U.S. patent application number 14/695188 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-13 for transfer of television programs from channel-specific files to program-specific files.
This patent application is currently assigned to EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.. The applicant listed for this patent is EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Mark Templeman, Yunfeng Yang.
Application Number | 20150228305 14/695188 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49157742 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150228305 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Templeman; Mark ; et
al. |
August 13, 2015 |
TRANSFER OF TELEVISION PROGRAMS FROM CHANNEL-SPECIFIC FILES TO
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC FILES
Abstract
A television receiver including a tuner and one or more
processors may be presented. The television receiver may be
configured to tune the tuner to a television channel. The
television receiver may be configured to create and store an
omnibus channel file containing a plurality of television programs
broadcast consecutively on the television channel over a period of
time. The television receiver may be configured to, after a
predefined period of time, select the omnibus channel file for
deletion. The television receiver may be configured to determine a
television program to receive extended storage. The television
receiver may be configured to store a portion of the omnibus
channel file as an individual program file, wherein the portion of
the omnibus channel file corresponds to the television program. The
television receiver may be configured to, after storing the portion
of the omnibus channel file, delete the omnibus channel file.
Inventors: |
Templeman; Mark; (Parker,
CO) ; Yang; Yunfeng; (Aurora, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. |
Englewood |
CO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
EchoStar Technologies
L.L.C.
Englewood
CO
|
Family ID: |
49157742 |
Appl. No.: |
14/695188 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13793636 |
Mar 11, 2013 |
9043843 |
|
|
14695188 |
|
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|
61611483 |
Mar 15, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
386/241 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4532 20130101;
H04N 21/84 20130101; H04N 5/775 20130101; H04N 21/4335 20130101;
H04N 5/50 20130101; H04N 21/4583 20130101; H04N 21/47217 20130101;
H04N 5/782 20130101; H04N 21/47202 20130101; H04N 21/4263 20130101;
H04N 21/4302 20130101; H04N 9/87 20130101; H04N 21/4821 20130101;
G11B 27/28 20130101; H04N 5/91 20130101; H04N 21/426 20130101; H04N
21/4755 20130101; H04N 21/47214 20130101; H04N 21/4826 20130101;
H04N 9/79 20130101; G11B 27/026 20130101; H04N 21/242 20130101;
H04N 7/20 20130101; H04N 21/4147 20130101; H04N 21/4334 20130101;
H04N 5/76 20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101; H04N 5/4401 20130101;
H04N 9/797 20130101; H04N 21/262 20130101; H04N 21/83 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G11B 27/026 20060101
G11B027/026 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A television receiver, comprising: a tuner; one or more
processors; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
communicatively coupled with and readable by the one or more
processors and having stored therein processor-readable
instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors,
cause the one or more processors to: create an omnibus channel file
comprising a plurality of recordings of television programs that
were broadcast consecutively on a television channel received via
the tuner; select the omnibus channel file for deletion after a
predefined period of time has elapsed; store a bookmark file that
identifies content within the omnibus channel file identified as
corresponding to the television program; determine a television
program of the plurality of television programs that is to receive
extended storage beyond the predefined period of time; and store a
portion of the omnibus channel file as a separate program file such
that information from the bookmark file is used to define the start
and end of the portion stored to the separate individual program
file from the omnibus channel file, wherein the television program
is the only television program stored to the separate program
file.
3. The television receiver of claim 2, wherein the
processor-readable instructions, when executed by the one or more
processors, are further configured to cause the one or more
processors to: receive a user-provided indication that requests
extended storage of the television program of the plurality of
television programs, wherein: the processor-readable instructions,
which are configured to cause the one or more processors to
determine the television program of the plurality of television
programs that is to receive extended storage, is based on the
user-provided indication in performing the determination.
4. The television receiver of claim 2, wherein the
processor-readable instructions, when executed by the one or more
processors, are further configured to cause the one or more
processors to: create the bookmark file based upon electronic
programming guide (EPG) information stored by the television
receiver.
5. The television receiver of claim 4, wherein the
processor-readable instructions that, when executed, cause the one
or more processors to create the bookmark file comprise
processor-readable instructions which, when executed, cause the one
or more processors to: create the bookmark file using file offset
measurements made according to the EPG information stored by the
television receiver.
6. The television receiver of claim 5, wherein the
processor-readable instructions, when executed by the one or more
processors, are further configured to cause the one or more
processors to: delete the bookmark file in response to the
predefined period of time having elapsed.
7. The television receiver of claim 2, wherein the
processor-readable instructions, when executed by the one or more
processors, are further configured to cause the one or more
processors to: receive the bookmark file from a television service
provider via the tuner, wherein the bookmark file defines a
plurality of content segments within the omnibus channel file as
corresponding to the television program.
8. The television receiver of claim 7, wherein the
processor-readable instructions, when executed by the one or more
processors, are further configured to cause the one or more
processors to: output for presentation the individual program file;
and skipping from outputting for presentation a portion of the
individual program file based on the plurality of content segments
defined within the bookmark file.
9. The television receiver of claim 7, wherein the portion of the
individual program file comprises one or more television
commercials.
10. The television receiver of claim 7, wherein the bookmark files
defines the portion of the individual program file based on one or
more offsets from a defined string of characters present in closed
captioning data of the television program.
11. A method for selectively storing content, comprising: creating,
by a television receiver, an omnibus channel file comprising a
plurality of recordings of television programs that were broadcast
consecutively on a television channel; selecting, by the television
receiver, the omnibus channel file for deletion after a predefined
period of time has elapsed; storing, by the television receiver, a
bookmark file that identifies content within the omnibus channel
file identified as corresponding to the television program;
determining, by the television receiver, a television program of
the plurality of television programs that is to receive extended
storage beyond the predefined period of time; and storing, by the
television receiver, a portion of the omnibus channel file as a
separate program file such that information from the bookmark file
is used to define the start and end of the portion stored to the
separate individual program file from the omnibus channel file,
wherein the television program is the only television program
stored to the separate program file.
12. The method for selectively storing content of claim 11, further
comprising: receiving, by the television receiver, a user-provided
indication that requests extended storage of the television program
of the plurality of television programs, wherein: determining the
television program of the plurality of television programs that is
to receive extended storage is based on the user-provided
indication.
13. The method for selectively storing content of claim 11, further
comprising: creating, by the television receiver, the bookmark file
based upon electronic programming guide (EPG) information stored by
the television receiver.
14. The method for selectively storing content of claim 13, further
comprising: creating, by the television receiver, the bookmark file
using file offset measurements made according to the EPG
information stored by the television receiver.
15. The method for selectively storing content of claim 14, further
comprising: deleting, by the television receiver, the bookmark file
in response to the predefined period of time having elapsed.
16. The method for selectively storing content of claim 11, further
comprising: receiving, by the television receiver, the bookmark
file from a television service provider via the tuner, wherein the
bookmark file defines a plurality of content segments within the
omnibus channel file as corresponding to the television
program.
17. The method for selectively storing content of claim 16, further
comprising: outputting, by the television receiver, to a display
device, the individual program file; and skipping from outputting
for presentation a portion of the individual program file based on
the plurality of content segments defined within the bookmark
file.
18. The method for selectively storing content of claim 11, wherein
the bookmark files defines the portion of the individual program
file based on one or more offsets from a defined string of
characters present in closed captioning data of the television
program.
19. A non-transitory processor-readable medium comprising
processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more
processors to: create an omnibus channel file comprising a
plurality of recordings of television programs that were broadcast
consecutively on a television channel received via the tuner;
select the omnibus channel file for deletion after a predefined
period of time has elapsed; store a bookmark file that identifies
content within the omnibus channel file identified as corresponding
to the television program; determine a television program of the
plurality of television programs that is to receive extended
storage beyond the predefined period of time; and store a portion
of the omnibus channel file as a separate program file such that
information from the bookmark file is used to define the start and
end of the portion stored to the separate individual program file
from the omnibus channel file, wherein the television program is
the only television program stored to the separate program
file.
20. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 19,
wherein the processor-readable instructions are further configured
to cause the one or more processors to: receive the bookmark file
from a television service provider via the tuner, wherein the
bookmark file defines a plurality of content segments within the
omnibus channel file as corresponding to the television
program.
21. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 20,
wherein the processor-readable instructions are further configured
to cause the one or more processors to: output for presentation the
individual program file; and skipping from outputting for
presentation a portion of the individual program file based on the
plurality of content segments defined within the bookmark file.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/793,636, filed Mar. 11, 2013, entitled "Transfer of
Television Programs From Channel-Specific Files To Program-Specific
Files", attorney docket number P2012-08-07 (848967), which claims
priority to U.S. provisional application 61/611,483, filed Mar. 15,
2012, entitled "Reception, Recording, Storage, and Manipulation of
Multiple Television Channels", attorney docket number P2012-03-02
(834040), the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The advent of the digital video recorder (DVR) and the
availability of high-capacity computer-readable storage devices at
reasonable prices have made available many possibilities to
television programming service providers and television viewers
alike. In recent years, television viewers have come to expect the
ability to easily customize and manage the recording of television
programming via their television receivers.
SUMMARY
[0003] In some embodiments, a television receiver is presented. The
television receiver may include a tuner. The television receiver
may include one or more processors. The television receiver may
include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
communicatively coupled with and readable by the one or more
processors and having stored therein processor-readable
instructions. When executed by the one or more processors, the
instructions may cause the one or more processors to tune the tuner
to a television channel. The instructions may cause the one or more
processors to create and store an omnibus channel file containing a
plurality of television programs broadcast consecutively on the
television channel over a period of time. The instructions may
cause the one or more processors to, after a predefined period of
time, select the omnibus channel file for deletion. The
instructions may cause the one or more processors to determine a
television program of the plurality of television programs that is
to receive extended storage. The instructions may cause the one or
more processors to store a portion of the omnibus channel file as
an individual program file, wherein the portion of the omnibus
channel file corresponds to the television program of the plurality
of television programs. The instructions may cause the one or more
processors to, after storing the portion of the omnibus channel
file, delete the omnibus channel file.
[0004] Embodiments of such a television receiver may include one or
more of the following: The instructions may cause the one or more
processors to receive a user-provided indication that requests
extended storage of the television program of the plurality of
television programs. The processor-readable instructions, which are
configured to cause the one or more processors to determine the
television program of the plurality of television programs that is
to receive extended storage may use the user-provided indication in
performing the determination. The processor-readable instructions,
which are configured to cause the one or more processors to record
the omnibus channel file containing the plurality of television
programs broadcast consecutively on the television channel over the
period of time to the non-transitory computer-readable storage
medium, may be further configured to cause the omnibus channel file
to be recorded to a first folder of the non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium; and the processor-readable
instructions, which are configured to cause the one or more
processors to store the portion of the omnibus channel file as the
individual program file, may be further configured to cause the
individual program file to be stored to a second folder of the
non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The
processor-readable instructions, which are configured to cause the
one or more processors to tune the tuner to the television channel,
may be further configured to cause the tuner to tune to a
transponder stream comprising packetized data for a plurality of
television channels that comprises the television channel.
[0005] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of such a
television receiver may include one or more of the following: The
instructions may cause the one or more processors to record omnibus
channel files for each television channel of the plurality of
television channels over the period of time. The instructions may
cause the one or more processors to maintain a catalog database
stored by the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium,
wherein the catalog database indicates: a plurality of omnibus
channel files stored by the television receiver; and a plurality of
television program identifiers, wherein each television program
identifier of the plurality of television program identifiers
corresponds to a television program that is stored within the
plurality of omnibus channel files. The catalog database may
further indicate a plurality of byte offsets, wherein each byte
offset is linked to a television program identifier of the
plurality of television program identifiers. Each byte offset may
indicate a number of bytes preceding a designated start point of a
television program within an omnibus channel file of the plurality
of omnibus channel files, wherein the designated start point is
based on an electronic programming guide event transition.
[0006] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of such a
television receiver may include one or more of the following: The
instructions may cause the one or more processors to, while
recording the omnibus channel file, when an electronic programming
guide event transition corresponding to the television program
occurs, determine a byte offset within the omnibus channel file
corresponding to the television program using a file size
determination of the omnibus channel file. The instructions may
cause the one or more processors to create a non-segmented omnibus
bookmark file linked with the omnibus channel file, wherein the
non-segmented omnibus bookmark file indicates: electronic
programming guide information for each television program within
the omnibus channel file; and packet identifiers for audio and
video streams within the omnibus channel file. The instructions may
cause the one or more processors to delete the omnibus bookmark
file from the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium when
deleting the omnibus channel file from the non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium. The instructions may cause the
one or more processors to, after creating the non-segmented omnibus
bookmark file, create a segmented bookmark file. The segmented
bookmark file may identify a plurality of segments within the
omnibus channel file identified by the television distribution
service provider. Each segment of the plurality of segments may be
defined based on a positive frame offset and a negative frame
offset from a frame that corresponds to a string of characters
being present in closed captioning data. The instructions may cause
the one or more processors to determine if an omnibus bookmark file
exists for the television program to receive extended storage. The
processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or
more processors, may be configured to cause the one or more
processors to store the portion of the omnibus channel file to the
individual program file, are further configured to: based on the
segmented bookmark file existing, define the start and end of the
portion based on the segmented bookmark file.
[0007] In some embodiments, a method for storing a television
program is presented. The method may include tuning, by a
television receiver, a tuner to a television channel. The method
may include creating and storing, by the television receiver, an
omnibus channel file containing a plurality of television programs
broadcast consecutively on the television channel over a period of
time. The method may include, after a predefined period of time,
selecting, by the television receiver, the omnibus channel file for
deletion. The method may include determining, by the television
receiver, a television program of the plurality of television
programs that is to receive extended storage. The method may
include storing, by the television receiver, a portion of the
omnibus channel file as an individual program file, wherein the
portion of the omnibus channel file corresponds to the television
program of the plurality of television programs. The method may
include, after storing the portion of the omnibus channel file,
deleting, by the television receiver, the omnibus channel file.
