(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0097599 A1
`
` Plotnick et al. (43) Pub. Date: May 5, 2005
`
`
`US 20050097599A1
`
`(54) ALTERNATIVE ADVERTISING IN
`PRERECORDED MEDIA
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(76)
`
`p
`Inventors: Michael A. Plotnick, Southam ton, PA
`(US); Robert F. Deitrich, Pottstown,
`PA (US); Charles A. Eldering.
`Doylestown, PA (US); Douglas J.
`Ryder, Doylestown, PA (US); Herbert
`M. Lllstlg, Sarasita, FL (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`TECHNOLOGY, PATENTS AND LICENSING:
`INCJPRIME
`6206 KELLERS CHURCH ROAD
`PIPERSVILLE’ PA 18947 (US)
`‘
`3
`(‘1) Appl. No"
`(22)
`Filed:
`
`lll011,877
`Dec. 14, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(62) Division of application No. 10,006,374, filed on Nov.
`14, 2001,
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60381.03”, filed on Apr.
`3, 2001. Provisional application No. 60829392, filed
`on Oct. 17, 2001.
`
`(51) Int.Cl..I-104N 7x173- H04N "#00
`E
`H04N 5,191; GO6F 3100; H04N 7 10;
`H04N W025
`725132; 725342; 725389
`
`(52) U.S.Cl.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Presenting viewers with an alternative brief version of a
`recorded advertisement when they choose to fast-forward
`through or skip (or any other trick play event) the recorded
`advertisement. The alternative advertisement may be dis-
`played instead of or in conjunction with the recorded adver-
`tisement (i.e., fast-forwarding advertisement is displayed in
`one portion of the screen (i.e., background or portion of a
`split screen) and the alternative brief version is displayed in
`another portion). The alternative brief version of the adver-
`tisement (trick play advertisement) may be a marketing
`message that is a static screen presenting a logo or a portion
`of the recorded advertisement, or may be a condensed
`version of the actual advertisement. The trick play adver-
`tisements may be targeted. An alternate or entirely unrelated
`advertisement can also be displayed as the trick play adver-
`tisement.
`
`PROGRAMMING
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`US 2005/0097599 A1
`
`May 5, 2005
`
`ALTERNATIVE ADVERTISING IN PRERECORDED
`MEDLA
`
`[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 107006,874 filed on Nov. 14, 2001. U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 10006374 is incorporated
`herein in its entirety, but is not admitted to be prior art.
`
`[0002] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
`§119(e) for Provisional application Nos. 60(281,037, filed
`on Apr. 3, 2001 entitled "Personal Video Recorder (PVR)
`Market Overview and Advertising Opportunities” (Docket
`No. T738-00) and 60329992, filed on Oct. 17, 2001 entitled
`"Personal Video Recorder (PVR) System Requirements and
`Specification” (Docket No. T738-01). Both of the aforemen-
`tioned applications are herein incorporation by reference,
`but are not admitted to be prior art.
