Creation of a virtual DVR from a synchronized local DVR and network DVR

• US 10,623,817 B1
• Filed: 01/23/2014
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gravino, Douglas D., Karach, Slavisha
• Primary Examiner(s): Harold, Jefferey F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Khalid, Omer
• Application Number:
  US14/162,359
• Time in Patent Office: 2,273 Days
• Field of Search: 725 58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2181 comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS], H04L67/1097
• 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 21/274 Storing end-user multimedia data in response to end-user request , e.g. network recorder
• 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 21/4227 Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• 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 21/4622 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 21/47214 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 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6377 directed to server one-way streaming services wherein the source is controlled by the destination H04L65/613
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/65 Transmission of management data between client and server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02

Abstract

Creating a virtual DVR from a synchronized local DVR and network DVR is provided. Oftentimes, video content recorded one a local DVR may be inaccessible for playback from an internet connected device. When a request to record a video content item is received, the request is synchronized between a local DVR and a network DVR. Accordingly, the video content item is recorded on both DVRs. If a playback request is received from a device in communication with the local DVR, the local DVR recording may be played from; and if an internet connected device is used for playback, the network DVR recording may be played. Further, the data and the metadata of the recorded content including bookmarks, viewing history, deletion requests, etc. may be synchronized. Appropriate advertising may also be inserted/replaced based on the time/location of viewing, the playback device, user profile data, etc.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

creating a virtual DVR from a local DVR and a network DVR, wherein the local DVR is a legacy DVR independent of the network DVR, and wherein the local DVR and the network DVR are synchronized together by;

receiving an indication of a request from a user to record a video content item on only one of the local DVR or the network DVR where the video content item has yet to be recorded onto both of the local DVR and the network DVR;

in response to receiving the indication of the request to record the video content item on one of the local DVR or the network DVR;

using a virtual DVR synchronization middleware layer from a centralized system controller to control synchronization of the request from the user and to simultaneously record the video content item on both the local DVR and the network DVR, and thereby creating synchronized catalog data and metadata on both the local DVR and the network DVR, wherein when the request to record the video content item is received by a device in communication with the local DVR, simultaneously communicating the request to record the video content item with the network DVR, and when the request to record the video content item is received by an Internet Protocol device in communication with the network DVR, simultaneously communicating the request to record the video content item with the local DVR;

receiving an indication to play the recorded content item from the local DVR, and using the virtual DVR synchronization middleware layer to determine that the recorded content items are precluded from being played from the local DVR and, in response, utilizing the virtual DVR to play the recorded content item from the network DVR; and

dynamically inserting advertisements in the recorded content at the time of playback, wherein the advertisements are tailored to the playback including time of viewing and location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein recording the video content item on both the local DVR and the network DVR comprises independently and simultaneously recording the video content item on the local DVR and the network DVR.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a device in communication with the local DVR comprises a set top box.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein an Internet Protocol (IP) device in communication with the network DVR comprises one or more of:

a mobile phone;

a computer;

a computing device capable of displaying IP video;

a computing device capable of converting an IP video for display;

or

a tablet computing device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a request to play the video content item;

if the request to play the video content item is received from a device in communication with the local DVR, playing the requested video content item from the local DVR;

if the request to play the video content item is received from an IP device in communication with the network DVR, playing the requested video content item from the network DVR; and

synchronizing the data and metadata between the local DVR and the network DVR.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein synchronizing the data and metadata between the local DVR and the network DVR comprises synchronizing the data and the metadata associated with one or more of:

deletion of a video content item;

Response to Office Action mailed Jun. 25, 2019 bookmarks;

parental controls;

recording settings;

upcoming recording requests;

video content item metadata;

a requesting user;

or

viewing history data.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein synchronizing the data and the metadata on deletion of a video content item comprises:

receiving a request to delete a video content item; and

determining if the request to delete a video content item is received from a device in communication with the local DVR or the network DVR;

if the request to delete a video content item is received from a device in communication with the local DVR, deleting the video content item in the local DVR;

or

if the request to delete a video content item is received from a device in communication with the network DVR, deleting the video content item in the local DVR and the network DVR.

