Program storage, retrieval and management based on segmentation messages
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of generating a program signal stream comprising:
- creating a program signal stream comprising a serial sequence of programs, to be broadcast in accordance with a broadcast schedule, the program stream including a respective program having an expanse of unscheduled content;
inserting at least one segmentation message into the program signal stream to define, in units of time with respect to progression of the program signal stream, an amount of time to a start of the expanse of unscheduled content and/or an amount of time to an end of the expanse of unscheduled content; and
transmitting the program signal stream including the expanse of unscheduled content and the at least one segmentation message to a program content distribution system.
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Abstract
Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of generating a program signal stream comprising:
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creating a program signal stream comprising a serial sequence of programs, to be broadcast in accordance with a broadcast schedule, the program stream including a respective program having an expanse of unscheduled content; inserting at least one segmentation message into the program signal stream to define, in units of time with respect to progression of the program signal stream, an amount of time to a start of the expanse of unscheduled content and/or an amount of time to an end of the expanse of unscheduled content; and transmitting the program signal stream including the expanse of unscheduled content and the at least one segmentation message to a program content distribution system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for generating a program signal stream comprising:
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at least one source of a serial sequence of video program signal streams; and at least one processing device configured to; insert an expanse of unscheduled content into the created program signal stream; insert at least one first segmentation message into the program signal stream to define, in units of time with respect to progression of the program signal stream, an amount of time to at least one of a start of the expanse of unscheduled content and an end of expanse of unscheduled content; and a transmitter to transmit the program signal stream including the respective program and the at least one segmentation message to a program content distribution system. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification