Systems and methods for caching data in media-on-demand systems
View Patent ↗Systems and methods may be provided for retrieving non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data that is provided by separate data sources. On-demand media data may be cached to reduce system latencies and the burden on the distribution network.
1. A method for retrieving data for use in an interactive television application system having an interactive television application implemented at least partially on user television equipment, in which non-on-demand media data is provided by a non-on-demand media data source and a plurality of on-demand media data is provided by an on-demand media data source, and wherein the non-on-demand and on-demand media data sources are separate, comprising:
receiving a broadcast of the non-on-demand media data from the non-on-demand media data source;
receiving a first user request to display a set of on-demand media data;
in response to receiving the first user request:
displaying the set of on-demand media data; and
automatically retrieving, from the on-demand media data source, additional on-demand media data that corresponds to the displayed set of on-demand media data and that is different from the displayed set of on-demand media data through a client-server connection;
automatically storing the retrieved additional on-demand media data in a memory on the user television equipment;
receiving a second user request to access the additional on-demand media data, wherein the second user request is different from the first user request and is received after the additional on-demand media data is stored;
displaying the additional on-demand media data stored in the memory of the user television equipment in response to the second user request; and
displaying the non-on-demand media data in response to a user indication to access at least the non-on-demand data.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-on-demand media data received is television program listings data.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is genre data.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive television application software data.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is video-on-demand listings data.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is audio-on-demand listings data.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive video game listings data.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is weather data.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is sports statistics data.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is stock market data.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing metadata contemporaneously with non-on-demand media data.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing metadata contemporaneously with on-demand media data.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising retrieving on-demand media data from the on-demand media data source in response to a user selection of an on-demand media listing.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining if the on-demand media data is stored on the user television equipment.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining if on-demand media data needs to be retrieved from the on-demand media data source.
16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining whether a connection exists between the interactive television application system and the on-demand media data source.
17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising retrieving on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources.
18. The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources.
19. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data concurrently.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of on-demand media data includes a first page of on-demand media program listings and the additional on-demand media data includes a second page of on-demand media program listings.
21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of on-demand media data includes a plurality of categories and the additional on-demand media data includes a plurality of on-demand media program listings corresponding to one of the plurality of categories.
22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of on-demand media data includes a plurality of on-demand media program listings and the additional on-demand media data includes detailed information associated with the plurality of on-demand media program listings.
23. A non-transitory computer-readable media for retrieving data for use in an interactive television application system having an interactive television application implemented at least partially on user television equipment, in which non-on-demand media data is provided by a non-on-demand media data source and a plurality of on-demand media data is provided by a on-demand media data source, and wherein the on-demand and non-on-demand media data sources are separate, where the computer-readable media is encoded with machine-readable instructions for performing the method comprising:
receiving a broadcast of the non-on-demand media data from the non-on-demand media data source;
receiving a first user request to display a set of on-demand media data;
in response to receiving the first user request:
displaying the set of on-demand media data; and
automatically retrieving, from the on-demand media data source, additional on-demand media data that corresponds to the displayed set of on-demand media data and that is different from the displayed set of on-demand media data through a client-server connection;
automatically storing the retrieved additional on-demand media data in a memory on the user television equipment;
receiving a second user request to access the additional on-demand media data, wherein the second user request is different from the first user request and is received after the additional on-demand media data is stored;
displaying the additional on-demand media data stored in the memory of the user television equipment in response to the second user request; and
displaying the non-on-demand media data in response to a user indication to access at least the non-on-demand data.
24. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , wherein the non-on-demand media data received is television program listings data.
25. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is genre data.
26. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive television application software data.
27. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is video-on-demand listings data.
28. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is audio-on-demand listings data.
29. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive video game listings data.
30. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is weather data.
31. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is sports statistics data.
32. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is stock market data.
33. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for providing metadata contemporaneously with the non-on-demand media data.
34. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for providing metadata contemporaneously with the on-demand media data.
35. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for retrieving on-demand media data from the on-demand media data source in response to a user selection of an on-demand media listing.
36. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for determining if the on-demand media data is stored on the user television equipment.
37. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for determining if on-demand media data needs to be retrieved from the on-demand media data source.
38. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for determining whether a connection exists between the interactive television application system and the on-demand media data source.
39. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for retrieving on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources.
40. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for storing on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources.
41. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , the computer-readable media further encoded with machine-readable instructions for displaying non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data concurrently.
42. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , the computer-readable media further encoded with computer-readable instructions for automatically establishing a session with a server of the on-demand media data source.
43. The computer-readable media of claim 23 , wherein the retrieving is based on a viewing history stored on the user television equipment.
44. The computer-readable media of claim 43 , wherein the viewing history comprises at least one of on-demand media data that is commonly accessed by a user, on-demand media data that is likely to be accessed by the user and on-demand media data that is popular among a plurality of users.
45. The computer-readable media of claim 43 , wherein the viewing history is generated based on monitored user activity.
46. A system for retrieving data for use in an interactive television application system having an interactive television application implemented at least partially on user television equipment, in which non-on-demand media data is provided by a non-on-demand media data source and a plurality of on-demand media data is provided by a on-demand media data source, and wherein the on-demand and the non-on-demand media data sources are separate, comprising:
means for receiving a broadcast of the non-on-demand media data from the non-on-demand media data source;
means for receiving a first user request to display a set of on-demand media data;
in response to receiving the first user request:
means for displaying the set of on-demand media data; and
means for automatically retrieving, from the on-demand media data source, additional on-demand media data that corresponds to the displayed set of on-demand media data and that is different from the displayed set of on-demand media data through a client-server connection;
means for automatically storing the retrieved additional on-demand media data in a memory on the user television equipment;
means for receiving a second user request to access the additional on-demand media data, wherein the second user request is different from the first user request and is received after the additional on-demand media data is stored;
means for displaying the additional on-demand media data stored in the memory of the user television equipment in response to the second user request; and
means for displaying the non-on-demand media data in response to a user indication to access at least the non-on-demand data.
47. The system of claim 46 , wherein the non-on-demand media data received is television program listings data.
48. The system of claim 46 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is genre data.
49. The system of claim 46 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive television application software data.
50. The system of claim 46 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is video-on-demand listings data.
51. The system of claim 46 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is audio-on-demand listings data.
52. The system of claim 46 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive video game listings data.
53. The system of claim 46 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is weather data.
54. The system of claim 46 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is sports statistics data.
55. The system of claim 46 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is stock market data.
56. The system of claim 46 , further comprising means providing metadata contemporaneously with non-on-demand media data.
57. The system of claim 46 , further comprising means for providing metadata contemporaneously with on-demand media data.
58. The system of claim 46 , further comprising means for retrieving on-demand media data from the on-demand media data source in response to a user selection of an on-demand media listing.
59. The system of claim 46 , further comprising means for determining if the on-demand media data is stored on the user television equipment.
60. The system of claim 46 , further comprising means for determining if on-demand media data needs to be retrieved from the on-demand media data source.
61. The system of claim 46 , further comprising means for determining whether a connection exists between the interactive television application system and the on-demand media data source.
62. The system of claim 46 , further comprising means for retrieving on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources.
63. The system of claim 46 , further comprising means for storing on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources.
64. The system of claim 46 , further comprising means for displaying non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data concurrently.
65. The system of claim 46 , wherein the means for automatically establishing the client-server connection comprises means for automatically establishing a session with a server of the on-demand media data source.
66. The system of claim 46 , further comprising means for identifying the additional on-demand media data based on a viewing history stored on the user television equipment.
67. The system of claim 66 , wherein the viewing history comprises at least one of on-demand media data that is commonly accessed by a user, on-demand media data that is likely to be accessed by the user and on-demand media data that is popular among a plurality of users.
