Patent Application
20120060194
NOT APPLICABLE
NOT APPLICABLE
NOT APPLICABLE
The present invention relates to television delivery systems. More particularly, and not by way of limitation, the present invention is directed to a system and method enabling a television programming network, or other content owner, to control time-shift television recording at a service provider network.
Current Time-Shift Television (TSTV) systems have the ability to monitor a linear television program stream and to record specific programs from programming networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, and the like. Typically in a TSTV system, the recordings are scheduled by the use of a feed from an Electronic Program Guide (EPG), or though a manual scheduling process set up by service provider personnel (i.e., cable or satellite TV operators). The TSTV system then uses the times defined in the EPG or schedule to record programs to files. These files are used to implement time-shift services such as StartOver, Catchup, Pause Live TV, and Video-On-Demand (VOD).
TSTV Systems are operated by service providers such as cable or satellite operators, and are not directly linked with any component of the programming network operations. TSTV Systems may be located in the service provider's head end or other location within the service provider's network. The systems are fully managed by the service provider; and are dependent upon the accuracy of the EPG or schedule information used by the service provider to be effective. This causes several problems. First, the schedule information such as the EPG information may be incorrect, and consequently, recordings may not be correctly recorded. Second, the EPG information may not accurately reflect when programs actually start or end, causing the recording to miss part of the program at the beginning or end. Third, last minute updates to programming by the programming networks cannot be supported. Finally, programming networks have no control over the TSTV recording.
The present invention provides an explicit link from the programming network to the service provider's TSTV system to allow exact control of TSTV recording. In one embodiment, a Push TSTV system at the programming network injects metadata into the Broadcast Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) media stream at origination. The metadata provides accurate and up-to-date scheduling and other recording information for use by the service provider head end. A TSTV Recording system at the service provider network then uses the metadata to schedule and set up recordings rather than, or in addition to, using the EPG information currently used.
In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of enabling a television programming network to control recording of television programs by a service provider network, wherein the programming network transmits the television programs to the service provider network, and the service provider network records the television programs for time-shifted delivery to end users. The method includes the steps of sending recording instructions from the programming network to the service provider network; and recording the television programs by the service provider network in accordance with the recording instructions.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus in a television programming network for controlling recording of television programs by at least one service provider network, wherein the programming network transmits the television programs to the service provider network, and the service provider network records the television programs for time-shifted delivery to end users. The apparatus includes a scheduler for determining scheduling information for the television programs; means for creating recording instructions based on the scheduling information; and means for sending the recording instructions from the programming network to the service provider network.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to an apparatus in a service provider network for recording television programs received from a television programming network, wherein the service provider network records the programs for time-shifted delivery to end users. The apparatus includes means for receiving recording instructions from the television programming network; and means for recording the television programs in accordance with the received recording instructions.
The invention improves TSTV programming in two ways. First, it provides an explicit mechanism to accurately send and receive recording instructions for programs; the information is provided directly by the programming network, so it is accurate and up-to-date. Second, the invention enables programming networks to fully control TSTV recording, or better control recordings based upon agreements with service providers. Programming networks can provide through the metadata, explicit instructions on what can be recorded, editing rules and marks for content, and the rights granted to different service providers.
In the following section, the invention will be described with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, in which:
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. Additionally, it should be understood that the invention can be implemented to enable any content owner to provide more control and accuracy to the time-shift recording of programs at a service provider network. Therefore, the term “programming network” should be construed to include not only conventional television programming networks, but also other content owners who may provide programs to service provider networks such as cable, satellite, or broadcast television providers.
A Push TSTV system in accordance with the present invention provides a mechanism for the programming network to provide more control and accuracy to the time-shift recording of programs. In this system, the programming network injects private metadata (such as CableLabs Asset Distribution Interface (ADI) 1.1 with enhancements) into the MPEG program stream to deliver scheduling and other recording information over the live broadcast stream. The MPEG private data are used by the TSTV system directly to schedule and record programs, including scheduling of last-minute changes.
The TSTV Recording system 12 includes a broadcast receiver 18, a metadata extractor 19, a Recording Control System (RCS) 21, a Recording Manager (22), a recording system 23, and a storage memory 24 for storing recorded program files. The metadata extractor may be implemented as an Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) application that is used by either a component in the head end, or by an end-user device. The broadcast receiver receives the broadcast stream 17 including the Private Data Channel. The metadata extractor accesses the Private Data Channel, extracts the metadata, and sends it to the RCS 21. Conventionally, the RCS reads the incoming schedules from an EPG, or other sources, and helps users set up the television programs they want to record. In the present invention, the RCS reads the metadata received from the programming network and uses it to replace or augment the EPG scheduling information. The RCS also enables the users to establish and control rights over what can and should be recorded according to agreements between content providers, programming networks, and service providers.
The RCS delivers recording instructions (for example, “program x on channel y”) to the RM 22 for active management of the recording system 23. The RM then instructs the recording system to start and stop recording at given times, on what channel, and the like. The recording instructions may also instruct the recording system to start recording or stop recording immediately. At the end of the recording, the RM may deliver the metadata for the recording to the end-user's system or to the storage memory 24.
At step 34, the Programming Network 11 broadcasts the MPEG stream normally to the service provider 12. The private data channel is included in that stream. At step 35, the broadcast receiver 18 in the head end of the service provider receives the combined broadcast stream and directs the media stream to the recording system 23 and directs the private data channel to the metadata extractor 19. At step 36, the metadata extractor accesses the private data channel, extracts the metadata, and sends it to the RCS 21. The RCS creates recording instructions, which the RM 22 supplies to the recording system 23. At step 37, the recording system 23 uses the recording instructions to record programs in accordance with the scheduling information provided by the Programming Network. Timings of programs can be delivered so that they are frame accurate, allowing exact recording of the start and end of programs.
Some of the components at the Service Provider Network 12 may be operated either locally by the Service Provider or remotely by the Programming Network 11. The metadata included in the system may be augmented with other control instructions to give the Programming Network complete control over the TSTV recording system. Additionally, the components of the TSTV recording system may be located elsewhere than in the service provider's head end. For example, the components may be implemented in a home gateway, a customer set-top box, or other device not associated with the service provider.
In one embodiment, the system may also include a feedback loop to the Programming Network to provide confirmation of recordings and tracking of recording information.
In another embodiment, the metadata may be delivered out of band, through another connection such as, for example, the Internet.
As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the innovative concepts described in the present application can be modified and varied over a wide range of applications. Accordingly, the scope of patented subject matter should not be limited to any of the specific exemplary teachings discussed above, but is instead defined by the following claims.
