Patent Application
20080244657
The present disclosure relates generally to communicating content to a user and, more specifically, to communicating prior broadcasted programs or content to a user device.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Consumers increasingly desire access to various types of content, including music, videos, games, and the like. To meet these needs, content providers are increasingly investigating ways to provide content in a timely manner to consumers.
Satellite distribution systems are one way in which to provide content to various consumers. Pay-per-view and regular broadcasts are available in a satellite system. In a pay-per-view system, access is provided to users for a particular program that is watched by more than one user at the same time. Recording devices in the user devices may be used to store the content for later playback.
In certain situations, a user may desire access to content not available during a regular broadcast or one that is stored within the user device. For example, the user may learn of a broadcasted program of interest without a means to view the past program. Further, providing the user with a program on an individual basis, consumes valuable satellite resources. Therefore, it may be desirable to provide other means for distributing content when needed to various customers.
The present disclosure sets forth a method for utilizing a terrestrial communication network for providing requested content to a user device. The requested content may be retrieved from a content repository that stores certain broadcasted material for a predetermined amount of time. The material may be requested by the user and sent to the user device. In the case of a satellite content distribution system, another network such as a broadband network may be used to provide the requested content to the user device or set top box. This method reduces the burden on the satellite system although the satellite may be used in certain situations.
In one aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a communication system includes coupling the user device to a network and generating a program guide for programming including currently broadcasting programs and past programming. The programming guide includes program guide elements. The method also includes selecting a first program guide element from the past programming to form a selection signal, communicating the selection signal to a service provider, retrieving a program corresponding to the selection from a content repository associated with the service provider and communicating the program to a user device through the network.
In a further aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a communication system includes coupling the user device to a terrestrial network and a satellite and generating program guide for programming including currently broadcasting programs and past programming. The programming guide includes program guide elements. The method also includes communicating the program guide through the satellite, selecting a program guide element from the past programming to form a selection signal, communicating the selection signal to a service provider through the terrestrial network, retrieving a program corresponding to the selection from a content repository associated with the service provider, and communicating the program to a user device.
In a further aspect of the disclosure, a communication system includes a network, a user device in communication with the network and a service provider communicating with the user device through the network. The service provider generates a program guide for programming including currently broadcasting programs and past programming. The programming guide includes program guide elements. The user device selects a program guide element from the past programming to form a selection signal and communicating the selection signal to a service provider. The service provider retrieves a program corresponding to the selection from a content repository associated with the service provider and communicates the program to a user device through the network.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the term module refers to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It should be understood that steps within a method may be executed in different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure.
While the following disclosure is made with respect to example DIRECTV® broadcast services and systems, it should be understood that many other delivery systems are readily applicable to disclosed systems and methods. Such systems include wireless terrestrial distribution systems, wired or cable distribution systems, cable television distribution systems, Ultra High Frequency (UHF)/Very High Frequency (VHF) radio frequency systems or other terrestrial broadcast systems (e.g., Multi-channel Multi-point Distribution System (MMDS), Local Multi-point Distribution System (LMDS), etc.), Internet-based distribution systems, cellular distribution systems, power-line broadcast systems, any point-to-point and/or multicast Internet Protocol (IP) delivery network, and fiber optic networks. Further, the different functions collectively allocated among a service provider and integrated receiver/decoders (IRDs) as described below can be reallocated as desired without departing from the intended scope of the present patent.
Further, while the following disclosure is made with respect to the delivery of content (e.g., television (TV), movies, games, music videos, etc.), it should be understood that the systems and methods disclosed herein could also be used for delivery of any media content type, for example, audio, music, data files, web pages, games, etc. Additionally, throughout this disclosure reference is made to data, information, programs, movies, assets, video data, etc., however, it will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art that these terms are substantially equivalent in reference to the example systems and/or methods disclosed herein. As used herein, the term title or program will be used to refer to, for example, a media content type such as a movie itself and not the name of the movie.
Referring now to
The service provider 12 may also include a subscriber transaction management system 40. The subscriber transaction management system (STMS) 40 has the function of a billing system. The STMS 40 keeps track of various transactions and the services to which the various user devices are subscribed to. Billing information and enabling access to a system may be provided through the subscriber transaction management system. Transactions such as requested content may be billed by the system.
A conditional access system 42 may also be coupled to controller 16. The conditional access system 42 generates conditional access packets that may be provided through the satellite or through other communication networks to the user devices 14. The conditional access system 42 may, for example, generate the CAPs described above.
A content distribution network 44 may also be coupled to controller 16. The content distribution network 44 in conjunction with a content repository 46 may be used to provide content through the satellite and through the various other networks. The content distribution network 44, although illustrated entirely within the service provider, may also be outside or partially outside the service provider 12. That is, user devices 14 may be provided access to content from various sources directly once authorized by the service provider. A pay television service may provide content to a user device directly once all the security safeguards have been met. The content repository 46 may be used to generate the current broadcast programming and may also be used to store previously broadcast programming. The previously broadcast programming may be from all channels, selected channels, or popular broadcasts as will be determined below.
