CA2288355A1 - Video on demand system - Google Patents

Abstract

Video on Demand (VOD) allows a user to preview and order movies and pay per view events through an interactive on screen ordering process. The video on demand application allows a user to preview, order, stop, pause, fast forward, rewind, and restart a movie or event in real time, on demand. The disclosed system allows the user to have VOD functionality while the implementing technology is Near Video on Demand (NVOD). The user has VOD functionality in near real-time using a staggered broadcast of non-unique video streams (NVOD - near video on demand) i.e. multiple streams per type of content, combined with a local storage and playback device (call this a "set top box" STB for this description) located in the user's home.

Description

Title of the Invention Video on Demand System Inventors Dave B. Dietz, David R. Hymanyk, Lee E. Kruszewski, Gordon J. Meeberg Field of the Invention to This invention relates to delivery of broadband services to users.
Background of the Invention In Video on Demand (VoD) technology, a user may access a video stream by requesting the video from a service provider. It is considered expensive to deliver, ~ 5 and an alternative approach called near Video on Demand (nVoD) has been proposed.
In nVoD, the service provider provides a stream of the same video, for example a film, every 15 minutes on a small number of channels. This is called a staggercast.
The service provider determines which video is provided and when. If the viewer or user wants to look back in the video, then the viewer may switch to another channel 2o that has started later, or if the viewer wants to look forward, then the viewer may switch to a channel that started earlier. In this way, a few channels, such as four, may service all viewers, in contrast to Video on Demand where there is one viewer per channel. The nVoD does not provide much flexibility for the viewer. It is an object of this invention to provide greater flexibility for the viewer of near video on demand 25 services.
Summary of the Invention The proposed Video on Demand (VOD) allows a user to preview and order movies and pay per view events through an interactive on screen ordering process.

The video on demand application allows a user to preview, order, stop. pause, fast forward, rewind, and restart a movie or event in real time, on demand. The disclosed system allows the user to have VOD functionality while the implementing technology is Near Video on Demand (NVOD). 'The user has VOD functionality in near real-time using a staggered broadcast of non-unique video streams (NVOD - near video on demand) i.e. multiple streams per type of content, combined with a local storage and playback device (call this a "set top box" STB for this description) located in the user's home.
In the staggered broadcast, multiple streams of the same video (and audio) t 0 content are broadcast simultaneously, each offset by the same amount of time, for example I S minutes. Hence, for a given movie, there may be eight streams playing of the same movie, each offset from any other stream by a multiple of 15 minutes.
The ordering process results in the ordering of a movie or event without the user having to manually tune to a channel to view a movie or event. Even though content is staggered through multiple channels, it is used for fast forward, rewind, etc.
The user is unaware of this and the movie is presented as though the staggers did not exist.
~fherefore, this invention relates to an improvement in video-on-demand systems. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of 2o delivering video to a viewer, the method comprising the steps of:
delivering staggered video streams to a storage device, in which the staggered video streams include streams of the same video data that are time delayed with respect to each other;
storing the staggered video streams at the storage device; and displaying at least one of the video streams to the viewer.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided the step of displaying selected parts of different streams to the viewer.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the delivery of the staggered video streams is regulated, as for example by being dependent upon the ability of the 3o viewer to pay, or viewer selected content ratings. The video streams may be selected from multiple multimedia sources, and may be selected automatically based on search keys selected by the viewer.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for delivering video to a viewer, the apparatus comprising:
a communications link to a source of staggered video streams, in which the staggered video streams are streams of the same video data that are time delayed with respect to each other;
a storage device having a memory for simultaneously storing the staggered streams of video data; and a monitor for displaying at least one of the video streams to the viewer.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a video selection device for displaying selected parts of different streams to the viewer. There may also be a means for regulating the delivery of the staggered video streams, which may be programmed to regulate the delivery of the staggered video ~ 5 streams depending upon the ability of the viewer to pay, or depending upon viewer selected content ratings. The communications link may connect to multiple multimedia sources. The storage device may be associated with apparatus programmed to select the staggered video streams automatically based on search keys selected by the viewer.
Brief Description of the Figures There will now be described preferred embodiments of the invention, by reference to the drawings by way of example only, in which:
Figs. 1 - 6 are representations of computer screens showing the ordering process and how video content may be selected and regulated; and Fig. 7 shows an exemplary computer architecture for implementing the process and apparatus of the invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention 3o Firstly, the ordering process is described. Fig. 1 shows the main navigation page, which utilizes the Netscape browser or other suitable browser. The user may choose, as for example shown in the Figure, ~I~V, Guide, weather-, world wide web, moves, account, or other specific user defined video or information sources, by clicking on the area of the screen showing the item of interest.
Fig. 2 shows an exemplary screen that is produced by clicking on ''Movies" in the main navigation page. This screen shows movie listings. By clicking on one of the movie listings, movie details may be obtained as shown in Fig. 3. The movie details screen in Fig. 3 contains the clickable option "Order", which when clicked produces the screen shown in Fig. 4, which requires confirmation of the order.
Once a user has ordered a movie they must wait until the next stagger is available for viewing. The STB 12 autotunes to the movie when the next stagger is available. However, with an adequately sized hard disk in the set-top box, the ordered movie may start immediately without the requirement to wait for the next stagger. The option implemented is dependent upon the capacity of set top box hard disk.
When a user is viewing a movie they have the option of tuning away from the movie and restarting the movie at the same place that they paused it.
There may be also content and monetary restrictions for each household. Fig.
5 illustrates how a household may change those restrictions. For each household member there may be a spending limit and a content or rating limit. Each household 2U member may be assigned a PIN, so that one or more people may have control over the limits. The STB 12 is programmed to be limited to the content and monetary restrictions.
Each household can have their PINS enabled or disabled in order to allow or disallow content and monetary restrictions. The household settings show the maximum content rating limit and maximum spending limit that is allowed for the entire household.
A household is further divided into several household members each with their own rating limit, spending limit, and PIN number. The sum of the individual spending limits cannot exceed the household spending limit. Each Individual rating 3o limit cannot exceed the household rating limit.

