Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING STORAGE OF DATA
ON SERVERS IN AN ON-DEMAND MEDIA DELIVERY SYSTEM
This application is a divisional of Canadian National Phase Patent
Application serial No. 2,425,479 filed October 9, 2001.
Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to on-demand media delivery
systems and more particularly, to on-demand media delivery systems
that have user-related memory for providing system enhancements.
In some known video on-demand systems, a set-top box may
be used to receive on-demand video from cable system headends. Such
set-top boxes may communicate or may deliver the video and/or other
functionality to television sets, VCRs, or other local devices.
These systems have been deficient in allowing users to relocate
their video-on-demand service to different locations. These systems
4 15 may have also been deficient in providing adequate relocation
techniques, deficient in allowing users to upload and access their
personal videos, graphics, images, or photographs and deficient in
allowing users to share media.
Systems have been developed that use hard disk technology
or other recording technology to store videos of programs locally.
Examples of hard disk systems are described, in Hassell et al. U.S.
Patent Application No. 09/157,256 filed September 17, 1998.
Hard-disk based products have also been developed by TiVo, Inc. of
Sunnyvale, California, and Replay Networks, Inc. of Mountainview,
California. These systems have been deficient in meeting user
needs. For example, these systems do not allow the user to relocate
to other households with continued access to the recorded materials.
Television platforms have also been developed that
include a return path from a user's set-top box to a cable
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system headend. For example, client-server based program
guides have been developed in which set-top boxes are in
client-server arrangements with the cable system headends.
These arrangements allow for two-way communication between
the cable system headends and set-top boxes. These servers
typically provide program listings information (e.g.,
program titles and broadcast times) to the set-top boxes in
response to requests generated from the set-top boxes.
Client-server television program guides have also been
developed where programming and settings may be recorded on
a remote server. These known systems have been deficient in
various ways. For example, servers in such systems (servers
at the cable system headends) have been deficient in
providing sufficient mobility features.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with some embodiments of the present
invention, on-demand media delivery systems and methods may
be provided for remote storage of personal media of users,
for sharing of stored media and for features for relocating
media-on-demand services. Such features and functionality
may be provided based on storing user related information on
an on-demand media delivering server. Such features may be
provided independent of the type of equipment (e.g., set-top
box, personal computer, etc.) that is used to interact with
the system.
The system may have a relocate feature that may
allow a user to freeze on-demand media delivery on one user
equipment and resume delivery and viewing from another user
equipment (e.g., user equipment in a household that is
different from the household where that user was previously
watching the on-demand media delivery content when that user
froze the delivery). On demand media content that is
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presented in a live feed may be remotely recorded for a user
when a user selects to freeze the delivery of the media
content.
User-specific data may sometimes be stored in a user
profile. The system may allow a user profile to be remotely
accessed and manipulated by a user when that user has been
identified by the system. A user may also upload or download
any type of data, file, or program between local user equipment
and a server in the on-demand media system. Uploaded data,
files, or programs may be assigned private access rights or
assigned public or group access rights. Access rights may
include the right to read, write, manipulate, upload, or
download data, files or programs.
An auto-customization feature may be included in the
on-demand media system. An on-demand media system may use
stored user equipment preferences to configure and customize
user equipment. The user equipment may be configured or
customized when a user logs in from practically any user
equipment in the system. User equipment preferences may, for
example, include volume settings, preferred program settings,
menu configurations, and channel block settings.
There is also provided a method of media content
delivery, the method comprising: presenting media content to a
first user using a first user equipment; and uploading a first
media content by the first user logged in at the first user
equipment to a media-on-demand server; receiving a search
request from the first user, while the first user is logged in
at the first user equipment, for media content associated with
a second user who is different from the first user; based on
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receiving the search request, receiving second media content at
the first user equipment from the media-on-demand server,
wherein the received second media content includes a third
media content uploaded to the media-on-demand server from a
second user equipment by the second user while the second user
is logged in at the second user equipment; and generating for
display, on the first user equipment, a visual representation
of the third media content uploaded to the media-on-demand
server by the second user using the second user equipment,
wherein the representation indicates that the third media
content was uploaded by the second user while the second user
was logged in at the second user equipment.
In accordance with a still further aspect, there is
provided a method of media content delivery, the method
comprising: receiving, at a media-on-demand server, media
content uploaded by a first user using a first user equipment;
receiving a search request from a second user who is different
from the first user, while the second user is logged in at a
second user equipment, for media content associated with the
first user; based on receiving the search request, causing a
visual representation of a first media content to be displayed
on the second user equipment, wherein the visual representation
indicates that the first media content was uploaded by the
first user while logged in at the first user equipment; and
based on receiving the search request, delivering second media
content to the second user equipment from the media-on-demand
server, wherein the delivered second media content includes the
first media content received by the media-on-demand server
uploaded by the first user while logged in at the first user
equipment.
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According to another aspect, there is provided a
system of media content delivery, the system comprising: means
for presenting media content to a first user using a first user
equipment; means for uploading a first media content by the
first user logged in at the first user equipment to a media-on-
demand server; means for receiving a search request from the
first user, while the first user is logged in at the first user
equipment, for media content associated with a second user who
is different from the first user; means for receiving, based on
receiving the search request, second media content at the first
user equipment from the media-on-demand server, wherein the
received second media content includes a third media content
uploaded to the media-on-demand server by the second user while
the second user is logged in at a second user equipment; and
means for generating for display, on the first user equipment,
a visual representation of the third media content uploaded to
the media-on-demand server by the second user using the second
user equipment, wherein the representation indicates that the
third media content was uploaded by the second user while the
second user was logged in at the second user equipment.
A further aspect provides a media content delivery
system, the system comprising: means for receiving, at a media-
on-demand server, media content uploaded by a first user while
logged in at a first user equipment; means for receiving a
search request from a second user who is different from the
first user, while the second user is logged in at a second user
equipment, for media content associated with the first user;
means for causing, based on receiving the search request, a
visual representation of a first media content to be displayed
on the second user equipment, wherein the visual representation
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indicates that the first media content was uploaded by the
first user while logged in at the first user equipment; and
means for delivering, based on receiving the search request,
second media content to the second user equipment from the
media-on-demand server, wherein the delivered second media
content includes the first media content received by the media-
on-demand server and uploaded by the first user while logged in
at the first user equipment.
There is also provided a method of media content
delivery, the method comprising: receiving, at a media-on-
demand server, given media content uploaded by a first user
logged in at a first user equipment; receiving, at the media-
on-demand server, a search request from a second user logged in
at a second user equipment for media content uploaded by the
first user; based on receiving the search request, generating
for display on the second user equipment a visual
representation of the given media content uploaded to the
media-on-demand server by the first user, wherein the visual
representation indicates that the given media content was
uploaded by the first user while the first user was logged in
at the first user equipment.
Another aspect provides a system of media content
delivery, the system comprising: means for receiving, at a
media-on-demand server, given media content uploaded by a first
user logged in at a first user equipment; means for receiving,
at the media-on-demand server, a search request from a second
user logged in at a second user equipment for media content
uploaded by the first user; means for generating for display on
the second user equipment, based on receiving the search
request, a visual representation of the given media content
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uploaded to the media-on-demand server by the first user,
wherein the visual representation indicates that the given
media content was uploaded by the first user while the first
user was logged in at the first user equipment.
