Patent Description:
This invention relates to media content guidance systems, devices, and methods, and more particularly, to media content delivery using a backchannel communications network to facilitate media content programming, control, and/or delivery. The invention is defined in the accompanying independent claims. Some preferred features are recited in the dependent claims.

Cable, satellite, and broadcast television systems are media content delivery systems that provide viewers with a large number of television channels and other media content. Interactive program guides (IPGs) have been developed that allow television program information, and information about a particular type of media, to be displayed on a viewer's television.

In analog cable TV systems, one of the cable channels may be reserved for delivering and displaying programming information. Also, data may be transmitted to the STB via the in-band vertical blanking interval (VBI) of one television channel broadcast. In a digital cable TV and/or satellite system, program schedule information, applications, and/or systems software, may be transmitted to equipment located on the viewer's premises (usually a "digital set-top box" or STB) by way of broadcast, addressable messages, cable, direct satellite or some other form of transmission. The STB may also contain memory so that the program schedule information can be stored for later viewing.

The program schedule information stored in the STB is typically periodically updated (e.g., on a continuous, daily, weekly, or biweekly basis). A microprocessor within the STB cooperates with the viewer's television set to display the stored program schedule information and to implement other functions of the IPG in response to user-generated signals, typically from a remote control device.

IPGs allow users to access television program listings in different display formats. For example, a user may desire to view a grid of program listings organized in a channel-ordered list. Alternatively, the user may desire to view program listings organized by time, by theme (movies, sports, etc.), or by title (i.e., alphabetically ordered). An IPG may be referred to as and/or include the features of an electronic programming guide (EPG).

For cable TV Multiple Service Operator (MSO) networks that support two-way communications between a user's end device and the MSO's headend, users may interactively select "video on demand" (VOD) and "pay per view" (PPV) media content directly with the IPG using their remote control unit for viewing. A user may also record media content to a network or local digital video recorder (DVR) via their remote control unit/device. For example, the user may place a highlight region on top of a desired program listing and press a "record" button on the remote control unit. The "record" command is then sent from the end user device, e.g., STB, to the MSO headend via the cable tree and branch network to enable the program recording.

Pay programs may be ordered by placing the highlight region on a pay program listing and pressing an "order" button. The "order" message is sent from the end user device to the MSO headend to initiate ordering and delivery of the program to the end user device. Some IPGs allow parents to block certain television programs based on criteria such as ratings information.

Certain media networks such as cable TV/MSO networks, satellite networks, and/or over-the-air media content networks, provide one-way broadcast and/or addressable media content delivery. In these one-way media networks or systems having one-way communications links to an end user device, there is no direct back channel for communications from the end user and/or end user media device to the MSO headend or media provider distribution facility or network. For one-way cable networks, users may indirectly order particular media content, e.g., movies, via the public switch telephone network (PSTN).

For example, a user may order a movie by calling a particular destination telephone number and using the touch tone keys to order a particular movie or by interfacing with a customer service representative. For satellite television and/or movie providers, users may be required to order programs via the PSTN. Also, the recently developed CableCARD technology or other PCMCIA card technology, supported by certain cable TV networks, only support one-way media content delivery to cable ready televisions, preventing subscribers from ordering VOD and PPV media content.

More particularly, in a media delivery system where the provider uses one-way video delivery with no direct backchannel communications, users either have no method or a relatively inconvenient method of requesting programs and/or services from the provider using the PSTN, especially in real-time and/or near real-time. In a one-way cable TV environment, each customer cannot readily order a PPV program without having to pick up a telephone and call the cable TV provider. This process takes time, resulting in inconvenient delays for the consumer, and requires the users to interface with a customer service representative or migrate through a slow interactive touch tone process. In a satellite environment, true VOD ordering and VCR-type controls for VOD are not available because it is impractical to provide STB communications back to the satellite provider via the over-the-air satellite interface. Accordingly it is desirable to enable a user equipment device to control media content delivery via a backchannel communications link or network.

There are also sometimes difficulties associated with a content user's interaction with an MSO provider. For example, the distribution facility for different MSOs can use different protocols or different information formats for communications, preventing the use of a common back channel mechanism for media content delivery.

<CIT> discloses interactive television program guide systems with digital video recording support. In one embodiment a video-on-demand application is supported by a server storing content from a service provider. An interactive television application is used to support the functions of a personal video recorder.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide interactive media content delivery using an intermediate communications server between an end user and the media content provider to enable communications regardless of the information format used by an MSO network.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a user equipment device, e.g., STB, that interfaces with a one-way media network is configured to communicate with a media content provider via a backchannel communications network such as a local area network or wireless network. The backchannel network enables the user equipment to deliver media content control commands to a media content source and/or distribution facility to establish interactive two-way media programming for a one-way media network provider. Also, a clearinghouse, intermediate, or central communications server may be employed that enables back channel communications between a media content user equipment device and the distribution facilities of one or more media content service providers, regardless of the communications protocols or information formats utilized by each distribution facility.

In one aspect, a user equipment device interactively controls the delivery of media content from a one-way media network by receiving a user command and then sending a media control message to a media content source via a backchannel network in response to the user command. The user equipment device then receives the media content, directly or via a distribution facility or via other network elements, from the media content source from the one-way media network.

The backchannel network may include a local area network, a wireless local area network, or a cellular telephone network. The media content source may include a distribution facility. In one feature, the user equipment device is configured to send a media control message to at least one distribution facility whereupon the distribution facility retrieves the media content from the media content source.

The clearinghouse may include a web server or website located in a location that is remote to a user equipment device, e.g., STB, and the distribution facility of the user's media content provider. The clearinghouse advantageously allows any user equipment device to order media content such as movies using a standard application such as a standard IPG, standard web browser, or other standard application. The clearinghouse performs a conversion or translation of the standard messages sent from any user equipment device into any message format used by a particular media content provider and its distribution facility. The clearinghouse effectively enables a back channel communications path from a user equipment device to any distribution facility, in any location and associated with any media content provider.

In one aspect, an interactive media guidance system includes at least one media content source configured for storing media content. At least one user equipment device such as a cable TV or satellite STB is configured to send a media control message to a clearinghouse server via a communications network such as the Internet. The user equipment is also capable of receiving media content such as movies, music, television (TV) programs, and like media content.

In one feature, the media guidance system enables a user equipment device to interface with one or more distribution facilities. Each distribution facility is capable of receiving a media control message from a clearinghouse. A media control message may include a request and/or order to record, download, or view a particular movie or song. Each distribution facility is capable of retrieving the media content from at least one media content source such as a media outlet or music database. Each distribution facility is also capable of sending the media content to a user equipment device.

In one configuration, the clearinghouse is capable of communicating with a user equipment device and at least one distribution facility. The clearinghouse is configured to receive a media control message from a user equipment device, process the media control message, and then send the media control message to at least one distribution facility. The clearinghouse may determine which distribution facility to send the media control message. The determining may be based on the location, identity, or subscriber (user) information related to the user equipment device.

In another feature, the clearinghouse converts at least a portion of the media control message from a first information format into a second information format. The first and/or second information formats may include a markup language. The markup language may include HTML, XML, SGML, WML, or like markup languages.

The media content may include a media program, a media program listing, a media program schedule, media content metadata, a user equipment device application, or a user equipment device application update. The media control information may include an order for a media program, a media program listing, a media program schedule, a user equipment device application, media content metadata, a VCR-like command, or a user equipment device application update. The VCR-like command may include, without limitation, a command such as play, pause, fast forward, and rewind.

In a further feature, the clearinghouse determines whether a media control message originated from an authorized user equipment device. The clearinghouse may include an interactive programming guide, a web server, or a user application distribution server. The clearinghouse may include a subscriber database, a user equipment application database, a network provider database, or a media content database.

In another feature, the clearinghouse is configured for registering at least one user equipment device for clearinghouse services and/or access to the clearinghouse. The clearinghouse may be configured for sending a user equipment device application to a user equipment device. In a further feature, the media guidance system includes a media information server that is capable of receiving a media control message from the clearinghouse and sending the media control message to a distribution facility.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood by the following illustrative description with reference to the appended drawings, in which like elements are labeled with like reference designations and which may not be to scale.