8. A system for creating a virtual DVR from a synchronized local DVR and network DVR, the system comprising:

a centralized system controller having a virtual DVR synchronization middleware layer;

a memory storage;

an advertisement platform including a rules engine; and

one or more processing unit(s) coupled to the memory storage, wherein the one or more processing unit(s) are operable to;

create a virtual DVR from a local DVR and a network DVR, wherein the local DVR is a legacy DVR independent of the network DVR, and synchronize the local DVR and the network DVR together to create the virtual DVR across an HFC network by;

receiving an indication of a request from a user to record a video content item on only one of the local DVR or the network DVR where the video content item has yet to be recorded onto the both of local DVR and the network DVR;

in response to receiving the indication of the request to record the video content item on one of the local DVR or the network DVR;

using the virtual DVR synchronization middleware layer from the centralized system controller to control synchronization of the request from the user and to simultaneously record the video content item in both the local DVR and the network DVR, and thereby create synchronized catalog data and metadata on both the local DVR and the network DVR, wherein when the request to record the video content item is received by a device in communication with the local DVR, the one or more processors are operable to simultaneously communicate the request to record the video content item with the network DVR, and when the request to record the video content item is received by an Internet Protocol device in communication with the network DVR, the one or more processors are operable to simultaneously communicate the request to record the video content item with the local DVR;

receive an indication to play the recorded content item from the local DVR, and using the virtual DVR synchronization middleware layer to determine that the recorded content items are precluded from being played from the local DVR and, in response, utilize the virtual DVR to play the recorded content item from the network DVR; and

utilizing the rules engine in the advertisement platform to dynamically insert advertisements in the recorded content at the time of playback, wherein the advertisements are tailored to the playback including time of viewing and location.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are further operable to:

receive an indication of a request to play the video content item;

if the request to play the video content item is received from a device in communication with the local DVR, play the requested video content item from the local DVR;

if the request to play the video content item is received from an IP device in communication with the network DVR, play the requested video content item from the network DVR; and

synchronize the data and metadata between the local DVR and the network DVR.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein in synchronizing the data and metadata between the local DVR and the network DVR, the one or more processors are operable to synchronize the data and the metadata associated with one or more of:

deletion of a video content item;

bookmarks;

parental controls;

recording settings;

upcoming recording requests;

video content item metadata;

a requesting user;

or

viewing history data.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein in synchronizing the data and the metadata associated with deletion of a video content item, the one or more processors are operable to:

receive a request to delete a video content item; and

determine if the request to delete a video content item is received from a device in communication with the local DVR or the network DVR;

if the request to delete a video content item is received from a device in communication with the local DVR, delete the video content item in the local DVR;

or

if the request to delete a video content item is received from a device in communication with the network DVR, delete the video content item in the local DVR and the network DVR.

12. A computer-readable storage device which stores a set of instructions which when executed performs a method comprising:

creating a virtual DVR from a local DVR and a network DVR, wherein the local DVR is a legacy DVR independent of the network DVR, and wherein the local DVR and the network DVR are synchronized together by;

receiving an indication of a request from a user to record a video content item on only one of the local DVR or the network DVR where the video content item has yet to be recorded onto both the local DVR and the network DVR;

in response to receiving the indication of the request to record the video content item on one of the local DVR or the network DVR;

using a virtual DVR synchronization middleware layer from a centralized system controller to control synchronization of the request and to simultaneously record the content item in both the local DVR and the network DVR, and thereby creating synchronized catalog data and metadata on both the local DVR and the network DVR, wherein when the request to record the video content item is received by a device in communication with the local DVR, simultaneously communicating the request to record the video content item with the network DVR, and when the request to record the video content item is received by an Internet Protocol device in communication with the network DVR, simultaneously communicating the request to record the video content item with the local DVR;

receiving an indication to play the recorded content item from the local DVR, and using the virtual DVR synchronization middleware layer to determine that the recorded content items are precluded from being played from the local DVR and, in response, utilizing the virtual DVR to play the recorded content item from the network DVR; and

dynamically inserting advertisements in the recorded content at the time of playback, wherein the advertisements are tailored to the playback including time of viewing and location.

13. The computer-readable storage device of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a request to play the video content item;

Response to Office Action mailed Jun. 25, 2019 if the request to play the video content item is received from a device in communication with the local DVR, playing the requested video content item from the local DVR;

if the request to play the video content item is received from an IP device in communication with the network DVR, playing the requested video content item from the network DVR; and

synchronizing the data and metadata between the local DVR and the network DVR.

14. The computer-readable storage device of claim 13, wherein synchronizing the data and metadata between the local DVR and the network DVR comprises synchronizing the data and the metadata associated with one or more of:

deletion of a video content item;

bookmarks;

parental controls;

recording settings;

upcoming recording requests;

video content item metadata;

a requesting user;

or

viewing history data.

15. The computer-readable storage device of claim 14, wherein synchronizing the data and the metadata on deletion of a video content item comprises:

receiving a request to delete a video content item; and

determining if the request to delete a video content item is received from a device in communication with the local DVR or the network DVR;

if the request to delete a video content item is received from a device in communication with the local DVR, deleting the video content item from the local DVR;

or

if the request to delete a video content item is received from a device in communication with the network DVR, deleting the video content item from the local DVR and the network DVR.