U.S. patent application number 11/231466 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-13 for content storage method and system.
Invention is credited to Charles L. Compton.
Application Number | 20060080703 11/231466 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37900261 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060080703 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Compton; Charles L. |
April 13, 2006 |
Content storage method and system
Abstract
A content storage method and system for use in a content
distribution network are provided. A personal file locker is
established on the network for a user. A content-storage-request
database is established. The database tracks requests by the user
for placing video programs into the user's file locker for personal
use by the user. Upon the broadcasting of a video program for which
there exists a request by the user to place the video program into
the user's file locker, the requested video program is stored in
the user's file locker. The stored video program is then made
available to the user for viewing. Alternative approaches to
content storage methods and systems are also described, including
the use of a buffer enhancement to enable the performance of
operations on "live" television.
Inventors: |
Compton; Charles L.; (Bryn
Mawr, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
1000 TOWN CENTER
TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
US
|
Family ID: |
37900261 |
Appl. No.: |
11/231466 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10806251 |
Mar 22, 2004 |
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11231466 |
Sep 21, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/34 ;
348/E7.07; 725/46; 725/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 7/17336 20130101;
H04N 21/25875 20130101; H04N 21/25866 20130101; H04N 21/6587
20130101; H04H 60/23 20130101; H04N 21/2408 20130101; H04N 21/47214
20130101; H04N 21/2747 20130101; H04H 60/27 20130101; H04H 60/39
20130101; H04N 21/23106 20130101; H04N 7/17309 20130101; H04N
21/6581 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/034 ;
725/009; 725/046 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/445 20060101
H04N005/445; H04N 7/025 20060101 H04N007/025; H04H 9/00 20060101
H04H009/00; H04N 7/10 20060101 H04N007/10; G06F 3/00 20060101
G06F003/00; H04N 7/16 20060101 H04N007/16 |
Claims
1. A content storage method for use in a content distribution
network, the content distribution network providing broadcast video
programming over the network to a plurality of users in accordance
with a broadcasting schedule, the method comprising: establishing a
personal file locker on the network for a user, the file locker
including network storage space allocated for personal use by the
user; establishing a content-storage-request database for tracking
requests by the user for placing broadcast video programs into the
user's file locker for personal use by the user; upon the
broadcasting of a video program for which there exists a request by
the user to place the video program into the user's file locker,
storing that video program in the user's file locker; making the
stored video program available to the user for viewing;
establishing a buffer enhancement for the file locker; and enabling
the user to pause broadcast programming during the broadcasting
thereof via utilization of the buffer enhancement, thereby further
personalizing the viewing of an otherwise traditionally delivered
program, whereby after unpausing of the broadcast programming, the
delayed programming is viewed from the file locker buffer.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: enabling the user to
rewind broadcast programming during the broadcasting thereof via
utilization of the buffer enhancement, thereby further
personalizing the viewing of an otherwise traditionally delivered
program.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: enabling the user to
fast-forward broadcast programming during the broadcasting thereof
via utilization of the buffer enhancement, thereby further
personalizing the viewing of an otherwise traditionally delivered
program.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the utilization of the buffer
enhancement is initiated by the user viewing broadcast programming
such that programming is only stored to the file locker upon the
viewing thereof unless the programming is the subject of a specific
request by the user for placement in the file locker.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the personal file locker is a
construct created to hold the user's content, and wherein the
method further comprises: establishing a file-locker database for
storing a description of the file locker construct.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the content-storage-request
database has entries corresponding to scheduled video programs, and
wherein the method further comprises: upon the occurrence of a
content request by the user for a program, adding a pointer to the
content-storage-request database entry for the requested program,
the pointer designating the requesting user's file locker; and upon
the broadcasting of the requested program, storing the requested
program in the user's file locker.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the personal file locker is a
construct created to hold the user's content, and wherein the
method further comprises: establishing a file-locker database for
storing a description of the file locker construct, wherein the
added pointer points to the entry in the file-locker database for
the requesting user's file locker.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising: annotating the entry
in the file-locker database for the requesting user's file locker
to note the presence of the pointer.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising: upon the occurrence of
a request by the user to delete the previous content request by the
user, removing the previously added pointer and removing the
annotation.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the content distribution network
generally makes video programming available over the network to the
plurality of users, and wherein the method further comprises:
tracking requests by the user for placing available video programs
into the user's file locker for personal use by the user; and upon
the general making available of a video program for which there
exists a request by the user to place the video program into the
user's file locker, storing that video program in the user's file
locker.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising: authenticating a
request by the user to view the available stored video program to
authenticate the requesting user.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising: providing the
available stored video program to the user for viewing; and during
viewing, providing pause, rewind, and fast forward features.
13. A content storage system for use in a content distribution
network, the content distribution network providing broadcast video
programming over the network to a plurality of users in accordance
with a broadcasting schedule, the system comprising: a personal
file locker on the network for a user, the file locker being a
construct created to hold the user's content and including network
storage space allocated for personal use by the user, the file
locker including a buffer enhancement; a content-storage-request
database for tracking requests by the user for placing broadcast
video programs into the user's file locker for personal use by the
user; and computer instructions executable by a computer on the
network to, upon the broadcasting of a video program for which
there exists a request by the user to place the video program into
the user's file locker, store that video program in the user's file
locker, and make the stored video program available to the user for
viewing; and computer instructions executable by a computer on the
network to enable the user to pause broadcast programming during
the broadcasting thereof via utilization of the buffer enhancement,
thereby further personalizing the viewing of an otherwise
traditionally delivered program, whereby after unpausing of the
broadcast programming, the delayed programming is viewed from the
file locker buffer.