The invention, in certain embodiments, provides an intermediate communications server, such as a clearinghouse server, to facilitate back channel communications from a user equipment device to any media content distribution facility to enable media content delivery to a user equipment device regardless of the information format used by a particular distribution facility.

Media content includes any information that can be perceived by a person such as, without limitation, visual and audio information. Visual information may include video clips, streaming video, movies, images, pictures, television programs, media programs, and like visual media content. Audio information may include streaming audio, audio files (MP3), audio music files, broadcast audio, and like audio media content. Media content may also include information about the media content and/or media programs such as a listing of available media programs.

A media delivery system or interactive media guidance system includes any information system capable of transmitting media content to an end user. A media device or media destination device is any device and/or apparatus capable of receiving and/or presenting media content to an end user such as a video display, television, computer, audio player, stereo, set-top box (STB), digital video recorder (DVR), personal video recorder (PVR), VCR, personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular telephone, and like device. The MSO network is a cable TV network operated by a server provider typically servicing a large geographic area including thousands of media content users.

An illustrative interactive media guidance system <NUM> in accordance with the present invention is shown in <FIG>. Media such as television programming and digital music may be provided from programming sources <NUM> to television distribution facilities, such as distribution facility <NUM>, using communications path (or link) <NUM>. Communications path <NUM> may be a satellite path, a fiber-optic path, a cable path, or any other suitable wired or wireless communications path or combination of such paths.

Programming sources <NUM> may be any suitable sources of television and music programming, such as television broadcasters (e.g., NBC, ABC, and HBO) or other television or music production studios. Programming sources <NUM> may provide television programming in a variety of formats in high definition and standard definition, such as, for example, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i, and any other suitable format.

Distribution facility <NUM> may be a cable system headend, a satellite television distribution facility, a television broadcaster, or any other suitable facility for distributing video media (e.g., television programs, video-on-demand programs, and video clips), audio media (e.g., music programming and music clips), and other media (e.g., web pages and interactive applications) to users. There are typically numerous television distribution facilities <NUM> in system <NUM>, but only one is shown in <FIG> to avoid overcomplicating the drawing.

Distribution facility <NUM> may be connected to various user equipment devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Such user equipment devices may be located, for example, in the homes of users. User equipment devices may include user television equipment <NUM>, user computer equipment <NUM>, a wireless communications device (WCD) <NUM>, or any other type of user equipment suitable for accessing media (e.g., television and music programming, web pages, etc.) or interactive media guidance application features. User equipment <NUM> may be any type of user equipment (e.g., user television equipment, user computer equipment, WCD equipment, etc.) and, for simplicity, user equipment devices may be referred to generally as user equipment <NUM>. Distribution facility <NUM> may also be connected to various home networks <NUM>. Such home networks <NUM> may be located, for example, in homes of users or distributed, for example, among homes of users. Home networks <NUM> may each include a plurality of interconnected user equipment devices, such as, for example user equipment devices <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

User equipment devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may receive media (such as television, music, web pages, etc.) and other data from distribution facility <NUM> over communications paths, such as communications paths <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively. User equipment devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may also transmit signals to distribution facility <NUM> over paths <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively. Paths <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be cables or other wired connections, free-space connections (e.g., for broadcast or other wireless signals), satellite links, or any other suitable link or combination of links.

Similarly, home network <NUM> may receive television and music programming and other data from distribution facility <NUM> over communications paths such as communications path <NUM>. The user equipment located on home network <NUM> may access the received television and music programming and other data from distribution facility <NUM>. Home network <NUM> may also transmit signals to distribution facility <NUM> over path <NUM>. The transmitted signals may originate from user equipment located on home network <NUM>. Path <NUM> may be directly connected to one of the user equipment devices located on home network <NUM> (e.g., a server or primary user equipment device) or any number of the user equipment devices located on home network <NUM>. Path <NUM> may be cables or other wired connections, free-space connections (e.g., for broadcast or other wireless signals), satellite links, or any other suitable link or combination of links.

Data source <NUM> in system <NUM> may include a program listings database that is used to provide the user with television program-related information such as scheduled broadcast times, titles, channels, ratings information (e.g., parental ratings and critic's ratings), detailed title descriptions, genre or category information (e.g., sports, news, movies, etc.), program format (e.g., standard definition, high definition) and information on actors and actresses. Data source <NUM> may also be used to provide advertisements (e.g., program guide advertisements and advertisements for other interactive television applications), real-time data such as sports scores, stock quotes, news data, and weather data, application data for one or more media guidance applications or other interactive applications, and any other suitable data for use by system <NUM>. As another example, data source <NUM> may provide data indicating the types of information that may be included in interactive media guidance overlays (e.g., at the request of the user, absent user modification, etc.).

There may be multiple data sources (such as data source <NUM>) in system <NUM>, although only one data source is shown in <FIG> to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. For example, a separate data source may be associated with each of a plurality of television broadcasters and may provide data that is specific to those broadcasters (e.g., advertisements for future programming of the broadcasters, logo data for displaying broadcasters' logos in program guide display screens, etc.). Data source <NUM> and any other system components of <FIG> may be provided using equipment at one or more locations. Systems components are drawn as single boxes in <FIG> to avoid overcomplicating the drawings.

In some embodiments of the present invention, data source <NUM> may provide data to distribution facility <NUM> over communications path <NUM> for distribution to the associated user equipment and home network over paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (e.g., when data source <NUM> is located at a main facility). Communications path <NUM> may be any suitable communications path such as a satellite communications path or other wireless path, a fiber-optic or other wired communications path, a path that supports Internet communications, or other suitable path or combination of such paths.

In some embodiments of the present invention, data source <NUM> may provide data directly to user equipment <NUM> over path <NUM>, communications network <NUM>, and path <NUM> (e.g., when data source <NUM> is located at a facility such as one of programming sources <NUM>). In some embodiments of the present invention, data source <NUM> may provide data directly to user equipment located on home network <NUM> over path <NUM>, communications network <NUM>, and path <NUM> (e.g., when data source <NUM> is located at a facility such as one of programming sources <NUM>). Paths <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be wired paths such as telephone lines, cable paths, fiber-optic paths, satellite paths, wireless paths, any other suitable paths or a combination of such paths. Communications network <NUM> may be any suitable communications network, such as the Internet, the public switched telephone network, or a packet-based network.

A media guidance application may be provided to user equipment, including user equipment located on home network <NUM>, using any suitable approach. For example, program schedule data and other data may be provided to the user equipment on a television channel sideband, in the vertical blanking interval of a television channel, using an in-band digital signal, using an out-of-band digital signal, or by any other suitable data transmission technique. Program schedule data and other data may be provided to user equipment on multiple analog or digital television channels. Program schedule data and other data may be provided to the user equipment with any suitable frequency (e.g., continuously, daily, in response to a request from user equipment, etc.).

User equipment devices, including user equipment devices located on home network <NUM>, such as user television equipment and personal computers, may use the program schedule data and other interactive media guidance application data to display program listings and other information (e.g., information on digital music) for the user. An interactive television program guide application or other suitable interactive media guidance application may be used to display the information on the user's display (e.g., in one or more overlays that are displayed on top of video for a given television channel). Interactive displays may be generated and displayed for the user using any suitable approach. In one suitable approach, distribution facility <NUM>, or other facility, may generate application display screens and may transmit the display screens to user equipment for display.

In another suitable approach, user equipment may store data for use in one or more interactive displays (e.g., program schedule data, advertisements, logos, etc.), and an interactive media guidance application implemented at least partially on the user equipment may generate the interactive displays based on instructions received from distribution facility <NUM> or other facility. In some embodiments of the present invention, user equipment may store only the data that is used to generate the interactive television displays (e.g., storing logo data for a particular television broadcaster only if the logo is to be included in one or more interactive television displays). In some embodiments of the present invention, user equipment may store data that is not necessarily used to generate the interactive television displays (e.g., storing advertisements associated with a particular television broadcaster that may or may not be displayed depending on, for example, the outcome of negotiations with the television broadcaster). Any other suitable approach or combination of approaches may be used to generate and display interactive overlays for the user.

