WO1999057902A1 - Procede et appareil destines a un guide de programmes payables par seance - Google Patents

Procede et appareil destines a un guide de programmes payables par seance Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999057902A1
WO1999057902A1 PCT/US1999/009274 US9909274W WO9957902A1 WO 1999057902 A1 WO1999057902 A1 WO 1999057902A1 US 9909274 W US9909274 W US 9909274W WO 9957902 A1 WO9957902 A1 WO 9957902A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ppv
program
information
terminal
display
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/009274
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Marcus O. Lossner
John M. Schlarb
Shuhua Zhang
Original Assignee
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. filed Critical Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
Publication of WO1999057902A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999057902A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
    • H04N7/165—Centralised control of user terminal ; Registering at central
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H04N21/47211—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for requesting pay-per-view content
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/8126—Monomedia components thereof involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
    • H04N21/8133—Monomedia components thereof involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/816—Monomedia components thereof involving special video data, e.g 3D video
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/84—Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to television systems, and more specifically to program guides for such systems.
  • Cable televisions systems transmit television signals to system subscribers.
  • Cable television systems typically include a headend for receiving and demodulating the satellite signals to baseband and combining them with other television programming signals, then transmitting the signals via communication media to subscriber equipment that tunes into television channels for display to the subscriber.
  • the signals to the subscriber can be transmitted, for instance, over coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, or a combination of the two, and taps situated along the communication media split off the signals to provide subscriber drops.
  • Signals to a subscriber can be provided directly to a cable-ready television, a cable-ready video cassette recorder (VCR), or a set top terminal connected to a television or other display device, such as a computer.
  • VCR cable-ready video cassette recorder
  • Many cable television systems provide television program information to subscriber equipment so that the subscriber can view the program information on the television itself.
  • This program information is typically organized for presentation purposes into a program guide format that presents the program information by time and channel.
  • the program guide can, for instance, automatically scroll through the available television channels to present the program information, such as name and description, at the current time.
  • many systems can provide hundreds or even thousands of channels. In such systems, scanning program information can require hundreds of keystrokes by the subscriber and can consume a tremendous amount of time.
  • Pay-Per-View (PPV) programs generate additional revenue for the cable operators.
  • Methods to market and provide information allowing subscribers to purchase this programming is limited.
  • PPV information about a specific program or event is generally advertised on the channel that will subsequently show that program or event.
  • Purchasing information about a specific program or event is typically also shown on the channel that is to show the program or event.
  • the subscriber often must tune to all or most of the available channels to locate a particular PPV program and its ordering information.
  • Even in cable systems that offer program guides the subscriber must usually first locate information about a PPV program in a program guide that presents information about all programming, then tune to the indicated channel or refer to a
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cable television system in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram of a set top terminal included in the cable television system of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is an illustration of a PPV program guide screen that can be generated for display by the set top terminal of FIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an example of a PPV program guide screen that can be generated for display by the set top terminal of FIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a top view of a transmitter, such as a remote control, that can be used by a subscriber to transmit commands to the set top terminal of FIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIGs. 6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating an operation of a processor included in the set top terminal of FIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cable television system 100 including a headend 105 for receiving satellite television signals, demodulating the signals down to baseband, combining the signals with other television programming signals, and transmitting the combined signals over the system 100.
  • the transmitted signals can, for instance, be radio frequency (RF) signals, although they are more preferably optical signals that are transmitted over a communication medium such as fiber optic cable 125.
  • RF radio frequency
  • one or more nodes 1 10 are included in the system 100 for converting the optical signals to RF signals that are thereafter routed over other media, such as coaxial cables 130.
  • Taps 115 are provided within the cable system 100 for splitting the RF signal off to subscriber equipment, such as set top terminals 120, cable-ready televisions, video cassette recorders (VCRs), or computers.
  • subscriber equipment such as set top terminals 120, cable-ready televisions, video cassette recorders (VCRs), or computers.
  • FIG. 2 a block diagram of the terminal 120 and other system equipment is shown.
  • the terminal 120 is typically situated within the residence or business of the subscriber. It may be integrated into a device that has a display 235, such as a television set, or it may be a stand-alone unit that couples to an external display 235, such as a display included in a computer or a television, and that processes television signals for presentation to a subscriber on the display 235.
  • the terminal 120 preferably comprises a data port 205 for receiving the RF signals, which can include video, audio, and data information, from the tap 1 15 and for providing any reverse information to the tap 115 for transmission back to the headend 105.