`
`[0003] This application is related to all of the Applicants
`co-pending applications, patents and publications listed
`below. Each application listed below is herein incorporated
`in its entirety but is not admitted to be prior art:
`
`[0004] U.S. application Ser. No. 097204388, filed on
`Dec. 3, 1998 entitled "Subscriber Characterization
`System” (Docket No. 1702-00);
`
`[0005] PCT Application PCTIUS991’28528 (WIPO
`Publication W0 00(33160A3), filed on Dec. 2, 1999
`entitled “Subscriber Characterization and Advertise-
`
`ment Monitoring System” (Docket No. T702-
`00PCT'};
`
`[0006] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 097516,983,
`filed on Mar. 1, 2000 entitled “Subscriber Charac-
`terization with Filters” (Docket No. 1702-02);
`
`[0007] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09591577,
`filed on Jun. 9, 2000 entitled “Privacy-Protected
`Advertising System" (Docket No. T702-03);
`
`[0008] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 097635252,
`filed on Aug. 9, 2000 entitled “Subscriber Charac-
`terization Based on Electronic Program Guide Data"
`(Docket No. T702-04);
`
`[0009] U.S. application Ser. No. 09,205,653, filed on
`Dec. 3, 1998 entitled "Client-Server Based Sub-
`scriber Characterization System" (Docket No. T703-
`00);
`
`[0010] U.S. application Ser. No. 092‘205,119, filed on
`Dec. 3, 1998 entitled "Advertisement Monitoring
`System” (Docket No. 1704-00);
`
`[0011] U.S. application Ser. No. 097516,.314, filed on
`Mar. 1, 2000 entitled "Advertisement Monitoring
`and Feedback System” (Docket No. T704-01);
`
`[0012] U.S. application Ser. No. 097452893, filed on
`Dec. 2, 1999 entitled “Subscriber Identification Sys-
`tem” (Docket No. T705-01);
`
`[0013] PCT Application PCTIUS991’28600 (WIPO
`Publication WO 00733233), filed on Dec. 2, 1999
`entitled "Subscriber Identification System" (Docket
`No. T705-01 PCT);
`
`[0014] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 097635253,
`filed on Aug. 9, 2000 entitled “Subscriber Identifi-
`cation Based on Electronic Program Guide Data"
`(Docket No. T705-02);
`
`[0015] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09553637,
`filed on Apr. 20, 2000 entitled “Advertising Man-
`agement System for Digital Video Streams” (Docket
`No. T708-Ol);
`
`[0016] PCT Application PCT(U800710633 (WIPO
`Publication WO 00(64165), filed on Apr. 20, 2000
`entitled “Advertising Management System for Digi-
`tal Video Streams" (Docket No. T708-01PCT);
`
`[0017] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09553399,
`filed on Apr. 20, 2000 entitled "Advertisement Inser-
`tion Techniques for Digital Video Streams” (Docket
`No. T708-02);
`
`[0018] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09568984,
`filed on May 10, 2000 entitled “Advertisement Sub-
`groups for Digital Video Streams” (Atty. Docket No.
`T711-01);
`
`[0019] PCT Application PCT(U800712710 (WIPO
`Publication W0 00769163), filed on May 10, 2000
`entitled "Advertisement Subgroups for Digital Video
`Streams” (Docket No. T711-01 PCT);
`
`[0020] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 097568,477,
`filed on May 10, 2000 entitled "Advertisement Sub-
`groups for Digital Video Streams” (Docket No.
`T711-02);
`
`[0021] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 097635539,
`filed on Aug. 10, 2000 entitled “Delivering targeted
`advertisements in cable-based networks” (Docket
`No. T711-03);
`
`[0022] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 097694848,
`filed on Oct. 20, 2000 entitled “Method and Appa-
`ratus for Inserting Digital Media Advertisements into
`Statistical Multiplexed Streams” (Docket No. T712-
`10);
`
`[0023] PCT Application Pcrrusoo129034 (WIPO
`Publication W0 01100086A), filed on Oct. 20, 2000
`entitled “Method and Apparatus for Iriserting Digital
`Media Advertisements into Statistical Multiplexed
`Streams” (Docket No. T712-01PCT);
`
`[0024] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 097796,339,
`filed on Feb. 28, 2001 entitled “Privacy-Protected
