MX2011002031A - Method and system for ordering video content using a link. - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and system for ordering content includes a content processing system and a device in communication with the content ordering system. The device displaying a link corresponding to content and accessing a content ordering system by selecting the link. The content processing system enables a content recording request. A user receiving device receives the content associated with the link in response to the content recording request and stores the content in a memory.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ORDERING VIDEO CONTENTS USING A LINK TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates to a system for processing and delivering content and, more specifically, to a system for ordering content using a hyperlink, for example to an email or a web page.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The information provided in this section is intended to provide a general overview of the background of the present invention without this being interpreted as prior art.

Satellite television has become increasingly popular due to the wide variety of content and the quality of the content available. A satellite television system typically includes a decoder box that is used to receive the satellite and decoder signals for use in a television set. The decoder box typically has a memory associated with it. The memory may include a digital video recorder or other such device, as well as the operating code for the decoder box.

Satellite television systems typically broadcast content simultaneously to a number of users of a system. Satellite television systems also offer subscription-based or pay-per-view access to the broadcast content. Access is provided by signals broadcast by satellite. Once the access is provided, the user can access the particular content.

Content providers are increasingly trying to determine additional ways to provide content to users. Many times, a user may not be in the same place as the recording device associated with his television set. Other times, users may not have received information about new programming offers available. Therefore, opportunities to record content of interest may be lost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure allows users to order content through a hyperlink or link. The link can be provided in an email or posted on a website, such as a social networking website. The content is then transferred and recorded on a user device. The teachings presented here can be applied to live content and content on demand, stored within a content processing system.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a method includes the steps of: forming a link corresponding to the content; access the content custom system by selecting the link; connect a user to the custom content system; enable a request for content recording; receiving the content associated with the link on a user device, in response to the content recording request; and storing the content in a memory of the user device.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, a system includes a content processing system and a device in communication with the content custom system. The device shows a link corresponding to the content and accesses the 'content commission' system by selecting the link. The content processing system enables a request for content recording. A user receiving device receives the content associated with the link in a user device, in response to the content recording request and stores the content in a memory.

Additional areas of applicability will be apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The figures described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of a communication system according to the disclosure.

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic view of detailed blocks of the content processing system of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic view of detailed blocks of the fixed user device of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for linking the content and information associated with the content.

FIGURE is a flow chart of a method for navigating selected titles of an interactive interface.

FIGURE 6 is a flow diagram of a method for searching titles in an interactive interface.

FIGURE 7 is a method for viewing programming information in an interactive interface.

FIGURE 8 is a method to view video trailer information in an interactive interface.

FIGURE 9 is a flow diagram of a method for ordering titles in an interactive interface.

FIGURE 10 is a method for providing parental blocks to an interactive interface.

FIGURE 11 is a web page to browse the various video titles on demand, FIGURE 12 is a more detailed menu screen to navigate through the various video titles on demand.

FIGURE 13 is a page of a programmer-specific content page to navigate through the various titles available through the programmer.

FIGURE 14 is a screen of a page of search results.

FIGURE 15 is a screen for determining the position in the queue.

FIGURE 16 is a screen for prioritizing a requested title of video on demand.

FIGURE 17 is a tabular view of a customer queue.

FIGURE 18 is a simplified block diagrammatic view of a mobile device in communication with a website.

FIGURE 19 is a flow diagram of a method for a mobile device to access a service website.

FIGURE 20 is a flowchart of a method for operating and interacting with a website in order to order mobile content.

FIGURE 21 is a flowchart of a method for searching content using a mobile device.

FIGURE 22 is a flow chart for fast recording of content from a mobile device.

FIGURE 23 is a screen for programming the recording of a DVR.

FIGURE 24 is a screen illustrating a first page of connection with a DVR programmer.

FIGURE 25 is a screen of a DVR programmer when the email entered in FIGURE 24 is not found.

FIGURE 26 is a screen that illustrates that registration by -phone is not allowed.

FIGURE 27 is a screen of a DVR programmer where the name or identification of the user is remembered.

FIGURE 28 is a screen for a DVR programmer used when the user name has been forgotten.

FIGURE 29 is a screen that illustrates that the DVR programmer requires an HD DVR.

FIGURE 30 is a screen of an interface for the DVR programmer to perform various functions.

FIGURE 31 is a search screen used by the DVR programmer.

FIGURE 32 is a screen of search results corresponding to a particular search element.

FIGURE 33 is a screen to perform a search with time restrictions.

FIGURE 34 is a screen of search results returned from a search.

FIGURE 35 is a search results screen with a pair of selections.

FIGURE 36 is a search screen that illustrates more episodes of a search.

FIGURE 37 is a screen for programming the recording of the search results.

FIGURE 38 is a search results screen with queue selections.

FIGURE 39 is a screen to select types of recording.

FIGURE 40 is a screen to confirm a request.

FIGURE 41 is a screen that confirms a recording request.

FIGURE 42 is a screen that illustrates the search results of a search string within a title.

. FIGURE 43 is a screen that illustrates the search results of a channel search.

FIGURE 44 is a screen illustrating a fast registration corresponding to a DVR programmer.

FIGURE 45 is a screen for selecting a recording device associated with the account.

FIGURE 46 is a screen illustrating the disconnection of the DVR programmer's system.

FIGURE 47 is a simplified block diagrammatic view of a secure custom system.

FIGURE 48 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process for operating the secure custom system.

FIGURE 49 is a simplified block diagrammatic view of a custom system using a link.

FIGURE 50 is a flowchart of a method for requesting emails in order to order content using a link.

FIGURE 51 is a flow diagram of a method for generating a web page link to order content.

FIGURE 52 is a screen of a program guide for loading content.

FIGURE 53 is a flowchart of a method for using a link in order to order content.

FIGURE 54A is a screen of an email with a link to order content.

FIGURE 54B is a screen of a website that has a link to order content.

FIGURE 55 is a simplified block diagrammatic view of a voice menu system for ordering content.

FIGURE 56 is a flow chart of a method for ordering content using the voice menu system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following description is purely of an implicit nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. For the sake of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the figures to identify similar elements. As used herein, the term "module" refers to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a circuit combinatorial logic and / or other suitable components that provide the functionality described. As used herein, the phrase 'at least one of A, B and C must be interpreted as meaning a logic (A or B or C), which uses a non-exclusive OR logic. It should be understood that the steps contained in the method can be executed in different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure.

The following system is described with respect to a satellite system and a broadband system. The broadband distribution system can be implemented in a terrestrial system, such as a cable or telephone type system. In the broadband system, an optical fiber can be used. In the broadband distribution system, wireless distribution can also be used.

While the following disclosure is made with respect to the DIRECTV® broadcasting services and systems set forth as an example, it should be understood that many other delivery systems are immediately applicable to the disclosed systems and methods. Such systems include other wireless distribution systems, wired or cable distribution systems, cable television distribution systems, radio frequency systems, ultra high frequency (UHF) / very high frequency (VHF), or other terrestrial broadcast systems (for example, the multi-channel and multipoint distribution system (MMDS), the local multipoint distribution system (LMDS), etc.), Internet-based distribution systems, cellular distribution systems, power line broadcasting systems, any network of delivery by Internet Protocol (IP) from point to point and / or multidiffusion and fiber optic networks. In addition, the different functions collectively assigned between a head end (HE), integrated receivers / decoders (IRD) and a content delivery network (CDN), as described below-, can be reassigned as desired without departing of the intended scope of the present patent.

In addition, while the following disclosure is made with respect to the delivery of video (for example, television (TV), movies, music videos, etc.), it should be understood that the systems and methods disclosed herein could also be used for delivery of any type of media content, for example audio, music, data files, web pages, etc. Also, in all this disclosure reference is made to data, information, programs, movies, protected utilities, video data, etc .; however, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that these terms are substantially equivalent with respect to. the systems and / or methods set forth as examples that are disclosed here. As used herein, the term title will be used to refer, for example, to a film itself and not to the name thereof.

With respect now to FIGURE 1, a communication system 100 includes a content processing system 102 that is used as a source of processing and transmission, multiple content providers, one of which is shown in reference number 104 and a first satellite 106. A second satellite 108 may also be incorporated into the system. The satellites 106, 108 may be used to communicate different types of information or different portions of various contents of the content processing system 102. The system 100 also includes multiple security devices. fixed users 110, such as integrated receivers / decoders (IRD) or an external decoder. The wireless communications are exchanged between the content processing system 102 and the fixed user devices 110 through one or more satellites 106, 108. The wireless communications can take place at any frequency, such as, for example, the frequencies of the Ka band and Ku band.

A mobile user device 112 may also be incorporated into the system. The mobile user device 112 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular telephone 114, a personal digital assistant 116, a portable media player 118, a laptop computer 120 or a vehicle-based device 122. It should be noted that, in communications system 100, several mobile devices 112 and several fixed user devices 110 may be employed. Mobile devices 112 may each have a separate antenna generally represented by the antenna 124 In addition to communication via satellites 106, 108, various types of information may be terrestrially communicated, such as security information, encryption / decryption information, content or portions of content. A communications network 132, such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a terrestrial wireless system, a stratospheric platform or fiber optic or other such facility, can be used to communicate terrestrially with the fixed user device 110. or the user mobile device 112. To illustrate the terrestrial wireless capability, an antenna 134 for terrestrial wireless communication with the user mobile device 112 is shown.

The information or content provided to the content processing system 102 from the media source 104 may be transmitted, for example, by an uplink antenna 138 to the satellites 106, 108, one or more of which may be a satellite geosynchronous or a geostationary satellite, which in turn, redifunden the information by broad geographic areas of the Earth, which include user devices 110, 112. Satellites can also have inter-satellite links. Among other things, the content processing system disclosed as example 102 of FIGURE. 1 provides program material to user devices 110, 112 and is coordinated with user devices 110, 112 to offer subscribers pay-per-view (PPV) program services and broadcast services, including billing and associated encryption. the video programs. You can also receive programming that is not PPV (for example, without subscription). To receive the information redistributed by the satellites 106, 108, each user device 110 is coupled in communication with a downlink receiver or antenna 140.

