Abstract:
A system and method of operating a non-recordable receiving device comprises a video storage device and a network. The non-DVR receiving device is separate from the video storage device and communicates with the video storage device through the network. The non-DVR receiving device receives a video signal, monitors the television signal for an insert indicator and proximate the insert indicator, communicates an advertisement request signal from the non-DVR receiving device to the video storage device through the network. The video storage device communicates an advertisement to the non-DVR receiving device in response to the advertisement request signal. The non-DVR receiving device displays the advertisement on a display associated with the non-DVR receiving device.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to inserting advertising into a video signal and, more specifically to inserting advertising into a video signal at a non-DVR receiving device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0003]    Advertising in the television medium is commonly done on a national level. Advertising is broadcast nationwide for most time slots with a television signal. Advertising may be inserted at the content source such as the television network. Some advertisements are inserted at a head end. Local television stations are allotted some time slots for inserting advertising that is directed to a local viewing market. Stores and various other types of local commercial ventures purchase air time from broadcasters for the placement of advertising. Advertising is typically broadcast as part of the signal and is transmitted to all the viewers in the local market. Thus, the advertising is generated to a wide audience and is priced accordingly. Some businesses are local even within a particular market. Advertising over the entire market may be cost prohibitive. Advertisers would like the option to advertise very locally within a local market. 
         [0004]    Local advertising is one way to provide specific information to specific viewers. Another way to provide advertising is based upon a profile. A profile may consist of user-entered likes and dislikes as well as other factors such as geographic location, and the like. Advertisements may be selected for specific user attributes and typically are stored within a set top box DVR. However, many service providers have set top boxes without digital video recorders (non-DVR receiving devices). Therefore, there has been no way to provide targeted advertisements to users of such devices. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present disclosure is directed to inserting advertising into a video signal using a non-digital video recorder receiving device. 
         [0006]    In one aspect of the disclosure, a method operating a non-digital video recorder (DVR) receiving device includes communicating a television signal to a non-DVR receiving device, monitoring the video signal for an insert indicator, proximate the insert indicator, communicating an advertisement request signal from the non-DVR receiving device to a video storage device through a network, in response to the advertisement request signal, communicating an advertisement to the non-DVR receiving device and displaying the advertisement on a display associated with the non-DVR receiving device. 
         [0007]    In a further aspect of the disclosure, a system and method of operating a non-digital video recorder receiving device comprises a video storage device and a network. The non-DVR receiving device is separate from the video storage device and communicates with the video storage device through the network or internet. The non-DVR receiving device receives a television signal, monitors the video signal for an insert indicator and proximate the insert indicator, communicates an advertisement request signal from the non-DVR receiving device to the video storage device through the network or internet. The video storage device communicates an advertisement to the non-DVR receiving device in response to the advertisement request signal. The non-DVR receiving device displays the advertisement on a display associated with the non-DVR receiving device. 
         [0008]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagrammatic view of a satellite broadcasting system according to the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a block diagrammatic view of a non-digital video recorder receiving device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a block diagrammatic view of a receiving device with a digital video recorder. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a representation of a video signal according to the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a method of storing advertising in a video storage device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a method of displaying an advertisement on a display associated with a non-DVR receiving device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the term module refers to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical OR. It should be understood that steps within a method may be executed in different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure. 
         [0017]    The teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a system for communicating content to an end user or user device. Both the data source and the user device may be formed using a general computing device having a memory or other data storage for incoming and outgoing data. The memory may comprise but is not limited to a hard drive, FLASH, RAM, PROM, EEPROM, ROM phase-change memory or other discrete memory components. 
         [0018]    Each general purpose computing device may be implemented in analog circuitry, digital circuitry or combinations thereof. Further, the computing device may include a microprocessor or microcontroller that performs instructions to carry out the steps performed by the various system components. 
         [0019]    A content or service provider is also described. A content or service provider is a provider of data to the end user. The service provider, for example, may provide data corresponding to the content such as metadata as well as the actual content in a data stream or signal. The content or service provider may include a general purpose computing device, communication components, network interfaces and other associated circuitry to allow communication with various other devices in the system. 
