CA2633841A1 - Systems and methods for managing a status change of a multimedia asset in multimedia delivery systems - Google Patents
Systems and methods for managing a status change of a multimedia asset in multimedia delivery systems Download PDFInfo
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- CA2633841A1 CA2633841A1 CA002633841A CA2633841A CA2633841A1 CA 2633841 A1 CA2633841 A1 CA 2633841A1 CA 002633841 A CA002633841 A CA 002633841A CA 2633841 A CA2633841 A CA 2633841A CA 2633841 A1 CA2633841 A1 CA 2633841A1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/488—Data services, e.g. news ticker
- H04N21/4882—Data services, e.g. news ticker for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
- H04N21/262—Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists
- H04N21/26283—Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/432—Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/432—Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk
- H04N21/4325—Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk by playing back content from the storage medium
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
- H04N21/47202—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
- H04N21/4821—End-user interface for program selection using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/76—Television signal recording
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
- H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
- H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
- H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed which detect a change in the status of a multimedia asset in a multimedia delivery system, and take steps to make the multimedia asset available after the status change. The multimedia asset can then be locally recorded on the user's digital video recorder (DVR) before the status changes. Alternatively, the user can be directed to an equivalent asset, for example, video-on-demand (VOD). The user may also receive a notification, which can be displayed on a TV or computer monitor or send to a remote device for example to a mobile phone as an email or short message. The user may be able to purchase the asset and/or initiate recording the asset.
The status can be, for example, an expiration date of an asset, or a change of the source or format of an asset.
The status can be, for example, an expiration date of an asset, or a change of the source or format of an asset.
Description
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING A STATUS CHANGE OF A
MULTIMEDIA ASSET IN MULTIMEDIA DELIVERY SYSTEMS
Background of the Invention [0001] This invention relates to managing delivery of multimedia assets to a user, b.efore a status of.
these assets in a multimedia delivery syst~em.changes.
More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods for notifying a user of a status-change of an asset and/or locally recording the asset before t=he status of the asset changes or th-e asset becomes unavailable from a provider of the asset-.
[00023 Content delivery networks (e.g., cable, satellite, Internet) have been developed that can deliver various multimedia assets from a ren-ote- source to a user's equipment'for viewing or interaction.
Multimedia assets include live broadcast prograins, web casts, Pay-per-View (PPV) events, and/or VOD content.
Sometimes, a user may select multimedia assets to be recorded locally on the user's equipment, for example, on =a VCR or digital video recorder (DVR). A live broadcast is typically viewed and/or recorded at the scheduled time set by the broadcast station, whereas _ 2 _ VOD content can be viewed and recorded at any user-specified time prior to the expiration time of the VOD
content. PPV programs also have expiration dates and may be viewed and/or recorded before the expiration times/dates of the asset from the source server.
[0003] Recording a multimedia asset requir.es a tuner -associated with the user=equipment to be tuned to the channel in which the multimedia asset is availa=bl.e.
Recording an additional multimedia asset at the same time on the same device could require an additional tuner. If the device does not have an additional tuner, the user may have to forgo recording the additional multimedia asset.
[0004] The status of multimedia assets may change from time to time. For example, broadcast programs may migrate to VOD or web casts, or P.PV =Content may migrate to VOD. For example, HBO may remove an asset from their regular' scheduled broadcast lineup, but continue to make the content available on VOD for an additional amount of time. Another status change may be a cha-nge in the expiration time/date of an asset. Expiration date/time for an asset is typi=cally listed in an interactive multimedia guidance application, such a-s an interactive program guide (IPG). The user may not always be aware'of a status change that may prevent the user from viewing and/or r-ecording the a-ss=et. P-r=e=sent systems, however, lack an integrat=ed approach to monitor the status of a multimedia asset and to timely notify users of a status change that may intpa=ct t-hem.
Summary of the Invention [0005] Problems in the prior art are address=ed, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, by a method and apparatus in a vid=eo--on-dernand (VOD) system for determining when the status of a select-ed multimedia asset changes.
[0006] In one embodiment, the i=nvention is a method and apparatus f-or notifyin-g a user of a stat=us change of a= multimedia asset. The invention in~r~olves selecting a multimedia asset and monitoring the status of the asset during a notification period which -can be set by the user. The user may be notified if the statu=s changes before a notification period expir=es.=
[0007] In one embodiment, the multimedia asset may be locally recorded. before a status =change. Recordi.ng may be initiat-ed by the use=r or au=t-omati-cally s=ch=eduled by the system. In one or more of these -embodiments, =
=15= the status change may be monitor.ed automatically by an interactive multimedia =gui=dance application, which may also prompt the apparatus to automatically record the asset. The user may also be -notifi-ed by a message displayed on a tel-evision monitor,= a computer monitor, a mobile phone, a PDA, or t=he lik=e.
[00081 In some of the above embodiments,=ttte asset may become avai.lable= from a different source. 'i'h-e asset may then not need to be locally recar-ded, but =th.e user may still be notified of the change.
[00091 In some embodiments, the user may have already viewed at least a portion of t-he selected multimedia asset before being notified of a=status change, in which case only a remaining porti-on of the selected asset may be locally =reco=r-d=ed =bef-ore the status change.
[00I01 In sorne.of the abov.e -erttbodiments, tht:
recording capacity of the local re=cording devi=ce may be checked before a multimedia asset is recorded. Only if the r-ecording capacity is sufficient for recording the multimedia asset will the asset be recorded. -Tf sufficient recording capacity is not available, a deletion criterion may be applied to identify stored content that may be deleted from the local r=ecording device.
[0011I Other aspect of the invention = are d=ir=ected- to a method and apparatus for reconciling scheduling conflicts when locally recording a-plurali.ty of multimedia assets on a local recording device.
Brief Description of the Drawings [00121 The above and other features of the present invention, its nature.and various-advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of the following -detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. I is a block dia-gram of a:syst=em .providing multimedia assets in accordance with one embodi.ment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an illustrative process for scheduling local re;cording of a multimedia asset in accordance with one embodiment flf the p=r..e=s,ent invention;
100151 FIG. 3 shows schematically a sc re.en display of a "Last Chance" notification;
[0016I FIG. 4 is a flow -cha.rt of an illustrative process for setting a notification window in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
C00171 FIG. 5 is a flow chart of. an illustrative process for managing local recording capacity for recording a multimedia asset in a-ccordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and [0018] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an illustrative process for preventing scheduling conflicts when recording multimedia assets.
Detailed Description [0019] The disclosed systems and methods are dir=ect~ed =to taking action when the status of a multimedia asset is scheduled to change, and to optionally locally record the multimedia asset befo3re. th=e status . change takes effect. The status may be monitored by an interactive multimedia guidance application, such as an interactive program guide (IPG).
[0020] FIG. 1 shows illustrative interactive multimedia delivery system 100 in accordance with one embodiment. of the invention. User =equipment 110 receives content in the form of signals from multimedia sources 120a; 120b, 120c over communications path 122.
In practice there may be multiple multimedia sources 120a, 120b, 120c and user equipment 110, but only thrae multimedia sources and one user equipment are shown in FIG. 1 to avoid over-complicating the drawing.
[0021] Multimedia sources 120a, 120b, 120c may be any suitable media source such as, for example, a cable system headend, a satellite multimedia .distribut.ion facility, a multimedia broadcast fa-cility, a pay-per-view (PPV) server, a game service provider (e.g., for online gaming), or any other suitable facili=ty or system for originating or distributing -content.