Security can be established in the dissemination of protected utilities by means of satellites 106, 108, by applying encryption and decryption to protected utilities or content during content processing and / or during broadcast (ie, broadcast encryption). For example, a protected utility may be encrypted on the basis of a control word (CW) known to the content processing system 102 and by the user devices 110, 112 authorized to view and / or reproduce that protected utility. In the illustrated exemplary communication system 100, for each utility, the content processing system 102 generates a packet of control words (CWP) that includes, among other things, a date and time indicator, authorization requirements, assignments , recording instructions, including the initial hours and the durations of the channel assignments and an input value, and then determines the control word (CW) corresponding to the utility by computing a cryptographic hash of the contents of the CWP. The CWP is also broadcast to the user devices 110, 112 by means of the satellites 106, 108. In order to view and / or reproduce the encrypted protected utility that is broadcast, the authorized user devices will be able to correctly determine the CW by computing a cryptographic hash. of the contents of the CWP received. If the user device 110 is not authorized, the IRD 110 will not be able to determine which is the correct CW that enables decryption of the encrypted protected utility that is broadcast. The CW can be changed periodically (for example, every 30 seconds) by generating and disseminating a new CWP. In one example, a new CWP is generated by updating the date and time indicator included in each CWP. As an alternative, a CWP could directly transmit a CW either in encrypted or unencrypted form. Other examples of coordinated encryption and decryption abound, including for example the encryption and decryption of the public / private key.

With respect now to FIGURE 2, the content processing system 102 of FIGURE 1 is illustrated in greater detail. Content provider 104 may include various types of content providers, including those that provide content by means of a content provider. satellite 200, a DVD 202, by a network as a file in 204, by means of tapes and other means. The content provider 104 may also provide a description of the content and other metadata 208 to the system.

Content providers 104 can be providers of various types of content and provide various types of content which includes advertising content, such as advertising in batches (advertisements). Content providers can provide various types of information that includes advertising information. Advertising providers can provide information about different products or different available or future content. It should be noted that the advertising provider and the content provider can be one and the same.

Content providers can also have a home page within the present system. In short, the home page is a portion of the program guide that allows you to select the content to be downloaded to the user device. The system operator can also have its own home page with the various content categories. The categories and types of the home pages will be described later. The homepage provides the particular subscriber with a list of content upon request.

The home page can be formed with various configurations that include the menu structure. Content providers can also provide various metadata for the menu structure or the program guide.

Another area of the content processing system 102 is an input server 212 that receives the diverse content and converts it to the format in a 214 format conversion system. A storage server of protected utilities in domestic format 216 can be used to store the protected utility of the content in a domestic format. The files of still images, movie trailers and other information can also be stored in the storage server of protected utilities in domestic format. A workflow management system 220 is used to control the format conversion system 214 and the server 212. In addition, the workflow management system 220 is coupled to the storage server of protected utilities in domestic format 216 and performs the entry control. The storage server of protected utilities in domestic format 216 provides still images to a content management system 221 and to a file in domestic format, audio and video files to the video transport processing system 223.

The VTPS 223 can code the packet. The encoder can encode the data according to the coding CableLabs®, video on demand (VoD), specification MD-SP-VOD-CEP-101-040107 (that is, it carries out the coding of the protected utilities). A packetizer 270 configures the data encoded in a stream of data packets and also append a header to each packet to facilitate identification of the contents of the packets of data, for example a sequence number identifying each packet location within the packet. stream of data packets (for example, a stream of bits). The header also includes a program identifier (PID) (for example, a service channel identifier (SCID)) which in turn identifies the program to which the data packet belongs.

The stream of data packets (ie, a stream of bits) is then encrypted for broadcast, using for example the well-known advanced encryption standard (AES) or the well-known data encryption standard (DES). In one example, only the workload portion of the data packets is encrypted, thereby allowing a user device 110 to filter, route and / or classify the encrypted data packets for broadcast that are received without having to first decrypt the data packets. encrypted data packets.

The content management system 221 in general controls the overall movement and distribution of the contents through the content processing system 102. The content management system 221 can also assign material identifications to the various content received. Material identification can use the protected utilities identifier (ID) of the metadata as well as the provider ID. The content, posters and other information received can be assigned material identifications to make them easier to associate and retrieve. For example, different suffixes may be used to identify content related to the rest of the material identification that is the same.

Information on licenses and contracts 222 and advertisements from public sales 224 can be provided to the content management system 221. That is, the content management system can be provided with information on licenses, level assignments, pricing and availability. . The information on protected utilities and the names and duration of the files can be exchanged between the content management system 221 and the workflow management system 220. The information of protected utilities, such as the names and the duration of the files, can be determined on the server 212 that is coupled to the workflow management system 220.

A traffic and programming system 228 is used to provide the requested channel, the associated program data (PAD), the channel information and the program information (PIP) packets. The traffic and programming system 228 can program the content processing of the multiple utilities received, based on a desired alignment of the programs that the communications system 100 will offer. This can include both programming on demand and linear programming 286. For example, high priority could be assigned for content processing to a live TV program for which a high demand for repetitions is expected. Linear programming 786 provides live transmissions via satellite.

A PAD programming server (SPS) 230 can be coupled to the workflow system and used to generate broadband video PAD which is communicated to a conditional access system for broadband video 232.

The conditional access system for broadband video 232 can be used to generate the control word and the control word packet in pairs and to provide them to the video transport processing system 223.

In the illustrated example of FIGURE 2, users of user devices 110 are charged subscription services and / or "protected" utility downloads (eg, PPV TV) and that is why the content processing system 102 includes a billing system 234 for tracking and / or billing the subscribers for the services provided by the system 100. For example, billing system 234 records that a user has been authorized to download a movie and, once successfully downloaded the same, the user is billed for it.Alternatively, the user may not be billed unless the movie has been viewed.

A billing system 234 receives price and availability information from the content management system 221. A conditional access system 236 receives information about response calls to the user from the communication network 132. The conditional access system can be used to generate authorizations. , pay-by-event billing data and billing system response data 234. The registration of remote requests from the conditional access transaction system 238 can also be provided. A BCC 240 conditional access system can be used to generate a conditional access package of conditional access system information 236.

The billing system 234 can generate purchase data that is provided to the business integration block (El) 242. The business integration block 242 can generate write requests for the conditional access transaction system 238. The requests for Recording can be generated through a web interface such as DIRECTV.com, a voice response system or other methods of block 244. In the web interface 244 various types of order can be received, such as custom broadband video (upon request), pay per event (pay-per-view) and various services. Users can also access various video trailers through the web interface 244 that provides the utility storage server in home format 216. The business integration block 242 can also receive guide information and metadata from the system. content management 221.

Titles, descriptions, various categories and metadata of the content management system 221 can be provided to the advanced program guide system 248. The program guide system 248 can be coupled to a satellite broadcasting system such as a transport processing system. broadcast 250 that transmits linear and on-demand content to the users by satellites 106, 108.

The program guide data generated by the program guide system 248 may include information that is used to generate a user guidance information screen, where the program guide may be a guide matrix that informs the user about particular programs that are broadcast in particular channels at particular times. A program guide can also include information that a user device uses to assemble the schedule and present it to a user. For example, the program guide can be used to tune to a channel on which a particular program is offered. The program guide may also contain information for tuning, remodulating, demultiplexing, deciphering, de-programming or decoding selected programs.

The titles, descriptions and categories of the content management system 221 can also be provided to the content distribution system 260. The content distribution system 260 can control the content files and metadata.

With respect to the video transport processing system 227, the video transport processing system 223 includes a transport packaging system 270. The packaging system Transport 270 creates pre-packaged and unencrypted files that are stored in the content repository. An encryption module 272 receives the output from the transport packaging system and encrypts the packets. Fully packaged and encrypted files can also be stored in content repository 274. Encryption can take place in the data portion of a packet and not in the header portion. Metadata can also be stored within the content repository to identify the characteristics of the programs or files. Metadata can include, but not limited to, content data such as time, duration, actors, title, descriptions and if the content is part of a series.

One or more content delivery networks 280a-n may be used to provide content files, such as encrypted or unencrypted and packetized files, to the communications network 132 for the purpose of distribution to user devices 110, 112 The content distribution system 260 can make requests for delivery of the various content files and protected utilities through the communications network 132. The content distribution system 260 also generates satellite requests and broadcasts the diverse content and utilities. protected through the broadband transport processing system 250.

The communications network 132 may be Internet 122 which is a multi-point, multi-point communications network. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that point-to-point communications can also be provided through communications network 132. By. For example, downloading a particular content file from a content delivery network can communicate to a particular user device. Such file transfers and / or file transfer protocols are widely recognized as point-to-point communications or point-to-point communications signals and / or create point-to-point communication paths, even if they are transported over a communications network from multiple points to multiple points, such as the Internet. It will also be recognized that the communications network 132 may be used to implement a variety of broadcast systems, in which a transmitter may transmit a variety of data or data packets to any number or to a varied number of clients or receivers simultaneously. Moreover, the communications network 132 can also be used to provide point-to-point communication and / or point-to-point communication signals from a number of broadcast transmitters or content delivery networks 280.

The content delivery network 280 can be implemented using a variety of techniques or devices. For example, multiple Linux-based servers with fiber optic connections can be used. Each of the content delivery networks 280 may include servers that are connected to the Internet or to the communications network 132. This allows the user devices to download information or content (eg, a movie) from the content delivery network. 280. The content delivery network 280 may act as a cache memory with respect to the information provided from the content repository 274. A particular user device may be directed to a particular content delivery network (CDN) 280, depending on the specific content to recover. A uniform Internet resource locator (URL) may be assigned to a movie or other content. In addition, in case one of the content delivery networks 280 has heavy traffic, it can be changed by another content delivery network to provide a faster service. In the interest of clarifying and facilitating understanding, throughout this disclosure reference is made to deliver, download, transfer and / or receive information, video, data, etc., through the content delivery network 280. However, those skilled in the art will immediately appreciate that the information is delivered, downloaded, transfered or received by one of the Internet-based servers of or associated with the content delivery network 280.

It should be appreciated that the content delivery network 280 can be operated by an external provider. That is, the operator of the content delivery network 280 may not be the same operator of the remaining portions of the content processing system 102. To download files from the content delivery network 280, the user devices 110, 112 they can implement the Internet protocol stack with a defined application layer and possibly a download application provided by a delivery network provider. In the illustrated example, file transfers are implemented using standard Internet protocols (the FTP file transfer protocol), the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc. Each file received by the user device can be checked in the sense that it is complete and complete and, if the file is not intact, the missing and / or damaged portions of the files can be delivered or downloaded again. Alternatively, the entire IRD file can be purged and delivered or downloaded again.

The security of the protected utilities can also be established through the content delivery network. The control word packets of each encrypted utility for broadcast or content file may be provided to the content delivery network (CDN) 280. Encryption may also be provided.

The broadband transport processing system 250 can provide various functions, including coding, packetization, encryption, multiplexing and modulation and downlink frequency conversion. RF amplification can also be provided in the broadband transport processing system 250. .

