O
`(12) Unlted States Patent
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 7,631,336 B2
`
`Diaz Perez
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Dec. 8, 2009
`
`USOO7631336B2
`
`(54) METIIOD FOR CONVERTING, NAVIGATING
`AND DISPLAYING VIDEO CONTENT
`UPLOADED FROM THE INTERNET TO A
`DIGITAL TV VIDEO-ON-DEMAND
`PLATFORM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Milton Diaz Perez. Honolulu, HI ms)
`
`(73) Assignee: Broadband iTV., Inc., Honolulu, HI
`(Us)
`
`( >1: ) Neticei
`
`SUbjeCt to any disclaimer, the term OfIhiS
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 282 days.
`
`..
`
`. 725/32
`6/2004 Cooper etal.
`6,754,904 B1*
`725/133
`8/2004 Ellis et al.
`6,774,926 B1 *
`725/100
`7,120,925 B2 * 10/2006 D’Souza et a1.
`.............. 725/61
`7,222,163 B1*
`5/2007 Girouard et 31.
`7,337,462 B2 *
`2/2008 Dudkiewicz et a1.
`........ 725/136
`..... 725/81
`2004/0268413 A1* 12/2004 Reid et al.
`
`
`725/109
`2005/0246752 A1 * 11/2005 Liwerant el al.
`2008/0141325 A1 *
`6/2008 Ludv1g et al.
`............... 725/116
`
`
`
`omen PUBLlCA’l'lONS
`
`Anderson, Leslie; \Veb Entertainment Gets Personal; Jan. 2000; The
`Industry Standard; pp. 97, 99*
`.
`~
`* Cited by examlner
`
`This patent ls SUbJCCt to a termlnal (115-
`clalmer.
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/685,188
`
`Primary ExamineriBrian T Pendleton
`Assistant ExamineriDika C Okeke
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiIeighton K. Chong
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 12, 2007
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2007170157252 A1
`Jul. 5 2007
`’
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part 0f application N0~ 10/909,192,
`filed 0“ JUL 30; 2004; “0W Pat. NO- 75590997
`
`(5])
`
`Int. C"
`(200601)
`H04N 7” 73
`(52) US. Cl.
`........................... 725/109; 725/93; 725/98;
`725/1109 725“”
`(58) new 0f Classification Search ~~~~~~~~~~~~ 725/867104
`See application file for Complete SCfll‘Ch history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U. S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1/2001 Alexander et a1.
`
`6,177,931 B1*
`
`............ 725/52
`
`Video content is uploaded via the lntemet to a video-on-
`demand (VOD) server identified by a title and a hierarchical
`address of categories and subcategories for categorizing the
`title. The VOD server converts and stores the video content at
`a storage address in a video content database linked to the
`title. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program
`guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as
`in its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the
`EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to
`find a title for Viewing on the TV. This can enable many, new
`blogging or podcasting-like programs by popular “Hosts” to
`be self-published on the Internet and readily navigated for
`display on TV. The EPG can also store TV program addresses
`as bookmarks and allow them to be shared With other sub-
`
`scribers or with friends andcontacts online by sending to their
`email addresses.
`
`11 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`(Select)
`can
`
`
`
`WEBSITE
`LINK 012 911. D
`nonn-
`
`
`DIGITAL
`PHONE
`
`.
`
`
`
`VOD PLATFORM
`INTERNET
`DIGITAL 'I'V SYSTEM
`CONTENT SOURCES
`CONTENT: mews [Anywhere Rpts INYC /Financ1al
`—_—— /"L1ve from NYSE By Jim Cramer"
`Web-based
`Comm:
`Management
`Swan:
`(40)
`
`>
`
`
`
`ContamFeed
`Systam(42)
`
`1
`
`+
`Content Conversion
`System (43)
`
`Digital
`VOD Content
`Damn System <—> TelcVIsicn
`(44)
`System
`7
`
`van Canten
`Database
`(45)
`
`
`
`Remote
`control Unit:
`
`.
`.
`Bums“
`“PB“
`VA
`VIEWER 1v
`
`
`
`
`
`/Anywhaxa Rpts
`[NYC/Ftnancial
`/"L1ve from NYSE
`by Jim Craner"
`
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 1
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 1
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020—01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 2009
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`
`US 7,631,336 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Cable Head End
`
`Application Data
`I
`
`
`
`Profiling System
`Tracking System
`( 1 5 )
`( 1 6)
`Center (30)
`i
`
`
`
`VIMContent / Template
`
`
`
`
`Targeting System
`VOD Application
`
`Server
`( 1 7 )
`|
`Database (1 1)
`
`
`(10)
`
`
`
`
`Video Server
`
`
`Digital Cable
`
`
`Digital S at
`Television
`(12)
`S stem
`
`
`Top Box (2])
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Video Content
`
`
`
`
`Video Content
`
`Distribution
`Encoder (3 l)
`Network ( 1 4 )
`
`
`Figure 1A: VOD Content Delivery System, Overall Architecture
`
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 2
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 2
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020-01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 2009
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`US 7,631,336 B2
`
`
`
`Own=>
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`
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 3
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 3
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020-01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 2009
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`
`US 7,631,336 B2
`
`
`
`Screen :
`
`
`
`
`Text, Image & Buttons
`
`
`
`over a Background
`/
`
`
`on a Template
`3/
`
`Figure 1C: Template Layer Model
`
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 4
`DISH Ex-1013, p.
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020-01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 2009
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`US 7,631,336 B2
`
`Web-based
`Content
`
`Content Screening
`System (41)
`
`Management
`System
`(40)
`
`End—User Web
`Browser
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Content Feed
`System (42)
`
`_:1__
`Content Conversion
`
`System (43)
`
`
`
`
`Digital Cable
`
`
`Digital 5d
`Television
`
`System
`Top Box (2])
`
`
`
`
`
`VOD Content
`Delivery System
`(4 4)
`
`Figure 2A: Classified Ad System, Overall Architecture
`
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 5
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 5
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020-01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 2009
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 7,631,336 BZ
`
`Image and Video
`Database
`
`
`Template Library
`(58)
`
`Classified
`
`Management
`Application
`5 0
`
` Classified Metadata,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Management
`Metadata, Image and
`
`
`A lication
`Video Database
`pr; 5 4 )
`
`Account
`
`
`Management
`( 5 5 )
`
` Trans action
`(53)
`
`Processing
`
` Account and
`
`Permissions
`
`Database
`
`
`Bulletin Board
`
`Bulletin Board
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`End-User Web
`Browser
`
`
`
`Figure 2B: Web-based Content Management System
`
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 6
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 6
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020-01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 2009
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 7,631,336 B2
`
`Classified Metadata,
`Image and Video
`
`
`
`
`
`Text Screening
`Application (60
`
`Image Screening
`Application (6‘1
`
`Video Screening
`
`Editorial and
`Customer Service
`
`Functions (65)
`
`
`Bulletin Board
`
`
`Metadata, Image and
`
`Database
`Video Database
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Editorial and
`
`Customer Service
`
`
`
`
`Functions ( 6 4 )
`
`
`‘ Application ( 62
`
`
`
`
`Email Function
`
`Audio Screening
`Application ( 63
`
`Email Function
`
`Figure 2C: Content Screening System
`
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 7
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 7
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020-01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 2009
`
`Sheet 7 0f 13
`
`US 7,631,336 B2
`
`Classified Metadata,
`
`Image and Video
`Database
`
`Video Database
`
`Bulletin Board
`
`Metadata, Image and
`
`CONTENT FEEDING (4
`
`
`Content Selection
`Date Filtering
`
`A lication
`pp 70
`
`
`
`
`Active Bulletin
`Active Classified
`Board Metadata,
`
`Metadata,
`Image
`
`
`and Video Database
`
`
`
`Image and Video
`Database ( 71 B)
`
`
`
`
`
`CONTENT CONVERSION (4
`
`Image Conversion
`Application ( 72
`
`Video Conversion
`
`Application ( 73
`
`Audio Conversion
`A lication (74
`PP
`
`
`
`Active, Converted
`Bulletin Board
`
`Metadata, Image and
`Video Database ( 7 B)
`
`Active , Converted
`Classified Metadata,
`Image and Video
`Database ( 75A)
`
`Production Push
`Function I 76A)
`
`Production Push
`Function ( 76B
`
`I | I |
`
`I
`
`|
`
`I
`
`I I I
`
` Production Database (77B n__.———-—-
`
`Classified Metadata,
`Image and Video
`Database ( 77A)
`
`
`
`Production Bulletin
`
`Board Metadata,
`Image and Video
`
`Figure 2D: Content Feed and Conversion System
`
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 8
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 8
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020-01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 2009
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`
`US 7,631,336 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Tracking System
`Application Data
`
`Center (30)
`(15)
`
`
`
`
`VOD Application
`Targeting System
`Content / Template
`Server
`(17)
`Database (11)
`(10)
`
`
`Profiling System
`(16)
`
`
`
`Video Content
`
`Encoder (31)
`
`
`
`
`
`Video Server
`
`(12)
`
`
`
`Core and
`Customer Access
`
`Access
`-
`Network
`
`
`
`(79)
`
`
`
`Video Content
`
`
`IPTV Digital Set
`Distribution
`Top Box
`
`Network ( l 4)
`(30)
`
`
`
`Network (78)
`
`
`
`Figure 3: VOD Content Delivery System, Overall Architecture for IPTV System
`
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 9
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 9
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020-01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 2009
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`US 7,631,336 B2
`
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`DISH Ex-1013, p. 10
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020-01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 2009
`
`Sheet 10 0f 13
`
`US 7,631,336 B2
`
`2:
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`DISH Ex-1013, p. 11
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020-01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
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`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 2009
`
`Sheet 11 0113
`
`US 7,631,336 B2
`
`FIG.