  • the terminal 120 further includes a processor 210 for controlling operations of the terminal 120 and for driving the display 235, a clock 215 for providing timing functions, and a tuner 225 for tuning into a particular television channel to be displayed.
  • the terminal 120 includes a receiver 220 for receiving externally-generated information, such as user inputs or commands from other devices. User inputs could, for example, be provided via a controller or transmitter 240, such as buttons or keys located on the exterior of the terminal 120 or a handheld remote control device that includes user-actuated buttons.
  • a memory 250 such a non-volatile random access memory, coupled to the processor 210 stores operational parameters, such as commands that are recognized by the processor 210.
  • the memory 250 also stores program information that can, for instance, be downloaded over the system 100 to the terminal 120.
  • the program information includes program guide information that is displayed to the subscriber in the format of a program guide including a listing of channels, programs for viewing on the channels, and times during which the programs are shown.
  • the program information also includes channel information, such as the channel number and identification information, e.g., ESPN, Disney, WXIA, etc..
  • the program information additionally includes program information for a Pay-Per-View (PPV) program guide.
  • PSV Pay-Per-View
  • the program information preferably includes a Pay-Per-View program guide including all available program titles, available starting times of the programs, a detailed description of the programs, the cost of the programs, the phone number (if required) to contact and purchase the program, a video window, and (if available) a purchase or buy button to purchase the programming.
  • the video window can provide information about the PPV programs such as "trailers" of upcoming movies, interviews with actors and directors, still picture of the currently highlighted PPV program, video clips of the currently highlighted PPV program, or any other video or still picture information to arouse subscriber interest in purchasing the PPV programming. Alternately, the video window, if present, could present any other video information of interest to the subscriber.
  • the terminal 120 periodically downloads program information into memory 250 from the headend 105 (FIG. 1 ).
  • the amount of information that can be downloaded and the time between downloads vary according to memory size.
  • program information including programs and times may be downloaded more often than when the system 100 provides fewer channels.
  • the terminal 120 can also receive updated program information as needed, such as when the cable channel lineup is changed or when the PPV programming changes.
  • various components of the all channel program guide and the PPV program guide information such as information on available viewing times, could be stored solely in the memory 250, as opposed to the headend 105. Storage of the PPV information in the memory 250 can be accomplished in a variety of conventional ways, such as in the form of a subset of the regular program guide, but other storage methods could be employed instead.
  • Regular program guide information can be displayed to the subscriber in a number of ways.
  • the display 235 can be driven to present a conventional program guide that provides automatic scrolling of programs in alphabetical sequence along with the descriptions, times, and cost associated with the programs.
  • a static display can be provided, and the subscriber can provide commands, such as via the transmitter 240, to scroll through the program information.
  • the large number of channels creates a problem because viewing program information to locate PPV programming can be very time consuming for the subscriber.
  • program information viewing is not automatic, the subscriber may be required to execute a large number of keystrokes to present the PPV program information.
  • the terminal 120 solves this problem by providing a mode in which only program information associated with PPV programming is presented to the subscriber. More specifically, the subscriber can conveniently select the PPV program guide, from which the subscriber can view the available programming, associated start times, and descriptive information associated with the PPV programming,, and also purchase the programming.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a screen of information 302, according to the present invention, that could be presented on the display 235 to provide PPV program information to the subscriber.
  • This screen shows the presentation of PPV programming in the form of an events list 304, in which an event 306 of interest can be highlighted.
  • the events list 304 can be organized in a variety of ways, such as but not limited to, alphabetically listing the available events or listing events based on the latest addition.
  • the events list 304 can, for instance, be scrolled through using the up and down buttons 440, 445 on the remote control transmitter 240 (FIG. 5).
  • the on-screen event navigation icons 308 that illustrate the use of the up and down buttons 440, 445 to the subscriber, are displayed as a navigation guide to the subscriber.
  • the associated start time 310 for the highlighted event is preferably also displayed on the same screen.
  • the initial start time displayed could be the next start time, later than the current time as input by clock 215, or another start time related to the highlighted event 306.
  • Time navigation icons 312 can provide a navigation guide for the subscriber to use the left and right buttons 450, 455 on the remote control transmitter 240 to provide user input and therefore to scroll through the available start times associated with the highlighted event 306.
  • other types of instructions, such as text directions could be used.
  • the description 314 of the highlighted event 306 can be displayed to provide additional information to the subscriber. This information could include a summary of the event, length of event, cost, rating, or other information.
  • Video information 316 can be displayed to present marketing and visual information to the subscriber. Video clips of current or upcoming events or of the highlighted event, still pictures from the highlighted event or other events, promotional text, and picture-in-picture of the last viewed channel are among the many possible items that can be displayed in the video information 316 display.