Wireless delivery over satellites 106, 108 can simultaneously include both files (eg, movies, pre-recorded TV shows, games, software updates, information about program guides or utility files, menu structures, etc.) and / or live (linear) content, data, programs and / or information. Wireless delivery via satellites 106, 108 provides the opportunity to deliver, for example with a single broadcast, a number of titles (ie, movies, pre-recorded TV shows, etc.) to virtually any number of customers. . However, due to the limited channel capacity of satellites 106, 108, the amount of titles (ie, protected utilities) that can be provided during a particular period of time is restricted.

Conversely, Internet-based delivery through the CDN 280 can support a large number of titles, each of which may have a more restricted target audience. In addition, Internet-based delivery is point-to-point (for example, from the Internet-based content server to a user device 110, 112), thus allowing each user device user 106, 108 to select the titles individually. The assignment of a title to the satellite and / or the delivery of Internet-based content depends on the amount of the target audience and can be adjusted over time. For example, a title with high demand (that is, a large initial audience) can be disseminated at first through satellites 106, 108 and then, over time, made available for download through CDN 280, when the amount of the target audience or the demand for the title is lower. A title may be broadcast simultaneously by means of satellites 106, 108 and be available for downloading from CDN 280 via communication network 132.

In the communications system set forth as example 100, each protected utility (eg, program, title, content, game, TV program, etc.) is pre-packaged and, as an option, pre-encrypted and then saved as a data file (that is, a protected utility files). Next, the protected utilities file can be broadcast via satellites 106, 108 and / or sent to CDN 280 for download through it (ie Internet-based delivery). In particular, if the data file is broadcast by means of satellites 106, 108, it forms at least one workload of a resulting satellite signal. Similarly, if the data file is available for download through the CDN 280, the same form at least one workload of a resulting Internet signal.

It will immediately be apparent to those skilled in the art that, even if the at least one workload of a resulting signal includes the data file regardless of the broadcast technique (e.g., satellite or Internet), the mode may differ. in which the file is physically transmitted. In particular, the transmission of data by a transmission medium (eg, satellite, Internet, etc.) comprises operations that are: (a) independent of the transmission media; and (b) dependent on the means of transmission. For example, the transmission protocols (for example, transmission control protocol / Internet protocol (TCP / IP), user datagram protocol (UDP), encapsulation, etc.) and / or modulation techniques (for example , modulation by quadrature amplitude (QAM), correction of forward errors (FEC), etc.) used to transmit a file by means of Internet signals (for example, through the Internet 122) may differ from those used via satellite (for example, satellites 106, 108). In other words, the transmission protocols and / or modulation techniques are specific to physical communication paths, that is, they depend on the physical and / or transmission means used to communicate the data. However, the content (for example, a file representing a title) transported by a certain transmission protocol and / or modulation technique is agnostic of the transmission protocol and / or. the modulation technique, that is, the content is independent of the transmission medium.

The same data file of pre-packaged content and, as an option, pre-encryption that is broadcasted by satellite may be available for download over the Internet, and the way in which the protected utility is stored, decoded or reproduced by user devices 110, is independent of whether the program has been received by user devices 110 via satellite or Internet. Furthermore, as the content processing system set forth as example 102 of FIGURE 1 broadcasts a live program and a non-live program (eg, a movie) by applying the same coding, packetization, encryption, etc., the mode that a program (live or not) is stored, decoded and / or reproduced by the user devices 110 is also independent of whether or not it is a live program. Therefore, the user devices 110, 112 can handle the processing of content, programs and / or titles independently of the source (s) and / or the type (s) of the content, the programs and / or the titles. In particular, the delivery configurations set forth as an example and the signal processing of the content delivery system set forth as an example of FIGURE 2 are explained in more detail below.

With respect now to FIGURE 3, the user device 110 may be one of a variety of devices, for example a set-top box, a home media server, a home media center (HMC), a personal computer (PC) with a receiver card installed, etc. A display device 300 such as a television set, a computer monitor, a portable media player or other such device can be coupled to the user device. The user device 110 may be an integrated receiver / decoder, a satellite television receiver or the like which displays and / or reproduces the received programming.

The reception antenna 140 (124 in a mobile device) receives the signals carried by a multiplexed and modulated bit stream from the satellites 106, 108. Within the reception antenna 140, the signals are coupled from a reflector and feed a low noise block (LNB) 302, which amplifies and converts the received signals in a downward direction. The output of LNB 302 is provided to a receiver 304, which receives, remodulates, de-blocks, demultiplexes, decodes and decodes the received signal to provide audio and video signals to the display device 300, a recorder 306 or both. The memory device 306 may be implemented separately or within the user device 110. The receiver 304 responds to the user's inputs to tune, for example, to a particular program.

To store the received and / or recorded protected programs and / or utilities, the memory device 306 may include any of a variety or combination of storage devices such as a hard disk drive, DVR, flash memory or other types of storage devices. memory. The memory device 306 may be used to store the content, information, objects and program guide information and / or programs received by the satellites 106, 108 and / or the CDN 280. In particular, the packets stored in the memory device 306 may be the same encoded packets and, as an encrypted option, which created the content processing system 102 and which were transmitted by means of satellites 106, 108 and / or made available for download by the CDN 280 .

The memory device 306 may also be a device capable of recording information, for example, in analogue media such as videotape or computer-readable digital media, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a digital versatile disk (DVD ), a compact disc (CD) and / or any other suitable medium.

To communicate with any of a variety of clients, media players, etc., the user device 110 set forth as the illustrated example includes one or more connection interface modules 308 (e.g., USB, serial port, Firewire, etc.). .). The connection interface module 306 can act as a network interface, which implements, for example, the Ethernet interface.

Each user device 110 can be connected to a communication network, such as Internet 122, by means of any of a variety of technologies, for example, a voice band modem and / or integrated services digital network (ISDN), connected to a conventional PSTN, a wireless broadband connection (for example, IEEE 802.11b, 802. llg, etc.), a wired broadband connection (for example, ADSL, cable modems, etc.), a wired Ethernet connection ( for example, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), etc.), a cellular connection, a leased transmission facility (for example, a level 1 circuit of digital signals (also known as DS1) , a fractional DS1, etc.), etc.

The user device 110 may also include a control module 310 that is used to control the operation of the various components included within the user device.

A user interface 312 can be, for example, a set of push buttons or a remote control interface. The user interface 312 is used to make the selections, input the various data and change the parameters of the user device 110. The user interface 312 may be used in conjunction with a graphical user interface displayed on the display device associated with the user. the user device.

It should also be noted that the user devices 114 (device 110) can be configured in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIGURE 3 with the reference number 110. Such devices can include an internal antenna instead of an external satellite dish, which is illustrates in the fixed device as 140. In addition, external antennas such as a phase-controlled array antenna are possible.

The recording device 306 may have two partitions, a network partition 320 and a user partition 322. In the network partition 320 or the user partition 322, different content types or protected utilities may be stored. The content stored in the different partitions can be related to the content level. This will be described later in greater detail.

With respect now to FIGURE 4, it presents a method for assigning material identifications to the diverse content and information associated with the content. In step 410, content of the various content revisions is received. Providers may provide a protected provider identification or utility ID in relation to the content provided. You can also receive posters, videos, graphics, metadata from content providers. The content and other information associated with the content can be received in different ways or in the same way. When received in different ways, they can be jointly associated in the content processing system. In step 412, the content providers can also provide a package of home pages, containing the graphics, posters, links and metadata of the home page of the content provider. The types of metadata that can be received from content providers have already been described in FIGURE 1.

In step 414, the material identification is assigned to the content and information associated with the content. This step can be performed in the content management system of FIGURE 2. Preferably, the material ID and information associated with the content are linked together. As already mentioned, one way to link the content with the information associated with the content is to provide an identification of common material with various suffixes to identify the different information.

With respect to Figure 5, it illustrates a method for navigating and searching titles in an interactive interface. In the following figure, the steps are broken down into user steps 510, steps of DIRECTV.com or interactive interface 512 and steps of external interface 514. The interactive interface can be a website or interactive voice response system. It should be noted that the interactive interface may be available through many types of devices that include a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, an intelligent device, a self-contained quisco or in-flight entertainment systems. The process is started in step 520. In step 522, the interactive interface is entered. The interactive interface can be entered by entering a customer identifier and a password. If they do not exist, an account with a client identifier and password associated with a particular account can be configured. In step 523, the user navigates to a program guide. The screen in step 524 can display all channels including broadcast channels (on demand), if users are subscribed to the broadcast service. That is, both the broadcast content and the linear channels can be displayed. Linear channels are channels that are displayed and communicated in real time to users as normal network programming. The broadband service and the broadband channels are available for communication with the user device only by selection. The channels and selections are communicated to the interactive interface of the program guide system of the content processing system, in step 526.

After step 524, a broadcast selection filter can be applied to the channels so that, in step 526, only the broadcast channels can be displayed. In step 528, the interactive interface can activate or deactivate the broadcast channel listings. By default, listings of broadband channels can be turned on for subscribers and turned off for non-subscribers. In the activated position (ON) of step 530, the broadband titles are shown in the program guide listing. In the OFF position of step 532, the broadband titles of the program guide listing are hidden. It should be noted that the list of the program guide can > received from the content processing system. The format and content of the program guide can be received by the advanced program guidance system 248 or the business integration block 242, which provides the metadata of the content management system of FIGURE 2.

With respect again to step 526, a broadband channel of the program guide can be selected by means of a direct link on the screen of step 540. The interactive interface of step 542 shows the lists of all broadband broadband channels, while the secondary channels show only the listings of a secondary channel. In step 544, the broadband home page may be displayed or a secondary broadband scheduler page may be displayed in step 546, which originates in step 542. The primary or main broadband page may be linked to a Secondary broadband page, as indicated by arrow 548.

After step 540, step 550 may be performed. In step 550, a broadcast title may be selected on the primary or secondary page or on a direct link. The interactive interface of step 552, in response to step 550, may allow the user to see the schedule information in step 554, see the video trailer in step 556 or order a title in step 558. Steps 554, 556 and 558 are achieved by requesting the programming information, requesting preview information or requesting download information, respectively.

With respect now to FIGURE 6, a broadband title search can be performed by entering a search string in step 610. By entering a search string, step 620 of the interactive interface can perform a search based on the scope chosen by the user. A global search can be performed on each page. This search may also be entered in step 620 by navigating the titles selected in step 500 or searching for the titles in step 600. This search of step 620 may be performed using the product information received from the content processing system. This can be in the form of metadata or other information like that. After step 620, if a global search was performed, step 622 shows the results of the entire site, including frequently asked questions, the extended program guide, the site pages, the pay-per-view sites, the sites video on demand broadband. In step 620, if only the program guide was searched, step 624 shows the results corresponding to the listings of the extended program guide, which means that only TV, movies, pay per event and video results can be displayed. upon request of broadband. In step 620, if it was requested to search only broadband video, only the results corresponding to the broadband video on demand lists can be displayed.

