GB2491093A

GB2491093A - Personal video recorder and system for the provision of television services

Info

Publication number: GB2491093A
Application number: GB201107864A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alistair Bruce Kelman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-11
Filing date: 2011-05-11
Publication date: 2012-11-28
Also published as: GB201107864D0

Abstract

A Personal Video Recorder (PVR) 30 for decoding digital transmitted signals for supply to a viewer's television set 40 comprises first input connection means 46 for connection to a source of broadcast digital video and/or audio signals, output means for connection to a viewer's television set; control means 42 to control operation of the viewing unit, first data storage means 52 for temporary storage of a broadcast programme, second data storage means 54 for storage of targeted advertisements and second connection means BC for two-way communication through a firewall 48. A method of generating credits in a system which includes the PVR comprises the steps of: a viewer indicating that he is willing to watch targeted adverts in association with a live broadcast television programme; the PVR pausing the television broadcast, recording it temporarily in temporary storage means, and showing targeted adverts to the viewer for a predetermined period; the PVR showing the viewer the television broadcast from the time it was paused, and sending a signal to a central credit recording means to indicate that the viewer has been shown the targeted adverts; and the central credit recording means recording an incremental credit for that viewer.

Description

An improved personal video recorder and system for the provision of enhanced television services

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to Personal Video Recorders (PVR5) which are purchased by viewers to convert digital broadcast audio and television (TV) signals for supply to the viewer's television set or visual display unit. The invention also relates to enhanced services which can be supplied using a PVR.

2. Description of the Related Art

As shown in Figure 1, a known PVR 10 contains a computer-type hard disc 12 and twin signal decoders/tuners 14. The PVR 10 is controlled by a remote control 16, such as an Infra Red control, and supplies signals to the viewer's viewing station such as a TV set or visual display unit 18. The PVR receives is broadcast digital television and audio signals from an aerial 20 which may be a satellite dish The remote control 16 allows the viewer to navigate through the received digital and audio broadcast channels, to call up an on-screen guide to current and forthcoming programmes, either for live viewing or for recording on the hard disc 12 for later viewing, and to set parental controls. The viewer can pause live TV, schedule the recording of programmes into the hard disc 12, and watch one channel while viewing another by use of the twin decoders 14. The PVR may contain facilities to decrypt encrypted broadcasts, sometimes by use of a smart card authorisation device (not shown). The remote control 16 can be used to navigate through a series of menus, sub-menus and sub-sub-menus to select TV and radio content for downloading for live viewing or for storage on the hard disc 12. The remote control has the conventional red and green buttons 16R, 1 6G, a pause button 1 6P and a fast forward button 16 FF.

The FVR incorporates a feature known as "chase play". A viewer can set the FVR to store a broadcast television programme in a buffer 22 in the hard disc 12, and can start to watch the stored programme before the entire programme has been broadcast. The viewer can fast forward through any advertisements included in the broadcast and through any parts of the programme which are not of interest, and can even catch up with the broadcast so as to watch the later parts of it live.

The known FVR also has a two-way backchannel connection, provided either by the Internet 24 or a modem 26. This permits the viewer to communicate with the broadcaster and others, for example to notify what programme is being or has been viewed, and which programmes are stored in the hard disc 12 for later viewing. Both the digital television signals and the backchannel carry very accurate time signals which can be used to synchronise the start or stop of the is recording of programmes.

Additionally the broadcaster can send commands to the PVR 10 so that it records specific programmes and/or adverts using one of the twin decoders 14.

Further, the broadcaster can "push" programmes and adverts directly into the FVR from the Internet 24. There is however concern that use of the backchannel allows information on the viewer's television viewing habits to be misused.

The providers of advertisements dislike the current practice of viewers "fast forwarding" through the adverts, and while it is technically possible to disable fast forward controls during advertisements, this is disliked by viewers.

