ES2449234T5 - Distribution of interactive multimedia content using a separate return channel communications network - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Distribution of interactive multimedia content using a separate return channel communications network

Background

The invention relates to systems, devices and methods for guiding multimedia content, and more particularly, to the distribution of multimedia content using a return channel communications network to facilitate the programming, control and/or distribution of content. multimedia.

Cable, satellite, and broadcast television systems are multimedia content distribution systems that provide viewers with a large number of television channels and other multimedia content. Interactive program guides (IPGs) have been developed that allow information about television programs, and information about a particular type of multimedia, to be displayed on a viewer's television.

In analog cable TV systems, one of the channels may be reserved for the distribution and display of programming information. Also, data may be transmitted to the STB via the in-band vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a television channel broadcast. In a satellite and/or digital cable TV system, programming information, applications and/or system software may be transmitted to equipment located at the viewer's site (typically a "digital set-top box" or STB) by broadcast, addressable, cable, direct satellite, or some other form of transmission. The STB may also contain memory so that programming information can be stored for later review. Typically, the schedule information stored in the STB is updated periodically (eg, continuously, daily, weekly, or bi-weekly). A microprocessor within the STB cooperates with the viewer's television to display stored programming information and to implement other functions of the IPG in response to signals generated by the user, typically from a remote control device. IPGs allow users to access television program listings in different display formats. For example, a user may wish to view a grid of program listings arranged in a channel-ordered list. Alternatively, the user may wish to view program listings organized by time, by theme (movies, sports, etc.), or by title (ie, sorted alphabetically). The IPG may be referred to as an electronic programming guide (EPG) and/or include the features thereof.

For cable TV Multiple Service Operator (MSO) networks that support two-way communications between a user-end device and the MSO headend, users can interactively select "video to VOD (video on demand) and pay per view (PPV) directly with the IPG, using its remote control unit A user can also record multimedia content on a video recorder (DVR, digital video recorder) on the network or locally, using your remote control unit/device. For example, the user may place a highlight on a desired program listing item and press a "record" button on the remote control unit. Next, the "record" command is sent from the end user device, eg, the STB, to the MSO headend via the tree-and-branch cable network, to enable recording of the program.

Payment programs can be contracted by placing the highlighted area on a payment program listing element and pressing a "contract" button. The "enroll" message is sent from the end user device to the MSO headend to initiate the enrollment and distribution of the program to the end user device. Some IPGs allow parents to block certain television programs based on criteria, such as ratings information.

Certain media companies, such as MSO/cable TV networks, satellite networks and/or wireless media networks, provide one-way broadcast and/or addressable media content distribution. In these one-way multimedia systems or networks that have one-way communication links to an end user device, there is no direct return channel for communications from the end user and/or the end user's multimedia device to the MSO headend or the media provider's network or distribution facility. For one-way cable networks, users can indirectly purchase specific media content, such as movies, via the public switch telephone network (PSTN).

For example, a user may purchase a movie by calling a particular destination phone number and using the touch-tone buttons to purchase a particular movie, or by interacting with a customer service representative. For satellite television and/or movie providers, users may be required to purchase programs through the PSTN. Also, recently developed CableCARD technology or other PCMCIA card technology, supported by certain cable TV networks, supports only one-way distribution of multimedia content to televisions prepared for cable, preventing subscribers from contracting VOD and PPV multimedia content.

More particularly, in a multimedia distribution system where the provider uses one-way video distribution without direct return channel communications, users have no method or a relatively inconvenient method of ordering programs and/or services from the provider. provider using the PSTN, especially in real time and/or near real time. In a one-way cable TV environment, every customer cannot easily sign up for a p Pv program without picking up a phone and calling the cable TV provider. This process is time consuming, resulting in inconvenient delays for the consumer, and requires users to interact with a customer service representative or go through a time-consuming interactive process using touch-tone buttons. In a satellite environment, no real VOD contracting or VCR-type controls are available for VOD, because it is not practical to provide return communications from the STB to the satellite provider through the satellite's wireless interface. Accordingly, it is desirable to allow a user equipment device to control the delivery of multimedia content over a back channel communications link or network.

There are also sometimes difficulties associated with a content user's interaction with an MSO provider. For example, the distribution facility for different MSOs may use different protocols or different information formats for communications, preventing the use of a common back-channel mechanism for the distribution of multimedia content.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an interactive distribution of multimedia content that uses an intermediary communications server between an end user and the multimedia content provider to enable communications regardless of the information format used by an MSO network.

US Patent Application Publication Number 2001/0052134 describes a cable television system that uses a network-based return channel link to enable two-way communications between a cable headend and user equipment. The system uses a central terminal to connect UE messages to the return channel, before the messages can be blocked by the unidirectional amplifiers of a typical cable network.

US Patent Application Publication Number 2005/055724 discloses a satellite television system that uses a return link to enable interactive TV and gaming. One type of return link uses a wireless LAN or other wireless networks.

DE 19547604 describes a decoder for interactive cable television services. The set-top box may use an ISDN return channel to transmit service request messages to a server at the cable provider's headend.

US Patent Application Publication Number 2004/0210947 describes a process for generating interactive programming using a server that receives media content and adds an interactive component to the media content to generate Interactive Video On Demand (iVOD). Demand).

Document 2005/074283 describes an interactive program guide system that supports various program recording features. The system allows a user to view status information such as which programs are available for recording, have been recorded, and are currently being recorded.

Summary

According to the disclosed embodiments, there is provided an apparatus claim as defined in claim 1 and a method as defined in claim 8. Additional features are defined in the dependent claims.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a user equipment device, for example, a STB, which interfaces with a one-way multimedia network is configured to communicate with a multimedia content provider via a return channel communications network, such as a local area network or a wireless network. The return channel network enables user equipment to deliver media content control commands to a media content source and/or distribution facility, to establish interactive two-way media programming for a one-way media network provider. In addition, a central, intermediate or central exchange communications server may be used, which enables return channel communications between a multimedia content user equipment device and the distribution facilities of one or more multimedia content service providers, regardless of the information protocol or information formats used by each distribution facility.

In one aspect, a user equipment device interactively controls the display of media content from a one-way media network by receiving a user command and subsequently sending a media control message to a media content source via of a return channel network, in response to the user command. The user equipment device then receives the media content, directly or via a distribution facility or via other network elements, from the media content source from the one-way media network.

The return channel network may include a local area network, a wireless local area network, or a cellular telephone network. The media content source may include a distribution facility. In another feature, the user equipment device is configured to send a media control message to at least one distribution facility, after which the distribution facility retrieves the media content from the media content source.

The exchange may include a web server or website located at a location that is remote to the user equipment device, eg, a STB, and to the user's media content provider's distribution facility. The exchange advantageously allows any user equipment device to subscribe to multimedia content, such as movies, using a standard application, such as a standard IPG, a standard web browser or another standard application. The exchange performs a conversion or translation of the standard messages sent from any user equipment device, to a message format used by the particular media content provider and its distribution facility. The exchange effectively enables a return channel communications path from a user equipment device to any distribution facility, at any location, and associated with any media content provider.

In one aspect, the interactive multimedia guidance system includes at least one multimedia content source configured to store multimedia content. At least one user equipment device, such as a cable TV or satellite STB, is configured to send a multimedia control message to a central exchange server via a communications network such as the Internet. The user equipment is also capable of receiving multimedia content, such as movies, music, television (TV) programs and similar multimedia content.

In one feature, the multimedia guidance system allows a user equipment device to interact with one or more distribution facilities. Each distribution facility is capable of receiving a multimedia control message from a central exchange. A media control message may include a request and/or an order to record, download, or view a particular song or movie. Each distribution facility is capable of retrieving media content from at least one media content source, such as a media or music database. Each distribution facility is also capable of sending the multimedia content to a user equipment device.

In one configuration, the exchange is capable of communicating with a user equipment device and at least one distribution facility. The exchange is configured to receive a media control message from a user equipment device, process the media control message, and then send the media control message to at least one distribution facility. The exchange can determine to which distribution facility it sends the multimedia control message. The determination may be based on the location, identity, or subscriber information (the user) relative to the user equipment device.