In a still further aspect, there is provided a system
of media content delivery, the system comprising: control
circuitry configured to: receive, at a media-on-demand server,
given media content uploaded by a first user logged in at a
first user equipment; receive, at the media-on-demand server, a
search request from a second user logged in at a second user
equipment for media content uploaded by the first user; based
on receiving the search request, generate for display on the
second user equipment a visual representation of the given
media content uploaded to the media-on-demand server by the
first user, wherein the visual representation indicates that
the given media content was uploaded by the first user while
the first user was logged in at the first user equipment.
According to one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method, implemented at a content server,
to enable a first user to upload video content, and to enable
a second user to search for, and access, the video content
associated with the first user, comprising: determining that
a first user is logged in at a first user equipment of a
plurality of user equipment; receiving a video asset uploaded
by the first user while the first user is logged in at the
first user equipment; based on receiving the video asset:
accessing a data structure of a profile of the first user;
and updating the data structure to reference the video asset;
receiving a search request from a second user, different from
the first user, while the second user is logged in at a
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second user equipment of the plurality of user equipment, for
video content associated with the first user; based on
receiving the search request, searching the data structure of
the profile of the first user for references to video content
associated with the first user; based on searching the data
structure of the profile of the first user, identifying video
content associated with the first user including the video
asset uploaded by the first user; based on identifying the
video content associated with the first user, generating for
display, to the second user, an identifier for the video
asset uploaded by the first user; receiving a user selection
of the identifier for the video asset uploaded by the first
user; and based on receiving the user selection, triggering
delivery from the content server to the second user equipment
of the video asset uploaded by the first user.
According to another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a media content delivery system to enable a
first user to upload video content, and to enable a second
user to search for, and access, the video content associated
with the first user comprising: a content server comprising
control circuitry configured to: determine that a first user
is logged in at a first user equipment of a plurality of user
equipment; receive a video asset uploaded by the first user
while the first user is logged in at the first user
equipment; based on receiving the video asset: access a data
structure of a profile of the first user; and update the data
structure to reference the video asset; receive a search
request from a second user, different from the first user,
while the second user is logged in at a second user equipment
of the plurality of user equipment, for video content
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associated with the first user; based on receiving the search
request, search the data structure of the profile of the first
user for references to video content associated with the first
user; based on searching the data structure of the profile of
the first user, identify video content associated with the
first user including the video asset uploaded by the first
user; based on identifying the video content associated with
the first user, generate for display, to the second user, an
identifier for the video asset uploaded by the first user;
receive a user selection of the identifier for the video
asset uploaded by the first user; and based on receiving the
user selection, trigger delivery from the content server to the
second user equipment of the video asset uploaded by the first
user.
According to still another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a first user equipment configured
to: receive, using control circuitry, a selection of a media
asset identifier corresponding to media content, wherein the
media content was previously accessed by second user equipment,
wherein a request to pause access to the media content was
received by the second user equipment when the media content
was previously accessed by the second user equipment, and
wherein a position, in the media content, that corresponds to a
pause point, was stored in a data structure of a profile of a
user in a storage device remote from the first user equipment
when the request to pause access to the media content was
received by the second user equipment; access the data
structure of the profile of the user; access, from the data
structure, the position that corresponds to the pause point;
retrieve the position that corresponds to the pause point from
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the data structure; determine, based on information in the data
structure, that the media content was previously accessed by
the second user equipment; based on the receiving: cause to be
simultaneously displayed a first option and a second option;
determine whether the first option or the second option is
selected by the user; and when it is determined that the first
option is selected by the user: generate a request including a
position identifier that identifies the retrieved position that
corresponds to the pause point, transmit the request, and
receive, from the position that corresponds to the pause point,
based on the position identifier included in the request, the
media content; and when it is determined that the second option
is selected by the user: access the media content starting from
a second point in the media content which is prior to the
position.
According to yet another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a system comprising: a first user
equipment configured to: receive a request to pause access to a
media content; cause to be stored, in a data structure of a
profile of a user in a storage device remote from the first
user equipment, when the request to pause access to the media
content is received, a position, in the media content, that
corresponds to a pause point; and a second user equipment
configured to: access the data structure of the profile of the
user; access, from the data structure, the position that
corresponds to the pause point; retrieve the position that
corresponds to the pause point from the data structure; receive
a selection of a media asset identifier corresponding to the
media content; determine, based on information in the data
structure, that the media content was previously accessed by
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the first user equipment; based on the receiving of the
selection of the media asset identifier corresponding to the
media content: cause to be simultaneously displayed at the
second user equipment a first option and a second option;
determine whether the first option or the second option is
selected by the user; and when it is determined that the first
option is selected by the user: generate a request including a
position identifier that identifies the position that
corresponds to the pause point, transmit the request, and
receive, from the position that corresponds to the pause point,
based on the position identifier included in the request, the
media content; and when it is determined that the second option
is selected by the user: access the media content starting from
a second point in the media content which is prior to the
position.
According to a further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a system comprising a server
configured to: receive, with circuitry, a first communication
from first user equipment requesting that delivery of media
content to the first user equipment be paused; based on
receiving the first communication, cause a position, in the
media content, that corresponds to a pause point, to be stored
in a data structure of a profile of a user in a storage device
remote from the first user equipment; determine, based on
information in the data structure, that the media content was
previously accessed by the first user equipment; cause to be
simultaneously displayed on second user equipment a first
option and a second option; cause the second user equipment to:
access the data structure of the profile of the user; access,
from the data structure stored on the storage device remote
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from the first user equipment, the position that corresponds to
the pause point; retrieve the position that corresponds to the
pause point from the data structure; determine whether the
first option or the second option is selected by the user; and
when it is determined that the first option is selected by the
user: generate a request including a position identifier that
identifies the position that corresponds to the pause point;
transmit the request; and cause delivery of the media content
to the second user equipment starting from the position that
corresponds to the pause point, based on the position
identifier included in the request; and when it is determined
that the second option is selected by the user: cause delivery
of the media content to the second user equipment starting from
a second point in the media content which is prior to the
position.
According to yet a further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a method comprising: receiving, at
a first user equipment, a request to pause access to media
content; causing to be stored, in a data structure of a profile
of a user in a storage device remote from the first user
equipment, when the request to pause access to the media
content is received, a position, in the media content, that
corresponds to a pause point; accessing the data structure of
the profile of the user; accessing, from the data structure,
the position that corresponds to the pause point; retrieving
the position that corresponds to the pause point from the data
structure; determining, based on information in the data
structure, that the media content was previously accessed by
the first user equipment; receiving at a second user equipment
a selection of a media asset identifier corresponding to the
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media content; causing to be simultaneously displayed at the
second user equipment, based on the receiving, a first option
and a second option; determining whether the first option or
the second option is selected by the user; and when it is
determined that the first option is selected by the user:
generating a request including a position identifier that
identifies the position that corresponds to the pause point,
transmitting the request, and receiving, from the position that
corresponds to the pause point, based on the position
identifier included in the request, the media content; and when
it is determined that the second option is selected by the
user: accessing the media content starting from a second point
in the media content which is prior to the position.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a
method for generating for display to a user a plurality of
program identifiers in response to a search query received from
the user, the plurality of program identifiers comprising a
program identifier corresponding to a program previously paused
by the user, the method comprising: playing back a program on
first user equipment; receiving a command at the first user
equipment to pause the program; based on receiving the command:
pausing playback of the program on the first user equipment;
and storing a pause point corresponding to a time at which the
command was received; receiving, at second user equipment, a
search query; in response to receiving the search query,
generating for simultaneous display at the second user
equipment a plurality of program identifiers comprising a
program identifier corresponding to the program; receiving, at
the second user equipment, a selection of the program
identifier; and based on receiving the selection of the program
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identifier at the second user equipment, retrieving the pause
point, and playing back the program on the second user
equipment from a point corresponding to the pause point.