[0008] Embodiments of such a method may include one or more of the
following: The method may include receiving, by the television
receiver, a user-provided indication that requests extended storage
of the television program of the plurality of television programs.
Determining the television program of the plurality of television
programs that is to receive extended storage may comprise using the
user-provided indication in performing the determination. Recording
the omnibus channel file containing the plurality of television
programs broadcast consecutively on the television channel over the
period of time to the non-transitory computer-readable storage
medium, may include causing the omnibus channel file to be recorded
to a first folder of the non-transitory computer-readable storage
medium. The method may include storing the portion of the omnibus
channel file as the individual program file comprises causing the
individual program file to be stored to a second folder of the
non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Tuning the tuner
to the television channel may include tuning to a transponder
stream comprising packetized data for a plurality of television
channels that comprises the television channel. The method may
further include recording omnibus channel files for each television
channel of the plurality of television channels over the period of
time. The method may include maintaining, by the television
receiver, a catalog database stored by the non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium, wherein the catalog database
indicates: a plurality of omnibus channel files stored by the
television receiver; and a plurality of television program
identifiers, wherein each television program identifier of the
plurality of television program identifiers corresponds to a
television program that is stored within the plurality of omnibus
channel files.
[0009] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of such a method
may include one or more of the following: The catalog database may
further indicate a plurality of byte offsets, wherein each byte
offset is linked to a television program identifier of the
plurality of television program identifiers. Each byte offset may
indicate a number of bytes preceding a designated start point of a
television program within an omnibus channel file of the plurality
of omnibus channel files, wherein the designated start point is
based on an electronic programming guide event transition. The
method may include, while recording the omnibus channel file, when
an electronic programming guide event transition corresponding to
the television program occurs, determining a byte offset within the
omnibus channel file corresponding to the television program using
a file size determination of the omnibus channel file. The method
may include creating, by the television receiver, a non-segmented
omnibus bookmark file linked with the omnibus channel file, wherein
the non-segmented omnibus bookmark file indicates: electronic
programming guide information for each television program within
the omnibus channel file; and packet identifiers for audio and
video streams within the omnibus channel file. The method may
include deleting, by the television receiver, the omnibus bookmark
file from the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium when
deleting the omnibus channel file from the non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium. The method may include, after
creating the non-segmented omnibus bookmark file, creating, by the
television receiver, a segmented bookmark file, wherein: the
segmented bookmark file identifies a plurality of segments within
the omnibus channel file identified by the television distribution
service provider.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of
various embodiments may be realized by reference to the following
figures. In the appended figures, similar components or features
may have the same reference label. Further, various components of
the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label
by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar
components. If only the first reference label is used in the
specification, the description is applicable to any one of the
similar components having the same first reference label
irrespective of the second reference label.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a satellite television
distribution system.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a television receiver
that is configured to extract a television program from a recorded
omnibus channel file.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a digital video recorder
managing multiple storage arrangements.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a graphical
representation of extraction of a television program from an
omnibus channel file.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a graphical
representation of extraction of a television program from an
omnibus channel file.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a method for extracting
a television program from an omnibus channel file.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a method for
extracting a television program from an omnibus channel file.
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a computer system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] A television viewer, referred to as a user, may use a
stand-alone or integrated digital video recorder (DVR) to record
broadcast television programming for viewing at a later time. In
some situations, rather than recording individual television
programs, a television channel may be recorded for a period of
time, such as during primetime (which may be from 8-10 PM, 7-9 PM,
7-10PM, etc.). The recording of a television channel for such a
period of time may be defined by the television service provider.
During this period of time which the television channel is
recorded, multiple television programs may be broadcast on the
television channel. For example, sitcoms may tend to be scheduled
for thirty minutes, including commercials; dramas may tend to be
scheduled for an hour including commercials. Recording of a
television channel, such as during primetime, for multiple hours,
may result in two or more, possibly six, television programs being
recorded.
[0020] In some embodiments, rather than a single television channel
being recorded at a given time, multiple, such as four, television
channels may be recorded over a given time period. For example,
during weekday primetime hours, all of the major networks may be
simultaneously recorded for the same period of time. Such recording
may permit a user to view any television program that was broadcast
during primetime on one of the major networks at a later time.
[0021] Whether a single or multiple television channels are
recorded simultaneously, it may be efficient to record a single
file for each television channel, with the single file storing
multiple television programs broadcast on the television channel
during the recording. As an example, if "Network 1" is recorded for
2 hours, a single file may be recorded and stored, with the single
file containing each of the television programs broadcast during
the period of time recorded.
[0022] While, perhaps ideally, the recorded television programs
would be stored and available for playback indefinitely, storage
limitations at the user's DVR may necessitate that, as additional
television programming is recorded, other television programming be
deleted. As an example, if primetime television programming is
recorded on each weekday night, it may be efficient to only store
the television programming for a predefined period of time, such as
the past two weeks. After this time period, unless indicated by a
user, the television programming may be deleted. As such, at any
given time, a user may have access to the previous two weeks of
television programming on television stations recorded during
primetime (or some other predefined period of time). The television
channels, the dates, and the time period during which multiple
television channels are recorded into channel-specific files may be
defined by a television service provider (e.g., satellite
television service provider, cable television service provider, IP
television service provider). The storage arrangement on which the
channel-specific files are stored may be devoted to recordings made
based on a configuration by the television service provider.
[0023] During the period of time when the television programs are
stored in channel-specific files, a user may be permitted to
individually select and watch any of the television programs
contained in the channel-specific files. At the end of a
predetermined period of time, such as two weeks, the
channel-specific file associated with a television channel may be
selected for deletion. However, within this file, may be one or
more television programs that a user desires to continue to store
for possible viewing at a later time. Such television programs may
be indicated by the user and may continue to be stored.
[0024] When the channel-specific file is to be deleted, one or more
television programs within the channel-specific file may be
transferred to a user-managed storage arrangement, such as a
different storage device (e.g., a separate hard drive), a different
folder residing on a storage device, or a separate partition (e.g.,
a separate partition of a hard drive used to store to the
channel-specific files). The portion of the channel-specific file
corresponding to the television program may be transferred (e.g.,
copied, moved) to the storage arrangement managed by the user. Once
transferred, the television program selected by the user may be
maintained indefinitely (e.g., until the user selects the
television program for deletion). In the user-managed storage
arrangement, television programs may be stored in individual files
for each television program, while in the television service
provider managed partition, television programs may be stored in
television channel-specific files that contain multiple television
programs broadcast consecutively.
[0025] In addition to the audio and video of television programs
being stored in television channel-specific files (and being
transferred to program-specific files on another storage
arrangement at the discretion of a user), other files may be
maintained similarly. For instance, non-segmented bookmark files
and segmented bookmark files, as defined and detailed in this
document, may be managed to permit a transition between
channel-specific files and program-specific files.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a satellite television
distribution system 100. While embodiments detailed herein may be
applied to various television distribution systems, including cable
and IP, a satellite television distribution system is provided as
an example. Satellite television distribution system 100 may
include: television service provider system 110, satellite
transmitter equipment 120, satellites 130, satellite dish 140,
television receiver 150, and display device 160. Alternate
embodiments of satellite television distribution system 100 may
include fewer or greater numbers of components. While only one
satellite dish 140, television receiver 150, and display device 160
(collectively referred to as "user equipment") are illustrated, it
should be understood that multiple (e.g., tens, thousands,
millions) instances of user equipment may receive television
signals from satellites 130.
[0027] Television service provider system 110 and satellite
transmitter equipment 120 may be operated by a television service
provider. A television service provider may distribute television
channels, on-demand programming, programming information, and/or
other services to users. Television service provider system 110 may
receive feeds of one or more television channels from various
sources. Such television channels may include multiple television
channels that contain the same content (but may be in different
formats, such as high-definition and standard-definition). To
distribute such television channels to users, feeds of the
television channels may be relayed to user equipment via one or
more satellites via transponder streams. Satellite transmitter
equipment 120 may be used to transmit a feed of one or more
television channels from television service provider system 110 to
one or more satellites 130. While a single television service
provider system 110 and satellite transmitter equipment 120 are
illustrated as part of satellite television distribution system
100, it should be understood that multiple instances of transmitter
equipment may be used, possibly scattered geographically to
communicate with satellites 130. Such multiple instances of
satellite transmitting equipment may communicate with the same or
with different satellites. Different television channels may be
transmitted to satellites 130 from different instances of
transmitting equipment. For instance, a different satellite dish of
satellite transmitter equipment 120 may be used for communication
with satellites in different orbital slots.
[0028] Satellites 130 may be configured to receive signals, such as
streams of television channels, from one or more satellite uplinks
such as satellite transmitter equipment 120. Satellites 130 may
relay received signals from satellite transmitter equipment 120
(and/or other satellite transmitter equipment) to multiple
instances of user equipment via transponder streams. Different
frequencies may be used for uplink signals 170 from transponder
stream 180. Satellites 130 may be in geosynchronous orbit. Each
satellite 130 may be in a different orbital slot, such that the
signal paths between each satellite, transmitter equipment, and
user equipment vary. Multiple satellites 130 may be used to relay
television channels from television service provider system 110 to
satellite dish 140. Different television channels may be carried
using different satellites. Different television channels may also
be carried using different transponders of the same satellite;
thus, such television channels may be transmitted at different
frequencies and/or different frequency ranges. As an example, a
first and second television channel may be carried on a first
transponder of satellite 130-1. A third, fourth, and fifth
television channel may be carried using a different satellite or a
different transponder of the same satellite relaying the
transponder stream at a different frequency. A transponder stream
transmitted by a particular transponder of a particular satellite
may include a finite number of television channels, such as seven.
Accordingly, if many television channels are to be made available
for viewing and recording, multiple transponder streams may be
necessary to transmit all of the television channels to the
instances of user equipment.
[0029] Satellite dish 140 may be a piece of user equipment that is
used to receive transponder streams from one or more satellites,
such as satellites 130. Satellite dish 140 may be provided to a
user for use on a subscription basis to receive television channels
provided by the television service provider system 110, satellite
transmitter equipment 120, and/or satellites 130. Satellite dish
140 may be configured to receive transponder streams from multiple
satellites and/or multiple transponders of the same satellite.
Satellite dish 140 may be configured to receive television channels
via transponder streams on multiple frequencies. Based on the
characteristics of television receiver 150 and/or satellite dish
140, it may only be possible to capture transponder streams from a
limited number of transponders concurrently. For example, a tuner
of television receiver 150 may only be able to tune to a single
transponder stream from a transponder of a single satellite at a
time.
[0030] In communication with satellite dish 140 may be one or more
sets of receiving equipment. Receiving equipment may be configured
to decode signals received from satellites 130 via satellite dish
140 for display on a display device, such as display device 160.
Receiving equipment, including a television receiver, may be
incorporated as part of a television or may be part of a separate
device, commonly referred to as a set-top box (STB). Receiving
equipment may include a satellite tuner configured to receive
television channels via a satellite. In FIG. 1, receiving equipment
is present in the form of television receiver 150. As such,
television receiver 150 may decode signals received via satellite
dish 140 and provide an output to display device 160. FIG. 2
provides additional detail of a television receiver. A television
receiver is defined to include set-top boxes (STBs) and circuitry
having similar functionality that may be incorporated with another
device. For instance, circuitry similar to that of a television
receiver may be incorporated into a television. As such, while FIG.
1 illustrates an embodiment of television receiver 150 as separate
from display device 160, it should be understood that in other
embodiments, similar functions may be performed by a television
receiver integrated with display device 160.
[0031] Display device 160 may be used to present video and/or audio
decoded by television receiver 150. Television receiver 150 may
also output a display of one or more interfaces to display device
160, such as an electronic programming guide (EPG). Display device
160 may be a television. In some embodiments, a display device
other than a television may be used, such as a monitor.
[0032] Uplink signal 170-1 represents a signal between satellite
transmitter equipment 120 and satellite 130-1. Uplink signal 170-2
represents a signal between satellite transmitter equipment 120 and
satellite 130-2. Each of uplink signals 170 may contain streams of
one or more different television channels. For example, uplink
signal 170-1 may contain a certain group of television channels,
while uplink signal 170-2 contains a different grouping of
television channels. Each of these television channels may be
scrambled such that unauthorized persons are prevented from
accessing the television channels.
[0033] Transponder stream 180-1 represents a signal between
satellite 130-1 and satellite dish 140. Transponder stream 180-2
represents a signal path between satellite 130-2 and satellite dish
140. Each of transponder streams 180 may contain one or more
different television channels in the form of transponder streams,
which may be at least partially scrambled. For example, transponder
stream 180-1 may include a first transponder stream containing a
first group of television channels, while transponder stream 180-2
may include a second transponder stream containing a different
group of television channels. A satellite may transmit multiple
transponder streams to user equipment. For example, a typical
satellite may relay thirty-two transponder streams via
corresponding transponders to user equipment. Further, spot beams
are possible. For example, a satellite may be able to transmit a
transponder stream to a particular geographic region (e.g., to
distribute local television channels to the relevant market).
Different television channels may be transmitted using the same
frequency of the transponder stream to a different geographic
region.
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates transponder stream 180-1 and transponder
stream 180-2 being received by satellite dish 140. For a first
group of television channels, satellite dish 140 may receive a
transponder stream of transponder stream 180-1; for a second group
of channels, a transponder stream of transponder stream 180-2 may
be received, television receiver 150 may decode the received
transponder stream. As such, depending on which television
channel(s) are desired, a transponder stream from a different
satellite (or a different transponder of the same satellite) may be
accessed and decoded by television receiver 150. Further, while two
satellites are present in satellite television distribution system
100, in other embodiments greater or fewer numbers of satellites
may be present for receiving and transmitting transponder streams
to user equipment.
