IP Library Granted Patent US 9,706,237
Granted Patent B2
US 9,706,237 · App. 13/798,070 · Granted Jul 11, 2017

TV playlist

Inventors: David Chen (Jamison, PA); Vipul Patel (Upper Holland, PA); Jian Yu (Warrington, PA); John Chen (Ashburn, VA); Marc Lawrence-Apfelbaum (New York, NY)
Assignee: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
H04N21/26258H04N21/42201H04N21/4586H04N21/466H04N21/4825H04N21/4828
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,706,237
App. No.
13/798,070
Granted
Jul 11, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A playlist server application is provided on a server at a first network node. A playlist local application is provided for a remote device. An indication of a change to a playlist on one of the server and the remote device is obtained from a corresponding one of the playlist server application and the playlist local application. The change is synchronized to another one of the server and the remote device.

Claims (83)

1. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a playlist server application at a first network node on at least one server;

persisting a playlist on said at least one server, wherein said playlist on said at least one server is a master copy playlist;

providing a playlist local application for a remote device;

obtaining, by said playlist server application, an indication of a change to said playlist from one of said playlist server application and said playlist local application, said indication of change comprising a designation of at least one content item from a location outside a multi-service operator system;

identifying a most current version of said playlist at one of said at least one server and said remote device, wherein said most current version of said playlist includes said change; and

synchronizing said change to one of said master copy playlist on said at least one server and a local copy of said playlist stored on said remote device.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising constructing said playlist by designating at least one content item available over a video content network of said multi-service operator system from each of:

said multi-service operator system; and

said location outside said multi-service operator system.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein, in said constructing step:

said at least one content item from said multi-service operator system is obtained from at least one of:

a video-on-demand server;

a live broadcast channel;

a local digital video reorder; and

a network digital video recorder; and

said at least one content item from said location outside said multi-service operator system is obtained from at least one of:

a live internet protocol television channel;

a desktop computing device having an internet protocol network connection;

a portable computing device having an internet protocol network connection; and

a video-sharing web site accessible over an internet protocol network connection.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein, in said constructing step:

said at least one content item from said multi-service operator system comprises:

at least one content item obtained from a video-on-demand server;

at least one content item obtained from a live broadcast channel;

at least one content item obtained from a local digital video reorder; and

at least one content item obtained from a network digital video recorder; and

said at least one content item from said location outside said multi-service operator system is obtained from at least one of:

at least one content item obtained from a live internet protocol television channel;

at least one content item obtained from a desktop computing device having an internet protocol network connection;

at least one content item obtained from a portable computing device having an internet protocol network connection; and

at least one content item obtained from a video-sharing web site accessible over an internet protocol network connection.

5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising playing said playlist including said at least one content item from said multi-service operator system and said at least one content item from said location outside said multi-service operator system at a given device.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein, in said playing step, said given device comprises said remote device, said remote device being capable of consuming said playlist content.

7. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

obtaining from a user a search query for at least one of a scene and a marker; and

carrying out a search for said at least one of a scene and a marker across all of said content items in said playlist.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said carrying out of said search comprises at least one of text searching in a closed caption, searching in metadata associated with one or more of said content items, and searching via automated content recognition.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said making of said change comprises initial construction of said playlist.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said synchronizing of said change comprises editing said playlist, said playlist being pre-existing, and wherein said playlist is one copy among multiple copies comprising said master copy playlist persistently stored at a user profile/configuration server and said local copy of playlist stored at said remote device, wherein each of said multiple copies of said playlist is timestamped, and wherein said synchronization of said change uses said most current version of said playlist having a latest timestamp among said multiple copies to update remaining ones of said multiple copies of said playlist.

11. A server for interfacing with a remote device, said server comprising:

at least one hardware processor;

at least one memory coupled to said at least one hardware processor and storing a master copy of a playlist persistently; and

a playlist server application software module, embodied on a non-transitory tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium;

wherein:

said playlist server application software module, when loaded into said memory, causes said at least one hardware processor to:

obtain, from said remote device, an indication of a change to a version of said playlist stored at said remote device, said indication of change comprising a designation of at least one content item from a location outside a multi-service operator system; and

synchronize said change to said master copy of said playlist stored in said at least one memory of said server.

12. The server of claim 11 , wherein said playlist server application software module, when loaded into said memory, further causes said at least one hardware processor to construct said playlist upon obtaining said designation of said at least one content item from each of:

said multi-service operator system; and

said location outside said multi-service operator system.

13. The server of claim 12 , wherein said playlist server application software module, when loaded into said memory, further causes said at least one hardware processor to:

obtain said at least one content item from said multi-service operator system from at least one of:

a video-on-demand server;

a live broadcast channel;

a local digital video reorder; and

a network digital video recorder; and

obtain said at least one content item from said location outside said multi-service operator system from at least one of:

a live internet protocol television channel;

a desktop computing device having an internet protocol network connection;

a portable computing device having an internet protocol network connection; and

a video-sharing web site accessible over an internet protocol network connection.