A co-pending patent application FCT/GB2O1 1/050023, SteveTV Limited, relates to use of a Set Top Box, (the precursor of a FVR, without the recording and "chase play" facilities) in a system for supplying targeted advertisements to viewers of video and audio services in which the privacy of personal characteristics provided by each viewer is protected by the use of pseudo identities, and by use of a deliberate mis-match to a controlled extent. The adverts are stored centrally. The programmes and adverts are viewed on a fully time-shifted basis. There is also disclosure of use of a television remote control to respond to advertisements, by pressing the red and green buttons. This indicates that the viewer is actually present and watching the advert.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved FVR which protects viewer privacy while permitting the provision of targeted advertising services. It is a further object to provide a PVR in which the viewer can select the option of being rewarded for watching adverts; such reward may be incremental contributions to the cost of a subscription broadcast service; such subscription broadcast service may be a service which does not include advertisements in its broadcast programmes. Alternatively such reward may be cash or cash is equivalent payments being made to the viewer.

Brief Summary of the Invention

According to the invention a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) for decoding digital transmitted signals for supply to a viewer's television set comprising; first input connection means for connection to a source of broadcast digital video and/or audio signals; output means for connection to a viewer's television set; control means to control operation of the viewing unit; first data storage means for temporary storage of a broadcast programme; second data storage means for storage of targeted advertisements; and second connection means for two-way communication through a firewall.

Also according to the invention a system for generating credits as set out in Claim 1.

Brief Description of the drawings

The inventions will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 2 illustrates a PVR according to the invention connected to a system permitting the supply of privacy-enhanced services.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

Figure 2 shows an enhanced FVR 30 containing a computer-style hard disc 32, and twin decoders 34. The FVR 30 supplies television and audio signals to a TV set 40 and is controlled by a remote control 42 such as an IR control, which has buttons for the functions pause, 44P and fast forward 44 FF, and the conventional red and green buttons 44R, 44G. In addition there are blue and yellow buttons 44B, 44Y. The FVR is connected to an aerial 46 and to the two-way communication back-channel BC which may be provided by WiFi or by a broadband service or by a mobile telephone.

In the enhanced FVR 30 the hard disc 32 is connected to the backchannel BC through a firewall 48, and as shown the backchannel is connected to a server in the headquarters of a subscription service provider. The aerial 46 can receive three types of signal; broadcast television signals TV are arranged to be received in and stored by a first storage area 52; encrypted adverts EA are arranged to be received in and stored by a second storage area 54 and private data channel information DC which may be stored either in the first storage area 52 or in the second storage area 54. The encryption can be provided by any suitable technique. The first storage area stores decrypted adverts as will be described below.

The initial set up of the FVR 30 according to the invention will now be described.

The viewer purchases the PVR for use with a subscription service from an authorised supplier, connects it to the television set 40, plugs in the aerial 46, and enables the backchannel BC. The FVR 30 downloads, via the aerial 46, an up to date copy of the local Electronic Programme Guide which is broadcast by locally-available broadcasters, and connects via the backchannel BC to the subscription service provider HQ, supplying its unique reference code or MAC (Media Access Control) which is built into the hardware, and also the Internet Protocol address, being used at the time of the connection. These are logged in the server HQ 50.

The PVR presents on the television screen 40 a request for the viewer's subscription number to be entered via the keypad of the remote control 42; for example, in the UK this may be the ten digit number of the viewer's annual Television Licence; the HO server 50 checks the entered number against the TV Licence database and sends to the television 40 the registered address which the viewer can accept or request a correction. (If the viewer does not have a TV Licence, a request for one may be made at this stage.) The server HO is generates a unique reference based on the MAC address, the IP address and the Television Licence number. Alternatively the number may be the reference number of a fee-paying television service, or other subscription service reference number.

In a variation, the HO server 50 requests the input of a mobile telephone number which it logs, and then sends to that mobile phone a validation number which the viewer enters into the PVR 30 using the remote control 42.

The PVR 40 now puts on the television screen 40 a "Welcome Screen" which informs the viewer that the PVF{ is configuring itself; during this process, the viewer can watch live broadcast television programmes, listed in the Electronic Programme Guide.