         [0020]    Further, while the following disclosure is made with respect to the delivery of video (e.g., television (TV), movies, music videos, etc.), it should be understood that the systems and methods disclosed herein could also be used for delivery of any media content type, for example, audio, music, data files, web pages, advertising, etc. Additionally, throughout this disclosure reference is made to data, content, information, programs, movie trailers, movies, advertising, assets, video data, etc., however, it will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art that these terms are substantially equivalent in reference to the example systems and/or methods disclosed herein. As used herein, the term title will be used to refer to, for example, a movie itself and not the name of the movie. Insert detailed description. 
         [0021]    While the following disclosure is made with respect to example DIRECTV® broadcast services and systems, it should be understood that many other delivery systems are readily applicable to disclosed systems and methods. Such systems include wireless terrestrial distribution systems, wired or cable distribution systems, cable television distribution systems, Ultra High Frequency (UHF)/Very High Frequency (VHF) radio frequency systems or other terrestrial broadcast systems (e.g., Multi-channel Multi-point Distribution System (MMDS), Local Multi-point Distribution System (LMDS), etc.), Internet-based distribution systems, cellular distribution systems, power-line broadcast systems, any point-to-point and/or multicast Internet Protocol (IP) delivery network, and fiber optic networks. Further, the different functions collectively allocated among a service provider and integrated receiver/decoders (IRDs) as described below can be reallocated as desired without departing from the intended scope of the present patent. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a satellite television broadcasting system  10  is illustrated. The satellite television broadcast system  10  includes a head end  12  that generates wireless signals  13  through an antenna  14  which are received by an antenna  16  of a satellite  18 . The wireless signals  13 , for example, may be digital. The wireless signals  13  may be referred to as an uplink signal. A transmitting antenna  20  generates downlink signals that are directed to various receiving systems including stationary systems such as those in the home, as well as, mobile receiving systems. Television receiving devices  22 ,  23  are examples of a stationary receiving system. The receiving devices  22 ,  23  may be referred to as set top boxes or satellite television receiving devices. As mentioned above, a terrestrial distribution system may replace the satellite. 
         [0023]    The television receiving devices  22 ,  23  may be part of a network  44 . The television receiving device  22  may be a non-digital video recorder receiving device (non-DVR receiving device). That is, the non-DVR receiving device  22  may not include a digital video recorder therein. Receiving devices without DVRs are commonly used to reduce costs in secondary locations within a home. The receiving device  23  may be a DVR receiving device. That is, the receiving device  23  may include a digital video recorder. A digital video recorder is used to record or store various television content. In addition, the digital video recorder may be used to store advertisements. In general, advertisements may be stored then played back through the digital video recorder receiving device and through the non-digital video recorder receiving device  22  when the advertisements are communicated to the non-digital video receiving device  22  from the digital video recorder receiving device  23  through the network  44 . 
         [0024]    The receiving devices  22 ,  23  are in communication with an antenna  24 . The antenna  24  receives downlink signals  26  from the transmitting antenna  20  of the satellite  18 . 
         [0025]    The present example is set forth by way of a building  28  such as a home. The building  28  may include a plurality of rooms each of which has a receiving device  22 ,  23 . The receiving devices  22 ,  23  are associated with a single user account. The building  28  may be a home or commercial building. 
         [0026]    The head end  12  may communicate various content, advertisements program guide data or other data through the satellite  18 . The receiving devices  22 ,  23  may receive the content, advertisements and data. 
         [0027]    The receiving devices  22 ,  23  each have a display  30  associated therewith. The display  30  may be a television or monitor used for displaying video images and providing an audio output. 
         [0028]    A network  36  may be used to connect the head end  12  with various devices included the receiving devices  22 ,  23 . The network  36  may be one type of network or multiple types of networks. The network  36  may, for example, be a public switched telephone network, the internet, a mobile telephone network, another type of network, or combinations thereof. The network  36  may also be a cloud network. The network  36  may be used for streaming content or advertisements to the user devices. The network  36  may communicate the content or ads in an IP format. 
         [0029]    The local area network (LAN)  44  may also be incorporated into the building  28 . The local area network  44  may be in communication with the receiving devices  22 ,  23 . The local area network  44  may be a wireless local area network or a wired network. 
