PATENT APPLICATION IN THE US. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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`Attorney Docket No.: 106842064303 (P18128USC3)
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`FOR
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`CHANNEL BAR USER INTERFACE
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`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`[0001]
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`This application is a continuation of US. Patent Application 15/714,904, filed
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`September 25, 2017, and published on February 8, 2018 as US. Publication No. 2018-0041814,
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`which is a continuation of US. Patent Application No. 14/255,664, filed April 17, 2014, and
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`issued on September 26, 2017 as US. Patent No.9,774,9l7, which is a continuation of US.
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`Patent Application No. 14/ 102,270, filed December 10, 2013, which claims the benefit of US
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`Provisional Patent Application No. 61/800,486, filed March 15, 2013, and US. Provisional
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`Patent Application No. 61/73 5,399, filed December 10, 2012, the entire disclosures of which are
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`incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`Field of the Invention
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`[0002]
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`This invention relates to multimedia systems, and more particularly, to delivery of
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`media content.
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`Description of the Relevant Art
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`[0003]
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`For many years, broadcast television was the sole provider of video content to
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`viewer’s homes across the globe. As time has passed, and particularly with the advent of the
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`Internet, numerous other sources of video content have arisen. In addition to broadcast
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`television, cable television and satellite based television providers have begun providing access
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`to video on demand and other audio and video content. In addition, special purpose set-top
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`boxes, such as that provided by Roku ®, provided a gateway for viewer’s to access other sources
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`of video content not provided by their television service provider. With such boxes, viewers
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`were able to connect to these other content providers in order to obtain desired video content. At
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`present, there are countless video providers in the marketplace. In addition, music and other
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`audio content is available through various communication channels. Many are subscription
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`based services, and some provide free content. While the explosion of video content providers in
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`the marketplace may seem a boon for viewer’s, the large number of choices and providers
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`complicates the viewing experience.
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`[0004]
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`In view of the above, improved media content delivery systems, methods and
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`mechanisms are desired.
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`SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS
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`[0005]
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`[0006]
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`Systems and methods for a television service are contemplated.
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`A media content delivery service is contemplated that includes a data store for
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`storing and serving video content to subscribers. Such a data store may comprise one or more
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`data stores, distributed storage, peer-to-peer based storage, cloud based storage or otherwise. In
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`various embodiments, the media content provider is configured to continually record and or
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`otherwise acquire media content from around the world for storage. Video and audio content
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`stored in the data store will generally correspond to a large number of other content providers,
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`such as cable television operators, Internet based content providers, television networks, and so
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`on. The media content provider also maintains metadata regarding the video content in the data
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`store. In addition to including information concerning the media content content itself — such as
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`format, duration, compression particulars, and so on, the metadata also includes information that
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`associates the video content with the other video content providers. For example, a stored
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`episode of a series shown on the HBO network will be identifiable as corresponding to the HBO
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`network.
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`[0007]
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`Subscribers are provided a user interface to the system that includes a channel bar.
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`In various embodiments, the channel bar is operable in multiple modes. An EPG mode displays
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`live video for multiple channels simultaneously. Themed modes permit channel bars that display
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`content according to various themes which may be defined by a viewer, the provider, or both.
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`[0008]
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`In various embodiments, the channel bar includes multiple elements that
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`corresponds to video content. Embodiments are contemplated in which live broadcast video is
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`displayed as part of each element. Viewer input may be provided to indicate a change of channel
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`bar is desired. Responsive to such input, a title of a next channel bar may be displayed.
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`Successive titles of further channel bars may be displayed responsive to detecting further input
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`requesting a channel bar change. Responsive to detecting the input has ceased, a channel bar
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`corresponding to the last title shown is displayed.
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`[0009]
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`In addition, the channel bar is dynamically scoped responsive to interactions of a
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`viewer with the system. Changing the scope of the channel bar may include replacing a first
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`element of the second channel bar with a plurality of elements which represent greater detail
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`concerning the first element. Alternatively, multiple lower level elements may be replaced by
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`higher level elements when changing the channel bar scope. Further, selectable elements within
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`the channel bar provide direct access to related content regarding video content, such as
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`television series information and cast information.