Multimedia source 120c is depicted as an on-demand server (e.g., VOD server). Multimedia sources 120a, 120b, 120c may be configured to transmit signal=s. over any suitable communications path 122 including, for example, a satellite path, a fiber-optic path, aca=ble path, an Internet path, or any other suitable wired or wireless path. The signals may carry any suitable content such as, for example, television program-s, games, music, news, web services, or any other suitable content. In some embodiments, multimedia sdur-cces 120a, 120b, 120c may include control circuitry for exe:cuti.ncg the instructions of an interactive multimedia guidance application such as, for exafnple, the server sid.e instructions of a client/server or online=interadtive multimedia guidance application.
[0022] User equipment 110 may include 'a.ny= equi:pment suitable for providing an interactive multimedia experience. User equipment 1I~O may in~dlude'tel.evi-sion equipment such as a television, set-top box, recording device, video player, user input device (e . g. , remot-e control, keyboard, mouse, touch pad, touch screen =andlor voice recognition interface), or any other device suitable for providing an interactive multimedia experience. For example, user equipment 110 may include a DCT 2000, 2500, 510-0, 6208 or 6412 set-top box provided by Motorola, Inc. In some embodiments, user equipment 110 may include computer equipment, such as a personal computer with a television car-d (PCTV).
In some embodiments, user equipment 110 may include a gaming system, a portable electronic device, such as a portable'DVD player,=a portable gaming device, a cellular telephone, a PDA, a music player {e.g., NP3 player), or any'other suitable portabl=e or fixed device.
[0023] In the example of FIG. 1, user equipment 110 includes at least control circuitry 118, display de=vice 112, recording device 114 and user input device 116, which may be implemented as separate devic:es or as a combination devi=ce or devices. An intera=ctive multimedia guidance application, such as an interactive program guide (IPG), may be implemented on user equipment 110 to display, on display device 112, the content transmitted by multimedia sources 120a, 12flb, 120c over path 122 and to provide int=eracti.ve multimedia guidance application features, such a.s =a grid listing of available assets. In addition, Web=
content 121, such as streamed audio and video, may be , transmitted to the user equipment 110, for example, over the Internet.
[0024] Display device 112 may be any suitable device=
such as, for example, a television monitor, a=computer monitor, or a display incorporated in user equipment 110 (e.g., a cellular telephone or music player display). Ilisplay device 112 may also be configured to provide for.the output of audio.
[00251 Control circuitry 118 is a=elapted to r.ecelve user input from input device 11=6 and execute t.h=e instructions of the interactive multimedia guidance application. Control circuitry 118 may include one or .more tuners (e.g., analog or digital tuners), enc=oders and decoders, processors (e. g. , Motorola 68-000 family processors), memory (e.g., RAM and hard disks)=, communications circuitry ( e. g., cable modem =ci.rcuitry),=
input/output circuitry (=e.g., graphics'circuitry), connections to the various devi~ces of user equipment 110, and any other suitable component for providing analog or digital multimedia programming, program recording, and interactive multimedia guidance features. In some embodiments, control circuitry 118 =
may be included as part of one of th=e =devi=.ces of user equipment 110 such as, for example, part of =di.=5play 112 - $ -or any other device (e.g., a set-top box, *television and video player).
[0026] In some =embodiments, the interactive multimedia guidance application may provide features to the user with a client/server approach. There may be '' one server for each in-stance -of user -equi=pment 110, one for multiple instances of user equipment 11=0, "or.a single server may serve as a.proxy for -each instance =of user equipment 110.
[0027] Any suitable number of user-s may have equipment, such as user equi=pment 1I0, -connected to multimedia sources 120a, 120b, 12-Oc and one or more data sources 124a, 1.24b. But for the clarity of-the figure,.th.e equipment of only a single user*is shown.
The equipment o.f the plurality =of users may -be, connected to media sources 120a, 120b, .12~0.c, 'web content 121, and data sources-124a, 124b using a cable television network, a local area network {LAN), a wireless network, or any other suitable means, o.r a combination thereof. In some embodiments,'the equipment of the plurality of users may be connected to each other using any suitable means.
[0028] User equipment 11-0 may receive interactive multimedia guidance application data from one or more data sources 12.4a, 124b. Data sources = 124a, 124=b may provide data for a parti=cular type of content or for a particular application. Sor example, on-e data sou.rce =
124a may provide data for non-on-demand as-sets (e.g., non-pay and pay-per-view.prograans) ,. a-nti anoth-er data source 124b may provide data f=or on-demand assfa=ts VOD programs ). Or, for example, a single, data source may provide both of these ty-pes of data. For exampZe, one of the data sources 124b or an additi=onal _ 9 _ data source (not shown) may also provide data for an interactive program guide (IPG). Another of the data sources 124a, 124b or a separate data source (not shown) may provide, for =exampl.e, =data - for another interactive application (e.g., a home shopping =
application). In some embodiments, data s4urc=es 124a, 124b or additional data source (not shown) may provide data to the intera-ctive multimedia guidance application using a client/server approa=ch. There may be =on-e server per data source, one for all sources or, in -some embodiments, a single server may communicate as a proxy=
between user equipment 110 and various data sou=roes -124a, 124b. In some embodiments, data sources 124a, 124b may provide data -as an onl.i,ne = interactive multimedia guidance application. In such4embodiments, data sources 124a, 124b may include control circuitry for executing the inst3ructions of the online =-mu3.timedia guidance application.
j00291 FIG. 1 shows media sources 12=0a, 12.0b, 12-Oc and data sources 124a, 124b as separate el-ements. In practice, their functionality may be combined and provided from a single system at a singl=e facility, or multiple systems at multiple facilities. For example, one media source 120b and data source 1=24b may =be combined to provide VOD content and associated VOD
data.
[0030] In one embodiment, the interactive multimedia guidance application may be a stand-alone app.li.cation implemented in a'set-top box which may=be part of user equipment 110. An interactive program gua.de may -be downloaded periodically, for example, _eve=ry day or -once a week, from a data source, such a=s data s-our=ce 124a, 124b and the application operates bas-ed on the downloaded programming information until the next update.
[0031] In another embodiment, the interactive multirnedia guidance application may be' a cli=ent/server . application, with the server represented, for exam.pLe, by a server on the cable h=eadend, and the client by the user equipment 110, a personal. cdmputer, =a moba.le telephone, a PDA, and the like. In this s=cenari=o, the client polls the server for updates of programming information.
[0032] The interactive multimedia gui-dance application can also be impl.emented as a web browser capable of accessing a web =site containiTig :prograraning -information and possibly multimedia assets.
[00331 For the purposes of = clarity, the following discussion may sometimes describe an embodiment in which the interactive multimedia guidanc.e application==
is an interactive program guide (IFG). It will be understood, however,.that the following discuss3.on and*
the feature.s discussed may be applied to any interactive multimedia guidance application. The.
following discussion may occasionally also 'describe certain embodiments as being responsive ;to an=
expiration date. However, it should be und4~!rstood*that the embodiments may react to any change in status of the multimedia asset, such as a chan.ge in the media source providing the multimedia asset, a change i._n an availability time window of the multimedia asset, a change i.n.a format of the multi.riied.ia asset., and the like.
