Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
Title of the Invention
Video on Demand System
Inventors
Dave B. Dietz, David R. Hymanyk, Lee E. Kruszewski, Gordon J. Meeberg
Field of the Invention
to This invention relates to delivery of broadband services to users.
Background of the Invention
In Video on Demand (VoD) technology, a user may access a video stream by
requesting the video from a service provider. It is considered expensive to
deliver,
~ 5 and an alternative approach called near Video on Demand (nVoD) has been
proposed.
In nVoD, the service provider provides a stream of the same video, for example
a
film, every 15 minutes on a small number of channels. This is called a
staggercast.
The service provider determines which video is provided and when. If the
viewer or
user wants to look back in the video, then the viewer may switch to another
channel
2o that has started later, or if the viewer wants to look forward, then the
viewer may
switch to a channel that started earlier. In this way, a few channels, such as
four, may
service all viewers, in contrast to Video on Demand where there is one viewer
per
channel. The nVoD does not provide much flexibility for the viewer. It is an
object of
this invention to provide greater flexibility for the viewer of near video on
demand
25 services.
Summary of the Invention
The proposed Video on Demand (VOD) allows a user to preview and order
movies and pay per view events through an interactive on screen ordering
process.
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
The video on demand application allows a user to preview, order, stop. pause,
fast
forward, rewind, and restart a movie or event in real time, on demand. The
disclosed
system allows the user to have VOD functionality while the implementing
technology
is Near Video on Demand (NVOD). 'The user has VOD functionality in near real-
time using a staggered broadcast of non-unique video streams (NVOD - near
video
on demand) i.e. multiple streams per type of content, combined with a local
storage
and playback device (call this a "set top box" STB for this description)
located in the
user's home.
In the staggered broadcast, multiple streams of the same video (and audio)
t 0 content are broadcast simultaneously, each offset by the same amount of
time, for
example I S minutes. Hence, for a given movie, there may be eight streams
playing of
the same movie, each offset from any other stream by a multiple of 15 minutes.
The ordering process results in the ordering of a movie or event without the
user having to manually tune to a channel to view a movie or event. Even
though
content is staggered through multiple channels, it is used for fast forward,
rewind, etc.
The user is unaware of this and the movie is presented as though the staggers
did not
exist.
~fherefore, this invention relates to an improvement in video-on-demand
systems. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a
method of
2o delivering video to a viewer, the method comprising the steps of:
delivering staggered video streams to a storage device, in which the staggered
video streams include streams of the same video data that are time delayed
with respect to each other;
storing the staggered video streams at the storage device; and
displaying at least one of the video streams to the viewer.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided the step of
displaying selected parts of different streams to the viewer.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the delivery of the staggered
video streams is regulated, as for example by being dependent upon the ability
of the
3o viewer to pay, or viewer selected content ratings. The video streams may be
selected
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
3
from multiple multimedia sources, and may be selected automatically based on
search
keys selected by the viewer.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus
for
delivering video to a viewer, the apparatus comprising:
a communications link to a source of staggered video streams, in which the
staggered video streams are streams of the same video data that are time
delayed with respect to each other;
a storage device having a memory for simultaneously storing the staggered
streams of video data; and
a monitor for displaying at least one of the video streams to the viewer.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the apparatus further
comprises
a video selection device for displaying selected parts of different streams to
the
viewer. There may also be a means for regulating the delivery of the staggered
video
streams, which may be programmed to regulate the delivery of the staggered
video
~ 5 streams depending upon the ability of the viewer to pay, or depending upon
viewer
selected content ratings. The communications link may connect to multiple
multimedia sources. The storage device may be associated with apparatus
programmed to select the staggered video streams automatically based on search
keys
selected by the viewer.