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`[0010]
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`These and other embodiments are contemplated and will be appreciated upon
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`reference to the following description and drawings.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a video display.
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`FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a video display and secondary sources.
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`FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of a video display and secondary sources.
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`FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a video display and secondary sources.
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`FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a video display and secondary sources.
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`FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a portion of a television system.
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`FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a portion of a television system.
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`FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of the distribution of video server farm.
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`FIG. 9 depicts one embodiment of subscribers and video content.
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`FIG. 10 depicts one embodiment of subscribers and video content.
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`FIG. 11 depicts one embodiment of subscribers and video content.
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`FIG. 12 depicts one embodiment of subscribers and video content.
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`FIG. 13 depicts one embodiment of a receiver and mobile device.
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`FIG. 14 depicts one embodiment of a method for identifying a subscriber.
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`[0011]
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`[0012]
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`[0013]
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`[0014]
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`[0015]
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`[0016]
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`[0017]
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`[0018]
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`[0019]
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`[0020]
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`[0021]
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`[0022]
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`[0023]
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`[0024]
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`. 15 depicts one embodiment of a method for pairing a television and mobile
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`. 16 depicts one embodiment of a Video display.
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`. l7 depicts one embodiment of a Video display.
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`. 18 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and channel bar.
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`. l9 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and channel bar.
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`. 20 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`. 21 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`. 22 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`. 23 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`. 24 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`. 25 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`. 26 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`. 27 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`. 28 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`. 29 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG.
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`FIG.
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`FIG.
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`FIG.
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`FIG.
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`FIG.
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`FIG.
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`FIG.
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`FIG.
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`FIG.
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`30 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`31 depicts one embodiment of a method for scoping an interface channel
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`32 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`33 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`34 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`35 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`36 depicts one embodiment of a channel bar animation.
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`37 depicts one embodiment of a channel bar animation.
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`38 depicts one embodiment of a channel bar animation.
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`39 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`FIG
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`. 4O depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`. 41 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`. 42 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`. 43 depicts one embodiment of a Video display and user interface.
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`[0025]
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`device.
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`[0026]
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`[0027]
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`[0028]
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`[0029]
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`[0030]
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`[0031]
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`[0032]
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`[0033]
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`[0034]
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`[0035]
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`[0036]
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`[0037]
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`[0038]
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`[0039]
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`[0040]
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`[0041]
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`bar.
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`[0042]
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`[0043]
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`[0044]
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`[0045]
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`[0046]
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`[0047]
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`[0048]
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`[0049]
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`[0050]
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`[0051]
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`[0052]
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`[0053]
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`[0054]
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`[0055]
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`[0056]
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`FIG. 44 depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface.
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`FIG. 45 depicts one embodiment of a media content delivery system.
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`While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
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`specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be
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`described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description
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`thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the
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`contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within
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`the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. As used
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`throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having
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`the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words
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`“include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including, but not limited to.
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`[0057]
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`Various units, circuits, or other components may be described as “configured to”
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`perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is a broad recitation of structure
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`generally meaning “having circuitry that” performs the task or tasks during operation. As such,
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`the unit/circuit/component can be configured to perform the task even when the
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`unit/circuit/component is not currently on. In general, the circuitry that forms the structure
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`corresponding to “configured to” may include hardware circuits. Similarly, various
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`units/circuits/components may be described as performing a task or tasks, for convenience in the
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`description. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including the phrase “configured to.”
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`Reciting a unit/circuit/component that is configured to perform one or more tasks is expressly
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`intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph six, interpretation for that
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`unit/circuit/component.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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`[0058]
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`In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a
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`thorough understanding of the present invention. However, one having ordinary skill in the art
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`should recognize that the invention might be practiced without these specific details. In some
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`instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid
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`obscuring the present invention.
