High-speed programs review

High-speed programs review is described. In embodiment(s), a television client device can initiate a high-speed review of a group of programs that have been recorded together. A content distributor may record a group of television programs that have been previously broadcast for a particular television channel, and then maintain the programs for on-demand viewing when selected by a viewer. The client device can receive program information from the content distributor, and the program information can identify each of the progress when reviewing the group of programs at high-speed. The program information that corresponds to a program can then be rendered for display when the program becomes selectable for on-demand viewing while reviewing the programs at high-speed.

BACKGROUND

Viewers have an ever-increasing selection of television programming to choose from, and may want to locate programming choices that are of interest to them. In addition to scheduled television program broadcasts, television viewing options also include on-demand choices which enable a viewer to search for and request media content when convenient for viewing rather than at a scheduled broadcast time. On-demand media content choices can also include previously broadcast programming that is recorded at a content distributor and made available for viewing days after the programs were originally broadcast.

A problem with recording all of the program broadcasts at a point of distribution, however, is organizing and making the many programs available so that a viewer can locate and request a previously broadcast program. Current television client devices that receive video content in the form of on-demand entertainment may provide a viewer with the convenient functionality of being able to pause, rewind, and fast-forward a television program. However, current fast-forward and rewind techniques only allow a viewer to quickly advance through a single recorded movie or television program. There is no provision for advancing or reviewing large volumes of programs that are recorded together and that may reside in a common memory.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of high-speed programs review. The simplified concepts are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In embodiment(s) of high-speed programs review, a television client device can initiate a high-speed review of a group of programs that have been recorded together. A content distributor may record a group of television programs that have been previously broadcast for a particular television channel, and then maintain the programs for on-demand viewing when selected by a viewer. The client device can receive program information from the content distributor, and the program information can identify each of the programs when reviewing the group of programs at high-speed. The program information can include any one or combination of a program information page, a program image page, or a video frame of the program. The program information that corresponds to a program can then be rendered for display when the program becomes selectable for on-demand viewing while reviewing the programs at high-speed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of high-speed programs review allows a viewer to quickly advance through television programs and other stored media content that is recorded together and maintained with a common storage media. For example, a content distributor may record a group of television programs that have been previously broadcast for a particular television channel, and then maintain the programs for on-demand viewing when selected by a viewer. All of the media content for a particular television channel can be saved for several days or weeks when recorded on a server at the content distributor.

A high-speed programs review provides a viewer with information by which to identify a program when reviewing the programs in a high-speed, fast-forward or fast-review mode. Displayed program information that corresponds to a group of recorded programs is more meaningful for a viewer rather than advancing (i.e., fast-forward or rewinding) through the programs faster than the current rates of 2× or 3×. Review rates that are faster than content fast-forward or rewind implementations would be too fast for a viewer to recognize the programs in the group of recorded programs.

While features and concepts of the described systems and methods for high-speed programs review can be implemented in any number of different environments, computing systems, entertainment systems, and/or other various configurations, embodiments of high-speed programs review are described in the context of the following example systems and environments.

FIG. 1illustrates an example system100in which various embodiments of high-speed programs review can be implemented. In this example, system100includes a television client device102, a display device104, content distributor(s)106, and an input device108, such as a television remote control. The display device104can be implemented as any type of television, LCD, or similar television-based display system that renders audio, video, and/or image data. The client device102and display device104together are just one example of a television client system, examples of which are described with reference to the example entertainment and information system shown inFIG. 6.

Client device102can be implemented as any one or combination of a television set-top box, a digital video recorder (DVR) and playback system, an appliance device, a gaming console, and/or as any other type of television client device or computing-based device that may be implemented in a television entertainment and information system. Additionally, client device102can be implemented with any number and combination of differing components as further described with reference to the example computer-based device shown inFIG. 5. Client device102may also be associated with a user or viewer (i.e., a person) and/or an entity that operates the device such that a client device describes logical clients that include users, software, and/or devices.

A content distributor106can broadcast media content110to any number of television client devices as an IPTV multicast via an IP-based network112and/or a communication network114. The media content110can include television programs (or programming) which may be any form of programs, commercials, music, movies, and video-on-demand media content. Other media content can include interactive games, network-based applications, and any other audio, video, and/or image content.

The IP-based network112can be implemented as part of the communication network114that facilitates media content distribution and data communication between the content distributor(s)106and any number of client devices, such as client device102. The communication network114can be implemented as part of a media content distribution system using any type of network topology and/or communication protocol, and can be represented or otherwise implemented as a combination of two or more networks. The television client device102is configured for communication with the content distributor(s)106via the IP-based network112and/or the communication network114.