Fig. 6 illustrates the screen seen by a viewer who is ordering a movie or event and who has household PINS enabled. The viewer must enter the PIN before the movie or event can be ordered.
The viewer request to order a movie or event is denied if either their i household or individual household member limits are exceeded.
Fig. 7 represents a high level architecture that can be used as a basis for implementation of the VOD concept. The video server 10 may be obtained from such vendors as Compaq, nCube, Oracle, IBM, Concurrent, and others. The STB 12 with hard disk may be obtained from such vendors as Tivo, Replay TV, Pace, Motorola, Samsung and others. The Movie/Pay Per View and timshifted software are such as are used by or available from iMagic, Oracle, Next Level Communications, Starlight, Siemens and others, though not available with the staggered broadcast capability disclosed herein.
~ 5 Master Scheduler The master scheduler 14 receives program information from an operator.
Program information includes media content meta data. Examples of media content meta data include start times, stop times, movie titles, length of content segment etc.
The meta data is manipulated by the Master scheduler 14 to create new meta data 2o which is passed to the NVOD Applications (Apps) 16, Service Management System 18 and the NVOD Scheduler 10.
NVOD Scheduler/Video Server (NSVS) The NVOD Scheduler/Video Server 10 receives Media Content from multiple 25 sources. Requested media content is broadcast to the Set Top Box clients 12.
Set Top Box Utilities (STU) The Set Top Box Utilities 20 are the software programs that reside on the STB
12 and handle remote key inputs, display data received to the user, and switch 3o applications to and from the foreground and background. It is the central application which coordinates all STB application activities.

