Technique for effectively providing various entertainment services through a communications network
US7610606B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 2004 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/478
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A switched broadcast service and a network personal video recorder (NPVR) service are provided synergistically in a cable TV system having limited resources. For example, in providing the switched broadcast service, a resource manager allocates network bandwidth for broadcast of materials from selected program channels on an as needed basis. Such allocation is conducive to an effective provision of the NPVR service which requires dedicated bandwidth for transmitting recorded broadcast program material in a headend to each set-top terminal requesting the NPVR service. Thus, unlike the switched broadcast service where a program stream containing program material is shared by one or more set-top terminals, the NPVR service provides a dedicated program stream to each set-top terminal so that a user at the terminal may manipulate (e.g., rewind, pause and/or fast-forward) a presentation of program material at will.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.