`
`6
`
`FIND TITLE
`PRESS KEY TO "STORE BOOKMARKS"
`
`601
`
`
`
`EPG:
`/News
`
`
`/Anywhere Rpts
`
`
`/N§ginancial
`
`
`
`---——{> /"Live from
`
`
`
`602
`
`BOOKMARK USER:
`
`Enter PIN:
`
`603
`
`BOOKMARK OPTIONS:
`
`Bookmark it now
`Send TV friend
`
`Related program‘
`
`SELECT "A" TO BOOKMARK IT NOW
`
`ENTER PIN NUMBER
`Biblio info
`
`
`604
`
`STORED BOOKMARKS:
`
`/News/Anywhere/NYC/...
`/Docum/PBS/Nova/...
`/HOSt/Cramer'Jlm/"'
`
`LAST BOOKMARK AT TOP OF LIST
`VIEWER CAN MANAGE LIST
`
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 12
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 12
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020-01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 2009
`
`Sheet 12 0f 13
`
`US 7,631,336 B2
`
`FIG.
`
`7
`
`From Step 603, Option "B"
`701
`
`TV FRIEND:
`
`
`A. Select fr Direc cry
`B. Select fr Contaot List
`
`C. Select Group
`
`Send to email a-dr
`
`
`
`Enter ltr
`
`Last Name
`
`
`
`PERELLAr UserA
`
`PERETTI UserA UserB
`
`
`
`
`PEREZ, bserA, bserB,
`A: Send B: Add List
`
`HIGHLIGHT FRIEND NAME, USER CAN
`SEND or ADD TO LIST & SEND
`
`Send
`
`B: 703 — Select fr Contact List
`VIEWER CONTACT LIST:
`
`PEREZ,MUserA, User:
`
`ALGERNON,LUserA
`
`HIGHLIGHT FRIEND NAME, USER CAN
`SEND
`
`
`
`A: Send B: Delete C: Add to Groups
`
`C: 704 — Select Group
`
`VIEWER GROUPS: 001
`
`
`001: FINANCE —
`
`ALGERNON,LUs-rA
`PE
`M
`B
`REZ' user
`002: SCIENCE —
`A: Send B: Delete
`
`ENTER GROUP NUMBER, USER CAN
`SEND, or HIGHLIGHT USER & SEND
`
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 13
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 13
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020-01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
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`DISH Ex-1013, p. 14
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 14
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH V. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`IPR2020-01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`
`

`

`US 7,631,336 B2
`
`1
`lVIETHOD FOR CONVERTING, NAVIGATIN G
`AND DISPLAYING VIDEO CONTENT
`UPLOADED FROM THE INTERNET TO A
`DIGITAL TV VIDEO-ON—DEMAND
`PLATFORM
`
`This US. patent application is a continuation-in-part of
`US. patent application Ser. No. 10/909,192 filed on Jul, 30,
`2004. now U.S. Pat. No. 7,590.997 by the same inventor,
`entitled “System and Method for Managing, Converting and
`Displaying Video Content on a Video-on-Demand Platform,
`Including Ads Used for Drill-Down Navigation & Consumer-
`Generated Classified Ads”.
