Patent ID: 7631336
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: G06Q,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for automatically enabling the converting, navigating and displaying of video content from a video content provider on an open online network to a discrete digital TV service provider network which is of the type employing a closed system of pre-screened and pre-programmed video content selectable for viewing by TV service subscribers inputting keypresses on their TV remote control units to set-top boxes connected to their TV equipment, which predetermined video content is listed by title for selection from an electronic program guide for a video-on-demand (VOD) platform of a the discrete digital TV service provider comprising: (a) enabling the uploading of video content in a digital video format via an online network to a Web-based content management server that is connected to the VOD platform of the discrete digital TV service provider network, along with a title and a hierarchical address of hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories as metadata for categorizing a hierarchical ordering for the title for the video content; (b) converting the content uploaded to the Web-based content management server into a standard TV digital format used by the discrete digital TV service provider network and storing a “local instance” thereof at a video ID (VID) address in a video content database of the VOD platform, wherein the VID address is linked to the title for the video content; (c) listing the title of the video content in an electronic program guide for the VOD platform of the discrete digital TV service provider using the same hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories as used in the uploaded metadata for the hierarchical address for the video content in the electronic program guide of the VOD platform; (d) providing a TV service subscriber, having a TV-equipment-connected set-top box connected to the VOD platform of the discrete digital TV service provider network, with access to the electronic program guide for the VOD platform for navigating through the hierarchically-arranged titles of video content by categories and subcategories therein in order to find the title of the video content desired for viewing on their TV equipment; and (e) upon the TV service subscriber selecting, via their TV remote control unit in communication with the set-top box, the title for the video content from the hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories of the electronic program guide, and the set-top box transmitting a request for the selected title to the VOD platform, then enabling retrieval of the selected video content stored at the VID address in the video content database of the VOD platform linked thereto, and transmission of the selected video content to the TV service subscriber's set-top box for display on the TV service subscriber's TV equipment.