Signal distribution system with user-defined channel comprising information from an external network
First Claim
1. A method of providing a user-defined channel as one of a plurality of channels of a subscription service in a signal distribution system, the user-defined channel comprising content specified by a system user, the method comprising the steps of:
- obtaining, from a network external to a provider network of the subscription service, at least a portion of the content specified by the system user; and
generating at least one media stream comprising the content;
wherein the media stream is delivered via an interface device associated with the system user in conjunction with the subscription service.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user-defined channel, comprising content specified by a system user, is provided as one of a plurality of channels of a subscription service in a signal distribution system. At least a portion of the content specified by the system user is obtained from a network external to the subscription service provider network. At least one media stream comprising the content is generated, and delivered via an interface device associated with the system user in conjunction with the subscription service. In one embodiment, the user-defined channel comprises a tracking channel, and the specified content comprises location information that is obtained from the external network and identifies a location of at least one entity specified by the system user.
95 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of providing a user-defined channel as one of a plurality of channels of a subscription service in a signal distribution system, the user-defined channel comprising content specified by a system user, the method comprising the steps of:
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obtaining, from a network external to a provider network of the subscription service, at least a portion of the content specified by the system user; and
generating at least one media stream comprising the content;
wherein the media stream is delivered via an interface device associated with the system user in conjunction with the subscription service. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for providing a user-defined channel as one of a plurality of channels of a subscription service in a signal distribution system, the user-defined channel comprising content specified by a system user, the apparatus comprising:
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an interface device comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor;
wherein the processor is operative to control the delivery of at least one media stream comprising the content, in conjunction with the subscription service;
wherein at least a portion of the content specified by the system user is obtained from a network external to a provider network of the subscription service. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A signal distribution system for providing a user-defined channel as one of a plurality of channels of a subscription service, the user-defined channel comprising content specified by a system user, the system comprising:
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a plurality of interface devices;
head end equipment operative to receive, from a given one of the interface devices associated with the system user, information regarding the specified content, to obtain, from a network external to a provider network of the subscription service, at least a portion of the content specified by the system user, and to generate at least one media stream comprising the content;
wherein the media stream is delivered from the head end equipment to the given interface device in conjunction with the subscription service.
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22. An article of manufacture comprising a machine-readable medium storing one or more programs for use in providing a user-defined channel as one of a plurality of channels of a subscription service in a signal distribution system, the user-defined channel comprising content specified by a system user, the one or more programs when executed in a processor performing the steps of:
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obtaining, from a network external to a provider network of the subscription service, at least a portion of the content specified by the system user; and
generating at least one media stream comprising the content;
wherein the media stream is delivered via an interface device associated with the system user in conjunction with the subscription service.
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Specification