`Targeting System” (Docket No. T715-10);
`
`[0025] PCT Application PCNU301106650 (th0
`Publication wo 01765453A1), filed on Feb. 28, 2001
`entitled
`“Privacy-Protected Targeting System”
`(Docket No. T715-10PCT);
`
`[0026] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 097635542,
`filed on Aug. 10, 2000 entitled "Grouping Subscrib-
`ers Based on Demographic Data" (Docket No. T719-
`00);
`
`[0027] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09635544
`filed on Aug. 10, 2000 entitled "Transporting Ad
`Characterization Vectors” (Docket No. T720-00);
`
`[0028] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09(712,790
`filed on Nov. 14, 2000 entitled “Queue Based Adver-
`tisement Scheduling and Sales" (Docket No. T721-
`10);
`
`NTFX—1003 I Page 27 of 46
`
`

`

`US 2005/0097599 A1
`
`May 5, 2005
`
`[0029] PCT Application PCT7US01727217, filed on
`Aug. 31, 2001 entitled “Targeted Advertising at the
`Set-Top Box” (Docket No. T721-10PCT);
`
`[0030] US. patent application Ser. No. 097731,606
`filed on Dec. 7, 2000 entitled "System for Providing
`Targeted Advertisements Using Advertiser Specific
`Target Groups " (Docket No. T721-12);
`
`[0031] US. patent application Ser. No. 097748,949
`filed on Dec. 27, 2000 entitled “Advertisement Fil-
`tering and Storage for Targeted Advertisement Sys-
`tems” (Docket No. T721-13);
`
`[0032] US. patent application Ser. No. 097742527
`filed on Dec. 21, 2000 entitled “System and Method
`for Automatically Managing Avail Inventory Data
`and Avail Pricing" (Docket No. 7721-14);
`
`[0033] US. patent application Ser. No. 097748,942
`filed on Dec. 27, 2000 entitled "Advertisement Dis-
`tribution System for Distributing Targeted Advertise—
`ments in Television Systems” (Docket No. T721-
`15};
`
`[0034] US. patent application Ser. No. 097742506
`filed on Dec. 21, 2000 entitled "Internet Based
`Electronic Program Guide Advertisement Insertion
`Method and Apparatus” (Docket No. T721-16);
`
`[0035] US. patent application Ser. No. 097748,943
`filed on Dec. 27, 2000 entitled “Delivering Targeted
`Advertisements to the Set-Top Box” (Docket No.
`T721-17);
`
`[0036] US. patent application Ser. No. 097742534
`filed on Dec. 21, 2000 entitled “Queue Based Head-
`End Advertisement Scheduling Method and Appa-
`ratus” (Docket No. T721-18);
`
`[0037] US. patent application Ser. No. 097742,852
`filed on Dec. 21, 2000 entitled “System for Resched-
`uling and Inserting Advertisements" (Docket No.
`T721-19);
`
`[0038] US. patent application Ser. No. 097750,800
`filed on Dec. 28, 2000 entitled “System and Method
`for Delivering Targeted Advertisements Using Mul-
`tiple Presentation Strealns" (Docket No. T721-20);
`
`[0039] US. patent application Ser. No. 097766,004
`filed on Jan. 19, 2001 entitled “System and Method
`for Delivering Statistically Scheduled Advertise-
`ments” (Docket No. T721-21);
`
`[0040] US. patent application Ser. No. 097824,434
`filed on Apr. 2, 2001 entitled “Grouping of Adver-
`tisements on an Advertising Channel in a Targeted
`Advertising System" (Docket No. 7721-22);
`
`[0041] US. patent application Ser. No. 097658,204
`filed on Sep. 8, 2000 entitled "Targeted Advertising
`Through Electronic Program Guide” (Docket No.
`T723-00);
`
`[0042] US. Provisional Application No. 607238,059,
`filed on Oct. 5, 2000 entitled “Platform Independent
`Addressable Television Advertising System" (Atty.
`Docket No. 7726-00);
`
`[0043] US. Provisional Application No. 60238056,
`filed on Oct. 5, 2000 entitled “Method and System
`for Addressable Advertising in the Electronic Pro-
`gram Guide” (Atty. Docket No. T727-00);
`
`[0044] US. patent application Ser. No. 097749255
`filed on Dec. 27, 2000 entitled “Scheduling and
`Linking IPG Ads in Conjunction with Programming
`Ads in a Television Environment” (Docket No.
`T727-10);
`
`[0045] PCT Application PCT7USOl731682, filed on
`Oct. 5, 2001 entitled “Targeting Ads on IPG’s Live
`Programming and Recorded Programming,
`and
`Coordinating the Ads therebetween" (Docket No.