14. The system of claim 13 further comprising: computer
instructions executable by a computer on the network to enable the
user to rewind broadcast programming during the broadcasting
thereof via utilization of the buffer enhancement, thereby further
personalizing the viewing of an otherwise traditionally delivered
program.
15. The system of claim 13 further comprising: computer
instructions executable by a computer on the network to enable the
user to fast-forward broadcast programming during the broadcasting
thereof via utilization of the buffer enhancement, thereby further
personalizing the viewing of an otherwise traditionally delivered
program.
16. The system of claim 13 wherein the utilization of the buffer
enhancement is initiated by the user viewing broadcast programming
such that programming is only stored to the file locker upon the
viewing thereof unless the programming is the subject of a specific
request by the user for placement in the file locker.
17. The system of claim 13 further comprising: a file-locker
database for storing a description of the file locker
construct.
18. The system of claim 13 wherein the content-storage-request
database has entries corresponding to scheduled video programs, and
wherein the system further comprises: computer instructions
executable by a computer on the network to, upon the occurrence of
a content request by the user for a program, add a pointer to the
content-storage-request database entry for the requested program,
the pointer designating the requesting user's file locker; and
computer instructions executable by a computer on the network to,
upon the broadcasting of the requested program, store the requested
program in the user's file locker.
19. The system of claim 18 further comprising: a file-locker
database for storing a description of the file locker construct,
wherein the added pointer points to the entry in the file-locker
database for the requesting user's file locker.
20. The system of claim 19 further comprising: computer
instructions executable by a computer on the network to annotate
the entry in the file-locker database for the requesting user's
file locker to note the presence of the pointer.
21. The system of claim 20 further comprising: computer
instructions executable by a computer on the network to, upon the
occurrence of a request by the user to delete the previous content
request by the user, remove the previously added pointer and remove
the annotation.
22. The system of claim 13 wherein the content distribution network
generally makes video programming available over the network to the
plurality of users, and wherein the system further comprises:
computer instructions executable by a computer on the network to
track requests by the user for placing available video programs
into the user's file locker for personal use by the user; and
computer instructions executable by a computer on the network to,
upon the general making available of a video program for which
there exists a request by the user to place the video program into
the user's file locker, store that video program in the user's file
locker.
23. The system of claim 13 further comprising: computer
instructions executable by a computer on the network to
authenticate a request by the user to view the available stored
video program to authenticate the requesting user.
24. The system of claim 13 further comprising: computer
instructions executable by a computer on the network to provide the
available stored video program to the user for viewing; and
computer instructions executable by a computer on the network to,
during viewing, providing pause, rewind, and fast forward
features.
25. A content storage method for use in a content distribution
network, the content distribution network providing broadcast video
programming over the network to a plurality of users in accordance
with a broadcasting schedule, the method comprising: establishing a
plurality of personal file lockers on the network for a plurality
of users, each file locker including network storage space
allocated for personal use by the corresponding user, each file
locker including a buffer enhancement; establishing a
content-storage-request database for tracking requests by the
plurality of users for placing broadcast video programs into their
file lockers for personal use; upon the broadcasting of a video
program for which there exists at least one request by a user to
place the video program into the user's file locker, storing that
video program in each requesting user's file locker; making the
stored video program available for viewing by each user whose file
locker received the video program; and enabling a user to pause
broadcast programming during the broadcasting thereof via
utilization of the buffer enhancement in that user's file locker,
thereby further personalizing the viewing of an otherwise
traditionally delivered program, whereby after unpausing of the
broadcast programming, the delayed programming is viewed from the
user's file locker buffer.
26. A content storage system for use in a content distribution
network, the content distribution network providing broadcast video
programming over the network to a plurality of users in accordance
with a broadcasting schedule, the system comprising: a plurality of
personal file lockers on the network for a plurality of users, each
file locker including network storage space allocated for personal
use by the corresponding user, each file locker including a buffer
enhancement; a content-storage-request database for tracking
requests by the plurality of users for placing broadcast video
programs into their file lockers for personal use; computer
instructions executable by a computer on the network to, upon the
broadcasting of a video program for which there exists at least one
request by a user to place the video program into the user's file
locker, store that video program in each requesting user's file
locker; computer instructions executable by a computer on the
network to make the stored video program available for viewing by
each user whose file locker received the video program; and
computer instructions executable by a computer on the network to
enable a user to pause broadcast programming during the
broadcasting thereof via utilization of the buffer enhancement in
that user's file locker, thereby further personalizing the viewing
of an otherwise traditionally delivered program, whereby after
unpausing of the broadcast programming, the delayed programming is
viewed from the user's file locker buffer.