An on-line interactive media guidance application, such as an online interactive television program guide, and other interactive media guidance services may be provided using a server connected to communications network <NUM> such as server <NUM>. Server <NUM> may receive program schedule data and other data from data source <NUM> via communications path <NUM>, communications network <NUM>, and communications path <NUM> or via another suitable path or combination of paths. Path <NUM> may be a satellite path, fiber-optic path, wired path, or any other path or combination of paths.

User equipment <NUM> may access the on-line interactive media guidance application and other sources from server <NUM> via communications path <NUM>. User equipment <NUM> may also access the application and other services on server <NUM> via communications path <NUM>, distribution facility <NUM>, and communications path <NUM>. For example, a cable modem or other suitable equipment may be used by user equipment <NUM> to communicate with distribution facility <NUM>. Distribution facility <NUM> may communicate with communications network <NUM> over any suitable path <NUM>, such as a wired path, a cable path, fiber-optic path, satellite path, or combination of such paths.

User equipment such as user television equipment <NUM>, user computer equipment <NUM>, and user equipment located on home network <NUM> may access the on-line interactive media guidance application and server <NUM> using similar arrangements. User television equipment <NUM> may access the on-line interactive media guidance application and server <NUM> using communications path <NUM> or using path <NUM>, distribution facility <NUM>, and path <NUM>. User computer equipment <NUM> may access the on-line interactive media guidance application and server <NUM> using communications path <NUM> or using path <NUM>, distribution facility <NUM>, and path <NUM>. User equipment located on home network <NUM> may access the on-line media guidance application and server <NUM> using communications path <NUM> or using path <NUM>, distribution facility <NUM>, and path <NUM>. Paths <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be any suitable paths such as wired paths, cable paths, fiber-optic paths, wireless paths, satellite paths, or a combination of such paths.

Interactive media guidance functions and the functions of other interactive applications may be supported using server <NUM> and other servers connected to communications network <NUM> such as server <NUM>. Interactive applications may also be supported by servers or other suitable equipment at one or more service providers such as service provider <NUM>. For example, an interactive application such as a home shopping service may be supported by a service provider such as service provider <NUM> that has sales representatives, order fulfillment facilities, account maintenance facilities, and other equipment for supporting interactive home shopping features. A home shopping application that is implemented using the user equipment may be used to access the service provider to provide such features to the user. The user equipment may access service provider <NUM> via distribution facility <NUM> and communications path <NUM> or via communications network <NUM> and communications path <NUM>. Communications paths such as paths <NUM> and <NUM> may be any suitable paths such as wired paths, cable paths, fiber-optic paths, satellite paths, or a combination of such paths.

Another example of an interactive application is a home banking application. A home banking service may be supported using personnel at facilities such as service provider <NUM>. An interactive home banking application that is implemented using the user equipment may access the home banking service via distribution facility <NUM> and communications path <NUM> or via communications network <NUM> and communications path <NUM>.

If desired, an interactive media guidance application such as a network-based video recorder or a video-on-demand application may be supported using server <NUM>, server <NUM>, or equipment at service provider <NUM>. Video-on-demand content and video recorded using a network-based video recorder arrangement may be stored on server <NUM> or server <NUM> or at service provider <NUM> and may be provided to the user equipment when requested by users. An interactive television program guide, for example, may be used to support the functions of a digital video recorder (sometimes called a personal video recorder) that is implemented using user equipment <NUM>. Illustrative equipment that may be used to support digital video recorder functions include specialized digital video recorder devices, integrated receiver decoders (IRDs), set-top boxes with integrated or external hard drives, or personal computers with video recording capabilities.

If desired, interactive applications such as media guidance applications (e.g., interactive television program guide applications and video-on-demand applications), home shopping applications, home banking applications, game applications, and other applications (e.g., applications related to e-mail and chat or other communications functions, etc.) may be provided as separate applications that are accessed through a navigation shell application (i.e., a menu application with menu options corresponding to the applications). The features of such applications may be combined. For example, games, video-on-demand services, home shopping services, network-based video recorder functions, digital video recorder functions, navigational functions, program guide functions, communications functions, and other suitable functions may be provided using one application or any other suitable number of applications. The one or more applications may display various overlays on user equipment including, for example, interactive television information on top of video for a given television channel.

Interactive television program guide applications, home banking applications, home shopping applications, network-based video recorder and digital video recorder applications, video-on-demand applications, gaming applications, communications applications, and navigational applications are only a few illustrative examples of the types of interactive media guidance and other applications that may be supported by system <NUM>. Other suitable interactive applications that may be supported include news services, web browsing and other Internet services, and interactive wagering services (e.g., for wagering on horse races, sporting events, and the like). Interactive television overlays that are displayed by these applications may also be customized in accordance with the present invention.

The interactive applications that are used in interactive media guidance system <NUM> may be implemented locally on the user equipment. The applications may also be implemented in a distributed fashion (e.g., using a client-server architecture in which the user equipment serves at least partly, and for at least some of the time, as the client and a server, such as server <NUM> at distribution facility <NUM>, server <NUM>, or other suitable equipment acts as the server). Other distributed architectures may also be used if desired. Moreover, some or all of the features of the interactive applications of system <NUM> may be provided using operating system software or middleware software. Such operating system software and middleware may be used instead of or in combination with application-level software. Regardless of the particular arrangement used to implement interactive features related to, for example, program guides, home shopping, home banking, video-on-demand, Internet, and communications, the software that supports these features may be referred to as an application or applications. The interactive media guidance system <NUM> also includes a clearinghouse <NUM> which is connected to the communications network <NUM> via communications link <NUM>. The operation of clearinghouse <NUM> is discussed in further detail later herein.

Illustrative user television equipment <NUM> (<FIG>) that is based on a set-top box arrangement is shown in <FIG>. User television equipment <NUM> may be stand-alone or a part of home network <NUM> (<FIG>). Input/output <NUM> may be connected to communications paths such as paths <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG>). Input/output functions may be provided by one or more wires or communications paths, but are shown as a single path in <FIG> to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. Television programming, program guide data, and any other suitable interactive media guidance application data or other data may be received using input/output <NUM>. Commands and requests and other data generated as a result of user interactions with the interactive media guidance application may also be transmitted over input/output <NUM>.

Set-top box <NUM> may be any suitable analog or digital set-top box (e.g., a cable set-top box). Set-top box <NUM> may contain an analog tuner for tuning to a desired analog television channel (e.g., a channel comprising television programming, interactive television data, or both). Set-top box <NUM> may also contain digital decoding circuitry for receiving digital television channels (e.g., channels comprising television or music programming, interactive television data, etc.). Set-top box <NUM> may also contain a high-definition television tuner for receiving and processing high-definition television channels. Analog, digital, and high-definition channels may be handled together if desired. Multiple tuners may be provided (e.g., to handle simultaneous watch and record functions or picture-in-picture (PIP) functions). Box <NUM> may be an integrated receiver decoder (IRD) that handles satellite television. If desired, box <NUM> may have circuitry for handling cable, over-the-air broadcast, and satellite content.

Set-top box <NUM> may be configured to output media, such as television programs, in a preferred format. Because television programs may be received in a variety of formats, set-top box <NUM> may contain scaler circuitry for upconverting and downconverting television programs into the preferred output format used by set-top box <NUM>. For example, set-top box <NUM> may be configured to output television programs in 720p. In this example, the scaler circuitry may upconvert standard-definition television programs having <NUM> lines of vertical resolution to 720p format and downconvert certain high-definition television programs having <NUM> lines of vertical resolution to 720p format.

Box <NUM> may include a storage device (e.g., a digital storage device such as a hard disk drive) for providing recording capabilities. Box <NUM> may also be connected to a recording device <NUM> such as a video cassette recorder, digital video recorder, optical disc recorder, or other device or devices with storage capabilities. In some embodiments, box <NUM> may be configured to record either standard-definition television programs or high-definition television programs. In some embodiments, box <NUM> may be configured to record both standard-definition television programs and high-definition television programs.