`
`10
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This invention generally relates to the provision of video
`content to viewers through digital TV infrastructure, and
`more particularly, to converting, navigating and displaying
`video content uploaded from the Internet on a digital TV
`video-on-demand platform.
`
`BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
`
`Cable television (CATV) systems are used to deliver tele-
`vision services to a vast majority of TV—viewing homes in the
`US. and other technologically advanced countries. The typi-
`cal CATV system has a cable service provider head end
`equipped with video servers to transmit CATV program sig-
`nals through distribution cable lines to local nodes and from
`there to TV subscriber homes. Within the subscriber homes,
`the CATV input TV line is comrected to one or more cus-
`tomer-premises TV5 which are coupled to extemal set-top
`boxes for channel tuning or are equipped with internal cable
`channel tuners. CATV service providers employ the spacious
`1 Gszandwidth ofthe typical cable (RG-6) line to carry tens
`of analog TV chamrels in the portion of the cable bandwidth
`allocated to analog TV signals. With digital multiplexing
`methods such as QAM, hundreds of digital TV signals can be
`carried simultaneously in the portion of the cable bandwidth
`allocated to digital TV signals. Cable TV service providers
`have also allocated portions of the cable bandwidth for user
`(return) data, broadband data connection, and voice-over-IP
`(VoIP) digital telephone service.
`Cable TV service providers generally offer subscribers to
`subscribe to any of several tiers of bundled TV services on a
`scale with increasing rates in accordance with signal quality,
`TV program offerings, and types ofinteractive services. Digi-
`tal TV services are offered through advanced digital set-top
`boxes that are individually addressable from the CATV head
`end, and also allow subscribers various interactive functions
`with the CATV head end via inputs to the set-top box via the
`remote control unit for transmission on the return data path to
`the CATV head end.
`
`A recent type of interactive television service offered on
`digital TV systems is referred to generally as a “video-on-
`demand” (VOD) system, wherein a viewer can navigate
`through a program guide via the remote control unit and send
`a request via the set-top box for a desired video prograrrr to be
`addressed from the head-end to the subscriber’s set-top box
`for display on the TV. Different types of VOD programs are
`typically bundled as a package and offered on different VOD
`“channels”. For example, a VOD “channel” can offer on—
`demand movies and videos, replay sports events, infomer-
`cials, advertisements, music videos, short-subj ects, and even
`individual TV “pages”. VOD—based interactive television ser—
`vices generally allow a viewer to use the remote control to
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`cursor through an on—screen menu and select from a variety of
`titles for stored video programs for individual viewing on
`demand. Advanced remote control units include button con-
`trols with VCR—like functions that enable the viewer to start,
`stop, pause, rewind, or replay a selected video program or
`segment. In the future, VOD-based interactive television ser-
`vices may be integrated with or delivered with other advanced
`interactive television services, such as webpage browsing,
`e-mail, television purchase (“t-commerce”) transactions, and
`multimedia delivery.
`Digital cable TV is currently the most prevalent system for
`offering digital TV services to home TV subscribers. How-
`ever, other types of digital carriers offering broadband con-
`nections to subscriber homes have entered into competition
`with cable TV providers by offering digital TV services over
`their broadband connections. Examples of other broadband
`connections include DSL telephone lines, local area broad-
`band networks, and wireless broadband networks. Digital
`television services offered on such broadband connections
`employ the TCP/IP data transport protocol and are referred to
`as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). Instead of multi-cast-
`ing all TV program signals into a cable line, the typical IPTV
`system will respond to a subscriber’s request for a particular
`TV channel or video program by transmitting the video con-
`tent individually to the subscriber’s individually addressable,
`digital set top box at high speeds. IPTV and digital cable TV
`both transmit digital video in packetized data streams within
`closed, proprietary broadband systems; however, IPTV uses
`the Internet Protocol (IP) to structure. route and deliver the
`digital video packets within an IPTV system.
`With the increasing interactive functionality and customer
`reach of interactive television services, advertisers and con—
`tent providers are find it increasingly attractive to employ
`on—demand advertising, on-demand program content, and on-
`demand TV transactions for home viewers. VOD content
`delivery platforms are being designed to seamlessly and con-
`veniently deliver a wide range of types of advertising, video
`content, and transaction services on demand to home viewers.