         [0030]    The local area network  44  may include a router  46 . The router  46  may allow the devices within the local area network  44  to communicate. In this example, the local area network  44  may allow the non-DVR receiving device  22  to communicate with the receiving device  23  having a DVR and vice versa. The router  46  may also allow devices within the network  44  to communicate with the network  36 . For example, the DVR receiving device  23  and non-receiving device  22  can communicate with the head end  12  and the modules therein. 
         [0031]    In the present disclosure, two examples of providing advertisements are set forth. Advertisements may be communicated to and stored in the DVR receiving device  23  and then communicated to the non-DVR receiving device  22 . Alternatively, the non-DVR receiving device may also receive advertisements directly from the head end  12 . 
         [0032]    The head end  12  includes an advertisement storage device  50  used for storing advertisements therein. The advertisement storage device  50  may store different advertisements to be used for different groups or types of receiving devices. User characteristics may be stored with the ads so that when a user profile is compared thereto, suitable advertisements are provided to the users. 
         [0033]    The head end may also include an advertisement engine module (ad engine)  52 . The ad engine  52  may receive an advertisement request through the network  36  that originates from the non-DVR receiving device  22 . The ad engine  52  receives the request and communicates advertisements to the non-DVR receiving device. The ad engine  52  may communicate specific ads based upon the profile within the profile module  54 . That is, the request for an advertisement may include a receiving device identifier that corresponds to a profile stored within the profile module  54 . Based upon the user profile stored within the profile module  54  and the user characteristics of an advertisement, a targeted ad may be communicated to a particular receiving device. 
         [0034]    The ad engine  52  may also communicate ads to the DVR receiving device  23 . The DVR within the DVR receiving device  23  may store the advertisements and communicate the advertisements to the non-DVR receiving device  22  upon request. Further, ads may also be stored in the head end or cloud and may be communicated to the non-DVR receiving device  22 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the non-DVR receiving device  22  or set top box is illustrated in further detail. Although, a particular example using the set top box is illustrated, it is merely representative of various electronic devices with an internal controller used as a content receiving device. The antenna  24  may be one of a number of different types of antennas that may include one or more low noise blocks associated therewith. The antenna  24  may be a single antenna used for satellite television reception. Of course, multiple antennas for receiving signals from satellites in different orbital slots may be used. In a terrestrial system such as a cable television system, no antenna may be used. Rather, a connector to a fiber optic or coaxial cable may be used. The non-DVR receiving device  22 , as described above, is coupled to a display  30 . The display  30  may have an output driver  310  within the non-DVR receiving device  22 . 
         [0036]    A controller  314  may be a general processor such as a microprocessor that cooperates with control software. The controller  314  may be used to coordinate and control the various functions of the non-DVR receiving device  22 . These functions may include tuner  320 A- 320 N (collectively  320 ), demodulator  322 A- 322 N (collectively  322 ), decoders  324 A- 324 N (collectively  324 ) such as forward error correction decoders and any buffer or other functions. 
         [0037]    The tuners  320  receive the signal or data from the individual channel. The tuners  320  may receive data from a satellite or a terrestrial source such as a cable. The tuners  320  may receive television programming content, program guide data or other types of data. The demodulators  322  demodulate the signal or data to form a demodulated signal or data. The decoders  324  decode the demodulated signal to form decoded data or a decoded signal. The controller  314  may be similar to that found in current DIRECTV® set top boxes which uses a chip-based multifunctional controller. By providing a number of tuners, demodulators and decoders, a number of different content programs may be used by the receiving device. For example, live viewing and recording may be performed simultaneously. A number of recordings may be made simultaneously depending on the number of tuners available. 
         [0038]    The controller  314  may also include a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) engine module  316 . The HTTP engine module  316  (HTTP engine) is used to receive commands from the local area network  44  and communicate formatted commands to the local area network  44 . The HTTP engine module  316  receives the commands that are acted upon by the controller  314 . The HTTP signals communicated by the HTTP engine  316  may include a request for an advertisement or advertisements. The HTTP signals may also include the advertisements themselves or links to advertisements. 