[0035] Network 190 may serve as a secondary communication channel
between television service provider system 110 and television
receiver 150. Via such a secondary communication channel,
bidirectional exchange of data may occur. As such, data may be
transmitted to television service provider system 110 via network
190. Data may also be transmitted from television service provider
system 110 to television receiver 150 via network 190. Network 190
may be the Internet. While audio and video services may be provided
to television receiver 150 via satellites 130, feedback from
television receiver 150 to television service provider system 110
may be transmitted via network 190.
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a satellite-based
television channel distribution system. It should be understood
that at least some of the aspects of such a system may be similar
to a cable television distribution system. For example, in a cable
television system, rather than using satellite transponders,
multiple RF channels on a cable may be used to transmit streams of
television channels. As such, aspects detailed herein may be
applicable to cable television distribution systems.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of television receiver 200,
which may typically be in the form of a separate device configured
to be connected with a presentation device, such as a television.
Embodiments of television receiver 200 may include set top boxes
(STBs). As previously noted, in addition to being in the form of an
STB, a television receiver may be incorporated into another device,
such as a television. For example, a television may have an
integrated television receiver (which does not involve an external
STB being coupled with the television). A STB may contain some or
all of the components of television receiver 200 and/or may be able
to perform some or all of the functions of television receiver 200.
Accordingly, instances in this document referring to a STB and
steps being performed by a STB may also be performed, more
generally, by a television receiver.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of
television receiver 200 that is configured to record omnibus
channel files and extract a television program from a recorded
omnibus channel file. Television receiver 200 may be television
receiver of FIG. 1 and may be in the form of a STB that
communicates with a display device such as a television. Television
receiver 200 may be incorporated as part of a television, such as
display device 160 of FIG. 1. Television receiver 200 may include:
processors 210 (which may include control processor 210-1 and
tuning management processor 210-2), tuners 215, network interface
220, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 225,
electronic programming guide (EPG) database 230, television
interface 235, catalog database 270, networking information table
(NIT) 240, digital video recorder (DVR) database 245, user
interface 250, PID filters 255, smart card 260, and/or descrambling
engine 265. In other embodiments of television receiver 200, fewer
or greater numbers of components may be present. It should be
understood that the various components of television receiver 200
may be implemented using hardware, firmware, software, and/or some
combination thereof. Functionality of components may be combined;
for example, functions of descrambling engine 265 may be performed
by tuning management processor 210-2. Further, functionality of
components may be spread among additional components; for example,
PID filters 255 may be handled by separate hardware from program
management table 257.
[0039] Processors 210 may include one or more specialized and/or
general-purpose processors configured to perform processes such as
tuning to a particular channel, accessing and displaying EPG
information from EPG database 230, and/or receiving and processing
input from a user. For example, processors 210 may include one or
more processors dedicated to decoding video signals from a
particular format, such as MPEG, for output and display on a
television and for performing decryption. It should be understood
that the functions performed by various modules of FIG. 2 may be
performed using one or more processors. As such, for example,
functions of descrambling engine 265 may be performed by control
processor 210-1.
[0040] Control processor 210-1 may communicate with tuning
management processor 210-2. Control processor 210-1 may control the
recording of television channels based on timers stored in DVR
database 245 or in a separate file structure by storage medium 225
(e.g., a file may be used to store indications of each type of
time). Control processor 210-1 may initiate recording of a
television channel by sending a record command along with an
indication of the television channel to be recorded to tuning
management processor 210-2. Control processor 210-1 may not send a
second record command (if additional recording is to begin at the
same time) until an acknowledgement that recording of the first
television channel has successfully been received and initiated by
tuning management processor 210-2. Control processor 210-1 may also
provide commands to tuning management processor 210-2 when
recording of a television channel is to cease. In addition to
providing commands relating to the recording of television
channels, control processor 210-1 may provide commands to tuning
management processor 210-2 that indicate television channels to be
output to audio/video decoder 233 for output to a presentation
device, such as a television.
[0041] Control processor 210-1 may also communicate with network
interface 220 and user interface 250. Control processor 210-1 may
handle in-coming data from network interface 220 and user interface
250. Additionally, control processor 210-1 may be configured to
output data via network interface 220.
[0042] Tuners 215 may include one or more tuners used to tune to
television channels, such as television channels transmitted via
satellite or cable. In the illustrated embodiment of television
receiver 200, three tuners are present (tuner 215-1, tuner 215-2,
and tuner 215-3). Each tuner contained in tuners 215 may be capable
of receiving and processing a single stream of data from a
satellite transponder (or a cable RF channel) at a given time. As
such, a single tuner may tune to a single transponder (or, for a
cable network, a single cable RF channel). If tuners 215 include
multiple tuners, one tuner may be used to tune to a television
channel on a first transponder stream for display using a
television, while another tuner may be used to tune to a television
channel on a second transponder for recording and viewing at some
other time. Still another tuner may be used to check various
television channels to determine if they are available or not. If
multiple television channels transmitted on the same transponder
stream are desired, a single tuner of tuners 215 may be used to
receive the signal containing the multiple television channels for
presentation and/or recording. Tuners 215 may receive commands from
tuning management processor 210-2. Such commands may instruct
tuners 215 which frequencies are to be used for tuning.
[0043] Network interface 220 may be used to communicate via an
alternate communication channel with a television service provider.
For example, the primary communication channel may be via satellite
(which may be unidirectional to the STB) and the alternate
communication channel (which may be bidirectional) may be via a
network, such as the Internet. Referring back to FIG. 1, television
receiver 150 may be able to communicate with television service
provider system 110 via a network, such as the Internet. This
communication may be bidirectional: data may be transmitted from
television receiver 150 to television service provider system 110
and from television service provider system 110 to television
receiver 150. Referring back to FIG. 2, network interface 220 may
be configured to communicate via one or more networks, such as the
Internet, to communicate with television service provider system
110 of FIG. 1. Information may be transmitted and/or received via
network interface 220.
[0044] Storage medium 225 may represent a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium. Storage medium 225 may include
memory and/or a hard drive. Storage medium 225 may be used to store
information received from one or more satellites and/or information
received via network interface 220. Storage medium 225 may store
information related to EPG database 230, NIT 240, and/or DVR
database 245. Recorded television programs may be stored using
storage medium 225. Storage medium 225 may be partitioned or
otherwise divided such that predefined amounts of storage medium
225 are devoted to storage of omnibus channel files and
user-selected television programs.
[0045] EPG database 230 may store information related to television
channels and the timing of programs appearing on such television
channels. EPG database 230 may be stored using storage medium 225,
which may be a hard drive. Information from EPG database 230 may be
used to inform users of what television channels or programs are
popular and/or provide recommendations to the user. Information
from EPG database 230 may provide the user with a visual interface
displayed by a television that allows a user to browse and select
television channels and/or television programs for viewing and/or
recording. Information used to populate EPG database 230 may be
received via network interface 220 and/or via satellites, such as
satellites 130 of FIG. 1 via tuners 215. For instance, updates to
EPG database 230 may be received periodically via satellite. EPG
database 230 may serve as an interface for a user to control DVR
functions of television receiver 200, and/or to enable viewing
and/or recording of multiple television channels
simultaneously.
[0046] In addition to being used to provide users with information
about scheduled programming, information from EPG database 230 may
be used to determine when television programs begin and end for the
purposes of recording. For instance, if a channel-specific file is
recorded that contains multiple television programs, the start and
end of time of specific television programs within the
channel-specific file may be based on the start and end times
indicated in the EPG. Other data may be stored for the EPG that may
be useful in managing channel-specific files, such as series
identifiers and episode identifiers (which may be used by a
television service provider to identify particular television
programs).
[0047] Audio/video decoder 233 may serve to convert encoded video
and audio into a format suitable for output to a display device.
For instance, audio/video decoder 233 may receive MPEG video and
audio from storage medium 225 or descrambling engine 265 to be
output to a television. MPEG video and audio from storage medium
224 may have been recorded to DVR database 245 as part of a
previously-recorded television program. Audio/video decoder 233 may
convert the MPEG video and audio into a format appropriate to be
displayed by a television or other form of display device and audio
into a format appropriate to be output from speakers,
respectively.
[0048] Television interface 235 may serve to output a signal to a
television (or another form of display device) in a proper format
for display of video and playback of audio. As such, television
interface 235 may output one or more television channels, stored
television programming from storage medium 225 (e.g., television
programs from DVR database 245 and/or information from EPG database
230) to a television for presentation.
[0049] The network information table (NIT) 240 may store
information used by television receiver 200 to access various
television channels. NIT 240 may be stored using storage medium
225. Information used to populate NIT 240 may be received via
satellite (or cable) through tuners 215 and/or may be received via
network interface 220 from the television service provider. As
such, information present in NIT 240 may be periodically updated.
NIT 240 may be locally-stored by television receiver 200 using
storage medium 225. Information that may be present in NIT 240 may
include: television channel numbers, a satellite identifier, a
frequency identifier, a transponder identifier, an ECM PID, one or
more audio PIDs, and a video PID. (A second audio PID of a channel
may correspond to a second audio program (SAP), such as in another
language.) In some embodiments, NIT 240 may be divided into
additional tables. For example, rather than the specific audio PIDs
and video PIDs being present in NIT 240, a channel identifier may
be present within NIT 240 which may be used to look up the audio
PIDs and video PIDs in another table, such as a program management
table (PMT). For example, a program management table (PMT) may
store information on audio PIDs and video PIDs for television
channels that are transmitted on a transponder frequency.
[0050] Table 1 provides a simplified example of NIT 240 for several
television channels. It should be understood that in other
embodiments, many more television channels may be represented in
NIT 240. NIT 240 may be periodically updated by a television
service provider. As such, television channels may be reassigned to
different satellites and/or transponders, and television receiver
200 may be able to handle this reassignment as long as NIT 240 is
updated.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Channel Satellite Transponder ECM PID PMT
PID 4 1 2 27 1001 5 2 11 29 1002 7 2 3 31 1001 13 2 4 33 1004
[0051] Based on information in the NIT, it may be possible to
determine the proper satellite and transponder to which to tune for
a particular television channel. In some embodiments, the NIT may
list a particular frequency to which to tune for a particular
television channel. Once tuned to the proper
satellite/transponder/frequency, the PMT PID may be used to
retrieve a program management table that indicates the PIDs for
audio and video streams of television channels transmitted by that
transponder.
[0052] It should be understood that the values provided in Table 1
are for example purposes only. Actual values, including how
satellites and transponders are identified, may vary. Additional
information may also be stored in NIT 240. Additional information
on how NIT 240, as indicated in Table 1, may be used is provided in
reference to FIG. 3. The same PID may be reused on different
transponders.
[0053] A Digital Video Recorder (DVR) may permit a television
channel to be recorded for a period of time. DVR functionality of
television receiver 200 may be managed by control processor 210-1.
Control processor 210-1 may coordinate the television channel,
start time, and stop time of when recording of a television channel
is to occur. DVR database 245 may store information related to the
recording of television stations. DVR database 245 or some other
storage arrangement (e.g., a separate file) may store timers that
are used by control processor 210-1 to determine when a television
channel should be tuned to and its programs recorded to DVR
database 245 of storage medium 225. In some embodiments, a limited
amount of storage medium 225 may be devoted to DVR database 245.
Timers may be set by the television service provider and/or one or
more users of television receiver 200.
[0054] The DVR functionality of control processor 210-1 may have
multiple modes. First, the DVR functionality of control processor
210-1 may be configured to record individual television programs
selected by a user to DVR database 245. Using EPG database 230, a
user may select a particular television program. Based on the date,
time period, and television channel indicated by EPG database 230,
Control processor 210-1 may record the associated television
program to DVR database 245. Second, DVR database 245 may be used
to store recordings of predefined periods of time on one or more
television channels. These predefined periods of time may include
one or more television programs. For example, primetime on a
particular television network may be recorded each weekday night.
Further, multiple television channels may be recorded for such
predefined periods of time. Such recording of television channels
for predefined periods of time may be defined by the television
service provider.
[0055] As an example of this second mode of DVR functionality, a
television service provider may configure television receiver 200
to record television programming on multiple, predefined television
channels for a predefined period of time, on predefined dates. For
instance, a television service provider may configure television
receiver 200 such that television programming may be recorded from
7 to 10 PM on NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX on each weeknight. If a
television program is selected for recording by a user (e.g., the
user sets a recording timer for the television program) and is also
specified for recording by the television service provider, the
user selection for recording may serve as an indication to save the
television program for an extended time (beyond the time which the
predefined recording would otherwise be saved).
[0056] Whether recording is performed based on a user-selected
television program or selection by a television service provider,
selection may result in storage by DVR database 245 being managed
differently. Separate storage arrangements, such as separate
partitions on the same storage device, may be allocated based on
which entity designated the television program/channel for
recording. As such, DVR database 245 may use multiple storage
arrangements, such as multiple partitions on storage medium 225.
Television programming recorded based on a television service
provider selection may be stored on a first storage arrangement.
Television programming recorded based on user selection may be
stored on a second storage arrangement. Television programming on
the first storage arrangement may automatically be deleted after a
predefined period of time, such as two weeks. If a television
program stored by the first storage arrangement is selected by a
user (such as via a displayed EPG) to be saved, the television
program may be transferred from the first storage arrangement to
the second storage arrangement, such as when the television
programming would otherwise be deleted from the first storage
arrangement. Additional detail regarding the recording, storage,
and maintenance of television programming by television receiver
200 is provided in conjunction with FIG. 3.
[0057] User interface 250 may include a remote control (physically
separate from television receiver 200) and/or one or more buttons
on television receiver 200 that allows a user to interact with
television receiver 200. User interface 250 may be used to select a
television channel for viewing, view information from EPG database
230, and/or program a timer stored to DVR database 245, wherein the
timer is used to control the DVR functionality of control processor
210-1.