`VOD content offerings are expected to increase dramatically
`from a few “charmels” with a few score or hundred “titles”
`listed on each today to scores or hundreds of channels with
`thousands if not millions of titles on each in the foreseeable
`future. The VOD platform thus offers a gateway for greatly
`expanding TV viewing from a relatively small number of
`studio-produced program channels to a large number of new
`commercial publishers and ultimately a vast number of self—
`publishers or so-called “citizen” content publishers. It is
`deemed desirable to find a way for such vast numbers of
`content publishers to transmit their programs to the home TV,
`and to enable home TV viewers to find something of interest
`for viewing among the vast numbers of new programs.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with the present invention, a method for
`converting, navigating and displaying video content via a
`video—on—demand WOD) platform of a digital TV service
`provider comprises:
`(a) uploading video content in a digital video format via an
`online network to a Web —based content management server of
`the VOD platform of the digital TV service provider, along
`with a title and a hierarchical addressing tag ofhierarchically-
`arranged categories and subcategories for categorizing the
`title for the video content;
`(b) converting the content uploaded to the Web-based con-
`tent management server into a standard TV digital format and
`storing a “local instance” thereof at a video ID (VID) address
`
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 15
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 15
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH v. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`lPR2020—01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`

`

`3
`in a video content database of the VOD platform, wherein the
`VID address is linked to the metadata title for the video
`content;
`(c) listing the title of the video content in an electronic
`program guide of the VDD platform following the same hier-
`archically-arranged categories and subcategories as the hier-
`archical addressing tag of the video content;
`(d) providing a TV subscriber, having a TV—connected
`set-top box addressable by the digital TV service provider,
`with access to the electronic program guide for navigating
`through the hierarchically-arranged categories and subcat-
`egories therein in order to find the title of the video content;
`and
`(e) upon the subscriber selecting, via a remote control unit
`in communication with the set—top box, the title of the video
`content from the hierarchically-arranged categories and sub-
`categories of the electronic program guide, then transmitting
`a return request for the selected title to the VOD platform for
`retrieving the video content stored at the linked VID address
`in the video content database of the VOD platform, and trans-
`mitting the video content to the subscriber’s set-top box for
`display 011 the subscriber‘s TV
`By the method of the present invention, video content can
`be published for viewing on home TV with any digital TV
`service provider by uploading from any node or publishing
`site on the Internet to the provider’s Web-based content man-
`agement server. The title of the program becomes automati-
`cally listed in the electronic program guide (EPG) following
`the same hierarchical categorization addressing indicated by
`the publisher of the content. Typically, the publisher will
`select the categories and subcategories for categorizing the
`title of the video content from a standard categorization hier—
`arehy used by the digital television service provider for listing
`titles to be offered on its VOD platform. With this method,
`vast numbers of content publishers anywhere on the Internet
`can upload their programs to digital television service pro-
`viders for viewing on the home TV, and home TV viewers can
`readily find something of interest for viewing among the vast
`numbers of new programs by navigating through the hierar-
`chical addressing scheme of the provider’s EPG.
`In particular, the invention method provides a convenient
`and substantially automatic vehicle for bringing large num-
`bers of new blogging and podcasting-likc programs to TV
`viewing. Such a blogging or podcasting-like program is typi-
`cally presented in the video content by a “host” or “celebrity”
`who has been identified, or can be voted on by viewers, as a
`popular “Host”. The Host acts as a filter, reviewer, rater,
`and/or analyst to bring information of value to viewers from
`the plethora of content populating the viewing landscape. The
`Host can also serve to link the viewer to other Host programs _
`or other VOD-listed programs, for example, by on—screen
`directing of the viewer to a menu of options selectable by
`corresponding option keys on the remote control unit. As an
`added feature. the EPG can be configured to enable a viewer
`to store bookmarks for desired VOD-listed TV programs for
`viewing again or with friends. The viewer’s bookmarks can
`also be shared with other subscribers via an on-screen Con-
`tact List maintained for each viewer, and/or shared with oth-
`ers online by the provider enabling transmission of the book-
`mark data from the VOD platform to the viewer’s email
`address or other online address.
`The capability for Intemet uploading and automatic listing
`in any VOD EPG opens VOD programming to a greatly
`expanded field of non-studio TV program publishers. The
`digital TV service provider can charge program placement
`fees that are paid by the publisher, advertiser, and/or sponsor.
`With future expansion of VOD “channel” capacity, the sys-
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`US 7,631,336 B2
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`4
`tem can be opened to “citizen” publishers and paid for by
`program advertisers or sponsors and/or by viewer “PremiLIm
`(VOD) Services” fees.