Set-top box <NUM> contains a processor (e.g., a microcontroller or microprocessor or the like) that is used to execute software applications. Set-top box <NUM> may contain memory such as random-access memory for use when executing applications. Nonvolatile memory may also be used (e.g., to launch a boot-up routine and other instructions). Hard disk storage in box <NUM> or in recording device <NUM> may be used to back up data and to otherwise support larger databases and storage requirements than may be supported using random-access memory approaches. Hard disk storage in box <NUM> or in recording device <NUM> may also be used to store and back up program guide settings or saved user preferences.

Set-top box <NUM> may have infrared (IR) or other communications circuitry for communicating with a remote control or wireless keyboard. Set-top box <NUM> may also have dedicated buttons and a front-panel display. The front-panel display may, for example, be used to display the current channel to which the set-top box is tuned.

Set-top box <NUM> may also have communications circuitry such as a cable modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a telephone modem, or a wireless modem for communications with other equipment. Such communications may involve the Internet or any other suitable communications networks or paths. If desired, the components of set-top box <NUM> may be integrated into other user equipment (e.g., a television or videocassette recorder).

Recording device <NUM> may be used to record videos provided by set-top box <NUM>. For example, if set-top box <NUM> is tuned to a given television channel, the video signal for that television channel may be passed to recording device <NUM> for recording on a videocassette, compact disc, digital video disk, or internal hard drive or other storage device. In some embodiments, recording device <NUM> may be configured to record either standard-definition television programs or high-definition television programs. In some embodiments, recording device <NUM> may be configured to record both standard-definition television programs and high-definition television programs. Recording device <NUM> may have communications circuitry such as a cable modem, an ISDN modem, a DSL modem, or a telephone modem for communications with other equipment. Such communications may involve the Internet or any other suitable communications networks or paths. The components of recording device <NUM> may be integrated into other user equipment (e.g., a television, stereo equipment, etc.).

Recording device <NUM> may be controlled using a remote control or other suitable user interface. If desired, video recorder functions such as start, stop, record and other functions for device <NUM> may be controlled by set-top box <NUM>. For example, set-top box <NUM> may control recording device <NUM> using infrared commands directed toward the remote control inputs of recording device <NUM> or set-top box <NUM> may control recording device <NUM> using other wired or wireless communications paths between box <NUM> and device <NUM>.

The output of recording device <NUM> may be provided to television <NUM> for display to the user. In some embodiments, television <NUM> may be capable of displaying high-definition programming (i.e., HDTV-capable). If desired, multiple recording devices <NUM> or no recording device <NUM> may be used. If recording device <NUM> is not present or is not being actively used, the video signals from set-top box <NUM> may be provided directly to television <NUM>. Any suitable television or monitor may be used to display the video. For example, if the video is in a high-definition format, an HDTV-capable television or monitor is required to display the video. In the equipment of <FIG> and the other equipment of system <NUM> (<FIG>), the audio associated with various video items is typically distributed with those video items and is generally played back to the user as the videos are played. In some embodiments, the audio may be distributed to a receiver (not shown), which processes and outputs the audio via external speakers (not shown).

Another illustrative arrangement for user television equipment <NUM> (<FIG>) is shown in <FIG>. User television equipment <NUM> may be stand-alone or a part of home network <NUM> (<FIG>). In the example of <FIG>, user television equipment <NUM> includes a recording device <NUM> such as a digital video recorder (e.g., a digital video recorder (DVR)) that uses a hard disk or other storage for recording video. Recording device <NUM> may alternatively be a digital video disc recorder, compact disc recorder, videocassette recorder, or other suitable recording device. Equipment <NUM><NUM> of <FIG> may also include a television <NUM>. In some embodiments, television <NUM> may be HDT V-capable. Input/output <NUM> may be connected to communications paths such as paths <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG>). Television programming, program schedule data, and other data (e.g., advertisement data, data indicating one or more television channels for which the display of an overlay is to be customized, etc.) may be received using input/output <NUM>. Commands and requests and other data from the user may be transmitted over input/output <NUM>.

Recording device <NUM> may contain at least one analog tuner for tuning to a desired analog television channel (e.g., to display video for a given television channel to a user, to receive program guide data and other data) and multiple other tuners may also be provided. Recording device <NUM> may also contain digital decoding circuitry for receiving digital television programming, music programming, program guide data, and other data on one or more digital channels. Recording device <NUM> may also contain circuitry for receiving high-definition television channels. If desired, recording device <NUM> may contain circuitry for handling analog, digital, and high-definition channels. Recording device <NUM> also contains a processor (e.g., a microcontroller or microprocessor or the like) that is used to execute software applications. Recording device <NUM> may contain memory such as random-access memory for use when executing applications. Nonvolatile memory may also be used to store a boot-up routine or other instructions. The hard disk and other storage in recording device <NUM> may be used to support databases (e.g., program guide databases or other interactive television application databases). The hard disk or other storage in recording device <NUM> may also be used to record video such as television programs or video-on-demand content or other content provided to recording device <NUM> over input/output <NUM>.

Recording device <NUM> may have IR communications circuitry or other suitable communications circuitry for communicating with a remote control. Recording device <NUM> may also have dedicated buttons and a front-panel display. The front-panel display may, for example, be used to display the current channel to which the recording device is tuned.

Recording device <NUM> may also have communications circuitry such as a cable modem, an ISDN modem, a DSL modem, a telephone modem, or a wireless modem for communications with other equipment. Such communications may involve the Internet or other suitable communications networks or paths.

If desired, recording device <NUM> may include a satellite receiver or other equipment that has wireless communications circuitry for receiving satellite signals.

Recording device <NUM> of <FIG> or recording device <NUM> of <FIG> may record new video while previously recorded video is being played back on television <NUM> or <NUM>. This allows users to press a pause button during normal television viewing. When the pause button is pressed, the current television program is stored on the hard disk of digital video recorder <NUM>. When the user presses play, the recorded video may be played back. This arrangement allows the user to seamlessly pause and resume television viewing. Recording devices <NUM> and <NUM> may also be used to allow a user to watch a previously-recorded program while simultaneously recording a new program. The wireless communications device (WCD) <NUM> may enable a media content user and/or subscriber to control the delivery of media content to user equipment via a wireless interface and/or wireless network. The WCD <NUM> may function as a remote control <NUM> (<FIG>) for one or more user equipment devices <NUM>, user television equipment devices <NUM>, user computer equipment devices <NUM>, or any other user media device. In certain embodiments, the WCD <NUM>, functioning as the remote control <NUM>, includes a display, while in other embodiments, the WCD <NUM> does not include a display. Further details regarding the features and/or capabilities of a WCD <NUM> are provided in co-pending <CIT> , entitled "Interactive Media Content Delivery Using Enhanced Wireless Back Channel Communications," having Attorney Docket No. UV-307A.

The set-top box arrangement of <FIG> and the digital video recorder with a built-in set-top box arrangement of <FIG> are merely illustrative. Other arrangements may be used if desired. For example, user television equipment may be based on a WebTV box, a personal computer television (PC/TV), or any other suitable television equipment arrangement. If desired, the functions of components such as set-top box <NUM>, recording device <NUM>, a WebTV box, or PC/TV or the like may be integrated into a television or personal computer or other suitable device.

An illustrative remote control <NUM> for operating user television equipment <NUM> (<FIG> ) or suitable user computer equipment <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. Remote control <NUM> is only illustrative and any other suitable user input interface may be used to operate user equipment (e.g., a mouse, trackball, keypad, keyboard, touch screen, voice recognition system, etc.). Remote control <NUM> may have function keys <NUM> and other keys <NUM> such as keypad keys, power on/off keys, pause, stop, fast-forward and reverse keys. Volume up and down keys <NUM> may be used for adjusting the volume of the audio portion of a video. Channel up and down keys <NUM> may be used to change television channels and to access content on virtual channels. Cursor keys <NUM> may be used to navigate on-screen menus. For example, cursor keys <NUM> may be used to position an on-screen cursor, indicator, or highlight (sometimes all generically referred to herein as a highlight or highlight region) to indicate interest in a particular option or other item on a display screen that is displayed by the interactive television application.