The STU 20 receives media content from the NSVS 10. The media content is in the form of MPEG streams. The STU 20 receives media content meta data from the NVOD Apps 16. The media content meta data is used by the STB 12 to know when and which channel (stream) to autotune to. Autotuning is where a graphical count down sequence is shown on the TV indicating the time when the next stagger of media content begins and the action of tuning to the channel at that time.
Media content meta data also provides enough information to the STU 20 so that the can instruct the STB hardware 12 to record simultaneous streams that are not being 1o currently viewed. The recording of simultaneous streams allows the customer to experience true VOD after watching one stagger interval even though the delivery mechanism is NVOD.
The STU 20 enables such functions as fast forwarding, rewinding, pausing, stopping, and restarting of movies through the use of the media content meta data and the recording of multiple simultaneous streams.
The STU 20 communicates with the NVOD Apps 16 and receives media content meta data and arranges for the display of the meta data. The meta data may contain start and stop times of streams, channel numbers of streams, price information of movies, titles of movies, ratings of movies, and actors of movies.
2o The STU 20 also communicates with the Service Provisioning Controller (SPC) 22. Through interaction with the SPC 22 the STU 20 is able to determine what media content a customer has access to. The SPC 22 ensures that only the digital television channels and movie channels that a customer orders are allowed to be tuned or re-tuned to. The SPC 22 also logs transactions that a customer performs.
This proves vital in service assurance.
The STU 22 also receives data from the Customer Preferences application 24 for display to the customer.
NVOD Apps 3o The NVOD Apps 16 contain media content meta data. The meta data is communicated to the STU 20. Communication about subscriber info (e.g.credit limits, rating limits) and pricing is received From the SMS 18 and then communicated to the STLI 20 through the NVOD Apps 16.
Service Provisioning Controller (SPC) ~~he SPC 22 tracks content that a customer has paid for and thus has access to view. l..o;~'~ing of content access is provided by the SPC' 22 and is vital in service assurance.
Service Management S s~(SMS) The service management system tracks customer (STB) service subscription.
It sends and receives provisioning and deprovisioning requests of the STB 12.
Subscriber preferences, and media content meta data are also stored in the SMS
18.
Media content meta data is received from the Master scheduler 14. Customer preferences are sent and received from the Customer Preferences application 24.
Customer Preferences The Customer Preferences application 24 is used to allow customers to access and change their monetary and access restrictions to content. Customer Preferences 24 communicates data from the SMS 18, where customer preferences are stored, to 2o the STU 20. The STU 20 renders the customer's preferences and accepts any changes and passes those changes through the Customer Preferences application 24 to the SMS 18.
STB Hardware The STB 12 Hardware must meet the following specifications for VOD to be implemented using NVOD technology.
a) HDD (Hard Disk Drive) i) The set top box is configured with an Hard Disk Controller (based on PCI Local Bus technology), all necessary cabling (including electrical and 3o communications), and a plug-in bay that is configured for easy post purchase installation/removal of a Hard Disk Drive.

ii) The Hard Disk Controller must be capable of working with a I-lard Disk Drive so that it can simultaneously record (capture) one or more media streams while at the same time playing back another video stream that has already been recorded (captured) on the I-lard Disk Drive. This must be accomplished without compromising either the video recording (capturing) or the video playback capability.
iii) The set top box needs to be able to accommodate future Hard Disk Drive capacities of at least 128 GB.
iv) The set top box is configured with a minimum of an 8.4 GB HDD that is accessible by software application programs. The HDD is used as a storage medium to record TV programming (a time-shifted TV
I S application), for applications like Multimedia Email, Games, and the capture of audio and video.
b) MPEG-2 MP@ML Decoding and Resolution for output to NTSC' TVs i) The set top box receives, decodes and renders real time, synchronized 2o audio and video from MPEG-2 (ISO/IEC 13818-1 ) compliant transport streams.
ii) The set top box supports MPEG-2 extensions for DSM-CC as per ISO/IEC 13818-6 and similar IP-based streaming control protocols.
iii) The residential gateway set top box is configured in such a manner that 25 it can simultaneously decode three or more distinct streams of video to support independent concurrent viewing of TV programming on three different TVs.
iv) If the media content is delivered in analog format the set top box is able to encode it in MPEG-2 format.

