# US 8,752,104 B2 · Technique for effectively providing various entertainment services through a communications network

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- Number: US 8,752,104 B2
- Document ID: US8752104B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/589,579
- Filed: 2009-10-26
- Published: 2010-02-25
- Granted: 2014-06-10
- Earliest claimed: 2002-05-03
- Assignees: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
- Applicants: John B. Carlucci; Louis D. Williamson
- Inventors: John B. Carlucci; Louis D. Williamson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8752104B2

## 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 program material to a plurality of devices in an area via a communications network, the system comprising:
a first processing device configured to:
receive program content from a plurality of sources in the form of respective program streams to be provided to users in accordance with a first, broadcast service for sharing among devices in an area or a second, on demand service for exclusive use by a requesting device;
reformat the program streams into first and second single program stream transport streams encoded at a constant bit rate, the first single program transport streams containing respective program material to be provided to devices in accordance with the first, broadcast service and the second single program stream transport streams to be provided in accordance with the second, on demand service; and
store respective second single program stream transport streams to be provided in accordance with the second, on demand service, in a storage device as respective assets; and
at least one mechanism configured to:
integrate first single program stream transport streams into first multiple program stream transport streams; and
provide the first multiple program stream transport streams to the area in accordance with the first, broadcast service via the network for sharing among devices in the area, each of the first single program stream transport streams being received by one or more devices in the area;
wherein the system further comprises:
at least one second processing device configured to:
withhold provision of a respective first single program stream transport stream to the area if no devices in the area are to receive the respective first single program stream transport stream, thereby making available transmission capacity for a second single program stream transport stream to be provided to a device in the area in accordance with the second, on demand service;
receive requests for program material associated with the second, on demand service, from respective devices in an area; and
generate the second single program stream transport streams from the stored assets containing the requested program materials in accordance with the second, on demand service for exclusive use by respective requesting devices;
wherein the at least one mechanism is further configured to:
integrate at least one of the generated second single program stream transport streams with at least one first single program stream transport stream to be provided to the area in at least a portion of the transmission capacity made available by withholding provision of a respective first single program stream transport stream, to form second multiple program stream transport streams; and
provide the second multiple program stream transport streams to the area.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one second processing device is further configured to:
identify to respective second devices respective first program stream transport streams containing the requested program material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one second processing device is further configured to track a number of devices in the area selecting each channel associated with the first, broadcast service.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a control element to block respective first program stream transport streams from delivery to the area under the control of the second processing device, if no devices in the area select a respective channel associated with the respective first program stream.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the second, on demand service allows manipulation of presentations of requested program material in second program stream transport streams.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the second, on demand service includes program material provided according to a broadcast schedule.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein: the network comprises a cable television network; and at least some of the devices in the area include a set-top terminal for receiving cable television broadcast via the cable television network.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a service area node coupling the plurality of devices in the area to the network.

### Claim 9

A system for providing program material to a plurality of devices in an area via a communications network, the system comprising:
a first processing device configured to:
receive program content from a plurality of sources in the form of respective program streams to be provided to users in accordance with a first, broadcast service for sharing among devices in an area or a second, on demand service for exclusive use by a requesting device;
store respective second single program stream transport streams to be provided in accordance with the second, on demand service, in a storage device as assets;
generate at least one file to manipulate respective program content in accordance with the second, on demand program service, the at least one file being based on a respective second single program stream; and
store the at least one file in the storage device in addition to storing the second single program stream;
the system further comprising:
at least one mechanism configured to provide multiple program stream transport streams comprising multiple first program stream transport streams containing respective program material to the area in accordance with a first, broadcast service for sharing among devices in the area, in at least one transport stream, via the network, the respective first program stream transport streams being received by at least one device in the area;
at least one second processing device configured to:
receive requests for program material attributed to at least one selected channel associated with the first, broadcast service or the second, on demand service, respectively, from respective devices in an area;
for requests for program material attributed to selected program channels associated with the first, broadcast service, identify to requesting devices respective first single program stream transport streams containing the requested program material, and identify the respective multiple program stream transport stream containing the respective single program stream transport stream to the respective requesting devices;
withhold provision of a respective first single program stream transport stream to the area if no devices in the area select a respective channel associated with the respective first single program stream transport stream, thereby making available transmission capacity in the at least one transport stream for a second single program stream transport stream to be provided to a device in the area in accordance with the second on demand service;
for requests for selected program channels associated with the second, on demand service, generate second single program stream transport streams containing the requested program material for exclusive use by respective requesting devices, from the stored respective second single program stream transport streams;
for requests to manipulate program material provided in accordance with the second, on demand service, generate respective third single program stream transport streams based, at least in part, on the at least one respective file; and
integrate the generated second single program stream transport streams and generated third single program stream transport streams with first single program stream transport streams in the at least one multiple program stream transport stream to be provided to the area by the mechanism, in at least a portion of the transmission capacity made available by withholding provision of respective first program stream transport streams, the respective second and third program stream transport streams being for the exclusive use of respective requesting devices.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, further comprising a control element to block respective first program stream transport streams from delivery to the area under the control of the at least one processing unit, if no devices in the area select a respective channel associated with the respective first program stream transport stream.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein manipulation of a presentation of the requested program material comprises rewinding or fast forwarding the requested program material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein:
the communications network comprises a cable television network; and
at least some of the devices in the area include a set-top terminal for receiving cable television broadcast via the cable television network.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, further comprising a service area node coupling the plurality of devices in the area to the network.

### Claim 14

A method for providing program material to a plurality of devices in an area via a communications network, the method comprising:
receiving program content from a plurality of sources in the form of respective program streams to be provided to users in accordance with a first, broadcast service for sharing among devices in an area or a second, on demand service for exclusive use by a requesting device;
reformatting the program streams into respective first and second single program stream transport streams encoded at a constant bit rate;
storing the second single program stream transport streams in storage device as assets;
providing the first single program stream transport streams containing program material to the area in accordance with the first, broadcast service via a cable television network, for sharing among devices in the area in first multiple program stream transport streams;
receiving requests for program material associated with the second, on demand service, from respective devices in the area;
generating second single program stream transport streams in response to the requests for program material associated with the second on demand service, from the stored assets, for exclusive use by respective requesting devices;
withholding provision to the area of respective first single program stream transport streams not received by any device in the area, thereby making available transmission capacity for the second single program stream transport stream;
integrating at least one of the generated second single program stream transport streams with at least one first single program stream transport stream provided to the area in at least a portion of the transmission capacity made available by withholding provision of respective first single program stream transport streams, to form second multiple program stream transport streams; and
provide the second multiple program stream transport streams to the area including at least one second single program stream transport stream.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising:
receiving second requests for program material associated with the first, broadcast service from respective devices in an area; and
identifying to requesting devices respective first program stream transport streams containing the requested program material.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising:
tracking a number of devices in the area selecting each channel associated with the first service.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, comprising withholding provision of respective first program stream transport streams by blocking the respective first program stream transport streams associated with non-selected channels from delivery to the area.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising:
receiving requests to manipulate presentation of program material in second program stream transport streams from respective devices; and
manipulating the presentations of the provided program material, in accordance with the requests.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, comprising providing program material in accordance with the second, on demand service, according to a broadcast schedule.

### Claim 20 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, comprising: receiving the requests from set-top terminals for receiving cable TV.

### Claim 21 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, comprising:
receiving the first and second requests from devices in the area and providing the first and second program stream transport streams to respective devices through a service area node.

### Claim 22 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, comprising:
receiving first requests for program material attributed to at least one channel associated with the second, on demand service; and
receiving second requests for program material attributed to at least one channel associated with the first, broadcast service.

### Claim 23 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one second processor is further configured to:
track a number of devices in the area selecting each channel associated with the first service.

### Claim 24 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein, in response to the request to manipulate program content in accordance with the second, on demand service from a requesting device, the at least one second processor is further configured to:
halt transmission of a second single program transport stream to the requesting device, in the respective first multiple program stream transport stream; and
start transmission of the generated third single program transport stream to the requesting device for exclusive use by the requesting device; and
in response to a request to stop manipulating the program content, halt transmission of the generated third single program transport steam; and
resume transmission of the second single program streams transport stream at an appropriate location, in the first multiple program stream transport stream.

### Claim 25 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the program streams are reformatted into first and second single program stream MPEG transport streams.

### Claim 26 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, comprising reformatting the program streams into first and second single program stream MPEG transport streams.