         [0039]    The controller  314  may also include an advertisement engine  318 . The advertisement engine  318  may be used to monitor the broadcast signal being displayed at the display  30 . The advertisement engine  318  may look for a signal cue to determine that an advertising may need to be placed within the signal. The advertisement engine  318 , as will be described below, may use a break descriptor as a cue for determining that an upcoming timeframe requires an advertisement. A break descriptor may be provided before a trigger for inserting the advertisement. The advertisement engine  318  may also be in communication with a profile module  319 . A break descriptor may contain metadata for profile module  319  to select particular ads at this time. The profile module  319  includes a profile of the user. The profile is used to compare with user characteristics of an advertisement so that content or advertisements suitable for a particular user are provided. The profile module  319  may include profile characteristics such as user location, user likes and dislikes that have been expressly entered into the system, programming previously watched, and the program being watched currently. Algorithms may be used to generate profile characteristics based on weights. The advertisement engine  318  may refer to the profile module  319  and request or retrieve advertisements. That is, in one example, advertisements may be retrieved from the digital video recorder set forth in a DVR receiving device. The advertisements may also be requested from the head end and the advertisement storage device  50  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0040]    The profile module  319  may also be used to build a profile which may be stored within the memory  330 . The profile module  319  may monitor the programming watched and add it to the profile. From the profile, advertisements likely to be relevant to a user may be obtained. 
         [0041]    The controller  314  is in communication with a memory  330 . The memory  330  is illustrated as a single box. The memory  330  may actually be a plurality of different types of memory including the hard drive, a flash drive and various other types of memory. The memory  330  may be other types of memory or sections of different types of memory. The memory  330  may be non-volatile memory or volatile memory. 
         [0042]    The memory  330  may include storage for various operational data collected during operation of the non-DVR receiving device  22 . For example, the memory  330  may store a profile or the data used to build the profile. Another type of data stored in the memory is the favorite settings for the non-DVR receiving device  22 . Another type of data in the memory  330  may include the channels subscription data, the blocked channels, adult channels, rating limits set by the non-DVR receiving device  22 , current set top box language, TV resolution data, to do list data, the conditional access module identifier, time zone data, time of day daylight savings, status data, aspect ratio data, viewing hours data, quick tune list and a zip code. 
         [0043]    The memory  330  may also store the advanced program guide data. The memory  330  may store program guide data that is received at the head end. The program guide data may include amounts of data including two or more weeks&#39; worth of program guide data. The program guide data may be communicated to the non-DVR receiving device  22  in various manners including through the satellite  18  of  FIG. 1 . The program guide data may include a content or program identifiers, and various data objects corresponding thereto. The content identifier may include series data. The first  4  digits may, for example, identify the series. The program guide may include program characteristics for each program content. The program characteristic may include ratings, categories, actor, director, writer, content identifier, producer data and event type. The data may also include various other settings. 
         [0044]    The non-DVR receiving device  22  may also include a user interface  350 . The user interface  350  may be various types of user interfaces such as a keyboard, push buttons, a touch screen, a voice activated interface or the like. The user interface  350  may be used to select a channel, select various information, change the volume, change the display appearance, or other functions. The user interface  350  may also be used for selecting recommendation and providing feedback for recommendations as will be described below. 
         [0045]    A network interface  352  may be included within the non-DVR receiving device  22  to communicate various data through the networks  36 / 44  described above. The network interface  352  may be a WiFi, WiMax, WiMax mobile, wireless, cellular, or other types of communication systems. The network interface  352  may use various protocols for communication therethrough including, but not limited to, hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). 