With respect again to step 610, after step 610, step 630 may be performed. Step 630 may specify additional filters to narrow the search. After step 630, the interactive interface performs in step 632 a search based on the additional filters chosen by the user. Examples of narrowing of searches are to specify keywords of the title, the gender, the specific actor, the director, a description, channel, etc. The information sought is received from the content processing system in step 634.

With respect again to step 630, step 636 requests a view of the program information corresponding to a selected title of the search results. At this point, diverse information can be illustrated that includes the actors, the execution time and various other types of metadata.

With respect now to FIGURE 7, there is described in more detail step 554 relating to viewing the programming information. In step 710, a direct link to a broadband title can be provided. In step 712, the interactive interface can retrieve and display the programming information corresponding to a selected broadband title. Broadband information may include the complete title, price, rating, category or other available information such as actors, directors, duration, language and other special features. The product information can be received from the content processing system in step 514. The entries in step 712 include navigation through the titles selected in step 500 and title search in step 600. After step 710, the step 720 requests to watch the trailer. In step 722, the trailer is seen.

After step 720, step 730 requests a download of the title. After step 730, the interactive interface commands a title in step 732. The details of step 722 and step 732 are shown later in FIGURES 8 and 9 respectively.

With respect now to FIGURE 8, step 722 of FIGURE 7 is described in more detail. In step 810, a link to a video preview may be provided. In step 812, the video trailer is received and displayed through an external link to the selected broadband title. This can include playback controls to pause the video and adjust the resolution. At this step you can enter from step 500 and step 554 already described. The video trailers can be obtained from the external interface 514 of a video room or other metadata in table 814.

Once the trailer is recovered in step 812, step 820 requests to see the programming information. In the preceding step 554, the programming information was presented. After step 820, the download of the title can be requested through the interactive interface, in step 830. After step 830, step 732 which includes ordering a title can be performed.

With respect now to FIGURE 9, everything concerning the order of a title of step 732 is described in more detail. Web page 512 may receive a request to browse selected titles 500, see programming information 554 or see video trailer information 722. These download requests are provided in step 900 of generation-of-request-to-download-the-title. In step 920, parental locks can be provided that involve failure and completion of the process in step 922. If the parental locks are not enabled, step 926 can be performed. If the user has more than one broadband capable decoder box, a query may be made that asks the user to define a specific decoder box for the download, in step 926. The user can change the default settings of the advanced settings. Once the decoder box is selected in step 926, step 928 may allow the user to set a priority in relation to the predetermined discharge setting. The add-to-queue selection can be made for the user to add the title to the end of the download queue or to specify the download now, which will pause the current downloads and add the desired download to the beginning of the queue so that the Download operation start immediately.

The program can be part of a series of which a number of episodes are available. The user can be consulted if he wants all the programs of a series. If so, in step 929 multiple recording requests can be made for each part of the series content.

In step 930, the request for downloading a title is communicated to the user device 932. The requests for downloading a title can be communicated, for example, in a packet of control words (CWP) or conditional access packet ( CAP) that is communicated to the user device. The communication of the CAP or the control word can be done by satellite, terrestrial or broadband. The CAP provides information on when the content can be disseminated through the satellite. If the content is a broadband-based title and it is to be received over a broadband connection, the particular content delivery network can be indicated in the CAP, in which case the Internet address can be provided at that time. of the particular content delivery network.

A message can be generated that informs the user that his package was accepted. This can be provided to the user in step 936, by: means of an email or other confirmation.

It should be noted that the menu of the various types of content available may include programming that has already been started, future programming, linear programming or linear content. Broadband titles are obtained on demand, while other types of programming, such as linear programming, can also be presented in the menu.

With respect now to FIGURE 10, step 920 is illustrated in more detail. In step 1010, the user requests to see the parental lock setting of the account. In step 1012, a screen is retrieved and the parental lock setting of the account is illustrated. A single block can be provided for all user devices. ' In a configuration, this can be read online, but not updated. The parental lock information can be received from the billing system in step 1014.

After ordering a title in step 732, additional details are provided with respect to the parental blocks. In step 1020, the parental lock setting of the account is retrieved and compared to the qualification of the requested title. If the qualification of the title does not exceed the parental lock, step 1022 sends a satisfactory status to continue with the order request. In step 1020, if the parental lock setting is exceeded, which means that the content must be blocked, step 1024 sends a failure request to cancel the custom state. Thereafter, step 1026 shows a message indicating that the request has been denied due to a parental lock setting and gives instructions on changing the lock. From then on, the parental lock system ends and the process can end at that point.

With respect now to FIGURE 11, a screen 1110 is illustrated. A title frame 1112 may be provided to navigate the various genres, the latest aggregate content, various ratings and various programmers. The search for titles can also be performed in table 1114. Certain categories can be linked directly by clicking on the highlighted areas of 1116. In table 1124, various other information can be displayed, including links 1118, billing information 1120, charges for top to bottom 1122 and links related to programming and package availability.

With respect now to FIGURE 12, there is illustrated a display 1210 corresponding to the browser page of the content processing system. In this example, the on-demand DIRECTV® service is exposed, which provides content from different sources on demand. As illustrated, the table of titles to navigate 1212 shows the search for various genres 1214, the search for various 1216 qualifications, the search for various programs in table 1218 and various programmers in table 1220. The kind of view that can selected is the condensed view, as illustrated in 1222, or the enlarged view of 1224. A menu 1230 shows the various titles, genres, ratings and prices of programs when they are added and when the content is no longer available. The search can also be done by typing various search words or search parameters in the search box 1240. In the menu the action can be done by clicking with the mouse or entering certain information.

With respect now to FIGURE 13, a programmer screen 1310 is illustrated. In this example, menu 1320 illustrates various program titles, ratings and other such information, such as that described above in FIGURE 12, except that only titles available on the Home Box Office® video on demand site are provided. Again, a table of titles to be navigated can be provided 1326 and one of search to look for the titles within the particular page of the programmer.

With respect now to FIGURE 14, there is illustrated a search results menu page 1410. The results may be entrusted in various ways, including by television programs 1412, by movies 1414 or by pay-per-view programs 1416. .Selecting one of these, only the programming of that category will be shown in menu 1410. The menu screen can be moved in different directions using the arrows and a download can be indicated by selecting the download selection indicator 1420. The price and date end of content availability may also be provided in tables 1422 and 1424, respectively.

With respect now to FIGURE 15, there is illustrated a pop-up screen for downloading an order 1510. The pop-up screen corresponds to the preceding steps 926 and 928. In this embodiment, a receiver frame 1520 can be used to select the particular receiver where download the information. You can select a flag to add to queue to download to the receiver in the requested order. Another indicator 1524 can be provided to add the particular selection at the start of the queue.

With respect now to FIGURE 16, there is illustrated a menu screen 1610 for determining the download priority of the request. A normal request indicator 1612 can be selected for normal, which means that the program will be recorded unless there is not enough capacity in the receiver. However, if you plan to record a previously selected program in the same time interval, that program can be given priority. A high priority indicator 1614 can also be selected, which records the program regardless of storage capacity or previously selected programs. In addition, it can be overwritten in saved programs. Preferably, the programs on which to record may be the oldest of the user device. When requesting a linear content title, the request can be given high priority. Linear content refers to the content regularly disseminated. Content can be requested even after it has started.

If the program is part of a series, all the programs in the series can be requested at one time, by selecting the 1530 dialing box.

Referring now to FIGURE 17, a client queue 1710 is illustrated. The client queue includes a title or multiple titles in a title column 1712 and a status column 1714. By way of example, the titles may understand rows of titles with the title Q, the title R, the title S and the title T. Although various titles are illustrated, in the title column 1712 various numbers of titles can be displayed. As will be described below, various titles can be added or deleted based on the selections of the raeno. The menus can be accessed through a website or the external decoder, as already described. The queue 1710 can also be added in response to selections made from a mobile device, as will be described below. The client queue 1710 may reside in the content processing system 102. Within the content processing system 102, the queue may reside in various locations, for example within the billing system or the transaction system 234.

With respect now to FIGURE 18, a simplified block diagrammatic view illustrates a mobile device 1810 comprising a navigator 1812 which communicates through an antenna 1814 with a cellular tower 1820. The mobile device 1810 can be various types of devices They include a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant or another type of wireless device.

The 1812 browser is a suitable browser for wireless communications. The mobile device 1810 can communicate using a wireless application protocol and therefore the mobile device can be described as a WAP-enabled device. As will be described below, the wireless device may include a display 1818 suitable for displaying a simplified menu structure, as compared to that described above. The simplified menu structure can include specific functions for a mobile device and other functions available both from a mobile device and from DIRECTV.com through the Internet network of a common computer.

The cellular tower 1820 transmits and receives signals from the mobile device and communicates the received signals to an interconnection gate 1826 such as a wireless application protocol interconnect gate. The wireless application protocol interconnect gate may allow communications to and from the cellular tower 1820 and hence to and from the mobile device 1810 to communicate with or through the Internet 1830. The Internet network provides information to the DIRECTV.com web interface. 224, which is also illustrated in FIGURE 2. The DIRECTV.com interface of the wireless application protocol may include a mobile web interface such as rn.DIRECTV.com.

With respect now to FIGURE 19, it exposes a method for a mobile device to access the services website, such as DIRECTV.com. In step 1910, the mobile device is turned on. In step 1912, a service search can be established through various types of wireless connections. In step 1914, a connection is established with the cellular tower 1820 of FIGURE 18.

In the spring 916, a request is sent to the interconnect gateway server 1826. A request may include various types of requests, such as a request to access a particular website. The request is sent using a wireless application protocol (WAP). In step 1918, the interconnect gate encodes the signal transmitted through the wireless application protocol. The wireless application protocol signal may include signals in a wireless dialing language (WML). In response to the HTTP signal sent from the interconnect gate, the website responds with a signal. In step 920, the interconnect gate receives the HTTP signal and, in step 1922, the interconnect gateway server encodes the HTTP signal as a wireless dialing language signal. After step 1922, the '1924' communicates the wireless dialing language signal to the mobile device. As will be described below, various types of custom confirmations and the like can be transmitted through the interconnection gate using a wireless device.