In another feature, the exchange transforms at least a part of the multimedia control message from a first information format to a second information format. The first and/or second information format may include a markup language. The markup language may include HTML, XML, SGML, WML, or similar markup languages.

The multimedia content may include a multimedia program, a multimedia program listing, multimedia schedule, multimedia content metadata, a user equipment device application, or a user equipment device application update. The media control information may include a command for a media program, a media program listing, a media schedule, a user equipment device application, media content metadata, a VCR-type command, or a user equipment application update. user equipment device. The VCR-type command may include, but is not limited to, a command such as play, pause, fast forward and reverse.

In a further feature, the exchange determines whether a multimedia control message has originated from an authorized user equipment device. The exchange may include an interactive programming guide, a web server, or a user application delivery server. The exchange may include a subscriber database, a user equipment application database, a network provider database, or a multimedia content database.

In another feature, the exchange is configured to register at least one user equipment device for exchange services and/or for exchange access. The exchange may be configured to send a UE device request to a UE device. user equipment. In a further feature, the media guidance system includes a media information server that is capable of receiving a media control message from an exchange and sending the media control message to a distribution facility.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following illustrative description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like items are labeled with like reference designations, and which may not be drawn to scale.

Figure 1 includes an interactive multimedia guidance system according to a disclosed embodiment.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a decoder arrangement according to a disclosed embodiment. Figure 3 is a block diagram of a television and digital video recorder arrangement according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a view of a remote control device according to a disclosed embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a personal computer system arrangement according to a disclosed embodiment.

Figure 6 is a block diagram of a computer system according to a disclosed embodiment.

Figure 7 is a functional block diagram showing various applications within an exchange, according to a disclosed embodiment.

Fig. 8 is an exemplary view of displaying information provided to a user equipment device by an exchange IPG, according to a disclosed embodiment.

Figure 9 is a conceptual block diagram of an interactive multimedia guidance system including a central exchange that facilitates the exchange of multimedia control messages and multimedia content between user equipment devices and distribution facilities 104, in accordance with a disclosed embodiment.

Figure 10 is a flowchart of a process for requesting multimedia content information and/or services using an exchange, according to a disclosed embodiment.

Figure 11 is a block diagram of a multimedia guidance system in which a user equipment device establishes return channel communications with a distribution facility using a wireless network and an exchange server, in accordance with a disclosed embodiment.

Figure 12 is a block diagram of a media distribution system that uses a remote control device to establish a second data channel that facilitates return channel communications from a user equipment device to a media distribution facility. multimedia content, consistent with a disclosed embodiment.

Illustrative Description

The invention provides, in certain embodiments, an intermediate communications server, such as an exchange server, for facilitating return channel communications from a user equipment device to any multimedia content distribution facility, for purposes to allow the delivery of multimedia content to a user equipment device, regardless of the information format used by a specific distribution facility.

Multimedia content includes any information that can be perceived by a person such as, but not limited to, visual and audio information. Visual information may include video clips, streaming video, movies, images, photographs, television shows, multimedia programs, and similar visual media content. Audio information may include streaming audio, audio files (MP3), music audio files, broadcast audio, and similar audio media content. The multimedia content may also include information about the multimedia content and/or multimedia programs, such as a list of available multimedia programs.

A multimedia distribution system or interactive multimedia guidance system includes any information system capable of transmitting multimedia content to an end user. A multimedia device or multimedia destination device is any device and/or apparatus capable of receiving and/or presenting multimedia content to an end user, such as a video screen, a television, a computer, an audio player, a computer stereo, a set-top box (STB), a digital video recorder (DVR), a personal video recorder (PVR), a VCR, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone and similar devices.

The MSO network is a cable TV network operated by a server provider that typically serves a large geographic area that includes thousands of media content users.

An illustrative interactive multimedia guidance system 100, in accordance with the present invention, is shown in FIG. Multimedia, such as television programming and digital music, may be provided from programming sources 102 to television distribution facilities, such as distribution facilities 104, using communications path (link) 106. Communications path 106 may be a satellite path, a fiber optic path, a cable path, or any other suitable wired or wireless communications path, or a combination of such paths.

Programming sources 102 may be any suitable television and music programming sources, such as television networks (eg, NBC, ABC, and HBO) or other television or music production studios. Programming sources 102 may provide television programming in various high definition and standard definition formats, such as, for example, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i, and any other suitable format.

Distribution facility 104 may be a cable system headend, a satellite television distribution facility, a television network, or any other facility suitable for the distribution of video multimedia (eg, television programs, video programs). on demand and video clips), audio media (for example, music programming and music clips), and other media (for example, web pages and interactive applications) to users. There are typically numerous television distribution facilities 104 in system 100, but only one is shown in Figure 1 to avoid over-complicating the drawing.

Distribution facility 104 may be connected to various user equipment devices 108, 110, 112, and 152. Such user equipment devices may be located, for example, in users' homes. User equipment devices may include television equipment 110, user computer equipment 112, a wireless communications device (WCD) 152, or any other type of user equipment suitable for accessing multimedia (for example, , TV and music schedules, web pages, etc.) or interactive multimedia guide application features. The user equipment 108 can be any type of user equipment (for example, user television equipment, user computer equipment, WCD equipment, etc.), and for simplicity, user equipment devices may be referred to generally as user equipment. as user equipment 108. The distribution facility 104 may also be connected to several home networks 113. Said home networks 113 may be located, for example, in user homes or distributed, for example, between user homes. Each of the home networks 113 may include a number of interconnected user equipment devices, such as, for example, user equipment devices 108, 110, and 112.

User equipment devices 108, 110, and 112 may receive multimedia (such as television, music, web pages, etc.) and other data from distribution facility 104 over communications paths, such as communications paths 114, 116 and 118, respectively. User equipment devices 108, 110, and 112 may also transmit signals to distribution facility 104 over paths 114, 116, and 118, respectively. Paths 114, 116, and 118 may be cable or other wired connections, free space connections (eg, for broadcast or other wireless signals), satellite connections, or any other suitable connection or combination of connections.

Similarly, home network 113 may receive television and music programming and other data from distribution facility 104 over communications paths, such as communications path 119. User equipment located in home network 113 may access received television and music programming and other data from distribution facility 104. Home network 113 may also transmit signals to distribution facility 104 over path 119. The transmitted signals may originate from user equipment located in home network 113. Path 119 may be directly connected to one of the user equipment devices located in home network 113 (for example, a server or primary user equipment device) or to any number of user equipment devices. users located in the home network 113. The path 119 may consist of cables or other wired connections, connections in free space (for example, for broadcast or other wireless signals), satellite connections, or any other suitable connection or combination of connections.

The data source 120 of the system 100 may include a program listings database that is used to provide the user with information related to television programs, such as scheduled broadcast times, titles, channels, ratings information (for example, parental ratings and critic ratings), detailed title descriptions, genre or category information (for example, sports, news, movies, etc.), program format (for example, standard definition, high definition), and actor information and actresses Data source 120 may also be used to provide advertisements (eg, program guide advertisements and advertisements for other interactive television applications), real-time data such as sports scores, stock quotes, news data, and weather data, application data for one or more multimedia guide applications or other interactive applications, and any other data suitable for use by system 100. As another example, data source 120 may provide data indicating the types of information that could be included in interactive multimedia guide overlays (for example, at the user's request, modification in the absence of the user, etc.).

Multiple data sources (such as data source 120) may exist in system 100, although only one data source is shown in FIG. 1 to avoid over-complicating the drawing. For example, a separate data source may be associated with each of a series of television networks and may provide data that is specific to those networks (for example, advertisements for future network programming, logo data for displaying logos of channels on program guide display screens, etc.). The data source 120 and any other components of the system of Figure 1 may be provided using equipment at one or more locations. The system components are drawn as simple boxes in Figure 1 to avoid over-complicating the drawings.

In some embodiments of the present invention, data source 120 may provide data to distribution facility 104 over communications path 122 for distribution to associated user equipment and home network over paths 114, 116, 118, and 119. (eg, when the data source 120 is located in a main facility). Communications path 122 may be any suitable communications path, such as a satellite or other wireless communications path, a fiber optic or other wired communications path, a path that supports Internet communications, or any other suitable path. or combination of these routes.