[0034] The following flow charts serve to illustrate methods implemented in sorrme embodiments of this invention. Though the examples focus on content that is alternatively available via a VOD server delivery mechanism, the invention is equivalently applicable to content that is alternatively available via PPV
channels or Internet delivery mechanisms. ThoUgh the invention applies broadly to multimedia assets, as described earlier to include video/audio progxams, interactive content, games, and application's; the following exampl.e is provided with re=spect to video/audio assets for clarity.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a flow chart.-of an illustrative process 200 for locally recording a multimedia asset, before the asset becomes unavailable. Process" 200.
begins at step 202. At st-ep 204, a user may select a multimedia asset, such as a broadcast program, VOD
content or a PPV program. Alter;natively or -in addition,-the system may also select a multimedia asset without user input based, for example, on the user s viewing history, a user profile, or agents pro"grammed with user preferences, all of which may interact with' the interactive multimedia guidance-application.
[0036] At step 206, the intera.ctive multimedia guidance application will check a status of the multimedia asset at the source server, su"ch as a time window during which the asset remains available for viewing. At step 206, the interactive multimedia =
guidance application may determine, for example, a'time when the asset will become available as VOD ;cont-ent.
The user may select viewing/recording options on. a graphic user interface (GUI). In one embodiment, the user may view the multimedia asset immediat"ely, and process 200 moves to step 216. Alternatively, if tfi-e user schedules viewing and/or recording t-he multimedia asset for a later time, process 200 may move to step 208 . =
[0037] At step 216, . if the user views,the VOD
content immediately, the system monitors at step 218 if 5= the user views the entire content. If the system determines at step 218 that the user has fi.nish.ed viewing the multimedia asset, the-system then determines, at step 220, if the user has further i.nterest in the asset, for example, i.f th=e user h-a=s listed the asset under "Favorit=es." If =at st-ep 22=0 no further interest from the user is det-e=ct.ed; then process 200 ends at.step 228. The.asset.will still be accessible to the user unless a status chan.g=e takes effect that makes in the asset inaccessible. H-owever,=
the system may stop monitoring the status of the asset at the source server. On the other hand, if the system determines at step 218 that the user has not finished viewing the multimedia asset, at step 210, proc=ess-200 will move to step 206, where the system continue=s to monitor the status of the asset at the source =server.
[0438] If at step 220, it is determined t-hat the user has continued interest*in the multimedia asset,.
process 200 moves to step 210=to check if a change in the status of the multimedia asset is impending.
Likewise, the process moves from step 208, whe.re the user had scheduled the multimedia asset for future viewing / recording, to step 210 to check for an impending status change. If no.chan=ge in th.e status is detected at step 210, process 200 will mov-e to step 2.0=6 and continue to d"eterm.ine the status of the multimedia asset. Conversely, at step 210, if a-change in the=
status is detected in.dicating, for example, that the asset will be moved to another chann-el or sour-ce, or will have an earlier expiration date at the source than =.
the original expiration date, then process 200 moves to step 214 to check if the asset has already been locally recorded. If a local copy -of the asset -is=' available, no further acti-on is taken, and process 200 .ends at step 228.
[0039] Conversely, at step= 214, if it is determined that the asset has not been locally recorded, =proaess 200 moves to step 226 and/or step 2.22 (depending -on the implementation) to automatically alert the user of an impending change in status, for -exarnpl,e, by di~splaying a."Last Chance Notification" (LCN) and/or to automati-cally record the multimedia asset l-ocal=ly before the status change takes effect. The LCN would thus enable a user to vi-ew and/-or record an ==asset = or at least a part of the=asset ahead of the status change.
Local recording may be subject t-o availabi.lity of sufficient storage capacity on recording device 114 and the resolution of scheduling conflicts with other scheduled recordings. A different alert notifiGati.on "Now available on VOD" or the like could be disp].ayed if the asset becomes available from-another source; so that local recording of the asset may not be necessary or may at least be postpon-jed.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows schematically an -exemplary "Last Chance" notification window 302 dis=play.ed on a TV
monitor or computer screen 300. The exemplary message displayed in notification window 302 informs the user that the movie "Philadelphia" will no longet be available from the original s-ource after December 29, 2005. The user may receive more information and/or may be directed to an alternative source for the asset, such as an alternative VOD or.PPV channel, by pressing the SELECT" key on the remote control. Note that the asset listing in the illustrated interactive mu3.timedia guidance application may be rearranged to display more=
than one notification, such as=a l'ist with S notifications for assets changing status withi-n th-6 notification peri-od. The notifi=cation window may also include active features (not shown).* to enable a'user to purchase the asset and/or to locally record= the ass=et from the original source before the status=of the asset on the source server cha-nges.
Note that in various embodiments, notification-3~Q2 might be a notification that this is the "last=chance"
in the next 3 months to se=e a parti.culaf epistide of a-ser.ies. (e.g. "Please note that this is the last time Movie X is going to be. broadcast, or goi-ng toa b.e on a premium channel, for the next 3 months"). This is relevant in a world where not everything is a-vailable on-demand on a server. In order to make this=happen, in one implementation, the interactive media guidance application might first search a local-listings database to see when the pr-ogram might air in=the.
future. Such local databases are:typically limited to two or three weeks of future program listings data..
Therefore, in other .zmplementations, the application may interact with more extensive remote databas.es=that contained listings and sche-0lules for further out 'in 'the future (e.g. the next 3 months).
Additionally, other not:ification types and other options associated with notifi.cations a=re possi-ble in addition to the one illustrated by FIG. 3. =F',or example, in the context of a last chance notification related to the expiration of an episode of the Sopranos on HBO, a user might be prompted to (1) reaor-d the program locally or (2) buy the entire season's worth of episodes on DVD, the latt-er potent=ially thr-ough a cli.c=k through billing interface to a third-party.on-line retailer such as Amazon.com.
Other variants and=options for the last chance notification include marketing tie-ins for program related purchases, such as a recipe-'book ftom..Barnes and Nobel, whose recipes were featured on a food channel program that is about toexpire, or peer-to-peer tie-ins such as a hot button to jump off to a discussion group related to the soon to expire program.
j0041] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an illustrative process 400 for setting an al-ert period during whi.ch the user would be notified of a status change. The process 400 starts at step 402. At step 404, a user woulcl enter an alert period spec=ifying a time during which the user wishes to be notified of a status .
change. Since the user is likely to be interested in only a subset of the available assets, at step 40,6, the system applies certain metadata ter3ns to narxr.ow the number of assets included in the notification. The metadata to be=applied can be entered by the user or can be automatically generated by the system based, for example, on user preferences and/or viewing habits.
Metadata may include, for example, search strings or search masks applied to listings in the interactive media guidance application and may include times/dates when a program is broadcast or available from another source (such as VOD or PPV), program genr-es, titl:e=s, 30. actors,. and other information available from the interactive media guidance application or r:emot.e databases accessible to the interactive media guide application. For example, a particula.r user may on3.y be=interested in notifications for comedy programming. -The combination of steps=444 and 406 can be referred to as "setup." At step 408, the* system creates a short-er list based on the metadata terms in the setup, and monitors the=status of the multimedia assets on the list (e.g., by requesting program data from an interactive media guidance applicatiori). At =step 410, the system s.ends a notification to the user for -each asset identified in the shorter list. -The notifi~cati=on could be displayed on display device 112; alt=ernatively=
or in addition, an email notification or-a text message, for example using short message serv.icetSM=S), or the like could be sent to a mobile plione, PDA, or a similar device. This may even all=ow the izser to 's-et a recording time for locally -recor.ding the asset, to vi=ew the asset, or to purchase the asset, if not already done so. The process 400 ends=at step 412..