27. A method for time-shifted viewing of content for use in a
content distribution network, the content distribution network
delivering a plurality of broadcast video programs over the network
to a plurality of viewers in accordance with a broadcast schedule,
the method comprising: allocating a remote personal storage
resource on the network for a user; receiving a request by the user
for storage of a desired one or more of the broadcast video
programs; only if said request is received no later than a
scheduled broadcast of the desired program, in response to the
request automatically storing the desired video program in the
user's remote personal storage resource upon the scheduled
broadcasting of the desired video program; automatically making the
stored video program available to the user over the network for
viewing at a subsequent time specified by the user; establishing a
buffer enhancement for the remote personal storage resource; and
enabling the user to pause broadcast programming during the
broadcasting thereof via utilization of the buffer enhancement,
thereby further personalizing the viewing of an otherwise
traditionally delivered program, whereby after unpausing of the
broadcast programming, the delayed programming is viewed from the
remote personal storage resource buffer.
28. The method of claim 27 further comprising: enabling the user to
rewind broadcast programming during the broadcasting thereof via
utilization of the buffer enhancement, thereby further
personalizing the viewing of an otherwise traditionally delivered
program.
29. The method of claim 27 further comprising: enabling the user to
fast-forward broadcast programming during the broadcasting thereof
via utilization of the buffer enhancement, thereby further
personalizing the viewing of an otherwise traditionally delivered
program.
30. The method of claim 27 wherein the utilization of the buffer
enhancement is initiated by the user viewing broadcast programming
such that programming is only stored to the file locker upon the
viewing thereof unless the programming is the subject of a specific
request by the user for placement in the file locker.
31. A content storage method for use in a content distribution
network, the content distribution network providing broadcast
programming over the network to a plurality of users in accordance
with a broadcasting schedule, the method comprising: establishing a
personal file locker on the network for a user, the file locker
including network storage space allocated for personal use by the
user; establishing a content-storage-request database for tracking
requests by the user for placing broadcast programs into the user's
file locker for personal use by the user; upon the broadcasting of
a program for which there exists a request by the user to place the
program into the user's file locker, storing that program in the
user's file locker; making the stored program available to the user
for viewing; establishing a buffer enhancement for the file locker;
and enabling the user to pause broadcast programming during the
broadcasting thereof via utilization of the buffer enhancement,
thereby further personalizing the viewing of an otherwise
traditionally delivered program, whereby after unpausing of the
broadcast programming, the delayed programming is viewed from the
file locker buffer.
32. A content storage system for use in a content distribution
network, the content distribution network providing broadcast
programming over the network to a plurality of users in accordance
with a broadcasting schedule, the system comprising: a personal
file locker on the network for a user, the file locker being a
construct created to hold the user's content and including network
storage space allocated for personal use by the user, the file
locker including a buffer enhancement; a content-storage-request
database for tracking requests by the user for placing broadcast
programs into the user's file locker for personal use by the user;
computer instructions executable by a computer on the network to,
upon the broadcasting of a program for which there exists a request
by the user to place the program into the user's file locker, store
that program in the user's file locker, and make the stored program
available to the user for viewing; and computer instructions
executable by a computer to enable the user to pause broadcast
programming during the broadcasting thereof via utilization of the
buffer enhancement, thereby further personalizing the viewing of an
otherwise traditionally delivered program, whereby after unpausing
of the broadcast programming, the delayed programming is viewed
from the file locker buffer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/806,251, filed on Mar. 22, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to content distribution techniques and
to personal video recorders (PVRs).
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] The video cassette recorder (VCR) has been used for many
years to allow users to record video programming to tape for
personal use. Most modern video cassette recorders (VCRs) include a
programmable memory to allow users to program the VCR in advance to
later record a particular program. In this way, at the programmed
time, the VCR tunes to the programmed channel and records the
present video programming to tape. Over time, the VCR-programmable
memory feature has been enhanced to simplify programming.
[0006] Today, many viewers have turned to the personal video
recorder (PVR) to record video programming for personal use. The
PVR usually includes a hard disk drive and records video
programming as digital video files on the hard disk drive. The PVR
is able to provide all of the functionality associated with the
traditional VCR, and provide some additional capabilities. One of
these additional capabilities that has become quite popular is the
ability to pause, rewind, and fast forward live broadcast
programming.
[0007] Existing PVRs have been quite successful, but some have
perceived certain disadvantages associated with the PVR. U.S. Pub.
No. 2003/0208767 A1 enumerates some perceived disadvantages of the
PVR and describes network-based interactive programming and
services. All content is recorded at the headend and a content
license approach is utilized where a user may reserve programs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved
content storage method that utilizes a file locker-based approach.
A user has a personal file locker on the network. When content is
stored in the user's file locker, it is available for the user to
watch. This innovative file locker-based approach provides
improvements over the existing PVR by, for example, providing added
flexibility and economy of scale. At the same time, this innovative
file locker-based approach may avoid some of the limitations
associated with a content license approach. In this way, the
personal file locker provides a solution that is not comprehended
by the prior art.
[0009] In carrying out the invention, a content storage method is
provided for use in a content distribution network. The content
distribution network provides broadcast video programming over the
network to a plurality of users in accordance with a broadcasting
schedule. The method comprises establishing a personal file locker
on the network for a user. The file locker includes network storage
space allocated for personal use by the user. The method further
comprises establishing a content-storage-request database. The
database tracks requests by the user for placing broadcast video
programs into the user's file locker for personal use by the user.
Requested content is stored in the user's file locker upon
broadcast thereof and is thereafter made available to the user.
Upon a request to view by the user, content stored in the user's
file locker may be viewed. In this way, the invention provides a
content storage area or file locker that a user can manage as if it
were in his/her home. Operations supported include adding content,
accessing content, and removing content.
