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Method of providing video programming nearly on demand    
United States Patent6243465   
Link to this pagehttp://www.wikipatents.com/6243465.html
Inventor(s)Ullrich; Kathryn E. (Los Angeles, CA); Walker; Stephen S. (Marlborough, MA); Calaby; Lauren F. (Huntington Beach, CA); Seibel; David E. (Colleyville, TX); Gillette; Thomas F. (Boulder, CO)
AbstractA method for providing video programming in a nearly on demand basis is disclosed. A video network includes a video server that operates several video recorders to simultaneously exhibit video performances or programs on a plurality of channels. The video server is controlled in real time in accordance with data presented to it in an exhibition plan. The exhibition plan calls for two or more channels to show the same program on a time offset basis. Due to the offset in exhibiting a given program, a subscriber may view a program at any time, from the beginning of a program, by waiting for a period of time that is no longer than the offset. Preferably, this offset is substantially shorter than the run time of the program. The channels carrying this program are unscrambled prior to the beginning of the program and for a predetermined duration into the program so that subscribers may preview the program. However, the channels are scrambled for the remainder of the exhibition of the program. A subscriber may order the program when it begins and for a short duration after the program becomes scrambled.



 Title Information Submit all comments and votes
 
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Drawing from US Patent 6243465
Method of providing video programming nearly on demand - US Patent 6243465 Drawing
Method of providing video programming nearly on demand
Inventor     Ullrich; Kathryn E. (Los Angeles, CA); Walker; Stephen S. (Marlborough, MA); Calaby; Lauren F. (Huntington Beach, CA); Seibel; David E. (Colleyville, TX); Gillette; Thomas F. (Boulder, CO)
Owner/Assignee     GTE Service Corporation (Irving, TX); GTE Laboratories Incorporated (Waltham, MA)
Patent assignment
All assignments
Publication Date     June 5, 2001
Application Number     08/755,093
PAIR File History     Application Data   Transaction History
Image File Wrapper   Patent Term   Fees
Litigation
Filing Date     November 22, 1996
US Classification     380/210 380/218
Int'l Classification     H04N 007/167
Examiner     Cain; David
Assistant Examiner    
Attorney/Law Firm     Leonard Charles Suchyta
Address
Parent Case     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/270,105, filed Jul. 1,1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,937, which is in turn a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/633,637, filed Dec. 21,1990, now abandoned. RELATED PATENTS The present invention is related to: U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,423, entitled "Schedule Management Method" by P. Deborah Clark, assigned to GTE Service Corporation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,112, entitled "Inventory Management Method" by P. Deborah Clark, assigned to GTE Service Corporation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,353, entitled "Video Distribution System Allowing Viewer Access to Time-Staggered Identical Pre-recorded Programs" by Stephen S. Walker et al., assigned to GTE Laboratories Incorporated.
Priority Data    
USPTO Field of Search     380/10 380/20 380/5 380/16
Patent Tags     providing video programming nearly demand
   
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 Technical Review Submit all comments and votes
 Claims Submit all comments and votes
 


What is claimed is:

1. A video distribution system for providing video programs to subscribers via a transmission medium with capacity for a plurality of channels, the video distribution system comprising:

(a) a controllable video server for storing video programs and for simultaneously applying a selected video program to at least two of the channels; and

(b) a scheduler coupled to the video server and operable to control the video server according to a predetermined schedule so that the selected video program has a starting time on one of the channels that is staggered from the starting time on another of the channels by a time interval of relatively short period in relation to the run-time of the selected video program.

2. A video distribution system as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for processing requests from subscribers to view the selected video program at a starting time established in accordance with the predetermined schedule.

3. A video distribution system as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for processing video programs in a manner that renders those programs substantially unintelligible before broadcasting the programs to subscribers.

4. A video distribution system as defined in claim 2, further comprising means for processing video programs in a manner that renders those programs substantially unintelligible before broadcasting the programs to subscribers.

5. A video distribution system comprising:

video server means for storing video programs and for applying selected video programs to a transmission medium;

means associated with the video server means for controlling the video server means according to a predetermined schedule so that at least one selected video program is applied, in accordance with the predetermined schedule, simultaneously to at least two of channels of the transmission medium, with the respective starting times of the selected video program on each channel being staggered by a time interval of relatively short period in relation to the run-time of the selected video program; and

means for processing requests from subscribers to view the selected video programs at a starting time that is established in accordance with the predetermined schedule.

6. A video distribution system as defined in claim 5, further comprising means for processing the video program in a manner that renders the program substantially unintelligible.

7. A video distribution system as defined in claim 6, further comprising means for rendering the unintelligible program intelligible.

8. A video distribution system as defined in claim 5 wherein the means for controlling the video server is integral to the video server.