The VOD concept requires that an algorithm be applied by the STB 12 hardware and software to the NVOD streams so that after one stagger interval of viewing a movie VOD is enabled.
For pre-recorded information such as a feature movie, multiple ("N") staggered copies of the same content is broadcast simultaneously. This adds a degree of flexibility. Not only does the STB 12 storage device record the current stream, but it records up to "N" streams simultaneously depending on the throughput limitations of the storage device and the delivering network. Assume the capacity of the is "n" streams of simultaneous recording where n<=N. Using metadata information w.r.t. the length of a given feature and the stagger interval, the STB 12 then pieces together multiple staggered streams and assembles a local complete copy of a piece of content in its local storage device. This process goes on dynamically as a viewer watches an NVOD selection or can be occurring offline based on pre-programmed selections made by the user. Using this technique a VOD service is offered with an NVOD delivery approach, thus obtaining the advantages of VOD without the bandwidth/capacity cost penalty associated with a pure, high capacity VOD
solution.
All VOD functions are performed using the local copy of the content.
To determine the value "n" the STB 12 would consider a number of factors and use the available bandwidth to download the selected content as fast as possible:
1. n<=the total number of channels the STB 12 can obtain through its broadcast connection.

2. n<=the total number of video streams that the STB 12 can simultaneously store on its disk

3. n is impacted by whether the user is watching TV or has preprogrammed a selection to be locally cached when they are not present.
In the best case scenario all "N" streams are recorded simultaneously and the user can begin a full VOD session within one stagger interval of the time content began recording. Otherwise the user has only NVOD functionality until a period of (INT((#
of Staggers)/n)+1)*stagger interval has passed.

Alternately, with an adequately sized hard disk available on the STB 12, an "immediate VOD" experience may be provided. In this option, the first x minutes of each movie (with the value of x determined by the NVOD stagger interval) are downloaded to the STB 12 via the NVOD streams immediately after the movie 5 content is loaded. These start portions of the movie are saved on the hard disk. Then, when the user orders a movie it starts playing immediately from the hard disk with full VOD control, while the additional NVOD streams are recorded onto the hard disk in the background as outlined above until the complete content segment is captured.
For VOD viewing:
When the user pauses the movie or event, they are restarted at the exact place where the pause occurred.
When the user fast-forwards a movie the movie is forwarded in either a frame by frame manner or in a nonviewing mode whereby several frames are ~ 5 jumped. If the user fast-forwards past the end of the movie, the movie is wrapped around to the beginning of the movie.
When the user fast-forwards the event the event is forwarded in either a frame by frame manner or in nonviewing mode whereby several frames are skipped.
2o The user is only able to fast-forward the event to the current place in the event. If the event is completed the user can fast forward the event to the beginning of the event and rewateh the event.
When the user rewinds a movie the movie is forwarded in either a frame by ''S frame manner or in a nonviewing mode whereby several frames are rewound at once. If the user rewinds past the beginning of the movie, the movie is wrapped around to the end of the movie.
When the user rewinds the event, the event is rewound in either a frame by 3o frame manner or in nonviewing mode whereby several frames are rewound.

The user is only able to rewind the event to the beginning of the event with no wrap around capability until the event has completed.
For NVOD viewing:
When the user pauses the movie or event, they are restarted at the exact place where the pause occurred at a time of one stagger interval in the future.
When the user fast forwards a movie the movie is forwarded in a nonviewing mode whereby several frames are jumped by jumping to the previously to available staggered stream i.e. a stagger stream which has advanced one stagger interval further through its content playback cycle. If the user fast-forwards past the end of the movie ,the movie is wrapped around to the beginning of the movie on the next starting stagger interval.
~5 No event fast forward is available until it is completely cached. When the user fast-forwards the event the event is forwarded in either a frame by frame manner or in nonviewing mode whereby several frames are skipped. The user is only able to fast-forward the event to the current place in the event. If the event is completed the user can fast forward the event to the beginning of the 2o event and re-watch the event.
When the user rewinds a movie ,the movie is rewound in a nonviewing mode whereby several frames are jumped by jumping to the next available staggered stream i.e. a stream which is one stagger interval in the past as far through the 25 content. If the user rewinds past the beginning of the movie, the movie is wrapped around to the end of the movie.
When the user rewinds the event the event is rewound in either a frame by frame manner or in nonviewing mode whereby several frames are rewound.
3o The user is only able to rewind the event to the beginning of the event with no wrap around capability until the event has completed.