In some embodiments of the present invention, data source 120 may provide data directly to user equipment 108 over path 124, communications network 126, and path 128 (for example, when data source 120 is located in a installation, such as one of the programming sources 102). In some embodiments of the present invention, data source 120 may provide data directly to user equipment located on home network 113 over path 124, communications network 126, and path 139 (for example, when data source 120 is located in a facility, such as one of the programming sources 102). Paths 124, 128, and 139 may be wireline paths such as telephone lines, cable paths, fiber optic paths, satellite paths, wireless paths, or any other suitable paths, or a combination of such paths. Communications network 126 may be any suitable communications network, such as the Internet, the public switched telephone network, or a packet-based network.

A multimedia guide application may be provided to user equipment, including user equipment located in home network 113, using any suitable approach. For example, schedule data and other data may be provided to user equipment over a television channel sideband, in the vertical blanking interval of a television channel, using an in-band digital signal, using an out-of-band digital signal or by any other suitable data transmission technique. Schedule data and other data may be provided to user equipment on multiple analog or digital television channels. The schedule data and other data may be provided to the user equipment at any suitable frequency (eg, continuously, daily, in response to a request from the user equipment, etc.).

User equipment devices, including user equipment devices located in the home network 113, such as the user's television equipment and personal computers, may use the programming data and other application data of the interactive multimedia guide to present program listings and other information (eg, digital music information) to the user. An interactive television program guide application or other suitable interactive multimedia guide application may be used to present the information on the user's screen (for example, in one or more overlays that are displayed on top of the video for a given TV channel). Interactive screens may be generated and presented to the user using any suitable approach. In one suitable approach, distribution facility 104, or another facility, may generate application display screens and may transmit the display screens to user equipment for display.

In another suitable approach, the user equipment may store data for use in one or more interactive displays (eg, schedule data, advertisements, logos, etc.), and an interactive multimedia guide application implemented, at least partially, the user equipment may generate the interactive screens based on instructions received from the distribution facility 104 or other facility. In some disclosed embodiments, the user equipment may store only the data that is used to generate interactive television screens (for example, store logo data for a particular television network if the logo is to be included on one or more interactive television screens). ). In some disclosed embodiments, the user equipment may store data that is not necessarily used to generate the interactive television screens (for example, by storing advertisements associated with a particular television network that may or may not be displayed depending, for example, on the result of negotiations with said television channel). can be used any suitable approach, or combination of approaches, to generate and present interactive overlays to the user.

An online interactive media guide application, such as an online interactive television program guide, and other interactive media guide services may be provided using a server connected to communication network 126, such as server 130. Server 130 may receive schedule data and other data from data source 120 via communications path 124, communications network 126, and communications path 132, or via any other suitable path or combination of paths. Path 132 may be a satellite path, a fiber optic path, a wireline path, or any other path or combination of paths.

User equipment 108 may access the online interactive multimedia guide application and other sources from server 130 via communications path 128. User equipment 108 may also access the application and other services received 130 via communication path 114, distribution facility 104, and telecommunications path 134. For example, a cable modem or other suitable equipment may be used by user equipment 108 to communicate with distribution facility 104. distribution 104 may communicate with communications network 126 over any path 134, such as a wireline path, a cable path, a fiber optic path, a satellite path, or a combination of such paths.

User equipment, such as user television equipment 110, user computer equipment 112, and user equipment located on home network 113, may access the online interactive multimedia guide application and server 130 using proprietary arrangements. Similar. The user's television equipment 110 may access the online interactive multimedia guide application and server 130 using communications path 136 or using path 116, distribution facility 104, and path 134. The user's computing equipment 112 can access the online interactive multimedia guide application and server 130 using communications path 138 or using path 118, distribution facility 104, and path 134. User equipment located on home network 113 can access the online media guide application and server 130 using communications path 139 or using path 119, distribution facility 104, and path 134. Paths 136, 138, and 139 may be any suitable paths, such as wired paths, cable paths, fiber optic paths, wireless paths, satellite paths, or a combination of the journeys

Interactive multimedia guide functions and functions of other interactive applications may be supported using server 130 and other servers connected to communications network 126, such as server 140. Interactive applications may also be supported by servers or other equipment. appropriate, at one or more service providers, such as service provider 142. For example, an interactive application, such as a teleshopping service, may be supported by a service provider, such as service provider 142, that has sales representatives, order processing facilities, account maintenance facilities, and other equipment to support interactive teleshopping features. A teleshopping application that is implemented using the user's equipment may be used to access the service provider in order to provide said features to the user. User equipment may access service provider 142 through distribution facility 104 and communications path 144, or through communications network 126 and communications path 146. Communications paths, such as communication paths 144 and 146, may be any suitable paths, such as wireline paths, cable paths, fiber optic paths, satellite paths, or a combination of such paths.

Another example of an interactive application is a home banking application. A home banking service may be supported using facility personnel such as service provider 142. An interactive home banking application that is implemented using user equipment may access the home banking service through distribution facility 104. and communications path 144, or via communications network 126 and communications path 146.

If desired, an interactive media guide application, such as a network-based video recorder or video-on-demand application, may be supported using server 140, server 130, or equipment at service provider 142. Video-on-demand content and video recorded using a network-based video recorder arrangement may be stored at server 140 or server 130, or at service provider 142, and may be provided to user equipment when needed. requested by users. An interactive television program guide, for example, may be used to support the functions of a digital video recorder (sometimes called a personal video recorder) that is implemented using user equipment 108. Illustrative equipment that may be used to supporting digital video recorder functions, includes specialized digital video recorder devices, integrated receiver decoders (IRDs), decoders with integrated or external hard drives, or personal computers with video recording capabilities.

If desired, interactive applications such as multimedia guide applications (for example, interactive television program guide applications and video-on-demand applications), home shopping applications, home banking applications, gaming applications and other applications (for example, applications related to email and chat, or other functions communications, etc.), as stand-alone applications that are accessed through the navigation interface application (ie, a menu application with menu options corresponding to the applications). The features of these applications can be combined. For example, games, video-on-demand services, teleshopping services, network-based video recorder functions, digital video recorder functions, navigation functions, program guide functions, communications functions and other suitable functions may be provided. , using an app, or any other suitable number of apps. Such one or more applications may present various overlays on the user equipment including, for example, interactive television information on top of the video for a given television channel.

Interactive television program guide applications, home banking applications, home shopping applications, network-based video recorder and digital video recorder applications, video on demand applications, gaming applications, communications applications and navigation applications are just a few illustrative examples of the types of interactive multimedia guidance and other applications that may be supported by system 100. Other suitable interactive applications that may be supported include news services, web browsing, and other Internet services. , and interactive betting services (for example, to bet on horse racing, sporting events and the like). The interactive television overlays displayed by these applications may also be personalized in accordance with the present invention.

Interactive applications used in interactive multimedia guidance system 100 may be implemented locally on user equipment. These applications can also be implemented in a distributed manner (for example, using a client-server architecture in which the user equipment serves as a client, at least partially and for at least part of the time, and a server, such as the server 140 at distribution facility 104, server 130 or other suitable equipment acts as the server). Other distributed architectures may also be used if desired. In addition, some or all of the interactive application features of system 100 may be provided using operating system software or middleware. Such operating system software and intermediate software may be used instead of, or in combination with, application level software. Regardless of the particular arrangement used to implement interactive features related to, for example, program guides, home shopping, home banking, video on demand, internet and communications, the software that supports these features may be referred to as an application or multiple applications. . Interactive multimedia guidance system 100 also includes an exchange 150 that is connected to communications network 126 via communications link 148. The operation of exchange 150 is described in greater detail below.

Illustrative user television equipment 110 (FIG. 1) is shown in FIG. 2, which is based on a set-top box arrangement. The user television equipment 110 can be independent or part of the home network 113 (FIG. 1). Input/output 202 may be connected to communications paths, such as paths 116 and 136 (FIG. 1). The input/output functions may be provided by one or more communications paths or cables, but are shown as a single path in Figure 2 to avoid over-complicating the drawing. Television schedules, program guide data, and any other suitable interactive media guide application or other data may be received using input/output 202. Commands and requests may also be transmitted over input/output 202. and other data generated as a result of user interactions with the interactive multimedia guide application.