Brief Description of the Figures
There will now be described preferred embodiments of the invention, by
reference to the drawings by way of example only, in which:
Figs. 1 - 6 are representations of computer screens showing the ordering
process and how video content may be selected and regulated; and
Fig. 7 shows an exemplary computer architecture for implementing the
process and apparatus of the invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention
3o Firstly, the ordering process is described. Fig. 1 shows the main
navigation
page, which utilizes the Netscape browser or other suitable browser. The user
may
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
4
choose, as for example shown in the Figure, ~I~V, Guide, weather-, world wide
web,
moves, account, or other specific user defined video or information sources,
by
clicking on the area of the screen showing the item of interest.
Fig. 2 shows an exemplary screen that is produced by clicking on ''Movies" in
the main navigation page. This screen shows movie listings. By clicking on one
of the
movie listings, movie details may be obtained as shown in Fig. 3. The movie
details
screen in Fig. 3 contains the clickable option "Order", which when clicked
produces
the screen shown in Fig. 4, which requires confirmation of the order.
Once a user has ordered a movie they must wait until the next stagger is
available for viewing. The STB 12 autotunes to the movie when the next stagger
is
available. However, with an adequately sized hard disk in the set-top box, the
ordered movie may start immediately without the requirement to wait for the
next
stagger. The option implemented is dependent upon the capacity of set top box
hard
disk.
When a user is viewing a movie they have the option of tuning away from the
movie and restarting the movie at the same place that they paused it.
There may be also content and monetary restrictions for each household. Fig.
5 illustrates how a household may change those restrictions. For each
household
member there may be a spending limit and a content or rating limit. Each
household
2U member may be assigned a PIN, so that one or more people may have control
over
the limits. The STB 12 is programmed to be limited to the content and monetary
restrictions.
Each household can have their PINS enabled or disabled in order to allow or
disallow content and monetary restrictions. The household settings show the
maximum content rating limit and maximum spending limit that is allowed for
the
entire household.
A household is further divided into several household members each with
their own rating limit, spending limit, and PIN number. The sum of the
individual
spending limits cannot exceed the household spending limit. Each Individual
rating
3o limit cannot exceed the household rating limit.
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
Fig. 6 illustrates the screen seen by a viewer who is ordering a movie or
event
and who has household PINS enabled. The viewer must enter the PIN before the
movie or event can be ordered.
The viewer request to order a movie or event is denied if either their
i household or individual household member limits are exceeded.
Fig. 7 represents a high level architecture that can be used as a basis for
implementation of the VOD concept. The video server 10 may be obtained from
such
vendors as Compaq, nCube, Oracle, IBM, Concurrent, and others. The STB 12 with
hard disk may be obtained from such vendors as Tivo, Replay TV, Pace,
Motorola,
Samsung and others. The Movie/Pay Per View and timshifted software are such as
are used by or available from iMagic, Oracle, Next Level Communications,
Starlight,
Siemens and others, though not available with the staggered broadcast
capability
disclosed herein.
~ 5 Master Scheduler
The master scheduler 14 receives program information from an operator.
Program information includes media content meta data. Examples of media
content
meta data include start times, stop times, movie titles, length of content
segment etc.
The meta data is manipulated by the Master scheduler 14 to create new meta
data
2o which is passed to the NVOD Applications (Apps) 16, Service Management
System
18 and the NVOD Scheduler 10.
NVOD Scheduler/Video Server (NSVS)
The NVOD Scheduler/Video Server 10 receives Media Content from multiple
25 sources. Requested media content is broadcast to the Set Top Box clients
12.
Set Top Box Utilities (STU)
The Set Top Box Utilities 20 are the software programs that reside on the STB
12 and handle remote key inputs, display data received to the user, and switch
3o applications to and from the foreground and background. It is the central
application
which coordinates all STB application activities.
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
6
The STU 20 receives media content from the NSVS 10. The media content is in
the
form of MPEG streams. The STU 20 receives media content meta data from the
NVOD Apps 16. The media content meta data is used by the STB 12 to know when
and which channel (stream) to autotune to. Autotuning is where a graphical
count
down sequence is shown on the TV indicating the time when the next stagger of
media content begins and the action of tuning to the channel at that time.