There is also provided a system for generating for
display to a user a plurality of program identifiers in
response to a search query, the plurality of program
identifiers including a program identifier corresponding to a
program previously paused, the system comprising: a first user
equipment comprising: a first memory; a first display device
configured to play back a program; an input device configured
to receive commands from a user; and first control circuitry
configured to: receive a command to pause the program; based on
receiving the command: pause the program; and store a pause
point corresponding to a time at which the command was
received; a second user equipment device comprising: a second
display device configured to play back the program; an input
device configured to receive commands and input from the user;
and second control circuitry configured to: receive a search
query; in response to receiving the search query, generate for
simultaneous display a plurality of program identifiers
comprising a program identifier corresponding to the program;
receive a selection of the program identifier; and based on
receiving the selection of the program identifier, retrieve the
pause point, and play back the program from a point
corresponding to the pause point.
According to a further aspect of the present
disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-
readable medium comprising memory having non-transitory
computer-readable instructions encoded thereon for generating
for display to a user a plurality of program identifiers in
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response to a search query received from the user, the
plurality of program identifiers comprising a program
identifier corresponding to a program previously paused by the
user, the instructions comprising: an instruction for playing
back a program on first user equipment; an instruction for
receiving a command at the first user equipment to pause the
program; instructions for, based on receiving the command:
pausing playback of the program on the first user equipment;
and storing a pause point corresponding to a time at which the
command was received; an instruction for receiving, at second
user equipment, a search query; an instruction for, in response
to receiving the search query, generating for simultaneous
display at the second user equipment a plurality of program
identifiers comprising a program identifier corresponding to
the program; an instruction for receiving, at the second user
equipment, a selection of the program identifier; and an
instruction for, based on receiving the selection of the
program identifier at the second user equipment, retrieving the
pause point, and playing back the program on the second user
equipment from a point corresponding to the pause point.
These and other features and functionalities that
take advantage of the special capabilities of on-demand media
servers and take advantage of storing user related information
and/or personal media on an on-demand media server are also
described below.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
The principles and advantages of the present
invention can be more clearly understood from the following
detailed description considered in conjunction with the
following drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote
the same structural elements throughout, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram that is illustrative of a network
topology of an on-demand media delivery system in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram that is illustrative of a network
topology of an on-demand media delivery system in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagram that is illustrative of a remote
control for an on-demand media delivery system in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
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FIG. IA is a diagram that is illustrative of
a navigation display screen in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
FIG. 4B is a diagram that is illustrative of
a video on demand directory display screen in
accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
FIG. SA is a diagram that is illustrative of
a movie listings display screen in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
FIG. 5B is a diagram that is illustrative of
a movie ordering display screen in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
FIG. 6A is a diagram that is illustrative of
a movie remote-control display screen in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 6B is a diagram that is illustrative of
a login display screen in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
FIG. TA is a diagram that is illustrative of
a relocate confirmation display screen in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 7B is a diagram that is illustrative of
a continue after relocate display screen in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 7C is a flow chart that is illustrative
of a relocation process in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrative of a
relocation process that includes a live content feed
option in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
=
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FIG. 9 is a flow chart that is illustrative
of a data and media access process in accordance with
the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a diagram that is illustrative of
a profile display screen in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a diagram that is illustrative of
an account administration display screen in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a diagram that is illustrative of
an auto-configure display screen in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrative of an
auto-configure process in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
FIG. 14A is a diagram that is illustrative of
an upload file display screen in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
FIG. 143 is a flow chart illustrative of an
upload file process in accordance with the principles
of the present invention;
FIG. 15A is a diagram that is illustrative of
a display screen for designating a file as public or
private in accordance with the principles of the
present invention;
FIG. 153 is a diagram that is illustrative of
a designate access data display screen in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 16A is a diagram that is illustrative of
a file search display screen in accordance with the
principles of the present invention; and
FIG. 163 is a diagram that is illustrative of
a file found display screen in accordance with the
principles of the present invention.
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Detailed Description
Turning first to FIG. 1, network topology 100
shows one embodiment of a system architecture for an
on-demand media delivery system in accordance with the
principles of the present invention. Included in
network topology 100 may be any number of remote server
networks 110, service providers 120, program sources
130, program listings sources 140, media distribution
facilities 150, user equipment 160, communications
networks 170, distribution servers 180, and remote
storage devices 190.
Media may be provided from programming
sources 130 to media distribution facilities such as
media distribution facility 150 either directly or
through communications network 170. Programming
sources 130 may be any suitable source of television or
music programming, such as television and music
production studios, etc. Additionally, programming
sources 130 may provide programming that is to be
broadcast according to a schedule (e.g., a schedule
that is published in advance).
On-demand media programming may be provided
using distribution server 180 or other suitable on-
demand media equipment. On-demand media servers or VOD
servers may be servers that are tailored towards
storing, manipulating, and processing images and
videos. Distribution server 180 may include a
plurality of servers wherein some of which are
specialized servers for supporting on-demand media
services. If desired, distribution server 180 or other
on-demand media equipment may be located at network
nodes associated with media distribution facility 150
or other suitable locations in network topology 100.
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Media distribution facility 150 may be a
cable system headend, a satellite television
distribution facility, a television broadcast facility,
or any other suitable facility for distributing on-
demand media content, television, and music programming
to users.
Media distribution facility 150 may also be
connected to various user equipment 160. Such user
equipment 160 may, for example, be located in the homes
of users. User equipment 160 may include, for example,
user television equipment, user computer equipment, and
user audio equipment.
User equipment 160 may receive television and
music programming, on-demand media programs, and other
information from media distribution facility 150 either
directly or through communications network 170. User
equipment 160 may also transmit and .receive signals
from media distribution facility 150, remote server
network 110, and any other device in network topology
100 through communications network 170.
Program listings source 140 may be used to
provide user equipment with television program listings
information such as scheduled broadcast times, titles,
channels, ratings information (e.g., parental ratings
and critic's ratings), detailed title descriptions,
genre or category information (e.g., sports, news,
movies, etc.), information on actors and actresses,
running times, etc. Program listings source 140 may
provide program listings information to television
distribution facility 150 either directly or indirectly
through communications network 170.
User equipment 160 may use the program
listings information to display program listings and
program information for television programming, for
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on-demand media programming, and for PVR programming.
An interactive television program guide application or
other suitable application may be used to display such
information on a display device that is part of user
equipment 160.
Communications network 170 may provide a
communications hub between the elements in network
topology 100. Communications networks 170 may include
a number of different networks such as a public
switched telephone network, a packet-based network, a
wireless network or the Internet.