The content distributor106can broadcast the media content110to any number of television client devices and then record and/or store the broadcast media content together as on-demand media content116. For example, the content distributor106may record a group of television programs that have been previously broadcast for a particular television channel, and then maintain the programs for on-demand viewing when selected by a viewer. All of the media content for a particular television channel can be saved for several days or weeks when recorded on a server at the content distributor106. The content distributor106includes storage media118to maintain the television media content as a group of programs that have been recorded together for distribution as on-demand programs (e.g., the media content116).

Alternatively, or in addition, the on-demand media content116can be recorded and/or stored as a group of television programs or movies that are related by a common identifier. For example, the collection of on-demand media content116can be related by an actor, a genre, a particular television series, and/or by any other type of common identifier or identifiers.

In this example system100, client device102includes one or more processor(s)120, media content inputs122, and media content124(e.g., received media content or media content that is being received). The media content inputs122can include any type of communication interfaces and/or data inputs, such as Internet Protocol (IP) inputs over which streams of media content (e.g., IPTV media content) are received via the IP-based network112. Client device102can receive the media content124from any one or combination of content distributor(s)106via a media content input122.

Client device102includes a playback application126that can be implemented as computer-executable instructions and executed by the processor(s)120to implement embodiments of high-speed programs review. A viewer can initiate a high-speed review of the recorded on-demand media content116that is maintained at the content distributor106with user inputs via selectable controls128of the remote control device108. A high-speed review of the on-demand media content116can include a high-speed rewind of the group of programs or a high-speed advance of the group of programs. The playback application126can receive the viewer input and communicate the high-speed review request130to the content distributor106via the IP-based network112.

The content distributor106includes an asset manager132that can receive the request130for a high-speed review of the on-demand media content116from the client device102via a two-way data communication link of the IP-based network112. It is contemplated that any one or more of the arrowed communication links facilitate two-way data communication, such as from television client device102to a content distributor106and vice-versa.

In response to the request to review the stored on-demand media content116, the content distributor106can communicate program information134to the television client device102which is received via a media content input122. The program information134corresponds to each television program of the stored on-demand media content116, and can be displayed as program information136for each program on display device104. The displayed program information136that corresponds to a program is displayed such that a viewer can identify a program in the on-demand media content116when reviewing the programs at high-speed.

The program information134that corresponds to a program (e.g., in the on-demand media content116) can be any combination of a program information page, a program image page, or a video frame of the program. The content distributor106includes metadata138that describes the media content110, and that is associated with the stored on-demand media content116. The metadata138can include a program information page, a program image page, or any other type of data such as text, graphics, and/or images from which to generate a program information page or a program image page. A video frame, or video frames, of a program can be obtained directly from a stored on-demand program and communicated to the client device102.

In an embodiment, the metadata138at content distributor106can be streamed to the client device102as the program information134and rendered as the displayed program information136when the programs are reviewed at high-speed. Alternatively, or in some combination thereof, the content distributor106can download the metadata138corresponding to the stored on-demand media content116to the client device102that then stores the metadata140until being initiated for display as the program information136. In addition, a program information page or program image page that corresponds to a program requires much less bandwidth and processing resources to download to client device102, rather than accessing the video for every program and providing video frames for a typical fast-forward or fast-rewind of each individual program.

The displayed program information136provides a viewer with information by which to identify a program when reviewing the programs in a high-speed, fast-forward or fast-review mode. The displayed program information136is more meaningful for the viewer rather than advancing (i.e., fast-forward or rewinding) the media content116faster than current rates of 2× or 3× which would be too fast for a viewer to recognize the programs that are included in the on-demand media content116. A high-speed programs review allows a viewer to quickly advance through television programs and other stored media content that is recorded together in storage media118.

A program of the on-demand media content116becomes selectable for on-demand viewing when the corresponding program information136is displayed on the display device104. If a viewer selects to request the program that corresponds to the displayed program information136, the playback application126can receive the viewer input and then request the program from the content distributor106for viewing. In an embodiment, a viewer can be reviewing the program information that is displayed for each program of the on-demand media content116, and then select “Play” on the remote control device108to initiate receiving a particular program from the content distributor106(i.e., the program that corresponds to the displayed program information136).

FIG. 2illustrates an example200of a television client system202that includes a television client device204, an input device206, and different representations of a display device208(A-B) to illustrate various displays in embodiments of high-speed programs review. The client device204includes program information210and a playback application212, an example of which is described with reference to playback application126shown inFIG. 1to implement embodiments of high-speed programs review.