=[0042] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of 'an -illustrati.ve process 500 for determining whether the 1=ocal. -st=orage -space is adequate for recording a selected asset.
Process 500 begins at step 502. At ste-p 504, prooe=ss 500 sets up a local -recording session for= the multimedia asset by first checking the available recording capacity. At step 506,=if it is-determin.ed-= that storage capacity is adequate, process 500 move-s to step 508.to locally record the asset. The proc.ess e;-ids at step 518. =
[0043] Conversely, at step 506 if it is det=ermin,ed that the recording capacity is insufficient t~o record the asset, process 500 will check, at step 51~0,=if' other stored assets can be deleted. Criteria for=
deleting stored assets may include dynamic fa.ct-ors.=
Some examples of factors that are consider-ed (wh.ether.
dynamic or not) and criteria with respect t-o'=those factors include=designation of stor=ed assets as "archived" (which assets would be less likely to be deleted), when the assets were last viewed,-direct and indirect.input from the us-er with regard to the assets, andlor how frequently the user has accessed the stored assets. As.sets targeted for deletion may include=
stored VOD assets or other recorded ass~t-s (e.g., pay-per-v.zew= or broadcast re-corded ass-ets ). A - recorded asset may also be deleted if the interactiva multimedia guidance application indicates that the re-corded asset will be available from an alternative sounc=e in'tile future.
[0044] At step 512, if the syst-em determines that recording space can be made avai=labl.e by re-movin.g obsolete or deprioritized assets, proc.ess 500 moves to step 516 and deletes one or more identified obsolete assets and records the selected multimedia asset.
Conversely, at step-= 512, . if. sufficient re-cording space can not be provided, process 500 moves to step 514 to notify the user that the select.ed multimedia asset cannot be recorded, unless the user=manually deletes.
one or more stored assets to make recording space available. Process 500 ends at ste-p 518.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a flow chart -of an illustrative process 600 for resolving corifZicts when two or more different multimedia assets are scheduled to be recorded locally. Process 600 starts at step 602. At step 604, the system checks if other asset=s.in addition to an identified asset are schedul=ed to be racorded locally. If no other assets are =s-chedul.ed and thus no scheduling conflicts exist, process 600 g6es to step 614 to locally record the selected multimedia asset and process 600 ends at step 616.
[00461 ..Conversely, at step 604, if it is determin=ed that other multimedia assets are scheduled for local S recording, process 600 moves to step 609 and checks ths scheduled recording times/dates for the~ other asset-s.
At step. 610, if it is determined that the =schedulecl recording time for the various multimedia assets are not in conflict with ea-ch other, pro.cess 6~)0 move=s to step 614 and the multimedia assets are recorded at their scheduled times.. Conversely, at step Z10 , if it is determined that a scheduling conflict exists, then process 600 moves to step 612 to attempt tt> change the recording time(s) so as to eliminate the conflict. if the system is able to resolve the conflict, the ' multimedia assets are recorded at the changed tinte(s) at step 6=14. Process 600 ends at step 616. If= t'he conflict cannot be resolved, the user may be notified and asked to.intervene. =
[0047] Note that the multimedia assets may be distribution controlled, in which case recording and copying.of the multimedia assets may be restrict-ed.
For example, a "broadcast" flag may be set. in the as-set.
to indicate that the cont-ent can not be copied.
Alternatiqely, a "never copy" flag may be -set, or a "play once" flag may be reset in digital rights management protocols such as IEEE 1394 5C.- More information on IEEE 1394 5C can be found in "Digital Transmission Content Prot-ection 'Specification Revision 1.4 (Informational Version)," February 28, 2=0=05, available from Digital Transmission Licensing Administrator (DTLA), 225 E Cochrane Circle,=Morgan .Hill, CA 95037 (USA) , which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. It should be unders'tood that certain embodiments of the present invention will include steps of checking and considering, in various implementation algorithms, the implications of such 5= distribution and copy protections as well as secukity, encryption, and access control =consideratians . -=
[0048] The above described embodiments of the==present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the present inventi=on is limited only by the claims which follow.
MULTIMEDIA ASSET IN MULTIMEDIA DELIVERY SYSTEMS
Background of the Invention [0001] This invention relates to managing delivery of multimedia assets to a user, b.efore a status of.
these assets in a multimedia delivery syst~em.changes.
More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods for notifying a user of a status-change of an asset and/or locally recording the asset before t=he status of the asset changes or th-e asset becomes unavailable from a provider of the asset-.
[00023 Content delivery networks (e.g., cable, satellite, Internet) have been developed that can deliver various multimedia assets from a ren-ote- source to a user's equipment'for viewing or interaction.
Multimedia assets include live broadcast prograins, web casts, Pay-per-View (PPV) events, and/or VOD content.
Sometimes, a user may select multimedia assets to be recorded locally on the user's equipment, for example, on =a VCR or digital video recorder (DVR). A live broadcast is typically viewed and/or recorded at the scheduled time set by the broadcast station, whereas _ 2 _ VOD content can be viewed and recorded at any user-specified time prior to the expiration time of the VOD
content. PPV programs also have expiration dates and may be viewed and/or recorded before the expiration times/dates of the asset from the source server.
[0003] Recording a multimedia asset requir.es a tuner -associated with the user=equipment to be tuned to the channel in which the multimedia asset is availa=bl.e.
Recording an additional multimedia asset at the same time on the same device could require an additional tuner. If the device does not have an additional tuner, the user may have to forgo recording the additional multimedia asset.
[0004] The status of multimedia assets may change from time to time. For example, broadcast programs may migrate to VOD or web casts, or P.PV =Content may migrate to VOD. For example, HBO may remove an asset from their regular' scheduled broadcast lineup, but continue to make the content available on VOD for an additional amount of time. Another status change may be a cha-nge in the expiration time/date of an asset. Expiration date/time for an asset is typi=cally listed in an interactive multimedia guidance application, such a-s an interactive program guide (IPG). The user may not always be aware'of a status change that may prevent the user from viewing and/or r-ecording the a-ss=et. P-r=e=sent systems, however, lack an integrat=ed approach to monitor the status of a multimedia asset and to timely notify users of a status change that may intpa=ct t-hem.
Summary of the Invention [0005] Problems in the prior art are address=ed, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, by a method and apparatus in a vid=eo--on-dernand (VOD) system for determining when the status of a select-ed multimedia asset changes.
[0006] In one embodiment, the i=nvention is a method and apparatus f-or notifyin-g a user of a stat=us change of a= multimedia asset. The invention in~r~olves selecting a multimedia asset and monitoring the status of the asset during a notification period which -can be set by the user. The user may be notified if the statu=s changes before a notification period expir=es.=
[0007] In one embodiment, the multimedia asset may be locally recorded. before a status =change. Recordi.ng may be initiat-ed by the use=r or au=t-omati-cally s=ch=eduled by the system. In one or more of these -embodiments, =
=15= the status change may be monitor.ed automatically by an interactive multimedia =gui=dance application, which may also prompt the apparatus to automatically record the asset. The user may also be -notifi-ed by a message displayed on a tel-evision monitor,= a computer monitor, a mobile phone, a PDA, or t=he lik=e.