68. The system of claim 66 , wherein the viewing history is generated based on monitored user activity.
69. A system for retrieving data for use in an interactive television application system having an interactive television application implemented at least partially on user television equipment, in which non-on-demand media data is provided by a non-on-demand media data source and a plurality of on-demand media data is provided by an on-demand media data source, and wherein the non-on-demand and on-demand media data sources are separate, comprising:
a communications device for communicating with the on-demand media data source and non-on-demand media data source;
a memory;
a display device;
a user input device;
control circuitry programmed to:
direct the communications device to receive a broadcast of the non-on-demand media data from the non-on-demand media data source;
receive a first user request to display a set of on-demand media data;
in response to receiving the first user request:
display on the display device the set of on-demand media data; and
automatically direct the communications device to retrieve, from the on-demand media data source, additional on-demand media data that corresponds to the displayed set of on-demand media data and that is different from the displayed set of on-demand media data through a client-server connection;
automatically store the retrieved additional on-demand media data in the memory;
receive a second user request to access the additional on-demand media data, wherein the second user request is different from the first user request and is received after the additional on-demand media data is stored;
in response to receiving the second user request, direct the display device to display the additional on-demand media data stored in the memory; and
in response to receiving a user indication to access at least the non-on-demand media data from the user input device, direct the display device to display the non-on-demand media data.
70. The system of claim 69 , wherein the non-on-demand media data received is television program listings data.
71. The system of claim 69 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is genre data.
72. The system of claim 69 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive television application software data.
73. The system of claim 69 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is video-on-demand listings data.
74. The system of claim 69 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is audio-on-demand listings data.
75. The system of claim 69 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is interactive video game listings data.
76. The system of claim 69 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is weather data.
77. The system of claim 69 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is sports statistics data.
78. The system of claim 69 , wherein the on-demand media data retrieved is stock market data.
79. The system of claim 69 , wherein metadata is contemporaneously retrieved along with the non-on-demand media data.
80. The system of claim 69 , wherein metadata is contemporaneously retrieved with the on-demand media data.
81. The system of claim 69 , wherein the control circuitry is directed to determine if the on-demand media data is stored in the cache memory of the user television equipment.
82. The system of claim 69 , wherein the control circuitry is directed to determine if on-demand media data needs to be retrieved from the on-demand media data source.
83. The system of claim 69 , wherein the control circuitry is directed to determine whether a connection exists between the communications device and the on-demand media data source.
84. The system of claim 69 , wherein the control circuitry is directed to retrieve on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources using the communications device.
85. The system of claim 69 , wherein the control circuitry is directed to store on-demand media data from multiple on-demand media data sources in the memory.
86. The system of claim 69 , wherein the control circuitry is directed to display non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data concurrently on the display device.
87. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically establishing the client-server connection comprises automatically establishing a session with a server of the on-demand media data source.
88. The system of claim 69 , wherein the control circuitry is directed to automatically establish a session with a server of the on-demand media data source.
89. The system of claim 69 , wherein the control circuitry is directed to identify the additional on-demand media data based on a viewing history stored on the user television equipment.
90. The system of claim 89 , wherein the viewing history comprises at least one of on-demand media data that is commonly accessed by a user, on-demand media data that is likely to be accessed by the user and on-demand media data that is popular among a plurality of users.
91. The system of claim 89 , wherein the viewing history is generated based on monitored user activity.
92. A method for retrieving data for use with a user equipment device, the method comprising:
receiving a first user request to display a set of on-demand media data;
in response to receiving the first user request:
displaying the set of on-demand media data; and
automatically retrieving, from an on-demand media data source, additional on-demand media data that corresponds to the displayed set of on-demand media data and that is different from the displayed set of on-demand media data through a client-server connection;
automatically storing the retrieved additional on-demand media data in a memory of the user equipment device;
receiving a second user request to access the additional on-demand media data, wherein the second user request is different from the first user request and is received after the additional on-demand media data is stored;
displaying the additional on-demand media data stored in the memory of the user equipment device in response to the second user request.
93. A system for retrieving data for use with a user equipment device, the system comprising:
a display device;
a memory on the user equipment device; and
control circuitry configured to:
receive a first user request to display a set of on-demand media data;
in response to receiving the first user request:
display the set of on-demand media data on the display device; and
automatically retrieve, from an on-demand media data source, additional on-demand media data that corresponds to the displayed set of on-demand media data and that is different from the displayed set of on-demand media data through a client-server connection;
automatically store the retrieved additional on-demand media data in the memory;
receive a second user request to access the additional on-demand media data, wherein the second user request is different from the first user request and is received after the additional on-demand media data is stored;
display, on the display device, the additional on-demand media data stored in the memory in response to the second user request.