Media
content meta data also provides enough information to the STU 20 so that the
STU 20
can instruct the STB hardware 12 to record simultaneous streams that are not
being
1o currently viewed. The recording of simultaneous streams allows the customer
to
experience true VOD after watching one stagger interval even though the
delivery
mechanism is NVOD.
The STU 20 enables such functions as fast forwarding, rewinding, pausing,
stopping, and restarting of movies through the use of the media content meta
data and
the recording of multiple simultaneous streams.
The STU 20 communicates with the NVOD Apps 16 and receives media
content meta data and arranges for the display of the meta data. The meta data
may
contain start and stop times of streams, channel numbers of streams, price
information
of movies, titles of movies, ratings of movies, and actors of movies.
2o The STU 20 also communicates with the Service Provisioning Controller
(SPC) 22. Through interaction with the SPC 22 the STU 20 is able to determine
what
media content a customer has access to. The SPC 22 ensures that only the
digital
television channels and movie channels that a customer orders are allowed to
be
tuned or re-tuned to. The SPC 22 also logs transactions that a customer
performs.
This proves vital in service assurance.
The STU 22 also receives data from the Customer Preferences application 24
for display to the customer.
NVOD Apps
3o The NVOD Apps 16 contain media content meta data. The meta data is
communicated to the STU 20. Communication about subscriber info (e.g.credit
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
7
limits, rating limits) and pricing is received From the SMS 18 and then
communicated
to the STLI 20 through the NVOD Apps 16.
Service Provisioning Controller (SPC)
~~he SPC 22 tracks content that a customer has paid for and thus has access to
view. l..o;~'~ing of content access is provided by the SPC' 22 and is vital in
service
assurance.
Service Management S s~(SMS)
The service management system tracks customer (STB) service subscription.
It sends and receives provisioning and deprovisioning requests of the STB 12.
Subscriber preferences, and media content meta data are also stored in the SMS
18.
Media content meta data is received from the Master scheduler 14. Customer
preferences are sent and received from the Customer Preferences application
24.
Customer Preferences
The Customer Preferences application 24 is used to allow customers to access
and change their monetary and access restrictions to content. Customer
Preferences
24 communicates data from the SMS 18, where customer preferences are stored,
to
2o the STU 20. The STU 20 renders the customer's preferences and accepts any
changes and passes those changes through the Customer Preferences application
24 to
the SMS 18.
STB Hardware
The STB 12 Hardware must meet the following specifications for VOD to be
implemented using NVOD technology.
a) HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
i) The set top box is configured with an Hard Disk Controller (based on
PCI Local Bus technology), all necessary cabling (including electrical and
3o communications), and a plug-in bay that is configured for easy post
purchase installation/removal of a Hard Disk Drive.
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
ii) The Hard Disk Controller must be capable of working with a I-lard
Disk Drive so that it can simultaneously record (capture) one or more
media streams while at the same time playing back another video stream
that has already been recorded (captured) on the I-lard Disk Drive. This
must be accomplished without compromising either the video recording
(capturing) or the video playback capability.
iii) The set top box needs to be able to accommodate future Hard Disk
Drive capacities of at least 128 GB.
iv) The set top box is configured with a minimum of an 8.4 GB HDD that
is accessible by software application programs. The HDD is used as a
storage medium to record TV programming (a time-shifted TV
I S application), for applications like Multimedia Email, Games, and the
capture of audio and video.
b) MPEG-2 MP@ML Decoding and Resolution for output to NTSC' TVs
i) The set top box receives, decodes and renders real time, synchronized
2o audio and video from MPEG-2 (ISO/IEC 13818-1 ) compliant transport
streams.
ii) The set top box supports MPEG-2 extensions for DSM-CC as per
ISO/IEC 13818-6 and similar IP-based streaming control protocols.
iii) The residential gateway set top box is configured in such a manner that
25 it can simultaneously decode three or more distinct streams of video to
support independent concurrent viewing of TV programming on three
different TVs.
iv) If the media content is delivered in analog format the set top box is
able to encode it in MPEG-2 format.
