Network based digital information and entertainment storage and delivery system

Abstract

Live television broadcast and other information and entertainment programs, e.g., videos-on-demand (VOD), are provided to a user through a communications network, e.g., a cable network. A processing unit is employed at an headend of the communications network to respond to user requests for PVR-like functions, e.g., pausing, rewinding and fast-forwarding, to be performed on the program content being viewed. The processing unit in accordance with the invention causes a delivery of an appropriate version of the program content to meet such user requests.

1 . Apparatus for facilitating provision of content of a broadcast program, comprising:
 an interface for receiving one or more requests for accessing the content of the broadcast program, the one or more requests being receivable during at least one of (1) a first duration before the broadcast program is broadcast, and (2) a second duration after at least part of the broadcast program has been broadcast, the at least part of the broadcast program being unrecorded in the apparatus; and   a mechanism responsive to the one or more requests for allowing access to the content of the broadcast program, including the at least part of the broadcast program.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a set-top terminal. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more requests are transmitted from the apparatus through a communications network. 
     
     
         4 . A method for use in an apparatus for facilitating provision of content of a broadcast program, the method comprising:
 receiving one or more requests for accessing the content of the broadcast program, the one or more requests being receivable during at least one of (1) a first duration before the broadcast program is broadcast, and (2) a second duration after at least part of the broadcast program has been broadcast, the at least part of the broadcast program being unrecorded in the apparatus; and   in response to the one or more requests, allowing access to the content of the broadcast program, including the at least part of the broadcast program.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the apparatus comprises a set-top terminal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more requests are transmitted from the apparatus through a communications network. 
     
     
         7 . A method for providing program content to a terminal at a user location, the method comprising:
 receiving a request from a user to reserve a first program broadcast starting at a first time, for viewing starting at a second time different than the first time;   displaying to the user an option to reserve at least one second program related to the reserved program;   allowing access to the reserved programs.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first program is an episode of a television series, the method comprising displaying an option to reserve all episodes of the television series. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising:
 allowing access to a reserved program for a predetermined period of time after receiving the reservation.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 informing the user if the predetermined time period for a respective reserved program has passed.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 offering the user an opportunity to archive the respective reserved program, if the predetermined time period for a respective reserved program has passed.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising:
 offering the user an opportunity to archive the respective reserved program, for a fee.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 displaying one of the reserved programs to the user, upon request of a user.   
     
     
         14 . A method of providing broadcast content to a terminal at a user location, the method comprising:
 transmitting a program to a terminal at a user location;   transmitting a commercial to the terminal, while transmitting the program;   determining whether the terminal plays the entire commercial; and   compiling data concerning the extent the commercial is played.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the transmitted program comprises a program previously reserved by the user. 
     
     
         16 . A method of providing program content to a terminal at a user location, the method comprising:
 receiving a request to reserve a first program broadcast starting at a first time for viewing via a first terminal at a first user location starting at a second time different than the first time, from a device different than the terminal; and   allowing access to the reserved program via the terminal.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising receiving the request via the Internet, the World Wide Web, a public switched telephone network, or a wireless telephone network. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 receiving program content by a headend of a cable television system, for broadcast in accordance with a broadcast schedule;   recording the program content by the headend;   delivering, through the communications network, the program content to terminals according to a broadcast schedule;   providing the reserved program to the terminal for display, upon request of the user.   
     
     
         19 . A method for delivering messages between subscribers at respective terminals of a cable television system, comprising:
 receiving a message by a headend of a cable television system, from a first user at a first terminal at a first user location, for a second user at a second terminal at a second user location, via a cable television network;   determining the address of the second terminal, by the headend; and   sending the message to the second terminal, via the cable television network, by the headend.   
     
     
         20 . A method for delivering, through a communications network, program content to a terminal at a user location, the method comprising:
 storing program content at a location remote from the user location, the recorded program content comprising, at least in part, I-frames defining the program content, each I-frame being identified by a respective I-frame identifier;   creating at least one file comprising an array of selected I-frame identifiers identifying respective I-frames of the recorded program content without the respective I-frames, for manipulating the stored program content, wherein the selected I-frame identifiers identify only certain of the I-frames of the recorded program content;   delivering, through the communications network, the program content to the terminal;   receiving, from the terminal, a request for performing an action on the recorded program content;   in response to the request, manipulating the recorded program content to meet the request based, at least in part, on at least one of the at least one files.