The PRV 40 may contain in its first storage area 52 a small number of adverts suitable for display to any type of viewer, but now makes a connection to the private data channel DC and downloads additional adverts, also suitable for display to any type of viewer.

The PVR 40 now displays on television 40 a message indicating that the subscription service is now available. Now, and in future whenever the viewer switches on the television 40, after a short delay to permit channel selection, eg seconds, an overlay appears on the screen of television 40 with the message "If you wish to watch this programme live, press green button 44G or via the subscription service, press red button 44R". If the viewer wishes to use the subscription service and presses the red button, the PVR begins to store the currently selected broadcast programme in the first storage area 52, (ie the broadcast is paused), and shows one or more adverts stored in storage area 52 on the television screen.

Since the post code of the viewer has been stored in the server of the subscription service provider, some targeting of advertisements is possible, using public database information. For example, in the UK a database known as ACORN (A Classification Of Residential Neighbourhoods) divides viewer households into five categories, 17 groups and 56 types, depending on post code. For example, the likely income of the viewer can be inferred and adverts targeted on that income selected for supply to the television 40. Thus some targeting of adverts is possible with minimal loss of privacy.

If a viewer has agreed to watch advertisements then at the end of each advertising break the PVR 30 sends a signal over the back channel BC to the server at subscription service HO server 50, and the viewer's account is credited with an increment towards the subscription fee, such as the Annual Television Licence fee.

As a variation on the above to ensure that the viewer has viewed the advertisement the viewer can be requested to press a button on the remote, to indicate that he is present and watching the adverts with the viewer only being credited with an increment towards the subscription fee if the key has been depressed, In a further variation, the system may be arranged to make additional offers, such as contributions towards a mobile phone bill, or loyalty vouchers. The viewer will make the appropriate choice in setting up the PVR and may alter the choice at any time. This choice will be confirmed in a message from the server via the back channel BC.

The stored adverts in the first storage area 52 may be displayed immediately the viewer indicates that subscription service viewing is selected, and/or at selected intervals during a programme, for example every 15 minutes for a 2 minute duration, and/or in coincidence with any adverts or trailers in a broadcast programme. The choice may be programmed into the FVR 40 by the viewer.

After the initial set up of the FVR 40 after purchase, upgraded service will be made available to the viewer. The PVR 40 will be provided with high definition adverts.

As set out above, the minimum of information about the viewer who purchases and connects a FVR 40 includes the viewer's postcode/zipcode and subscription service number/annual TV Licence number. Viewer privacy is thus preserved.

However, the viewer will then probably be shown a number of adverts during subscription service viewing which are a poor match to viewer interests.

An optional feature of a PVR according to the invention is that the viewer can store in the PVR 40 additional personal information which will permit improved targeting of adverts while preserving privacy completely. The viewer may store information such as the number of adults and of children in the household and their ages, their interests, their ethnicity, the language they normally speak, and other sensitive details. Since the two-way communication via the back channel BC is protected by the firewall 48, such information cannot be accessed by the subscription service supplier or any other external contact. However, headers associated with each advert stored in the first storage area 52 allow adverts to be selected for supply to the television 40 which are targeted on such stored personal information.

Such headers are well known in the art. Each header specifies the properties of the advert and its target audience. The Field Names in each header are listed

in Table 1 below.

Table 1

FiI4 Nante Commafls Unique Advert k unique number which is universally used to identify this particular advertisement Identifier Length Length of advert in milliseconds Audience Classifier fhe ACORN code from ito 56 which identifies the demographic to which the advertisement is addressed. This field should list all the ACORN codes which are acceptable to the advertiser.

Household Classifier k code which identifies the number of adults and children and their respective ages and sexes in the household. This field should list all the Household classifier codes

which are acceptable

Language A code to identify the language of the advertisement &dvert Type \code which identifies the type of advertisement (e.g. financial services, food, services etc) Start Date fhe earliest date when the advert can be shown to the viewer End Date [he last date when the advert can be shown to the viewer -can be left blank if the advert is not to be retired.