In one embodiment, the remote control <NUM> includes the functionality of and/or operates as a WCD <NUM>. Further details regarding the features and/or capabilities of a WCD <NUM> are provided in co-pending <CIT> , entitled "Interactive Media Content Delivery Using Enhanced Wireless Back Channel Communications," having Attorney Docket No. UV-307A. The OK key <NUM> (sometimes called a select or enter key) may be used to select on-screen options that the user has highlighted.

Keys <NUM> may include RECORD key <NUM> for initiating recordings. MENU button <NUM> may be used to direct an interactive media guidance application to display a menu on the user's display screen (e.g., on television <NUM> or <NUM> or on a suitable monitor or computer display). INFO button <NUM> may be used to direct an interactive media guidance application to display an information display screen. For example, when a user presses INFO key <NUM> while video for a given television channel is displayed for the user, an interactive television program guide may display a FLIP/BROWSE overlay including program schedule information for the current program on the given television channel on top of the video. As another example, when a particular program listing in an interactive television program listings display screen is highlighted, the user pressing INFO button <NUM> may cause an interactive television program guide to provide additional program information associated with that program listing (e.g., a program description, actor information, schedule information, etc.).

LOCK button <NUM> may be used to modify access privileges. For example, a parent may use LOCK button <NUM> or on-screen options to establish parental control settings for the interactive media guidance application. The parental control settings may be time-based settings (e.g., to prevent a child from watching television during a particular time block, such as from <NUM>:<NUM> PM to <NUM>:<NUM> PM). The parental control settings may also be used to, for example, block programming based on rating, channel, and program title. A locked or blocked program (or other media) is typically not viewable until the interactive media guidance application is provided with a suitable personal identification number (PIN). Once this PIN has been entered, the interactive media guidance application will unlock the user's equipment and allow the locked content to be accessed.

EXIT button <NUM> may be used to exit the interactive media guidance application or to exit a portion of the interactive media guidance application (e.g., to cause an interactive television program guide to remove a FLIP, BROWSE, or other interactive television overlay from the display screen). GUIDE button <NUM> may be used to invoke an interactive television program guide (e.g., a program guide menu screen, program listings screen, or other program guide screen).

The keys shown in <FIG> are merely illustrative. Other keys or buttons may be provided if desired. For example, a music button may be used to access music with the interactive media guidance application. An edit button may be used to edit stored content (e.g., to remove commercials, remove portions of a video, etc.). Alphanumeric buttons may be used to enter alphanumeric characters. A last or back button may be used to browse backward in the interactive media guidance application (e.g., to return to a previous channel, web page, or other display screen). Video recorder function buttons such as a play button, pause button, stop button, rewind button, fast-forward button, and record button, may be used to control video recorder functions (local or network-based) in system <NUM> (<FIG>). A help key may be used to invoke help functions such as context-sensitive on-screen help functions.

Illustrative user computer equipment <NUM> (<FIG>) is shown in <FIG>. User computer equipment <NUM> may be stand-alone or a part of home network <NUM> (<FIG>). In the arrangement of <FIG>, personal computer unit <NUM> may be controlled by the user using keyboard <NUM> and/or other suitable user input device such as a trackball, mouse, touch pad, touch screen, voice recognition system, or a remote control, such as remote control <NUM> of <FIG>. Video content such as television programming and interactive media guidance application display screens may be displayed on monitor <NUM>. Television and music programming, media guidance application data (e.g., television program guide data), video-on-demand content, video recordings played back from a network-based video recorder, and other data may be received from paths <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG>) using input/output <NUM>. User commands and other information generated as a result of user interactions with the interactive media guidance application and system <NUM> (<FIG>) may also be transmitted over input/output <NUM>.

Personal computer unit <NUM> may contain a television or video card, such as a television tuner card, for decoding analog, digital, and high-definition television channels and for handling streaming video content. Multiple video cards (e.g., tuner cards) may be provided if desired. An illustrative television tuner card that may be used may contain an analog television tuner for tuning to a given analog channel, digital decoding circuitry for filtering out a desired digital television or music channel from a packetized digital data stream, and a high-definition television tuner for tuning to a high-definition channel. Any suitable card or components in computer unit <NUM> may be used to handle video and other content delivered via input/output line <NUM> if desired.

Personal computer unit <NUM> may contain one or more processors (e.g., microprocessors) that are used to run the interactive media guidance application or a portion of the interactive media guidance application.

Personal computer unit <NUM> may include a hard drive, a recordable DVD drive, a recordable CD drive, or other suitable storage device or devices that store video, program guide data, and other content. The interactive media guidance application and personal computer unit <NUM> may use a storage device or devices to, for example, provide the functions of a personal video recorder.

User equipment, such as user equipment <NUM>, user television equipment <NUM>, user computer equipment <NUM>, and user equipment located on home network <NUM> (<FIG>), may be used with network equipment such as server <NUM>, server <NUM>, and equipment at service providers such as service provider <NUM> of <FIG> to provide network-based video recording functions. Video recording functions may be provided by storing copies of television programs and other video content on a remote server (e.g., server <NUM> or server <NUM>) or other network-based equipment, such as equipment at a service provider such as service provider <NUM>.

Video recordings may be made in response to user commands that are entered at user equipment <NUM> or user equipment located on home network <NUM> (<FIG>). In a digital video recorder arrangement, the interactive media guidance application may be used to record video locally on the user equipment in response to the user commands. In a network-based video recorder arrangement, the interactive media guidance application may be used to record video or to make virtual recordings (described below) on network equipment such as server <NUM>, server <NUM>, or equipment at service provider <NUM> in response to the user commands. The user commands may be provided to the network equipment over the communications paths shown in <FIG>. The digital video recorder arrangement and the network-based video recorder arrangement can support functions such as fast-forward, rewind, pause, play, and record.

To avoid unnecessary duplication in a network-based video recorder environment, system <NUM> may provide network-based video recording capabilities by using virtual copies or recordings. With this approach, each user may be provided with a personal area on the network that contains a list of that user's recordings. The video content need only be stored once (or a relatively small number of times) on the network equipment, even though a large number of users may have that video content listed as one of their recordings in their network-based video recorder personal area. Personal settings or any other suitable data may be stored in a user's personal area on the network.

The user television equipment and user computer equipment arrangements described above are merely illustrative. A more generalized embodiment of illustrative user equipment <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (<FIG>) and user equipment located on home network <NUM> (<FIG>) is shown in <FIG>. Control circuitry <NUM> is connected to input/output <NUM>. Input/output <NUM> may be connected to one or more communications paths such as paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of <FIG>. Media (e.g., television programming, music programming and web pages) may be received via input/output <NUM> (e.g., from programming sources <NUM>, servers or other equipment, such as server <NUM>, service providers such as service provider <NUM>, distribution facility <NUM>, etc.). Interactive media guidance application data, such as program schedule information for an interactive television program guide, may be received from data source <NUM> via input/output <NUM>. Input/output <NUM> may also be used to receive data from data source <NUM> for other interactive television applications. The user may use control circuitry <NUM> to send and receive commands, requests, and other suitable data using input/output <NUM>.

