Client-server based interactive television program guide system with remote server recording

• US 20070199030A1
• Filed: 04/18/2007
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UV Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Lemmons, Thomas, Ellis, Michael, Thomas, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,739,709 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/87
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/00 Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2143 located in a single building, e.g. hotel, hospital or museum arrangements specially adapted for plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63; adaptations for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution in television systems H04N7/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23113 involving housekeeping operations for stored content, e.g. prioritizing content for deletion because of storage space restrictions storage management, e.g. defragmentation G06F3/0604; snloading stored programs G06F9/445; housekeeping operations in file systems, e.g. deletion policies G06F16/10; buffering arrangements in a network node or in an end terminal in packet networks H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2318 using striping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/233 Processing of audio elementary streams monitoring, identification or recognition of audio in broadcast systems H04H60/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2335 involving reformatting operations of audio signals, e.g. by converting from one coding standard to another details of audio signal transcoding G10L19/173
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2353 specifically adapted to content descriptors, e.g. coding, compressing or processing of metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2387 Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25435 involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
• 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 21/26283 for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• 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 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47208 : for requesting near-video-on-demand content
• 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 21/47217 : 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 21/482 : 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 21/6175 : involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/643 : Communication protocols network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP], H04L65/65
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 : IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 : Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• 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 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/91 : Television signal processing therefor
• 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

Abstract

An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.

Claims

1. A method for use in an interactive television program guide system in which television programs are recorded and played back on-demand by a remote media server for a number of users, the method comprising:

generating a record request in response to a user indicating a desire to record a program on-demand with the remote media server, wherein the record request is generated by an interactive television program guide;

recording the program with the remote media server in response to the record request;

generating a playback request in response to the user indicating a desire to play back the program on-demand with the remote media server, wherein the playback request is generated by the interactive television program guide; and

playing back the program with the remote media server in response to the playback request.

2. An interactive television program guide system in which television programs are recorded and played back on-demand for a number of users, the system comprising:

a remote media server configured to record and play back programs on-demand;

distribution equipment configured to distribute to each user programs that are recorded and played back on-demand with the remote media server; and

interactive program guide television equipment on which an interactive television program guide is implemented, wherein the interactive television program guide is configured to;

generate a record request in response to a user indicating a desire to record a program on-demand with the remote media server; and

generate a playback request in response to the user indicating a desire to play back the program on-demand with the remote media server, and wherein the remote media server is further configured to;

record the program in response to the record request generated by the interactive television program guide; and

play back the program in response to the playback request generated by the interactive television program guide.

3. A method for use in an interactive television program guide system in which television programs are recorded and played back on-demand by a remote media server for a number of users, the method comprising:

generating a record request in response to a user indicating a desire to record a program on-demand with the remote media server, wherein the record request is generated by an interactive television program guide;

recording the program with the remote media server in response to the record request;

generating a retrieval request in response to the user indicating a desire to play back the program on-demand with the remote media server, wherein the retrieval request is generated by the interactive television program guide; and

retrieving the program with the remote media server in response to the retrieval request.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising retrieving the program as at least one file.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising retrieving the program in one or more digital data streams.

6. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

storing program guide data associated with the program; and

presenting to the user the program guide data as if the program were being originally aired.

7. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

transmitting programs recorded by the remote media server as one or more files; and

storing the one or more files on user television equipment, wherein the user television equipment has storage for play back on the user television equipment.

8. An interactive television program guide system in which television programs are recorded and retrieved on-demand for a number of users, the system comprising:

a remote media server configured to store and retrieve programs on-demand for each user;

distribution equipment configured to distribute to each user programs that are retrieved on-demand by the remote media server; and

interactive program guide television equipment on which an interactive television program guide is implemented, wherein the interactive television program guide is configured to;

generate a record request in response to a user indicating a desire to record a program on-demand with the remote media server; and

generate a retrieval request in response to the user indicating a desire to play back the program on-demand with the remote media server, and wherein the remote media server is further configured to;

record the program in response to the record request generated by the interactive television program guide; and

retrieve the program in response to the retrieval request generated by the interactive television program guide.

9. The system defined in claim 8 wherein the distribution equipment is configured to:

retrieve programs from the remote media server; and

distribute the programs to each user as at least one file.

10. The system defined in claim 8, wherein the distribution equipment is configured to:

retrieve programs from the remote media server; and

distribute the programs to each user in one or more digital data streams.

11. The system defined in claim 8, wherein:

the interactive program guide television equipment comprises user television equipment;

the remote media server is further configured to store program guide data associated with a program stored by the remote media server; and

the interactive television program guide is further configured to present to the user the program guide data on the interactive program guide television equipment as if the associated program were being originally aired.