Number of showings lie number of times the advert is to be shown to the viewer before being retired.

Channels identifier & code which identifies the channels on which the advert can be shown held Name Comments kddress of Advert on The area of the hard disk where the Advert is located after downloading Hard disk The associated comments are mainly self-explanatory, but it is to be noted that Advert Type is included because some adverts, eg those for alcohol, are legally not permitted before certain times of day. The Channels Identifier is required for locations having multi-channel services.

The Household Classifier is a code (which may be left blank if the advert is aimed at all ages and sexes) that enables the advertiser to specify the make-up in ages and sexes of the households to match a defined profile. For example a Household Classifier code may mean that the household consists of two adults, one male between 22 and 30 and the other female between 18 and 21 and no children. Another Household Classifier code may mean that the household consists of one female adult aged between 50 and 60 years. Yet another Household Classifier code may mean that the household consists of four adults and three children: one female adult aged between 50 and 60 years, one male adult between 50 and 60 years, one male between 35 and 45, one female between 25 and 35, one boy aged between 5 and 10, one girl aged between 10 and 13 and one boy aged between 0 and 3. Advertisers are able to put a series of Household Classifiers in this field to cover all the different types households.

Preferably the adverts supplied via the aerial 46 to the second storage area 54 of the hard disc in the PVR 40 are in encrypted form so that adverts are not publicly disclosed before a date predetermined by an advertiser. Each advert header will contain a date after which an encrypted advert may be decrypted by the PVR 40 and then stored in the second storage area 52.

For efficient use of broadcast channel capacity, the system according to the invention utilises three types of signals received via aerial 46, at different times of day, depending on band width requirements.

The broadcast television services, from one or more channels, which may be fee-paying or public broadcast services, reference TV in Fig 2, are received at the normal time of such broadcasts.

The encrypted high definition adverts EA are high volume and require high bandwidth; they are conveniently broadcast during the night time quiet hours, eg 4amto6am.

The private data channel DC broadcasts three different types of signal; a) a carousel of low definition adverts is broadcast repeatedly so that newly purchased FVRs according to the invention can be configured at any time of is day; the low volume, low bandwidth signal does not need special treatment; the duration of each carousel may for example be 30 minutes; b) at a regular time of night, there is a broadcast of an encrypted list of adverts which are to be broadcast in full (EA) the following night; c) during the quiet hours, there is a broadcast of an encrypted "playlist" of adverts to be played the following day; this list need not be regional but can be country-wide; since an early position in the list will be desirable to advertisers, they may be willing to pay a premium for such a position.

The format of the headers for broadcast b) above is given in Table 2.

Table 2

Field Name Conmtents

Unique Advert IA unique number which is universally used to identify this particular advertisement Identifier held Name Comments Position in l'ime in milliseconds from the start of the broadcast of HD advertisements broadcast Length Length of advert in milliseconds &udience Classifier Fhe ACORN code from ito 6 which identifies the demographic to which the advertisement is addressed. This field should list all the ACORN codes which are acceptable to the advertiser.

Household Classifier code which identifies the number of adults and children and their respective ages and sexes in the household. This field should list all the Household classifier codes Alhich are acceptable Language & code to identify the language of the advertisement \dvert Type \code which identifies the type of advertisement (e.g. financial services, food, services etc) &dvert Footprint \ code which identifies the locations where the advert should be seen Start Date l'he earliest date when the advert can be shown to the viewer End Date Fhe last date when the advert can be shown to the viewer -can be left blank if the advert is not to be retired.

Number of showings fhe number of times the advert is to be shown to the viewer before being retired.

Channels identifier \ code which identifies the channels on which the advert can be shown The Advert Footprint identifies geographical locations which may, for example, match the postcodes/zip codes of regional television channels.

The format of the headers in broadcast c) above is shown in Table 3.

Table 3

held Name Comments Unique Advert unique number which is universally used to identify this particular advertisement Identifier kudience Classifier The ACORN code from ito 56 which identifies the demographic to which the advertisement is addressed. This field should list all the ACORN codes which are acceptable to the advertiser.