Control circuitry <NUM> may be based on any suitable processing circuitry <NUM> such as processing circuitry based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, etc. In some embodiments, control circuitry <NUM> executes instructions for an interactive media guidance application or other interactive application (e.g., web browser) from memory. Memory (e.g., random-access memory and read-only memory), hard drives, optical drives, or any other suitable memory or storage devices may be provided as storage <NUM> that is part of control circuitry <NUM>. Tuning circuitry such as one or more analog tuners, one or more MPEG-<NUM> decoders or other digital video circuitry, high-definition tuners, or any other suitable tuning or video circuits or combinations of such circuits may also be included as part of circuitry <NUM>. Encoding circuitry (e.g., for converting over-the-air, analog, or digital signals to MPEG signals for storage) may also be provided. The tuning and encoding circuitry may be used by the user equipment to receive and display, play, or record a particular television or music channel or other desired audio and video content (e.g., video-on-demand content or requested network-based or local video recorder playback). Television programming and other video and on-screen options and information may be displayed on display <NUM>. Display <NUM> may be a monitor, a television, or any other suitable equipment for displaying visual images. In some embodiments, display <NUM> may be HDTV-capable. Speakers <NUM> may be provided as part of a television or may be stand-alone units. Digital music and the audio component of videos displayed on display <NUM> may be played through speakers <NUM>. In some embodiments, the audio may be distributed to a receiver (not shown), which processes and outputs the audio via speakers <NUM>.

A user may control the control circuitry <NUM> using user input interface <NUM>. User input interface <NUM> may be any suitable user interface, such as a mouse, trackball, keypad, keyboard, touch screen, touch pad, voice recognition interface, or a remote control. The generalized description of the computer system depicted in <FIG> is exemplary of any general purpose computer system. To the extent that other elements of the media guidance system <NUM> utilize a computer system, the computer system components of <FIG> may be considered exemplary of the computer and/or communications systems components utilized by, for example, the clearinghouse <NUM>, server <NUM>, server <NUM>, distribution facility <NUM>, data source <NUM>, and like information servers.

Referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment, the interactive media guidance system <NUM> includes at least one media content source. The media content source may include, without limitation, data source <NUM>, programming sources <NUM>, service provider <NUM>, and server <NUM>. Each media content source may be configured to store certain media content. The media content may include a media program, a media program listing, a media program schedule, media content metadata, a user equipment device application, and/or a user equipment device application update. The media content metadata includes any data related to and/or descriptive of the media content. For example, the media content may include user comments, ratings, and/or recommendations related to certain media content. The metadata may include information identifying certain segments of media content that enable an IPG and/or user to select certain portions of a media program for viewing and/or recording. The metadata may include, without limitation, configuration, access control, copy control, and/or parental control information.

In certain embodiments, the interactive media guidance system <NUM> includes a user equipment device such as, for example, user equipment <NUM>, user television equipment <NUM>, and user computer equipment <NUM>. The user equipment <NUM>, in one embodiment, is configured to send a media control message to a destination such as, for example, the clearinghouse server <NUM>, the server <NUM>, and/or distribution facility <NUM>. The user equipment <NUM> is also capable, for example, of receiving the media content from a distribution facility <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the interactive media guidance system <NUM> includes at least one distribution facility <NUM> of a plurality of distribution facilities <NUM>. The distribution facility <NUM>, in certain embodiments, is configured for receiving a media control message from the clearinghouse <NUM>. In response to the media control message, the distribution facility <NUM> retrieves the requested and/or ordered media content from at least one media content source such as the data source <NUM>, service provider <NUM>, server <NUM>, and/or programming source <NUM>. Once the media content, e.g., a movie, is retrieved, the distribution facility can send the media content to at least one user equipment device <NUM>.

In one embodiment, a clearinghouse <NUM> is capable of communications with at least one of the media content sources <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and at least one distribution facility <NUM>. The clearinghouse may be configured for and/or capable of receiving a media control message from the user equipment device <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the clearinghouse processes each media control message. The processing may include, without limitation, converting a media control message from one information format to another information format. The clearinghouse, in certain embodiments, is configured for and/or capable of sending a media control message to at least one distribution facility <NUM>. The media control information may include, without limitation, an order for a media program order, a media program listing, a media program schedule, a user equipment device application, media content metadata, and/or a user equipment device application update.

In one embodiment, the information format of a message includes the message structure, arrangement, protocol, connection state (e.g., connection oriented or connectionless), encoding, ISO layer location and/or use, header content, and like message characteristics. For example, one format may include a markup language such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), Extensible Markup Language (XML), and/or Wireless Markup Language (WML). The information format may include, without limitation, an Internet Protocol (IP) packet, electronic mail (e-mail) message, flat file, data file, instant message, connection-oriented data stream, and/or circuit-switched information connection.

In one embodiment, the clearinghouse <NUM> includes a computer system running a network server application capable of communications with any one of a plurality of servers connected to the communications network <NUM>. The clearinghouse <NUM>, like other network communications servers, includes at least one transceiver to support input and output communication like, for example, the input/output <NUM> of <FIG>. In certain embodiments, the clearinghouse <NUM> includes the components of a general purpose computer system like the computer system shown in <FIG> related to user equipment devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram showing various applications within a clearinghouse <NUM> according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The clearinghouse <NUM> includes IPG application <NUM>, Web server application <NUM>, distribution server application <NUM>, and other applications <NUM>. The clearinghouse server also includes, without limitation, subscriber database <NUM>, applications database <NUM>, MSO provider database <NUM>, and media content database <NUM>. The media content database <NUM> may include, for example, media programs and/or media content metadata.

The IPG application <NUM> may allow users to remotely access television program listings in different display formats. For example, a user may desire to view a grid of program listings organized in a channel-ordered list. Alternatively, the user may desire to view program listings organized by time, by theme (movies, sports, etc.), or by title (i.e., alphabetically ordered). Because the clearinghouse <NUM> provides a backchannel communication link via the communications network <NUM> which enables two-way communications between a user equipment device <NUM> and the MSO network distribution facility <NUM>, users may interactively select "video on demand" (VOD) and "pay per view" (PPV) media content directly with the IPG <NUM> using their remote control unit or a suitable input device for viewing or recording.

In one embodiment, the clearinghouse <NUM> includes publicly and/or Internet accessible web server application <NUM> and/or website. The clearinghouse <NUM> may be remotely located from the location of other servers and the distribution facilities <NUM>. The clearinghouse <NUM> may be operated and/or controlled by a third party other than an MSO network provider and media content user.

<FIG> includes an exemplary view <NUM> of the display of information provided to a user equipment device <NUM> by the IPG <NUM> of the clearinghouse <NUM> according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

In one embodiment, the clearinghouse <NUM> includes a web server application <NUM>. The web server application <NUM> may include, for example, some or all of the capabilities of the IPG application <NUM>. To access the web server application <NUM>, a user equipment device <NUM> may include a web browser application. The clearinghouse <NUM> may include a distribution server application <NUM> that is capable of distributing media content or media applications to user equipment devices <NUM> and/or other information servers such as server <NUM>, service provider <NUM>, data source <NUM>, programming source <NUM>, server <NUM>, and/or the distribution facilities <NUM>.

For example, during an initial registration of a user equipment device <NUM> with the clearinghouse <NUM>, the clearinghouse <NUM> may determine that the user equipment device <NUM> needs a particular IPG application, IPG interface to the IPG <NUM>, or some other application to enable the user equipment device <NUM> to send a control message to and/or receive media content from a distribution facility <NUM> or other media content source. Thus, the clearinghouse <NUM> may download the application and/or make the application available for downloading to the user equipment device <NUM>. In certain embodiments, other applications <NUM> may perform validation, authorization, authentication, and other processes of the clearinghouse server <NUM>.

The clearinghouse <NUM>, in one embodiment, is capable of determining which distribution facility <NUM> of a plurality of distribution facilities <NUM> to send the media control message. The clearinghouse <NUM> may determine the destination distribution facility <NUM> by examining the location information of the user equipment device that originated the media control message and/or destination information of the media control message.

The clearinghouse <NUM> may validate, authorize, and/or authenticate the identity of a user equipment device <NUM>. The IPG application <NUM> and/or another application <NUM> may perform the validation, authorization, and/or authentication process. In one embodiment, the clearinghouse <NUM> includes a subscriber database <NUM> having a list of authorized user equipment devices <NUM> and associated identifiers. The clearinghouse <NUM> may compare a user equipment device <NUM> identifier included in the media control message with the list in subscriber database <NUM> to determine whether the media control message from the user equipment device <NUM> should be further processed or discarded. The media control message may include an MSO network identifier which may be compared with a list of MSO network identifiers in the database <NUM>.