Set-top box 204 may be any suitable analog or digital set-top box (eg, a cable set-top box). Set-top box 204 may contain an analog tuner for tuning to a desired analog television channel (eg, a channel comprising television programming, interactive forecast data, or both). Set-top box 204 may also contain digital decoding circuitry for receiving digital television channels (eg, channels comprising television or music programming, interactive television data, etc.). Set-top box 204 may also contain a high definition television tuner for receiving and processing high definition television channels. Analogue, digital and high definition television channels can be managed together, if desired. Multiple tuners may be provided (eg to handle simultaneous display and recording functions or picture-in-picture (PIP) functions). Box 204 may be an integrated receiver decoder (IRD) that handles satellite television. If desired, box 204 may have circuitry to handle cable, wireless broadcast, and satellite content.

Set-top box 204 may be configured to deliver multimedia, such as television programs, in a preferred format. Because television programs may be received in a variety of formats, decoder 204 may contain scaler circuitry for upconverting and downconverting television programs to the preferred output format used by decoder 204. For example, decoder 204 may be configured to broadcast television programs in 720p. In this example, the scaler circuitry can upconvert standard definition television programs that have 480 lines of vertical resolution, to the 720p format, and downconvert certain high definition television programs. which have 1080 lines of vertical resolution at 720p format.

Enclosure 204 may include a storage device (eg, a digital storage device, such as a hard drive) to provide recording capabilities. Box 204 may also be connected to a recording device 206, such as a video tape recorder, digital video recorder, optical disc recorder, or other device(s) with storage capabilities. In some disclosed embodiments, box 204 may be configured to record either standard definition television programs or high definition television programs. In some disclosed embodiments, box 204 may be configured to record standard definition television programs as well as high definition television programs.

Set-top box 204 contains a processor (eg, a microcontroller or microprocessor or the like) that is used to run software applications. Set-top box 204 may contain memory such as random access memory for use in running applications. Non-volatile memory can also be used (for example, to launch a bootstrap routine and other instructions). Hard drive storage in enclosure 204 or recording device 206 can be used to back up data and to otherwise support larger database and storage requirements than can be supported using random access memory approaches. Hard disk storage in enclosure 204 or recording device 206 may also be used to store and back up saved user preferences or program guide settings.

Set-top box 204 may have infrared (IR) or other communications circuitry for communicating with a remote control or wireless keyboard. Set-top box 204 may also have dedicated buttons and a front display. The cable box display can be used, for example, to show the current channel the cable box is tuned to.

Set-top box 204 may also have communications circuitry such as a cable modem, an ISDN modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a telephone modem or a wireless modem for communications with other equipment. Such communications may involve the Internet or any other suitable communications paths or networks. If desired, the components of set-top box 204 may be integrated into other user equipment (eg, a television or video tape recorder).

Recording device 206 may be used to record video provided by set-top box 204. For example, if set-top box 204 is tuned to a given television channel, the video signal for that television channel may be transferred to recording device 206 for recording. a videotape, compact disc, digital video disc, internal hard drive, or other storage device. In some disclosed embodiments, recording device 206 may be configured to record either standard definition television programs or high definition television programs. In some disclosed embodiments, recording device 206 may be configured to record both standard definition television programs and high definition television programs. Recording device 206 may have communications circuitry such as a cable modem, or ISDN modem, a DSL modem, or a telephone modem for communications with other equipment. Such communications may involve the Internet or any other suitable communications paths or networks. The components of recording device 206 may be integrated into other user equipment (eg, television, stereo, etc.).

Recording device 206 may be controlled using a remote control or other suitable user interface. If desired, video recorder functions such as start, stop, record, and other functions for device 206 may be controlled by decoder 204. For example, decoder 204 may control recording device 206 using infrared commands directed toward remote control inputs from the recording device 206, or the decoder 204 may control the recording device 206 using other wired or wireless communications paths between the box 204 and the device 206.

The output of recording device 206 may be provided to television 208 for display to the user. In some disclosed embodiments, the television 208 may have the ability to display programming in high definition (i.e., HDTV capability). If desired, multiple recording devices 206 or no recording device 206 may be used. If the recording device 206 is not present or not actively being used, the video signals from decoder 204 may be provided directly to television 208. Any suitable television or monitor may be used to display the video. For example, if the video is in high-definition format, an HDTV-capable television or monitor is required to view the video. In the equipment of FIG. 2 and in other equipment of the system 100 (FIG. 1), the audio associated with the various video elements is usually distributed with said video elements and is generally played to the user when said videos are played. In some disclosed embodiments, the audio may be distributed to a receiver (not shown), which processes and outputs the audio through external speakers (not shown).

Another illustrative embodiment of user television equipment 110 (FIG. 1) is shown in FIG. 3 . The user television equipment 110 can be independent or part of the home network 113 (FIG. 1). In the example of Figure 3, user television equipment 110 includes a recording device 302 such as a digital video recorder (eg, a digital video recorder (DVR)) that uses a hard drive or other storage to record a video. Alternatively, recording device 302 may be a digital video disc recorder, compact disc recorder, video tape recorder, or other suitable recording device. The equipment 110 of FIG. 3 may also include a television 304. In some disclosed embodiments, the television 304 may be HDTV capable. Input/output 306 may be connected to communications paths, such as paths 116 and 136 (FIG. 1). Television programming, schedule data, and other data (for example, advertisement data, data indicating one or more television channels for which an overlay is to be customized for display, etc.) can be received using input/output 306. Commands and requests and other data from the user may be transmitted over input/output 306.

Recording device 302 may contain at least one analog tuner for tuning to a desired analog television channel (e.g., to display video for a given television channel for a user, to receive program guide data and other data). ) and many other tuners can be arranged as well. Recording device 302 may also contain digital decoding circuitry for receiving digital television programming, music programming, program guide data, and other data on one or more digital channels. Recording device 302 may also contain circuitry for receiving high definition television channels. If desired, recording device 302 may contain circuitry to handle analog, digital, and high definition channels. Recording device 302 also contains a processor (eg, a microcontroller or microprocessor, or the like) that is used to run software applications. Recording device 302 may contain memory such as random access memory for use during application execution. Non-volatile memory can also be used to store a startup routine or other instructions. The hard drive and other storage on recording device 302 may be used to support databases (eg, program guide databases or other interactive television application databases). The hard drive or other storage on recording device 302 may also be used to record video such as television programs or video-on-demand content, or other content provided to recording device 302 over input/output 306.

Recording device 302 may have IR communications circuitry or other communications circuitry suitable for communicating with a remote control. Recording device 302 may also have dedicated buttons and a front display. The front display can be used, for example, to present the current channel to which the recording device is tuned.

Recording device 302 may also have communications circuitry such as a cable modem, ISDN modem, DSL modem, telephone modem, or wireless modem for communications with other equipment. Such communications may involve the Internet or other suitable communications paths or networks.

If desired, recording device 302 may include a satellite receiver or other equipment having wireless communications circuitry to receive signals from satellites.

Recording device 302 of FIG. 3 or recording device 206 of FIG. 2 may record new video while previously recorded video is playing on television 304 or 208 . This allows users to press a pause button during normal television viewing. When the pause button is pressed, the current television program is stored on the hard disk of the digital video recorder 302. When the user presses play, the recorded video can be played. This arrangement allows the user to seamlessly pause and resume television viewing. Recording devices 302 and 206 may also be used to allow a user to view a previously recorded program while simultaneously recording a new program. The wireless communications device (WCD) 152 may allow a subscriber and/or user of multimedia content to control the delivery of the multimedia content to the user equipment through a wireless interface and/or a wireless network. The WCD 152 may function as a remote control 400 (FIG. 4) for one or more user equipment devices 108, user television equipment devices 110, user computing devices 112, or any other user multimedia device. In certain embodiments, WCD 152, which functions as remote control 400, includes a display, while in other embodiments, WCD 152 does not include a display.

The decoder arrangement of Figure 2 and the digital video recorder with a built-in decoder arrangement of Figure 3 are merely illustrative. Other arrangements may be used if desired. For example, the user's television equipment may be based on a WebTV box, a personal computer television (PC/TV), or any other suitable arrangement of television equipment. If desired, the functions of components such as set-top box 204, recording device 302, WebTV box or PC/TV or the like may be integrated into a television or personal computer, or other suitable device.