14. The server of claim 12 , wherein said playlist server application software module, when loaded into said memory, further causes said at least one hardware processor to:

obtain said at least one content item from said multi-service operator system as:

at least one content item obtained from a video-on-demand server;

at least one content item obtained from a live broadcast channel;

at least one content item obtained from a local digital video reorder; and

at least one content item obtained from a network digital video recorder; and

obtain said at least one content item from said location outside said multi-service operator system as:

at least one content item obtained from a live internet protocol television channel;

at least one content item obtained from a desktop computing device having an internet protocol network connection;

at least one content item obtained from a portable computing device having an internet protocol network connection; and

at least one content item obtained from a video-sharing web site accessible over an internet protocol network connection.

15. A remote device for interfacing with a server, said remote device comprising:

at least one hardware processor;

at least one memory coupled to said at least one hardware processor; and

a playlist local application software module, embodied on a non-transitory tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium; wherein:

said playlist local application software module, when loaded into said memory, causes said at least one hardware processor to:

obtain, from said server, an indication of a change to a master copy of a playlist stored at said server, said indication of change comprising a designation of at least one content item from a location outside a multi-service operator system; and

synchronize said change to a version of said playlist stored in said at least one memory of said remote device.

16. The remote device of claim 15 , wherein said playlist local application software module, when loaded into said memory, further causes said at least one hardware processor to construct said playlist using said designation of said at least one content item from each of:

said multi-service operator system; and

said location outside said multi-service operator system.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 11, 2019
From: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
To: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC
Reel/Frame 050338/0624 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2018
From: BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET LLC
To: WELLS FARGO TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 046630/0193 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2018
From: ADCAST NORTH CAROLINA CABLE ADVERTISING, LLC; ALABANZA LLC; AMERICA'S JOB EXCHANGE LLC; COAXIAL COMMUNICATIONS OF CENTRAL OHIO LLC; DUKENET COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC; DUKENET COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; ICI HOLDINGS, LLC; INSIGHT BLOCKER LLC; INSIGHT CAPITAL LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS MIDWEST, LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS OF CENTRAL OHIO, LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS OF KENTUCKY, L.P.; INSIGHT INTERACTIVE, LLC; INSIGHT KENTUCKY CAPITAL, LLC; INSIGHT KENTUCKY PARTNERS I, L.P.; INSIGHT KENTUCKY PARTNERS II, L.P.; INSIGHT MIDWEST HOLDINGS, LLC; INSIGHT MIDWEST, L.P.; INSIGHT PHONE OF INDIANA, LLC; INSIGHT PHONE OF KENTUCKY, LLC; INSIGHT PHONE OF OHIO, LLC; INTERACTIVE CABLE SERVICES, LLC; INTREPID ACQUISITION LLC; NAVISITE LLC; NEW WISCONSIN PROCUREMENT LLC; OCEANIC TIME WARNER CABLE LLC; PARITY ASSETS, LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE BUSINESS LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (ALABAMA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (ARIZONA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (CALIFORNIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (COLORADO), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (HAWAII), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (IDAHO), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (ILLINOIS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (INDIANA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (KANSAS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (KENTUCKY), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MAINE), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MASSACHUSETTS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MICHIGAN), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MISSOURI), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEBRASKA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW HAMPSHIRE), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW JERSEY), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW MEXICO) LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW YORK), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NORTH CAROLINA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (OHIO), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (PENNSYLVANIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (SOUTH CAROLINA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (TENNESSEE), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (TEXAS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (VIRGINIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (WASHINGTON), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (WEST VIRGINIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (WISCONSIN), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNATIONAL LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET HOLDINGS III LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET HOLDINGS LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE MEDIA LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE MIDWEST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE NEW YORK CITY LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE NORTHEAST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE PACIFIC WEST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE SERVICES LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE SOUTHEAST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE SPORTS LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE TEXAS LLC; TWC ADMINISTRATION LLC; TWC COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; TWC DIGITAL PHONE LLC; TWC MEDIA BLOCKER LLC; TWC NEWCO LLC; TWC NEWS AND LOCAL PROGRAMMING HOLDCO LLC; TWC NEWS AND LOCAL PROGRAMMING LLC; TWC REGIONAL SPORTS NETWORK I LLC; TWC SECURITY LLC; TWC SEE HOLDCO LLC; TWC WIRELESS LLC; TWC/CHARTER DALLAS CABLE ADVERTISING, LLC; TWCIS HOLDCO LLC; WISCONSIN PROCUREMENT HOLDCO LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS, LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (ALABAMA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (CALIFORNIA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (FLORIDA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (INDIANA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (MICHIGAN), LLC; BHN SPECTRUM INVESTMENTS, LLC; BHN HOME SECURITY SERVICES, LLC; AMERICAN CABLE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC; ATHENS CABLEVISION, LLC; AUSABLE CABLE TV, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND HOLDINGS, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF COLORADO, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF MONTANA, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF UTAH, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF WYOMING, LLC; BRESNAN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; BRESNAN DIGITAL SERVICES, LLC; BRESNAN MICROWAVE OF MONTANA, LLC; CABLE EQUITIES COLORADO, LLC; CABLE EQUITIES OF COLORADO MANAGEMENT LLC CC 10, LLC; CC FIBERLINK, LLC; CC MICHIGAN, LLC; CC SYSTEMS, LLC; CC V HOLDINGS, LLC; CC VI FIBERLINK, LLC; CC VI OPERATING COMPANY, LLC; CC VII FIBERLINK, LLC; CC VIII FIBERLINK, LLC; CC VIII HOLDINGS, LLC; CC VIII OPERATING, LLC; CC VIII, LLC; CCO FIBERLINK, LLC; CCO HOLDCO TRANSFERS VII, LLC; CCO LP, LLC; CCO NR HOLDINGS, LLC; CCO PURCHASING, LLC; CCO SOCAL I, LLC; CCO SOCAL II, LLC; CCO SOCAL VEHICLES, LLC; CCO TRANSFERS, LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (AL), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (CA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (CO), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (CT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (GA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (IL), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (IN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (KY), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (LA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MD), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MI), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MO), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MS), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NC), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NE), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NH), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NV), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NY), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (OH), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (OR), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (PA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (SC), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (TN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (TX), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (UT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (VA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (VT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WI), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WV), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WY), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES VIII (MI), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES VIII (MN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES VIII (WI), LLC; CHARTER ADVERTISING OF SAINT LOUIS, LLC; CHARTER CABLE OPERATING COMPANY, LLC; CHARTER CABLE PARTNERS, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT I, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT II, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OF CALIFORNIA, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING CAPITAL CORP.; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS PROPERTIES LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS V, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS VENTURES, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS VI, L.L.C.; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS VII, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; CHARTER DISTRIBUTION, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - ALABAMA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - GEORGIA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - ILLINOIS, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - MARYLAND II, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - MICHIGAN, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - MISSOURI, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - NEBRASKA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - PENNSYLVANIA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - TENNESSEE, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK AR-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CC VIII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CT-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK LA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK MA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK MS-CCVI, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NC-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NH-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NV-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NY-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK OH-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK OR-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK SC-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK TX-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK VA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK VT-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK WA-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER HELICON, LLC; CHARTER HOME SECURITY, LLC; CHARTER LEASING HOLDING COMPANY, LLC; CHARTER LEASING OF WISCONSIN, LLC; CHARTER RMG, LLC; CHARTER STORES FCN, LLC; CHARTER VIDEO ELECTRONICS, LLC; FALCON CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; FALCON CABLE MEDIA, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON CABLE SYSTEMS COMPANY II, L.P.; FALCON CABLEVISION, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON COMMUNITY CABLE, L.P.; FALCON COMMUNITY VENTURES I LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON FIRST CABLE OF THE SOUTHEAST, LLC; FALCON FIRST, LLC; FALCON TELECABLE, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS, L.P.; HELICON PARTNERS I, L.P.; HOMETOWN T.V., LLC; HPI ACQUISITION CO. LLC; INTERLINK COMMUNICATIONS PARTNERS, LLC; LONG BEACH, LLC; MARCUS CABLE ASSOCIATES, L.L.C.; MARCUS CABLE OF ALABAMA, L.L.C.; MARCUS CABLE, LLC; MIDWEST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; PEACHTREE CABLE TV, L.P.; PEACHTREE CABLE TV, LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (AL), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (CA), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (GA), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (NC), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (TN), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (VA), LLC; PLATTSBURGH CABLEVISION, LLC; RENAISSANCE MEDIA LLC; RIFKIN ACQUISITION PARTNERS, LLC; ROBIN MEDIA GROUP, LLC; SCOTTSBORO TV CABLE, LLC TENNESSEE, LLC; THE HELICON GROUP, L.P.; VISTA BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (AL), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (CA) LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (GA), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (NC), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (TN), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (VA), LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 046567/0090 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Nov 15, 2017
From: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
To: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
Reel/Frame 044456/0167 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 18, 2016
From: BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 038747/0507 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE COVER SHEET-CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME FROM "TIME WARNER CABLE INC." TO "TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC" PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 030511 FRAME 0239. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ACCURACY OF THE ORIGINAL ASSIGNMENT DOCUMENT TEXT. Recorded Oct 13, 2013
From: CHEN, DAVID; PATEL, VIPUL; YU, JIAN; CHEN, JOHN; LAWRENCE-APFELBAUM, MARC
To: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
Reel/Frame 031406/0906 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2013
From: CHEN, DAVID; PATEL, VIPUL; YU, JIAN; CHEN, JOHN; LAWRENCE-APFELBAUM, MARC
To: TIME WARNER CABLE INC.
Reel/Frame 030511/0239 →
Continuity (1)
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