[00081 In some of the above embodiments,=ttte asset may become avai.lable= from a different source. 'i'h-e asset may then not need to be locally recar-ded, but =th.e user may still be notified of the change.
[00091 In some embodiments, the user may have already viewed at least a portion of t-he selected multimedia asset before being notified of a=status change, in which case only a remaining porti-on of the selected asset may be locally =reco=r-d=ed =bef-ore the status change.
[00I01 In sorne.of the abov.e -erttbodiments, tht:
recording capacity of the local re=cording devi=ce may be checked before a multimedia asset is recorded. Only if the r-ecording capacity is sufficient for recording the multimedia asset will the asset be recorded. -Tf sufficient recording capacity is not available, a deletion criterion may be applied to identify stored content that may be deleted from the local r=ecording device.
[0011I Other aspect of the invention = are d=ir=ected- to a method and apparatus for reconciling scheduling conflicts when locally recording a-plurali.ty of multimedia assets on a local recording device.
Brief Description of the Drawings [00121 The above and other features of the present invention, its nature.and various-advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of the following -detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. I is a block dia-gram of a:syst=em .providing multimedia assets in accordance with one embodi.ment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an illustrative process for scheduling local re;cording of a multimedia asset in accordance with one embodiment flf the p=r..e=s,ent invention;
100151 FIG. 3 shows schematically a sc re.en display of a "Last Chance" notification;
[0016I FIG. 4 is a flow -cha.rt of an illustrative process for setting a notification window in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
C00171 FIG. 5 is a flow chart of. an illustrative process for managing local recording capacity for recording a multimedia asset in a-ccordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and [0018] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an illustrative process for preventing scheduling conflicts when recording multimedia assets.
Detailed Description [0019] The disclosed systems and methods are dir=ect~ed =to taking action when the status of a multimedia asset is scheduled to change, and to optionally locally record the multimedia asset befo3re. th=e status . change takes effect. The status may be monitored by an interactive multimedia guidance application, such as an interactive program guide (IPG).
[0020] FIG. 1 shows illustrative interactive multimedia delivery system 100 in accordance with one embodiment. of the invention. User =equipment 110 receives content in the form of signals from multimedia sources 120a; 120b, 120c over communications path 122.
In practice there may be multiple multimedia sources 120a, 120b, 120c and user equipment 110, but only thrae multimedia sources and one user equipment are shown in FIG. 1 to avoid over-complicating the drawing.
[0021] Multimedia sources 120a, 120b, 120c may be any suitable media source such as, for example, a cable system headend, a satellite multimedia .distribut.ion facility, a multimedia broadcast fa-cility, a pay-per-view (PPV) server, a game service provider (e.g., for online gaming), or any other suitable facili=ty or system for originating or distributing -content.
Multimedia source 120c is depicted as an on-demand server (e.g., VOD server). Multimedia sources 120a, 120b, 120c may be configured to transmit signal=s. over any suitable communications path 122 including, for example, a satellite path, a fiber-optic path, aca=ble path, an Internet path, or any other suitable wired or wireless path. The signals may carry any suitable content such as, for example, television program-s, games, music, news, web services, or any other suitable content. In some embodiments, multimedia sdur-cces 120a, 120b, 120c may include control circuitry for exe:cuti.ncg the instructions of an interactive multimedia guidance application such as, for exafnple, the server sid.e instructions of a client/server or online=interadtive multimedia guidance application.
[0022] User equipment 110 may include 'a.ny= equi:pment suitable for providing an interactive multimedia experience. User equipment 1I~O may in~dlude'tel.evi-sion equipment such as a television, set-top box, recording device, video player, user input device (e . g. , remot-e control, keyboard, mouse, touch pad, touch screen =andlor voice recognition interface), or any other device suitable for providing an interactive multimedia experience. For example, user equipment 110 may include a DCT 2000, 2500, 510-0, 6208 or 6412 set-top box provided by Motorola, Inc. In some embodiments, user equipment 110 may include computer equipment, such as a personal computer with a television car-d (PCTV).
In some embodiments, user equipment 110 may include a gaming system, a portable electronic device, such as a portable'DVD player,=a portable gaming device, a cellular telephone, a PDA, a music player {e.g., NP3 player), or any'other suitable portabl=e or fixed device.
[0023] In the example of FIG. 1, user equipment 110 includes at least control circuitry 118, display de=vice 112, recording device 114 and user input device 116, which may be implemented as separate devic:es or as a combination devi=ce or devices. An intera=ctive multimedia guidance application, such as an interactive program guide (IPG), may be implemented on user equipment 110 to display, on display device 112, the content transmitted by multimedia sources 120a, 12flb, 120c over path 122 and to provide int=eracti.ve multimedia guidance application features, such a.s =a grid listing of available assets. In addition, Web=
content 121, such as streamed audio and video, may be , transmitted to the user equipment 110, for example, over the Internet.
[0024] Display device 112 may be any suitable device=
such as, for example, a television monitor, a=computer monitor, or a display incorporated in user equipment 110 (e.g., a cellular telephone or music player display). Ilisplay device 112 may also be configured to provide for.the output of audio.
[00251 Control circuitry 118 is a=elapted to r.ecelve user input from input device 11=6 and execute t.h=e instructions of the interactive multimedia guidance application. Control circuitry 118 may include one or .more tuners (e.g., analog or digital tuners), enc=oders and decoders, processors (e. g. , Motorola 68-000 family processors), memory (e.g., RAM and hard disks)=, communications circuitry ( e. g., cable modem =ci.rcuitry),=
input/output circuitry (=e.g., graphics'circuitry), connections to the various devi~ces of user equipment 110, and any other suitable component for providing analog or digital multimedia programming, program recording, and interactive multimedia guidance features. In some embodiments, control circuitry 118 =
may be included as part of one of th=e =devi=.ces of user equipment 110 such as, for example, part of =di.=5play 112 - $ -or any other device (e.g., a set-top box, *television and video player).
[0026] In some =embodiments, the interactive multimedia guidance application may provide features to the user with a client/server approach. There may be '' one server for each in-stance -of user -equi=pment 110, one for multiple instances of user equipment 11=0, "or.a single server may serve as a.proxy for -each instance =of user equipment 110.
[0027] Any suitable number of user-s may have equipment, such as user equi=pment 1I0, -connected to multimedia sources 120a, 120b, 12-Oc and one or more data sources 124a, 1.24b. But for the clarity of-the figure,.th.e equipment of only a single user*is shown.
The equipment o.f the plurality =of users may -be, connected to media sources 120a, 120b, .12~0.c, 'web content 121, and data sources-124a, 124b using a cable television network, a local area network {LAN), a wireless network, or any other suitable means, o.r a combination thereof. In some embodiments,'the equipment of the plurality of users may be connected to each other using any suitable means.