Household Classifier code which identifies the number of adults and children and their respective ages and sexes in the household. This field should list all the Household classifier codes

vhich are acceptable

Language code to identify the language of the advertisement fime to be shown \. code identifies the times when the advert can be shown to the viewer Start Date fhe earliest date when the advert can be shown to the viewer End Date The last date when the advert can be shown to the viewer -can be left blank if the advert is not to be retired.

Number of showings The number of times the advert is to be shown to the viewer before being retired.

Channels identifier t code which identifies the channels on which the advert can be shown

The Field names are self-explanatory.

The operation of a single FVR, once it is connected and fully loaded with targeted adverts, and loaded with personal data by the viewer, will now be described.

Step 1 At a preset regular time of day or night, receive from the private data channel DC an encrypted table of adverts to be broadcast in full the following night; (the list will be country-wide and contain all types of advert); Step 2 Decrypt the list and, in accordance with factors such as geographical area, create a pick list; Step 3 At the preset quiet time, receive the broadcast encrypted adverts EA, select those on the pick list, and store the encrypted adverts in storage area 54; Step 4 Decrypt the stored adverts, check headers to see if they are "live", that is, authorised for current showing, and if so store them in decrypted form in storage area 52; Step 5 At a predetermined time, receive from the private data channel DC a current "general play list" of adverts to be shown; the general play list will set priorities for showing the adverts {Alistair, is this correct?} Step 6 Create a "personal" play list for its own use, based on the general play list and on adverts already stored in storage area 52; Step 7 when the viewer switches in the television 40 and indicates willingness to watch adverts, store the live broadcast television programme in storage area 52, supply adverts to television 40 for a predetermined period such as two minutes, then supply the stored broadcast programme to the television 40, while continuing to store the broadcast signals; (the viewer can fast forward using button 44F to catch up with the real time broadcast, or continue to watch the entire programme at a time delayed by the period of the adverts); Step 8 Send to the HO server 50 a signal indicating which adverts have been shown.

The personal data stored in the PVR is used by the PVR to generate its "personal" play list, by which adverts are selected and shown to the viewer which match the target of that advert, so that the irritation caused by inappropriate adverts is minimised. The personal data is protected by the firewall 48 and is inaccessible to any outside contact.

As new adverts are made available by broadcasts, each FVR adds to its store of adverts so that after a few days its hard disc is populated with sufficient adverts to satisfy all the viewer's requirements when the viewer chooses to view TV with inserted adverts. There after, the store is automatically maintained as expired adverts are discarded and current adverts are added.

Since the HO server 50 knows which adverts have been shown to viewers, feedback to individual advertisers can be given for them to monitor the effectiveness of each advert, for example on a regional basis, or over a television broadcasting area, but without the need to identify any individual viewer. Viewer privacy is thus maintained The adverts can be interactive, requiring the viewer to press a button such as blue button 44B on the remote 42; this permits the viewer to indicate interest in a product, such as a "Money Off "offer for a local shop or café, when a voucher can be delivered to a mobile telephone registered by that viewer. From the point of view of the advertiser, it shows that the viewer has actually watched the advert, as disclosed in co-pending patent application FCT/GB2O11/050023.

As an alternative to increments towards payment of a subscription, loyalty card points can be credited, or payments toward a mobile telephone cost. In every case, the viewer can select the option.

Typical questions displayed on the screen of television 40 requesting the input is of personal data to the PVF{ 30 by the viewer can be as follows:-How many people (of all ages) are there in your household? This sets a counter for a loop and for each person in turn the householder sets: 1. Sex(M/F) 2. Age Group via a tick box (0 -2, 3-5, 6 -10, 11-13, 14-18, 18-25, 26- 34,35-44,45-54,55-64, 65-74 and 75+) 3. First language via a tick box (English, Welsh, Urdu etc) If the person has been given as having an age of 18 or over then the system requests a mobile phone number for that person and allows that person to be the one for vouchers to the household If the person has been given as having an age of 13 or over then the system requests a mobile phone number for that person for personal vouchers If the person has been given as having an age of between 5 and 13 then the system requests an optional mobile phone number for that person for personal vouchers with an default option for a copy of all personal vouchers being sent to one of the adult mobile phone numbers If the person has been given an age of under 5 then no requests are made for the mobile phone number of the child.