[0010] It is appreciated that the file locker-based approach
provided by the invention provides flexibility and economy of scale
by implementing a personal file locker for the user on the network.
It is further appreciated that the file locker-based approach
provided by the invention provides a personal storage-space
allocation for personal use by the user and in this way may avoid
some of the limitations associated with a content license approach.
The invention provides an improved content storage method that
provides the flexibility and economy of scale of a network
solution, and provides the personal use and management of an
in-home solution, brought together in the file locker-based
method.
[0011] At a more detailed level, the invention comprehends many
possible features as further described below. The personal file
locker may be established in any suitable way such as a directory
or other file system/volume construct that is created to hold the
user's content. A database entry in a file-locker database notes
the details of the file locker. It is also to be appreciated that
the content-storage-request database may be established in any
suitable way. In a suitable approach, the content-storage-request
database has entries corresponding to scheduled video programs, and
a content-storage request by the user results in the addition of a
pointer to the content-storage-request database entry for the
requested program. The pointer points to the requesting user's file
locker, or more specifically, points to the user's record in the
file-locker database. When the pointer is added, the user's record
in the file-locker database is also annotated so that the requests
for that file locker can be tracked.
[0012] In the approach just described, a request by the user to
delete a previous content-storage request is handled by removing
the previously added pointer and removing the corresponding
annotation.
[0013] Further, it is appreciated that the invention contemplates
storing a requested video program to the user's file locker upon
broadcast of the video program. It is further appreciated that the
invention comprehends the storing of a requested video program to
the user's file locker upon the general making of the video program
available to the end user in any suitable fashion.
[0014] With regard to storing the video program in the user's file
locker, it is appreciated that any suitable data storage technique
may be utilized to effectively get the data available at the
appropriate file lockers. With regard to the later viewing of the
stored video program, content viewing requests are authenticated to
identify which subscriber is making the request so that access to a
subscriber's file locker is limited to that subscriber. Preferably,
the user may utilize pause, rewind, and fast forward features while
viewing.
[0015] Further, in carrying out the invention, a content storage
system for use in a content distribution network is provided. The
content distribution network provides broadcast video programming
over the network to a plurality of users in accordance with a
broadcasting schedule. The system comprises a personal file locker
on the network for a user. The file locker is a construct created
to hold the user's content and includes network storage space
allocated for personal use by the user. The system further
comprises a content-storage-request database for tracking requests
by the user for placing broadcast video programs into the user's
file locker for personal use by the user. The system further
comprises computer instructions executable by a computer on the
network. Upon the broadcasting of a video program for which there
exists a request by the user to place the video program into the
user's file locker, the computer instructions direct the storage of
the video program in the user's file locker, and make the stored
video program available to the user for viewing.
[0016] The system may incorporate any of the various aspects of the
content storage methods provided. As appropriate, computer
instructions executable by a computer on the network are utilized
to carry out various aspects of the invention. It is appreciated
that the implementation of computer instructions executable by a
computer may be achieved in any suitable way. In addition, it is
appreciated that the content storage systems and methods may be
used in other arrangements where broadcast programming is provided
over a network and are not strictly limited to broadcast video
programming arrangements.
[0017] Further, in carrying out the invention, a content storage
method is provided in which a plurality of personal file lockers
are established on the network for a plurality of users. Each file
locker includes network storage space allocated for personal use by
the corresponding user. The method further comprises establishing a
content-storage-request database for tracking requests by the
plurality of users for placing broadcast video programs into their
file lockers for personal use. The method further comprises, upon
the broadcasting of a video program for which there exists at least
one request by a user to place the program into the user's file
locker, storing that video program in each requesting user's file
locker. The stored video program is made available for viewing by
each user whose file locker received the video program.
[0018] In another aspect of the invention, a content storage system
comprising a plurality of personal file lockers on the network for
a plurality of users is provided. In the system, computer
instructions executable by a computer on the network are utilized
to store video programs in appropriate file lockers and make the
stored video programs available for viewing by users.
[0019] In addition to the various approaches described above for
carrying out the invention in ways that involve providing content
storage methods and systems that use a file locker-based approach,
instantiation of the invention may take place in alternative ways
and involve independent alternative approaches to carrying out the
invention to achieve independent alternative embodiments of the
invention. Thus, the invention as a whole comprehends various
different alternative and independent approaches for carrying out
the various concepts involved.
[0020] In carrying out the invention in a first alternative
approach, a method for time-shifted viewing of content for use in a
content distribution network is provided. The content distribution
network delivers a plurality of broadcast video programs over the
network to a plurality of viewers in accordance with a broadcast
schedule. The method comprises allocating a remote personal storage
resource on the network for a user. The method further comprises
receiving a request by the user for storage of a desired one or
more of the broadcast video programs. The method further comprises,
only if the request is received no later than a scheduled broadcast
of the desired program, in response to the request automatically
storing the desired video program in the user's remote personal
storage resource upon the scheduled broadcasting of the desired
video program. The method further comprises automatically making
the stored video program available to the user over the network for
viewing at a subsequent time specified by the user.
[0021] At a more detailed level, the method in the first
alternative approach comprehends further features. For example, a
quantity limit on how much total content can be stored for the user
in the remote personal storage resource may be established. For
example, one or more limits for each of the stored video programs,
including one or more limits selected from: {an expiration date, a
maximum permitted number of repeated viewings} may be established.
