Method and apparatus for network content download and recording
US8752099B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 26, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N2005/91335
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for providing content to users of a network that can be selectively recorded via the user's equipment. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions are used to provide high-speed download of the requested content to the users. The user's equipment (e.g., set-top box) is equipped with a high-density recording device which can both record the content onto a selected medium (e.g., DVD) and optionally provide copyright protection via one or more means such as limiting the number of copies that can be made, and/or digital watermarking. The network operator can also restrict the establishment of the on-demand sessions and/or release of the content to subscribers based on parameters including prior purchase of the content by the user, and the timing of the release of the same content via other distribution channels such as rental and retail.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.