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`[0059]
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`Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a television 100 and television display
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`102 is shown. In the example shown, the television display 102 is displaying video content
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`related to a television show. In particular, the title 104 of a television show is depicted along
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`with an episode bar 106 and play icon 110. In the embodiment shown, the content depicted by
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`the display 102 is provided according to a subscription a viewer has with a television
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`subscription service. In one embodiment, this television subscription service is an Apple TV ®
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`service indicated by the icon 120. In various embodiments, the title 104, bar 106, and icon 110
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`may be generated as an overlay on top of another image, such as a still picture, video content,
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`animation, or otherwise. Such overlays may be produced by a set-top box, circuitry incorporated
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`into the television 100 itself, or a provider of video content (e.g., the Apple TV service). In other
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`embodiments, rather than an overlay, the title 104, bar 106, and/or 110 may be integrally
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`generated as part of an image or video displayed on the display portion 102 of the television. As
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`used herein, “overlay” is intended to include not only the generation of overlays on top of other
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`content, by the content that is integrally generated as part of the video content as well.
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`[0060]
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`As shown in the example, bar 106 includes six images which correspond to
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`subject matter related to the show titled 104 above. As shown, subject matter corresponding to
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`three seasons of the show (“modernfamily”) are depicted. In particular, images corresponding to
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`season 1 (Sea. 1), season 2 (Sea. 2), and season 3 (Sea. 3) are shown. For season 3, separate
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`images are shown to correspond to particular episodes of season 3, namely, episodes 1-4 (Ep. 1 —
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`Ep. 4). In various embodiments, the images depicted within the bar 106 may be still images or
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`video corresponding to the related season or episode, or otherwise.
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`[0061]
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`Also shown in FIG. 1, one of the particular images 108 is indicated to have
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`“focus”. As is understood by those skilled in the art, “focus” generally refers to the selection of a
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`graphical element on a display in order to display information related to the selected item,
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`prepare the item for further selection in order to further traverse a graphical user interface, and so
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`on. In this example, focus is illustrated by the use of a broader outline on image 108 than is used
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`for the other images within bar 106. Numerous other alternative ways for indicating focus are
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`known in the art, such as the use of different lighting, colors, animations, etc. All such
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`alternatives are contemplated. Focus in this case may be used to identify a particular image
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`within bar 106 which is intended as a target when the play icon 110 is selected by a user. In this
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`manner, selecting play 110 while image 108 is selected (i.e., has focus) may result in episode 1
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`of season 3 of the modernfamily television series being played on the display 102.
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`[0062]
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`While FIG. 1 depicts seasons and episodes of a television series available for
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`viewing, what is not shown to the television viewer in this example is that the content
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`corresponding to the images in bar 106 has been aggregated from multiple sources corresponding
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`to multiple subscriptions. As used herein, subscriptions to these multiple services may be
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`referred to as secondary subscriptions, while a subscription to the service corresponding to the
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`display 102 (e.g., the Apple TV service) may be referred to as the primary subscription. In
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`various embodiments, the primary subscription may be to Apple TV in which case Apple TV
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`may be referred to as the “primary provider”, and the other multiple service providers may be
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`referred to as “secondary providers”. It is noted that in some cases, a secondary provider may
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`not provide all of the content to which it provides access. In some embodiments, a subscription
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`with a secondary provider simply gives a viewer the right to access the data from a different
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`provider. Various such alternatives are possible and are contemplated. In contrast to the
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`scenario depicted in FIG. 1, in a typical scenario a viewer may have a subscription to a service
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`such as the NETFLIX ® service which provides television, movie, and other video content.
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`When displaying available content for viewing, the NETFLIX service displays content available
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`from NETFLIX. Alternatively, a service such as the TIVO ® service may depict content
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`available from multiple sources corresponding to multiple subscriptions. However, when
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`accessing such content, the viewer accesses a particular service provider in order to obtain the
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`desired content assuming the viewer has a subscription. In such a case, the TIVO service simply
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`points the viewer to a service which provides content. The viewer than connects to that service
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`to obtain content. In contrast to the above, not only does bar 106 in FIG. 1 identify content
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`corresponding to multiple providers which may require multiple secondary subscriptions, all of
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`the corresponding content has been aggregated by the provider of the service that corresponds to
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`the primary subscription (e.g., Apple TV).