An illustrative remote control 400 is shown in Figure 4 for operating the user's television equipment 110. (FIG. 1) or other user hardware 112. Remote control 400 is illustrative only, and any other suitable user input interface may be used to operate the user hardware (for example, a mouse, scroll wheel, mouse, etc.). numeric keypad, a keyboard, a touch screen, a voice recognition system, etc.). Remote control 400 may have function buttons 402 and other buttons 404 such as keypad buttons, power on/off buttons, pause, stop, fast forward and back buttons. Volume up and down buttons 406 can be used to adjust the volume of the audio portion of a video. Channel up and down buttons 408 may be used to change television channels and to access content on virtual channels. Cursor buttons 410 can be used to navigate through on-screen menus. For example, cursor buttons 410 may be used to position an on-screen cursor, indicator, or highlight (all sometimes referred to generically herein as a highlight or highlight) to indicate interest in a particular option or other item. on a display screen displayed by the interactive television application.

In one embodiment, remote controller 400 includes and/or drives the functionality of a WCD 152. OK button 412 (sometimes referred to as a select or accept button) may be used to select on-screen options that have been highlighted by the user.

Buttons 402 may include Record button 414 to initiate recordings. Menu button 416 may be used to command an interactive multimedia guide application to display a menu on the user's display screen (eg, on television 208 or 304, or on a suitable monitor or computer screen). Info button 418 may be used to command an interactive multimedia guide application to display an information display screen. For example, when a user presses Info button 418 while the user is being presented with video from a given television channel, an interactive television program guide may display a Toggle/Browse overlay that includes schedule information for the program. current on the given TV channel, at the top of the video. As another example, when a particular program listing item is highlighted on an interactive television program listings display screen, by pressing Info button 418 the user can cause the interactive television program guide to provide additional associated program information. with said program listing element (eg, a program description, cast information, schedule information, etc.).

Lock button 420 can be used to modify access privileges. For example, a parent may use the Lock button 420 or on-screen options to set parental control settings for the interactive multimedia guide application. Parental control settings may be time-based settings (for example, to prevent a child from watching television during a particular time block, such as from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM). Parental control settings can also be used, for example, to block programming based on rating, channel, and program title. Typically, a blocked program (or other media) is not viewable until the interactive media guide receives an appropriate personal identification number (PIN). Once this PIN is entered, the interactive media guide application will unlock from the user equipment and allow access to the locked content.

Exit button 422 may be used to exit the interactive media guide application or to exit a portion of the interactive media guide application (for example, to cause an interactive television program guide to remove from the screen viewing a Browse, Navigate, or other interactive television overlay). Guide button 424 may be used to invoke an interactive television program guide (eg, a program guide menu screen, program listings screen, or other program guide screen).

The buttons shown in figure 4 are merely illustrative. If desired, other buttons or keys may be provided. For example, a music button can be used to access music with the interactive multimedia guide application. An edit button can be used to edit stored content (eg to remove ads, remove parts of a video, etc.). Alphanumeric buttons can be used to enter alphanumeric characters. A last or back button may be used to navigate backwards in the interactive media guide application (eg, to return to a previous channel, web page, or other display screen). Video recorder function buttons, such as the play button, pause button, stop button, rewind button, fast forward button, and record button, can be used to control video recorder functions (local or network-based). ) in system 100 (figure 1). A help button may be used to invoke help functions, such as context sensitive online help functions.

Illustrative user computing equipment 112 (FIG. 1) is shown in FIG. The user's computer equipment 112 can be independent or part of the home network 113 (FIG. 1). In the arrangement of FIG. 5, the personal computer unit 502 may be controlled by the user through the use of the keyboard 504 and/or other suitable user input device, such as a scroll wheel, mouse, keyboard. a touch screen, a voice recognition system, or a remote control, such as the remote control 400 of FIG. 4. Video content, such as television programming and guide application display screens interactive multimedia, may be displayed on monitor 506. Television and music programming, multimedia guide application data (eg, television program guide data), may be received. video-on-demand content, video recordings played from a network-based video recorder, and other data, from paths 118 and 138 (FIG. 1) using input/output 508. May also be transmitted over input/output 508 user commands and other information generated as a result of user interactions with the interactive multimedia guide application and system 100 (FIG. 1).

Personal computer unit 502 may contain a television or video card, such as a television tuner card, for decoding analog, digital, and high definition television channels and for handling streaming video content. Multiple video cards (eg tuner cards) may be provided if desired. An exemplary television tuner card that may be used may contain an analog television tuner for tuning to a given analog channel, digital decoding circuitry for filtering a desired digital television or music channel from a packetized digital data stream, and /or an HDTV tuner to tune to an HDTV channel. Any suitable components or cards in computer unit 502 may be used to handle video and other content delivered via input/output line 508, if desired.

Personal computer unit 502 may contain one or more processors (eg, microprocessors) that are used to run the interactive media guide application or a portion of the interactive media guide application.

A personal computer drive 502 may include a hard drive, recordable DVD drive, recordable CD drive, or other suitable storage device or devices that store video, program guide data, and other content. The interactive media guide application and personal computer unit 502 may use one or more storage devices, for example, to provide the functions of a personal video recorder.

User equipment, such as user equipment 108, user television equipment 110, user computer equipment 112, and user equipment located in home network 113 (FIG. 1), may be used with network equipment such as server 130, server 140, and service provider equipment, such as service provider 142 of FIG. 1, to provide network-based video recording functions. Video recording functions may be provided by storing copies of television programs and other video content on a remote server (for example, server 130 or server 140) or other network-based equipment, such as equipment at the service provider, such as the service provider 142.

Video recordings may be made in response to user commands that are entered into user equipment 108 or user equipment located on home network 113 (FIG. 1). In a digital video recorder arrangement, the interactive media guide application may be used to record video locally on user equipment, in response to user commands. In a network-based video recorder arrangement, the interactive media guide application may be used to record video or to make virtual recordings (described below) on network equipment, such as server 130, server 140, or network equipment. the service provider 142, in response to the user's commands. User commands may be provided to network equipment over the communication paths shown in Figure 1. The digital video recorder arrangement and the network-based video recorder arrangement may support functions such as fast-forward, reverse, pause, play and record.

To avoid unnecessary duplication in a network-based video recorder environment, system 100 may provide network-based video recording capabilities through the use of virtual recordings or copies. With this approach, each user can be provided with a personal area on the network, which contains a list of that user's recordings. It is only necessary to store the video content once (or a relatively small number of times) on the network equipment, even though a large number of users may have such video content listed as one of their recordings in their personal recorder area. network-based video. Personal settings or any other suitable data may be stored in a user's personal area on the network.

The user television equipment and user computer equipment arrangements described above are merely illustrative. A more generalized embodiment of illustrative user equipment 108, 110 and 112 (FIG. 1) and home network located user equipment 113 (FIG. 1) is shown in FIG. Control circuitry 602 is connected to input/output 604. Input/output 604 may be connected to one or more communications paths, such as paths 114, 116, 118, 128, 136, and 138 in Figure 1. Multimedia (eg, television programming, music programming, and web pages) may be received via input/output 604 (eg, programming sources 102, servers or other equipment, such as server 130, service providers service such as service provider 142, distribution facility 104, etc.). Interactive multimedia guide application data, such as schedule information for an interactive television program guide, may be received from data source 120 via input/output 604. Input/output 604 may also be used to receive data from data source 120 for other interactive television applications. The user may use control circuitry 602 to send and receive commands, requests, and other appropriate data using input/output 604.