[0028] User equipment 11-0 may receive interactive multimedia guidance application data from one or more data sources 12.4a, 124b. Data sources = 124a, 124=b may provide data for a parti=cular type of content or for a particular application. Sor example, on-e data sou.rce =
124a may provide data for non-on-demand as-sets (e.g., non-pay and pay-per-view.prograans) ,. a-nti anoth-er data source 124b may provide data f=or on-demand assfa=ts VOD programs ). Or, for example, a single, data source may provide both of these ty-pes of data. For exampZe, one of the data sources 124b or an additi=onal _ 9 _ data source (not shown) may also provide data for an interactive program guide (IPG). Another of the data sources 124a, 124b or a separate data source (not shown) may provide, for =exampl.e, =data - for another interactive application (e.g., a home shopping =
application). In some embodiments, data s4urc=es 124a, 124b or additional data source (not shown) may provide data to the intera-ctive multimedia guidance application using a client/server approa=ch. There may be =on-e server per data source, one for all sources or, in -some embodiments, a single server may communicate as a proxy=
between user equipment 110 and various data sou=roes -124a, 124b. In some embodiments, data sources 124a, 124b may provide data -as an onl.i,ne = interactive multimedia guidance application. In such4embodiments, data sources 124a, 124b may include control circuitry for executing the inst3ructions of the online =-mu3.timedia guidance application.
j00291 FIG. 1 shows media sources 12=0a, 12.0b, 12-Oc and data sources 124a, 124b as separate el-ements. In practice, their functionality may be combined and provided from a single system at a singl=e facility, or multiple systems at multiple facilities. For example, one media source 120b and data source 1=24b may =be combined to provide VOD content and associated VOD
data.
[0030] In one embodiment, the interactive multimedia guidance application may be a stand-alone app.li.cation implemented in a'set-top box which may=be part of user equipment 110. An interactive program gua.de may -be downloaded periodically, for example, _eve=ry day or -once a week, from a data source, such a=s data s-our=ce 124a, 124b and the application operates bas-ed on the downloaded programming information until the next update.
[0031] In another embodiment, the interactive multirnedia guidance application may be' a cli=ent/server . application, with the server represented, for exam.pLe, by a server on the cable h=eadend, and the client by the user equipment 110, a personal. cdmputer, =a moba.le telephone, a PDA, and the like. In this s=cenari=o, the client polls the server for updates of programming information.
[0032] The interactive multimedia gui-dance application can also be impl.emented as a web browser capable of accessing a web =site containiTig :prograraning -information and possibly multimedia assets.
[00331 For the purposes of = clarity, the following discussion may sometimes describe an embodiment in which the interactive multimedia guidanc.e application==
is an interactive program guide (IFG). It will be understood, however,.that the following discuss3.on and*
the feature.s discussed may be applied to any interactive multimedia guidance application. The.
following discussion may occasionally also 'describe certain embodiments as being responsive ;to an=
expiration date. However, it should be und4~!rstood*that the embodiments may react to any change in status of the multimedia asset, such as a chan.ge in the media source providing the multimedia asset, a change i._n an availability time window of the multimedia asset, a change i.n.a format of the multi.riied.ia asset., and the like.
[0034] The following flow charts serve to illustrate methods implemented in sorrme embodiments of this invention. Though the examples focus on content that is alternatively available via a VOD server delivery mechanism, the invention is equivalently applicable to content that is alternatively available via PPV
channels or Internet delivery mechanisms. ThoUgh the invention applies broadly to multimedia assets, as described earlier to include video/audio progxams, interactive content, games, and application's; the following exampl.e is provided with re=spect to video/audio assets for clarity.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a flow chart.-of an illustrative process 200 for locally recording a multimedia asset, before the asset becomes unavailable. Process" 200.
begins at step 202. At st-ep 204, a user may select a multimedia asset, such as a broadcast program, VOD
content or a PPV program. Alter;natively or -in addition,-the system may also select a multimedia asset without user input based, for example, on the user s viewing history, a user profile, or agents pro"grammed with user preferences, all of which may interact with' the interactive multimedia guidance-application.
[0036] At step 206, the intera.ctive multimedia guidance application will check a status of the multimedia asset at the source server, su"ch as a time window during which the asset remains available for viewing. At step 206, the interactive multimedia =
guidance application may determine, for example, a'time when the asset will become available as VOD ;cont-ent.
The user may select viewing/recording options on. a graphic user interface (GUI). In one embodiment, the user may view the multimedia asset immediat"ely, and process 200 moves to step 216. Alternatively, if tfi-e user schedules viewing and/or recording t-he multimedia asset for a later time, process 200 may move to step 208 . =
[0037] At step 216, . if the user views,the VOD
content immediately, the system monitors at step 218 if 5= the user views the entire content. If the system determines at step 218 that the user has fi.nish.ed viewing the multimedia asset, the-system then determines, at step 220, if the user has further i.nterest in the asset, for example, i.f th=e user h-a=s listed the asset under "Favorit=es." If =at st-ep 22=0 no further interest from the user is det-e=ct.ed; then process 200 ends at.step 228. The.asset.will still be accessible to the user unless a status chan.g=e takes effect that makes in the asset inaccessible. H-owever,=
the system may stop monitoring the status of the asset at the source server. On the other hand, if the system determines at step 218 that the user has not finished viewing the multimedia asset, at step 210, proc=ess-200 will move to step 206, where the system continue=s to monitor the status of the asset at the source =server.
[0438] If at step 220, it is determined t-hat the user has continued interest*in the multimedia asset,.
process 200 moves to step 210=to check if a change in the status of the multimedia asset is impending.
Likewise, the process moves from step 208, whe.re the user had scheduled the multimedia asset for future viewing / recording, to step 210 to check for an impending status change. If no.chan=ge in th.e status is detected at step 210, process 200 will mov-e to step 2.0=6 and continue to d"eterm.ine the status of the multimedia asset. Conversely, at step 210, if a-change in the=
status is detected in.dicating, for example, that the asset will be moved to another chann-el or sour-ce, or will have an earlier expiration date at the source than =.
the original expiration date, then process 200 moves to step 214 to check if the asset has already been locally recorded. If a local copy -of the asset -is=' available, no further acti-on is taken, and process 200 .ends at step 228.
[0039] Conversely, at step= 214, if it is determined that the asset has not been locally recorded, =proaess 200 moves to step 226 and/or step 2.22 (depending -on the implementation) to automatically alert the user of an impending change in status, for -exarnpl,e, by di~splaying a."Last Chance Notification" (LCN) and/or to automati-cally record the multimedia asset l-ocal=ly before the status change takes effect. The LCN would thus enable a user to vi-ew and/-or record an ==asset = or at least a part of the=asset ahead of the status change.
Local recording may be subject t-o availabi.lity of sufficient storage capacity on recording device 114 and the resolution of scheduling conflicts with other scheduled recordings. A different alert notifiGati.on "Now available on VOD" or the like could be disp].ayed if the asset becomes available from-another source; so that local recording of the asset may not be necessary or may at least be postpon-jed.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows schematically an -exemplary "Last Chance" notification window 302 dis=play.ed on a TV
monitor or computer screen 300. The exemplary message displayed in notification window 302 informs the user that the movie "Philadelphia" will no longet be available from the original s-ource after December 29, 2005. The user may receive more information and/or may be directed to an alternative source for the asset, such as an alternative VOD or.PPV channel, by pressing the SELECT" key on the remote control. Note that the asset listing in the illustrated interactive mu3.timedia guidance application may be rearranged to display more=
than one notification, such as=a l'ist with S notifications for assets changing status withi-n th-6 notification peri-od. The notifi=cation window may also include active features (not shown).* to enable a'user to purchase the asset and/or to locally record= the ass=et from the original source before the status=of the asset on the source server cha-nges.