`T727-10PCT)
`
`[0046] US. patent application Ser. No. 097680,622
`filed on Oct. 6, 2000 entitled “Method and System
`for Addressable and Program Independent Advertis-
`ing During Recorded Programs” (Docket No. T728-
`10);
`
`[0047] US. patent application Ser. No. 097751,349
`filed on Dec. 28, 2000 entitled “Inserting Local
`Signals During MPEG Channel Changes” (Docket
`No. T730-10);
`
`[0048] US. patent application Ser. No. 097998,979
`filed on Oct. 31, 2001 entitled “Profiling and Iden-
`tification of Television Viewers” (Docket No. T734-
`10);
`
`[0049] US. Provisional Application No. 607267,370,
`filed on Feb. 8, 2001 entitled “Presentation Stream
`Switching Using Channel Maps” (Docket No. T736-
`00);
`
`[0050] US. Provisional Application No. 607278,612,
`filed on Mar. 26, 2001 entitled “Formation and
`Utilization of Cable Microzones" (Docket No. T737-
`00);
`
`[0051] US. Provisional Application No. 607281,196,
`filed on Apr. 3, 2001 entitled "Subscriber Selected
`Advertisement Display and Scheduling” (Docket
`No. T740-00);
`
`[0052] US. patent application Ser. No. 097928,024 on
`Aug. 10, 2001 entitled “Targeting Ads to Subscribers based
`on Privacy Protected Subscriber Profiles” (Docket No.
`T741-10); and
`
`[0053] PCT Application PCT7US01725261, filed on Aug.
`10, 2001 entitled "Targeting Ads to Subscribers based on
`Privacy Protected Subscriber Profiles” (Docket No. T741-
`109m").
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0054] The Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) is an integral
`part of most households. According to Statistical Abstracts
`of the United States, as of 1998 98.3% of US households had
`at least one television (the average number of television sets
`per home was 2.4) and 84.6% of TV households had at least
`one VCR. The Personal Video Recorder (PVR) is a term that
`is generally used to describe the digital equivalent of the
`VCR. PVRs are also known as Digital Video Recorders
`(DVRs) and when located outside of the residence can also
`be referred to as Personal Video Channels (PVCs).
`
`NTFX—1003 I Page 28 of 46
`
`

`

`US 2005/0097599 A1
`
`May 5, 2005
`
`[0055] Because VCRs are so universally accepted, it is
`clear that a digital successor technology will eventually take
`hold. That digital successor technology will provide the
`functionality of the VCR but with the added flexibility of a
`digital platform. The advent of the Internet will also have a
`significant impact on the successor technology to the VCR
`because Internet based delivery, storage and in-home distri-
`bution of multimedia content will allow for new PVR
`
`functionality and architectures.
`
`[0056] VCRs have a fast-forward capability that allows
`the user to fast-forward through programming. One of the
`primary uses of the fast-forward button is to skip commer-
`cials in pre-recorded material. That is, users who have gone
`through the trouble to pre-record a program typically have
`no interest in viewing the advertisements. Because the use of
`VCRs to record programming for home use is considered
`“fair use” in terms of copyright, programmers and advertis-
`ers cannot prevent manufacturers from supplying VCRs or
`putting fast-forward functionality on VCRs, nor can they
`prevent consumers from using the fast-forward button to
`skip commercials.
`
`like the predecessor VCR, will have a
`[0057] PVRs,
`fast-forward capability. Some manufacturers have even gone
`so far as to put a "commercial skip" button on the PVR that
`allows the user to completely skips over the advertisement
`with the touch of a button. Although there are copyright
`issues that may ultimately prevent the PVR manufacturer
`from including an explicit "commercial skip" button, PVR
`users will likely insist on the ability to fast-forward through
`
`In a traditional VCRfPVR, the video is meaning-
`[0058]
`less when the user fast-forwards or rewinds, and the audio
`is suppressed. The viewer cannot typically recognize the
`advertisement of the manufacturer, and there is therefore
`little chance to make an impression on the viewer. For the
`foregoing reasons, there is a need for a method and system
`for presenting a brief marketing message when a user
`fast-forwards through or rewinds through an advertisement.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0059] The present invention provides a method and sys-
`tem for presenting viewers with an alternative brief version
`of an advertisement when they choose to fast-forward
`though a commercial. In a preferred embodiment, the viewer
`sees the fast-forwarded commercial in one portion of the
`screen (either background or portion of a split screen) while
`the alternative brief version is displayed. The alternative
`brief version of the advertisement is known as a trick play
`advertisement, and is a marketing message which may be a
`static screen presenting a logo or portion of the commercial,
`or may be a condensed version of the actual advertisement.