12. The system defined in claim 8, wherein:

the distribution equipment is further configured to transmit programs recorded by the remote media server as one or more files; and

the interactive program guide television equipment is further configured to store the one or more files for playback.

13. A method for use in an interactive television program guide system in which television programs are recorded and played back on-demand by a remote media server for a number of users, the method comprising:

providing a user with an opportunity to indicate at least one program for recording by the remote media server;

providing the user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to access a directory of program listings associated with programs recorded by the remote media server, wherein the programs were recorded in response to the user indicating a desire to record the programs with the remote media server; and

providing the directory of program listings associated with the programs recorded by the remote media server in response to the user indicating the desire to access the directory of program listings.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising sorting the directory of program listings by title or theme in response to the user indicating a desire to access the directory of program listings sorted by title or theme.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising overlaying the directory of program listings over a program that the user is watching on user television equipment in response to the user indicating a desire to view the directory of program listings.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

generating a retrieval request with the interactive television program guide in response to the user indicating a desire to play back at least one of the programs;

providing the at least one of the programs to user television equipment, wherein the user television equipment has storage for playback;

in response to the retrieval request, retrieving the at least one of the programs; and

storing the at least one of the programs on the storage for playback with the user television equipment.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising displaying information about at least one of the programs in response to the user indicating a desire to view information about the at least one of the programs.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

automatically caching on the remote media server all programs as the programs are broadcast; and

playing back at least a portion of a cached program in response to the user indicating a desire to view at least a portion of the cached program.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising deleting a program recorded by the remote media server in response to the user indicating a desire to delete the program.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising automatically deleting programs recorded by the remote media server.

21. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

generating a record request in response to a user indicating a desire to record a program on-demand with the remote media server;

consolidating multiple record requests for the program into a single job; and

recording a single copy of the program for multiple users according to the single job.

22. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

recording a program with a local media server in response to the user indicating a desire to record the program by the local media server; and

playing back the program in response to the user indicating a desire to play back the program from the local media server.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

providing the user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to view a local directory of program listings associated with programs recorded by the local media server; and

providing the local directory of program listings in response to the user indicating a desire to view the local directory of program listings.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising sorting the local directory of program listings by title or theme in response to the user indicating a desire to view the local directory of program listings sorted by title or theme.

25. The system defined in claim 23 further comprising overlaying the local directory of program listings over a program that the user is watching on user television equipment in response to the user indicating a desire to view the local directory of program listings.

26. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

providing the user with an opportunity to define a super-program sequence; and

playing back at least a portion of a program according to the super-program sequence.

27. The method of claim 13 further comprising recording program associated data for the at least one program.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the program associated data comprises interactive content.

29. The method of claim 13 further comprising displaying a directory of program listings associated with programs to be recorded by the remote media server in response to the user indicating a desire to view a directory of program listings associated with programs to be recorded by the remote media server, wherein the programs were indicated by the user for recording by the remote media server.

30. The method of claim 13 further comprising displaying at least one program listing associated with at least one program that is not recorded by the remote media server and at least one program listing associated with at least one program that is recorded by the remote media server, in response to the user indicating a desire to view program listings.

31. The method of claim 13 further comprising displaying at least one program listing associated with at least one program that is not recorded by the remote media server and at least one program listing associated with at least one program that is to be recorded by the remote media server, in response to the user indicating a desire to view program listings.

32. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

charging the user for programs played back by the remote media server; and

generating billing information that indicates the programs played back by the remote media server.

33. The method of claim 13 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to enter a parental control code in response to the user indicating a desire to play back a program with the remote media server.

34. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

providing the user with an opportunity to set a video format in which programs are recorded by the remote media server; and

recording programs in the video format.

35. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

automatically caching programs that are being viewed by users; and

playing back at least a portion of a cached program in response to the user indicating a desire to view at least a portion of the cached program.

36. An interactive television program guide system in which television programs are recorded and played back on-demand by a remote media server for a number of users, the system comprising:

interactive program guide television equipment on which an interactive television program guide is implemented, wherein the interactive television program guide is configured to;

provide a user with an opportunity to indicate at least one program for recording by the remote media server;

provide the user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to access a directory of program listings associated with programs recorded by the remote media server, wherein the programs were recorded in response to the user indicating a desire to record the programs with the remote media server; and

provide the directory of program listings in response to the user indicating the desire to view the directory of program listings.