The media control message may include a user password, passcode, cryptographic checksum, and/or message authentication code (cryptographic MAC) that enables the clearinghouse <NUM> to authenticate the media control message, user equipment device <NUM>, and/or user. Other subscriber-related information may be employed to authorize the further processing of a media control message. In one embodiment, the clearinghouse <NUM> determines whether certain user equipment devices <NUM> are authorized to send media control messages by examining location information associated with a media control message such as, without limitation, the IP address, media access control (MAC) address, user equipment device serial number, user subscription identifier, and any other like device <NUM> and/or user identifier.

<FIG> is a conceptual block diagram of an interactive media guidance system <NUM> including a clearinghouse <NUM> that facilitates the exchange of media control messages and media content between user equipment devices <NUM> and distribution facilities <NUM> according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. One problem with current media guidance systems is that the distribution facilities <NUM> of one MSO network provider may interpret and/or utilize media control messages having a different information format than the information format interpreted and/or utilized by distribution facilities <NUM> of another MSO network provider. In certain embodiments, the functionality of the clearinghouse <NUM> may be incorporated into a distribution facility <NUM>. In other embodiments, a clearinghouse <NUM> may not be required for the exchange of media control messages and media content between user equipment devices <NUM> and distribution facilities <NUM>.

<FIG> includes multiple user equipment devices 108a, 108b, and 108c and so on along with multiple distribution facilities 104a, 104b, and 104c, and so on. Each user equipment device <NUM> may be associated with a particular MSO network provider. Each distribution facility <NUM> may be associated with a particular MSO network provider. In one embodiment, the clearinghouse <NUM> exchanges data and/or information between the user equipment devices <NUM> and the distribution facilities <NUM>. The data and/or information may be included, without limitation, in a media control message, media content, network communications connection, and/or other information exchange mechanism via the communication network <NUM>. In one embodiment, the clearinghouse <NUM> converts the data and/or information exchanged between a user equipment device <NUM> and a distribution facility <NUM> into the information format required by the destination user equipment device <NUM> and/or distribution facility <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the clearinghouse <NUM> is capable of interpreting and/or generating media control messages in any one of a plurality of information formats. The clearinghouse <NUM>, in one embodiment, converts at least a portion of a media control message from a first information format into a second information format that corresponds to and/or can be interpreted by a selected destination distribution facility <NUM>. Thus, the clearinghouse <NUM>, in certain embodiments, advantageously enables a standard user equipment device <NUM> to communicate with any distribution facility <NUM>, regardless of the information format required by that particular distribution facility <NUM>. The clearinghouse <NUM>, acting as an intermediate server, further establishes a backchannel communications path from a standard user equipment device <NUM> to any distribution facility <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the media guidance system may include at least one media information server such as server <NUM> and/or server <NUM>. The media information server may act as an intermediary between the clearinghouse <NUM> and a distribution facility <NUM>. Thus, the media information server may be configured to receive a media control message from the clearinghouse <NUM> and then send the media control message to a distribution facility <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flow diagram of a process <NUM> for requesting media content information and/or services using a clearinghouse <NUM> within a media guidance system <NUM> according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. First, certain media content, e.g., music, movies, TV programs, is stored at one or more media content sources (Step <NUM>). To order certain media content, a user equipment device <NUM> sends to the clearinghouse <NUM> a media control message (Step <NUM>). Upon receiving the media control message (Step <NUM>), the clearinghouse <NUM> processes the media control message (Step <NUM>). Once processed, the clearinghouse <NUM> sends the media control message to at least one distribution facility <NUM> of a plurality of distribution facilities <NUM> (Step <NUM>). After receiving the media control message at the distribution facility <NUM> (Step <NUM>), the distribution facility <NUM> retrieves the media content from one or more media content sources, e.g., data source <NUM> and/or programming sources <NUM> (Step <NUM>). Once retrieved, the distribution facility <NUM> sends the media content to the user equipment device <NUM> (Step <NUM>) whereupon the user equipment device <NUM> receives the media content (Step <NUM>). <FIG> is illustrative of "ordering" a program, but the media control message and/or media control information may be for VCR-style commands also, such as fast forward, rewind, pause, slow motion, and like commands.

In certain embodiments, the clearinghouse <NUM> may act as an agent or central repository of media content information for one or more MSO network providers using media content database <NUM>. In one embodiment, the clearinghouse <NUM> performs the same functions as an IPG within, for example, server <NUM> with respect to providing media content listings and the capability for a user to designate certain programs for viewing and/or recording notifications. The clearinghouse <NUM> may maintain media content information locally and periodically interface with another media content source such as data source <NUM>, programming source <NUM>, and/or server provider <NUM> to update its media content information. The clearinghouse <NUM> may send and receive e-mail messages to interact with a user equipment device <NUM>.

In other embodiments, to facilitate media content delivery to a user equipment device <NUM>, the clearinghouse <NUM> may act as a proxy and relay messages between a user equipment device <NUM> and distribution facility <NUM>. Alternatively, the clearinghouse <NUM> may send a message to the distribution facility <NUM> to initiate media content delivery at the particular time. The clearinghouse <NUM> may have the capability to convert standard e-mail messages or web-based commands into multiple proprietary command formats for multiple distribution facilities <NUM>. These commands may be included in a media control message. Thus, in certain embodiments, the clearinghouse <NUM> enables end users to use a standard application such as SMS messaging and/or web browsing to control their media content delivery.

If an IPG application is not available within a user equipment device <NUM> initially, the user equipment device <NUM> may be capable of downloading the application from the clearinghouse <NUM> via links <NUM> and <NUM>, and communications network <NUM>. The IPG application <NUM>, web server application <NUM>, and/or other application <NUM> of the clearinghouse <NUM> may provide instructions regarding the downloading of an IPG application and/or other data to the user equipment device <NUM>.

Alternatively, the distribution facility <NUM> may provide download instructions on a web server within the server <NUM>. For example, a wireless capable user equipment device <NUM> or WCD <NUM> may initiate the downloading of a Brew® IPG application. The download instructions may be tailored to specify the particular download code needed to obtain the proper IPG program for a particular clearinghouse <NUM> and/or particular distribution facility <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the clearinghouse <NUM> includes a web server application <NUM> that provides the functionality of an IPG application <NUM> by presenting media content information to the user via a web browser application within a user equipment device <NUM>. The presentation format of the web server <NUM> may be similar to the format used by an IPG within a user equipment device <NUM>. Alternatively, the media content information may be formatted to leverage the multimedia capabilities of a web page based on HTML, XML, WML, or like markup language. The distribution application <NUM> may enable the downloading of, for example, Java™ or Brew® applications, or some other application capable of execution in certain user equipment devices <NUM>.

In one exemplary embodiment, a television set with an IPG, e.g., a media device, is bought at a store. However, there may be many different cable and satellite providers, e.g., media content sources, providing service across different geographical regions. It would be costly and possibly impractical to create an IPG that is capable of communicating with all of the different cable and satellite providers. However, one solution to this problem includes providing a central facility and/or clearinghouse <NUM>, e.g., tvguide. com, with which the IPG application can communicate. The clearinghouse <NUM> acts as a liaison between the media device and a particular cable or satellite service provider that the end user has picked or been assigned. The clearinghouse <NUM> converts user commands issued to the IPG at the media device and then sent to the clearinghouse <NUM> into a format that is understandable by the particular media content source. The media content source may then control delivery of the media content based on the user command. The clearinghouse <NUM> may be located centrally, for example, at tvguide com and provide a solution to enable VOD and real-time VCR-type control to one-way media broadcast systems, such as over the air, satellite, or one-way cable (mainly, analog) broadcasts.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a media guidance system <NUM> where a user equipment device <NUM> establishes back channel communications with a distribution facility <NUM> using a wireless communications network <NUM> and clearinghouse server <NUM> according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the user equipment device <NUM> includes a wireless transceiver <NUM>. Thus, the user equipment device <NUM> is capable of communicating with the clearinghouse <NUM> via the wireless communications network <NUM> and communications network <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the user equipment device <NUM> may utilize a wired connection to the communications network <NUM>. The wired connection may be via a wired backchannel network such as a local area network.