[0058] Referring back to tuners 215, television channels received
via satellite (or cable) may contain at least some scrambled data.
Packets of audio and video may be scrambled to prevent unauthorized
users (e.g., nonsubscribers) from receiving television programming
without paying the television service provider. When a tuner of
tuners 215 is receiving data from a particular transponder of a
satellite, the transponder stream may be a series of data packets
corresponding to multiple television channels. Each data packet may
contain a packet identifier (PID), which, in combination with NIT
240 and/or PMT 257, can be determined to be associated with
particular television channel. Particular data packets, referred to
as entitlement control messages (ECMs) may be periodically
transmitted. ECMs may be associated with another PID and may be
encrypted; television receiver 200 may use smart card 260 to
decrypt ECMs. Decryption of an ECM may only be possible if the user
has authorization to access the particular television channel
associated with the ECM. When an ECM is determined to correspond to
a television channel being stored and/or displayed, the ECM may be
provided to smart card 260 for decryption.
[0059] When smart card 260 receives an encrypted ECM, smart card
260 may decrypt the ECM to obtain some number of control words. In
some embodiments, from each ECM received by smart card 260, two
control words are obtained. In some embodiments, when smart card
260 receives an ECM, it compares the ECM to the previously received
ECM. If the two ECMs match, the second ECM is not decrypted because
the same control words would be obtained. In other embodiments,
each ECM received by smart card 260 is decrypted; however, if a
second ECM matches a first ECM, the outputted control words will
match; thus, effectively, the second ECM does not affect the
control words output by smart card 260. Smart card 260 may be
permanently part of television receiver 200 or may be configured to
be inserted and removed from television receiver 200.
[0060] Tuning management processor 210-2 may be in communication
with tuners 215 and control processor 210-1. Tuning management
processor 210-2 may be configured to receive commands from control
processor 210-1. Such commands may indicate when to start/stop
recording a television channel and/or when to start/stop causing a
television channel to be output to a television. Tuning management
processor 210-2 may control tuners 215. Tuning management processor
210-2 may provide commands to tuners 215 that instruct the tuners
which satellite, transponder, and/or frequency to tune to. From
tuners 215, tuning management processor 210-2 may receive
transponder streams of packetized data. As previously detailed,
some or all of these packets may include a PID that identifies the
content of the packet.
[0061] Tuning management processor 210-2 may be configured to
create one or more PID filters 255 that sort packets received from
tuners 215 based on the PIDs. When a tuner is initially tuned to a
particular frequency (e.g., to a particular transponder of a
satellite) a PID filter may be created based on a PID of PMT data.
The PID of PMT data packets may be known because it is stored as
part of NIT 240. From the PMT data packets, PMT may be constructed
by tuning management processor 210-2. Table 2 provides an exemplary
extract of a PMT. PMT 257 may be specific to a particular
transponder. As such, if tuning to a different transponder occurs,
a new PMT may be created for the different transponder.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Video 1.sup.st Audio 2.sup.nd Audio Channel
PID PID PID 4 1003 2383 2119 5 2993 2727 2728 7 9238 1233 0129 13
0012 9348 --
[0062] Accordingly, based on the information present in PMT 257,
the audio and video PIDs for specific television channels may be
identified. A television channel may have multiple audio PIDs due
to a second audio program (SAP), which may be in a different
language.
[0063] It should be understood that the values provided in Table 2
are for example purposes only. Actual values may vary. Additional
information or less information may also be stored in PMT 257.
[0064] PID filters 255 may be configured to filter data packets
based on PIDs. In some embodiments, PID filters 255 are created and
executed by tuning management processor 210-2. In other
embodiments, separate hardware may be used to create and execute
such PID filters. Depending on a television channel selected for
recording/viewing, a PID filter may be created to filter the video
and audio packets associated with the television channel (based on
the PID assignments present in PMT 257). For example, if a
transponder data stream includes multiple television channels, data
packets corresponding to a television channel that is not desired
to be stored or displayed by the user, may be ignored by PID
filters 255. As such, only data packets corresponding to the one or
more television channels desired to be stored and/or displayed may
be filtered and passed to either descrambling engine 265 or smart
card 260; other data packets may be ignored. For each television
channel, a stream of video packets, a stream of audio packets (one
or both of the audio programs) and/or a stream of ECM packets may
be present, each stream identified by a PID. In some embodiments, a
common ECM stream may be used for multiple television channels.
Additional data packets corresponding to other information, such as
updates to NIT 240, may be appropriately routed by PID filters 255.
At a given time, one or multiple PID filters may be executed by
tuning management processor 210-2.
[0065] Descrambling engine 265 may use the control words output by
smart card 260 in order to descramble video and/or audio
corresponding to television channels for storage and/or
presentation. Video and/or audio data contained in the transponder
data stream received by tuners 215 may be scrambled. Video and/or
audio data may be descrambled by descrambling engine 265 using a
particular control word. Which control word output by smart card
260 to be used for successful descrambling may be indicated by a
scramble control identifier present within the data packet
containing the scrambled video or audio. Descrambled video and/or
audio may be output by descrambling engine 265 to storage medium
225 for storage (in DVR database 245) and/or to audio/video decoder
233 for output to a television or other presentation equipment via
television interface 235.
[0066] Catalog database 270 may be used by television receiver 200
to store information about television programs that are stored as
part of a channel-specific file and in individual television
program files. Catalog database 270 may be updated as television
programs are recorded, transferred, and as files corresponding to
television programming are deleted. Data stored in catalog database
270 may be used to locate television programs within a
channel-specific file. In some embodiments, such data is stored as
part of DVR database 245 (as such, catalog database 270 may be
incorporated as part of DVR database 245). Additional detail
regarding catalog database 270 is provided in relation to
embodiment 300 of FIG. 3.
[0067] For simplicity, television receiver 200 of FIG. 2 has been
reduced to a block diagram; commonly known parts, such as a power
supply, have been omitted. Further, some routing between the
various modules of television receiver 200 has been illustrated.
Such illustrations are for exemplary purposes only. The state of
two modules not being directly or indirectly connected does not
indicate the modules cannot communicate. Rather, connections
between modules of the television receiver 200 are intended only to
indicate possible common data routing. It should be understood that
the modules of television receiver 200 may be combined into a fewer
number of modules or divided into a greater number of modules.
Further, the components of television receiver 200 may be part of
another device, such as built into a television. Also, while
television receiver 200 may be used to receive, store, and present
television channels received via a satellite, it should be
understood that similar components may be used to receive, store,
and present television channels via a cable network.
[0068] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment 300 of the DVR
functionality of television receiver 200 managing multiple storage
arrangements of DVR database 245. Television receiver 200 may
record television programming to two storage arrangements: channel
array storage arrangement 310 and user-assigned storage arrangement
320. These storage arrangements may be separate devices (e.g.,
separate hard drives or memory) or may be different locations on
the same storage device (e.g., separate folders or separate
partitions). DVR 300 may be part of a television receiver, such as
television receiver 200 of FIG. 2. For example, DVR functionality
of television receiver 200 may be performed by control processor
210-1.
[0069] Channel array storage arrangement 310 may be used to store
recordings of television channels, wherein the recordings each
include multiple television programs. The time periods, dates, and
television channels which are recorded to channel array storage
arrangement 310 may be defined by a television service provider.
DVR database 245 may store recorded television channel arrays
recorded by television receiver 200 in accordance with rules
defined by the television service provider. For instance, a
television service provider may define that multiple television
channels (e.g., channels 1, 2, and 7 as illustrated in FIG. 3) are
to be recorded on each weekday night from 7 PM to 10 PM. A
televisions service provider may define the channels, dates, and
time periods for which channel arrays are recorded by a television
receiver. For each television channel and each time period, a
separate file may be created. For example, omnibus channel file
331-1 corresponds to a particular television channel (channel 7)
and a particular date. Omnibus channel file array 330-1 represents
the three files created for the predefined time period of 7 to 10
PM for preselected television channels 1, 2, and 7. A separate file
may be created for each television channel on each day that
recording occurs. For example, omnibus channel file array 330-1
(which contains 3 files) may correspond to a first day, while
omnibus channel file array 330-2 (which contains three files) may
correspond to another day.
[0070] Each omnibus channel file of omnibus channel file arrays 330
may contain multiple television programs. The television program is
a scheduled production (e.g., movie, documentary, animation, live
event, sporting event, sitcom, drama, etc.), which may or may not
be episodic. A television program is not a commercial. For example,
commercials (or public service announcements) which air during the
broadcast of the television program would not be considered
separate television programs. Typically, a television program is
scheduled for at least 30 minutes. Many television programs
appearing during prime time on weekdays are either one hour or 30
minutes in scheduled length. These periods of time may contain time
allocated to the scheduled television program and commercials that
are to be aired during the scheduled television program.
[0071] Multiple television programs may be present within a single
omnibus channel file. Omnibus channel file 331-2 was recorded to
channel array storage arrangement 310 during a time period and date
specified by the television service provider. Within omnibus
channel file 331-2, multiple television programs are present.
Television program 340 is contained within omnibus channel file
331-2. Within omnibus channel file 331-2, one or more television
programs may have been recorded before a television program 340 and
after television program 340.
[0072] While an omnibus channel file, such as omnibus channel file
331-2, may store audio and video data corresponding to multiple
television programs, a separate database may be maintained with
program information, such as for locating television programs
within an omnibus channel file. A catalog database, such as catalog
database 270 of television receiver 200 of FIG. 2, may be
maintained. For each recorded television program, an entry may be
made in the catalog database. The catalog database may indicate an
identifier for a television program and a file in which the
television program is stored. If the television program is stored
as part of an omnibus channel file, a file offset may be stored
within the catalog database for the television program. Table 3
provides an example of several entries which may be present in a
catalog database. In some embodiments, a catalog database may store
series and episode identifiers for some or all television
programs.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Television File Marked Program Offset for
Identifier File Name (bytes) Save? 2738239 es2738239.tsp 0 No
9034836 es2738239.tsp 9832939 Yes 4854557 es1003293.tsp 10239832 No
1122092 es1122092.tsp 0 No
[0073] A catalog database may provide data such as that indicated
in Table 3. For example, a catalog database may include a
television program identifier, a file name of the file in which the
television program resides, a file offset (if any), and an
indication of whether a user has marked the corresponding
television program for saving. A television program identifier may
be a unique number that is assigned to a television program at the
television receiver. The file name associated with each television
program identifier may indicate the file in which the associated
television program is stored. This file may be a file specific to
the television program or may be a channel-specific file (an
omnibus channel file) which contains multiple television programs.
As an example, the first two television program identifiers in
Table 3 each correspond to the same file name. Accordingly, both of
these television program identifiers are associated with television
programs present in the same omnibus channel file. In some
embodiments, it may be a practice to name each omnibus channel file
after the program identifier of the first television program
recorded to the omnibus channel file. As such, the filename
associated with television program identifier "2738239" contains
"2738239". The file offset may be used to determine a location
within a file for television programs that contains multiple
television programs.
[0074] During recording, the file offset may be determined. For the
first television program recorded as part of an omnibus channel
file, the offset may be zero. For subsequent television programs
recorded to the same omnibus channel file, the file offset may be
determined by measuring the file size, in bytes, when the
television program begins recording. It may be determined when the
television program begins recording based on the start time for the
television program indicated in an electronic programming guide
stored by the television receiver. For example, referring to Table
3, the television program associated with television program
identifier 9034836 begins at a file offset of 9832939 bytes. A
television program is determined to end at either the end of the
file or the next file offset within the same file indicated by the
catalog database. For example the television program associated
with television program identifier "2738239" ends at a file offset
of 9832938 bytes (based on the file offset associated with
television program identifier "9034836").
[0075] Each omnibus channel file stored by channel array storage
arrangement 310 may be deleted on a scheduled basis. For example,
two weeks after an omnibus channel file is recorded, the omnibus
channel file may be deleted. By automatically deleting omnibus
channel files after a period of time, the total amount of storage
space necessary for channel array storage arrangement 310 may be
determined accurately. For example, if it is known when omnibus
channel files will be deleted, and it is known how many and for how
long omnibus channel files will be recorded, a necessary amount of
storage space may be allocated to channel array storage arrangement
310.
[0076] During the period of time in which omnibus channel files are
stored by channel array storage arrangement 310, a user may have
the ability to watch any of the television programs stored within
omnibus channel files. Following the period of time during which
the omnibus channel files are stored, only individual television
programs specifically indicated by a user to be designated for
saving may be preserved; other television programs that are part of
the omnibus channel file may be deleted. Referring to omnibus
channel file 331-2, the user may select television program 340 for
preservation. This may result in a flag (which may be a single bit)
being set within the catalog database that indicates the television
program is to be saved when the omnibus channel file is deleted. As
an example of a reason why a user may choose to preserve television
program 340, television program 340 may be part of a series which
the user enjoys watching but the user did not have a chance to view
while television program 340 was stored by channel array storage
arrangement 310. The user may designate television program 340 for
saving via an EPG interface of television receiver 200. The user
may have marked the specific episode corresponding to television
program 340 for saving or may have selected the entire series of
which television program 340 is an episode for saving.
[0077] When omnibus channel file array 330-3 is to be deleted,
television program 340 may be transferred from channel array
storage arrangement 310 to user-assigned storage arrangement 320.
The dotted arrow of FIG. 3 is intended to illustrate how television
program 340 becomes an individual television program file 350-5 on
user-assigned storage arrangement 320. User-assigned storage
arrangement 320 may be a separate storage arrangement, such as a
separate partition of the storage device, on which the user is
permitted to allocate storage space as desired. As such, the
television programs stored by user-assigned storage arrangement 320
may be determined by a user. For example, a user may be permitted
to store as many television programs to user-assigned storage
arrangement 320 as desired until user-assigned storage arrangement
320 is full. Once full, the user may be required to delete one or
more television programs from user-assigned storage arrangement 320
before storing another television program to user-assigned storage
arrangement 320.