An on-line program guide may be provided by a
server located in remote server network 110, in
distribution server 180, or by a server located in any
element included in network topology 100. Remote
server 110 may include remote storage 190. Remote
storage 190 may be used to store software, media
content, and data. In some embodiments, remote storage
190 may provide a user interfacing with user equipment
160 with the capability to store, manipulate, and
retrieve media content, user-specific data, and any
other type of data.
Remote server network 110 may include one or
more VOD specialized servers. VOD servers are tailored
towards storing, manipulating, and processing images
and video. For example, VOD and VOD-related servers
have been developed by Concurrent Computer Corporation
of Atlanta, Georgia, nCUBE of Foster City, California,
DIVA Systems Corporation of Princeton, New Jersey, and
SeaChange International of Maynard, Massachusetts.
Interactive television applications other
than program guide applications may use service
providers such as service provider 120. For example, a
home shopping service may be supported by a service
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provider such as service provider 120 that has sales
representatives, order fulfillment facilities, account
maintenance facilities, and other equipment for supporting
interactive home shopping features. A home shopping
application that is implemented using the user equipment may
be used to access the service provider to provide these
features to the user. The user equipment may access service
provider 120 via media distribution facility 150 or via
communications network 170.
If desired, applications such as interactive
television program guide applications, home shopping
applications, home banking applications, and other
applications (e.g., applications related to e-mail and chat
or other communications functions, etc.) may be provided as
separate applications. These separate applications may be
accessed through a navigation shell application (e.g., a
= menu application with menu options corresponding to the
applications). Additionally, the features of such
applications may be combined. For example, on-demand media,
home shopping, and communications functions may be
incorporated into the program guide or other application.
These applications or features may be implemented
locally on the user equipment. The applications or features
may also be implemented using a client-server architecture
in which user equipment serves as a client processor, and a
server, such as distribution server 180, at media
distribution facility 150 or at some other suitable location
acts as a server processor. Other distributed architectures
may also be used if desired.
Examples of client-server program guides are shown
in Ellis et al. U.S. application No. 09/332,244, filed
June 11, 1999.
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Examples of interactive television program guide systems
with integrated program listings and video-on-demand display
screens are shown in Walker et al. U.S. Application No.
09/829,856, filed April 10, 2001. For clarity and brevity,
FIG. 1 is illustrated to include only one of each of the
elements that are shown therein. However, in
implementation, network topology 100 may include more than
one of the elements that are shown therein. For example,
network topology 100 may include multiple media distribution
facilities 150, multiple user-equipment 160, multiple
distributions servers 180, etc.
Turning next to FIG. 2, network topology 200
includes select elements from network topology 100 of FIG. 1
and expands on possible arrangements for such elements.
Network topology 200 may include user
equipment 260 and 265, server network 210, and
communications network 270. User equipment 260 and 265 are
both included in network topology 200 to better illustrate
the level of equipment independency that may be obtained in
on-demand media delivery systems.
User equipment 260 and 265 may provide a user with
the capability to display, retrieve, record, and manipulate
user-specific data, on-demand media content, and on-demand
media data. User equipment 260 and 265 may be user
equipment 160 of FIG. 1. Additionally, user equipment 260
and 265 may include input devices 261 and 266, display
devices 262 and 267, set-top boxes 263 and 268, and
communication devices 264 and 269 respectively.
Input devices 261 and 266 may allow a user to
access, control, or communicate with devices in user
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equipment 260 and 265 respectively. When used in
conjunction with communication devices 264 and 269, a
user may communicate with, access, or program certain
devices in network topology 200 via communications
network 270. Examples of input devices 261 and 266 may
include, for example, remote controls, keyboards, voice
recognition devices, and control panels located on the
devices in user equipment 260 and 265.
Display devices 262 and 267 may provide a
medium on which on-demand media content and data may be
presented or displayed to a user. Examples of display
devices that may generally be used may include, for
example, television sets, personal digital assistants
(FDA's), computer monitors, and cell phones. Display
devices 262 and 267 of FIG. 2 may be television sets,
monitors, or other suitable display devices. Display
devices 262 and 267 may not be limited to only visual
forms of presentation. For example, if desired, on-
demand audio content and data may be presented and
displayed audibly to the user by display devices 262
and 267. Display devices may also include, for
example, speakers, radios, sound-systems, and
earphones.
Set-top boxes 263 and 268 may be capable of
retrieving and sending on-demand media content and on-
demand media data to devices located outside of user
equipment 260 and 265 through communication devices 264
and 269. Examples of communication devices 264 and 269
may include, for example, local servers, telephone or
cable modems, infrared ports, and wireless LAN access
points. Set top boxes 263 and 268 may also contain
processing and storage capabilities as well as software
needed for an on-demand media delivery system.
Examples of software implemented on set-top boxes 263
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and 268 may include, for example, interactive
television program guide applications.
For clarity and brevity, user equipment 260
and 265 are illustratively shown to include set-top
boxes 263 and 268. However, in some embodiments, user
equipment systems 260 and 265 may include a personal
computer that has sufficient hardware and software
capability to perform the functionality described
herein or may include other devices with capabilities
similar to set-top boxes. If desired, user equipment
may include local storage devices such as a VCR, or a
digital video recorder that may provide conventional
data recording and storage capabilities.
Communications network 270 may provide a
communications hub and communications medium for the
devices of network topology 200. Persons skilled in
the art will appreciate that communications network 270
has been provided in network topology 200 to illustrate
the many different ways that the devices of network
topology 200 may be connected together. Communications
network 270 may represent connections such as direct
connections network connections, or combinations of
direct and network connections for devices in network
topology 200. Communications network 270 may include,
for example, routers, switches, wide area networks, the
Internet, LANs, intranets, wireless LANs, repeaters,
landline networks, PSTN, PABX, cable television
systems, etc.
Remote server network 210 may provide a
remote location in which on-demand media content and
on-demand media data may be stored. Remote server
network 210, which may be an on-demand media server,
may be configured to store, access, and manipulate
user-specific data in addition to the on-demand media
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content and the on-demand media data. If desired, remote
server network 210 may provide a communications hub between
user equipment 260 and 265 and other elements in network
topology 200. Furthermore, remote server network 210 may be
part of a media distribution facility or cable system
headend.
Remote server network 210 may also include any
number of remote servers 211 and 212. Examples of remote
servers 211 and 212 may include virtual servers, routing
servers, queuing servers, storage servers, media servers, or
any other type of server. Remote server network 210 may
include one or more servers.
User equipment platform independent on-demand
features may be provided to users for accessing,
manipulating, or storing on-demand media content and on-
demand media data, and also for accessing, manipulating, or
storing user-specific data.
FIG. 3 shows illustrative remote control 300,
which may be used as an input device for user equipment.
Remote control 300 may include, for example, primary option
buttons 310, alpha-numeric buttons 320, task buttons 330,
control buttons 340, secondary option buttons 350, and
custom buttons 360. Other arrangements of some or all of
the buttons may also be used.
Primary buttons 310 provide a user with access to
frequently used actions in an on-demand media delivery
system. Primary buttons 310 may include display button 311,
local storage button 312, other device button 313, power
button 314, login button 315, and logout button 316.