For example, the user may be charged a fee in exchange for raising
one or more of the limits. Further, the desired broadcast video
program may be a television series, and the user request may be a
single interactive request for storage of a plurality of
installments of the series. The content distribution network may
include broadband network infrastructure selected from one or more
of the following: {cable television network, satellite network,
telephone network, wireless network, power line network}. The
content distribution network may include packet-switched network
infrastructure.
[0022] In carrying out the invention in a second alternative
approach, a method for providing personal video recorder ("PVR")
functionality to a user via a content distribution network is
provided. The method comprises receiving a request by the user for
storage of desired video content no later than a scheduled telecast
to a plurality of viewers of the desired content. The method
further comprises, in response to the request only upon the
scheduled telecast of the desired content, and only if the user is
one of the viewers who is entitled to receive the desired program
at the time of the scheduled telecast, storing the desired content
in a remote network-based storage facility for the user. The method
further comprises making the stored content available to the user
over the network with viewing functionality including at least one
or more PVR features selected from: {time-shifted viewing, pause,
rewind, fast-forward}.
[0023] At a more detailed level, the method in the second
alternative approach comprehends further features. For example, the
request may be received from the user during the scheduled
telecast, the user request may be for storage of a not-yet-telecast
portion of the desired video content, storing the desired content
may comprise storing the portion. For example, the user request may
be for rolling storage of currently viewed video content and
storing the requested video content may comprise storing most
recently viewed video content in a buffer of predetermined length
in the remote storage facility. For example, the method may further
include non-real-time display for the user of at least some of the
desired content during the scheduled telecast of the content, in
response to an interactive request of the user. The non-real-time
display may include at least one or more viewing modes selected
from {pause, rewind, fast forward}.
[0024] In carrying out the invention in a third alternative
approach, a network-based personal video recording system is
provided. The system comprises a network-based storage resource
configured to store desired video programming in response to a
remote user's electronic request. The system further comprises a
content distribution network configured to deliver the stored
desired programming to the user. The system automatically performs
the storing and delivering of the desired programming under the
interactive control of the requesting user, without a need for
legal permission from a copyright owner of the desired programming
to perform the storing and distributing.
[0025] At a more detailed level, the method in the third
alternative approach comprehends further features. For example, the
automatic storing and delivering of the desired video programming
under interactive control of the user may be performed in a manner
intended to qualify as a fair use under copyright law.
[0026] It is appreciated that in this approach, storing and
delivering without a need for legal permission from a copyright
owner of the desired programming to perform the storing and
distribution means that these actions use the desired programming
in a way that those of ordinary skill in the art of copyrights as
applied in personal video recording systems would appreciate and
understand does not require legal permission. It is further
appreciated by those skilled in the relevant arts that the actions
use the desired programming in a way that does not require legal
permission from a copyright owner of the desired programming and
that these actions occur in a particular combination of other
structures and functions which include the network-based storage
resource and the content distribution network. This approach to
carrying out the invention also comprehends performing storing and
delivering actions that use the desired programming in a way that
those skilled in the relevant arts would appreciate and understand
does not give rise to legal liability.
[0027] Accordingly, it is to be understood that this approach to
carrying out the invention is not to be limited to any specific
instance of the factors involved in determining the absence of a
need for legal permission, or the absence of legal liability.
Rather, this approach to carrying out the invention transcends such
specific instances of these factors and should be considered as
comprehending the combination of a network-based personal video
recording system including a network-based storage resource, and a
content distribution network wherein the system performs the
actions of storing and delivering in a way that does not require
legal permission from a copyright owner in the particular situation
at hand as would be readily understood by those skilled in the
relevant arts.
[0028] Also comprehended is a combination of a network-based
personal video recording system including a network-based storage
resource, and a content distribution network wherein the system
performs the actions of storing and delivering in a way that does
not give rise to legal liability in the particular situation at
hand as would be readily understood by those skilled in the
relevant arts.
[0029] One instance of the factors involved in determining the
absence of a need for legal permission is the present existing fair
use privilege of individuals to take certain actions with content
without the need for legal permission. One instance of the factors
involved in determining the absence of legal liability occurs in
the provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) which
shields online service providers from direct, vicarious and
contributory liability for content stored at the direction of
users.
[0030] In carrying out the invention, an automatic buffer
enhancement to a file locker-based content storage service is
comprehended. This aspect of the invention provides an enhancement
to the file locker concept by enabling the user to pause and
perform other operations on broadcast programming during the
broadcasting thereof. Put another way, operations may be performed
on "live" television, that is, on the actual broadcast feed. In
this way, the user can personalize the viewing of an otherwise
traditionally delivered program by utilizing an automatic buffer
enhancement in combination with a file locker architecture. This
buffer feature is an enhancement to any other features provided by
the file locker implementation, such as any of those features
described above.
[0031] At a more detailed level, the automatic buffer enhancement
aspect of the invention comprehends features and details that may
vary depending on the implementation. Exemplary features and
details are further described below.
[0032] In one aspect of this enhancement to a file locker-based
content storage approach, a user is able to ask the system to
automatically save a program that the user is currently watching
into the user's file locker to facilitate VCR-like control of the
program that the user is watching.