`The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages
`of the invention are described in further detail below in con-
`junction with the accompanying drawings.
`
`5
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TI IE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1A is a diagram of an overall architecture for a VOD
`Content Delivery System in accordance with the present
`invention, FIG. 1B shows an example of templatized Drill-
`Down Ad navigation, and FIG. 1C shows an example ofthe
`tcmplatized ad display model.
`FIG. 2A is a process flow diagram of the overall architec-
`ture of a Classified Ad application for the VOD Content
`Delivery System, FIG. ZB illustrates a Content Management
`Website for the Classified Ad application, FIG. 2C illustrates
`a Content Screening Component of the system, and FIG. 2D
`illustrates a Content Feed and Conversion Components ofthe
`system.
`FIG. 3 is a diagram of a VOD Content Delivery System
`adapted to Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) system.
`FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process flow for enabling
`content publishers on the Internet to upload video content to
`digital television service providers for viewing on the home
`TV.
`FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a blogging or
`podcasting-like program presented by a “Host” with layered
`topics and links to other programs.
`FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the logic flow for using an
`EPG to enable a viewer to store TV bookmarks for desired
`VOD-listed TV programs.
`FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of sharing TV
`bookmarks with other TV subscribers via an on-screen Con-
`tact List maintained for the viewer.
`FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of sharing TV
`bookmarks with others on the Internet by transmission of
`bookmark data to the Viewer’ 5 email address.
`
`
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
`
`The following description describes one preferred embodi—
`ment for implementation ofthe invention in which the digital
`television service provider is one employing cable TV infra-
`structure. However, it is to be understood that the principles of
`the invention are equally applicable to other types of digital
`television service providers offering digital TV services over
`other broadband c01mections such as DSL telephone lines,
`local area broadband networks, and wireless broadband net-
`works. Similarly, ccrtain examples of VOD applications are
`described herein, e. g., advertisements that are navigated in
`“drill-down” fashion, and the uploading of consumer-gener-
`ated classified ads to be viewed as TV classified ads. How—
`ever, many other types of video content may be used in
`programming with this system.
`Referring to FIG. 1A, an overall system architecture for a
`VOD content delivery system includes a VOD Application
`Server 10 located at a Cable Head End. TheVOD Application
`Server manages a Database 11 oftemplates and video content
`segments from Video Server 12 for generating templatized
`VOD content. The VOD content is generated in response to a
`viewer request signal transmitted from the Digital Set Top
`Box 21 of a viewer’ s TV equipment through the Digital Cable
`Television System 13 to the VOD Application Server 10 at the
`Cable Head End. The VOD Application Server 10 may be of
`the type which enables any compatibly-developed VOD
`
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 16
`DISH Ex-1013, p. 16
`DISH v. BBiTV
`DISH v. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01267
`lPR2020—01267
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`AT&T EXHIBIT 1013
`
`

`

`US 7,631,336 B2
`
`5
`applications to be loaded on and operated on the server. An
`example of such a VOD Application Server is the Navic
`N-BandTM server, offered by Navic Systems, Inc. , d/b/a Navic
`Networks, of Needham, Mass. This is an integrated system
`which provides an application development platform for third
`party application developers to develop new VOD service
`applications, Viewer interfaces, and ancillary interactive ser-
`vices for deployment onVOD channels of CATV operators in
`cable scrvicc areas throughout the US. A detailed dcscription
`of the Navic N-Band system is contained in US. Patent
`Application 2002/066,106, filed on May 30, 2002, which is
`incorporatcd hcrcin by rcfcrcncc.
`Templates for displaying VOD content are created at an
`Application Data Center 30 and stored in the Database 11 for
`use by the operative VOD application. The templates may be
`designed, for example, to present video ad content displays in
`a logo frame, or to provide navigation buttons and Viewer
`selection options in a frame around currently displayed video
`content. In the preferred embodiment described in greater
`detail below, the templates are used to provide navigation aids
`in a series of progressively more focused ad display types. A
`Video Content Encoder 31 is used to encode raw video feeds
`into formatted video content segments compatible with the
`VOD platform and supply them through a Video Content
`Distribution Network 14 to the Video Server 12.