In operation, the user equipment device <NUM> establishes a data communications link and/or channel with wireless access network <NUM> via air interface <NUM> to exchange information with the clearinghouse server <NUM>. The wireless network <NUM> or wireless backchannel network may be, without limitation, a public land mobile network (PLMN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a personal area network (PAN), an ad hoc wireless network, and like wireless network. In one embodiment, the data channel and/or backchannel includes air interface <NUM>, wireless network <NUM>, and communication network <NUM>. Once a data channel is established, the user equipment device <NUM> employs an internal IPG, web browser, and/or other application such as an email client to exchange media content, media control messages, and/or media information with the clearinghouse <NUM>. The email client may be, without limitation, Eudora® and Microsoft Outlook®, and like email clients. The email client may be used to compose email messages that include text information or short message service (SMS) messages.

In certain embodiments, the user equipment device <NUM> interacts with the clearinghouse <NUM> which eliminates the need for an IPG that supports multiple, possibly proprietary, message and/or command formats that may be required by different distribution facilities <NUM>. In turn, the clearinghouse <NUM> relays information to and from different distribution facilities <NUM> by converting one or more generic media control messages and/or common command formats into an information format used by each distribution facility of each cable TV and/or satellite provider.

The wireless network <NUM> addresses a limitations with current media delivery systems, such as satellite media systems, by enabling the media guidance system <NUM> to provide real-time or near real-time backchannel communications from a media device and/or user equipment device <NUM> to a distribution facility <NUM> of a satellite provider. Without such a backchannel, a satellite provider must rely on traditional PSTN telephone connections that may provide periodic backchannel communications, but not in real-time or near real-time. Real-time or near real-time backchannel communications provides true VOD features and VCR-like functionality to satellite and one-way cable services. In certain embodiments, the wireless network <NUM> may be an existing home wireless local area network utilizing, for example, <NUM>. 11b WiFi access point which a user equipment device may automatically detect and connect to.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a media delivery system <NUM> using a remote control device <NUM> to establish a second data channel that facilitates back channel communications from a user equipment device <NUM> to a media content distribution facility <NUM> according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the remote control device <NUM> includes the wireless communications capabilities of a WCD <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the remote control <NUM> includes a display. In other embodiments, the remote control <NUM> does not include a display. The remote control <NUM> may establish a wireless data link with a user media device and/or user equipment device <NUM>. The wireless data link may include any one of an IR interface, Bluetooth interface, <NUM> interface, WiFi interface, wired LAN interface, or any like wired or wireless interface. The remote control <NUM> may also establish a link with any one of a public land mobile network (PLMN) <NUM>, a wireless access network <NUM>, a user equipment device 1202b via the transceiver <NUM>, or some other wireless network <NUM>. The remote control <NUM> further may not necessarily have a communications link with the user equipment device <NUM> and/or media device other than a user command input interface.

The user equipment and/or media device <NUM> (1202a and 1202b) may include, without limitation, a user equipment device <NUM>, a user television equipment device <NUM>, and a user computer equipment device <NUM>. For example, the WCD <NUM> may facilitate the delivery of communications from a cable TV 1202a to a cellular telephone network <NUM> which is then delivered to a distribution facility <NUM>. In certain embodiments, an IPG within the user equipment 1202a is capable of exchanging information with the distribution facility <NUM> via the second data channel established by the WCD <NUM> bridge from the user equipment 1202a to any one of the PLMN <NUM>, wireless access network <NUM>, another user equipment device 1202b, or other network <NUM>. Furthermore, the user equipment device 1202a may include capabilities such as a web browser, email messaging, SMS messaging, MMS messaging, and like messaging.

The user equipment device 1202a may also receive media program listing updates, application upgrades, and other information from the distribution facility <NUM> via the remote control <NUM>. The remote control <NUM> or WCD <NUM> may act as a switch, router, proxy, and/or relay device to facilitate the transfer of information between the user equipment device 1202a and any other device connected to the remote control <NUM> or WCD <NUM>. The user equipment devices 1202a and 1202b may include wireless transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> respectively that enable wireless communications using one or more wireless communications standards, protocols, and/or interfaces.

In another embodiment, a remote control <NUM> includes a display providing IPG information to a remote control <NUM> user. The user may interact with the remote control <NUM> to make PPV purchases or VCR-type commands (rewind, pause/play, fast forward) for VOD-type functionality, and the remote control <NUM> may communicate directly with a LAN without receiving input from a user equipment device, e.g., STB. The remote control <NUM> provides a communications bridge to a media content source. In certain embodiments where the remote control does not communicate with an end user device, the remote control <NUM> user acts as a "bridge" between the remote control <NUM> and the user equipment device. For example, the user views information displayed by the user equipment device <NUM> and then inputs commands into the remote control <NUM> in response to or to effect a response in the user equipment device <NUM>.

In operation, the user equipment device 1202a establishes a data communications link and/or channel with at least one of the wireless access network <NUM>, PLMN <NUM>, user equipment device 1202b, or another wireless network <NUM> respectively, via the remote control <NUM> to communicate with the distribution facility and/or a remote server such as the clearinghouse server <NUM>. In one embodiment, a communications link between the user equipment device 1202a and the WCD <NUM> is via a wired cable connection, IR, or separate wireless interface other than the link between the remote control <NUM> and one of the wireless networks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. For example, the remote control <NUM> may establish a first Bluetooth connection with the user equipment device 1202a and a second Bluetooth connection with the wireless access network <NUM>.

Once the data channel is established, an internal IPG, web browser, and/or other application such as an email client may exchange media content information in the same manner as described with respect to the WCD <NUM> in, for example, co-pending <CIT>, entitled "Interactive Media Content Delivery Using Enhanced Wireless Back Channel Communications," having Attorney Docket No. UV-307A. The email client may be, without limitation, Eudora® and Microsoft Outlook®, and like email clients. The email client may be used to compose and/or exchange email messages that include text information that is substantially the same as the types of text information provided in SMS messages.

In one embodiment, the remote control <NUM> transmits a user command to the user equipment device 1202a. The user equipment device 1202a then transmits media control information including the user command back to the remote control <NUM>. The remote control <NUM> then forwards this media control information onward to the a media content source, clearinghouse <NUM>, and/or distribution facility <NUM>.

The remote control may be a "buttons-only" remote with WiFi capabilities where the remote control issues commands to a user equipment device <NUM> (or <NUM>), e.g., STB. In this embodiment, a wireless link between the user equipment device and the remote control <NUM> (e.g., Bluetooth, IR, or WiFi) enables commands to then be transmitted back from the user equipment device <NUM> (or <NUM>) to the remote control <NUM>. The remote control <NUM> may then communicate with a network, such as wireless access network <NUM>, and via the Internet to a media content source such as distribution facility <NUM> (via a clearinghouse <NUM> in some instances). The commands may be included in a media control message. In a further embodiment, the media control messages are delivered to a - clearinghouse <NUM> to enable formatting of the messages before delivery to one or more distribution facilities <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A method for controlling streaming of media content to a media device, the method comprising:
receiving a first user input at a wireless communications device (<NUM>) to generate a first media control message for controlling delivery of the media content to the media device (<NUM>) which is remote from the wireless communications device;
transmitting the first media control message from the wireless communications device over a network;
receiving the first media control message over the network at a clearinghouse (<NUM>);
at the clearinghouse, determining a media provider distribution facility (<NUM>) to send the media control message to, based on the first media control message received from the wireless communications device (<NUM>);
converting the first media control message at the clearinghouse into a command format that is required by the determined media provider distribution facility (<NUM>);
transmitting the converted first media control message to the determined media provider distribution facility (<NUM>), wherein the converted first media control message contains information for use by the determined media provider distribution facility (<NUM>) to initiate streaming of the media content from the media provider distribution facility (<NUM>) to the media device (<NUM>);
receiving the media content at the media device; and
receiving a second user input at the wireless communications device to generate a second media control message for controlling playback of the media content at the media device.