# US 7,610,606 B2 · Technique for effectively providing various entertainment services through a communications network

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- Number: US 7,610,606 B2
- Document ID: US7610606B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/000,844
- Filed: 2004-12-01
- Published: 2005-06-02
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2002-05-03
- Assignees: Time Warner Cable Inc.
- Inventors: John B. Carlucci; Louis D. Williamson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610606B2

## CPC

- G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
- H04N 5/782: on tape
- H04N 7/17318: {Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests}
- H04N 7/17327: {with deferred transmission or handling of upstream communications}
- H04N 7/17336: {Handling of requests in head-ends}
- H04N 21/2221: {being a cable television head-end (CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78)}
- H04N 21/235: Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
- H04N 21/23614: {Multiplexing of additional data and video streams (arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28)}
- H04N 21/2385: Channel allocation (H04N21/266 takes precedence); Bandwidth allocation (H04N21/24 takes precedence {; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16})
- 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)}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/242: Synchronisation processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Programme Clock References] {(arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18)}
- H04N 21/2625: {for delaying content or additional data distribution, e.g. because of an extended sport event}
- H04N 21/2747: Remote storage of video programmes received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
- H04N 21/4316: {for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/4331: {Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback}
- H04N 21/4333: {Processing operations in response to a pause request}
- 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)}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/435: Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
- 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)}
- H04N 21/454: Content {or additional data} filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
- H04N 21/47202: {for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/4722: for requesting additional data associated with the content
- H04N 21/482: End-user interface for programme selection
- 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)}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/6587: Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
- H04N 21/8545: for generating interactive applications
- H04H 20/06: among broadcast stations
- H04H 60/46: for recognising users' preferences
- H04N 5/45: Picture in picture {, e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen}
- H04N 5/602: {for digital sound signals}
- 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)}
- 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}
- H04N 21/426: Internal components of the client {; Characteristics thereof} (H04N5/44 takes precedence)
- H04N 21/47: End-user applications
- H04N 21/478: Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04H: BROADCAST COMMUNICATION (multiplex communication H04J; pictorial communication aspects of broadcast systems H04N)

## Abstract

A switched broadcast service and a network personal video recorder (NPVR) service are provided synergistically in a cable TV system having limited resources. For example, in providing the switched broadcast service, a resource manager allocates network bandwidth for broadcast of materials from selected program channels on an as needed basis. Such allocation is conducive to an effective provision of the NPVR service which requires dedicated bandwidth for transmitting recorded broadcast program material in a headend to each set-top terminal requesting the NPVR service. Thus, unlike the switched broadcast service where a program stream containing program material is shared by one or more set-top terminals, the NPVR service provides a dedicated program stream to each set-top terminal so that a user at the terminal may manipulate (e.g., rewind, pause and/or fast-forward) a presentation of program material at will.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for providing at least first and second services in an integrated fashion to deliver program material via a hub to a plurality of devices in an area coupled to the hub, comprising:
an interface for receiving a request for program material attributed to a selected program channel from a device in the area; and
at least one processing unit responsive to the request for determining whether the selected program channel is associated with the first service or the second service, wherein the at least one processing unit is configured to:
if the selected program channel is associated with the first service, identify to the device a program stream of a first type containing the requested program material, the program stream of the first type being provided to the area for sharing with other devices in the area, thereby making available transmission capacity;
if a program channel associated with the first service is not selected by any device in the area, provide no program stream of the first type containing the non-selected channel to the hub for delivery to the area; and
if the selected program channel is associated with the second service, generating a program stream of a second type which contains the requested program material for exclusive use by the device, and integrating the program stream of the second type with at least one program stream of the first type in a transport stream transmitted to the area.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first service includes a broadcast service.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the second service allows a manipulation of a presentation of the requested program material in the program stream of the second type.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein the manipulation includes at least one of rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the requested program material in the program stream of the second type includes programming content which is provided according to a broadcast schedule.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the transport stream is encoded in accordance with an MPEG-2 scheme.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a set-top terminal for receiving cable TV.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the area is associated with a service area node.

### Claim 9

a system for allocating limited resources for realizing at least first and second services in an integrated fashion to deliver program material to an area, comprising:
a mechanism for providing one or more program streams containing broadcast program material to the area in realizing the first service, each of the one or more program streams being received by one or more devices in the area; a control element for withholding provision of a selected one of the program streams to the area when the number of devices in the area receiving the selected program stream becomes zero, thereby making available transmission capacity;
an interface for receiving a request for the second service from a certain device in the area; and
a processing unit responsive to the request for allocating at least part of the available transmission capacity for providing a program stream containing program material for exclusive use by the certain device.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the communications network includes a cable network.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the first service includes a broadcast service.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the second service allows a manipulation of a presentation of the program material in the program stream provided for exclusive use by the certain device.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the manipulation includes at least one of rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the program material in the program stream provided for exclusive use by the certain device includes programming content which is provided according to a broadcast schedule.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the certain device includes a set-top terminal for receiving cable TV.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the area is associated with a service area node.

