least one first segmentation message indicating at least a start of the expanse; and

a second expanse of advertising content and a second segmentation message indicating at least a start of the second expanse; and

a processor configured to;

remove the first segmentation message from the program signal stream without removing the second segmentation message, to form a second program signal stream; and

broadcast the second program signal stream, including the second segmentation message, to a receiving device.

7. The distributor of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to:

insert at least one decoy message into the program signal stream, within the first expanse.

8. The distributor of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to remove the first segmentation message if the first segmentation message is not needed by the receiving device.

9. The distributor of claim 6, wherein:

the program signal stream further comprises a third segmentation message separate from the first and second segmentation messages to indicate an end of the first expanse; and

the processor is configured to remove the third segmentation message.

10. The distributor of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to remove the third segmentation message if the third segmentation message is not needed by the receiving device.

11. A method of distributing program content to a receiving device, comprising:

receiving a first program signal stream from a source of programing content, the program signal stream comprising;

a first expanse of program content;

a first segmentation message indicating a time until an event related to the expanse;

a second expanse of advertising content within the program; and

a second segmentation message indicating a time until an event related to the second expanse;

removing from the program signal stream the first segmentation message without removing the second segmentation message, after receipt of the program signal stream, to form a second program signal stream, by a processor; and

broadcasting the second program signal stream to receiving device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

storing the second program signal stream, by the processor, after removal of the first segmentation message, for transmittal to a respective receiving device in response to a request from the respective receiving device for the program content.

13. The method of claim 11, comprising removing the first segmentation message if the segmentation message is not needed by the receiving device.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first segmentation message indicates a time until a start of the first expanse, the program signal stream further comprising a third segmentation message separate from the first segmentation message to indicate an end of the first expanse, the method further comprising:

removing the third segmentation message.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising removing the second segmentation message if the second segmentation message is not needed by the receiving device.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the expanse is a program, a chapter of a program, or national advertising.

17. A distributor of program content comprising:

a receiver to receive a program signal stream from a source of program content, the program signal stream comprising;

a first expanse of program content and;

at least one first segmentation message indicating a time until an event related to the first expanse;

a second expanse of advertising content within the program; and

a second segmentation message indicating a time until an event related to the second expanse; and

a processor configured to;

remove the first segmentation message from the program signal stream without removing the second segmentation message, after receipt of the program signal stream, to form a second program signal stream; and

broadcast the second program signal stream, including the second segmentation message, to receiving devices.

18. The distributor of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to remove the first segmentation message if the message is not needed by the receiving device.

19. The distributor of claim 17, wherein:

the first segmentation message indicates a time until the start of the first expanse;

the program signal stream further comprises a third segmentation message separate from the first segmentation message to indicate an end of the first expanse; and

the processor is further configured to remove the third segmentation message.

20. The distributor of claim 19, wherein the processor is configured to remove the third segmentation message if the third segmentation message is not needed by the receiving device.

21. The distributor of claim 17, further comprising:

a storage device;

wherein the processing device is further configured to store the second program signal stream, after removal of the first segmentation message, for transmittal to a respective receiving device in response to a request from the respective receiving device program content.

22. The distributor of claim 17, wherein the first expanse is a program, a chapter of a program, or national advertising.