With respect now to FIGURE 20, it discloses a method for operating a mobile device. In step 2010, the mobile device is connected to the system, for example DIRECTV.com, to program content that must be communicated to an external decoder or other such device. In step 2010, the steps illustrated in FIGURE 19 can be performed to allow the mobile device to access a particular website.

In step 2012, an identifier, such as an account identifier, may be provided to the system. The identifier can include a user name or email, that is, identify with a particular account. The identifier can also include a particular account. It should also be noted that, after an initial connection, the system can automatically remember the identifier. This is achieved by remembering the connected device through a mini-application type resource. In step 2014, if the password of the account associated with the identifier is not known, a password request can be transmitted in step 2016. From then on, the password can be sent to the client by means of an email, in the step 2018. After step 2018 and step 2014, the password can be entered into the system in step 2020. After step 2020, the user can be validated in step 2022. If the password is incorrect, the user is not validated and the method ends in step 2024. If the user is validated in step 2022, step 2026 is performed.

In step 2026, a screen or user interface is provided to the mobile device whereby different selections can be chosen. Selections can include a search function or quick registration. The functions of both search and quick registration will be described below in other figures. In step 2028, the search function is chosen. In step 2030, a fast registration is chosen. The signals that are generated in response to the search request or the fast registration request are communicated to the content processing system in step 2032. A request can be communicated through the interconnecting gate 1826 of FIGURE 18.

In step 2034, a conditional access packet or control word is generated in response to the request signal. The request can be provided from the web interface 224 through the business integration module 242 or through the conditional access transaction system 238, all in FIGURE 2. The CAP or the control word can include various information such as the particular content delivery network or the particular transponder of the satellite that corresponds to the content. In step 2036, the CAP communicates to the specified device through the satellites. The CAP can also communicate through. a broadband network with the specified device. The specified device can be a suitable external decoder to receive both broadband communications and satellite communications.

In step 2038, a confirmation email may be sent to the email associated with the account on successful delivery of a CAP to the device. Of course, the passage of email is an optional step. The email is generated in the content processing system through a web interface such as DIRECTV.com.

In step 2040, the content is communicated to the device in response to the CAP or control word. . The CAP may contain information about the specific content delivery network 280 of FIGURE 2, which includes the content. The CAP can instruct the external decoder to retrieve the contents of the content delivery device. If the content is communicated via satellite, the CAP tunes the external decoder to receive communications from a particular transponder of a particular satellite within the satellite system.

In step 2042, the content is stored in the recording device within the external decoder. The recording device, as already mentioned, can be a digital video recorder. In step 2044, once all the content is communicated to the external decoder and stored in the recording device, an email describing that the recording has been completed can be generated, in step 2044. In step 2046, it can be playback of the recorded content. It should also be noted that after step 2042, step 2046 can be completed without performing step 2044.

Step 2044 can generate email in various ways. For example, the external decoder itself can generate an email through a broadband connection and communicate it or direct it to the email associated with the account. The email can also be communicated or initiated in the content delivery network. A "satisfactory" or confirmation signal may be generated in the external decoder when a broadcast content is successfully delivered. The content delivery network uses the confirmation signal and communicates it to the content distribution system and the billing system or another similar system. The content processing system can then generate an email for the specified email of the account.

It should be noted that the process of FIGURE 20 can be used to select both linear content, which means the regular broadcast of live channels, as content on demand, which is provided through the content repository or otherwise.

With respect now to FIGURE 21, there is set forth a search method corresponding to frame 2028. In step 2110, a search screen interface is provided to the mobile device. The search screen can include various types of searches, such as searching for a title, searching for a channel name or searching for a channel number. A table can be provided to enter the particular search terms, either partial or complete words. The search can be done with respect to content on demand or live content (linear) or both.

In step 2112, a search term is entered. As already mentioned, a full or partial search term can be entered. In addition, the search term can be searched only. However, time restrictions may also be provided. In step 2114, a search schedule identifier can be displayed by selecting it in a user interface. For example, the search term identifier may include tables which in turn include a time limitation to search today, tomorrow or the next 14 days. The content provider can set a default value of up to 14 days.

In step 2116, the content is searched. The content of the program guide is searched. This can include a programming on demand and live or linear or both.

In step 2118, the search results of various content selections may be displayed on the screen. If you retrieve several search results, you can scroll through a search screen to see the various titles. In step 2120, an entry can be selected. More information may be provided, for example other times in which a program is broadcast, various related programs, more episodes of a particular program or other such data. Once the appropriate selection is found, a confirmation of entry is provided in step 2122.

In step 2124, a location of the DVR to record is provided. The location of the digital video recorder (DVR) can be any of several locations throughout an address associated with the account. The locations can include a living room, a family room, the kitchen, rooms or other places.

In step 2126, a recording priority state may also be provided. A recording priority status means that for example a certain recording has high priority, even though another one is being recorded at that moment. The recording of the lower priority program can be resumed after the recording of the high priority program is completed. Other priorities can be established. Thus, the recording can be placed in the queue directly after the current content recording for example.

In step 2127, an optional step for creating multiple recordings can be provided. If the content is part of a series, all the titles of the series can be recorded, selecting it in a selector. The selector can be a textual selector box.

In step 2128, the queue is updated in response to the priority status. As already mentioned, a recording request can be placed at the beginning of the queue and stop all other recording, at the end of a queue or there may not be any other scheduled recording. In step 2130, the recording of the content begins. In step 2132, a recording instruction has been received such as the request to record title A on channel 501 at 10.30 a.m. on December 19. In step 2134, the user can confirm this by selecting an OK button or another type of user interface. In step 2136, a confirmation email may be sent, indicating that the CAP or control word has been sent to the external decoder. A second email can be generated by confirming that a recording has been completed, as illustrated above in step 2044.

Referring now to FIGURE 22, a method corresponding to step 2030 of FIGURE 20 is illustrated in greater detail. In step 2210, a fast registration selection is chosen in the user interface of the mobile device. Next, a quick registration menu will be described in more detail. However, a quick record can include, but is not limited to, a channel, a particular time, a duration and a date.

In step 2212, the boxes within the quick registration menu are automatically completed with respect to the current date and a predetermined period such as a time and the current time. This allows the quick registration function to be used very quickly. In case of agreeing other schedules, the predetermined times can be canceled. In step 2214, the various recording terms can be provided in the various frames. This can override the default terms, as already mentioned. In step 2216, a recording command can be generated in response to the recording terms. In step 2218, the quick registration command can be communicated to the content processing system 2218. The content processing system can receive the command through the web interface 244, in FIGURE 2.

In step 2220, optional recovery steps of the DVR locations associated with the accounts can be performed. In step 2222, the user can select the location of the DVRs. The location can be selected as to record the particular content in a particular DVR associated with the account. The location can be selected on the mobile user device by marking a graphic element of the user interface. In step 2224, a control word is formed in response to the recording command and possibly the location of the DVR. In step 2226, the control word is communicated to the user device. You can also perform steps 2126-2136, that is, adding priorities to the queue and confirmation emails using this aspect of the system.

With respect now to FIGURE 23, there is illustrated a display screen 2310 that welcomes the user to the mobile programmer of the DVR. The introductory screen 2310 may include a button to continue 2312 which is activated by means of the user interface by moving the arrow keys and the like of the mobile device. Once the screen is displayed to continue, the user can be requested to connect.

With respect now to FIGURE 24, there is illustrated a registration screen 2410 having an identifier box 2412 and a password box 2414. The identifier box 2412 may include a username or email associated with the account. This can appear automatically, by selecting the "remind me" box 2416. To register, the user presses the keys of the mobile device and activates the registration box 2420.

With respect now to FIGURE 25, screen 2510 illustrates that the identifier could not be found, e.g., the e-mail address. The user can be provided with a new try button 2512 to try the screen in FIGURE 24 again.

With respect now to FIGURE 26, after connection to the system, a message may be displayed on the screen 2610 that communicates that registration by the mobile telephone is not supported. FIGURE 26 illustrates an example for deleting or providing a message 2612 to a user, showing that registration by mobile telephone has now been activated.

With respect now to FIGURE 27, a user may be remembered as already described and as illustrated on screen 2710. A password box 2712 may be provided. Only one password may be provided since the system has remembered user identification. Screen 2710 may also include a record box 2714 and a change box. 2716. The connection box 2714 can be used to register after selecting a password. The user change frame 2716 may be provided if it is desired that, in addition to the predetermined user, a different user be registered by the particular mobile device.

With respect now to FIGURE 28, a screen 2810 is illustrated for the situation in which a user has forgotten his or her particular username. The user name can be sent to the email address, that is, the user of the mobile device can enter it in the email box 2812. The box 2814 can be activated to send the email address to the system so that it is given an answer.

With respect now to FIGURE 29, the user is provided with a screen 2910 when a high definition DVR receiver is not associated with the account. The system can work when certain equipment such as the external decoder has a high definition DVR receiver. Of course, other warning messages associated with various user equipment requirements may occur. An "ok" frame 2912 can be selected to exit the programmer. The system can also work with other types of DVR recorders. The system could be adapted only for specific types, such as the aforementioned high definition type.

With respect now to FIGURE 30, there is illustrated a screen 3010 corresponding to various options that the programmer can perform. Screen 3010 may include a search box 3012 which is used to perform various types of searches, as will be described below. A quick register frame 3014 can also be selected to provide fast registration of a particular channel.

On the 3010 screen, a 3016 help button and a disconnect button may also be displayed.

With respect now to FIGURE 31, if search button 3012 of FIGURE 30 is selected, screen 3110 is defined to search various contents. A search box 3112 can be provided which allows entering various texts from a numeric keypad and another similar resource of the mobile device. A search qualifier such as a title box 3114, a channel name 3116 and a channel number 3118 may also be presented. Thus both an identifier and a search qualifier are provided, for example a title, channel name or number. channel. The title or title portions can be searched using the terms entered in the search box 3112. You can also search for 3116 the full or partial name of the channel and the full or partial number of the channel.

With respect now to FIGURE 32, there is illustrated a screen 3210 corresponding to the case in which "hb" has been searched to use the channel name or the channel number. If no results are found, various types of 3212 messages may appear, such as those shown in 3210.

With respect now to FIGURE 33, as illustrated on screen 3310, after entering a search term, for example "stopped", in the search box 3112 of FIGURE 31, time qualifiers may be entered. The search can also be limited by time-based qualifiers such as a 3312 box today, a 3314 box tomorrow or a box of the next 14 days 3316. By selecting one of the boxes, 3312-3316, the search term is used only in the framework of a limited time. Once the time qualifier is selected in the box by "ok", 3318 can be selected to continue with the search.