[0078] When a television program is transferred to user-assigned
storage arrangement 320, the catalog database may need to be
updated such that the television program can be located. Entries
corresponding to the deleted omnibus channel files may be deleted
from the catalog database. The new entry for the television program
transferred to user-assigned storage arrangement 320 may be made
(or the previous entry for the television program may be modified).
Table 4 illustrates an example of a modified portion of a catalog
database for television program 340 after being transferred to the
user-assigned storage arrangement 320.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Television File Marked Program Offset for
Identifier File Name (bytes) Save? 9034836 es9034836.tsp 0 Yes
[0079] In Table 4, assume television program identifier 9034836
corresponds to television program 340. The entries associated with
television program identifier "2738239", "4854557", and "1122092"
are deleted due to deletion of the corresponding omnibus channel
files from channel array storage arrangement 310 (such deletions
are indicated by strikethrough text). However, the entry
corresponding to television program 340 is maintained with the
filename and file offset being updated for the television
program-specific file in which the television program is now
stored. As such, as omnibus channel files are created, stored, and
deleted and as individual television program files are created,
stored and deleted, a catalog database may be updated such that
each television program has an entry (that is, television programs
stored in omnibus channel files and television programs stored in
individual program files each have entries).
[0080] Once a copy of television program 340 has been transferred
to a user-assigned storage arrangement 320, omnibus channel file
331-2 may be deleted. However, a individual television program file
350-5 may be created and stored on user-assigned storage
arrangement 320. For example purposes only, four other television
programs are illustrated as stored by user-assigned storage
arrangement 320. Each of individual television program files 350 is
associated with separate files. As such, each television
program-specific file of individual television program files 350
are intended to store a single television program from start to
finish. It should be understood that due to recording scheduling, a
short period of time of another television program (and/or
commercials) may be stored at the beginning and/or end of a
television program specific file. Likewise, a short period of time
of the television program desired to be recorded may fail to be
recorded at the beginning or end of the recording of the television
program. While channel array storage arrangement 310 stores
channel-specific files, user-assigned storage arrangement 320
stores television program-specific files. Once a television
program, such as individual television program file 350-5, is
stored on user-assigned storage arrangement 320, the television
program may be stored indefinitely until the television program is
selected for deletion by a user.
[0081] While the embodiment 300 of FIG. 3 focuses on the recording,
storage, and deletion of omnibus channel files and program specific
files (which contain audio and video data), it should be understood
that other files may accompany the audio and video data, such as to
store metadata associated with each television program. Such files,
referred to as bookmark files, may be created, stored, and deleted
as detailed in reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0082] Embodiment 300 may represent a situation where the
television receiver is enabled to record arrays of television
channels (such as on a nightly basis). It should be understood that
a user may disable such recording. If disabled, a user may still
select individual television programs for recording. Such
individual television programs selected for recording may be
recorded directly to user-assigned storage arrangement 320 into
individual television program files. In some embodiments, if a user
has disabled television channel array recording, the storage
arrangement devoted to array storage may be reassigned and used for
other storage, such as for storage of additional user selected
television programs. In some embodiments, when array recording is
disabled the channel array storage arrangement may be removed (if a
partition) with the space reallocated to the user-assigned storage
arrangement or some other storage arrangement. Alternatively, the
channel array storage arrangement may remain unused.
[0083] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment 400 of a graphical
representation of extraction of a television program from an
omnibus channel file. Embodiment 400 may represent the arrangement
of embodiment 300 where television program 340 is transferred to
user-assigned storage arrangement 320 and stored as individual
television program file 350-5. In FIG. 4, two transfers are
represented: transfer of video and audio data from an omnibus
channel file to a television program-specific file; and transfer of
metadata from an omnibus bookmark file to an individual
program-specific bookmark file.
[0084] During or following an omnibus channel file being recorded
and stored, a corresponding omnibus bookmark file may also be
created and stored. For example, omnibus channel file 331-1 of FIG.
4 represents a television channel omnibus file recorded as part of
omnibus channel file array 330-3 of FIG. 3. When omnibus channel
file 331-2 is recorded, omnibus bookmark file 410 may be created.
Omnibus bookmark file 410 may be used to store metadata, such as
information about the television programs present within omnibus
channel file 331-2. For example, information typically presented to
a user in an electronic programming guide for each television
program within omnibus channel file 331-2 may be stored as part of
omnibus bookmark file 410. For example, omnibus bookmark file 410
may include for each television program present within omnibus
channel file 331-2: a television program title, a television
program episode name, a series identifier, an episode identifier, a
description of the television program, audio and video PID
information, a broadcast date/time/channel, a start time (indicated
by a file offset, and/or an end time (indicated by another file
offset).
[0085] While omnibus channel file 331-2 is being created, omnibus
bookmark file 410 may be created based on information present in
the locally-stored electronic programming guide and event
transitions occurring. An event transition may occur when a new
television program is scheduled to begin according to the EPG. For
example, an event transition may occur at 8 PM due to the EPG
indicating a new television program is scheduled to begin at 8 PM
on the television channel being recorded to the omnibus channel
file. It should be understood that the actual start time of the
television program as broadcast by the television channel may vary;
likely, the difference in time between the event transition and the
actual start time of the television program is at most a few
minutes.
[0086] When an event transition occurs on the television channel
being recorded to omnibus channel file 331-2, a new entry may be
made in omnibus bookmark file 410 based on the file offset of the
omnibus channel file 331-2. The file offset may be measured by
determining the file size of omnibus channel file 331-2 when the
event transition occurs. At a later time, based on the file offset,
it may be possible to determine where in omnibus channel file 331-2
the television program is scheduled to begin (according to the EPG
data). Omnibus bookmark files may be named in accordance with
omnibus channel files. For example, the name of omnibus bookmark
file 410 may match omnibus channel file 331-2, with only a
different file extension (e.g., .bm). As such, based on knowing the
file name of omnibus channel file 331-2, a television receiver may
access the corresponding omnibus bookmark file by changing the file
extension of the omnibus channel file.
[0087] Just as after a predefined period of time omnibus channel
file 331-2 is scheduled to be deleted, omnibus bookmark file 410
may also be deleted. As such, when an omnibus channel file is
deleted, an associated omnibus bookmark file may also be deleted.
If the user has marked a portion of omnibus channel file 331-2 for
saving, the corresponding portion of omnibus bookmark file 410 may
also be preserved such that the metadata associated with the
television program selected by the user is preserved.
[0088] Within omnibus channel file 331-2, three event transitions
occur: event transition 421, event transition 422, and event
transition 423. Each of these event transitions may be determined
based on event transitions present within the electronic
programming guide of the television receiver. Event transitions
421, 422, and 423 are indicated by file offsets stored by omnibus
bookmark file 410. Therefore, based on the file offsets, which may
be measured in bytes (or some other measurement arrangement, such
as playback time), it may be possible for a television receiver to
locate event transitions 421, 422, and 423. While event transitions
are illustrated as present in omnibus channel file 331-1 for
visualization purposes, it should be understood that no metadata
that indicates the event transition may actually be present in
omnibus channel file 331-2.
[0089] Based on a user having selected the television program
indicated as beginning at event transition 422 and ending at event
transition 423, an individual program file may be created for the
corresponding television program when omnibus channel file 331-2 is
to be deleted. In some embodiments, rather than waiting for when
omnibus channel file 331-2 is to be deleted, the individual program
file may be created for the television program when the selection
for saving the television program is received from the user. Based
upon the file offsets associated with event transition 422 and 423
stored in catalog database 270, DVR database 245, or omnibus
bookmark file 410, individual television program file 350-5 may be
created. Referring to embodiment 300 of FIG. 3, it should be
understood that omnibus channel file 331-2 may be stored on channel
array storage arrangement 310, while individual television program
file 350-5 is stored using user-assigned storage arrangement 320.
In some embodiments, a single storage arrangement is used for both
omnibus channel files and individual program files.
[0090] As previously detailed, a catalog database maintained by the
television receiver may indicate filenames and file offsets for
where particular television programs begin and end within omnibus
channel files. Based on these filenames and file offsets, the
appropriate portion of omnibus channel file 331-2 may be extracted
to create individual television program file 350-5. Further, the
filename may be used to determine the corresponding omnibus
bookmark file 410 and the file offset may be used to locate the
appropriate metadata within omnibus bookmark file 410 to preserve.
Metadata associated with the offset indicated in the catalog
database may be used to create a television program-specific
bookmark file. Such an individual program bookmark file 420 may
contain metadata associated with only a particular television
program. As an example, individual program bookmark file 420 may
contain metadata only associated with individual television program
file 350-5. For the one television program, such metadata may
include: a television program title, a television program episode
name, a series identifier, an episode identifier, a description of
the television program, audio and video PID information, and/or a
broadcast date/time/channel. While only a single television program
is present within individual television program file 350-5, it may
still be necessary to store data related to the audio and video
PIDs of the television program. For instance, multiple audio PIDs
may be present for a second audio program (SAP). Further, in some
embodiments, decoding hardware, such as audio/video decoder 233 of
FIG. 2, may require the audio and video PID be specified,
regardless of whether only a single audio and a single video stream
are present within a file for decoding and output to a presentation
device, such as a television.
[0091] Based on the user selecting a particular television program
from within the omnibus channel file for saving, an individual
program file in an individual program bookmark file for the
television program is created and stored to a separate storage
arrangement. The omnibus bookmark file and the omnibus channel file
may then be deleted. It should be understood that while the
previous described embodiments are directed to a single television
program from an omnibus channel file being saved, more than one
television program from a single omnibus channel file may be saved
to a user-assigned storage arrangement for later viewing.
[0092] In embodiment 400, data for omnibus bookmark file 410 is
created based on data from the electronic programming guide of the
television receiver. The data for the electronic programming guide
may have been received by the television receiver at some point
ahead of when the television program was broadcast on the
television channel. As such, the event transitions used to indicate
the file offsets within omnibus bookmark file 410 may only be
estimates. Due to delays, scheduling conflicts, commercials, etc.,
the actual start and stop time of a television program may vary
from the event transitions indicated in the EPG, which is used to
determine the file offsets stored to omnibus bookmark file 410.
Therefore, if the file offsets indicated in omnibus bookmark file
410 are used to determine the start and end times of a first
television program, a portion of the first television program may
be lost at the beginning (or end) and/or a portion of a second
television program (or commercials) may be present at the beginning
(or end) of the recording of the first television program.
[0093] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment 500 of a graphical
representation of extraction of a television program from an
omnibus channel file. Embodiment 500 may represent the arrangement
of embodiment 300 where television program 340 is transferred to
user-assigned storage arrangement 320 and stored as individual
television program file 350-5. In embodiment 400, omnibus bookmark
file 410 was created, stored, and later used to create individual
program bookmark file 420. In embodiment 500, a supplemental
bookmark file, referred to as a segmented bookmark file for a
specific television program may be created to supplement the
omnibus bookmark file created based on EPG information. For
clarity, an omnibus bookmark file (such as omnibus bookmark file
410 of FIG. 4) created for multiple television programs recorded
consecutively on a television channel may be referred to as a
non-segmented omnibus bookmark file. This non-segmented bookmark
file contains metadata based on the received and locally-stored
electronic programming guide information, which is received ahead
of the broadcast of the contained television programs. A segmented
bookmark file may be created using information collected by the
television service provider and may indicate a more accurate
television program start time and television program end time for a
particular television program. Additionally or alternatively, a
segmented bookmark file may designate portions of a recording of a
television program directed to content a user is unlikely to want
to watch (such as commercials). Data for creating a segmented
bookmark file for a television program may involve having one or
more persons watch the television program at a facility of the
television service provider and provide input to a television
service provider system that indicates 1) at what time a television
program actually begins and ends and/or 2) during what time periods
commercial breaks during the television program begin and end.
Series and episode identifiers may be used to identify the
television program.
[0094] Similar to as detailed in relation to FIG. 4, omnibus
channel file 331-2 may be recorded on a particular television
channel over a period of time during which multiple television
programs are broadcast. As such, omnibus channel file 331-2 may
contain multiple television programs. During or following omnibus
channel file 331-2 being recorded and stored, a corresponding
non-segmented omnibus bookmark file may also be created and stored.
Omnibus channel file 331-2 of FIG. 5 represents an exemplary
television channel omnibus file recorded as part of omnibus channel
file array 330-3 of FIG. 3. When omnibus channel file 331-2 is
recorded, non-segmented omnibus bookmark file 410 may be created
and stored. This non-segmented omnibus bookmark file 410 represents
the same omnibus bookmark file 410 of embodiment 400 of FIG. 4 and
may contain the same information. Non-segmented omnibus bookmark
file 410 may be used to store metadata, such as information about
the television programs present within omnibus channel file 331-2.
Non-segmented omnibus bookmark file 410 may be created using
information corresponding to the television channel and the
date/time present in the locally-stored EPG of the television
receiver. For example, non-segmented omnibus bookmark file 410 may
include for each television program present within omnibus channel
file 331-2: a television program title, a television program
episode name, a series identifier, an episode identifier, a
description of the television program, audio and video PID
information, a broadcast date/time/channel, a start time (indicated
by a file offset, and/or an end time (indicated by another file
offset). This information may be received ahead of when the
television program is scheduled to be broadcast (e.g., several days
ahead of time). As such, a start and an end time for the television
program may be estimated.
[0095] While omnibus channel file 331-2 is being created,
non-segmented omnibus bookmark file 410 may be created based on
information present in the locally-stored EPG and event transitions
(as indicated by the EPG) occurring. An event transition may occur
when a new television program is scheduled to begin (as indicated
by the EPG data). For example, an event transition may occur at 8
PM due to the EPG indicating a new television program is scheduled
to begin at 8 PM on the television channel being recorded. It
should be understood that the actual start time of the television
program as broadcast by the television channel may vary; likely,
the difference in time between the event transition and the actual
start time of the television program is at most a few minutes.