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
9
The VOD concept requires that an algorithm be applied by the STB 12
hardware and software to the NVOD streams so that after one stagger interval
of
viewing a movie VOD is enabled.
For pre-recorded information such as a feature movie, multiple ("N")
staggered copies of the same content is broadcast simultaneously. This adds a
degree
of flexibility. Not only does the STB 12 storage device record the current
stream, but
it records up to "N" streams simultaneously depending on the throughput
limitations
of the storage device and the delivering network. Assume the capacity of the
STB 12
is "n" streams of simultaneous recording where n<=N. Using metadata
information
w.r.t. the length of a given feature and the stagger interval, the STB 12 then
pieces
together multiple staggered streams and assembles a local complete copy of a
piece of
content in its local storage device. This process goes on dynamically as a
viewer
watches an NVOD selection or can be occurring offline based on pre-programmed
selections made by the user. Using this technique a VOD service is offered
with an
NVOD delivery approach, thus obtaining the advantages of VOD without the
bandwidth/capacity cost penalty associated with a pure, high capacity VOD
solution.
All VOD functions are performed using the local copy of the content.
To determine the value "n" the STB 12 would consider a number of factors
and use the available bandwidth to download the selected content as fast as
possible:
1. n<=the total number of channels the STB 12 can obtain through its broadcast
connection.
2. n<=the total number of video streams that the STB 12 can simultaneously
store on its disk
3. n is impacted by whether the user is watching TV or has preprogrammed a
selection to be locally cached when they are not present.
In the best case scenario all "N" streams are recorded simultaneously and the
user can
begin a full VOD session within one stagger interval of the time content began
recording. Otherwise the user has only NVOD functionality until a period of
(INT((#
of Staggers)/n)+1)*stagger interval has passed.
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
Alternately, with an adequately sized hard disk available on the STB 12, an
"immediate VOD" experience may be provided. In this option, the first x
minutes of
each movie (with the value of x determined by the NVOD stagger interval) are
downloaded to the STB 12 via the NVOD streams immediately after the movie
5 content is loaded. These start portions of the movie are saved on the hard
disk. Then,
when the user orders a movie it starts playing immediately from the hard disk
with
full VOD control, while the additional NVOD streams are recorded onto the hard
disk
in the background as outlined above until the complete content segment is
captured.
For VOD viewing:
When the user pauses the movie or event, they are restarted at the exact place
where the pause occurred.
When the user fast-forwards a movie the movie is forwarded in either a frame
by frame manner or in a nonviewing mode whereby several frames are
~ 5 jumped. If the user fast-forwards past the end of the movie, the movie is
wrapped around to the beginning of the movie.
When the user fast-forwards the event the event is forwarded in either a frame
by frame manner or in nonviewing mode whereby several frames are skipped.
2o The user is only able to fast-forward the event to the current place in the
event. If the event is completed the user can fast forward the event to the
beginning of the event and rewateh the event.
When the user rewinds a movie the movie is forwarded in either a frame by
''S frame manner or in a nonviewing mode whereby several frames are rewound
at once. If the user rewinds past the beginning of the movie, the movie is
wrapped around to the end of the movie.
When the user rewinds the event, the event is rewound in either a frame by
3o frame manner or in nonviewing mode whereby several frames are rewound.
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
The user is only able to rewind the event to the beginning of the event with
no
wrap around capability until the event has completed.
For NVOD viewing:
When the user pauses the movie or event, they are restarted at the exact place
where the pause occurred at a time of one stagger interval in the future.