`In operation, the VOD Application Scrvcr 10 opcratcs a
`VOD application for the CATV system, for example, “auto-
`mobile infomercials on deman ”. The viewer sends a request
`for selected VOD content, such as to see an infomercial on a
`specific model type made by a specific auto manufacturer, by
`actuating a viewer request signal by a key press 011 the view-
`er’s remote control unit transmitting an IR signal to the Set
`Top Box 21 that is sent on a back channel ofthe Digital Cable
`Television System 13 to the VODApplication Server 10 at the
`Cable Head End. In response to the signal, the VOD Appli—
`cation Server 10 determines the VOD content being requested
`and retrieves the infomercial ad display template from the
`Template Database 11 and Video content segment from the
`Video Server 12, in order to generate the corresponding tem-
`platized VOD content. In the invention, the templates are of
`different types ordered in a hierarchy, and display of content
`in a template of a higher order includes links the viewer can
`sclcct to contcnt of a lower order in thc hicrarchy. Upon
`selecting a link using the remote control, the VOD Applica-
`tion Server 10 retrieves the template and video content of
`lower order and displays it to the viewer. Each successive
`templatized display may have further links to successively
`lower levels of content in the hierarchy, such that the Viewer
`can use the series of linked templatized VOD displays as a
`“drill-down navigation” method to find specific end content
`of interest.
`Referring to FIG. 1B, a preferred embodiment of the tem—
`platized VOD content delivery system is shown providing a
`User Interface using Drill-Down Navigation through display
`ads, such as for automobile infomercials. When the Viewer
`selects a VOD application (channel), such as “Wheels-On-
`Demand”, the viewer’s TV displays a Main Menu with but-
`tons inviting the viewer to “Select Category”. The viewer can
`select an “Auto” category, and the TV then displays an “Auto”
`menu with buttons inviting thc vicwcr to “Sclcct Makc”, such
`as Make A, Make B, etc. When the viewer makes a selection,
`such as Make A, the viewer’ 5 TV displays a further menu that
`is a Gateway into templatized VOD content delivery which
`enables Drill-Down Navigation by templatized display ads.
`Through the Gateway, the VOD Application leaves the Menu
`mode and enters the Drill Down Navigation mode for succes—
`sively displays ofhierarchically-ordered video content which
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`allow the viewer to navigate to progressively more focused
`content, In this example, the highest level of the hierarchy
`includes categories for Model, Local Dealer, Sales Events,
`and/or Inventory. When the viewer selects a category such as
`“Model” from the Gateway, for example, the VOD Applica-
`tion creates a templatized ad display showing video content
`generic to all models by that automaker framed in a frame
`which has links (buttons or choices) for a list ofthe specific
`models madc by that automakcr. thn the Vicwcr sclccts thc
`link to a specific model, “Model A” for example, the VOD
`Application creates a templatized ad display showng video
`content for Modcl A, and thc Vicwcr can thcn choosc to run a
`long-form infomercial of the Model A video. Alternateively,
`the Drill-Down Navigation can continue with further levels of
`specificity, such as “Custom Packages”, “Options”, “Colors/
`Stylings”, etc. Similarly, the selection of the “Local Dealer”
`category from the Gateway can bring up a templatized ad for
`local dealers with links to specific local dealers in the View—
`er’s cable service area, and a click on a specific “Dealer A”
`can bring up a templatized ad for DealerA with further links
`to more specific content pertaining to DealerA, such as “Cur-
`rent Sales Promotions", etc.
`In this maimer, the templatized VOD content delivery sys-
`tem allows the viewer to navigate to specific content of high
`interest to the viewer using the Drill-Down ads as a navigation
`tool, while at thc samc timc having a uniquc Visual cxpcricncc
`ofmoving through a series of ads mirroring the Viewer’ 5 path
`to the subject of interest. The templatized VOD ads are geri-
`erated dynamically by searching the Content/Template data—
`base with each request by a viewer, enabling the system to
`display updated navigation choices and content simply by
`updating the database with updated links and video content.
`For example, if the Auto Maker changes the Model types of
`autos currently available, or if Local Dealer A changes its
`current sales promotions for autos currently available, that
`advertiser’s ads can be updated with new, template frame
`navigation links and content, instead of entirely new ads or
`screen displays having to be shot, produced, contracted,
`delivered, and programmed with the cable TV company.
`Many other types of layered or indepth ads, subjects, and
`interactive TV applications can be enabled with the use ofthe
`Drill-Down Navigation method. The selections or prefer-
`cnccs cxhibitcd by Vicwcr navigation paths through the Drill-
`Down Navig