Display button 311, local storage button 312, and other
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device button 313 may be used to identify the device with
which the user seeks to interact. Login and logout
buttons 315 and 316 may
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allow a user to communicate his or her identification
to the on-demand media system. This identification may
be communicated through alpha-numeric buttons 320.
Alpha-numeric buttons 320 may be used to
enter, for example, numbers, letters, or an alpha-
numeric string. Alpha-numeric buttons 320 may be used
in conjunction with other buttons of remote
control 300. For example, if login button 315 is
pressed, alpha-numeric buttons 320 may be used for
alpha-numeric entry of identification information.
Task buttons 330 may provide means for
directing a task to be performed by a device in the on-
demand media delivery system. For example, "LREC"
button 338 may be used to have a local VCR record media
content that is currently being displayed by the user
equipment. If "RREC" button 339 is used, currently
displayed media content may be recorded on a server in
a remote server network. Task buttons 330 may include,
for example, play, pause, record, stop, menu, confirm,
rewind, fast-forward, local record, and remote record
buttons or any other task button.
Control buttons 340 may include volume
control buttons 341, navigation buttons 342, and
channel control buttons 343. Navigation buttons 342
may be used to adjust or move a desired element (e.g.,
a cursor, a highlight window, etc.) either vertically,
horizontally, or both. For example, if the desired
element is a cursor on an interactive program guide
display screen, navigation buttons 342 may be used to
move the cursor in the display screen. The "OR" key in
task buttons 330 may be used in combination with
navigation buttons 342 to select on-screen options.
Secondary buttons grouping 350 may include,
for example, profile access, relocate, auto-configure,
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access rights, billing information, administration,
remote access, personal data, and public data buttons.
Some of these features are further discussed below.
Custom buttons grouping 360 may include
buttons associated with any actions or commands that
are pre-defined by a user. If desired, other keys and
options may be included on remote control 300.
Functions shown on remote control 300 of FIG. 3 may
alternatively be offered as on-screen options or using
other input means (e.g., voice input).
FIG. 4.A shows illustrative navigation display
screen 400 that may be used as a top-level display
screen for an on-demand media delivery system in
accordance with the principles of the present
invention. Navigation display screen 400 includes
media windows 401 and 402, mail prompt 405, time label
406, quick fact button 408, program listing options
410, cable showcase options 420, and viewer services
options 430.
Media windows 401 and 402 may be used to
display user-selected media content, system-selected
media content, interactive advertisements, or other
content displayed through user equipment. Media
windows 401 and 402 may be removed, relocated, or
resized in display screen 400.
Mail prompt 405 may be displayed to indicate
new messages or selected by a user to read electronic
mail or to prepare and send electronic mail. Time
label 406 may be used on display screen 400 to display
the current time to a user. Time label 406 may be
tailored by the user to also display other time
critical information. Quick fact button 408 may
display a fact of possible interest (e.g., an
interactive advertisement) in display screen 400.
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Quick fact button 408 may be selected to take further
action or to display a related display screen.
Program listing options 410 may include
options for viewing program listings by time, by
channel, or by genre (e.g., sports, children, etc.).
. Program listings options 410 may also include an option
for searching for programs of interest (e.g., using
keywords, based on a title search, based on an actor
search, etc.). Program listings options 410 may
include an option to view a user's favorite program
listings.
Cable showcase options 420 may include
options for accessing video-on-demand program listings,
pay-per-view program listings, pay-per-view event
listings, premium program listings, music program
listings, or adult program listings.
A highlight window or cursor may be used to
move within a display screen. For example, cursor 440
may be used to select options in display screen 400.
Remote control 300 (FIG. 3), particularly navigation
buttons 342 (FIG. 3), may be used for moving cursor 440
within display screen 400. The area upon which cursor
440 is positioned over may be selected by pressing a
select, enter, or OK key, such as remote control button
335 of FIG. 3.
Screen 400 may also contain viewer services
options 430. Suitable viewer services options 430 may
include, for example, an option to access features
and/or information from a personal video recorder, an
option to access messages (either e-mail messages or
messages provided from a television system service
provider), an option to adjust parental control
settings (e.g., blocked channels or ratings, etc.), an
option to set or view profile data (e.g., favorite
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channels, etc.), an option to set up the program guide
or user equipment, an option to exit display screen
400, and an option to login to the system.
For brevity and clarity, programming and
other media that is available for viewing, but is
without a scheduled air time is primarily discussed in
the context of video-on-demand programming.
If the user selects video-on-demand (VOD)
option 421, the program guide may present the user with
a screen such as video-on-demand display screen 450 of
FIG. 4B. Display screen 450 may contain various
options that allow the user to view video-on-demand
program listings organized by different criteria such
as genres (e.g., family, action, drama, comedy, kids,
thrillers, classics, etc.). If the user selects movies
A-Z button 452 of display screen 400, the program guide
may present display screen 500 of FIG. 5A in which
video-on-demand program listings are listed
alphabetically.
Active area 507 may he present in many
different display screens. Active area 507 may be an
interactive advertisement. Illustrative ordering
display screen 550 of FIG. 5B may be displayed when a
user selects a VOD listing such as a listing for Star
Wars from display screen region 540 of FIG. SA or from
active area 507 of FIG. 5A. Video-on-demand ordering
display screen 550 may be displayed through any other
suitable technique.
Display screen 550 may contain information
region 552 that includes information on the title,
purchase price, running time, rating, and other
information related to the user's selection. A
detailed information region such as information region
551 may also be displayed. Region 551 may include a
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detailed description of the VCD listing, informaLion on
the actors in the movie, the running time, the year of
release, etc.
If the user selects back option 556, the user
may be taken back to display screen 500 of FIG. ak. If
the user desires to purchase the video-on-demand
program, the user may use remote control 300 of FIG. 3
to enter the user's login identification and associated
password information. Other user identification
techniques may also be used. These identification
structures may support the entry, for example, of a
purchase code or personal identification number (PIN)
in region 553.
When valid login information is entered and a
purchase button is selected (e.g., button 557), the
distribution of the selected video-on-demand program
may be authorized to the user from server 180 or remote
server network 110 of FIG. 1 or other suitable
distribution source to the user who is currently logged
into the system. The requested video-on-demand program
may be displayed in display screen 600 of FIG. Eh.
Region 608 may be displayed in display screen
600 and may contain information on the program title
and the time remaining in the current video-on-demand
program. Region 608 may also contain a selectable
advertisement. Region 608 may be provided as an
overlay over the video-on-demand program that is being
presented, as an L-shaped frame region surrounding a
reduced-size video window, or in any other suitable
configuration or layout. Region 608 may be invoked
whenever a user presses an appropriate key on remote
control 300 of FIG. 3 and may be removed, for example,
after a specified period of inactivity.
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Primary on-screen control options 610 may be
included in display screen 600 to give users one way of
controlling the on-demand media content being displayed
in window 601. Primary control options 610 may be
selected by the user, for example, to play, pause,
stop, rewind, record locally, record remotely, or fast-
forward the video-on-demand program. Hide option 615
may also be included in control options 610. When
selected, hide option 615 may remove all elements other
than window 601 from display screen 600.
When the user selects a control command, the
program guide may direct server 180 of FIG. 1, a server
located in remote server 110, or other suitable
equipment to perform the requested function. For
example, when the user selects the remote record option
619, the program guide may direct the server in remote
server network 110 to record the video-on-demand
program on the relevant storage space 190. When the
user selects record option 619, the server may record
some or all of the video-on-demand program that is
currently available to the user. These are merely
illustrative examples and any suitable technique for
handling video-on-demand recordings may be used if
desired.