When the user fast forwards a movie the movie is forwarded in a nonviewing
mode whereby several frames are jumped by jumping to the previously
to available staggered stream i.e. a stagger stream which has advanced one
stagger interval further through its content playback cycle. If the user fast-
forwards past the end of the movie ,the movie is wrapped around to the
beginning of the movie on the next starting stagger interval.
~5 No event fast forward is available until it is completely cached. When the
user fast-forwards the event the event is forwarded in either a frame by frame
manner or in nonviewing mode whereby several frames are skipped. The user
is only able to fast-forward the event to the current place in the event. If
the
event is completed the user can fast forward the event to the beginning of the
2o event and re-watch the event.
When the user rewinds a movie ,the movie is rewound in a nonviewing mode
whereby several frames are jumped by jumping to the next available staggered
stream i.e. a stream which is one stagger interval in the past as far through
the
25 content. If the user rewinds past the beginning of the movie, the movie is
wrapped around to the end of the movie.
When the user rewinds the event the event is rewound in either a frame by
frame manner or in nonviewing mode whereby several frames are rewound.
3o The user is only able to rewind the event to the beginning of the event
with no
wrap around capability until the event has completed.
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
12
Operational Flows
Content Loading Process
~ Media content meta data enters the Master scheduler 14.
~ Content is loaded on the NSVS 10 and the content length data is transferred
to
the Master scheduler 14.
~ The Master scheduler 14 publishes media content meta data to the NOVD
Apps 16, Service Management System, and the NVOD Scheduler. The media
content meta data that is published is valid for an interval before new media
content meta data has to be published again.
~ In the immediate VOD option, the newly published media content meta data is
also made available to the STB 12 as a trigger to download the first stagger
interval of each newly published content onto the hard disk.
Ordering Process for Movies
~ When a customer orders a movie, media content meta data is displayed by the
STU 20. The STU 20 receives the meta data from the NOVD Apps 16. The
2o NOVD Apps 16 obtain all the meta data that is required for ordering (Some
of the
meta data is held within the NOVD Apps 16 and other parts are obtained from
the
Service Management System) and pass it to the STU 20.
~ If customer preferences are enabled then the STU 20 checks with the NOVD
Apps 16 to ensure that the customer is allowed access to the movie based on
the
monetary and rating restrictions that were previously entered by the customer.
After a customer confirms that they wish to order a movie autotuning meta data
is
passed from the NOVD Apps 16 to the STU 20. With the meta data the STU 20
knows which channel the movie begins on as well as all other stagger channels
that are broadcasting the movie. Consequently. the STU 20 is now able to begin
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
13
an autotune process (countdown sequence and then channel change) that allows
the user to view the start of the next starting stagger stream.
~ Alternately. in the immediate VOD option, the user can begin viewing
immediately from the portion of the movie already stored on the hard disk
without
having to wait for the first stagger interval. In this alternative, the
autotune
sequence as contemplated above is not required. as the content source is the
hard
disk in the STB 12.
~ When the autotune process is complete the STU 20 channel changes the STB
12 to the beginning of the stream and the customer sees the start of the movie
that
to they ordered. In order to use NVOD technology to implement VOD, the STU 20
instructs the STB 12 to begin recording all other stagger channels (different
points
in the movie) to the hard disk. Consequently, after one stagger interval the
STU
20 has access to the entire movie from the hard disk.
Fast Forwarding Process for Movies
~ If a customer has viewed a movie for at least one stagger interval then the
fast
forwarding mechanism is to fast forward the movie one frame at a time in a
semi
continuous manner. All the media content and media content meta data required
to enable this is on the customer's STB 12. The STU 20 knows where on the hard
disk to read next once the customer has fast forwarded past the current
stagger
interval. Essentially, the STU 20 is piecing together content that was
previously
simultaneously recorded to the hard disk. If the customer fast forwards past
the
end of the movie then they are taken to the beginning of the movie.