Operational Flows Content Loading Process ~ Media content meta data enters the Master scheduler 14.
~ Content is loaded on the NSVS 10 and the content length data is transferred to the Master scheduler 14.
~ The Master scheduler 14 publishes media content meta data to the NOVD
Apps 16, Service Management System, and the NVOD Scheduler. The media content meta data that is published is valid for an interval before new media content meta data has to be published again.
~ In the immediate VOD option, the newly published media content meta data is also made available to the STB 12 as a trigger to download the first stagger interval of each newly published content onto the hard disk.
Ordering Process for Movies ~ When a customer orders a movie, media content meta data is displayed by the STU 20. The STU 20 receives the meta data from the NOVD Apps 16. The 2o NOVD Apps 16 obtain all the meta data that is required for ordering (Some of the meta data is held within the NOVD Apps 16 and other parts are obtained from the Service Management System) and pass it to the STU 20.
~ If customer preferences are enabled then the STU 20 checks with the NOVD
Apps 16 to ensure that the customer is allowed access to the movie based on the monetary and rating restrictions that were previously entered by the customer.
After a customer confirms that they wish to order a movie autotuning meta data is passed from the NOVD Apps 16 to the STU 20. With the meta data the STU 20 knows which channel the movie begins on as well as all other stagger channels that are broadcasting the movie. Consequently. the STU 20 is now able to begin an autotune process (countdown sequence and then channel change) that allows the user to view the start of the next starting stagger stream.
~ Alternately. in the immediate VOD option, the user can begin viewing immediately from the portion of the movie already stored on the hard disk without having to wait for the first stagger interval. In this alternative, the autotune sequence as contemplated above is not required. as the content source is the hard disk in the STB 12.
~ When the autotune process is complete the STU 20 channel changes the STB
12 to the beginning of the stream and the customer sees the start of the movie that to they ordered. In order to use NVOD technology to implement VOD, the STU 20 instructs the STB 12 to begin recording all other stagger channels (different points in the movie) to the hard disk. Consequently, after one stagger interval the STU
20 has access to the entire movie from the hard disk.
Fast Forwarding Process for Movies ~ If a customer has viewed a movie for at least one stagger interval then the fast forwarding mechanism is to fast forward the movie one frame at a time in a semi continuous manner. All the media content and media content meta data required to enable this is on the customer's STB 12. The STU 20 knows where on the hard disk to read next once the customer has fast forwarded past the current stagger interval. Essentially, the STU 20 is piecing together content that was previously simultaneously recorded to the hard disk. If the customer fast forwards past the end of the movie then they are taken to the beginning of the movie.
~ If a customer has not viewed at least one full stagger interval then the fast forwarding mechanism is to fast forward the customer one stagger interval at a time. This is accomplished through the STU 20 performing a channel change to the next stagger interval. If a customer fast forwards past the end of the movie then they are taken to the beginning of the movie.