The control circuits 602 may be based on any suitable processing circuits 606, such as processing circuits based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, and the like. In some disclosed embodiments, control circuitry 602 executes instructions for an interactive media guide application or other interactive application (eg, web browser) from memory. Memory (for example, random access memory and read-only memory), hard disks, optical disks, or any other suitable memory or storage devices may be provided, such as storage 608 that forms part of control circuitry 602. May include also as part of circuits 602, tuning circuits such as one or more analog tuners, one or more MPEG-2 decoders or other digital video circuits, high-definition tuners, or any other suitable video or tuning circuits, or combinations of these these circuits. Encoding circuits may also be provided (eg to transform analog or digital wireless signals to MPEG signals for storage). Tuning and encoding circuitry may be used by user equipment to receive and display, play or record a particular television or music channel or other desired audio and video content (for example, video-on-demand content or a network-based or local video recorder requested playback). Television and other video programming, and on-screen options and information may be displayed on screen 610. Display 610 may be a monitor, television, or any other equipment suitable for displaying visual images. In some disclosed embodiments, display 610 may be HDTV capable. Speakers 612 may be provided as part of a television or may be separate units. Digital music and the audio component of videos displayed on screen 610 may be played through speakers 612. In some disclosed embodiments, the audio may be distributed to a receiver (not shown), which processes and outputs the audio via the 612 speakers.

A user may control control circuitry 602 using user input interface 614. User input interface 614 may be any suitable user interface, such as a mouse, scroll wheel, keypad, keyboard, etc. a touch screen, a touch keyboard, a voice recognition interface or a remote control. The generalized description of the computing system depicted in Figure 6 is an example of any general purpose computing system. To the extent that other elements of the multimedia guidance system 100 use a computer system, the computer system components of FIG. 6 can be considered examples of computer and/or communications system components used, for example, by the central exchange 150, server 130, server 140, distribution facility 104, data source 120, and similar information servers.

Referring to Figure 1, in one embodiment, interactive media guidance system 100 includes at least one media content source. The media source may include, but is not limited to, data source 120, programming sources 102, service provider 142, and server 130. Each media source may be configured to store certain media content. The multimedia content may include a multimedia program, a multimedia program listing, multimedia schedule, multimedia content metadata, a user equipment device application and/or a user equipment device application update. Media content metadata includes any data related to and/or descriptive of the media content. For example, Media Content may include user comments, ratings, and/or recommendations related to certain Media Content. The metadata may include information that identifies certain segments of media content that enables an IPG and/or a user to select certain portions of a media program for viewing and/or recording. Metadata may include, but is not limited to, configuration, access control, copy control, and/or parental control information.

In certain disclosed embodiments, interactive multimedia guidance system 100 includes a user equipment device such as, for example, user equipment 108, user television equipment 110, and user computer equipment 112. In one embodiment disclosed, the user equipment 108 is configured to send a multimedia control message to a destination such as, for example, the exchange server 150, the server 130 and/or the distribution facility 104. The user equipment 108 is also capable, for example, of receiving media content from a distribution facility 104.

In one disclosed embodiment, interactive multimedia guidance system 100 includes at least one distribution facility 104 of a series of distribution facilities 104. In certain disclosed embodiments, distribution facility 104 is configured to receive a control message from media from exchange 150. In response to the media control message, distribution facility 104 retrieves requested and/or ordered media content from at least one media content source such as data source 120, provider service 142, server 130, and/or programming source 102. Once the media content, for example, a movie, is retrieved, the distribution facility may send the media content to at least one computer device. user 108.

In one embodiment, a hub 150 is capable of communications with at least one of media content sources 120, 142, 102, and 130 and at least one distribution facility 104. The hub may be configured and/or or capable of receiving a multimedia control message from the user equipment device 108. In certain embodiments, the exchange processes each multimedia control message. The processing may include, but is not limited to, transforming a multimedia control message from one information format to another information format. In certain embodiments, the exchange is configured and/or capable of sending a media control message to at least one distribution facility 104. The media control information may include, but is not limited to, a command for a multimedia program subscription, a multimedia program listing, a multimedia schedule, a user equipment device application, multimedia content metadata and/or a user equipment device application update.

In a disclosed embodiment, the information format of a message includes the message structure, organization, protocol, connection state (eg, connection-oriented or connectionless), encoding, ISO layer location, and/or usage, header content and characteristics of similar messages. For example, a format may include a markup language, such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XML) and/or Wireless Markup Language (WML). The information format may include, but is not limited to, an Internet Protocol (IP) packet, an electronic mail (e-mail) message, a flat file, a data file, an instant message, a stream connection-oriented data and/or a circuit-switched information connection.

In one embodiment, the exchange 150 includes a computer system running a web server application capable of communications with any of a number of servers connected to the communications network 126. The exchange 150, such as other web servers network communications, includes at least one transceiver to support inbound and outbound communication, for example, such as input/output 604 of FIG. 6. In certain embodiments, exchange 150 includes the components of a computer system of general purpose, such as the computer system shown in Figure 6 relating to user equipment devices 108, 110 and 112.

Figure 7 is a functional block diagram showing various applications within an exchange 150, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The exchange server 150 includes the IPG application 700, the web server application 702, the distribution service application 704 and other applications 706. The exchange server also includes, but is not limited to, the database database 708, application database 710, MSO provider database 712, and media content database 714. Media content database 714 may include, for example, media programs and/or metadata of media content.

The IPG 700 application may allow users to remotely access television program listings in different display formats. For example, a user may wish to view a grid of program listings arranged in a channel-ordered list. Alternatively, the user may wish to view program listings organized by time, by theme (movies, sports, etc.), or by title (ie, sorted alphabetically). Since the exchange 150 provides a back-channel communications link via a communications network 126 that enables two-way communications between a user equipment device 108 and the MSO network's distribution facility 104, users can interactively select for viewing or recording "video on demand" (VOD) and "pay per view" (PPV) multimedia content directly with the IPG 700 using its remote control unit or input device.

In one embodiment, exchange 150 includes a web site and/or web server application 702 accessible publicly and/or over the Internet. Exchange 150 may be located remotely from other servers and distribution facilities 104. Exchange 150 may be operated and/or controlled by a third party other than an MSO network provider and media user. .

Figure 8 includes an exemplary view 800 of the display of information provided to a user equipment device 108 by the IPG 700 of an exchange 150, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

In one embodiment, exchange 150 includes a web server application 702. Web server application 702 may include, for example, some or all of the capabilities of IPG application 700. To access the web server application 702, a user equipment device 108 may include a web browser application. Exchange 150 may include a distribution server application 704 capable of distributing multimedia content or multimedia applications to user equipment devices 108 and/or other information servers such as server 120, service provider 142, source database 120, programming source 102, server 140, and/or distribution facilities 104.

For example, during an initial registration of a UE device 108 with the exchange 150, the exchange 150 may determine that the UE device 108 requires a particular IPG application, the IPG interface for IPG 700. , or some other application to allow the user equipment device 108 sending a control message and/or receiving media content from a distribution facility 104 or other media content source. Therefore, the exchange 150 may download the application and/or make the application available for download to the user equipment device 108. In certain embodiments, other applications 706 may perform validation, authorization, authentication, and authentication processes. others, from the central exchange server 150.

In one embodiment, exchange 150 is capable of determining which of a number of distribution facilities 104 to send the multimedia control message to. The exchange 150 may determine the destination distribution facility 104 by examining the location information of the user equipment device that originated the media control message and/or the information of the destination of the media control message.

The exchange 150 may validate, authorize and/or authenticate the identity of a user equipment device 108. The IPG application 700 and/or another application 706 may perform the validation, authorization and/or authentication processes. In a disclosed embodiment, exchange 150 includes a subscriber database 708 having a list of authorized user equipment devices 108 and associated identifiers. The exchange 150 may compare a user equipment device identifier 108 included in the media control message with the list in the subscriber database 708 in order to determine if the media control message from the device UE 108 should continue to be processed or be discarded. The multimedia control message may include an MSO network identifier that can be compared to a list of MSO network identifiers in database 712.

The media control message may include a user password, access key, cryptographic checksum, and/or message authentication code (cryptographic MAC) that allows exchange 150 to authenticate the media control message. , the user equipment device 108 and/or the user. Other subscriber-related information may be used to authorize further processing of a multimedia control message. In one embodiment, exchange 150 determines whether certain user equipment devices 108 are authorized to send media control messages by examining location information associated with a media control message such as, but not limited to, the IP address, media access control (MAC) address, user equipment device serial number, a subscription identifier of the user, and any other similar device 108 and/or user identifier.