~ If a customer has not viewed at least one full stagger interval then the
fast
forwarding mechanism is to fast forward the customer one stagger interval at a
time. This is accomplished through the STU 20 performing a channel change to
the next stagger interval. If a customer fast forwards past the end of the
movie
then they are taken to the beginning of the movie.
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
is
Rewinding Process for Movies
~ If a customer has viewed a movie for at least one stagger interval then the
rewinding mechanism is to rewind the movie on a frame at a time in a semi
continuous manner. All the media content and media content mesa data required
to enable this is on the customer's STB 12. The STU 20 knows where on the hard
disk to read next once the customer has rewound past the current stagger
interval.
Essentially, the STU 20 is piecing together content that was previously
simultaneously recorded to the hard disk. If the customer fast rewinds past
the
1o beginning of the movie then they are taken to the end of the movie.
~ If a customer has not viewed at least one full stagger interval then the
rewinding mechanism is to rewind the customer one stagger interval at a time.
This is accomplished through the STU 20 performing a channel change to the
previous stagger interval. If a customer rewinds past the beginning of the
movie
then they are taken to the end of the movie.
PausingYProcess for Movies
~ If a customer has viewed a movie for at least one stagger interval then the
2o pausing mechanism restarts the movie at exactly the same place that they
paused
the movie using the locally stored hard disk content. All the media content
and
media content meta data required to enable this is on the customer's STB 12.
The
STU 20 knows which stagger interval and where in the stagger interval to read
from on the media content stored on the customer's STB 12. Consequently, the
2s movie is restarted at the exact same place that it was paused.
If a customer has not viewed at least one full stagger interval and a copy of
another recorded stagger is not yet stored on the hard disk then pausing the
movie
and restarting causes the STB I 2 to restart the movie at a later time period
of one
stagger interval. The customer has to wait one stagger interval before having
the
30 movie restart at the exact same point that the movie was paused. If however
between the time the pause was invoked and the movie was restarted, the STB 12
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
hard disk has recorded enough of another stagger stream, the movie might be
restarted immediately from the locally stored hard disk content.
~ In the immediate VOD option, the user is able to return to the exact point
where the pause function was invoked within the first stagger interval, as
this is
S available on the hard disk.
Stopping and Restarting of a Movie
~ 1f a customer stops watching a movie and then wishes to restart the movie
10 then the customer has to wait until the beginning of the next stagger
before they
can continue viewing the movie. The movie is restarted at the beginning of the
movie.
~ In the immediate VOD option, when a customer stops a movie, the STB 12
continues to record the remainder of the movie onto the hard disk so that it
is
15 available in its entirety for viewing should the viewer wish to resume
viewing at a
later time. In case of storage conflicts, complete content segments are
discarded
following the expiration of the rental period to free up sufficient storage on
the
hard disk to ensure the first stagger of all new content segments are stored
locally
on the hard disk.
Ordering Process for Events
~ When a customer orders an event. media content meta data is displayed by the
STU 20. The STU 20 receives the meta data from the NOVD Apps 16. The
NOVD Apps 16 obtain all the meta data that is required for ordering (Some of
the
meta data is held within the NOVD Apps 16 and other parts are obtained from
the
Service Management System) and pass it to the S'fU 20.
~ If customer preferences are enabled then the STU 20 checks with the NOVD
3o Apps 16 to ensure that the customer is allowed access to the event based on
the
monetary and rating restrictions that were previously entered by the customer.
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
16
After a customer confirms that they wish to order an event autotuning meta
data is
passed from the NOVD Apps 16 to the STU 20. With the meta data the STL~ 20
knows which channel the events begins on. Consequently, the STU 20 is now
able to begin an autotune process (countdown sequence and then channel change)
that allows the user to view the start of the event. All other available
stagger
channels, stagger lengths and media content length data is also passed.