The results of a word search can be presented in a tabular form or, if only one result is presented, on a detailed 3410 screen, as illustrated in FIGURE 34. If the particular title is "Development stopped", a recording by selecting the frame to program 3412 recording and selecting frame 3414 to illustrate more program schedules. Many times, a particular program has several associated schedules. Therefore, another time of the program can be selected to record it. In the system, a brief description 3416 of the particular content may also be provided. It should be noted that it is possible to search for both on-demand and linear programming.

With respect now to FIGURE 35, an alternate screen 3510 can be defined for the case in which "stopped" was searched. A frame can be used to "add to the queue" 3512 to add the particular program to the user's queue. A "more episodes" 3514 chart can also be provided so that more episodes of a particular program are presented.

With respect now to FIGURE 36, a screen 3610 illustrates various episodes that can be presented by selecting the "more episodes" frame 3514 of FIGURE 35. By selecting the "more episodes" frame, various episodes of the same program can be presented for user selection .

With respect now to FIGURE 37, there is illustrated a 3710 screen that provides a single option in response to a search. No other episode or programming related to the particular search is provided. Only one box appears to program 3712 recording together with various information 3714 relating to a particular program.

With respect now to FIGURE 38, an alternate screen 3810 may also be formed when searching for a particular title. When the title is found, a box can be displayed to add to queue 3812 in the user interface. A box can also be provided to add to the beginning of queue 3814. When the box to be added to the beginning of queue 3812 is made, record priority can be established and communicated so that the program is added to the end of the queue. The box to add to the beginning of queue 3814 is used to include the program in the highest position of the queue. That selection can be communicated to the content processing system so that the program is added to the particular user's queue.

With respect now to FIGURE 39, there is illustrated a screen 3910 used to set the priority. The screen 3912 may correspond to the selection to be added to the beginning of queue 3814 or to be a separate screen once the priority of the recording has been selected. 3910 can be provided with a box to record if possible 3912 and a box for definitively recording this 3914. The record box if possible, if selected, can initiate a request to record only if other recordings are not scheduled. The frame to record this 3914 definitively can be selected to have priority over the recordings even on a recording that is made at that moment. If a current recording is in progress, it can be paused and deleted or permanently finalized, or it can be resumed after the selected recording has been made.

With respect now to FIGURE 40, a screen 4010 illustrates a confirmation request to record a particular title such as "stopped development" on a channel, and a specific time of a specific date. An "ok button" 4012 can be used to confirm the query and send and a confirmation signal to the content processing system.

With respect now to FIGURE 41, there is illustrated a screen 4110 showing that a request has been confirmed. The request may indicate in text 4112 that a mail message has been sent to the email associated with the account. The request can be confirmed in response to the selection of frame 4012 in FIGURE 40. An "ok" frame 4114 can also be provided in screen 4110 to continue the process.

With respect now to FIGURE 42, there is illustrated a screen 4210 showing a search for a particular phrase such as "det". An indicated search term 4212 may be presented together with the number of pages and the particular page of a page indicator 4214. The various titles associated with the word search may be illustrated at 4216. Navigation buttons such as 4218 and 4220 can be provided. The navigation button. 4218 provides a backspace function to scroll backwards on pages. Button 4220 illustrates a next button to navigate forward of various buttons.

With respect now to FIGURE 43, there is illustrated a screen 4310 of a channel area search for "hb". As illustrated, a list of channels 4312 corresponding to the channels associated with hb has been provided. Several Home Box Office® channels are displayed. In this list you can make a selection of a particular channel and a particular time period to search. The search may take place in a particular time window as illustrated in FIGURE 33 above.

Referring now to FIGURE 44, a quick registration screen 4410 is illustrated. The quick registration screen may be displayed after the quick registration button 3014 illustrated in FIGURE 30 is selected. The quick registration screen may include a chart channel 4412, a schedule 4414, a duration of 4416 and a frame or dates of 4418. The user of the mobile device can insert the channel number in the channel box 4412. The time may appear previously completed in the schedules of schedules 4414. One hour can be entered completely previously or another hour with respect to the schedule of tables 4414.

Tables of duration 4416 can include one hour and one period in minutes. Date boxes can include day, date and year.

With respect now to FIGURE 45, there is illustrated a screen 4510 showing multiple user devices associated with the account. This step is optional and therefore the download can be made to only one of the devices associated with an account. However, various numbers of external decoders are associated with an account. A selection can be made of the external decoder or particular device in which the content should be stored.

The screen 4510 includes lines 4512 that correspond to different external decoders. In this example, a living room, a family room and a main room as the selection are illustrated. By moving a cursor or the like within the user interface of the screen 4510, a selection can be made with the mobile device.

A 4514 series selector can also be provided if the program is part of a series. The selector 4514 can appear in various menus and is shown here by way of example. By selecting the 4514 series selector, multiple programs can be selected. A separate screen for the series selector can be provided with that option included. The series selector can also be part of one of the preceding screens.

With respect now to FIGURE 46, once the user has selected a device the user can disconnect from the website. A 4610 screen may be used to indicate that the user has disconnected from the system. In this example, "you have left the DIRECTV DRV programmer" is displayed. To indicate that this is the user's intention, an "ok box" 4612 can be selected to terminate the connection to the service.

With respect now to FIGURE 47, therein is illustrated a simplified block diagrammatic view of the content processing system 102. The same reference numerals are used for the same components illustrated in FIGURE 2. In this embodiment, the interface of web 224 is in communication with the business integration system 242. The business integration system 242 can include or be considered a web service client, as will be described below. The business integration module 242 is in communication with the remote booking web service 4710. The remote booking web service 4710 is in communication with a conditional access management center 236 through the conditional access transaction system 238. The conditional access management center 236 is in communication with a broadcast TPS 250, that is, it is used to broadcast the signals through a satellite and a content delivery network 280 that communicates content through a network to the device. user 110. User device 110 may also be in communication with web interface 224, as will be described below.

In general, broadband video titles or on-demand titles and linear titles can be requested to be downloaded by a device such as a mobile device as described above or in an interface such as the web interface 224. CAMC 236 creates a conditional access packet (CAP) for instructing an external decoder or other type of user device 110 to perform an action such as recording the particular content. The request can come from a device able to use a web service. The requests are routed through the business integration module 242 which in turn communicates with a remote reservation web service 4710. The conditional access transaction system 238 generates a CAP and provides it to the user device 110 through the conditional access management center 236. A response can be generated as to the success or failure of the information.

In the preceding example, internal and external devices such as the web service can be used. For example, DIRECTV.com or a third party can be used.

With respect now to FIGURE 48, there is illustrated a first web services client, such as the business integration module 242 of FIGURES 2 and 47. A remote reservation web service 4710 is also illustrated in addition to the management center conditional access 236. The sequence diagram in FIGURE 48 illustrates the sequence to provide security between the various devices. The first web services client can be located within the business integration block 242. It can also be a stand-alone component. Similarly, the remote reservation web service 4710 can be physically part of various components illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 47.

Before the process of FIGURE 48, DIRECTV.com calls the business integration block or the first web service. The second web service is called from the first web service. This is done in step 4810 which is illustrated as a SOAP message for downloading material. In the following, SOAP is used. SOAP refers to a service-oriented architecture protocol. However, other types of protocols may be used. The SOAP message can be called the first message and include a first portion or security value. The security value can include various types of information that comprise the identification of the conditional access module. The identification of the card of the conditional access module may correspond to a conditional access card of a particular user device. This can be used to provide security measures. The first security value can also include a date and time indicator that indicates when the request was created. That moment can be represented in various forms of coordinated universal time (UTC).

The first security value may also include a service such as the remote reservation web service 4710 and a method such as reserving remotely.

The first security value can also include an MD5 signature. MD5 refers to the format of message digest algorithm 5. A symmetric key can be used to produce the signature. The symmetric secret key can be distributed by a group of operations that the content processing system operates. The signature data may include all or some of the portions of the security value described above. For example, the CAM ID, the date and time indicator, the service and the method can be used in whole or in part.

In step 4812, the remote reservation web service validates the signature. The signature can be validated by calculating a new signature by means of the secret key and verifying that the received signature and the calculated signature are equal.

In step 4814, a SOAP response with signature is generated. The SOAP response can generate a response indicating that the signature is not valid and, therefore, the request will not be processed. An identification of a valid request can also be generated in the SOAP response of step 4814. An invalid response could also indicate that a duplicate message has been presented, as illustrated by reference number 4810.

Once validated, the request is communicated between the remote reservation web service 4710 and the conditional access management center 236. This may include interaction with the conditional access transaction system 238 illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 47. The request from step 4816 may include a header or other identifier that includes information derived from message 4810. The message may include the type of service, the method performed, the date and time indicator, a transaction identifier and the CAMC identifier of the CAM card of the user device.

In response to the remote reservation web service request, the CAMC 236 generates a CAP (conditional access packet) or control word in step 4818. The conditional access packet may include various types of information comprising the manufacturer identification that uniquely identifies each external decoder. A command code can also be provided within the CAP. The command code can identify a type of command. For example, remote recording can be a specific code. The code can have different numbers of bits according to the various types of functions provided.

The remote reservation web service can also provide a serial number to the CAMC 236. The serial number can be a 32-bit value without a signature, which increases sequentially for each remote recording request sent through the population of all the requests issued. The requests can have different numbers of bits and overlap to zero when the counter has run out.

The CAP can also include a type of method that specifies the method for which the material can be downloaded. The type of method can include various numbers of bits. A method can be a type of method corresponding to a remote recording using an ID of. material, while remote recording using a content identifier can be another method. Even another method is remote recording using channel-time-duration and remote recording using a content reference identifier (CRID). Various other types of recording can be provided.

The CAP can also specify a date and time when the request expires. This can consist of a 32-bit value that represents the number of seconds elapsed from a particular date such as January 1, 1970, the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). A bit or number of bits can also be assigned a priority within the CAP. A priority can be assigned to each recording. A normal priority status may mean that the recording will conform to a normal recording program built into the receiver's conflict resolution logic. A high priority means that the recording can override anything else programmed by the user, but not the system operator's use of the receiver's resources. The resolution between the multiple and competitive uses of the CAP of high priority remote recording and the finite resources of the receiver can be determined by comparing the serial number of the CAP. The lower serial number may have priority over higher serial numbers until the receiver's resources are fully utilized.

A bit or caller verification bits can also be included in the CAP. This may correspond to providing an identifier to report back the progress of the programming and receive the recording request. The verification callback bit can be used to initiate an email from the content processing system 102, as already described.