[0096] When an event transition occurs (according to the EPG) on
the television channel being recorded to omnibus channel file
331-2, a new entry may be made in non-segmented omnibus bookmark
file 410 based on a measured file size of omnibus channel file
331-2. The file size may be stored as a file offset that indicates
the point at which the television program is scheduled to begin in
omnibus channel file 331-2. The file size may be measured by
determining the file size of omnibus channel file 331-2 when the
event transition occurs. At a later time, based on the stored file
offset, it may be possible to determine where in omnibus channel
file 331-2 the television program is scheduled to begin (according
to the EPG). Non-segmented omnibus bookmark files may be named in
accordance with omnibus channel files. For example, the name of
non-segmented omnibus bookmark file 410 may match omnibus channel
file 331-2, with a different file extension. As such, based on
knowing the file name of omnibus channel file 331-2, a television
receiver may access the corresponding omnibus bookmark file by
using the same file name with a different file extension.
[0097] As previously mentioned, the start and end times of
television programs may not be accurate based on EPG data. As such,
during, or at some point after omnibus channel file 331-2 is
created and stored (and non-segmented omnibus bookmark file 410 is
created and stored), the television receiver may receive segment
data from a television service provider. The segment data may be
used to create a segmented bookmark file 510 for a particular
television program. In some embodiments, the segmented bookmark
file 510 may be created several hours, a day, or several days after
creation and storage of omnibus channel file 331-2 and
non-segmented omnibus bookmark file 410. The segmented bookmark
file 510 may correspond to a particular television program; as
such, if multiple television programs are present in omnibus
channel file 331-2, a separate segmented bookmark file may be
created for each television program based on received segment data.
In many embodiments, a segmented bookmark file will be created
after the non-segmented omnibus bookmark file is created, but
before the associated omnibus channel file is selected for deletion
(which is likely to occur a week or more after creation). A
segmented bookmark file may be intended to supplement the
information stored in a corresponding non-segmented omnibus
bookmark file for a particular television program. Segmented
bookmark files associated with television programs stored as part
of an omnibus channel file may be stored to the same storage
arrangement as the omnibus channel file.
[0098] Data used to create segmented bookmark files may be
transferred to the television receiver. Referring to FIG. 1, such
data may be relayed by television service provider system 110 to
the television receiver 150 via a transponder stream using one of
satellites 130. The data for segmented bookmark file 510 may
indicate a more accurate start time and/or end time for a
particular television program recorded as part of omnibus channel
file 331-2. Additionally, the data for segmented bookmark file 510
may indicate periods of time corresponding to commercial breaks
occurring during a television program recorded as part of omnibus
channel file 331-2. The television receiver may determine the
television program to which the segmented data corresponds based on
a series identifier and an episode identifier which are transmitted
to the television receiver by the television service provider and
may be stored in the form of an announcement file. The series and
episode identifiers may be used to match the segment data to a
locally-created program identifier, which is stored in a catalog
database. Accordingly, by using the series and episode identifier,
a television receiver can determine the correct program to which
segment data corresponds. Following the program identifier being
determined, a segment bookmark file may be created for the
television program using the received segment data and linked with
the program identifier.
[0099] From received segment data, segmented bookmark file 510 may
be created which corresponds to, for example, television program
340 of FIG. 3, which has been selected by a user for saving. A
non-segmented omnibus bookmark file 410 and a segmented bookmark
file 510 may be maintained separately. While omnibus channel file
331-2 is in existence and the user has selected a television
program present in omnibus channel file 331-2 for playback,
segmented bookmark file 510 may be used to determine at what points
within omnibus channel file 331-2 playback should begin and end for
television program 340. The playback start point may be before,
after, or at the start event transition point indicated by the EPG.
Similarly, the playback endpoint may be before, after, or at the
end event transition indicated by the EPG. As such, the start and
end times indicated by the segmented bookmark file for a television
program can be expected to be more accurate than start and end
times indicated by file offsets in a non-segmented bookmark file,
such as non-segmented omnibus bookmark file 410.
[0100] In embodiment 500, according to the television receiver's
EPG data, event transition 422 signals the beginning of television
program 340 and event transition 423 signals the end of television
program 340. These event transitions may be stored as file offsets
in non-segmented omnibus bookmark file 410. Based on segment data
later received by the television receiver, segmented bookmark file
510 may contain more accurate start and end times for television
program 340. In the illustrated embodiment, event transition 521
signals the beginning of television program 340 and event
transition 522 signals the end of television program 340.
Accordingly, television program 340 began early and ended late (as
compared to the previously-stored EPG information at the television
receiver). It should be understood that in other embodiments, a
television program may start late and/or end early, or some other
combination thereof. It is, of course, possible that a television
program may begin and/or end exactly as scheduled in the EPG.
[0101] Segmented bookmark file 510 may be used to skip commercials
(or some other undesired viewing event) during viewing of the
television program. Segments of a television program may be defined
based on portions of the television programming the user is likely
to want to watch. For example commercial portion 526 and commercial
portion 527 of omnibus channel file 331-2 may correspond to
commercial breaks, and thus may be desired to be skipped during
viewing by a user. Segment 523, which begins at event transition
521 and ends at the beginning of commercial portion 526; segment
524, which begins at the end of commercial portion 526 and ends at
the beginning of commercial portion 527; and segment 525, which
begins at the end of commercial portion 527 and ends at event
transition 522, may be segments desired to be watched by user. A
segment may be defined by a positive and negative frame offset from
a frame within the segment. The frame from which the positive and
negative frame offsets are measured may be identified based on a
string of characters appearing in the closed captioning data.
Accordingly, the segment data received by the television receiver
from the television service provider may indicate a string of
characters to be located within closed captioning data of the
television program, a positive frame offset (which defines the end
of the segment) and the negative frame offset (which defines the
beginning of the segment). Segments may be defined such that
commercials are excluded. Thus, during playback, the user can
seamlessly or almost seamlessly watch the television program
without undesired viewing events, such as interspersed
commercials.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 3, based on a user having selected
television program 340, an individual television program file 350-5
may be created for the corresponding television program when
omnibus channel file 331-2 is to be deleted. In some embodiments,
rather than waiting for when omnibus channel file 331-2 is to be
deleted, the individual program file may be created for the
television program when the selection for saving the television
program is received from the user. Referring back to FIG. 5, if a
segmented bookmark file associated with the television program is
stored by the television receiver, as it is in embodiment 500, the
segmented bookmark file may be used to determine a start and end
time for the individual program file. Based upon the start and end
times indicated in segmented bookmark file 510, individual program
file 530 may be created. Referring to embodiment 300 of FIG. 3, it
should be understood that omnibus channel file 331-2 may be stored
on channel array storage arrangement 310, while individual program
file 530 is stored using user-assigned storage arrangement 320. In
some embodiments, a single storage arrangement is used for both
omnibus channel files and individual program files.
[0103] As previously detailed, a catalog database of the television
receiver may indicate filenames and file offsets at which
particular television programs begin and end within omnibus channel
files. Based on these filenames, file offsets and corresponding
data in segmented bookmark file 510 (which may be named according
to the program identifier assigned at the television receiver), the
appropriate portion of omnibus channel file 331-2 may be extracted
to create individual program file 530. Further, the filename may be
used to determine the corresponding non-segmented omnibus bookmark
file 410 and the file offset may be used to locate the appropriate
metadata within non-segmented omnibus bookmark file 410 which is to
be preserved. Metadata associated with the offset indicated in the
catalog database may be used to create an individual program
non-segmented bookmark file 420. Such an individual program
non-segmented bookmark file 420 may contain metadata associated
with only the particular television program. As an example,
individual program bookmark file 420 may contain metadata only
associated with individual television program file 350-5. For the
one television program, such metadata may include: a television
program title, a television program episode name, a series
identifier, an episode identifier, a description of the television
program, audio and video PID information, and/or a broadcast
date/time/channel. Data from segmented bookmark file 510 may be
used to determine the start and end points at which the television
program occurs within omnibus channel file 331-2. Based on this
data from the segmented bookmark file, the start and end points
used to create individual program file 530 may be determined.
[0104] The segmented bookmark file 510 may be preserved and stored
on the same storage arrangement with individual television program
file 350-5 and individual program non-segmented bookmark file 420.
Segment data of segmented bookmark file 510 may be used during
playback to skip undesirable viewing events, such as commercial
breaks. Accordingly, for a television program selected by a user to
be stored to a user-assigned storage arrangement, three files may
be stored: an individual program file (which may contain audio and
video data); a non-segmented program-specific bookmark file (which
may contain metadata, such as a description of the television
program); and a segmented bookmark file (which may contain metadata
indicating segments of the individual program file that are to be
played during playback).
[0105] Based on the user selecting a particular television program
from within the omnibus channel file for saving, an individual
program file and an individual program non-segmented program
bookmark file are created and stored. The corresponding segmented
bookmark file for the television program is preserved. Each file
may be stored to a user-assigned storage arrangement. The
non-segmented omnibus bookmark file and the omnibus channel file
may then be deleted according to the predefined schedule. It should
be understood that while the previous described embodiments are
directed to a single television program from an omnibus channel
file being saved, more than one television program from a single
omnibus channel file may be saved to a user-assigned storage
arrangement for later viewing.
[0106] Using a television distribution system (such as satellite
television distribution system 100 of FIG. 1) and a television
receiver (such as television receiver 200 of FIG. 2), various
methods may be performed. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a
method 600 for extracting a television program from an omnibus
channel file and saving it to an individual program file. Method
600 may be performed using a television receiver, such as a set top
box. Method 600 may involve data being received from a television
service provider, such as via satellite television distribution
system 100 of FIG. 1. It should be understood that in other
embodiments of method 600, other forms of provider systems may be
used, such as cable television distribution systems or an IP
television distribution system. Means for performing method 600
include television receivers, television service provider systems,
and computer systems (which may be incorporated as part of a
television receiver and/or television service provider system).
[0107] At step 610, a tuner of the television receiver may be tuned
to a transponder stream that contains a television channel to be
recorded. In some embodiments, multiple television channels may be
recorded at the same time. Further, in some embodiments, the
multiple television channels may be received via a single tuner of
the television receiver. As an example, four television channels
may be recorded simultaneously (such as during primetime), wherein
each of the television channels is received by the television
receiver using a single tuner.
[0108] At step 620, and omnibus channel file may be recorded and
stored for the television channel tuned to at step 610. The omnibus
channel file recorded and stored may contain multiple television
programs which were broadcast on the television channel within the
time period during which recording occurred. As an example, if the
omnibus channel file was recorded for a television channel from 7
PM until 10 PM, the single omnibus channel file would contain each
television program broadcast on the television channel during the
time period from 7 PM until 10 PM. If each television program
broadcast during this time period was thirty minutes long, six
television programs may be stored as part of the single omnibus
channel file. The recording of the omnibus channel file may be
stored to storage arrangement, such as a hard drive partition,
dedicated to storage of such omnibus channel files. Multiple
omnibus channel files, for different channels, may be recorded and
stored simultaneously. For instance, omnibus channel files may be
stored for each major television network during a period of time,
such as prime time. The television channels, the dates, and the
time periods for which omnibus channel files are created may be
selected by the television service provider. The television service
provider may configure the television receiver such that the
recording of the omnibus channel files occurs according to the
schedule selected by the television service provider.
[0109] At step 630, a bookmark file corresponding to the omnibus
channel file may be created and stored. Because this bookmark file
contains information on each television program present within the
omnibus channel file, the bookmark file may be referred to as a
(non-segmented) omnibus bookmark file. The omnibus bookmark file
may be created based on information present within an electronic
programming guide (EPG) stored by the television receiver.
According to EPG data, when an event transition occurs (one
television program ending and another beginning) for the television
channel being recorded, an entry may be made in the omnibus
bookmark file that indicates a file offset, a program identifier
(which may be created by the television receiver), and information
about television program (e.g., title, description, series name,
rating). The file offset may be based on the file size of the
omnibus channel file (e.g., measured in bytes) at the (approximate)
time of the event transition. The omnibus bookmark file may be
named to match the omnibus channel file, with a different file
extension (such as .bm).
[0110] In response to each event transition, an entry may be made
within a catalog database maintained by the television receiver at
step 640. The entry in the catalog database may indicate at least:
the program identifier, a file name of the omnibus channel file
(which may be named after the program identifier of the first
television program recorded as part of the omnibus channel file),
and the file offset. Therefore, based on the entry in the catalog
database, information about the television program (via the
bookmark file) and the location of the television program (via the
filename of the omnibus channel file and the file offset) may be
determined. In some embodiments, rather than an entry in the
catalog database being made in response to each event transition,
entries may be made for each program recorded as part of the
omnibus channel file following the recording of the omnibus channel
file being completed.
[0111] Once recording of the omnibus channel file is complete, the
omnibus channel file may be stored for a predetermined amount of
time, such as two weeks. This predetermined time may be set by the
television service provider (or, possibly, a user of the television
receiver). During this time period, the user may be permitted to
individually view some or all of the television programs that were
recorded as part of the omnibus channel file. Just as with other
television programs recorded using a DVR feature of the television
receiver, a user may be permitted to select a particular television
program for playback. Prior to, during, or after the omnibus
channel file having been recorded, a user may indicate one or more
television programs within the omnibus channel file are to be
saved. By indicating a particular television program is to be
saved, the television program may not be subject to be stored for
only the predetermined amount of time. Therefore, by selecting a
television program for saving, the television program may be
available to the user for playback until the user specifies the
television program is to be deleted. If a television program of the
omnibus channel file is to be saved, a user input indicating that a
television program of the omnibus channel file is to be saved may
be received by the television receiver. For example, via the EPG of
the television receiver, a user may select a television program for
saving. An indication of the user input may be stored as a flag in
the catalog database. Each entry within the catalog database
corresponding to a television program of an omnibus channel file
may have a flag bit (or some other form of indicator) that
indicates whether the television program associated with the entry
in the catalog database is to be saved or not. Accordingly, in
response to user input indicating the television program is to be
saved, the entry corresponding to the television program may be
updated to reflect the saving designation in the catalog
database.