An example of program information214being displayed for a high-speed programs review is shown on display device208(A). In this example, more than one program information page, program image page, and/or program video frame that each correspond to a program are displayed. For example, each of the displayed program information214corresponds to a television program, a movie, or other on-demand media content that has been recorded/or stored together as a group of programs. Also in this example, each of the program information214can transition across the display208(A), such as left to indicate a high-speed, fast-forward programs review, or right to indicate a high-speed, fast-rewind programs review.

Alternatively, or in addition, a status indicator216can be implemented to move across the display208(A) and over the program information214. In this example, the status indicator216is over a program information page218to indicate that a program which corresponds to the program information page218is selectable for on-demand viewing. Additionally, the status indicator216can also indicate to a viewer a position of a high-speed review in relation to a program. For example, the status indicator216is shown to be moving across the display208(A) in a direction220over the program information page218. The position of the status indicator216indicates to a viewer that the high-speed review has advanced through approximately two-thirds of the program that corresponds to the program information page218.

The program information214that is displayed for a high-speed programs review on display device208(A) also shows transitions from one program information page (or image page, or video frame) to another. For example, the status indicator216is shown to be moving across the display208(A) in direction220over the currently selectable program information page218. As such, a program information page222corresponds to a previous program in the high-speed review, and program information page224corresponds to a next program in the high-speed review.

Another example of program information226being displayed for a high-speed programs review is shown displayed on display device208(B). In this example, more than one program information page, program image page, and/or a program video frame that each correspond to a program are displayed. For example, each of the program information pages228,230, and232correspond to a television program, a movie, or other on-demand media content that has been recorded and/or stored together as a group of programs. Also in this example, each of the program information pages transition234across the display208(B) such that program information pages corresponding to any number of previous or next programs in a high-speed programs review can be displayed.

Generally, any of the functions, methods, and modules described herein can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware (e.g. fixed logic circuitry), manual processing, or any combination thereof. A software implementation of a function, method, or module represents program code that performs specified tasks when executed on a computing-based processor. Example methods300and400described with reference to respectiveFIGS. 3 and 4may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions. Generally, computer-executable instructions can include applications, routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, functions, and the like that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.

The method(s) may also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, computer-executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage media, including memory storage devices. Further, the features described herein are platform-independent such that the techniques may be implemented on a variety of computing platforms having a variety of processors.

FIG. 3illustrates example method(s)300of high-speed programs review, and is described with reference to television client device102shown inFIG. 1. The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method, or an alternate method.

At block302, a high-speed review of a group of programs that have been recorded together is initiated. For example, content distributor106may record a group of television programs that have been previously broadcast for a particular television channel, and then maintain the programs for on-demand viewing when selected by a viewer. Content distributor106includes storage media118to maintain television media content as a group of programs that have been recorded together for on-demand distribution. The client device102can receive a viewer input that is a request to review the recorded on-demand media content116that is maintained at content distributor106. The client device102then initiates a high-speed review of the group of programs by communicating the viewer input to the content distributor106. A high-speed review of the on-demand media content116can include a high-speed rewind of the group of programs or a high-speed advance of the group of programs.

At block304, program information is received by which to identify each of the programs when reviewing at high-speed. For example, the client device102receives program information134from the content distributor106, where the program information134that corresponds to a program includes any combination of a program information page, a program image page, or a video frame of the program.

At block306, a user interface is generated to display program information that corresponds to each of the programs. For example, the program information134that is received at client device102corresponds to each television program of the stored on-demand media content116, and can be displayed as program information136for each program on display device104. The displayed program information136that corresponds to a program is displayed such that a viewer can identify a program in the on-demand media content116when reviewing the programs at high-speed. The program information that corresponds to each of the programs is rendered and displayed when a program becomes selectable for on-demand viewing on the display device104.

At block308, additional program information is displayed that corresponds to a next program or a previous program in the group of programs. In addition, a transition can be displayed to show the transition from the displayed program information for one program to another program. For example, more than one program information page, program image page, and/or program video frame that each correspond to a program are displayed on display device208(B). Each of the program information pages228,230, and232transition234across the display208(B) such that program information pages corresponding to any number of previous or next programs in a high-speed programs review can be displayed.

At block310, a viewer input is received to select the program information to initiate viewing the program as an on-demand selection. At block312, a request is then communicated to the content distributor that provides the program for viewing. For example, a program of the on-demand media content116becomes selectable for on-demand viewing when the corresponding program information136is displayed on the display device104. If a viewer selects to request the program that corresponds to the displayed program information136, the playback application126at client device102can receive the viewer input and then request the program from the content distributor106for viewing.