If the user selects rewind option 616, the
program guide may direct the appropriate device, such
as server 180 of FIG. 1, to skip to an earlier portion
of the video-on-demand program. A real-time rewind
process may be used in which the video-on-demand
programming is displayed during the rewind operation.
Commands for pausing, playing and fast-forwarding may
be handled similarly.
FIG. 6B shows illustrative primary login
display screen 650. Login display screen 650 may
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include an enter identification region 670 in which
user identification may be entered by a user (e.g.,
using alpha-numeric keypad 660). Additionally, options
region 680 may be included in display screen 650.
Options region 680 may include options that are be used
to access, for example, a user's profile, a prior
display screen, help information, a VOD menu, and/or
login/logout options. Once an appropriate
identification information is entered into
identification region 670, a user may use login/logout
button 685 to send the user's identification
information to remote server network 110 or any other
suitable device in network topology 100 of FIG. 1.
Other techniques for login may also be used. For
example, if a user has already been identified by the
user, the system may not be required to submit further
information.
A relocate feature may be included in the on-
demand media system. This relocate feature may allow a
user to freeze media-on demand content being presented
on one user equipment and switch to some other user
equipment to resume the presentation of the media
on-demand content (i.e., resume from the point at which
the user had frozen the content). The user equipment
may be equipment such as user equipment 260 and 265 of
FIG. 2. If the user wants to continue watching the on-
demand media content at a friends house (e.g., user
equipment system 265 of FIG. 2), the user may only have
to use the relocate feature to freeze the on-demand
media content and relocate to the friend's house to '
.resume the on-demand media content.
FIG. 7A shows an illustrative relocate
feature confirmation display screen 700. Display
screen 700 may be displayed when a command from remote
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control 300 of FIG. 3 is selected or when an appropriate
option on an on-demand media display screen is selected to
indicate a user's interest to freeze the program. If a user
wants to confirm a freeze request, option 710 may be
selected. If a user does not want to confirm the freeze
request, option 720 may be selected. If desired, a user may
freeze a VOD program by simply selecting the relocate
feature from a remote control or from an earlier on-screen
menu. If the user has not previously logged in or otherwise
been identified, the user may be asked to log in or to
provide identification information when making a freeze
request.
FIG. 7B shows illustrative relocation display
screen 730 that may be displayed when a command from remote
control 300 of FIG. 3 is selected or when an appropriate
option on an on-demand media display screen is selected to
resume on-demand media that was frozen earlier by the user.
Option 740 may be selected if a user wants to start to view
the media from the frozen point on user equipment that is
different (e.g., different household, different subscriber
site, different room, different equipment platform, etc.)
than that which was used to freeze the media.
When a user selects continue option 740, the media
may be presented on the current user equipment starting from
the frozen point. If desired, media may be queued to the
frozen point for presentation to a user when a user who had
previously selected a freeze (or relocated) option logs into
the system. Also, if desired, the media may be queued
selectively upon user request (e.g., user selects a resume
from frozen point option). If the user has not previously
logged in or otherwise been identified, the user may be
asked to log
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in or asked to provide identification information when
making a resume request. The system may also allow the
user to select from multiple programs which may have
been previously frozen by the user.
When the relocate feature is first selected
by a user, remote server network 110 of FIG. 1 may, for
example, pause the on-demand media content being viewed
by the user and store a content location reference to
an appropriate user-specific account. After the user
switches to a different location and requests that the
paused content be appropriately delivered, remote
server network 110 may retrieve the appropriate content
location reference and continue delivering the media
content from the point at which the user paused the
content. Before the media content may be delivered,
the remote server network may require that the user be
identified so that the appropriate user-specific data
and/or a user-specific account information, may be
located and accessed.
User-specific data or account information may
be stored in a section of remote server network 110
(FIG. 1) dedicated to the user. Remote server network
110 (FIG. 1) may be a VOD server that is configured to
store such information and data. An account on remote
server network 110 (FIG. 1) may also be used to store
that user's personal images or video. Remote server
network (FIG. 1) may allow users to access their
personal images or videos from their own home or from
user equipment at other locations.
FIG. 7C is a flow chart of illustrative
relocation process 760 that shows how data is stored
and accessed when a relocate feature is selected.
Process 760 begins with start step 761 that may include
almost any interaction with the media-delivery system
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that results in the relocation feature being presented
to the user. Start step 761 may, for example, be a
user interaction that brings up relocate display screen
700 of FIG. 7.A. At step 762, a user may be given an
opportunity to choose or confirm the relocate feature.
If desired, step 762 may include step 771 for
identifying a current user (e.g., identifying a current
user on a first user equipment). User identification
step 771 may provide the user with the ability to log
into the on-demand media system, which may include
prompting the user for an identification and/or
password. Step 771 may be performed, for example, in
response to a user selecting the relocate feature.
If desired, step 771 may be part of start
step 761 to allow the system to identify the current
user before the relocate feature is selected by the
user.
The on-demand media system may then save the
user's current position (step 763) when the user
selects the relocate feature. Saving the current
position may involve, for example, saving a pointer
that identifies where the media content was 'frozen' or
paused by the relocate feature. If the user was
identified in step 771, process 760 may store any data
relevant to the operation of the relocate feature in
storage space associated with the user. If desired,
saving the current position may involve recording the
media content from the point at which the relocate
feature was chosen. At step 764, process 760 may enter
an idle mode until a user selects to resume reception.
Step 764 may include step 772 for identifying the
current user (e.g., identifying a current user on a
second user equipment). Step 772 may be performed when
a user selects to resume media using the relocate
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feature. At step 772, the system may provide a current
user with the ability to log into the on-demand media
system, which may include prompting the user for an
identification and/or password. If desired, step 772
may be performed before the current user selects to
resume media using the relocate feature.
At step 765, the location of the media
content that was being viewed when the relocate feature
was initially selected may be retrieved. If the user
was identified in step 772, data associated with the
operation of the relocate feature may be retrieved from
storage space associated with the current user.
. If a pointer was stored, the system may find
the correct location of content in the on-demand media
delivery system using the pointer .and continue playing
the media from that point (Step 765). If desired, the
media may have been remotely recorded from the point at
which the relocate future was selected. In such
embodiments, the system will simply begin playing
content from the point at which the content was
recorded. After the content has been successfully
retrieved and resumed, finish step 766 may occur which
may denote the end of process 760.
FIG. 8 illustrates relocation process 880 and
is similar to process 760, but includes the possibility
of relocating while watching live content. Steps 881,
882, 891, 886, 892, and 888 are essentially the same as
steps 761, 762, 771, 764, 772, and 766 of FIG. 7C,
respectively. At live feed check step 883, the system
may determine if the current media is a live feed. If
the media is not a live feed, step 885 is performed,
which involves storing the current position of the
media. If the media is a live feed, the media may be
remotely recorded at step 884. After step 884 occurs,
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the position of the media may be stored at step 885.
