Program storage, retrieval and management based on segmentation messages

• US 9,351,027 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2014
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• 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., Williamson, Louis D., Callahan, John W., Urdang, Erik G., Kimble, David M., Gonder, Thomas, Buehl, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): HANCE, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US14/519,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20150074712A1
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 20/10 Arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or the distribution
• 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 21/2221 being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• 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 21/2408 Monitoring of the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. client requests monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• 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 21/26603 for automatically generating descriptors from content, e.g. when it is not made available by its provider, using content analysis techniques
• 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 21/42204 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 21/434 : Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream demultiplexing of data packets for data networks, e.g. RTP/UDP H04L65/00
• 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 21/4622 : 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 21/4627 : Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• 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 21/63 : Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing real-time session protocols H04L65/1101; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• 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 21/8126 : involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/835 : Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 : by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/854 : Content authoring
• 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 5/76 : Television signal recording
• 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

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.

Claims

1. A method of generating a program signal stream comprising:

creating a program signal stream comprising a serial sequence of programs;

inserting at least one first segmentation message into the program signal stream to indicate, in units of time with respect to progression of the program signal stream, a first amount of time to a start of a respective program;

inserting at least one second segmentation message different from the first segmentation message into the program signal stream, to indicate, in units of time with respect to progression of the program signal stream, a second amount of time to an end of the respective program; and

transmitting the program signal stream including the respective program and the at least one first and second segmentation messages to a program content distribution system.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

inserting at least one first segmentation message into the program signal stream prior to the start of the respective program; and

inserting at least one second segmentation message into the program signal stream within the respective program.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising inserting at least one third segmentation message separate from the at least one first and second segmentation messages into the program signal stream, the at least one third segmentation message comprising rights-related information related to the respective program.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the rights-related information defines a right to store the respective program by a program distribution system for distribution upon the request of a user.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the rights-related information defines a right to store the respective program by the program distribution system for a predetermined period of time.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the rights-related information defines a right to manipulate presentation of the respective program by at least one of fast forwarding, rewinding, or pausing the presentation of the expanse, in response to a request by a user.

7. The method of claim 3, comprising inserting a plurality of third segmentation messages related to the respective program, at least some of the plurality of third segmentation messages comprising different rights-related information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one third segmentation message comprises:

at least one third segmentation message defining a right to store the respective program; and

at least one other third segmentation message defining a right to manipulate presentation of the respective program by at least one of fast forwarding, rewinding, or pausing the presentation of the respective program, in response to a request by the user.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the processing device is configured to:

insert the at least one third segmentation message into the program stream prior to a start of the respective program; and

insert the at least one other third segmentation message into the program stream within the respective program.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the respective program comprises a plurality of chapters; and

the method further comprises inserting at least one third segmentation message to define at least one of a respective start time and a respective end time of a respective chapter.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective program includes advertising, the method further comprising:

inserting at least one third segmentation message to define at least one of a start time and an end time for the advertising.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the program stream signal further comprises an expanse of unscheduled content following the respective program, the method further comprising:

inserting at least one third segmentation message into the program signal stream to define at least one of a start time and end time for the expanse of unscheduled content.

13. The system claim 1, wherein the at least one first segmentation message and/or the at least one second segmentation message comprise rights-related information related to the respective program.

14. A system for generating a program signal stream comprising:

at least one source of a serial sequence of video program signal streams; and

at least one processing device configured to;

insert at least one first segmentation message into the program signal stream to indicate, in units of time with respect to progression of the program signal stream, a first amount of time to a start of a respective program;

insert at least one second segmentation message different from the first segmentation message, into the program signal stream to indicate, in units of time with respect to progression of the program signal stream, a second amount of time to the end of the respective program; and

transmit the program signal stream including the respective program and the at least one first and second segmentation messages to a program content distribution system.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising an antenna to transmit the program signal stream.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one source comprises at least one video program source.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to:

insert the at least one first segmentation message in the program signal stream prior to the start of the respective program; and

insert the at least one second segmentation message within the respective program.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the processing device is further configured to:

insert at least one third segmentation message separate from the at least one first and second segmentation messages into the program signal stream, the at least one third segmentation message comprising rights-related information related to the respective program.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the rights-related information defines a right to store the respective program by a program distribution system for distribution upon the request of a user.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the rights-related information defines a right to store the respective program by the program distribution system for a predetermined period of time.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the rights-related information defines a right to manipulate presentation of the respective program by at least one of fast forwarding, rewinding, or pausing the presentation of the respective program, in response to a request by a user.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the processing device is configured to insert a plurality of third segmentation messages related to the respective program, at least some of the plurality of third segmentation messages comprising different rights-related information.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein:

at least one third segmentation message defines a right to store the respective program; and

at least one other third segmentation message defines a right to manipulate presentation of the respective program by at least one of fast forwarding, rewinding or pausing the presentation of the respective program, in response to a request by the user.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the processing device is configured to:

insert the at least one third segmentation message into the program stream prior to a start of the respective program; and

insert the at least one other third segmentation message into the program stream within the respective program.

25. The system claim 14, wherein the at least one first segmentation message and/or the at least one second segmentation message comprise rights-related information related to the respective program.

26. 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;

inserting an expanse of unscheduled content into the created program signal stream;

inserting at least one first segmentation message into the program signal stream to indicate, in units of time with respect to progression of the program signal stream, a first amount of time to the start of the expanse; and

inserting at least one second segmentation message different from the first segmentation message, into the program signal stream to indicate, in units of time with respect to progression of the program signal stream, a second amount of time to the end of the expanse; and

transmitting the program signal stream including the expanse and the at least one first and second segmentation messages to a program content distribution system.

27. The method of claim 26, comprising:

inserting the expanse within or at an end of a program.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein, if the expanse is inserted at the end of the program, the method comprises:

inserting the second segmentation message to indicate the end of the expanse and the end of the program.

29. A system for generating a program signal stream comprising:

at least one source of a serial sequence of video program signal streams to be broadcast in accordance with a broadcast schedule; and

at least one processing device configured to;

insert an expanse of unscheduled content into the program signal stream;

insert at least one first segmentation message into the program signal stream to indicate, in units of time with respect to progression of the program signal stream, a first amount of time to the start of the expanse; and

insert at least one second segmentation message different from the first segmentation message into the program signal stream, to indicate, in units of time with respect to progression of the program signal stream, a second amount of time to the end of the expanse; and

transmit the program signal stream including the expanse and the at least one first and second segmentation messages to a program content distribution system.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the at least one processing device is configured to:

insert the expanse within or at the end of a program.

31. The system claim 30, wherein, if the expanse inserted is at the end of the program, the at least one processor is configured to:

insert at least one second segmentation message to indicate an end of the expanse and an end of the program.