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`[0063]
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`For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the television 100 and display 102 of FIG. 1 with
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`like items having identical reference numerals. FIG. 2 illustrates that the content identified
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`within bar 106 corresponds to different subscription based services 200. For example, season 1
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`(Sea. 1) is available from the Amazon ® service 202, season 2 (Sea. 2) is available from the
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`Apple iTunes® service 204, episodes 1 and 2 of season 3 are available from the Netflix ®
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`service 206, episode 3 of season 3 is available from the Hulu Plus ® service 208, and episode 4
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`of season 4 is available from a cable television service 210. In the example shown, a viewer of
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`the display 102 has a subscription to a service provided by the source of the display 102. For
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`example, the viewer may have a subscription to an Apple TV® service (the primary
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`subscription). In various embodiments, the Apple TV service has recorded or otherwise obtained
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`and aggregated content corresponding to all of the sources/providers shown in block 200. Such
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`content may have been obtained directly from the providers themselves, or otherwise. In such an
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`embodiment, whether the viewer selects to view episode 3 or episode 4 of season 3 (each of
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`which corresponds to a different provider and subscription), or any of the other content shown in
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`block 106, the content will be provided by the Apple TV service.
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`[0064]
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`FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment in which a selection algorithm is used for
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`determining what content is shown as available. Such an algorithm(s) may also be used to select
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`particular content for display when multiple options are available. For example, as shown in
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`FIG. 3, each of the services/providers (302, 204, 306, 308, 310) depict relevant content available
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`corresponding to the modernfamily television series. As can be seen, there is significant
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`duplication among the services in available content. As such, a selection algorithm 320 may be
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`used to select from among the available content. Also, shown in this example is a set-top box
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`300 coupled to the television. In various embodiments, selection algorithm may include
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`hardware and/or software based processes performed at a server(s) (now shown in FIG. 3), in the
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`set-top box or television itself, at a content provider, or any combination thereof. For example,
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`there may be multiple options available for the episode 1, season 3. This particular episode is
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`available from both provider 308 and provider 310. In addition, each of these providers may
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`have this particular episode available in high definition (HD), standard definition (SD). Other
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`options may be available as well. Given the various options, selection of which to display as
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`being available may be made. Alternatively, if selecting “play” by the viewer causes the episode
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`to immediately begin playing automatically, then a selection algorithm may be needed to
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`determine which is provided. Whichever option is selected, it will have been stored by the
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`primary subscription service and provided by this primary subscription service (e. g., Apple TV)
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`rather than one of the services/providers (302, 204, 306, 308, 310). Further details regarding the
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`above mentioned selection algorithms will be discussed in greater detail below.
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`[0065]
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`In various embodiments, the content shown as being available in block 106 may
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`also be based upon content that is available for viewing (irrespective of whether the viewer has a
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`current subscription for the content), or content that is available based on the viewer’s current
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`subscription(s). The approach used to choose what is shown as being available may be
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`programmable (e.g., based on user settings in a set-top box, based on a service provider’s
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`preferences, or otherwise) and may be a combination of the above approaches. FIG. 4 depicts an
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`embodiment in which the content shown as being available is based on whether or not the viewer
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`has a secondary subscription to an available service. In various embodiments, a viewer may be
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`able to view and manage their various primary and secondary subscriptions using interfaces
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`provided by the primary provider on the display. In the example shown in FIG. 4, providers 402-
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`410, selection algorithm 420, set-top box 300 and display 430 are shown. Each of the providers
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`402-410 are shown coupled to the algorithm 420 by a line. In the embodiment shown, a line
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`coupled from a provider 402-410 to the selection algorithm indicates that the primary
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`subscription based service (Apple TV) provides content corresponding to the given provider
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`(e.g., based on an agreement between the primary subscription service provider and the
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`secondary subscription service provider). A solid line in this case is used to indicate that the
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`viewer has a subscription to the corresponding provider/service and a dashed line indicates the
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`viewer does not have a subscription to the provider/service.