[0112] Step 650 may be performed when the predetermined amount of
time for which the omnibus channel file is to be saved has elapsed.
For example, step 650 may be performed approximately two weeks
after the omnibus channel file is recorded and stored at step 620
(other periods of time are also possible). At step 650, a
determination may be made as to whether one or more of the
television programs present within the omnibus channel file are to
be saved. Determining whether one or more television programs
present within the omnibus channel file are to be saved may include
analyzing the catalog database stored by the television receiver.
For each entry of the television program that is stored within the
omnibus channel file, a field within the catalog database may be
examined. This field may be a single bit that indicates whether or
not the television program is to be saved.
[0113] If at step 650 it is determined that no television programs
within the omnibus channel file were marked for saving, method 600
may proceed to step 670. At step 670, the omnibus channel file and
the omnibus bookmark file may be deleted, such that the television
programs stored within the omnibus channel file are no longer
available. At step 680, the catalog database may be updated such
that entries are no longer present for the television programs
which are stored as part of the omnibus channel file.
[0114] Returning to step 650, if one or more television programs
within the omnibus channel file were marked for saving, method 600
may proceed to step 660. For the remainder of method 600, it is
assumed that a single television program of the omnibus channel
file was selected for saving and was so indicated in the catalog
database. It should be understood that in other embodiments more
than one television programs from within the omnibus channel file
may be marked for saving.
[0115] In some embodiments, a user may have the ability to select
that channel arrays are to no longer be recorded and/or stored. A
user providing such an input to the television receiver may trigger
step 650 to be performed for some or all television programs within
omnibus channel files stored by the television receiver.
[0116] At step 660, the portion of the omnibus channel file
corresponding to the television program may be copied or moved to
an individual program file. The individual program file may be
stored to a separate storage arrangement, such as a separate
storage device, a separate partition of a hard drive, or a separate
folder on the same drive. As such, individual program files may be
stored to a separate storage arrangement from omnibus channel
files. Accordingly, this may mean that storage to a first partition
is managed by the television service provider while storage to a
second partition is based on user selection of television programs
for storage. The portion of the omnibus channel file stored may be
based on the file offsets stored in the bookmark file created at
step 630 and/or the file offsets stored in the catalog database.
Using these file offsets, which may be obtained from either the
bookmark file or the catalog database, a start point and endpoint
for the television program within the omnibus channel file may be
determined. It should be understood that this start point and
endpoint for the television program may be based on EPG data, which
was received by the television receiver before the television
program was broadcast. As such, the start and end times may be
approximate and may not match with the actual start and end point
of the television program as broadcast on the television channel.
Accordingly, the individual program file may begin before or after
the start of the television program; likewise, the end of the
individual program file may be before the end of the television
program or after the end of the television program.
[0117] Further, at step 660, from the omnibus bookmark file, an
individual bookmark file may be created for the television program.
The individual bookmark file may also be stored to a different
storage arrangement along with the individual program file. The
individual bookmark file may contain only metadata that corresponds
to the particular television program. Based on the file offset of
the television program to be saved, the metadata to be saved for
the television program may be identified from within the omnibus
bookmark file. As such, following step 660, an individual program
file and an individual bookmark file may be created for the
television program selected by the user for saving.
[0118] In some embodiments, step 660 may involve "side-loading" to
a separate playback device (e.g., a cellphone, gaming device,
tablet computer, laptop computer). Side-loading may similarly
involve the portion of the omnibus channel file (and possibly the
portion of the omnibus bookmark file) being stored to the playback
device as described above. Additionally, transcoding may be
performed to place the stored audio and/or video in a format
appropriate for the separate playback device. For instance, for a
cellular phone having a small screen, a reduced resolution may be
used for the video stored to the separate playback device. An
MPEG-4 level compression may be output from transcoding. In some
embodiments, regardless of the separate playback device, a single
resolution of video is produced by the transcoding. Due to
copyright laws, whenever a copy of a television program is copied
to a separate playback device, the television program may be
removed from the television receiver regardless of whether deletion
of the television program from the television receiver is scheduled
to occur. In other embodiments, having multiple copies may be
permissible. Side-loading may also occur after step 660. If
performed after step 660, the individual file(s) for the television
program may be transcoded and moved or copied to the separate
playback device.
[0119] At step 670, after the individual files created at step 660,
the omnibus channel file and the omnibus bookmark file may be
deleted. At step 680, the catalog database may be updated. Updating
the catalog database may include removing entries for the
television programs stored as part of the omnibus channel file.
Further, updating the catalog database may include modifying the
existing entry for the television program saved to the individual
file. Such modification may include updating the file offset (which
may be zero because the television program is in a file containing
only the television program) and updating the file name and/or
location such that the catalog database entry for the television
program points to the individual program file containing the
television program. In some embodiments, rather than modifying the
existing entry for the television program, the existing entry for
the television program may be deleted in a new entry in the catalog
database may be created.
[0120] Whether a television program is stored in an omnibus channel
file or in a separate program file, a user may request playback via
the DVR functionality of the television receiver. If playback of a
television program is requested by a user, the catalog database may
be used to locate the recording for playback. Playback of a
television program from an omnibus channel file may involve the
catalog database being used to determine the omnibus channel file
in which the television program requested by the user is stored and
a file offsets at which the television program begins within the
omnibus channel file. Bookmark data about the television program
may be accessed from the omnibus bookmark file. If a television
program has been copied to an individual file, the catalog database
may point to that file for playback (no offset indication may be
necessary because only the television program is present in the
individual file). A corresponding bookmark file may be present for
the individual file.
[0121] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a method 700 for
extracting a television program from an omnibus channel file and
saving it to an individual program file. Method 700 may be
performed using a television receiver, such as a set top box.
Method 700 may involve data being received from a television
service provider, such as via satellite television distribution
system 100 of FIG. 1. It should be understood that in other
embodiments of method 700, other forms of provider systems may be
used, such as cable television distribution systems or an IP
television distribution system. Means for performing method 700
include television receivers, television service provider systems,
and computer systems (which may be incorporated as part of a
television receiver and/or television service provider system).
Method 700 may represent a more detailed embodiment of method 600
of FIG. 6. For example, in method 700 segmented bookmark files may
be created in addition to the (non-segmented) omnibus bookmark
files and the (non-segmented) individual program bookmark
files.
[0122] At step 705, a tuner of the television receiver may be tuned
to a transponder stream that contains a television channel to be
recorded. In some embodiments, multiple television channels may be
recorded at the same time. Further, in some embodiments, the
multiple television channels may be received via a single tuner of
the television receiver. As an example, four television channels
may be recorded simultaneously (such as during primetime), wherein
each of the television channels is received by the television
receiver using a single tuner.
[0123] At step 710, and omnibus channel file may be recorded and
stored for the television channel tuned to at step 705. The omnibus
channel file recorded and stored may contain multiple television
programs which were broadcast on the television channel within the
time period during which recording occurred. The recording of the
omnibus channel file may be stored to storage arrangement, such as
a hard drive partition, dedicated to storage of such omnibus
channel files. Multiple omnibus channel files, for different
channels, may be recorded and stored simultaneously. For instance,
omnibus channel files may be stored for each major television
network during a period of time, such as prime time. The television
channels, the dates, and the time periods for which omnibus channel
files are created may be selected by the television service
provider. The television service provider may configure the
television receiver such that the recording of the omnibus channel
files occur according to the schedule selected by the television
service provider.
[0124] At step 715, a non-segmented bookmark file corresponding to
the omnibus channel file may be created and stored. Because this
bookmark file contains information on each television program
present within the omnibus channel file, the bookmark file may be
referred to as a (non-segmented) omnibus bookmark file.
Non-segmented indicates that segments within the bookmark file are
not denoted. The non-segmented omnibus bookmark file may be created
based on information present within an electronic programming guide
(EPG) stored by the television receiver. According to EPG data,
when an event transition occurs (one television program ending and
another beginning) for the television channel being recorded, an
entry may be made in the non-segmented omnibus bookmark file that
indicates a file offset, a program identifier (which may be created
by the television receiver), and information about television
program (e.g., title, description, series name, rating). The file
offset may be based on the file size of the omnibus channel file
(e.g., measured in bytes) at the (approximate) time of the event
transition. The omnibus bookmark file may be named to match the
omnibus channel file, with a different file extension (such as
.bm).
[0125] In response to each event transition, an entry may be made
within a catalog database maintained by the television receiver at
step 720. The entry in the catalog database may indicate at least:
the program identifier, a file name of the omnibus channel file
(which may be named after the program identifier of the first
television program recorded as part of the omnibus channel file),
and the file offset. Therefore, based on the entry in the catalog
database, information about the television program (via the
non-segmented omnibus bookmark file) and the location of the
television program (via the filename of the omnibus channel file
and the file offset) may be determined. In some embodiments, rather
than an entry in the catalog database being made in response to
each event transition, entries may be made for each program
recorded as part of the omnibus channel file following the
recording of the omnibus channel file being completed.
[0126] At step 725, data may be received to create a segmented
bookmark file for one or more television programs within the
omnibus channel file created and stored at step 710. The data
received at step 725 may be received from the television service
provider, such as via a satellite television distribution system.
The data to create a segmented bookmark file may contain
information sufficient to identify the correct television program.
This information may include a series identifier and an episode
identifier. Such a series identifier and an episode identifier may
have previously been received and stored for television programs
recorded as part of omnibus channel files. For instance, a series
identifier and an episode identifier may be present within the
electronic programming guide information for television programs;
such information may also be stored in the catalog database of the
television receiver. The data used to create a segmented bookmark
file may also include a more accurate start time and end time of
the television program. The start time and end time may be based on
when the television program was actually broadcast. For example, an
agent monitoring the television channel for the television service
provider may record when the television program actually begins and
ends. The start and end time may vary from the scheduled start and
end times indicated in the EPG information stored by the television
receiver. Additionally, the data may indicate segments of the
television program. These segments may be portions of the
television program that exclude interspersed television
commercials.
[0127] At step 730, a segmented bookmark file may be created for
the television program using the data received at step 725. The
segmented bookmark file may be specific to a television program.
The segmented bookmark file may be stored on the storage
arrangement used for storing the omnibus channel file that was
stored at step 710. It should be understood that a segmented
bookmark file may be created for each television program stored in
the omnibus channel file. Further, it should be understood that the
data necessary to create the segmented bookmark file received at
step 725 may be received a period of time after the non-segmented
bookmark file is created at step 715. For example, the data to
create a segmented bookmark file at step 725 may not be provided to
the television receiver until an hour, a day, or some other period
of time after the non-segmented bookmark file and the omnibus
channel file have been created and stored.
[0128] At step 732, if a television program of the omnibus channel
file is to be saved, user input indicating that a television
program of the omnibus channel file is to be saved may be received
by the television receiver. For example, via the EPG of the
television receiver, a user may select a television program for
saving. An indication of the user input may be stored as a flag in
the catalog database. Each entry within the catalog database
corresponding to a television program of an omnibus channel file
may have a flag bit (or some other form of indicator) that
indicates whether the television program associated with the entry
in the catalog database is to be saved or not. Accordingly, in
response to user input indicating the television program is to be
saved, the entry corresponding to the television program may be
updated to reflect the saving designation in the catalog
database.
[0129] Step 735 may be performed when the predetermined amount of
time for which the omnibus channel file is to be saved has elapsed.
For example, step 735 may be performed approximately two weeks
after the omnibus channel file is recorded and stored at step 710
(other periods of time are also possible). At step 735, a
determination may be made as to whether one or more of the
television programs present within the omnibus channel file are to
be saved. Determining whether one or more television programs
present within the omnibus channel file are to be saved may include
analyzing the catalog database stored by the television receiver.
For each entry of the television program is stored within the
omnibus channel file, a field within the catalog database may be
examined. This field may be a single bit that indicates whether or
not the television program is to be saved.
[0130] If at step 735 it is determined that no television programs
within the omnibus channel file were marked for saving, method 700
may proceed to step 775. At step 775, the omnibus channel file, the
non-segmented omnibus bookmark file, and each segmented bookmark
file corresponding to television programs within the omnibus
channel file may be deleted, such that the television programs
stored within the omnibus channel file are no longer available. At
step 780, the catalog database may be updated such that entries are
no longer present for the television programs which are stored as
part of the omnibus channel file.
[0131] Returning to step 735, if one or more television programs
within the omnibus channel file were marked for saving, method 700
may proceed to step 740. For the remainder of method 700, it is
assumed that a single television program of the omnibus channel
file was selected for saving and was so indicated in the catalog
database. It should be understood that in other embodiments more
than one television program from within the omnibus channel file
may be marked for saving.
[0132] In some embodiments, a user may have the ability to select
that channel arrays are to no longer be recorded and/or stored.
(This may be desired because the user would rather have additional
storage space for specific television programs the user desires to
record.) A user providing such an input to the television receiver
may trigger step 735 to be performed for some or all television
programs within omnibus channel files stored by the television
receiver.