A website or server 48 may also be coupled to the controller 16. The website 48 may provide the user devices 14 a way in which to select past programming content for downloading. The use of the various components within the service provider 12 will become evident in the description below.
The conditional access system 42, the content distribution network 44, and the website 48 may all be coupled to the Internet 50. The Internet 50 may be reached through various types of networks, including, but not limited to, a wireless network, a broadband network, a broadband wireless network, a WiFi network, a WiMax network and an optical fiber network.
A telephone system 52 may also be used to communicate between the user device 14 and the service provider 12. The telephone system 52 may include a cellular system that is for the most part wireless or a public switched telephone network (PSTN).
One example of a user device 14 includes a fixed user device such as a set top box 60. The set top box 60 may have various components such as a controller 62 that is used to control the operation of the system and generate and provide the content to the display device 64 such as a television. The set top box 60 may also be referred to as integrated receiver decoder (IRD). The set top box 60 may decode, decompress, depacketize, and demultiplex the content received from the satellite 22. Also, any content received from the Internet 50 may also be decoded, demultiplexed, decompressed and depacketized, if needed. Output drivers, contained within the controller 62, may be used to control the audio and visual function of the display 64.
The set top box 60 may also include a memory 66. The memory 66 may, for example, be a digital video recorder (DVR) such as a hard disk drive. The memory 66 may also be various other types of memory including flash memory. The memory 66 may be used to store content or programs received from the service provider 12 through the satellite 22 or through the Internet 50.
The user device 14 associated with the set top box 60 may also include or be associated with a personal computer 70. The personal computer 70 may be used to provide Internet access for the set top box 60 so that various content may be downloaded from the Internet 50 and from the service provider 12. More specifically, content from the content repository 46 may be provided through the content distribution network 44 through the Internet 50 and stored on the memory 66 of the set top box 60. The personal computer 70 may be used to form the network between the set top box 60 and the Internet 50. The connection between the personal computer 70 and the set top box 60 may be a wired or wireless connection. Of course, if the connection is a wireless connection, a wireless LAN and thus a wireless router may be associated or included within the personal computer 70. An antenna 74 on the PC 70 represents a potential wireless connection to antenna 76 on the set top box 60. The antenna 76 on the set top box 60 may also communicate to an outside wireless router, such as in a WiMax or WiFi system.
A gateway 78 may be used to form access to the Internet in a WiFi or WiMax system through antenna 79. A telephone 72 may also be used to communicate with the service provider 12. The telephone 72 may be used to initiate the past programming download service by the user who communicates directly with an operator or a menu system at the service provider 12. Part of the information received from the satellite 22 may include a program guide that includes various selections of past programming therein.
The user devices 14 may also include mobile user devices 80. The mobile user devices 80 may include the functionality described above with respect to the set top box 60 such as a controller, a memory, an antenna 81 for communicating with the satellite and communicating through the wireless network. Although one antenna is shown, more than one may be used to receive the wireless network signals and the satellite signals. The antenna 81 is shown generally. The antenna may be incorporated within each device. However, mobile devices may communicate wirelessly through the Internet 50, through a telephone system 52, such as a cellular system, through the Internet, a WiFi, WiMax, other type of wireless systems or more than one wireless system. The wireless communications may communicate content or programs as well as provide callbacks from the mobile user devices 80 to the service provider 12. The call backs may include a request for content. Confirmation signals may also use the Internet 50 or the telephone system 52 as will be further described below. It should also be noted that a different network may be used to communicate program content and other communications between the service provider 12 and the user devices 14 including the mobile user devices 80.
The mobile user devices 80 may include many different devices, including a laptop computer 82, a portable media player 84, a vehicle such as an automotive vehicle that includes a mobile set top box 88 and a cell phone 90. The cell phone 90 may include such devices as a personal digital assistant. It is important that all of the mobile user devices 80 include some form of wireless communication system to receive content from the service provider 12.
The service provider 12 may include a program guide module 92. The program guide module 92 is used to determine the contents of a program guide. The program guide module 92 provides the user devices 14 with information regarding current and future programming. This is the typical function of the program guide modules in the DIRECTV® system. Information in the program guide include channels, programming information, times, titles, previews, and the like. A content or material identification (ID) such as a number or an alpha-numeric identifier may be used to identify the particular program. The content ID may correspond to IDs of content stored in the content repository. The program guide module 92, in the present disclosure, also provides information to the user devices relative to past programming that is available from the service provider. The past programming is stored within the content repository 46. The past programming may include all the programming broadcast within the last certain amount of time. The certain amount of time may be two weeks, a month, a week, a few days, or the like. All of the broadcasted programs for all of the channels may be made available. However, only certain numbers of channels may have their information stored. Also, portions of the channels or popular portions of the channels may be stored without the entire day's worth of programming for a particular channel. The program guide module 92, through the guidance of the controller 16, formulates the program guide and transmits the program guide information through the satellite 22 through the satellite uplink module 18 to the user devices 14. Updates to the program guide may also be broadcast. The program guide module 92 may consist of packetized information that is spaced from time to time throughout the broadcasted programming.