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`[0066]
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`As seen in FIG. 4, the iTunes service is the only provider of season 1 (Sea. 1) of
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`the modernfamily television series. As shown by the dashed line 412, the viewer which
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`corresponds to the subscription displayed on the display 430 does not have a currently valid
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`subscription to this service. Consequently, season 1 (Sea. 1) does not show up as being available
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`on the display 430. As an example, a viewer may not want content displayed when a
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`subscription is not available in order to reduce the amount of content displayed. FIG. 5
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`illustrates the approach wherein content is shown to the viewer as being available irrespective of
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`whether or not the viewer has a (secondary) subscription for the content. In the example of
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`FIG. 5, lines 502, 504, and 506 show the viewer does not have a subscription to the Amazon,
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`iTunes, or Netflix services. Nevertheless, all content is shown as being available to the viewer
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`on the display 530. Having briefly described a television service with primary and secondary
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`subscriptions, and the aggregation of all content by the primary subscription service, we now
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`turn to a discussion of the system in general.
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`[0067]
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`FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a system corresponding to the above
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`description. In the embodiment shown, a “server farm” 600 is shown that includes a large
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`number of servers 630 and an immense data store 640. In various embodiments, the server farm
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`600 corresponds to a cloud based service whereby content and services are delivered over a
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`network such as the Internet. Also shown are multiple content providers 620 coupled to the
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`server farm 600 via multiple communication pathways 610. In various embodiments, providers
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`620 may include subscription based providers which provide paid and/or free content. In various
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`embodiments, the purchase of an application (app) may provide access to particular content. For
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`example, the purchase of a major league baseball app may provide access to content related to
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`major league baseball. In a sense, the purchase of the app effectively serves as a subscription.
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`The application may then be executable (e.g., by the set-top box) to provide an enhanced viewing
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`experience for baseball related viewing. Server farm 600 is also shown coupled to convey
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`content to subscribers 660 via multiple pathways 650. Transmission pathways 650 may include
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`satellite based transmission 651, cable based systems 652, terrestrial or broadband radio service
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`(BRS) based systems 653, the Internet and/or other networks 654, a combination of these
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`systems, or some other appropriate system of transmission. In the embodiment shown, providers
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`620 includes cable television operators, television networks, movie studios, production
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`companies, Internet service providers, satellite television operators, and other providers/sources
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`of content. In various embodiments, one or more of the providers 620 corresponds to a
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`subscription based service whereby subscribers are entitled to gain access to video content.
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`[0068]
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`Also shown in FIG. 6 is the conveyance of content 621-627 by each of the
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`providers 620 via one or more pathways 610 to server farm 600. It is noted that while the term
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`server farm — singular — is used, in various embodiments the server farm 600 is in fact multiple
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`farms which are distributed as will be discussed shortly. Similar to pathways 650, pathways 610
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`may include any of a variety of transmission media and may include a variety of transmission
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`protocols. Content 621-627 may generally include video content and related metadata which
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`describes the content and/or other particular regarding the content. Such other particulars may
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`include information regarding licensing related information, subscriber information, pricing
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`information, or otherwise. For ease of illustration, the content 621-627 is shown with a
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`corresponding designation A-G which serves to indicate the content corresponds to a given
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`provider. For example, content 621 which is conveyed by a Cable Television Operator includes
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`the designation “A”. Corresponding data within the server farm 600 data store 640 includes the
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`designation “A” as well. In various embodiments, designation “A” for data within data store 640
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`may serve to indicate that a subscription to the Cable Television Operator includes access to this
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`data. It is noted that such designations for use in relation to data within the data store 640 will
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`form part of the metadata maintained by the server farm 600. While content within the data store
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`640 is shown with a given designation for ease of illustration, in various embodiments particular
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`data in the data farm 600 may be associated with multiple providers 620 and multiple
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`subscriptions. Accordingly, particular content such as an episode of a television show would be
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`associated with multiple providers 620 and metadata maintained by the server farm 600 would
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`indicate as much. Therefore, while the illustration of FIG. 6 may depict content as being
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`segregated by provider or subscription (A-P), in various embodiments such segregation or
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`identification is merely logical based on metadata. In various embodiments, data storage
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`reduction techniques such as deduplication and single instance storage will be used for the data
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`store 640.
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`[0069]
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`While the previous figures have discussed the television system in terms of
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`conveying content for display on a television. As shown in FIG. 6, the target 660 of video
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`content conveyed by server farm 600 may be any of various different types of targets.