[0133] At step 740, it may be determined if a segmented bookmark
file is available for the television program determined to be
saved. To determine whether a segmented bookmark file is available,
a file having a file name of the program identifier with a
particular file extension (e.g., .seg) may be searched for. If the
file exists, it may be determined that the segmented bookmark file
is available; otherwise, it is not. In some situations, data used
to create a segmented bookmark file may not have been received for
a particular television program. In such situations, method 700 may
proceed to step 770. At step 770, the portion of the omnibus
channel file corresponding to the television program may be copied
or moved to an individual program file. The individual program file
may be stored to a separate storage arrangement, such as a separate
storage device, a separate partition of a hard drive, or a separate
folder on the same storage device (other ways of maintaining such
files may also be possible). As such, individual program files may
be stored to a separate storage arrangement from omnibus channel
files. Accordingly, this may mean that storage to a first partition
is managed by the television service provider while storage to a
second partition is based on user selection of television programs
for storage. The portion of the omnibus channel file stored may be
based on the file offsets stored in the non-segmented bookmark file
created at step 715 and/or the file offsets stored in the catalog
database. Using these file offsets, which may be obtained from
either the bookmark file or the catalog database, a start point and
endpoint for the television program within the omnibus channel file
may be determined. It should be understood that this start point
and endpoint for the television program may be based on EPG data,
which was received by the television receiver before the television
program was broadcast. As such, the start and end times may be
approximate and may not match with the actual start and end point
of the television program as broadcast on the television channel.
Accordingly, the individual program file may begin before or after
the start of the television program; likewise, the end of the
individual program file may be before the end of the television
program or after the end of the television program.
[0134] In some embodiments, step 770 may involve side-loading to a
separate playback device (e.g., a cellphone, gaming device, tablet
computer, laptop computer). Side-loading may similarly involve the
portion of the omnibus channel file (and possibly the portion of
the omnibus bookmark file being stored to the playback device as
described above. Additionally, transcoding may be performed to
place the stored audio and/or video in a format appropriate for the
separate playback device. For instance, for a cellular phone having
a small screen, a reduced resolution may be used for the video
stored to the separate playback device. Due to copyright laws,
whenever a copy of a television program is copied to a separate
playback device, the television program may be removed from the
television receiver regardless of whether deletion of the
television program from the television receiver is scheduled to
occur. In other embodiments, having multiple copies may be
permissible. Side-loading may also occur after step 770. If
performed after step 770, the individual file(s) for the television
program may be transcoded and moved or copied to the separate
playback device.
[0135] Returning to step 740, it may be determined that a segmented
bookmark file corresponding to the television program marked for
saving is available. As such, method 700 may proceed to step 745.
At step 745, the portion of the omnibus channel file to be stored
as an individual program file may be determined based on a start
and end time indicated in the segmented bookmark file. Within the
segmented bookmark file, one or more segments may be defined. Each
segment may be defined as a positive and negative frame offset from
a base frame. The base frame may be identified based on associated
closed captioning data. For instance, the unique strength which can
be located in the closed captioning data may be used to identify
the base frame. Such data necessary to define a segment may have
been provided to the television receiver as part of the data
necessary to create a segmented bookmark file at step 725. These
segments defined by the segmented bookmark file may result in a
different start and/or end time of the television program. In some
embodiments, additional buffer time is built into (or added to)
these start and/or end times. For instance, due to limitations of
MPEG encoding, playback may be required to begin on an I-frame. As
such by adding additional time before the start time of the
television program, it may be more likely that an I-frame will
occur before the television program beginning Therefore, a start
and end time as indicated by the segmented bookmark file and
possibly additional buffer time may be used to determine the
portion of the omnibus channel file to be stored as the individual
program file. In embodiments where a segmented bookmark file is
available, file offsets indicated within the non-segmented bookmark
file may not be used to determine the portion of the omnibus
channel file that is transferred into the individual program file.
The individual program file created from the portion of the omnibus
channel file at step 745 may be stored to a separate storage
arrangement from the omnibus channel file.
[0136] Side-loading to a separate playback device may occur as part
of or following step 745. Side-loading may similarly involve the
portion of the omnibus channel file (and possibly the portion of
the omnibus bookmark file) being stored to the playback device. The
segmented bookmark program file may also be transferred to the
separate playback device such that segments can be skipped from
playback on the separate playback device that contain commercials
or other undesired content. Additionally, transcoding may be
performed to place the stored audio and/or video in a format
appropriate for the separate playback device. For instance, for a
cellular phone having a small screen, a reduced resolution may be
used for the video stored to the separate playback device. Due to
copyright laws, whenever a copy of a television program is copied
to a separate playback device, the television program may be
removed from the television receiver regardless of whether deletion
of the television program from the television receiver is scheduled
to occur. In other embodiments, having multiple copies may be
permissible.
[0137] At step 755, the segmented bookmark file associated with the
television program to be saved may be transferred from the storage
arrangement used to store the omnibus channel file to another
storage arrangement that is used to store the individual program
file.
[0138] At step 765, from the non-segmented omnibus bookmark file,
an individual non-segmented bookmark file may be created for the
television program. The non-segmented individual bookmark file may
also be stored to a different storage arrangement along with the
individual program file and the transferred segmented bookmark
file. The non-segmented individual bookmark file may contain only
metadata that corresponds to the particular television program.
Based on the file offset of the television program to be saved, the
metadata to be saved for the television program may be identified
from within the omnibus bookmark file. As such, following step 765,
an individual program file, a non-segmented individual bookmark
file, and a segmented bookmark file may be stored for the
television program selected by the user for saving to a
user-controlled storage arrangement.
[0139] At step 775, the omnibus channel file and the non-segmented
omnibus bookmark file may be deleted. At step 780, the catalog
database may be updated. Updating the catalog database may include
removing entries for the television programs stored as part of the
omnibus channel file. Further, updating the catalog database may
include modifying the existing entry for the television program
saved to the individual file. Such modification may include
updating the file offset (which may be zero because the television
program is in a file containing only the television program) and
updating the file name and/or location such that the catalog
database entry for the television program points to the individual
program file containing the television program. In some
embodiments, rather than modifying the existing entry for the
television program, the existing entry for the television program
may be deleted in a new entry in the catalog database may be
created.
[0140] Playback of the television program may be available until
the user selects the television program for deletion. Playback of
the television program may be based on segments indicated within
the segmented bookmark file. Such segments may avoid commercial
breaks interspersed within the television program. Information
about the television program, such as a title and description, may
be available within the non-segmented bookmark file for the
television program.
[0141] Whether a television program is stored in an omnibus channel
file or in a separate program file, a user may request playback via
the DVR functionality of the television receiver. If playback of a
television program is requested by a user, the catalog database may
be used to locate the recording for playback. Playback of a
television program from an omnibus channel file may involve the
catalog database being used to determine the omnibus channel file
in which the television program requested by the user is stored and
a file offsets at which the television program begins within the
omnibus channel file. Bookmark data about the television program
may be accessed from the omnibus bookmark file. If a television
program has been copied to an individual file, the catalog database
may point to that file for playback (no offset indication may be
necessary because only the television program is present in the
individual file). A corresponding bookmark file may be present for
the individual file. If a segmented bookmark file is available for
the television program for which playback is requested, the
segmented bookmark file may be used to skip undesirable content
(e.g., commercials) and/or adjust the start/end times of playback
of the television program, whether the television program is played
back from an omnibus channel file or from an individual program
file.
[0142] A computer system as illustrated in FIG. 8 may be
incorporated as part of the previously described computerized
devices. For example, computer system 800 can represent some of the
components of the television receivers (e.g., set top boxes)
discussed herein. Further, computer system 800 may be part of a
television service provider system. FIG. 8 provides a schematic
illustration of one embodiment of a computer system 800 that can
perform the methods provided by various embodiments. It should be
noted that FIG. 8 is meant only to provide a generalized
illustration of various components, any or all of which may be
utilized as appropriate. FIG. 8, therefore, broadly illustrates how
individual system elements may be implemented in a relatively
separated or relatively more integrated manner.
[0143] The computer system 800 is shown comprising hardware
elements that can be electrically coupled via a bus 805 (or may
otherwise be in communication, as appropriate). The hardware
elements may include one or more processors 810, including without
limitation one or more general-purpose processors and/or one or
more special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processing
chips, graphics acceleration processors, and/or the like); one or
more input devices 815, which can include without limitation a
mouse, a keyboard, and/or the like; and one or more output devices
820, which can include without limitation a display device, a
printer, and/or the like.
[0144] The computer system 800 may further include (and/or be in
communication with) one or more non-transitory storage devices 825,
which can comprise, without limitation, local and/or network
accessible storage, and/or can include, without limitation, a disk
drive, a drive array, an optical storage device, a solid-state
storage device, such as a random access memory ("RAM"), and/or a
read-only memory ("ROM"), which can be programmable,
flash-updateable and/or the like. Such storage devices may be
configured to implement any appropriate data stores, including
without limitation, various file systems, database structures,
and/or the like.
[0145] The computer system 800 might also include a communications
subsystem 830, which can include without limitation a modem, a
network card (wireless or wired), an infrared communication device,
a wireless communication device, and/or a chipset (such as a
Bluetooth.TM. device, an 802.11 device, a WiFi device, a WiMax
device, cellular communication facilities, etc.), and/or the like.
The communications subsystem 830 may permit data to be exchanged
with a network (such as the network described below, to name one
example), other computer systems, and/or any other devices
described herein. In many embodiments, the computer system 800 will
further comprise a working memory 835, which can include a RAM or
ROM device, as described above.
[0146] The computer system 800 also can comprise software elements,
shown as being currently located within the working memory 835,
including an operating system 840, device drivers, executable
libraries, and/or other code, such as one or more application
programs 845, which may comprise computer programs provided by
various embodiments, and/or may be designed to implement methods,
and/or configure systems, provided by other embodiments, as
described herein. Merely by way of example, one or more procedures
described with respect to the method(s) discussed above might be
implemented as code and/or instructions executable by a computer
(and/or a processor within a computer); in an aspect, then, such
code and/or instructions can be used to configure and/or adapt a
general purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or more
operations in accordance with the described methods.
[0147] A set of these instructions and/or code might be stored on a
non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as the
non-transitory storage device(s) 825 described above. In some
cases, the storage medium might be incorporated within a computer
system, such as computer system 800. In other embodiments, the
storage medium might be separate from a computer system (e.g., a
removable medium, such as a compact disc), and/or provided in an
installation package, such that the storage medium can be used to
program, configure, and/or adapt a general purpose computer with
the instructions/code stored thereon. These instructions might take
the form of executable code, which is executable by the computer
system 800 and/or might take the form of source and/or installable
code, which, upon compilation and/or installation on the computer
system 800 (e.g., using any of a variety of generally available
compilers, installation programs, compression/decompression
utilities, etc.), then takes the form of executable code.
[0148] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
substantial variations may be made in accordance with specific
requirements. For example, customized hardware might also be used,
and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware,
software (including portable software, such as applets, etc.), or
both. Further, connection to other computing devices such as
network input/output devices may be employed.
[0149] As mentioned above, in one aspect, some embodiments may
employ a computer system (such as the computer system 800) to
perform methods in accordance with various embodiments of the
invention. According to a set of embodiments, some or all of the
procedures of such methods are performed by the computer system 800
in response to processor 810 executing one or more sequences of one
or more instructions (which might be incorporated into the
operating system 840 and/or other code, such as an application
program 845) contained in the working memory 835. Such instructions
may be read into the working memory 835 from another
computer-readable medium, such as one or more of the non-transitory
storage device(s) 825. Merely by way of example, execution of the
sequences of instructions contained in the working memory 835 might
cause the processor(s) 810 to perform one or more procedures of the
methods described herein.
[0150] The terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable
medium," as used herein, refer to any medium that participates in
providing data that causes a machine to operate in a specific
fashion. In an embodiment implemented using the computer system
800, various computer-readable media might be involved in providing
instructions/code to processor(s) 810 for execution and/or might be
used to store and/or carry such instructions/code. In many
implementations, a computer-readable medium is a physical and/or
tangible storage medium. Such a medium may take the form of a
non-volatile media or volatile media. Non-volatile media include,
for example, optical and/or magnetic disks, such as the
non-transitory storage device(s) 825. Volatile media include,
without limitation, dynamic memory, such as the working memory
835.
[0151] Common forms of physical and/or tangible computer-readable
media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard
disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any
other optical medium, punchcards, papertape, any other physical
medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM,
any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which
a computer can read instructions and/or code.
[0152] Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in
carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to the
processor(s) 810 for execution. Merely by way of example, the
instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk and/or
optical disc of a remote computer. A remote computer might load the
instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions as
signals over a transmission medium to be received and/or executed
by the computer system 800.
[0153] The communications subsystem 830 (and/or components thereof)
generally will receive signals, and the bus 805 then might carry
the signals (and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by the
signals) to the working memory 835, from which the processor(s) 810
retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received
by the working memory 835 may optionally be stored on a
non-transitory storage device 825 either before or after execution
by the processor(s) 810.
[0154] It should further be understood that the components of
computer system 800 can be distributed across a network. For
example, some processing may be performed in one location using a
first processor while other processing may be performed by another
processor remote from the first processor. Other components of
computer system 800 may be similarly distributed.
[0155] The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are
examples. Various configurations may omit, substitute, or add
various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, in
alternative configurations, the methods may be performed in an
order different from that described, and/or various stages may be
added, omitted, and/or combined. Also, features described with
respect to certain configurations may be combined in various other
configurations. Different aspects and elements of the
configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also,
technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and
do not limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.
[0156] Specific details are given in the description to provide a
thorough understanding of example configurations (including
implementations). However, configurations may be practiced without
these specific details. For example, well-known circuits,
processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown
without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the
configurations. This description provides example configurations
only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, or
configurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of
the configurations will provide those skilled in the art with an
enabling description for implementing described techniques. Various
changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements
without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.
[0157] Also, configurations may be described as a process which is
depicted as a flow diagram or block diagram. Although each may
describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the
operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In
addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process
may have additional steps not included in the figure. Furthermore,
examples of the methods may be implemented by hardware, software,
firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or
any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware,
middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segments to
perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a non-transitory
computer-readable medium such as a storage medium. Processors may
perform the described tasks.
[0158] Having described several example configurations, various
modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be
used without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For
example, the above elements may be components of a larger system,
wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify
the application of the invention. Also, a number of steps may be
undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are
considered. Accordingly, the above description does not bind the
scope of the claims.
* * * * *