Figure 9 is a conceptual block diagram of an interactive multimedia guidance system 800 including an exchange 150 that facilitates the exchange of multimedia control messages and multimedia content between user equipment devices 108 and distribution facilities 104. , according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Another problem with current multimedia guidance systems is that an MSO network provider's distribution facilities 104 may interpret and/or use multimedia control messages that have a different information format than the information format interpreted and/or used. by the distribution facilities 104 of another MSO network provider. In certain embodiments, the functionality of exchange 150 may be embedded in a distribution facility 104. In other embodiments, exchange 150 may not be necessary for the exchange of media control messages and media content between media devices. user equipment 108 and distribution facilities 104.

Figure 9 includes multiple user equipment devices 108a, 108b, and 108c and so on, along with multiple distribution facilities 104a, 104b and 104c and so on. Each user equipment device 104 may be associated with a particular MSO network provider. Each distribution facility 104 may be associated with a particular MSO network provider. In one embodiment, exchange 150 exchanges data and/or information between user equipment devices 108 and distribution facilities 104. The data and/or information may be included, but not limited to, in a message. multimedia control, in multimedia content, in a network communications connection and/or in another information exchange mechanism through the communication network 126. In one embodiment, the exchange 150 converts the data and/or the information exchanged between a user equipment device 108 and a distribution facility 104, to the information format required by the destination user equipment device 108 and/or the distribution facility 108.

In certain embodiments, exchange 150 is capable of interpreting and/or generating multimedia control messages in any of a number of information formats. In one embodiment, exchange 150 transforms at least a portion of a multimedia control message from a first information format to a second information format corresponding to a selected destination distribution facility 104 and/or can be interpreted by it. Therefore, exchange 150, in certain embodiments, advantageously enables a standard user equipment device 108 to communicate with any distribution facility 104, regardless of the information format required by that particular distribution facility 104. The exchange 150, acting as an intermediary server, further establishes a return channel communications path from a standard user equipment device 108 to any distribution facility 104.

In certain disclosed embodiments, the multimedia guidance system may include at least one streaming server. information, such as server 130 and/or server 140. The media information server may act as an intermediary between the exchange 150 and a distribution facility 104. Thus, the media information server may be configured to receiving a media control message from the exchange 150 and then sending said media control message to a distribution facility 104.

Figure 10 is a flow diagram of a process 1000 for requesting media content information and/or services using a clearinghouse 150 within a media guidance system 100. First, certain media content, for example, music , movies, TV shows, is stored in one or more media content sources (step 1002). To purchase certain multimedia content, a user equipment device 108 sends a multimedia control message to the exchange 150 (step 1004). Upon receipt of the media control message (step 1006), the exchange 150 processes the media control message (step 1008). Once processed, the exchange 150 sends the multimedia control message to at least one distribution facility 104 of a series of distribution facilities 104 (step 1010). After receipt of the media control message at distribution facility 104 (step 1012), distribution facility 104 retrieves media content from one or more media content sources, for example, data source 120 and/or programming sources 102 (step 1014). Once retrieved, the distribution facility 104 sends the multimedia content to the user equipment device 108 (step 1016), after which the user equipment device 108 receives the multimedia content (step 1018). Figure 10 is illustrative of "signing up" for a program, but the media control message and/or media control information may also be for VCR-type commands, such as fast-forward, reverse, pause, slow motion and the like.

In certain embodiments, the exchange 150 may act as an agent or central repository of media information for one or more MSO network providers using the media content database 714. In one embodiment, the exchange 150 performs the same functions as an IPG, eg, at server 140, with respect to providing multimedia content listings and the ability for the user to designate certain programs for viewing and/or recording notifications. Hub 150 may maintain media content information locally and periodically interact with another media content source, such as data source 120, programming source 102, and/or service provider 142 to update its media content information. . The exchange 150 can send and receive email messages to interact with a user equipment device 108.

In other embodiments, to facilitate the distribution of multimedia content to a set-top box 108, the exchange 150 may act as an intermediary and relay messages between a set-top box 108 and a distribution facility 104. Alternatively, the exchange 150 may send a message to the distribution facility 104 to start the distribution of multimedia content at that specific time. Exchange 150 may have the ability to transform standard email or web-based message commands into multiple proprietary command formats for multiple distribution facilities 104. These commands may be included in a multimedia control message. Thus, in certain embodiments, exchange 150 allows users to use a standard application such as SMS messaging and/or web browsing, to control their distribution of multimedia content.

If an IPG application is not initially available within a UE device 108, the UE device 108 may be able to download the application from the exchange 150 via links 128 and 138, and communications network 126. IPG application 700, web server application 702, and/or other application 706 of exchange 150 may provide instructions regarding the download of an IPG application and/or other data to the communication device. user equipment 108.

Alternatively, distribution facility 104 may provide download instructions on a web server within server 140. For example, a wireless-enabled user equipment device 108 or WCD 152 may initiate the download of an IPG Brew® application. . The download instructions may be customized to specify the specific download code needed to obtain the appropriate IPG program for a particular exchange 150 and/or a particular distribution facility 104 .

In another embodiment, the exchange 150 includes a web server application 702 that provides the functionality of an IPG application 700, by presenting multimedia content information to the user through the web browser application within the user equipment device. 108. The web server display format 702 may be similar to the format used by an IPG within a user equipment device 108. Alternatively, the media content information may be formatted to take advantage of the media capabilities of a web page, based on in an HTML, XML, WML or similar markup language. Distribution application 704 may enable downloading of, for example, Java™ or Brew® applications, or some other application capable of being run on certain user equipment devices 108.

In one embodiment, a television set with an IPG, eg, a multimedia device, is purchased from a store. However, there may be many different cable and satellite providers, for example, multimedia content, which provide service across different geographic regions. It would be expensive and perhaps unfeasible to create an iPG that is capable of communicating with all cable and service providers. However, a solution to this problem includes providing a central and/or central exchange facility 150, eg, tvguide.com, with which the IPG application can communicate. The exchange 150 acts as a link between the multimedia device and a particular provider of cable or satellite service, which the end user has selected or has been assigned. The exchange 150 transforms user commands issued to the IPG in the multimedia device, and then sends them to the exchange 150 in a format that is understandable by the specific multimedia content source. The media content source may then control the distribution of the media content based on the user's command. Exchange 150 may be centrally located, for example, at tvguide.com, and provide a solution for enabling real-time VCR and VOD-type control of one-way multimedia broadcast systems, such as wireless, satellite, or unidirectional cable (mainly analog).

Figure 11 is a block diagram of a multimedia guidance system 1100 in which a user equipment device 108 establishes return channel communications with a distribution facility 104 using a wireless communications network 1102 and a host server. exchange 150, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the user equipment device 108 includes a wireless transceiver 1104. Therefore, the user equipment device 108 is able to communicate with the exchange 150 via the wireless communications network 1102 and the wireless communications network 126. In certain embodiments, the user equipment device 108 may use a wired connection to the communications network 126. The wired connection may be a wired back channel network, such as a local area network.

In operation, the user equipment device 108 establishes a channel and/or a data communications link with the wireless access network 1102 via an air interface 1106, to exchange information with the exchange server 150. The wireless network 1102 or backhaul wireless network may be, but is not limited to, a public land mobile network (PLMN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a personal area network (PAN), a wireless ad hoc network, and similar wireless networks. In one embodiment, the data channel and/or the return channel includes the air interface 1106, the wireless network 1102, and the communication network 126. Once a data channel has been established, the user equipment device 108 uses an internal IPG, a web browser, and/or another application, such as an email client, to exchange media content, media control messages, and/or media information with exchange 150. The email client may include, without limitation, Eudora®, Microsoft Outlook® and similar email clients. The email client can be used to compose email messages that include text information or short message service (SMS) messages.

In certain embodiments, the UE device 108 interfaces with the exchange 150, which eliminates the need for an IPG that supports multiple, possibly proprietary, command and/or message formats that may be required by different distribution facilities. 104. In turn, the exchange 150 relays information to and from different distribution facilities 104, by converting one or more generic multimedia control messages and/or common command formats, to an information format used by each facility of distribution of each provider of satellite and/or TV by cable.

