Virtual video on demand using multiple encrypted video segments
AssigneeThe DIRECTV Group, Inc.
InventorsRobert G. Arsenault, Leon J. Stanger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing a virtual video on demand services is disclosed. The method and apparatus disclose the storing of a segment of the video program in advance for VOD viewing at a later time. When the subscriber selects VOD service, a pre-stored video segment is retrieved for presentation to the subscriber. Remaining video program segments simultaneously broadcast on a plurality of channels are recorded in parallel while the pre-stored video program segment is retrieved and presented to the user.
Claims16
A method of storing a video program in response to a user demand, wherein the video program is repeatedly transmitted on one of a plurality of channels, each repeated transmission separated in time from a preceding transmission of the video program by a retransmission interval and being transmitted on a different channel than the previous transmission, the method comprising the steps of:
- selecting at least one of a plurality of video programs;
- and
- receiving a plurality of time segments of the selected video program in parallel, wherein each of the time segments is received on a different one of the channels.
An apparatus for storing a video program in response to a user demand, wherein the video program is repeatedly transmitted on one of a plurality of channels, each repeated transmission separated in time from a preceding transmission of the video program by a retransmission interval and being transmitted on a different channel than the previous transmission, the apparatus comprising:
- means for selecting at least one of a plurality of video programs;
- and
- means for receiving a plurality of time segments of the selected video program in parallel, wherein each of the time segments is received on a different one of the channels.
An apparatus for providing a video program in response to a user demand, wherein the video program is repeatedly transmitted on one of a plurality of channels, each repeated transmission temporally separated from a previous transmission by a retransmission interval and being transmitted on a different channel than the previous transmission, the apparatus comprising:
- an input device for accepting a selection of at least one of a plurality of video programs for VOD service;
- a tuner for receiving multiple segments of the selected video program in parallel, wherein each segment is received on one of the plurality of channels;
- and
- a storage device, for pre-storing a first segment of the selected video program, and for storing subsequent segments of the selected video program in parallel while retrieving the pre-stored first segment of the selected video program.
An apparatus for providing a video program transmitted in time segments on a plurality of channels in response to a user demand, comprising:
- an input device for accepting a selection of at least one of a plurality of video programs for VOD service;
- a tuner for receiving time segments of the selected video program in parallel, wherein each segment is received on one of the plurality of channels;
- and
- a storage device, for storing the time segments of the selected video program in parallel wherein each of the time segments is received on a different one of the channels.
A method of pre-storing a video program to be later provided in response to a user demand, wherein the video program is repeatedly transmitted on one of a plurality of channels, each repeated transmission temporally separated from a previous transmission by a retransmission interval and being transmitted on a different channel than the previous transmission, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving and storing a first segment of a selected video program in a local storage device before accepting a user to view the video program, wherein a temporal length of the first segment is substantially equivalent to the retransmission interval;
- and
- wherein portions of the first segment are received and stored on the plurality of channels in parallel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.