[0033] For example, a user who has turned on this buffer
enhancement feature would cause content to be saved in the user's
file locker as the user watched TV. Because the content is being
saved in the user's personal file locker, the user would have the
ability to pause "live" content and then pick up where the user
left off (by viewing the content from the file locker). Similarly,
the user would be able to rewind or fast-forward through content
based on the amount of material saved in the user's personal file
locker.
[0034] In an additional aspect of this enhancement to a file
locker-based content storage approach, content would not be stored
in the user's file locker until the user starts watching a program
(unless the content had been requested through the normal
mechanisms for the file locker implementation). In yet another
aspect, when a user stops watching a given program, the user could
have the content automatically saved (in case the user wanted to go
back to watch the program again), automatically deleted (to
conserve space in the user's file locker), or the user could be
prompted to manually determine what should happen to the content
when the user stops watching a given program.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 is a content distribution network and content storage
system in an embodiment of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates the content-storage-request database,
file-locker database, and file locker cooperation in more
detail;
[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a content storage method in an embodiment
of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates authentication and viewing of a video
program in more detail;
[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates a first alternative approach to carrying
out the invention;
[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates a second alternative approach to carrying
out the invention;
[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates a third alternative approach to carrying
out the invention; and
[0042] FIG. 8 is a content distribution network and content storage
system in an embodiment of the invention including the automatic
buffer enhancement in combination with a file locker architecture;
and
[0043] FIG. 9 illustrates the content-storage-request database,
file-locker database, and file locker cooperation in more detail in
an embodiment of the invention including the automatic buffer
enhancement in combination with a file locker architecture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0044] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a content distribution
network and content storage system in an embodiment of the
invention are illustrated. Signals are distributed by headend 10.
Headend 10 receives content from source 12. The distribution
network 14 is shown in a simplified fashion with the final signal
distribution reaching subscribers 16. A user or subscriber 16 has a
personal file locker 18 on the network 14. This file locker-based
content storage system implementation further includes file-locker
database 20 and content-storage-request database 22. Headend 10
provides broadcast video programming over network 14 to users 16 in
accordance with a broadcasting schedule. A personal file locker 18
is established for each user 16 and includes network storage space
allocated for personal use by the user. Content-storage-request
database 22 tracks requests by the users for placing broadcast
video programs into the users' file lockers 18. More specifically,
a specific user's requested content is stored in that user's file
locker upon broadcast thereof and is thereafter made available to
that user.
[0045] The personal file locker may be established in any suitable
fashion such as a directory or other file system/volume construct
that is created to hold the user's content. A database entry in the
file-locker database 20 notes details of the file locker. This is
best illustrated in FIG. 2 where each block 30 represents a
file-locker description entry within file-locker database 20. As
shown, each file-locker description 30 corresponds to a particular
personal file locker 18, which in turn corresponds to a particular
user or subscriber 16.
[0046] Content-storage-request database 22 may be established in
any suitable way. As best shown in FIG. 2, in the illustrated
embodiment, content-storage-request database 22 has entries 32
corresponding to scheduled video programs. A content-storage
request by a user results in the addition of a pointer 34 to the
content-storage-request database entry for the requested
program.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, when a subscriber 16 requests a
particular video program for placement in the subscriber's personal
file locker 18, a pointer 34 is added in the entry 32 for the
particular video program within the content-storage-request
database 22. The added pointer points to the file-locker
description 30 for the personal file locker 18 for the subscriber
16 making the request. Further, the subscriber's entry in the
file-locker database 20 is annotated so that the requests for any
particular file locker may be tracked within the corresponding
file-locker description in file-locker database 20. In the approach
just described, a request by the user to delete a previous
content-storage request is handled by removing the previously added
pointer and removing the corresponding annotation to the
file-locker description.
[0048] As mentioned, the video program 32 is stored to the user's
file locker 18 upon the general making of the video program
available to the end user in any fashion, for example, when the
video program is broadcasted. The file locker-based approach
provided by the illustrated embodiment provides flexibility and
economy of scale by implementing a personal file locker for the
user on the network. Personal file lockers 18 on network 14 provide
the flexibility and economy of scale of a network solution, while
at the same time, providing the personal feel of an in-home
solution and avoiding some limitations typically associated with a
content license management approach.
[0049] With regard to the storing of the programs in the file
lockers, any suitable data storage technique may be utilized to
effectively get the data available at the appropriate file lockers.
Once data is stored in a file locker, access requests to view the
contents are authenticated to assure that contents of a file locker
are handled as personal-use copies for the associated subscriber.
During playback of content from the file locker, the subscriber may
utilize pause, rewind, and fast forward features while viewing.
[0050] In the implementation of the illustrated embodiment, the
customer subscribes to the file-locker service and specifies or
selects an amount of storage (expressed in Gigabytes, hours of
video content, and/or number of shows) for his/her personal file
locker 18. With a file locker established, the subscriber is able
to request that content be placed in his/her personal file locker
18. Only content that is available to the subscriber on his/her
television (or other devices receiving broadcast content such as
computers) can be placed in his/her file locker 18. Access to the
file locker 18 is restricted to the subscriber, and optionally,
further restricted to the subscriber's premises (but could allow
viewing from any of the televisions, computers, or other video
display devices). Various techniques are contemplated for the
subscriber to control content within the file locker. That is, the
subscriber can direct content additions to his/her file locker
using a web interface, and/or a television-based interface. Content
that the user has requested is stored in his/her personal file
locker. This content counts against the amount of storage
associated with the subscription to the service.
