Network based digital information and entertainment storage and delivery system
Live television broadcast and other information and entertainment programs, e.g., videos-on-demand (VOD), are provided to a user through a communications network, e.g., a cable network. A processing unit is employed at an headend of the communications network to respond to user requests for PVR-like functions, e.g., pausing, rewinding and fast-forwarding, to be performed on the program content being viewed. The processing unit in accordance with the invention causes a delivery of an appropriate version of the program content to meet such user requests.
1 . Apparatus for facilitating provision of content of a broadcast program, comprising:
an interface for receiving one or more requests for accessing the content of the broadcast program, the one or more requests being receivable during at least one of (1) a first duration before the broadcast program is broadcast, and (2) a second duration after at least part of the broadcast program has been broadcast, the at least part of the broadcast program being unrecorded in the apparatus; and
a mechanism responsive to the one or more requests for allowing access to the content of the broadcast program, including the at least part of the broadcast program.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a set-top terminal.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more requests are transmitted from the apparatus through a communications network.
4 . A method for use in an apparatus for facilitating provision of content of a broadcast program, the method comprising:
receiving one or more requests for accessing the content of the broadcast program, the one or more requests being receivable during at least one of (1) a first duration before the broadcast program is broadcast, and (2) a second duration after at least part of the broadcast program has been broadcast, the at least part of the broadcast program being unrecorded in the apparatus; and
in response to the one or more requests, allowing access to the content of the broadcast program, including the at least part of the broadcast program.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the apparatus comprises a set-top terminal.
6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the one or more requests are transmitted from the apparatus through a communications network.
7 . A method for providing program content to a terminal at a user location, the method comprising:
receiving a request from a user to reserve a first program broadcast starting at a first time, for viewing starting at a second time different than the first time;
displaying to the user an option to reserve at least one second program related to the reserved program;
allowing access to the reserved programs.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the first program is an episode of a television series, the method comprising displaying an option to reserve all episodes of the television series.
9 . The method of claim 7 , comprising:
allowing access to a reserved program for a predetermined period of time after receiving the reservation.
10 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
informing the user if the predetermined time period for a respective reserved program has passed.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
offering the user an opportunity to archive the respective reserved program, if the predetermined time period for a respective reserved program has passed.
12 . The method of claim 11 , comprising:
offering the user an opportunity to archive the respective reserved program, for a fee.
13 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
displaying one of the reserved programs to the user, upon request of a user.
14 . A method of providing broadcast content to a terminal at a user location, the method comprising:
transmitting a program to a terminal at a user location;
transmitting a commercial to the terminal, while transmitting the program;
determining whether the terminal plays the entire commercial; and
compiling data concerning the extent the commercial is played.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the transmitted program comprises a program previously reserved by the user.
16 . A method of providing program content to a terminal at a user location, the method comprising:
receiving a request to reserve a first program broadcast starting at a first time for viewing via a first terminal at a first user location starting at a second time different than the first time, from a device different than the terminal; and
allowing access to the reserved program via the terminal.
17 . The method of claim 16 , comprising receiving the request via the Internet, the World Wide Web, a public switched telephone network, or a wireless telephone network.
18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
receiving program content by a headend of a cable television system, for broadcast in accordance with a broadcast schedule;
recording the program content by the headend;
delivering, through the communications network, the program content to terminals according to a broadcast schedule;
providing the reserved program to the terminal for display, upon request of the user.
19 . A method for delivering messages between subscribers at respective terminals of a cable television system, comprising:
receiving a message by a headend of a cable television system, from a first user at a first terminal at a first user location, for a second user at a second terminal at a second user location, via a cable television network;
determining the address of the second terminal, by the headend; and
sending the message to the second terminal, via the cable television network, by the headend.
20 . A method for delivering, through a communications network, program content to a terminal at a user location, the method comprising:
storing program content at a location remote from the user location, the recorded program content comprising, at least in part, I-frames defining the program content, each I-frame being identified by a respective I-frame identifier;
creating at least one file comprising an array of selected I-frame identifiers identifying respective I-frames of the recorded program content without the respective I-frames, for manipulating the stored program content, wherein the selected I-frame identifiers identify only certain of the I-frames of the recorded program content;
delivering, through the communications network, the program content to the terminal;
receiving, from the terminal, a request for performing an action on the recorded program content;
in response to the request, manipulating the recorded program content to meet the request based, at least in part, on at least one of the at least one files.