If desired, the position of the media may be stored in
the form of a pointer. During step 886, the system may
be in an idle state, waiting for the user to indicate
that the user has relocated to new user equipment. If
desired, process 880 may include steps 891 and 892 at
particular points in process 880 as shown and/or
discussed above in connection with steps 771 and 772 of
FIG. 7C for identifying a current user at a first user
equipment and at a second user equipment when a user
has relocated to the second user equipment. After a
user has relocated, the system may, in step 887,
determine the stored media position, retrieve the
stored media position, and then continue playing the
media from the stored media position. Once play
commences, finish step 888 is reached and the user is
successfully relocated.
A remote on-demand media server may be
configured to store and deliver user-specific media
(e.g., pictures, videocam recordings, etc.), or user-
uploaded data or media. Access to such data and media
may be controlled in a variety of ways.
FIG. 9 shows illustrative data and media
access process 900 for remote servers. At step 901, a
static request from the on-demand media system or a
manual request from a user interfacing with user
equipment may be received. The request may be
associated with the retrieval of media content or user-
specific data.
To retrieve media content, server 180 of
FIG. I may be accessed. At step 902, in response to a
request for user-specific data, the appropriate device
in network topology 100 of FIG. 1 may be checked to
determine if any type of authorization is needed to
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access the requested data. At step 903, in response to
a request for media content, the system may check
appropriate devices in network topology 100 of FIG. 1
to determine if any type of authorization to access the
requested media content is needed.
If access to the data or media does not need
any type of authorization, the data or media may be
retrieved and the user may be provided with an
opportunity to access the data or the media at steps
907 and 908. Data or media that may not require access
privileges may include, for example, data or media
defined by a user as public.
If authorization is needed, then at step 904
or at step 905, a request may be sent to determine if
the user has permission to access the desired data or
media. Steps 904 and 905 may include asking the user
for an account identity and/or password. At step 906,
users may be denied access when the users have not been
given access rights for the desired data or media. If
a user does have permission to access the desired data
or media, the user may be given access to the data at
step 907 or access to the media at step 908.
If desired, steps 902 and 903 may be
combined. If desired, steps 904 and 905 may be
combined. Also if desired, 907 and 908 may be
combined.
As mentioned above, the on-demand media
system realizes many unique features in utilizing the
capabilities of remote storage and remote access. Some
of such unique features may be realized in connection
with remotely stored user profiles or remotely stored
user accounts.
An on-demand media delivery system may have
an account for a user or a group of users (e.g., a
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household)that may be used to store user profiles for
users associated with the account. A user profile may
act as a governing data structure through which user-
specific data and on-demand media content and data may
be accessed, stored, and retrieved.
Remote server network 110 of FIG. 1 may be
partitioned and formatted to include a user account for
any user or group of users in which account-specific
data and on-demand media content may be stored,
manipulated, and accessed.
FIG. 10 shows illustrative profile display
screen 1000 that may include user identification
information 1005 to show who is currently recognized by
the system. If a new user wishes to login, new login
option 1031 may be selected and a login display screen
such as display screen 650 of FIG. 6B may be initiated.
If the user desires an option that is not present on
display screen 1100, more options button 1032 may be
selected.
Region 1010 includes a number of different
user-selectable options such as a preferences option as
shown. These options may allow the user to access or
use locally or remotely stored data or media when the
user is logged into the system.
FIG. 11 shows illustrative account
administration display screen 1150 that may be
displayed when account administration option 1034 of
FIG. 10 is selected. Account information 1151 may be
displayed on display screen 1150 to show which user is
currently recognized and to identify the administrative
position of that user. Account administration window
1160 may be located on display screen 1150 and may
contain a list of users or groups that are under the
recognized user's account. The recognized user may
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change the properties of the users or groups in window
1160 through administrative controls 1170. A user may
change properties of a user or a group by first
selecting a user or group from window 1160 (e.g.,
pressing a data entry key when a highlighted window is
positioned over a user or group) and next positioning a
cursor or highlight window on one of the options in
controls 1170 to take desired action. Examples of
controls that may be included in administrative
controls 1170 may include, for example, add new group,
add new user, restrict group, restrict user, limit
group, limit user, delete group, delete user, create a
new account for a user, and create a new account for a
group.
Storing user-specific data such as the user's
preferences (e.g., preferences in general, preferences
for on-demand media, etc.) in a remote server such as a
VOD server may allow for a personal auto-configure
feature that would follow a user to move from equipment
to equipment. This feature may allow preferences to be
retrieved and executed by user equipment after the user
has been identified by the system (e.g., identified by
a remote server network). Some categories of
preferences and user-specific information that may be
used in an auto-configure feature may include, for
example, volume settings, favorite channels, reminders,
information about user-recorded on-demand media
content, the user's last activity, auto-record times,
as well as any other preference or activity. For
example, after a user is verified by a remote server
network, the user equipment may selectively or
automatically be configured to match or use some or all
of the user's remotely stored preferences.
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FIG. 12 shows illustrative auto-configure
display screen 1200, which may be initiated after a
user has logged in via a login display screen (e.g.,
display screen 650 of FIG. 6B). Display screen 1200
may allow a user to select have user equipment auto
configured. The user equipment may be user equipment
that is currently being used that user. The user
equipment may be auto-configured by downloading user-
related data and information and processing the data
and information on the user equipment to suit the
current user.
Information region 1210 may be present on
display screen 1200 and may include data from a user's
profile or data related to a user's login. Configure
options 1220 may be included on display screen 1200.
Information stored in a user's profile may be accessed
to perform a number of activities when one of options
1220 are selected. The options displayed among in
configure options 1220 may vary depending on types of
the information that are stored in a particular user's
profile. Examples of configuration options 1220 may
include, for example, auto-configuration options, last
activity options, favorite show option, last show
option, and favorite activity option.
Always auto-configure option 1211 may be
selected by a user to automatically configured user
equipment with the user's personal information whenever
the user logs into the system. Auto-configure
option 1212 may be displayed when always auto configure
option 1211 was not previously selected by the user.
Auto-configure option 1212 may be selected to auto-
configure the currently used user equipment. User
equipment settings may be deleted or reset by the user
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equipment settings by after a user has logged off and
is no longer recognized to be the user equipment.
FIG. 13 shows illustrative process 1350 that
may be involved in automatically configuring user
equipment. The process may begin at start step 1351,
when, for example, an on-demand media delivery system
is activated. A user may be allowed to log into the
system at step 1352. At step 1353, the user's login
information may be verified. At step 1354, if the
login information that is entered is valid, the system
may check to see if the account of the logged in user
indicates that the always auto-configure feature is
selected. If the account shows the always auto-
configure feature to be selected, the user equipment
that was used for logging into the system may be
automatically configured with that user's preference
information at step 1358.
At step 1358, auto-configuration preferences
and information may be retrieved and downloaded to the
currently-used user equipment and the user equipment
may be configured based on the preferences and
information.
If the option to always auto-configure was
not selected, a user may be provided with an
opportunity to have the currently-used user equipment
automatically configured for the current login at step
1355. Step 1358 may be performed when the user selects
the auto-configure option during the current login. At
finish step 1359, a user may be allowed to resume other
activity. In this technique, some or all of a user's
profile or preferences may be stored at a remote
server.
The on-demand media delivery system may also
contain an upload feature. FIG. 11A depicts an
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illustrative upload file display screen 1400 which may
be initiated in order to upload a file. If desired,
the upload feature may include a process that
automatically scans user equipment for upload devices.