The viewer can confirm or alter these options, for example by arranging that only the viewer receives offers, while the children do not.

The advertiser can set the advert headers to target the advert on, for example, households in which there is a male child aged 11 to 13 in a particular geographic area; the PVR includes the advert in the "personal" pick list only if the viewer lives in that geographic area and also had a male child aged 11 to 13; otherwise the advert is not shown to the viewer.

is The arrangement according to the invention also permits rapid configuration of a second or further FVRs for the same household. The existing PVR is instructed to copy its stored information to the viewer's second personal video recorder PVF{ 130 (not shown). The steps for this process are as follows:- 1. The viewer plugs in the FVR 1 30 and it connects via the backchannel BC to HO 50 2. The viewer enters the ten digit Annual Television Licence number 3. FVR 130 comes back with an address on screen. The viewer accepts if OK, rejects if wrong and call TV Licensing to amend the viewer's details.

4. PVR 130 now indicates that the viewer is already registered and that it is now sending a validation number to the viewer's mobile phone number 5. Viewer receives the validation number, inputs the validation number on the FVR13O using the remote control 42 6. HO 50 now instructs the first PVR 30 to encrypt and send a copy of its stored data to HO 50 where it is sent to the viewer's new FVR 130, decrypted by the new FVR 130 and set it up as its profile.

7. HO 50 sends the message via the back-channel BC that FVR 130 is set up correctly and it is now associated with the viewer's established account and secret family profile.

The FVRs are arranged so that the viewer can update the stored personal data at any time. HO 50 does not know the profile of any viewer. The viewer selects the personal information stored in the FVRs, but it is to the viewer's advantage to ensure that this information is accurate so that adverts can be correctly targeted.

While the invention has been described with reference to a viewer having a broadband connection, in an alternative, the authorized supplier of the PVR 30 also supplies a USB data-only mobile dongle which, when plugged into a USB port on the FVR 30 will link to a service plan provided by a mobile telephone is supplier. The viewer can configure the FVR 30 as before. A similar process can make use of a mobile WiFi hotspot in the home.

The system has been described with reference to Digital Terrestrial Television, but it may equally be applied to satellite or cable television services.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A Personal Video Recorder (PVR) for decoding digital transmitted signals for supply to a viewer's television set comprising; first input connection means for connection to a source of broadcast digital video and/or audio signals; output means for connection to a viewer's television set; control means to control operation of the viewing unit; first data storage means for temporary storage of a broadcast programme; second data storage means for storage of targeted advertisements; and second connection means for two-way communication through a firewall.
2 A method of generating credits in a system which includes a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) according to claim 1 comprising the steps of: a viewer indicating that he is willing to watch targeted adverts in association with a live broadcast television programme; the PVR pausing the television broadcast, recording it temporarily in temporary storage means, and showing targeted adverts to the viewer for a predetermined period; the PVR showing the viewer the television broadcast from the time it was paused, and sending a signal to a central credit recording means to indicate that the viewer has been shown the targeted adverts; and the central credit recording means recording an incremental credit for that viewer.
3 A method according to claim2 in which the television broadcast does not include adverts, and the FVR shows the targeted adverts to the viewer for a predetermined period.
4 A method according to claim 2 in which the television broadcast does include adverts and the viewer is able to configure the FVR so that the targeted adverts are shown to the viewer during the period corresponding to the broadcast adverts.
A method according to any one of claims 2, 3 and 4 in which the targeted adverts are stored in the FVR.
6 A method according to any one of claims 2 to 53 in which the targeted advert is shown to the viewer before he is shown the paused beginning of the television broadcast.
7 A method according to any one of claims 2 to 6 comprising the further step of the viewer providing an indication to the FVR that he is present when the selected adverts are being shown.