[0051] When content is stored in a service user's file locker, it
becomes available for the user to watch. The user can also direct
content deletions from the file locker to free up space. In another
aspect, the user may be able to set up expiration dates for
content, essentially requesting that the system remove content
after a certain period of time to preserve free space inside the
file locker. The user may be able to specify rules for the
automated management of the file locker in another aspect of the
invention, for example, what should happen when the file locker
does not have enough space to store a program that the user has
requested.
[0052] When the user selects a piece of content from the file
locker for viewing, the user is able to watch it very much the way
that he/she would be able to watch VCR or PVR recorded content. For
example, fast forward, rewind, pause, and other viewing commands
may be available to the user.
[0053] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, further details of the
technical aspects of the illustrated embodiment are explained
below. In FIG. 3, the content storage method in an embodiment of
the invention is illustrated. At block 40, the file-locker database
is established. At block 42, the content-storage-request database
is established. At block 44, a personal file locker is established
on the network for a user. More specifically, when a user signs up
for the file-locker service, the system sets up a file locker and
reserves storage space for it. The content-storage-request database
tracks which users have requested which programs be placed in their
respective file lockers. A web or television interface that allows
users to request content only allows a user to request content that
the user is entitled to access as part of his/her normal video
subscription.
[0054] According to the database of user content requests, the
system stores the requested content when it is broadcast. For
example, if the user requests that the 6:00 p.m. news on channel 7
be saved in the user's file locker, the 6:00 p.m. news is stored in
the locker, ideally in real time starting at 6:00 p.m. The content
becomes available to the user as soon as it is stored in the user's
file locker.
[0055] If a number of users request the same content, the system
may store a separate copy in each requesting user's file locker. If
a user unsubscribes from the file-locker service, the user's file
locker is deallocated and any content in it is deleted. In
addition, the database entry in the file-locker database is deleted
or marked inactive.
[0056] When a content storage request is received from the user,
first a check is made to see if the user's file locker has enough
space to store the selected content. The check considers the
current amount of space available, any pending content storage
requests, and any storage management policies in place for that
file locker. If sufficient space is available, a pointer is added
for the given program that points to the file-locker database entry
for the file locker of the subscriber making the request. The
subscriber's record in the file-locker database is also
annotated.
[0057] In FIG. 3, blocks 46 and 48 illustrate adding pointers to
the content-storage-request database entries in response to user
requests and annotating file-locker database entries to note the
pointers. This concept is also illustrated in FIG. 2 where
content-storage-request database 22 includes video programs 32
where pointers 34 point to file-locker descriptions 30
corresponding to personal file lockers 18 that correspond to
subscribers 16.
[0058] At block 50 user requests/pointers are tracked and video
programs are stored to file lockers. More specifically, the
content-storage-request database is monitored. Each time a program
begins (based on EPG data or other sources including human input),
each file locker that is listed as having requested that content is
given a copy of the program. The program may be stored in the file
lockers in real-time by streaming into a file in each locker, or
the program may be copied in large blocks to each locker at the end
of the program's broadcast. In no case is content available to the
user from the file locker prior to broadcast or the otherwise
general availability of the content. In the case where the content
is available only in analog format, it is first digitally encoded
and then stored in the file locker.
[0059] In the case where the content is digitally encrypted, it is
stored in encrypted form in the file locker. This encryption may be
the default encryption or the content may be encrypted using an
encryption system more appropriate for stored content.
[0060] At block 52, stored video programs in a user's file locker
are made available to the user for viewing. More specifically, when
a request is made to view a piece of content in a file locker, the
request is first authenticated to identify which subscriber is
making the request. This is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 4
where block 54 illustrates authentication and block 56 illustrates
providing the video program for viewing. Only content that is in a
particular subscriber's file locker is available to that subscriber
for viewing. Assuming that the content requested is in the
authenticated user's file locker, the content is transmitted to the
user. The user is able to use VCR or PVR commands including pause,
fast forward, and rewind while viewing the content. When reaching
the end of the content or pressing stop, the user may be asked
whether he/she would like to remove the content from his/her file
locker.
[0061] In the preferred implementation, when a file is stored in a
user's file locker, if there is not enough space for the file, the
system may remove files using criteria set up by the user in order
to make enough space for the new file. Such criteria may include
the age of the other files, whether the files have been accessed
recently, and the size of the files.
[0062] There are also several optional improvements that may
further be incorporated into embodiments of the invention. These
optional improvements relate to the way that programs are stored in
a user's file locker.
[0063] One optional improvement to the implementation is to
implement a file system that recognizes multiple files with the
same content being stored and efficiently stores them to reduce the
redundant use of storage space. With the exception of performance,
this file system behaves exactly as a traditional file system would
behave. The differences are indistinguishable to the user except
that it delivers a greater level of performance at a lower cost.
Ideally this file system would identify duplicate file storage
requests through specified similarities in meta data associated
with the file, for example, file name. An alternative is to enable
bulk versions of traditional file system operations (such as file
open, file write, etc.) that operate on multiple files
simultaneously. In this way, the system could easily identify which
files contained identical data and optimization of applications
using the file system would be enhanced by reducing the number of
file operations/procedure calls that are required. In any case,
files, whether manipulated in bulk or individually, would always
behave as if they were independent files.
