Program storage, retrieval and management based on segmentation messages
AssigneeTime Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
InventorsJohn B. Carlucci, Louis D. Williamson, John W. Callahan, Erik G. Urdang, David M. Kimble, Thomas Gonder, Joseph Buehl
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed.
Claims27
A method of storing expanses of portions of program signal streams by a program content distribution system, the method comprising:
- receiving program signal streams from a plurality of sources of program content by a program content distribution system, the program signal stream comprising sequences of programs provided serially, wherein at least one of the program signal streams comprises at least one segmentation message defining a start of an expanse of the respective program signal stream and an end of the expanse based, at least in part, on a position of a respective segmentation message in the program signal stream;
- segmenting by the distribution system the at least one respective program signal stream into the expanse based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message, as the at least one program signal stream is received;
- creating an asset containing the expanse based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message, by the distribution system;
- and
- storing the created asset by the distribution system.
A method of generating a program signal stream comprising:
- creating a program signal stream comprising a serial sequence of programs, by a processor;
- inserting at least one segmentation message in the program signal stream, the at least one segmentation message defining, in units of time with respect to progression of the program signal stream, an amount of time to a start of an expanse of the program, by the processor;
- and
- transmitting the program signal stream including the expanse and the at least one segmentation message to a program content distribution system.
A system for storing an expanse of a portion of a program signal stream, the system comprising:
- a receiver to receive program signal streams from a plurality of sources, the program signal stream comprising sequences of programs provided serially, wherein at least one of the program signal streams comprises at least one segmentation message defining a start of an expanse of the respective program signal stream and an end of the expanse;
- at least one processor to receive the program signal streams from the receiver;
- and
- memory;
- wherein the at least one processor is programmed to:
- segment the at least one respective program signal stream into an expanse based, at least in part, on a position of the at least one segmentation message in the program stream, as a program signal stream is received;
- and
- create an asset containing the expanse based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message;
- and
- store the created asset in the memory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.