# US 7,614,070 B2 · Technique for synchronizing deliveries of information and entertainment in a communications network > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,614,070 B2 - Document ID: US7614070B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/515,491 - Filed: 2006-09-01 - Published: 2007-04-19 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2002-05-03 - Assignees: Time Warner Interactive Video Group, Inc. - Inventors: Erik G. Urdang; Louis D. Williamson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7614070B2 ## CPC - 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)} - 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 21/2408: {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 21/2625: {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 21/426: Internal components of the client {; Characteristics thereof} (H04N5/44 takes precedence) - 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 21/4335: 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 21/47214: {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 21/6587: Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection - H04N 21/8545: for generating interactive applications - H04H 20/22: Arrangements for broadcast of identical information via plural broadcast systems - 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 21/4316: {for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window} - H04N 21/47: End-user applications - H04N 21/478: Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04H: BROADCAST COMMUNICATION (multiplex communication H04J; pictorial communication aspects of broadcast systems H04N) ## Abstract In a broadband communications system, e.g., a cable system, a broadcast program stream is transmitted to broadcast programming content, and the broadcast program stream is recorded in a headend of the system to enable a user to perform network private video recorder (NPVR) functions (e.g., rewinding, pausing, and fast-forwarding) on the programming content in the recorded program stream. In accordance with the invention, a delay is introduced into the transmission of the broadcast program stream to reduce the unsynchronization between its transmission and that of the recorded program stream. In an illustrative embodiment, the amount of the delay is a function of the time required for recording the broadcast program stream and processing a user request for a recorded program stream. In another embodiment, the amount of the delay is predetermined. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A communications system for delivering programming content, comprising: a first transmitting device for transmitting a first program stream containing the programming content; a server for generating a second program stream containing a copy of the programming content; a second transmitting device for transmitting the second program stream, transmission of the second program stream lagging behind transmission of the first program stream; and a controlling device for introducing a delay into the transmission of the first program stream to thereby reduce the amount of time transmission of the copy of the programming content in the second program stream lags behind transmission of the programming content in the first program stream. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said first program stream is a broadcast program stream which is supplied to multiple different set top terminals. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 further comprising: a processor for determining the amount of delay introduced into the first program stream; and a buffer which is responsive to said processor for storing the program content for a period of time corresponding to the amount of delay determined by the processor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising an interface for receiving a signal from a user terminal, the second program stream being provided to the user terminal in response to the received signal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4 wherein the received signal includes a request for performing a selected one of rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding functions on the programming content. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the second program stream is provided to a user terminal, and upon detection of a condition, the first program stream is provided to the user terminal in lieu of the second program stream. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6 wherein the copy of the programming content includes a copy of program material being currently broadcast, and the condition occurs when the user terminal receives the copy of program material being currently broadcast. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a mechanism for measuring at least one processing time associated with providing the second program stream, said measured time being used in controlling the delay introduced into the first program stream. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the second program stream is transmitted upon a request received by the system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the delay is effected by allocating a storage space for temporarily storing the first program stream. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the second program stream is manipulatable to perform a selected one of a rewinding, a pausing and a fast-forwarding function on the copy of the programming content. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein an amount of the delay is limited by an upper bound. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein an amount of the delay is predetermined. ### Claim 14 A communications system for delivering programming content, comprising: a first transmitting device for transmitting a first program stream containing the programming content; a server for providing a second program stream containing a copy of the programming content; a second transmitting device for transmitting the second program stream; a mechanism for measuring at least one processing time for providing the second program stream; and a controlling device for introducing a delay into transmission of the first program stream to compensate for at least the processing time. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein the delay is adjustable. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the delay is adjusted periodically. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein the at least one processing time includes a duration for recording the programming content. ### Claim 18 A communications system for delivering programming content, comprising: a first transmitting device for transmitting a broadcast program stream containing the programming content to multiple terminals; a server for generating a second program stream containing a copy of the programming content; a second transmitting device for transmitting the second program stream, transmission of the copy of the programming content in second program stream lagging behind transmission of the programming content in the broadcast program stream; and a processor for controlling a transmission start delay which causes the first transmitting device to start transmission of the programming content later than a scheduled broadcast time thereby reducing the amount of time transmission of the copy of the program content in the second program stream lags behind transmission of the program content in the broadcast program stream. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, further comprising: a buffer which is responsive to said processor for storing the program content for a period of time corresponding to said transmission start delay, said transmission start delay being adjustable. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18 further comprising: an interface for receiving a signal from a user terminal, the second program stream being provided to the user terminal in response to the received signal.