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`Exemplary targets 660shown in FIG. 6 included a set-top box coupled to a television 661, a
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`laptop computer 662, a desktop computer 663, a smart phone, cellular phone, wearable portable
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`device (e.g., a wristwatch type display), other handheld mobile device 664, a television, a tablet
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`computer, a cruise ship for distribution as part of an on-board video system, an automobile (e.g.,
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`for display on an integrated video screen), or aircraft for individual distribution to passengers or
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`broader distribution as part of an on-board video system. Other targets capable of displaying
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`video content are possible and are contemplated.
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`[0070]
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`FIG. 6 also illustrates that targets 660 may communicate with server farm 600 via
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`paths 692. Such communication may include requests for video content, receiving device
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`performance related information, viewer profile related information, or otherwise. Also shown is
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`a communication path 692 that illustrates target devices may communicate with other target
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`devices. Such communication may be peer-to-peer based type communication or otherwise.
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`FIG. 6 also shows targets 660 coupled via a network 670 couple to other sources 680. These
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`other sources 680 may provide access to other sources of video content, Internet based content,
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`or content directly provided by one or more of providers 620.
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`[0071]
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`As discussed above, in various embodiments a viewer may have a primary
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`subscription and one or more second subscriptions. For example, in FIG. 6 a viewer
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`Attorney Docket No.: 106842064303 (P18128USC3)
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`corresponding to one of the targets 660 may have a primary subscription to Apple TV which in
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`the example shown corresponds to server 600 and related operations. In such an embodiment,
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`the primary subscription may be based on monthly fee, annual fee, or other periodic fee.
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`Alternatively, the primary subscription may be based on the purchase of a set-top box or
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`television with integrated components to support the primary subscription service. Still further,
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`the primary subscription may be based on a combination of a periodic fee, the purchase of
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`equipment, per item purchases, and/or otherwise. Whichever approach is used in a given case
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`for the subscription, the primary subscription generally provides access by the viewer to content
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`maintained within the server farm of the primary subscription service provider (e.g., Apple TV).
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`While content available to the viewer is maintained and provided by the primary subscription
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`service provider, which content is available to the viewer according to the primary subscription
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`is based upon one or more secondary subscriptions of the viewer.
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`[0072]
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`As an example, a viewer may have a cable television subscription (secondary
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`subscription). In addition, the viewer may have a subscription to Apple TV (e.g., the service
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`provider associated with server farm 600). The cable television operator (e.g., as shown as a
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`provider 620) broadcasts video content, such as live television and video-on-demand content, 24
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`hours a day. Server farm 600 is configured to record and/or otherwise capture all content
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`broadcast/provided by the cable television operator and store the content as part of the data store
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`640. For example, data designated “A” in data store 640 may represent video content broadcast
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`and/or otherwise provided or available from the cable television operator. Given the viewer’s
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`secondary subscription to the cable television operator service, the viewer’s primary subscription
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`to Apple TV (server farm 600) entitles the viewer to access all of the content in the data store
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`640 that corresponds to the cable operator. Consequently, the viewer may view live television
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`broadcasts of the cable television operator which are provided by the server farm 600 rather than
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`the cable television operator. Additionally, as the server farm 600 is constantly
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`recording/gathering all of the cable operator content, the viewer may have access to content
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`which was broadcast by the cable television operator a week ago, a month ago, or even a year
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`ago, depending on how long the server farm maintains the data and has rights to convey the data.
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`[0073]
`
`In various embodiments, the server farm 600 is in principle generally configured
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`to record all video data everywhere all of the time. In other words, the server farm 600 operator
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`may seek to store all video content available for viewing globally. Such an approach may
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`include storing all previously available video content anywhere in the world and continuously
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`recording all newly available video content. Acquisition of video content may generally
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`necessitate license agreements with various copyright holders and providers. As noted earlier,
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`particular content which has been acquired and resides in the server farm 600 may be associated
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`with multiple providers. However, while multiple providers may provide subscribers access to
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`particular video content, it generally will not be the case that the server farm 600 operator will
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`need agreements with all such providers in order to acquire the content. Rather, in most cases,
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`video content will have been acquired and stored as part of the content 640. The server fa