An audience measurement module 94 coupled to the controller 16 may also be provided within the service provider 12. The audience measurement module 94 may be used to measure the popularity of a particular program. Popularity information from the audience measurement module 94 may be used to perform various functions including determining through which network a particular requested program may be broadcast. For example, if the audience measurement module determines that the particular program is being requested often, the satellite 22 may be used to broadcast a program to various users. If the audience measurement module 94 determines the program is not very popular, the Internet or a broadband network may be used to distribute the program.
The audience measurement module 94 may receive information from the subscriber transaction management system 40 to count the number of times a particular program has been requested. The similar information may also be retrieved from the content repository 46 and the content distribution network 44 by counting the number of times the content has been transmitted. The actions and consequences of the audience measurement module will be evident below.
Referring now to
The program guide 120 and the elements 124 therein may be scrolled by the user. For example, the program guide may be scrolled in the reverse direction (to the left in
Searching using a graphical user interface generated at the set top box may also take place by the user. For example, searching based on title, actor, key words in the title or description may take place in conjunction with the remote control or other user interface. After searching, a selection may be made. Selections may also be made at a website using a program guide.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In step 202, the program guide may be scrolled into past programming which is prior to the currently broadcasting program. The programming guide for past programming may be limited to only those available for downloading. Thus, the program guide on the website or on the display associated with the user device may be reduced in size. In step 204, a program from the past programming guide is selected to form a selection. As described in
In step 210, a popularity rating of the program corresponding to the selection may be determined. As mentioned above, the audience measurement module 94 of
In step 214, the program corresponding to the selection is communicated to the user device. As mentioned above, the program may be communicated through a different network than the selection signal is communicated. Although, both may use the same. The program may be communicated through a wireless network, a broadband network, a WiFi network, a WiMax network, a cellular network, a wireless broadband network, or through a wired broadband network. A satellite network may also be used to communicate the program. In step 216, the selection is billed to the account associated with the user device. This may be performed at the subscriber transaction management system 40 illustrated in
In step 218, the program may be stored in the memory of the user device. In the case of a set top box, the program may be stored in a digital video recorder. The program may also be played back in real time as received. However, it is more likely that the program is played back from a memory in a commercial embodiment.
In step 220, the program is played back on the user device. That is, depending on the type of program, the user device may be used to generate audio, audio and video, gaming control, or the like. The audio signals may be communicated through a speaker while the video signals are displayed on the display 64 illustrated in
Referring now to
In step 252, programming is received from various sources including from DVDs, tapes, the satellite or optical fibers and are stored in the content repository 46. In step 254, the programming is broadcast through the satellite 22. In step 256, the broadcast programming is stored in the content repository. As mentioned above, the programming that is broadcast may be selectively stored in the content repository. That is, only popular programs or those deemed potentially popular may be stored. Also, programming from certain channels may not be stored at all.
In step 258, stored broadcast programming may be deleted from the content repository. This may be under the control of the controller 16. The broadcast programming that is stored in the content repository may be date-stamped so that only a pre-determined amount of previously broadcast programming is retained or stored in the content repository. The date stamp may, for example, be the time and date of the broadcast. For example, a two-week retention window may be used by the content repository 46 for removing any older stored previously broadcasted program. Thus, any stored broadcasted programming greater than two weeks old may be deleted from the system or removed from being available (removed from the program guide). It should be noted that various times may be set forth. Also, various retention times associated with various programs or channels may also be set forth. That is, different channels and different programs may have different retention times within the content repository 46. Popular titles could be maintained longer than less popular titles.
Further, availability or retention windows may also be established to allow user devices to see what is available and still allow them sufficient time to download the material. For example, if two weeks of material is maintained, the actual publish time may be two weeks plus some fixed time to allocate the program to be communicated to a user device. The extra time may be fixed or variable depending on the length of a particular content. To summarize, the content may actually be available for a predetermined amount of time after it is removed from an “available” content list or the program guide. Such a feature may allow the system time to service various requests and, therefore, increase customer satisfaction.
In step 260, requests are received at the service provider for particular stored content through a network. In step 262, an optional step of receiving a confirmation from the user device may be performed. That is, both a request and a confirmation may be required for transferring a program to the user device. The confirmation and request may also take place only at the user device and, thus, they may be combined into one signal received at the user device.
In step 264, the program corresponding to the selected content is retrieved from the content repository.
In step 266, optional steps corresponding to steps 210 and 212 may be performed. In step 266, a popularity rating may be determined for the particular program. In step 268, a means for communicating based upon the popularity of the program may be determined. This may entail choosing a network. In step 268, based upon the popularity rating, a network for communicating may be determined. As mentioned above in step 212, various types of networks may be used based upon the popularity including wired, wireless, terrestrial, and satellite. In step 270, the program is communicated to the user device using the selected communication means.
The present disclosure allows a user to request content that was heretofore otherwise not available. In prior systems, a user would identify various programming desirable to be downloaded prior to broadcast and thereafter, during the broadcast, storing the content on a local memory device. The present disclosure allows prior broadcasted programming to be received at various times after the program is broadcast. This provides a significant benefit to the user so they may access more content.
Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification and the following claims.