Note that in various embodiments, notification-3~Q2 might be a notification that this is the "last=chance"
in the next 3 months to se=e a parti.culaf epistide of a-ser.ies. (e.g. "Please note that this is the last time Movie X is going to be. broadcast, or goi-ng toa b.e on a premium channel, for the next 3 months"). This is relevant in a world where not everything is a-vailable on-demand on a server. In order to make this=happen, in one implementation, the interactive media guidance application might first search a local-listings database to see when the pr-ogram might air in=the.
future. Such local databases are:typically limited to two or three weeks of future program listings data..
Therefore, in other .zmplementations, the application may interact with more extensive remote databas.es=that contained listings and sche-0lules for further out 'in 'the future (e.g. the next 3 months).
Additionally, other not:ification types and other options associated with notifi.cations a=re possi-ble in addition to the one illustrated by FIG. 3. =F',or example, in the context of a last chance notification related to the expiration of an episode of the Sopranos on HBO, a user might be prompted to (1) reaor-d the program locally or (2) buy the entire season's worth of episodes on DVD, the latt-er potent=ially thr-ough a cli.c=k through billing interface to a third-party.on-line retailer such as Amazon.com.
Other variants and=options for the last chance notification include marketing tie-ins for program related purchases, such as a recipe-'book ftom..Barnes and Nobel, whose recipes were featured on a food channel program that is about toexpire, or peer-to-peer tie-ins such as a hot button to jump off to a discussion group related to the soon to expire program.
j0041] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an illustrative process 400 for setting an al-ert period during whi.ch the user would be notified of a status change. The process 400 starts at step 402. At step 404, a user woulcl enter an alert period spec=ifying a time during which the user wishes to be notified of a status .
change. Since the user is likely to be interested in only a subset of the available assets, at step 40,6, the system applies certain metadata ter3ns to narxr.ow the number of assets included in the notification. The metadata to be=applied can be entered by the user or can be automatically generated by the system based, for example, on user preferences and/or viewing habits.
Metadata may include, for example, search strings or search masks applied to listings in the interactive media guidance application and may include times/dates when a program is broadcast or available from another source (such as VOD or PPV), program genr-es, titl:e=s, 30. actors,. and other information available from the interactive media guidance application or r:emot.e databases accessible to the interactive media guide application. For example, a particula.r user may on3.y be=interested in notifications for comedy programming. -The combination of steps=444 and 406 can be referred to as "setup." At step 408, the* system creates a short-er list based on the metadata terms in the setup, and monitors the=status of the multimedia assets on the list (e.g., by requesting program data from an interactive media guidance applicatiori). At =step 410, the system s.ends a notification to the user for -each asset identified in the shorter list. -The notifi~cati=on could be displayed on display device 112; alt=ernatively=
or in addition, an email notification or-a text message, for example using short message serv.icetSM=S), or the like could be sent to a mobile plione, PDA, or a similar device. This may even all=ow the izser to 's-et a recording time for locally -recor.ding the asset, to vi=ew the asset, or to purchase the asset, if not already done so. The process 400 ends=at step 412..
=[0042] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of 'an -illustrati.ve process 500 for determining whether the 1=ocal. -st=orage -space is adequate for recording a selected asset.
Process 500 begins at step 502. At ste-p 504, prooe=ss 500 sets up a local -recording session for= the multimedia asset by first checking the available recording capacity. At step 506,=if it is-determin.ed-= that storage capacity is adequate, process 500 move-s to step 508.to locally record the asset. The proc.ess e;-ids at step 518. =
[0043] Conversely, at step 506 if it is det=ermin,ed that the recording capacity is insufficient t~o record the asset, process 500 will check, at step 51~0,=if' other stored assets can be deleted. Criteria for=
deleting stored assets may include dynamic fa.ct-ors.=
Some examples of factors that are consider-ed (wh.ether.
dynamic or not) and criteria with respect t-o'=those factors include=designation of stor=ed assets as "archived" (which assets would be less likely to be deleted), when the assets were last viewed,-direct and indirect.input from the us-er with regard to the assets, andlor how frequently the user has accessed the stored assets. As.sets targeted for deletion may include=
stored VOD assets or other recorded ass~t-s (e.g., pay-per-v.zew= or broadcast re-corded ass-ets ). A - recorded asset may also be deleted if the interactiva multimedia guidance application indicates that the re-corded asset will be available from an alternative sounc=e in'tile future.
[0044] At step 512, if the syst-em determines that recording space can be made avai=labl.e by re-movin.g obsolete or deprioritized assets, proc.ess 500 moves to step 516 and deletes one or more identified obsolete assets and records the selected multimedia asset.
Conversely, at step-= 512, . if. sufficient re-cording space can not be provided, process 500 moves to step 514 to notify the user that the select.ed multimedia asset cannot be recorded, unless the user=manually deletes.
one or more stored assets to make recording space available. Process 500 ends at ste-p 518.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a flow chart -of an illustrative process 600 for resolving corifZicts when two or more different multimedia assets are scheduled to be recorded locally. Process 600 starts at step 602. At step 604, the system checks if other asset=s.in addition to an identified asset are schedul=ed to be racorded locally. If no other assets are =s-chedul.ed and thus no scheduling conflicts exist, process 600 g6es to step 614 to locally record the selected multimedia asset and process 600 ends at step 616.
[00461 ..Conversely, at step 604, if it is determin=ed that other multimedia assets are scheduled for local S recording, process 600 moves to step 609 and checks ths scheduled recording times/dates for the~ other asset-s.
At step. 610, if it is determined that the =schedulecl recording time for the various multimedia assets are not in conflict with ea-ch other, pro.cess 6~)0 move=s to step 614 and the multimedia assets are recorded at their scheduled times.. Conversely, at step Z10 , if it is determined that a scheduling conflict exists, then process 600 moves to step 612 to attempt tt> change the recording time(s) so as to eliminate the conflict. if the system is able to resolve the conflict, the ' multimedia assets are recorded at the changed tinte(s) at step 6=14. Process 600 ends at step 616. If= t'he conflict cannot be resolved, the user may be notified and asked to.intervene. =
[0047] Note that the multimedia assets may be distribution controlled, in which case recording and copying.of the multimedia assets may be restrict-ed.
For example, a "broadcast" flag may be set. in the as-set.
to indicate that the cont-ent can not be copied.
Alternatiqely, a "never copy" flag may be -set, or a "play once" flag may be reset in digital rights management protocols such as IEEE 1394 5C.- More information on IEEE 1394 5C can be found in "Digital Transmission Content Prot-ection 'Specification Revision 1.4 (Informational Version)," February 28, 2=0=05, available from Digital Transmission Licensing Administrator (DTLA), 225 E Cochrane Circle,=Morgan .Hill, CA 95037 (USA) , which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. It should be unders'tood that certain embodiments of the present invention will include steps of checking and considering, in various implementation algorithms, the implications of such 5= distribution and copy protections as well as secukity, encryption, and access control =consideratians . -=
[0048] The above described embodiments of the==present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the present inventi=on is limited only by the claims which follow.