is Rewinding Process for Movies ~ If a customer has viewed a movie for at least one stagger interval then the rewinding mechanism is to rewind the movie on a frame at a time in a semi continuous manner. All the media content and media content mesa data required to enable this is on the customer's STB 12. The STU 20 knows where on the hard disk to read next once the customer has rewound past the current stagger interval.
Essentially, the STU 20 is piecing together content that was previously simultaneously recorded to the hard disk. If the customer fast rewinds past the 1o beginning of the movie then they are taken to the end of the movie.
~ If a customer has not viewed at least one full stagger interval then the rewinding mechanism is to rewind the customer one stagger interval at a time.
This is accomplished through the STU 20 performing a channel change to the previous stagger interval. If a customer rewinds past the beginning of the movie then they are taken to the end of the movie.
PausingYProcess for Movies ~ If a customer has viewed a movie for at least one stagger interval then the 2o pausing mechanism restarts the movie at exactly the same place that they paused the movie using the locally stored hard disk content. All the media content and media content meta data required to enable this is on the customer's STB 12.
The STU 20 knows which stagger interval and where in the stagger interval to read from on the media content stored on the customer's STB 12. Consequently, the 2s movie is restarted at the exact same place that it was paused.
If a customer has not viewed at least one full stagger interval and a copy of another recorded stagger is not yet stored on the hard disk then pausing the movie and restarting causes the STB I 2 to restart the movie at a later time period of one stagger interval. The customer has to wait one stagger interval before having the 30 movie restart at the exact same point that the movie was paused. If however between the time the pause was invoked and the movie was restarted, the STB 12 hard disk has recorded enough of another stagger stream, the movie might be restarted immediately from the locally stored hard disk content.
~ In the immediate VOD option, the user is able to return to the exact point where the pause function was invoked within the first stagger interval, as this is S available on the hard disk.
Stopping and Restarting of a Movie ~ 1f a customer stops watching a movie and then wishes to restart the movie 10 then the customer has to wait until the beginning of the next stagger before they can continue viewing the movie. The movie is restarted at the beginning of the movie.
~ In the immediate VOD option, when a customer stops a movie, the STB 12 continues to record the remainder of the movie onto the hard disk so that it is 15 available in its entirety for viewing should the viewer wish to resume viewing at a later time. In case of storage conflicts, complete content segments are discarded following the expiration of the rental period to free up sufficient storage on the hard disk to ensure the first stagger of all new content segments are stored locally on the hard disk.
Ordering Process for Events ~ When a customer orders an event. media content meta data is displayed by the STU 20. The STU 20 receives the meta data from the NOVD Apps 16. The NOVD Apps 16 obtain all the meta data that is required for ordering (Some of the meta data is held within the NOVD Apps 16 and other parts are obtained from the Service Management System) and pass it to the S'fU 20.
~ If customer preferences are enabled then the STU 20 checks with the NOVD
3o Apps 16 to ensure that the customer is allowed access to the event based on the monetary and rating restrictions that were previously entered by the customer.