9. A video distribution system as defined in claim 8, further comprising means for processing the video program in a manner that renders the program substantially unintelligible.

10. A video distribution system as defined in claim 9, further comprising means for rendering the unintelligible program intelligible.

11. A video server comprising:

(a) means for storing a video program;

(b) means for providing the video program at two separate outputs; and

(c) means for causing the video program to be provided simultaneously at the two separate outputs, the means effecting a predetermined schedule whereby the video program is provided at the two outputs at starting times that are staggered by a time interval of relatively short period in relation to the video program run-time.

12. A video distribution system having an input coupled to a network for transmitting requests from subscribers and an output coupled to a transmission medium comprising multiple channels for delivering video programs to subscribers, the video distribution system comprising:

a video server for storing video programs;

a headend coupled to the video server and to the transmission medium;

a scheduler coupled to the video server and operable to control the video server according to a predetermined schedule so that at least one selected video program is applied, in accordance with the predetermined schedule, simultaneously to the transmission medium, with the respective starting times of the selected video program on at least two of the channels being staggered by a time interval of relatively short period in relation to the run-time of the selected video program.

13. A video distribution system as defined in claim 12, further comprising:

first means coupled to the network for receiving requests from subscribers; and

second means coupled to the first means for processing requests from subscribers.

14. A video distribution system as defined in claim 13, further comprising third means coupled to the second means for controlling the transmission of programs to subscribers.

15. A video distribution system as defined in claim 14, wherein the third means causes video programs to be scrambled in response to information received from the scheduler.

16. A video distribution system as defined in claim 15, wherein the third means selectively causes programs to be unscrambled for viewing by requesting subscribers.

17. A video server for a near-video-on-demand video distribution system, the video server comprising:

program player means for playing recorded programs, the program player means including a plurality of outputs; and

a processor means coupled to the program player means for controlling the operation of the program player means, the processor means operable in accordance with a predetermined schedule to control the program player means in a manner that causes a program to appear simultaneously at two outputs, with the respective starting times of the program at the respective outputs staggered by a time interval that is relatively short in relation to the run-time of the program.

18. A video server as defined in claim 17, further comprising promotional player means coupled to the processor means for substantially continuously playing promotional segments.

19. A video server as defined in claim 17, further comprising a character generator means coupled to the processor means for providing a menu representing a programming schedule.

20. A video server as defined in claim 18, further comprising a character generator means coupled to the processor means for providing a menu representing a programming schedule.
 Description Submit all comments and votes
 


TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to methods for providing video programming to a multiplicity of network subscribers. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods for operating a video network which supplies pay-per-view video programming to subscribers in a nearly on demand basis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Video and audio broadcasters engage in performing or otherwise broadcasting audio and visual productions or programs. Typically, such performances are provided to the broadcasters on magnetic and optical recording media, such as video and audio disks and tapes, over satellite or network feeds, from live performances, and the like. The broadcasters rebroadcast these performances over their networks. Each broadcast may be considered an exhibition of the performance.

Various examples of networks, such as cable TV networks, operated by broadcasters are known to those skilled in the art. Such networks provide occasional programming on a pay-per-view (PPV) basis. Broadcasters would like to increase the quantity of pay-per-view programming because such programming may help them reduce the risks associated with licensing certain high-priced performances for exhibition. Increased pay-per-view programming would also provide a more fair basis for charging subscribers for the programming services that are delivered to their premises. In other words, subscribers would be able to pay a fair price for only that programming that they actually view rather than pay averaged prices for a variety of programming, such of which they do not actually view.

One impediment to providing more extensive PPV programming has been the cumbersome techniques used in ordering the PPV services. Another impediment to providing more extensive PPV programming has been the lack of an ability to have programming available when a subscriber wishes to view it. It is common knowledge that viewers prefer to make programming selections on impulse. In other words, viewers tend not to think ahead about the programming that they may want to view at a later time. They prefer not to commit themselves to viewing a particular program at a particular future interval in time but rather to decide on impulse that they want to view some sort of programming at the present time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an advantage of the present invention that an improved method for providing pay-per-view (PPV) programming to subscribers of a network is provided.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the present invention provides a method for delivering programs to subscribers nearly in an on demand or impulse basis.

Yet another advantage is that the present invention provides a method for controlling scrambling and unscrambling of programming so that subscribers may view intelligible preview and promotional programming but not substantial portions of PPV programming until paying for it.

The above and other advantages of the present invention are carried out in one form by a method of providing video programs to subscribers via a transmission system that has the capacity for transmitting a plurality of video channels. The method calls for storing the video programs in a controllable video player system. The video player system is controlled in accordance with a predetermined schedule and in a manner that causes the video programs to be applied at specified times to specified channels of the transmission system. The schedule instructs the video player system to be controlled so that at least one selected video program is simultaneously applied to a plurality of channels. The respective startin