Claims (39)
1. A method for managing a status change in a multimedia delivery network, the method comprising:
determining a current status of a multimedia asset, the multimedia asset available from a first source;
gathering information related to a pending change of the current status of the multimedia asset;
checking if a substantially equivalent multimedia asset will be available from an alternative source after the pending change in status occurs; and when a substantially equivalent multimedia asset is not available from an alternative source after the pending change in status occurs, applying criteria to decide whether or not to record a copy of the multimedia asset locally before the pending change in status occurs.
determining a current status of a multimedia asset, the multimedia asset available from a first source;
gathering information related to a pending change of the current status of the multimedia asset;
checking if a substantially equivalent multimedia asset will be available from an alternative source after the pending change in status occurs; and when a substantially equivalent multimedia asset is not available from an alternative source after the pending change in status occurs, applying criteria to decide whether or not to record a copy of the multimedia asset locally before the pending change in status occurs.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the status comprises determining the first source of the multimedia asset, an availability time window of the multimedia asset, an expiration time/date of the multimedia asset, a format of the multimedia asset, or a combination thereof.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein gathering information comprises invoking an interactive multimedia guidance application.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative source is a video-on-demand (VOD) server.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative source is a pay-per-view (PPV) channel.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative source is an Internet server.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein checking if a substantially equivalent multimedia asset is available from an alternative source comprises determining an expiration time of the substantially equivalent multimedia asset from the alternative source.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a user if a substantially equivalent multimedia asset will not be available from an alternative source after the pending change in status occurs.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein notifying the user comprises sending an email message, a voice mail message, displaying a message on a television or computer display, or a combination thereof.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein notifying the user comprises sending a short message service (SMS) or voice mail message to a mobile phone.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein, if the equivalent multimedia asset is not available from the alternative source, the method further includes locally recording the multimedia asset from the first source before the pending change in status occurs.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if the equivalent multimedia asset is available from an alternative source, determining an expiration time/date of the multimedia asset from the alternative source, and locally recording a copy of the multimedia asset before the expiration time/date.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein checking if a substantially equivalent multimedia asset will be available from an alternative source comprises determining a cost of the equivalent multimedia asset from the alternative source and applying criteria includes determining whether the cost of the equivalent multimedia asset exceeds a specified cost budget.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein checking if a substantially equivalent multimedia asset will be available from an alternative source comprises determining a digital rights restriction associated with the equivalent multimedia asset from the alternative source and applying criteria includes determining whether accessing or recording the equivalent multimedia asset violates at least one digital right.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein gathering information comprises checking an amount of local storage space that is available, and wherein applying criteria includes determining whether the local storage space is sufficient to record the multimedia asset.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein gathering information comprises determining a number of tuners that are locally available and applying criteria includes determining that tuners are available for recording the multimedia asset without creating a conflict with another scheduled recording.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein applying criteria comprises determining if a user has viewed at least a portion of the multimedia asset, and if the user has viewed at least a portion of the multimedia asset, recording a remaining portion of the selected multimedia asset before the current status changes.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein applying criteria comprises checking a remaining local storage capacity, wherein, when the remaining storage capacity is insufficient for recording the multimedia asset, applying criteria comprises applying a deletion criterion to identify a stored multimedia asset to be deleted.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the deletion criterion comprises a time/date when the stored multimedia asset was last viewed, a frequency with which the stored multimedia asset was accessed, a designation of the stored multimedia asset as "archived program," a rental condition for the stored multimedia asset, a current availability of the stored multimedia asset from a server, a user's permission for deletion, or a combination thereof.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising notifying a user if the remaining storage capacity remains insufficient after applying the deletion criterion.
21. A system for managing a status change of a multimedia asset in a multimedia delivery network, the system comprising a digital video recorder (DVR) and control circuitry, the control circuitry configured to:
determine a current status of the multimedia-asset, the multimedia asset available from a first source;
gather information related to a pending change of the current status of the multimedia asset;
check if a substantially equivalent multimedia asset is available from an alternative source after the pending change in status occurs; and when a substantially equivalent multimedia asset is not available from an alternative source after the pending change in status occurs, apply criteria to decide whether or not to record a copy of the multimedia asset on the DVR before the pending change in status occurs.
determine a current status of the multimedia-asset, the multimedia asset available from a first source;
gather information related to a pending change of the current status of the multimedia asset;
check if a substantially equivalent multimedia asset is available from an alternative source after the pending change in status occurs; and when a substantially equivalent multimedia asset is not available from an alternative source after the pending change in status occurs, apply criteria to decide whether or not to record a copy of the multimedia asset on the DVR before the pending change in status occurs.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the information related to a change of the current status of the multimedia asset is obtained from an interactive multimedia guidance application.
23. The system of claim 21, wherein the status comprises identification of the first source of the multimedia asset, an availability time window of the multimedia asset, an expiration time/date of the multimedia asset, a format of the multimedia asset, or a combination thereof.
24. The system of claim 21, wherein the alternative source is a video-on-demand (VOD) server.
25. The system of claim 21, wherein the alternative source is a pay-per-view (PPV) channel.
26. The system of claim 21, wherein the alternative source is an Internet server
27. The system of claim 21, the control circuitry configured to check an amount of local storage space, and to determine whether the local storage space is sufficient to record the multimedia asset.
28. The system of claim 27, the control circuitry configured, if the remaining storage capacity is insufficient for recording the multimedia asset, to apply a deletion criterion to identify a stored multimedia asset to be deleted.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein the deletion criterion comprises a time/date when the stored multimedia asset-was last viewed, a frequency with which the stored multimedia asset was accessed, a designation of the stored content as "archived program," a rental condition for the stored multimedia asset, a current availability of the stored multimedia asset from a server, a user's permission for deletion, or a combination thereof.
30. A method for managing a change in status of a multimedia asset in a multimedia delivery network, the method comprising:
determining a current status of a multimedia asset at a source server;
gathering information related to an impending change of the current status of the multimedia asset at the source server; and notifying a user before the multimedia asset becomes unavailable from the source server.
determining a current status of a multimedia asset at a source server;
gathering information related to an impending change of the current status of the multimedia asset at the source server; and notifying a user before the multimedia asset becomes unavailable from the source server.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein determining the current status or gathering information related to an impending change of the current status comprises identifying the source server, identifying an availability time window of the multimedia asset at the source server, identifying an expiration time/date of the multimedia asset at the source server, identifying a format of the multimedia asset at the source server, or a combination thereof.
32. The method of claim 30, wherein gathering information comprises invoking an interactive multimedia guidance application.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein notifying the user comprises sending an email message, a voice mail message, or displaying a message on a television or computer display, or a combination thereof.
34. The method of claim 30, wherein notifying the user comprises sending a short message service (SMS) or voice mail message to a mobile phone.
35. The method of claim 30, further comprising setting a notification period; and notifying the user if the multimedia asset becomes unavailable from the source server before the end of the notification period.
36. The method of claim 30, further comprising locally recording the multimedia asset before the status change occurs.
37. The method of claim 30, further comprising notifying the user of a status change in a previously selected multimedia asset;
identifying an alternative source of the selected multimedia asset; and prompting the user to order the selected multimedia asset from the alternative source.
identifying an alternative source of the selected multimedia asset; and prompting the user to order the selected multimedia asset from the alternative source.
38. The method of claim 30, further comprising presenting the user with a peer-to-peer tie-in related to the multimedia asset.
39. The method of claim 30, further comprising presenting the user with a marketing tie-in relate to the multimedia asset.
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