FIG. 4illustrates example method(s)400of high-speed programs review, and is described with reference to content distributor106shown inFIG. 1. The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method, or an alternate method.

At block402, television media content is maintained as a group of programs that has been recorded together for distribution as on-demand programs. For example, content distributor106includes storage media118to maintain television media content as a group of programs (e.g., the on-demand media content116) that has been recorded together for on-demand distribution.

At block404, a request is received from a client device for a high-speed review of the group of programs. For example, a viewer can initiate a high-speed review of the recorded on-demand media content116that is maintained at the content distributor106with user inputs via selectable controls128of the remote control device108. An asset manager132of the content distributor106can then receive the request130for a high-speed review of the on-demand media content116from the client device102.

At block406, program information is communicated for display at the client device such that a viewer can identify each of the programs when reviewing the programs at high-speed. For example, the content distributor106can communicate the program information134to the television client device102in response to the request to review the stored on-demand media content116.

At block408, a viewer selection is received from the client device for an on-demand program, and at block410, the on-demand program is communicated to the client device. For example, a viewer can select to request a program that corresponds to the displayed program information136, and the playback application126at client device102can receive the viewer input and then request the program from the content distributor106for viewing. The content distributor106receives the viewer request for the program from the client device and then distributes the requested on-demand program to the client device for viewing.

FIG. 5illustrates various components of an example computer-based device500that can be implemented as any form of a computing, electronic, appliance, or television client device to implement embodiments of high-speed programs review. For example, computer device500can be implemented as television client device102or as the content distributor106shown inFIG. 1. In various embodiments, computer device500can be implemented as any one or combination of a television client device, a gaming system, or as any other computing-based device, such as a desktop computer, a portable computer, a television set-top box, a digital video recorder (DVR), an appliance device, a gaming console, and/or as any other type of computing-based client device.

Computer device500includes one or more media content inputs502that may include Internet Protocol (IP) inputs over which streams of media content are received via an IP-based network. Computer device500further includes communication interface(s)504that can be implemented as any one or more of a serial and/or parallel interface, a wireless interface, any type of network interface, a modem, and as any other type of communication interface. A network interface provides a connection between computer device500and a communication network by which other electronic and computing devices can communicate data with device500.

Similarly, a serial and/or parallel interface provides for data communication directly between computer device500and the other electronic or computing devices. A modem also facilitates communication with other electronic and computing devices via a conventional telephone line, a DSL connection, cable, and/or other type of connection. A wireless interface enables computer device500to receive control input commands506and other information from an input device, such as from remote control device508, a portable computing-based device (such as a cellular phone), or from another infrared (IR), 802.11, Bluetooth, or similar RF input device.

Computer device500also includes one or more processor(s)510(e.g., any of microprocessors, controllers, and the like) which process various computer-executable instructions to control the operation of device500, to communicate with other electronic and computing devices, and to implement embodiments of high-speed programs review. Computer device500can be implemented with computer-readable media512, such as one or more memory components, examples of which include random access memory (RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., any one or more of a read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.), and a disk storage device. A disk storage device can include any type of magnetic or optical storage device, such as a hard disk drive, a recordable and/or rewriteable compact disc (CD), a DVD, a DVD+RW, and the like.

Computer-readable media512provides data storage mechanisms to store media content514as well as other information and/or data such as software applications and any other types of information and data related to operational aspects of computer device500. For example, an operating system516and/or other computer applications518can be maintained as software applications with the computer-readable media512and executed on processor(s)510to implement embodiments of high-speed programs review.

The computer applications can include an asset manager520when computer device500is implemented as a content distributor, and/or can include a playback application522when implemented as a television client device. The asset manager520and the playback application522are shown as software modules in this example to implement various embodiments of high-speed programs review as described herein. An example of the asset manager520is described with reference to asset manager132in content distributor106as shown inFIG. 1, and an example of the playback application522is described with reference to playback application126in client device102as shown inFIG. 1.

When implemented as a television client device, the computer device500can also include a DVR system524with playback application522, and recording media526to maintain recorded media content528that computer device500receives and/or records. The recorded media content528can include the media content514that is received from a content distributor and recorded. For example, the media content528can be recorded when received as a viewer-scheduled recording, or when the recording media526is implemented as a pause buffer that records the media content528as it is being received and rendered for viewing.

Further, computer device500may access or receive additional recorded media content that is maintained with a remote data store (not shown). Computer device500may also receive media content from a video-on-demand server, or media content that is maintained at a broadcast center or content distributor that distributes the media content to subscriber sites and client devices. The playback application522can be implemented as a video control application to control the playback of media content514, the recorded media content528, and/or other video on-demand media content, music, and any other audio, video, and/or image media content which can be rendered and/or displayed for viewing.