### Claim 17

A method for providing at least first and second services in an integrated fashion to deliver program material via a hub to a plurality of devices in an area coupled to the hub, comprising:
an interface for receiving a request for program material attributed to a selected program channel from a device in the area; and
at least one processing unit responsive to the request for determining whether the selected program channel is associated with the first service or the second service, wherein the at least one processing unit is configured to:
if the selected program channel is associated with the first service, identify to the device a program stream of a first type containing the requested program material, the program stream of the first type being provided to the area for sharing with other devices in the area, thereby making available transmission capacity;
if a program channel associated with the first service is not selected by any device in the area, provide no program stream of the first type containing the non-selected channel to the hub for delivery to the area; and
if the selected program channel is associated with the second service, generating a program stream of a second type which contains the requested program material for exclusive use by the device, and integrating the program stream of the second type with at least one program stream of the first type in a transport stream transmitted to the area.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the first service includes a broadcast service.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the second service allows a manipulation of a presentation of the requested program material in the program stream of the second type.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein the manipulation includes at least one of rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the requested program material in the program stream of the second type includes programming content which is provided according to a broadcast schedule.

### Claim 22 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the transport stream is encoded in accordance with an MPEG-2 scheme.

### Claim 23 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the device includes a set-top terminal for receiving cable TV.

### Claim 24 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the area is associated with a service area node.

### Claim 25

a method for allocating limited resources for realizing at least first and second services in an integrated fashion to deliver program material to an area, comprising:
providing one or more program streams containing broadcast program material to the area in realizing the first service, each of the one or more program streams being received by one or more devices in the area;
withholding provision of a selected one of the program streams to the area when the number of devices in the area receiving the selected program stream becomes zero, thereby making available transmission capacity;
receiving a request for the second service from a certain device in the area and
in response to the request, allocating at least part of the available transmission capacity for providing a program stream containing program material for exclusive use by the certain device.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the communications network includes a cable network.

### Claim 27 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the first service includes a broadcast service.

### Claim 28 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the second service allows a manipulation of a presentation of the program material in the program stream provided for exclusive use by the certain device.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The method of claim 28, wherein the manipulation includes at least one of rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding.

### Claim 30 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the program material in the program stream provided for exclusive use by the certain device includes programming content which is provided according to a broadcast schedule.

### Claim 31 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the certain device includes a set-top terminal for receiving cable TV.

### Claim 32 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the area is associated with a service area node.

### Claim 33

a system or method for allocating transmission channel for realizing at least first and second services in an integrated fashion to deliver program material to an area, comprising:
at least one interface to receive requests for program material attributed to a selected program channel from devices in an area; and
at least one processing unit coupled to the interface, the at least one processing unit being configured to:
receive the requests from the interface;
determine if a requested program channel is associated with a first, broadcast service providing programming for sharing among a plurality of devices, or a second service providing programming for exclusive use by the a requesting device;
allocate a transmission channel for a program stream provided to the area in realizing the first service, only when at least one device in the area has requested a respective program stream attributed to the particular program channel, thereby making available transmission capacity;
allocate at least part of an available transmission channel to provide a program stream containing program material for exclusive use by the requesting device, in realizing the second service.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

The system of claim 33, further comprising:
a hub to couple the system to a plurality of devices in the area, wherein the program material is provided to requesting devices along the allocated channel via the hub.

### Claim 35

a system or method for allocating transmission channel for realizing at least first and second services in an integrated fashion to deliver program material to an area, comprising:
at least one interface to receive requests for program material attributed to a selected program channel from devices in an area; and
at least one processing unit coupled to the interface, the at least one processing unit being configured to:
receive the requests from the interface;
determine if a requested program channel is associated with a first, broadcast service providing programming for sharing among a plurality of devices, or a second service providing programming for exclusive use by the a requesting device;
allocate a transmission channel for a program stream provided to the area in realizing the first service, only when at least one device in the area has requested a respective program stream attributed to the particular program channel, thereby making available transmission capacity;
allocate at least part of an available transmission channel to provide a program stream containing program material for exclusive use by the requesting device, in realizing the second service.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The method of claim 35, comprising providing requested program material to a device along an allocated channel, via a hub.