[0064] Another optional improvement to the implementation is to
allow the system to automatically expand a user's file locker to
accommodate content that the user has requested. The user may be
charged additional fees based on the total amount of storage used.
This would change the implementation above in that instead of
ensuring that a user does not exceed a given amount of space, a log
or other mechanism would be kept so that the maximum amount of
storage used by a user during a time period (e.g., a month) could
be ascertained for billing purposes.
[0065] It is appreciated that embodiments of the invention provide
an improved content storage system and method. As exemplified by
the illustrated embodiment, the personal file locker on the network
provides improvements over existing PVR by providing added
flexibility and economy of scale while taking a personal-use
approach that may avoid some difficulties encountered in a
rights-management license approach.
[0066] In addition to the file locker approach embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, there are additional alternative
approaches illustrated in FIGS. 5-7.
[0067] In FIG. 5, a method for time-shifted viewing of content for
use in a content distribution network is illustrated. The content
distribution network delivers a plurality of broadcast video
programs over the network to a plurality of viewers in accordance
with a broadcast schedule. At block 60, a remote personal storage
resource is allocated on the network for a user. At block 62, a
request by the user for storage of a desired one or more of the
broadcast video programs is received. At block 64, only if the
request is received no later than a scheduled broadcast of the
desired program, in response to the request, the desired video
program is automatically stored in the user's remote personal
storage resource upon the scheduled broadcasting of the desired
video program. At block 66, the stored video program is
automatically made available to the user over the network for
viewing at a subsequent time specified by the user.
[0068] In FIG. 6, a method for providing personal video recorder
(PVR) functionality to a user via a content distribution network is
illustrated. At block 70, a request by the user for storage of
desired video content is received. The request is received no later
than a scheduled telecast to a plurality of viewers of the desired
content. At block 72, in response to the request, only upon the
scheduled telecast of the desired content, and only if the user is
one of the viewers who is entitled to receive the desired program
at the time of the scheduled telecast, the desired content is
stored in a remote network-based storage facility for the user. At
block 74, the stored content is made available to the user over the
network with viewing functionality including at least one or more
PVR features selected from: {time-shifted viewing, pause, rewind,
fast-forward}.
[0069] In FIG. 7, a network-based personal video recording system
carries out the illustrated actions in blocks 80 and 82. At block
80, desired video programming is stored in response to a remote
user's electronic request. A content distribution network is
configured to deliver the stored desired video programming to the
user. At block 82, the system automatically performs the storing
and delivering of the desired programming under the interactive
control of the user, without a need for legal permission from a
copyright owner of the desired programming to perform the storing
and distributing.
[0070] It is appreciated that the additional alternative approaches
illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 may involve additional features at the
more detailed level. Further, it is appreciated that various
approaches to carrying out the invention to achieve various
independent alternative embodiments of the invention are described
above. The invention as a whole comprehends various different
alternative and independent approaches for carrying out the various
concepts involved, and the invention may be instantiated in various
ways to achieve various embodiments, including the particular
embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, as
well as other embodiments of any of the innovative concepts
presented.
[0071] Also comprehended by the invention is an automatic buffer
enhancement to a file locker-based content storage service. FIGS.
8-9 illustrate a content distribution network and content storage
system in an embodiment of the invention which includes an
automatic buffer enhancement. As shown, signals are distributed by
headend 10. Headend 10 receives content from source 12. The
distribution network 14 is shown in a simplified fashion with the
final signal distribution reaching subscribers 16. A user or
subscriber 16 has a personal file locker 90 on the network 14. Each
file locker 90 includes a buffer enhancement. This file
locker-based content storage system implementation further includes
file-locker database 20 and content-storage-request database
22.
[0072] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-9 provides an enhancement to
the file locker concept by enabling the user to pause and perform
other operations on broadcast programming during the broadcast
thereof. Operations may be performed on "live" television. In this
way, the user can personalize the viewing of an otherwise
traditionally delivered program by utilizing an automatic buffer
enhancement in combination with a file locker architecture.
Personal file lockers 90 include the buffer enhancement. This
buffer feature is an enhancement to any other features provided by
the file locker implementation, such as any of those features
described above.
[0073] With continuing reference to the illustrated embodiment of
FIGS. 8-9, a user who has enabled the buffer enhancement feature
would cause content to be saved in the user's file locker 90 as the
user watched television. It is appreciated that this content is
"live" television, that is, the actual broadcast feed.
[0074] Because the content is being saved in the user's personal
file locker, the user has the ability to pause "live" content and
then pick up where the user left off (by viewing the content from
the file locker). Similarly, the user would be able to rewind or
fast forward through content based on the amount of material saved
in the user's personal file locker. Thus, when the buffer
enhancement feature of file locker 90 is enabled, the broadcast
program content being viewed by the user passes through the user's
personal file locker 90. The buffering at file locker 90 allows the
user to personalize the viewing of an otherwise traditionally
delivered program by using, pause, rewind, and fast-forward
features Typically, content would not be stored in the user's file
locker 90 until the user started watching a program unless the
content had been requested through the normal mechanisms of the
file locker architecture. When a user stops watching a given
program, the user could have the content automatically saved (in
case the user wanted to go back to watch it again), automatically
deleted (to conserve space in the user's file locker) or the user
could be prompted to manually determine what should happen to the
content.
[0075] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *