Technique for synchronizing deliveries of information and entertainment in a communications network
US7614070B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 1, 2006 |
| Grant date | Nov 3, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/478
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a broadband communications system, e.g., a cable system, a broadcast program stream is transmitted to broadcast programming content, and the broadcast program stream is recorded in a headend of the system to enable a user to perform network private video recorder (NPVR) functions (e.g., rewinding, pausing, and fast-forwarding) on the programming content in the recorded program stream. In accordance with the invention, a delay is introduced into the transmission of the broadcast program stream to reduce the unsynchronization between its transmission and that of the recorded program stream. In an illustrative embodiment, the amount of the delay is a function of the time required for recording the broadcast program stream and processing a user request for a recorded program stream. In another embodiment, the amount of the delay is predetermined.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.