`An alternate or entirely unrelated advertisement can also be
`displayed as the trick play advertisement.
`
`[0060] The present invention supports a wide range of
`formats for the presentation of the alternative advertisement
`including full screen alternate advertisements, opaque and
`transparent overlays, and split screens. Awide range of brief
`marketing messages can be used including brief segments of
`video in sequence, brief segments of video in sequences
`different than the original advertisement, mixed sequences
`of video and still images and single still images or sequences
`of still images.
`
`invention is that
`[0061] One advantage of the present
`audio may accompany the alternative advertisement. The
`accompanying audio can be a sequence of musical notes or
`any other appropriate audio message such as the name of the
`manufacturer or a sound associated with the manufacturer or
`
`product.
`
`[0062] Another advantage of the present invention is that
`if the PVR manufacturer has included a “commercial skip”
`feature the alternative advertisement will be presented even
`though the viewer has chosen to skip the commercial. The
`alternative advertisement can be displayed when the user
`rewinds through the advertisement. A number of events such
`as fast-forward, commercial skip, and rewind can be used to
`trigger the alternative advertisement and are known in
`general as trick-play events.
`
`In the present invention the trick play advertise-
`[0063]
`ment can be formed by using segments of the full-length
`advertisement. In a preferred embodiment, the I-frames of
`the digital video sequence, which form the original adver-
`tisement, are used as the basis for still images or as begin-
`ning points for sequences of video in the trick play adver-
`tisement. In one embodiment, the trick play advertisement is
`formed dynamically by retrieving sections of the original
`advertisements. In another embodiment, a separate file is
`created which contains the trick play advertisement.
`In
`another embodiment the trick play advertisement is down-
`loaded and stored separately from the original advertise-
`ment.
`
`invention also supports the use of
`[0064] The present
`non-traditional video such as flash animation or other Inter-
`net based graphics or video. In one embodiment the trick
`play advertisement
`is comprised of stored files (local or
`external) that are displayed upon initiation of a trick play
`event.
`
`[0065] One of the advantages of the present invention is
`that the trick play advertisement can be targeted such that
`different trick play advertisements are displayed to difl‘erent
`market segments. These market segments may be defined by
`age,
`income, ethnicity, or other psychodemographic or
`socio-economic factors.
`
`[0066] These and other features and objects of the inven-
`tion will be more fully understood from the following
`detailed description of the preferred embodiments that
`should be read in light of the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0067] The accompanying drawings, which are incorpo-
`rated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the
`embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
`description serve to explain the principles of the invention
`
`[0068] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary program stream
`having advertisements inserted within programming;
`
`[0069] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the
`advertisements of FIG. 1 being fast-forwarded and alterna-
`tive advertisements being available in place of or in con-
`junction with the fast-forwarding advertisements;
`
`FIG.3 illustrates an exemplary system diagram of a
`[0070]
`Personal Video Recorder (PVR);
`
`[0071] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary system diagram of
`a Video-on-Demand (VoD) network;
`
`NTFX—1003 I Page 29 of 46
`
`

`

`US 2005/0097599 A1
`
`May 5, 2005
`
`[0072] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary system diagram of
`a Personal Video Channel
`(PVC) head-end based PVR
`network;
`
`in general, and
`[0088] With reference to the drawings,
`FIGS. 1 through 17 in particular,
`the apparatus of the
`present invention is disclosed.
`
`[0073] FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary context diagram
`of a client side set-top box (STB) ad targeting system;
`
`[0074] FIG. 6B illustrates a single ad queue structure for
`multiple market segmentstsubscribers;
`
`[0075] FIG. 6C illustrates the use of multiple ad queues
`for multiple market segmentstsubscribers;
`
`[0076] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary context diagram of
`a server side ad management system;
`
`[0077] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary block diagram for
`a client side STB ad targeting system;
`
`[0078] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a
`server side ad management system;
`
`[0079] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary data flow in a
`PVR-enabled set-top box for delivering targeted advertising;
`
`[0080] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary data flow in an ad
`management system designed to deliver targeted advertise-
`ments to a PVR-enabled set-top box;
`
`FIGS. 12A-B illustrate exemplary systems in
`[0081]
`which the alternative advertisements are received as separate
`files;
`
`13A—C illustrate exemplary systems in
`FIGS.