37. The system defined in claim 36, wherein the interactive television program guide is further configured to provide a directory of program listings sorted by title or theme in response to the user indicating a desire to access the directory of program listings sorted by title or theme.

38. The system defined in claim 36, wherein the interactive television program guide is further configured to overlay the directory of program listings over a program that the user is watching on user television equipment in response to the user indicating a desire to view a directory of program listings.

39. The system defined in claim 36, wherein:

the interactive program guide television equipment comprises user television equipment having storage;

the interactive television program guide is further configured to generate a retrieval request in response to the user indicating a desire to play back at least one of the programs;

the remote media server is configured to retrieve the at least one of the programs and provide it to the user television equipment in response to the retrieval request generated by the interactive television program guide; and

the interactive television program guide is further configured to store the at least one of the programs on the storage for playback with the user television equipment.

40. The system defined in claim 36, wherein the interactive television program guide is further configured to display information about at least one of the programs in response to the user indicating a desire to view information about the at least one of the programs.

41. The system defined in claim 36, wherein:

the remote media server is further configured to automatically cache all programs as the programs are broadcast; and

the remote media server is further configured to play back at least a portion of a cached program in response to the user indicating a desire to view at least a portion of the cached program with the interactive television program guide.

42. The system defined in claim 36, wherein the remote media server is further configured to delete a program recorded by the remote media server in response to the user indicating a desire to delete the program with the interactive television program guide.

43. The system defined in claim 36, wherein the remote media server is further configured to automatically delete programs recorded by the remote media server.

44. The system defined in claim 36, wherein:

the interactive television program guide is further configured to generate a record request in response to a user indicating a desire to record a program on-demand with the remote media server; and

the remote media server;

comprises a consolidator configured to consolidate multiple record requests for the program into a single job; and

is further configured to record a single copy of a program for multiple users according to the single job.

45. The system defined in claim 36 further comprising a local media server configured to:

record a program in response to the user indicating a desire to record the program by the local media server; and

play back the program in response to the user indicating a desire to play back the program from the local media server.

46. The system defined in claim 45, wherein the interactive television program guide is further configured to:

provide the user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to view a local directory of program listings associated with programs recorded by the local media server; and

provide the local directory of program listings in response to the user indicating a desire to view the local directory of program listings.

47. The system defined in claim 46, wherein the interactive television program guide is further configured to provide the local directory of program listings sorted by title or theme in response to the user indicating a desire to view the local directory of program listings.

48. The system defined in claim 46, wherein the interactive television program guide is further configured to overlay the local directory of program listings over a program that the user is watching on user television equipment in response to the user indicating a desire to view the local directory of program listings.

49. The system defined in claim 46, wherein the interactive television program guide is further configured to provide the user with an opportunity to define a super-program sequence;

and

the local media server is further configured to play back at least a portion of a program according to the super-program sequence.

50. The system defined in claim 36, wherein the remote media server is further configured to record program associated data for the at least one program.

51. The system defined in claim 50, wherein the program associated data comprises interactive content.

52. The system defined in claim 36, wherein the interactive television program guide is further configured to display a directory of program listings associated with programs to be recorded by the remote media server in response to the user indicating a desire to view a directory of program listings associated with programs to be recorded by the remote media server, wherein the programs were indicated by the user for recording by the remote media server.

53. The system defined in claim 36, wherein the interactive television program guide is further configured to display at least one program listing associated with at least one program that is not recorded by the remote media server and at least one program listing associated with at least one program that is recorded by the remote media server, in response to the user indicating a desire to view program listings.

54. The system defined in claim 36, wherein the interactive television program guide is further configured to display at least one program listing associated with at least one program that is not recorded by the remote media server and at least one program listing associated with at least one program that is to be recorded by the remote media server, in response to the user indicating a desire to view program listings.

55. The system defined in claim 36, wherein:

the system further comprises a billing system configured to charge the user for programs played back by the remote media server; and

the remote media server is further configured to generate billing information that indicates the programs played back by the remote media server.

56. The system defined in claim 36, wherein the interactive television program guide is further configured to provide the user with an opportunity to enter a parental control code in response to the user indicating a desire to play back a program with the remote media server.

57. The system defined in claim 36, wherein:

the interactive television program guide is further configured to provide the user with an opportunity to set a video format in which programs are recorded by the remote media server; and

the remote media server is further configured to record programs in the video format.

58. The system defined in claim 36, wherein the remote media server is further configured to:

automatically cache programs that are being viewed by users; and

play back at least a portion of a cached program in response to the user indicating a desire to view at least a portion of the cached program.