Wireless network 1102 overcomes the limitations with current media distribution systems, such as satellite media systems, by allowing media guidance system 1100 to provide near real-time return channel communications from a media device and/or or user equipment device 108 to a distribution facility 104 of a satellite provider. Without such a return channel, a satellite provider has to rely on traditional PSTN telephone connections that can provide periodic return channel communications, but not in real time or near real time. Real-time or near real-time return channel communications provide true VOD features and VCR-like functionality to satellite and one-way cable services. In certain embodiments, wireless network 1102 may be an existing home wireless local area network using, for example, an 802.11b WiFi access point that a user equipment device may automatically detect and connect to.

Figure 12 is a block diagram of a multimedia distribution system 1200 that uses a remote control device 400 to establish a second data channel that facilitates return channel communications from a user equipment device 1102 to a facility. distribution 104 of multimedia content, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, remote control device 400 includes the wireless communications capabilities of a WCD 152. In certain embodiments, remote control 400 includes a display. In other embodiments, remote controller 400 does not include a display. Remote controller 400 may establish a wireless data link with a user's multimedia device and/or user equipment device 1202a. The wireless data link may include any of an IR interface, a Bluetooth interface, an 802.11 interface, a WiFi interface, a wired LAN interface, or any similar wired or wireless interface. The remote control 400 may also establish a link with any of a public land mobile network PLMN 1212, a wireless access network 1210, a user equipment device 1202b via transceiver 1206, or any other wireless network 1208. In addition, remote control 400 may not necessarily have a communications link with user equipment device 1202 and/or media device, other than a command input interface. of the user.

User equipment and/or media device 1202 (1202a and 1202b) may include, but are not limited to, a user equipment device 108, a user television equipment device 110, and a user computing device 112. For example, WCD 152 may facilitate the distribution of communications from a cable TV 1202a to a cellular telephone network 1212, which is then distributed to a distribution facility 104. In certain embodiments, an IPG within user equipment 1202a is capable of exchanging information with the distribution facility 104 through the second data channel established by bridging the WCD 152 from the user equipment 1202a to any of the PLMN 1212, the wireless access network 1210, another equipment device user equipment 1202b or other network 1208. In addition, the user equipment device 1202a may include capabilities such as a web browser, email messaging ico, SMS messaging, MMS messaging and similar messaging.

User equipment device 1202a may also receive multimedia program listing updates, application updates, and other information from distribution facility 104 via remote control 400. Remote control 400 or WCD 152 may act as a switch, a router, an intermediary and/or a transmission device to facilitate the transfer of information between the user equipment device 1202a and any other device connected to the remote control 400 or to the WCD 152. The user equipment devices User 1202a and 1202b may include wireless transceivers 1204 and 1206, respectively, that enable wireless communications using one or more wireless communications standards, protocols, and/or interfaces.

In another disclosed embodiment, a remote control 400 includes a screen that provides IPG information to a user of the remote control 400. The user can interact with the remote control 400 to make PPV purchases or send VCR-type commands. , pause/play, fast forward) for VOD-type functionality, and remote control 400 can communicate directly with a LAN without receiving input from a user equipment device, eg, STB. Remote controller 400 provides a communications bridge with a media content source. In certain disclosed embodiments where the remote control does not communicate with an end user device, the remote control user 400 acts as a "bridge" between the remote control 400 and the user equipment device. For example, the user views information displayed by the user equipment device 108 and then enters commands into the remote control 400, in response to or in response to the user equipment device 108.

In operation, the UE device 1202a establishes a data communications channel and/or link with at least one of the wireless access network 1210, the PLMN 1212, the UE device 1202b, or another network. wireless 1208 respectively, via remote control 400, to communicate with the distribution facility and/or with a remote server such as exchange server 150. In one embodiment, a communications link between the user equipment device 1202a and WCD 152 is via a wired, IR, or separate wireless interface other than the link between remote control 400 and one of the wireless networks 1212, 1210, 1202, and 1208. For example, remote control remote 400 can establish a first Bluetooth connection with the user equipment device 1202a and a second Bluetooth connection with the wireless access network 1210.

Once the data channel has been established, an internal IPG, web browser and/or other application such as an email client can exchange media content information. The email client may be, but is not limited to, Eudora® and Microsoft Outlook® and similar email clients. The email client may be used to compose and/or exchange email messages that include text information that is substantially the same as the types of text information provided in SMS messages.

In a disclosed embodiment, remote controller 400 transmits a user command to user equipment device 1202a. The user equipment device 1202a then transmits media control information, including the user command, back to the remote controller 400. The remote controller 400 then transfers this media control information forward to the remote controller 400. multimedia content source, exchange 150 and/or distribution facilities 104.

The remote control may be a "button only" remote control with WiFi capabilities, where the remote control issues commands to a user equipment device 108 (or 1202), eg, the STB. In this embodiment, a wireless link between the UE device and the remote control 400 (for example, Bluetooth, IR, or WiFi) allows commands to be transmitted back from the UE device 108 (or 1202). ) to the remote control 400. The remote control 400 can then communicate with a network, such as the wireless access network 1210, and through the Internet to a source of multimedia content such as the distribution facility 104 (via the central exchange 150, in some cases). The commands can be included in a multimedia control message. In another embodiment, multimedia control messages are delivered to a central exchange 150 to allow the formatting of the messages before their distribution to one or more distribution facilities 104.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the methods involved in the present invention can be performed in a computer program product that includes computer usable media. For example, said computer-usable medium may consist of a read-only memory device, such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or conventional ROM devices, random-access memory, such as a hard disk drive or a computer floppy disk. , which has stored a program accessible by computer.

Claims (13)

1. A central exchange server (150) for a system (100) for controlling the distribution of multimedia content, the system (100) including a series of multimedia content sources (102) connected to a distribution facility (104) and to a user equipment device (108), the exchange server (150) comprising a transceiver and a processor in communication with the transceiver, the processor being configured to: i) receive a multimedia control message in a first information format from the user equipment device; ii) processing the media control message, including determining one of the media sources (102) to send the converted media control message from the plurality of media sources (102) and further including converting the media content message multimedia control of the first information format in a second information format to generate the converted multimedia control message that can be interpreted by the distribution facility (104); and iii) sending the multimedia control message to the distribution facility (104). The server according to claim 1, wherein the processor is arranged to determine the media content source (102) based on at least one of location, identity, and subscriber information relating to the streaming device. user equipment. The server according to claim 1, wherein the media content includes at least one of a media program, a media program listing, a media schedule, media content metadata, a user equipment device application, and a user computer device application update. The server according to claim 1, wherein the media control message includes a command for at least one of a media program hire, a media program listing, a media schedule, a hardware device application user data, media content metadata, a VCR-like command, a play command, a pause command, a fast-forward command, a rewind command, and a user equipment device application update. 5. The server according to claim 1, comprising an interactive programming guide, a web server or a user application delivery server. The server according to claim 1, comprising at least one of a subscriber database (708), a user equipment application database (710), a network provider database ( 712) and a multimedia content database (714). 7. The server according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the system (100) is an interactive multimedia guidance system. 8. A multimedia content delivery control method, comprising: i) receiving, at an exchange server, a multimedia control message from a user equipment device, ii) processing, at the exchange server exchange, the media control message, including determining one of a plurality of media sources (102) to send a converted media control message from said plurality of media sources (102), wherein the series of multimedia sources are connected to a distribution facility (104), and convert the multimedia control message of the user equipment device in a first information format to a second information format to generate a multimedia control message converted that can be interpreted by said distribution facility (104), and iii) sending via the central exchange server, the multimedia control message to said a distribution facility (10). The method according to claim 8, wherein determining further comprises determining the media content source (104) based on at least one of location, identity, and subscriber information relating to the equipment device. Username. The method according to claim 8, wherein the media content includes at least one of a media program, a media program listing, a media schedule, media content metadata, a user equipment device application, and a user equipment device application update. The method according to claim 8, wherein the multimedia control message includes a command for at least one of a multimedia program hire, a multimedia program listing, a multimedia schedule, a hardware device application user data, media content metadata, a VCR-like command, a play command, a pause command, a fast-forward command, a rewind command, and a user equipment device application update. The method according to claim 8, wherein at least one of a subscriber database (708), a user equipment application database (710), a network provider database (712) and one multimedia content database (714) is used to control the delivery of multimedia content. The method according to claim 8 or 9, including retrieving, at the distribution facility (104), media content from said one media content source (120).