         [0046]    The non-DVR receiving device  22  may also include a conditional access module  360 . The conditional access module  360  prevents unauthorized reception of the television signals through the antenna  24 . The conditional access module  360  may use a cryptographic hash to authorize the use and display of the received signals. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a DVR receiving device  23  is illustrated in further detail. The DVR receiving device  23  may include similar components to those described above relative to the non-DVR receiving device  22  set forth in  FIG. 2 . In this example, the memory  330  may include a DVR  332 . The DVR may include recorded content as well as advertisements to be communicated to the non-DVR receiving device  22 . The HTTP engine  316  may receive requests for advertising from the non-DVR receiving device  22  and may retrieve the advertisements from the DVR  332 . The advertisement engine module  318  may be used to retrieve the advertisements from the DVR. The advertisement engine module  318  may use the profile module  319  to determine advertisements that are suitable for the user. That is, based upon a comparison of the user profile and user characteristics of the advertisement, suitable advertisements for the user may be determined. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a video signal  410  is illustrated. The video signal  410  includes live television content or live streaming content  412 . The live content  412  may include an insert indicator for indicating an upcoming advertising break. The insert indicator may be one tone or signal. In the present example the insert indicator includes a break descriptor  414  and a trigger  416 . The break descriptor  414  may be a tone or another type of digital signal included directly in or broadcasted together with the television signal  410 . The break descriptor may not be perceivable by the user. The break descriptor  414  comes a pre-determined time before the trigger  416 . The break descriptor  414  may also include various data including the amount of time that will be allotted for insert advertising and/or the number of ads. For example, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds may be set as a time window. The break descriptor  414  may trigger the advertisement engine module to retrieve advertising for insertion within the television signal  410 . The advertisement may replace or be substituted for the broadcasted advertisement. At the trigger  416 , the advertising is inserted into the live content signal. Alternatively, the trigger  416  may also indicate the exact timeframe to insert the ads into the live content. Advertising  418  is inserted after the trigger  416 . After the advertising timeslot, regular live content  412  is resumed. As mentioned above, the advertising  418  may be one or more advertising segments whose total fill the timeslot for advertising  420 . 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a method for storing advertising signals in a storage device is set forth. In step  510 , advertisements are generated or received. As mentioned above, the advertisements may be received at the head end in  FIG. 1 . In step  512 , the advertisement is associated with user characteristics. That is, various types of data may be associated with an advertisement including geographic locations and user characteristics. For example, a user characteristic may correspond to sporting events. Users that watch a significant amount of sporting events may find the advertisement suitable. Another example is that people who watch cooking shows may find advertisements for pots and pans suitable. 
         [0050]    In step  514 , the advertisement and user characteristics are communicated to a storage device which may be in a DVR receiving device or a storage device at the head end. In step  516 , a user profile is established at one or more of the receiving devices associated with the account. The user profile may be established over time and in response to programming content viewed or stored within a digital video recorder or watched through a tuner. Over time, the user profile may continually evolve or by sending data about user to evolve profile data like income, online purchase, auto and model year etc. In step  518 , advertising signals having an advertisement therein are received at the DVR receiving device. In step  520 , the advertising signals are stored in the video storage device. As mentioned above, the advertising signals having advertisements therein may be stored within a digital video recorder in a digital video recorder receiving device. Only ads relevant to user are stored. 
         [0051]    Steps  518  and  520  are used when the advertisements are stored within the network. In the alternative, the advertisement may be maintained at the head end and stored in the storage device  52  of the head end  12  illustrated in  FIG. 1  rather than communicating the advertisement to a digital video recorder receiving device. 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a method for displaying the advertisement is set forth. In step  610 , a television signal is received at a non-digital video recorder (non-DVR) receiving device. In step  612 , a break descriptor is reached within the television signal being played out. As mentioned above, the break descriptor may be a digital signal that not only describes that an upcoming break is eminent but that the time of the break is a predetermined time window. In step  614 , an advertisement request signal is generated by the advertisement engine within the non-DVR receiving device. The request may identify the type of ads at this time or specific ads at this time lot. In step  616 , the advertisement request signal is communicated to the advertisement storage device through the network. As mentioned above, the advertisement storage device may be a DVR receiving device, or retrieve from head end or the storage device at the head end. In step  618 , the advertisement is retrieved from the advertisement storage device or head end. The advertisement request signal may include an identifier that corresponds with the user account or the non-DVR receiving device. Step  618  may perform the retrieval of the advertisement based upon a profile. The profile may be associated with the user identifier at the advertisement storage device. In step  620 , the advertisement is communicated through the network to the non-DVR receiving device. In step  622 , the advertisement is displayed on a display associated with the non-DVR receiving device at the trigger. Thus, the advertisement replaces the advertisement broadcasted within the live signal. 
         [0053]    As mentioned above, the advertisement may be communicated through the network such as the internet from either the DVR storage device or an advertisement storage device located within the head end remotely. A profile may or may not be used to select appropriate advertisements for the user account. 
         [0054]    Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification and the following claims.