After a customer confirms that they wish to order an event autotuning meta data is passed from the NOVD Apps 16 to the STU 20. With the meta data the STL~ 20 knows which channel the events begins on. Consequently, the STU 20 is now able to begin an autotune process (countdown sequence and then channel change) that allows the user to view the start of the event. All other available stagger channels, stagger lengths and media content length data is also passed.
When the autotune process is complete the STU 20 channel changes the STB
I 2 to the beginning of the event and the customer sees the start of the event that they ordered. In order to use NVOD technology to implement VOD, the STU 20 instructs the STB 12 to begin recording the event to the hard disk.
Consequently, the STU 20 has access to the previously broadcast portions of the event from the hard disk copy.
Fast Forwarding-Process for Events If a customer is currently viewing an event and the live event has not yet completed then the fast forwarding capability is only up to the point where the live event is currently being broadcast. All the media content and media content meta data required to enable this is on the customer's STB 12.
~ If a customer has viewed the completed event then the fast forwarding mechanism is to fast forward the customer one frame at a time. This is accomplished by the STU 20 reading the recently recorded event from the hard disk. If a customer fast forwards past the end of the event then they are taken to the beginning of the event.
Rewinding Process for Events ~ If a customer is currently viewing an event and the live event has not yet completed then the rewinding capability is only to the start point of the event. All 3o the media content and media content meta data required to enable this is on the customer's STB 12. The STU 20 rewinds the event in a frame by frame manner until the beginning of the event. A loop around mechanism is provided whereby the customer can before the beginning of the event to the current live event.
~ If a customer has viewed the completed event then the rewinding mechanism is to rewind the event one frame at a time. This is accomplished by the STU 20 reading the recently recorded event from the hard disk. If a customer rewinds past the beginning of the event then they are taken to the end of the event.
Pausing Process for Events ~ If a customer is viewing an event or has viewed an event and is watching it again then the pausing mechanism for the event is to pause the event and then restart the event at the exact point that the viewer paused it. All the media content and media content meta data required to enable this is on the customer's STB
12.
The STU 20 knows where in the content that the pausing has occurred and resumes playing the event by reading the data from the hard disk.
Stopper and Restarting of an Event If a customer stops watching an event and then wishes to restart the event then 2o the customer is automatically tuned to the live event. However, missed parts may be viewed if the event was stored on the hard disk for the event's duration.
Content Programming - Additional Features Leveraging server and set top box capabilities previously mentioned, content programming allows users to subscribe to and sequence the playback of various pieces of media content from disparate sources (live and archived) such as movies, events, television, daily news, weather, sports, music videos, movie reviews, and music. An interactive order screen allows a user to subscribe to different pieces of content of their choice. The content that is to be viewed can be from a variety of 3o content types. The user is able to pause, stop, fast forward, rewind, and restart the content of their choice. This feature is available when a user wishes to plan their viewing experience from staggered, live and pre-cached content.
Using a graphical user interface generated by the STB 12 on the television the user can create an on-demand video service tailored to himself. The content can be drawn from broadcast and intranet/internet sources and can be intermingled as desired by the user. The user can also search for programs by keyword, genre, etc. For example, a user can select shows X1 and X2 from a list of broadcast programming, which airs at a specified time. The user can also select shows Y 1 and Y2 which were recorded by to the set top box at an earlier date or available on demand from a network server. The user can then arrange to view the programs in a sequential order as illustrated by the following diagram:
6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 X1 Yl X2 Y2 IS
The media can be from any source: Internet, broadcast, NVOD, or recorded on the STB 12. Information about the availability of content for a given time period is aggregated by the system in a content database which is presented to the viewer for 2o their scheduling selection. For content which is available on staggered channels, the system automatically selects the next start time that the content begins.
Broadcast content is constrained by its availability from the broad content provider (e.g. TV
shows, events etc.). Although the term video is used in the claims, it will be understood that the data streams will include video and audio data and the term video 25 is used to encompass both video and audio. In Fig. 7, it will be appreciated that the lines between the devices and applications represent conventional communication links, such as cable, fiber and wireless.

Claims (14)

We claim:

1. A method of delivering video to a viewer, the method comprising the steps of:
delivering staggered video streams to a storage device, in which the staggered video streams include streams of the same video data that are time delayed with respect to each other;
storing the staggered video streams at the storage device; and displaying at least one of the video streams to the viewer.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying selected parts of different streams to the viewer.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of regulating the delivery of the staggered video streams.

4. The method of claim 3 in which regulating the delivery of the staggered video streams is dependent upon the ability of the viewer to pay.

5. The method of claim 3 in which regulating the delivery of the staggered video streams is dependent upon viewer selected content ratings.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of selecting the video streams from multiple multimedia sources.

7. The method of claim 6 further in which the staggered video streams are selected automatically based on search keys selected by the viewer.

8. Apparatus for delivering video to a viewer, the apparatus comprising:

a communications link to a source of staggered video streams, in which the staggered video streams are streams of the same video data that are time delayed with respect to each other;
a storage device having a memory for simultaneously storing the staggered streams of video data; and a monitor for displaying at least one of the video streams to the viewer.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a video selection device for displaying selected parts of different streams to the viewer.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising means for regulating the delivery of the staggered video streams.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 in which the regulating means is programmed to regulate the delivery of the staggered video streams depending upon the ability of the viewer to pay.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 in which the regulating means is programmed to regulate the delivery of the staggered video streams depending upon viewer selected content ratings.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the communications link connects to multiple multimedia sources.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 in which the storage device is associated with apparatus programmed to select the staggered video streams automatically based on search keys selected by the viewer.