`[0082]
`which processing rules are received- in order to generate
`alternative advertisements by applying the processing rules
`to advertisements;
`
`FIGS. 14A-B illustrate exemplary systems in
`[0083]
`which advertisements and an ad queue are utilized along
`with alternative advertisements andfor processing rules;
`
`[0084] FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary one-second
`MPEG data stream;
`
`exemplary alternative
`16A—B illustrate
`FIGS.
`[0085]
`advertisements being produced from an original advertise-
`ment; and
`
`[0086] FIG. 17 illustrates exemplary embodiments for
`placement of the alternative advertisement.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`In describing a preferred embodiment of the inven-
`[0087]
`tion illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be
`used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not
`intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and
`it is to be understood that each specific term includes all
`technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to
`accomplish a similar purpose.
`In particular, when used
`herein the term alternative advertisement refers to a trick
`
`play advertisement which is the advertisement presented
`when a trick play event is detected. A trick play event can be
`defined as any event which presents an opportunity for a
`trick play advertisement including but not limited to initia-
`tion of fast-forward at a commercial break, a commercial
`skip event, or rewind.
`
`[0089] FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of program-
`ming 100 having advertisements 110, 120 inserted in adver-
`tisement opportunities (avails) within the programming 100.
`The programming may be video, audio, streaming media or
`other programming that would be obvious to one of ordinary
`skill in the art. For ease, throughout the application we will
`focus of the video programming and in particular digital
`video. However, the invention is in no way intended to be
`limited thereby.
`
`[0090] As illustrated, two 30-second advertisements 110,
`120 are inserted in the middle of the programming 100.
`However, the invention is in no way intended to be limited
`to this exemplary embodiment. As one skilled in the art
`would recognize the advertisements may be any length (i.e.,
`15, 30, 45, 60 seconds),
`there may be any number of
`advertisements (i.e., 3, 4, 5 advertisements during a com-
`mercial break), the advertisements may be inserted at any
`point in the programming (i.e., pre-pended or post-pended),
`and may be inserted between different programs. When one
`normally talks about advertisements in programming they
`are referring to broadcast or network programming, such as
`ABC, NBC, ESPN. However, advertisements may also be
`associated with Video on Demand (VoD) programming, Pay
`Per View (PPV) programming, pre-recorded programming
`that may be stored on cassettes, CDs, DVDs or other media,
`streaming media programming and other programming that
`is either now known or later discovered. For ease, through-
`out
`the application we will focus on the programming
`delivered to a subscriber (i.e., broadcast, network, VoD,
`PPV). However, the invention is in no way intended to be
`limited thereby.
`
`[0091] The broadcast, network, VoD and PPV program-
`ming may be transmitted to a subscriber via a programming
`delivery network. The video delivery network may be a
`digital broadcast satellite (DBS) system, a cable television
`(CATV) system, a Switched Digital Video System (SDV),
`Internet, or other systems now known or later discovered.
`The system architectures can include Hybrid Fiber Coax
`(HFC), Fiber to the Curb (FITC), Fiber to the Home
`(FITH), any iteration of Digital Subscriber Loop (xDSL)
`including very high speed DSL (VDSL), terrestrial wireless
`networks such as multichannel multipoint distribution sys-
`tems (MMDS) or local MDS (LMDS), or other architectures
`now know or later discovered system.
`
`[0092] As one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize,
`if the programming is recorded for future playback, there is
`the potential that subscribers may fast forward through, or
`skip advertisements. With the advent of the personal video
`recorder (PVR) in any of its various forms that will be
`discussed in detail below, it is possible for the subscriber to
`record the programming and play it back in the future
`(potentially just a few minutes later) and fast
`forward
`through, or skip the advert