  • a purchase key 318 can be present to allow the subscriber to purchase the desired event. This key 318 can include a phone number to call, text instructions, a graphical navigation icon, another method, or combination of methods to direct the subscriber in purchasing the desired event from the same screen with the PPV program information.
  • a graphical icon including text could direct the subscriber to press a special icon/function key, shown as a "B" 475 (FIG. 5), to buy the impulse PPV highlighted event 306 at the highlighted time 310.
  • a PPV guide according to the present invention conveniently allows the consolidation of the event list, the start time list, event descriptions, video/marketing information, and purchasing information on a single screen for easier subscriber use and easier marketing of the PPV events.
  • FIG. 4 shows the presentation of an example of an actual PPV screen according to the present invention, with a highlighted event 406, an associated description 414, an associated video clip 416, and a purchase key 418 in the form of a graphical icon with text.
  • a remote control transmitter 240 such as that shown in FIG. 5.
  • a transmitter 240 might include an on/off key 420, a program key 430 for inputting programming commands, page up/down keys 425, 435, scrolling keys 440, 445, 450, 455, a select key 460 for selecting a highlighted option, special icon/function keys 470, 475, 480, and a numerical keypad 465 for inputting numerical information.
  • other input means could alternatively be provided.
  • a different remote transmitter 240 could be used to highlight and select menu options presented to the subscriber on the display 235, keys on the terminal 120 itself could be used, or commands could be entered via a keyboard, keypad, or computer coupled to the terminal 120.
  • FIGs. 6 and 7 flowcharts illustrate an operation of the processor 210 (FIG. 2) of the terminal 120 for providing a pay-per-view (PPV) program guide according to the present invention.
  • the processor 210 receives a "display PPV guide" command from the receiver 220, it drives the display 235 to present the PPV guide, at step 606.
  • the processor 210 drives, at step 610, the display 235 to highlight the event indicated by the received event command.
  • the processor 210 determines the next event start time for presentation on the display 235, at step 612, and drives, at step 614, the display of the image related to the highlighted event and the description of highlighted event.
  • the processor 210 next receives a further command, at step 616, and proceeds to determine if the command is an event command.
  • the processor 210 returns to step 610 (FIG. 6). If the processor 210 determines, at step 704, that the command is a time selection command, the processor 210 drives the display 235 to show a previous or a next start time of the highlighted event according to the instructions in the received command 706. Processing then proceeds to step 616 (FIG.
  • the processor 210 determines, at step 708, if the command is a purchase command. If the command is not a purchasing command, the processor 210 returns to performing other services, at step 710. If the command is determined to be a purchase command, at step 708, the processor 210 provides, at step 712, purchase information to the data port 205 (FIG. 2) for transmission to the head-end 105 (FIG. 1) and drives, at step 714, the display 235 to indicate to the subscriber the event that has been purchased, its start time, its channel, and other relevant information.
  • the methods described in FIGs. 6 and 7 for displaying information, viewing events, viewing start times, purchasing events, and interfacing with the PPV program guide can be performed in many other ways and that the exact steps illustrated in FIGs. 6 and 7 need not be followed. Purchasing could, for instance, be accomplished via a phone call in a one-way system.
  • the cable television system as described above includes subscriber equipment that has Pay-Per-View (PPV) program, information, and purchasing functions.
  • PPV Pay-Per-View
  • a listing of the available PPV events, associated start times, the PPV program description, and purchasing information can be advantageously displayed via a single screen.
  • PPV programs can be located and marketed in a much easier manner than could be done in prior art systems because there has been provided an improved way to view and scan PPV program information in a cable television system.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de télévision par câble (100) qui comprend un afficheur (235) destiné à afficher des informations relatives aux programmes payables par séance et un terminal (120) servant à commander la présentation des informations relatives aux programmes payables par séance. Sur la base des commandes reçues par le terminal (120), on commande l'afficheur (235) pour qu'il présente sur un écran unique toutes les informations relatives aux programmes payables par séance. Les informations relatives aux programmes payables par séance comprennent une liste de programmes payables par séance, la durée de ces programmes, une description de ces programmes et des affichages vidéo des informations relatives à ces programmes, le tout sur l'écran unique de l'afficheur (235).
PCT/US1999/009274 1998-05-01 1999-04-29 Procede et appareil destines a un guide de programmes payables par seance WO1999057902A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US7169798A 1998-05-01 1998-05-01
US09/071,697 1998-05-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999057902A1 true WO1999057902A1 (fr) 1999-11-11

Family

ID=22102986

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1999/009274 WO1999057902A1 (fr) 1998-05-01 1999-04-29 Procede et appareil destines a un guide de programmes payables par seance

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1999057902A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100444829B1 (ko) * 2002-08-07 2004-08-18 한국전자통신연구원 디지털 케이블 티비 방송의 아이피피브이 서비스를 위한안내 정보 구성 및 그 전송 방법

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996041478A1 (fr) * 1995-06-07 1996-12-19 Tv Guide On Screen Systeme de programmation pour guide de programmes de television electronique et procede avec acces a des sources de donnees
US5734853A (en) * 1992-12-09 1998-03-31 Discovery Communications, Inc. Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5734853A (en) * 1992-12-09 1998-03-31 Discovery Communications, Inc. Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems
WO1996041478A1 (fr) * 1995-06-07 1996-12-19 Tv Guide On Screen Systeme de programmation pour guide de programmes de television electronique et procede avec acces a des sources de donnees

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100444829B1 (ko) * 2002-08-07 2004-08-18 한국전자통신연구원 디지털 케이블 티비 방송의 아이피피브이 서비스를 위한안내 정보 구성 및 그 전송 방법

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