A material ID that uniquely identifies the material that is requested for downloading to the external user device or decoder is exposed. The material ID can be ASCII of 12 bytes. A serial string indicator that identifies whether a single episode or a series of episodes can be downloaded can also be provided.

The system can also be used to communicate content from both a satellite source and a broadband source. A supported satellite source bit and a supported band source bit may also be provided. A channel restriction bit may also be provided which allows the system to ignore the supported satellite source bit and the allowed broadband source bit. For the duration of the recordings, a duration field can also be provided in the CAP. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of TV in the CAP can also be provided. Duration and length can be used to identify the channel configuration by time duration. A larger channel field and a smaller channel field may also be provided.

If a CRID is used in the recording, the length of the CRID or the characters of the CRID in the CAP can be provided. The CRID field is a variable length ASCII text string, which consists of a service name used in the transmission of the program guide.

Once the CAP is transmitted, the CAMC 236 can generate a status signal and communicate it to the remote reservation web service 4710. In response to the state, a SOAP response signal can be generated in step 4824. The SOAP response can generate a message of success or failure corresponding to the 4820 status signal.

With respect now to FIGURE 49, the content assignment can be initiated, in favor of brevity, through a hyperlink or web-based link. As will be described below, the links may be associated with a website or an email to allow quick access to the particular content so that it is recorded quickly and conveniently on the user's recording device. The link is formed using a content identifier corresponding to a particular content that can be ordered.

A link-based custom system is exposed that uses some of the components of FIGURE 2 above. In such a system a first network computer 4920 and a second network computer 4922 are in communication with Internet 4924. Of course, many computers can be associated with the 4910 system. A 4926 web server can also be in communication with the Internet. Also, the system of. Content processing 102 may be in communication with Internet 4924 through a web interface 224 such as DIRECTV.com. Networked computers 4920 and 4922 may include a web browser, an email system, or both. Each computer can access the web server 4926 or the web interface 224 via the Internet 4924. The web server 4926 may be associated with a social networking website such as MYSPACE® or FACEB00K®. The web server 4926 may have a link or hyperlink formulated as will be described below by a user of one of the networked computers 4920, 4922 for the purpose of speedy recording of the content associated with the content processing system 102.

The web interface 224 can be used to communicate the preferences between the network computers 4920, 4922 in order to generate emails to the network computers 4920, 4922. As will be described below, the emails may contain various program descriptions. , movies or events. Emails can be generated in a service, type email alert. Users can receive an email with a number of titles that are available for recording and possibly a description that accompanies each title. In addition, as will be described below, alerts can be configured so that the frequency of emails can be modified. Certain clients may want daily, weekly, biweekly emails. Emails can be created regularly. The users of the network computers 4920, 4922 can establish the criteria that are used to generate the emails, interacting with the web interface 224. Details of the operation of the system will be described below.

With respect now to FIGURE 50, it exposes a method to generate an email with a link. In step 5010, a user of the system connects to the web interface, for example DIRECTV.com. A menu system can be established to provide various services such as technical services, billing and other functions. This can be done by entering an identifier, such as a password associated with a particular account. The web interface can establish connection with the billing system and other modules within the content processing system to make sure that the account is a current account of an existing client.

In step 5012, a selection of an email alert service may be chosen. This can be done through various requests / messages from a web page or other similar resource. By selecting an email alert service, users can be provided with one or many different options for generating email alerts. After step 5012, four examples are set forth.

After step 5012, a "WHAT'S HOT" service can be used to select the content for inclusion in an email. The selection of the "WHAT'S HOT" service can be made in step 5014. Going forward in step 5014 is step 5016. The "WHAT'S HOT" list can be compiled in step 5016. The "WHAT'S HOT" list is a list of the most popular associated with the system, such as DIRECTV®. The "WHAT'S HOT" list can generate an ever changing list of the most preferred programming recorded or requested within a predetermined period of time. Therefore, in step 5014, a list of the most popular titles appearing in the "WHAT'S HOT" list can be used to generate the email.

After step 5012, another type of service, a recommendation service, can be selected in step 5018. In this service, a recommendation of a person or group can be chosen. For example, an author, a critic or a group of sympathetic individuals or another similar specialist may be selected. For example, someone like Martin Scorsese can recommend a particular group of films or programming.

Another option after selecting an email service in step 5012 is to select a customized service in step 5020. The personalized service can be set by the user entering various terms in step 5022 to identify particular words of titles or descriptions. For example, - movies or programming that mention The Detroit Tigers can be selected.

After step 5012, another type of service such as gender or type can be selected. The user can select general categories such as genre or type of movies. For example, black and white or horror movies can be selected.

Once the selection type criteria are established in steps 5014 to 5024, the frequency of the email can be selected as an option. The selection of the frequency or time interval of the electronic mail can be done in step 5026. For example, the frequency of the electronic mail can be daily, weekly or biweekly. Of course, other types of frequencies may also be required. The frequency of the email may also depend on the selected service. For example, when the preceding table 5018 is selected, recommendations can only appear once or twice a month. Of course, the user can select more than one service.

In step 5028, the e-mail data is retrieved. The data can be retrieved from the content processing system 102. The various locations within the content processing system 102 can be used to retrieve the e-mail data. The email can include a link and also descriptions of the material and other types of information. Descriptions of the material, programming or content can be retrieved from the program guide, the content management system or other locations within the content processing system.

In step 5030, once the data is retrieved from the emails, the email is formulated with the programs, films, recommended interest events and the various links associated with them. Emails can communicate to a variety of user devices.

With respect now to FIGURE 51, a method for generating a link to specific programming of a web page is set forth. In step 5110, the user who wants a link can connect to a web interface such as DIRECTV.com. Once a program, movie or event of specific interest has been located within a program located on DIRECTV.com in step 5112, a hyperlink or link to the programming is formed in step 5114. The hyperlink created in step 5114 can link various locations, as will be described below. In step 5116, the link is then associated or stored within a website or a social networking page. Thus, by clicking on the link, the beginning of the process of recording the particular content can be provided. The process described above can then be performed with respect to the web interface.

With respect now to FIGURE 52, there is illustrated an example of TV listings of a program guide 5210. In this example, a particular four 5212 having "The Simpsons Movie" has been selected. A link can be created by selecting the "CREATE" link selection 5214. If a user from another website is using the 5214 selection, a link can be created on the website so that other people can quickly link to the content.

The program guide 5210 can also be used to generate a destination of one of the links created in FIGURES 50 and 51. In this example, a selection such as "RECORD TO RECEIVER" can be provided in the guide of programs. The selection 5216 can initiate the recording function of the particular program or event. This can be done after connecting to the system. As illustrated in the program guide 5210, other program guide data may also be presented at the same time, as illustrated by reference number 5220.

With respect now to FIGURE 53, it illustrates a method to follow a link presented either in an email or through a web page. In step 5310, one of the network computers 4290 or 4292 illustrated in FIGURE 49 receives an email. In step 5312, an email or a web page is entered using a web browser through one of the 5920, 5922 network computers described above in FIGURE 49.

Both steps 5310 and 5312 continue in step 5314, in which a selection or link is associated with the email or the web page in step 5314. Once the link is selected, the selection information associated with the link is communicated to a web interface such as DIRECTV.com, as illustrated above. In step 5318, the link can link the user's computer to the program guide page illustrated above in FIGURE 52. As already shown, the program guide page may contain a "RECORD TO RECEIVER" selection. The "RECORD TO RECEIVER" selection can be marked in step 5320. This process can be entered by first connecting or selecting the "RECORD TO RECEIVER" function and then making the connection. The connection procedure is illustrated in step 5322.

You can also select other parameters when you choose to record a request. In step 5324, a room location or access card corresponding to a room location can be displayed. This is illustrated as table 1520 in FIGURE 5.

A prioritization can take place when choosing the recording function in step 5326. The prioritization is also illustrated in FIGURE 15 as tables 1522 and 1524. Prioritization can occur as shown in FIGURE 15 by adding a title to the queue or adding it to the beginning of the queue for intermediate discharge. Once a confirmation of the selection has been received, the content can be communicated and stored inside a recording device. A serial link may be established to record all the programs of a series in step 5327. In step 5328, a request for recording is communicated to the content processing system.

In step 5330, a conditional access packet is generated or control word is generated in response to the request signal. The request can be provided from the web interface 224, through the business integration module 242, through the conditional access transaction system 238, all in FIGURE 2. The CAP or control word can include various information such as The particular content delivery network or the particular satellite transponder corresponding to the content. The time, duration, channel and location of the content can be the information provided in the CAP. In step 5332, the CAP communicates to the specified device through the satellites. The CAP can also communicate over a broadband network to the specified device. The specified device can be an external decoder suitable for receiving both broadband communications and satellite communications.

In step 5334, a confirmation email may be sent to the email associated with the account that a CAP was successfully sent to the device. Of course, the passage of email is an optional step. The email is generated in the content processing system through a web interface, such as DIRECTV.com.

In step 5336, the content is communicated to the device in response to the CAP or control word. The CAP may contain information such as the specific content delivery network 280 of FIGURE 2 that includes the content. The CAP · can instruct the external decoder to retrieve the contents of the content delivery device. If the content is communicated via satellite, the CAP tunes the external decoder to receive communications from a particular transponder of a particular satellite within the satellite system.

In step 5338, the content is stored in the recording device within the external decoder. The recording device, as already mentioned, can be a digital video recorder (DVR). In step 5340, once all the content is communicated to the external decoder and stored in the recording device, an email can be generated that describes that the recording has been completed in step 5340. In step 5342, it can be performed the reproduction of the content. It should also be noted that after step 5338, step 5342 can be completed without performing step 5340.

Step 5340 can generate email in various ways. For example, the external decoder itself can generate an email through a broadband connection and communicate it or direct it to the email associated with the account. The email can be communicated or initiated in the content delivery network. A "satisfactory" or confirmation signal may be generated in the external decoder when a broadcast content is successfully delivered. The confirmation signal can be used by the content delivery network and communicated to the content distribution system and that through the billing system or similar. The content processing system can then generate a mail message to the specified email of the account.

With respect now to FIGURE 54A, it shows an example of an email from DIRECTV.com that provides new films according to various criteria. In the following example, two films are exposed, one with the title "The Water Boy" starring "Alexander Mierzwa who has the description" Child helps thirsty father ". The type of movie "drama" is provided. Channel is provided, HBO-15, time 8.00 p.m. and the date. The title is presented in 5410, the actors in 5412, a type of film in 5413, a brief description in 5414, the channel in 5416 and the time and date in 5418. Another title is provided, "Children of the web", another actor such as Charles Mierzwa at location 5422, a short description at 5426 and a channel at 5428. A date and time at 5430 are also provided. Of course, the various titles at 5410 and 5420 are underlined to illustrate that they may be links or hyperlinks to DIRECTV.com or another program guide. Following the link, the user can select and start recording the selection on the recording device.