When the autotune process is complete the STU 20 channel changes the STB
I 2 to the beginning of the event and the customer sees the start of the event
that
they ordered. In order to use NVOD technology to implement VOD, the STU 20
instructs the STB 12 to begin recording the event to the hard disk.
Consequently,
the STU 20 has access to the previously broadcast portions of the event from
the
hard disk copy.
Fast Forwarding-Process for Events
If a customer is currently viewing an event and the live event has not yet
completed then the fast forwarding capability is only up to the point where
the
live event is currently being broadcast. All the media content and media
content
meta data required to enable this is on the customer's STB 12.
~ If a customer has viewed the completed event then the fast forwarding
mechanism is to fast forward the customer one frame at a time. This is
accomplished by the STU 20 reading the recently recorded event from the hard
disk. If a customer fast forwards past the end of the event then they are
taken to
the beginning of the event.
Rewinding Process for Events
~ If a customer is currently viewing an event and the live event has not yet
completed then the rewinding capability is only to the start point of the
event. All
3o the media content and media content meta data required to enable this is on
the
customer's STB 12. The STU 20 rewinds the event in a frame by frame manner
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
17
until the beginning of the event. A loop around mechanism is provided whereby
the customer can before the beginning of the event to the current live event.
~ If a customer has viewed the completed event then the rewinding mechanism
is to rewind the event one frame at a time. This is accomplished by the STU 20
reading the recently recorded event from the hard disk. If a customer rewinds
past
the beginning of the event then they are taken to the end of the event.
Pausing Process for Events
~ If a customer is viewing an event or has viewed an event and is watching it
again then the pausing mechanism for the event is to pause the event and then
restart the event at the exact point that the viewer paused it. All the media
content
and media content meta data required to enable this is on the customer's STB
12.
The STU 20 knows where in the content that the pausing has occurred and
resumes playing the event by reading the data from the hard disk.
Stopper and Restarting of an Event
If a customer stops watching an event and then wishes to restart the event
then
2o the customer is automatically tuned to the live event. However, missed
parts
may be viewed if the event was stored on the hard disk for the event's
duration.
Content Programming - Additional Features
Leveraging server and set top box capabilities previously mentioned, content
programming allows users to subscribe to and sequence the playback of various
pieces of media content from disparate sources (live and archived) such as
movies,
events, television, daily news, weather, sports, music videos, movie reviews,
and
music. An interactive order screen allows a user to subscribe to different
pieces of
content of their choice. The content that is to be viewed can be from a
variety of
3o content types. The user is able to pause, stop, fast forward, rewind, and
restart the
CA 02288355 2000-03-27
18
content of their choice. This feature is available when a user wishes to plan
their
viewing experience from staggered, live and pre-cached content.
Using a graphical user interface generated by the STB 12 on the television the
user
can create an on-demand video service tailored to himself. The content can be
drawn
from broadcast and intranet/internet sources and can be intermingled as
desired by the
user. The user can also search for programs by keyword, genre, etc. For
example, a
user can select shows X1 and X2 from a list of broadcast programming, which
airs at
a specified time. The user can also select shows Y 1 and Y2 which were
recorded by
to the set top box at an earlier date or available on demand from a network
server. The
user can then arrange to view the programs in a sequential order as
illustrated by the
following diagram:
6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
X1 Yl X2 Y2
IS
The media can be from any source: Internet, broadcast, NVOD, or recorded on
the
STB 12. Information about the availability of content for a given time period
is
aggregated by the system in a content database which is presented to the
viewer for
2o their scheduling selection. For content which is available on staggered
channels, the
system automatically selects the next start time that the content begins.
Broadcast
content is constrained by its availability from the broad content provider
(e.g. TV
shows, events etc.). Although the term video is used in the claims, it will be
understood that the data streams will include video and audio data and the
term video
25 is used to encompass both video and audio. In Fig. 7, it will be
appreciated that the
lines between the devices and applications represent conventional
communication
links, such as cable, fiber and wireless.