Upload device buttons 1420 may be displayed on display
screen 1400 when different file sources are available.
For example, display screen 1400 may include VCR upload
button 1411, computer upload button 1412, and DVD
player upload button 1413. A user may be allowed to
select a button from buttons 1420 to upload data from
the device associated with that button.
The upload feature may also include an
Internet address entry box 1410. A user may type or
select a file address in box 1410. The on-demand media
system may search the Internet for a file based on the
file address and may upload the file. A user may
select practically any file to upload when the file is
found and have the file stored on a remote server of
the on-demand media system.
Files uploaded to the remote server (e.g.,
VOD server) may also be downloaded to user equipment to
be presented to a user. Files may be transferred from
one user equipment to a different user equipment system
through a media-on-demand remote server. Files may
include almost any type of data, program, or content.
Examples of files that may be uploaded include, for
example, pictures, movies, songs, video games,
documents, e-mails, and Internet Web pages. Files such
as pictures, movies, songs, video, or other audio-
visuals materials may be of particular interest because
on-demand media servers are particularly suited for the
delivery and presentation of audio-visuals to users.
Process 1450 is illustrated in FIG. 14B to
show illustrative steps that may be involved in
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uploading a file to a device such as a VOD server. At
step 1452, a user may be provided with an opportunity to
select an upload feature. At step 1454, the on-demand media
system may check to see if a user is currently logged into
the system. If a user is not currently logged in, user
login may be requested at step 1455. At step 1456 the
system may check to see whether the login was valid. The
upload process may commence at step 1457 when the current
user is logged into the system.
At step 1457, the system will determine if file
location information has been given by the user. If
desired, the system may search the user equipment for file
source devices. If file source devices are found,
appropriate upload options may be presented at step 1459.
These options may be presented to a user in the form of
device buttons 1410 of FIG. 14A. If no devices were found
at step 1458, default options may be presented to the user
at step 1460. Default options may include, for example, an
Internet upload box or a list of possible storage devices
that the user equipment may include. At step 1461, a user
may be provided with an opportunity to select a file
location for upload using the presented options. At
step 1462, the selected file may be uploaded. If desired,
at step 1462, the system may convert file formats for files
that are being uploaded (e.g., convert JPG files to MPEG
files) and/or may convert analog signals to digital file
format.
After a file has been uploaded in step 1462, a
user may want to assign access rights to that file. A user
may also want to download the file to a different device in
the on-demand media system. FIG. 15A is an illustration of
display screen 1500 which may
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allow a user to download a recently uploaded file or to
assign access rights to that file.
If a user desires to designate an uploaded
file as a public file, public button 1531 may be
selected. If a user desires to designate an uploaded
file as a private file, private button 1532 may be
selected. Download buttons 1520 may also be included
in display screen 1500. If desired, the system may
convert file formats for files that are downloaded
(e.g., convert JPG files to MPEG files) and/or may
provide digital to analog format conversions. Examples
of such buttons may include for example, download to
VCR button 1511, download to computer button 1512, and
download to DVD player button 1513. If desired,
however, the user may be presented with an option to
have the file, which may be an audiovisual file,
displayed or played back for the user. For example,
the system may present the user with "view on your TV"
option 1533, which may allow the user to view the file
on the user's television set.
Files that are designated as private may be
files that are associated with a particular user or
with particular groups of users that have access rights
to the file to the exclusion of others. Access may be
limited to certain activities, which may include, for
example, downloading, viewing, deleting, writing, and
manipulating a file.
FIG. 15B illustrates display screen 1550, in
which a user may grant and restrict access to
particular users or groups of users in the on-demand
media system. Display screen 1550 may include identity
listings 1580 that contains a list of users and groups
in the on-demand media system. After selecting a user
or group from listings 1580 (e.g., by navigating on a
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listing and pressing a select key), a user may use
grant button 1562 to grant access to a selected user or
group. A user may select restrict button 1563 to
restrict access to selected user or groups. If the
user decides to make the file a public file, the user
may select public button 1564.
The on-demand media system may include a file
search feature to aid users in locating files. FIG.
16A illustrates display screen 1600 from which a user
may search for files on the on-demand media system.
Display screen 1600 may contain search-type listings
1611. Listings 1611 may include options that allow a
user to designate which types of files are to be
located in a search. .Examples of file types in
listings 1611 may include, files to which the user has
access rights, files associated with the current user,
= files for the presentation of audiovisuals such as
pictures, games, or videos, or files for any other type
of data.
Search listings 1612 may be included in
display screen 1600 to give a user capabilities to
narrow a search. A user may use listings 1612 to enter
searchable text that may be associated with either a
file's title or description. Identity search listings
box 1613 may also be included in display screen 1600 .to
narrow a search even further. Box 1613 gives a user
the capabilities to search for files associated with
specific identities. After one or more files have been
found by the on-demand media system, the user may
download the file either to the remote server or to a
device in the user equipment system.
FIG. 16B is an illustration of display screen
1650 that allows a user to download files which were
located in a file search. Display screen 1650 may
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contain found files listings box 1680, in which the
found files may be listed. Box 1680 may list found
files in any manner, such as alphabetically, and if
desired may include a data or ownership hierarchy
showing where the file was found in the system. Files
from box 1680 may be downloaded to a remote server with
the selection of a download button, such as download
button 1662. For example, a user may select a file in
box 1680 and then move a cursor to button 1662 to
select that button. Device download buttons 1670 may
also be included in display screen 1650 based on what
devices are included in the currently-used user
equipment. Download buttons may include for example,
download to VCR button 1671, download to computer
button 1672, download to DVD player button 1673, or any
other suitable button for downloading files to a local
device. If desired, the system may convert file
formats for files that are downloaded (e.g., convert
JPG files to MPEG files) and/or may provide digital to
analog format conversions. Additionally, the user may
be presented with view file option 1661, which may
allow the user to view files located in the file search
on the user equipment. See also "view on your TV"
option 1533 of FIG. 15A, which essentially provides the
same functionality.
For clarity and brevity, the features of the
systems that are described herein are primarily
discussed in the context of video-on-demand services.
The features may also be implemented with other types
of media on-demand services. Media on-demand services
may be used to mass distribute movies, programs, music
albums, etc. to users. User equipment and remote
network servers may be configured for users to store
personal media such as photographs, home videos, old
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recordings, or other media on a remote server for on-
demand access by the user at a later time. The user as
described above may associate desired access rights
with the media that the user stores on the remote
server.
Some or all of the features that are
described herein may be implemented as part of an
interactive television program guide, as part of a
media on-demand application, as part of a dedicated
application for those features; or implemented using a
combination of such applications.
If desired, in connection with the relocate
feature, the system may prompt a user to select whether
to freeze on-demand-media of the user when the user is
logging out of the system. Also, if desired, in
connection with the relocate feature, the system may
allow the user to resume the presentation of on-demand-
media from a different point than the point at which
the on-demand media may have been frozen. For example,
the system may provide the user with an option to
resume the presentation of on-demand media from the
beginning of the media when the user relocates and
exercise the relocate feature. The system may further
allow the user to rewind the media past the point at
which the media frozen.
The foregoing is merely illustrative of the
principles of this invention and various modifications
may be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