With respect now to FIGURE 54B, an example of a social network interconnection website is provided in 5450. An example of a third party social networking site may include a location of name 5452, such as Benjamin Mierzwa. The third party site can be an external company, that is, beyond the ownership or control of the content processor. In this example, interests in 5454 and a program, movie or other content of interest recommended in 5456 can be provided as a link. The title of the program is underlined to illustrate that it may be a hyperlink in a manner similar to that described above in FIGURE 54A. The time and date can be provided in 5460 and the channel in 5462.

With respect now to FIGURE 55, another method for generating recording requests includes the user of a voice menu system 5510. The voice menu system 5510 can generate voice prompts and issue menu selections.

Requests can be answered by pressing buttons or issuing voice commands. In this way, the voice menu system can be a speech recognition system. The voice menu system may be in communication with a communication network 5512. In addition, the communication network may be in communication with the content processing system 102 and a web interface 244. The voice menu system may also be be in communication with the caller ID module 5420. The caller ID module 5520. can be used to identify the caller of a telephone line due to the information included therein.

A telephone device, such as a wired telephone, cordless telephone or 5522 cellular telephone, is also in communication with the 5512 communications network. The 5522 telephone is in communication with the DIRECTV® 5510 voice menu system through the 5512 network. As will be described below, a caller or user of telephone 5522 can initiate a recording request using voice prompts provided by voice recognition system 5510 through communication network 5512.

With respect now to FIGURE 56, there is disclosed a method for generating a recording request for the system illustrated in FIGURE 55.

To use the voice recognition system or the exposed telephone-based system, a telephone number is associated with an account, in step 5610. In step 5612, a call is made to the central commercial location or the menu system voice 5510 of FIGURE 55, using a telephone signal from a telephone or other type of voice device. In step 5614, the caller identification associated with the telephone signal is obtained. In step 5616, if the number associated with the telephone signal is not recognized, that user may be asked to associate the number with an account. In addition, the user may be asked to enter their home telephone number or another number associated with the particular account.

In step 5616, if the number is recognized, step 5618 requests various selections. The requests can be provided in the form of a voice in a voice menu system. The system can also be part of a larger system that includes billing information or another technical assistant. A voice request for recording can be generated and a response provided in step 5620. In step 5620, if a "record selection" option is not provided, other functions are performed in step 5622. In step 5620, if an option to record selection is selected, various menu functions can be activated. The type of functions for recording selection can initiate search options or other functions depending on various systems, in step 5624. By voice, a category type selection can be presented to the user. Therefore the user can generate voice commands to select different types of categories such as 'mystery', sports programming, or similar. Through the system can be recorded television content both stored and live. Another option can be exposed for the recording or search of material. A number or a channel name can be transmitted by voice. It should be noted that instead of a voice, keypad entries can also be used to make selections from the voice menu. Another type of search can be a program title search. Certain search terms can be transmitted by voice to the system and the search results will be provided. In step 5624, a number, name or typical category can bring up other options for which other options may appear.

In step 5628, a title number "X" may be provided by voice. In an example, four titles corresponding to current programming are presented with a particular category type, in step 5624 or the current channel number or name. If more titles are required, a "more titles" voice request may be provided to be generated in step 5628. If no more titles are selected in step 5620, step 5632 may request more information. More information can be provided for one of the titles generated. The voice data for more information from step 5634 can provide various information such as the director, the actors, a brief description of the content or other such information. Providing more titles and more information are optional steps. In step 5636, if a particular title of a program or an event of interest is desired, a request to "record title" can be provided. In step 5637, the option of recording a whole series can be provided. Multiple requests for recording can be provided, one for each program of a series.

In step 5658, an eligible receiver can be selected in a manner similar to step 5324 above. Potentially one or multiple recipients could be chosen. In step 5660, the recording priority can also be selected. Prioritization can occur by adding the request to record at the beginning of the queue or by placing it at the end of the queue, for example. In step 5662, the user can be provided with a confirmation of the request to record. ' The user can be provided with a summary describing the priority, the eligible receiver and the title to be recorded, as well as the time. A confirmation request may also be sent by sending an email or the like. In step 5664, another program may also be chosen by repeating step 5624. If another recording is not desired, the system ends in step 5666 terminating the call.

After step 5666, steps 5328 to 5342 can be performed in step 5568, where a CAP is generated which is communicated to the specified receiving device to authorize recording. In response to the CAP, a recording may occur.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of ways. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the. The true scope of the disclosure should not be limited to them, since other modifications will be apparent to the experts in the art when studying the figures, the specification and the following claims.

Claims (58)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the invention as an antecedent, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS

1. A method for ordering content, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: form a link corresponding to the content; access a custom content system by selecting the link; enable a request for content recording; receiving the content associated with the link on a user device in response to the content recording request; Y store the content in a memory of the user device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of forming a link comprises forming an electronic mail containing the link and communicating it to a user.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that before communicating the electronic mail, an email frequency is established.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the step of forming an electronic mail comprises forming the electronic mail with a description corresponding to the content.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of forming a link comprises forming the link and associating it with a web site.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the step of associating the link with a website comprises associating the link with a social networking website.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of enabling a content recording request comprises confirming the content associated with the content parameters.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the enabling step comprises selecting a room location.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of enabling comprises selecting a recording prioritization.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises selecting a content parameter and forming a link comprises forming the corresponding link to the content in response to the content parameter.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that before selecting a content parameter, an email reminder system is enabled.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that selecting a content parameter comprises selecting a content parameter in a site we.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that selecting the content parameter comprises selecting a content type.

14. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that selecting the content parameter comprises selecting a type of genre.

15. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that selecting the content parameter comprises selecting a recommendation service.

16. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that selecting the content parameter comprises selecting a popularity type.

17. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises communicating a control word before receiving the content associated with the link

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that communicating a control word comprises communicating the control word by a satellite.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that communicating the control word comprises communicating the control word through a broadband communication system.

20. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that communicating the control word comprises receiving the control word by a satellite and communicating the content comprising receiving the content by a satellite.

21. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that communicating a control word comprises communicating the control word through a satellite and receiving the content comprising receiving the content through a broadband communication system.

22. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that receiving the content comprises receiving the content by a satellite.

23. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that receiving the content comprises receiving the content through a broadband communications system.

24. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that receiving the content comprises receiving the content through a terrestrial system.

25. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that before the enable step, a user must be connected to the content custom system.

26. A system characterized in that it comprises: a content processing system; a device in communication with the content custom system, said device selecting a link corresponding to the content and accessing the content custom system by selecting the link; said content processing system enables a request for content recording; Y wherein a user receiving device receives the content associated with the link in response to the content recording request and storing the content in a memory.

27. The system according to claim 26, characterized in that said content processing system forms an electronic mail containing the link and communicates the electronic mail to a user.

28. The system according to claim 26, characterized in that the electronic mail comprises a description of the content corresponding to the link.

29. The system according to claim 26, characterized in that it also comprises a website that has the link associated with it.

30. The system according to claim 29, characterized in that the website comprises a website for social network interconnection.

31. A method characterized in that it comprises the steps of: communicating between a voice device and a voice menu system using a telephone signal; determining the telephone number associated with the voice device of the telephone signal; generate a voice request to record a selection of voice menu system content; select a recording content option; generate requests to determine a content title; selecting a content title by communicating a selection signal of the voice device to the voice menu system; Y enable a recording of content on a recording device in response to the selection signal.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that the step of communicating between a voice device and a voice menu system comprises communicating between the voice device and a voice recognition telephone system.

33. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that the step of enabling a content recording comprises communicating a control word to a user device for recording content title; tune the user device in response to the control word; receiving the content in the user device storing content corresponding to the content title in the user device.

34. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that communicating the control word comprises communicating the control word by a satellite.

35. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that communicating the control word comprises communicating the control word through a broadband communications system.

36. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that receiving the content comprises receiving the content by a satellite.

37. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that receiving the content comprises receiving the content through a broadband communications system.

38. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that the step of receiving the content comprises receiving the content through a terrestrial system.

39. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that communicating a control word comprises receiving the control word by a satellite and communicating the content comprising receiving the content by a satellite.

40. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that the step of communicating a control word comprises communicating the control word through a satellite and receiving the content comprising receiving the content through a broadband communication system.

41. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that the step of selecting a content title comprises selecting the content title of a search result.

42. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that before selecting a content title of a search result, it comprises performing a title search and generating the search result of the title search.

43. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that before selecting a content title of a search result, it comprises carrying out a channel name search and generating the search result of the search of the channel name.

44. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that before selecting a content title of a search result, it comprises performing a channel number number search and generating the search result of the channel number search.

45. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that the step of communicating between a voice device and a voice menu system comprises communicating between a telephone and the voice menu system.

46. A system characterized in that it comprises: a voice menu system; a voice device that communicates a telephone signal to the voice menu system, said voice menu system determines the telephone number associated with the voice device via the telephone signal and generates a voice request to record a selection of contents of the voice menu system; said voice device selects a content recording option; said voice menu system generates requests to determine a content title; said voice device selects a content title of the requests by communicating a selection signal to the voice menu system; Y said voice menu system enables a recording of content in a recording device in response to the selection signal.

47. The system according to claim 46, characterized in that it also comprises a content processing system in communication with the voice menu system, said content processing system communicating a control word to enable the recording of content in the device. recording.

48. The system according to claim 47, characterized in that it also comprises a satellite in communication with the content processing system that communicates the control word through it.

49. The system according to claim 47, characterized in that it also comprises a broadband communications system in communication with the content processing system, which communicates the control word through it.

50. The system according to claim 46, characterized in that the voice device comprises a mobile device.

51. The system according to claim 50, characterized in that the voice menu system comprises a speech recognition system.

52. The system according to claim 46, characterized in that it further comprises a content processing system in communication with the voice menu system, said content processing system communicating content data including content titles to the voice menu system of content.

53. The system according to claim 46, characterized in that the voice device comprises a telephone.

54. A method characterized in that it comprises the steps of: select a program to record; determine if the program is part of a series; When the program is part of a series, generate a selector to select the series; select the series; Y Record the series on a recording device.

55. The method according to claim 54, characterized in that the selector comprises a selector of oz.

56. The method according to claim 54, characterized in that the selector comprises a textual selection box.

57. The method according to claim 54, characterized in that it also comprises selecting the selector in a website.

58. The method according to claim 54, characterized in that it comprises selecting the selector in a mobile telephone.