Computer device500also includes an audio and/or video output530that provides audio and/or video data to an audio rendering and/or display system532. The audio rendering and/or display system532can include any devices that process, display, and/or otherwise render audio, video, and image data. Video signals and audio signals can be communicated from computer device500to a display device534via an RF (radio frequency) link, S-video link, composite video link, component video link, DVI (digital video interface), analog audio connection, or other similar communication link. Alternatively, the audio rendering and/or display system532can be implemented as integrated components of the example computer device500.

FIG. 6illustrates an example entertainment and information system600in which embodiments of high-speed programs review can be implemented. System600facilitates the distribution of media content, program guide data, and advertising content to multiple viewers and to multiple viewing systems. System600includes a content distributor602and any number “N” of client systems604(1-N) each configured for communication via a communication network606. Each of the client systems604(1-N) can receive data streams of media content, program content, program guide data, advertising content, closed captions data, and the like from content server(s) of the content distributor602via the communication network606.

The communication network606can be implemented as any one of combination of a wide area network (e.g., the Internet), a local area network (LAN), an intranet, an IP-based network, a broadcast network, a wireless network, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network infrastructure, a point-to-point coupling infrastructure, or as any other media content distribution network. Additionally, communication network606can be implemented using any type of network topology and any network communication protocol, and can be represented or otherwise implemented as a combination of two or more networks. A digital network can include various hardwired and/or wireless links608(1-N), routers, gateways, and so on to facilitate communication between content distributor602and the client systems604(1-N).

System600includes a media server610that receives media content from a content source612, program guide data from a program guide source614, and advertising content from an advertisement source616. In an embodiment, the media server610represents an acquisition server that receives the audio and video media content from content source612, an EPG server that receives the program guide data from program guide source614, and/or an advertising management server that receives the advertising content from the advertisement source616.

The content source612, the program guide source614, and the advertisement source616control distribution of the media content, the program guide data, and the advertising content to the media server610and/or to other servers. The media content, program guide data, and advertising content can be distributed via various transmission media618, such as satellite transmission, radio frequency transmission, cable transmission, and/or via any number of other wired or wireless transmission media. In this example, media server610is shown as an independent component of system600that communicates the program content, program guide data, and advertising content to content distributor602. In an alternate implementation, media server610can be implemented as a component of content distributor602.

Content distributor602is representative of a headend service in a content distribution system, for example, that provides the media content, program guide data, and advertising content to multiple subscribers (e.g., the client systems604(1-N)). The content distributor602can be implemented as a satellite operator, a network television operator, a cable operator, and the like to control distribution of media content, program and advertising content, such as movies, television programs, commercials, music, and other audio, video, and/or image content to the client systems604(1-N).

Content distributor602includes various content distribution components620to facilitate media content processing and distribution, such as a subscriber manager, a device monitor, and one or more content servers. The subscriber manager manages subscriber data, and the device monitor monitors the client systems604(1-N) (e.g., and the subscribers), and maintains monitored client state information.

Although the various managers, servers, and monitors of content distributor602(to include the media server610in one embodiment) are described as distributed, independent components of content distributor602, any one or more of the managers, servers, and monitors can be implemented together as a multi-functional component of content distributor602. Additionally, any one or more of the managers, servers, and monitors described with reference to system600can implement features and embodiments of high-speed programs review.

The content distributor602includes communication interface(s)622that can be implemented as any type of interface to communicate and receive off-air program guide data from client devices of the television system. The content distributor602also includes one or more processor(s)624(e.g., any of microprocessors, controllers, and the like) which process various computer-executable instructions to control the operation of content distributor602. The content distributor602can be implemented with computer-readable media626which provides data storage to maintain software applications such as an operating system628and an asset manager630. The asset manager630can implement one or more embodiments of high-speed programs review as described with reference to the asset manager132in the content distributor106shown inFIG. 1.

The client systems604(1-N) can each be implemented to include a client device632and a display device634(e.g., a television, LCD, and the like). A client device632of a respective client system604can be implemented in any number of embodiments, such as a set-top box, a digital video recorder (DVR) and playback system, an appliance device, a gaming system, and as any other type of client device that may be implemented in an entertainment and information system. In an alternate embodiment, client system604(N) is implemented with a computing device636as well as a client device. Additionally, any of the client devices632of a client system604can implement features and embodiments of high-speed programs review as described herein.

Although embodiments of high-speed programs review have been described in language specific to features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the subject of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as example implementations of high-speed programs review.