System And Method For Delivering Audio Visual Content

Abstract

A method of communicating audiovisual content to a viewer includes determining viewing preferences associated with a viewer, communicating the preference to a content controller, identifying an audiovisual content file corresponding to the preference, broadcasting the identified audiovisual content file over-the-air (OTA) to a set-top-box and storing the audiovisual content file.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS/CLAIM FOR PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/831,136 filed on Apr. 8, 2019. This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/578,159 filed on Sep. 20, 2019 and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/591,767 filed on Oct. 3, 2019. The subject matter of each of these applications is incorporated in their entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure is directed to audiovisual (AV) content transmission and more specifically, to caching the content for a viewer.

A recently adapted television standard, ATSC 3.0 (Advanced Television Systems Committee) provides for the broadcast (over the air, OTA) of television signals in a format that is similar to the format of data that is communicated over a broadband/internet connection.

OTA interface is a traditional communication path for broadcasting to all receivers within a physical viewing or receiving range. Transmission over a broadband (or network), on the other hand, can take place via unicast (one destination) or multicast (multiple destinations).

Traditional consumer ISPs (Internet service providers), utilizing unicast data networks, are overwhelmed by video streaming traffic. During the peak hours (typically between 5 to 10 PM), video streaming can consume as much as 90% of bandwidth. During non-peak periods, bandwidth is abundant and the marginal cost is effectively zero because ISPs pay by bandwidth rather than aggregate packets sent/received.

Video content distribution companies were traditionally tied to a specific delivery mechanism. Broadcast companies were tied to RF-based (Radio Frequency) broadcasts over antennas. Cable companies were tied to QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) delivery over HFC (Hybrid Fiber Coaxial) cable. Telephone communication companies used their direct, individual wiring (such as twisted-pair copper wires and later, fiber) to consumers' homes to deliver their content.

Broadcast mechanisms (such as cable, satellite, RF antenna Over-the-Air) require significant up-front investment but then have a significantly reduced cost of delivery as the number of consumers watching a particular program increase.

For any audiovisual (AV) content distribution company, consumer usage patterns tend to ebb and flow. At times, many consumers view lots of programs and at other times, they view fewer programs. Content distribution companies need to plan their distribution capacity according to the peaks of their customers' viewing habits. There will be time periods where their capacity will be unused. In addition, some distribution methods will have metered pricing, and that metered pricing may also have different rates based on the time of day.

What is desired is a system and a method for efficiently broadcasting audiovisual content to viewers.

The terms “user”, “viewer”, “customer” and “consumer” are used interchangeably within this disclosure. The terms “AV signals”, “AV content” and “AV program” are also used interchangeably.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of delivering audiovisual content to a viewer is disclosed. The method comprises: determining viewing preferences associated with a viewer; communicating the preference to a content controller; identifying an audiovisual content file corresponding to the preference; broadcasting the identified audiovisual content file over-the-air (OTA) to a set-top-box; and storing the audiovisual content file.

According another exemplary embodiment, a system for providing audiovisual content to a viewer is disclosed. The system comprises a controller and a set-top-box. The controller is configured: to receive a viewer preference for an audiovisual content file; and to broadcast the audiovisual content file over the air. The set-top-box is configured to communicate the viewer preference to the controller; and to store the received broadcast audiovisual content file.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, a set-top-box or application is disclosed. The set-top-box or application comprises: a communication interface, a processor and a memory. The communication interface is configured to: receive broadcast audiovisual signals via an antenna; and receive and transmit data via a network connection wherein the transmitted data includes viewing preferences of a viewer. The processor is configured to convert the received audiovisual signals into a display format. The memory stores the converted audiovisual signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The several features, objects, and advantages of exemplary embodiments will be understood by reading this description in conjunction with the drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a designated market area (DMA) broadcast system according to exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a central content controller according to exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a set-top-box (STB) according to emplary embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a method according to exemplary embodiments; and

FIG. 6 illustrates the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with other exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. The embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the exemplary embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to an “exemplary embodiment” or “exemplary embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic as described is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of these terms and similar phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

In an exemplary scenario, a viewer may wish to view an AV program at a time of her choosing. According to exemplary embodiments, the AV program may be broadcast over the air (OTA) as a file and stored or cached on a viewer's set-top-box (STB) or in the memory of an application so the viewer can watch the program. The AV content can be broadcast and stored in a memory during time periods that are optimal to the content distribution company. Such stored content may be viewed by the viewer at his leisure.

According to exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are disclosed for communicating audio visual (AV) content to a viewer. Signals corresponding to the AV content may be broadcast over-the-air (OTA) and cached at the viewer premises.

A system in accordance with exemplary embodiments may be described with reference to FIG. 1. System 100 may comprise a central content controller (CCC) 101 and a plurality of content controller proxies (CCPs) 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150. CCC 101 may be located in the cloud. Communication between CCC 101 and CCPs 110-150 may be over a network 105. It may be a satellite, fiber, cable, or the like. The communication may be via an IP (internet protocol), WISP (wireless internet service provider), 5G or broadband connection.

Each of the CCPs may be associated with a designated market area (DMA). CCP 110 may be associated with DMA1 as illustrated. Each CCP may receive instructions from CCC 101 to perform particular tasks. That is, the functionality of CCPs 110-150 may be controlled by CCC 101. Each CCP may provide information on its corresponding DMA to the CCC.

Each of the CCPs may serve a DMA that includes a plurality of user premises. One such user premise 115 is illustrated. CCP1 110 may broadcast audio visual (AV) signals 114 over the air (OTA) using a broadcast tower 112. User premise 115 may receive the broadcast signals 114. User premise 115 may communicate with CCC 101 or with CCP1 110 via network 105.

In some embodiments, AV content files may be archived in a memory located at CCC 101. AV content files may also be stored in one or more contents server 160 located in the cloud—it need not be co-located with CCC 101. The AV content (located at 101 or 160 for example) may be accessible to CCC 101 as well as to CCPs 110-150. Content server 160 may also be controlled by CCC 101.

Each of CCPs 510-550 may broadcast content that is specific to the corresponding DMA. Such “local” content may be from channels or sources specific to the DMA. As an example, CCP1 110 may correspond to a DMA associated with Boise, ID and may broadcast AV signals for programming that is specific to Boise such as news, weather, sports, school information, traffic, etc. CCP4 140 may correspond to a DMA associated with San Francisco, Calif. and may broadcast AV signals for programming that is specific to San Francisco.

An exemplary system for implementation in a designated market area (DMA) is illustrated in FIG. 2. In system 200, two viewer premises 220 and 230 are shown purely for illustrative purposes—many such premises exist within a typical DMA. In the following description, functionality associated with systems and methods of viewer premise 220 are highlighted. The description can apply similarly to any and all other viewer premises such as premise 230 for example.

System 200 may include a content controller proxy (CCP1) 210 broadcasting over the air (OTA) AV signals 214 within a DMA using a broadcast tower/antenna 212. The broadcast signals may be received by any viewer premise having an antenna within the DMA.

Viewer premise 220 may include an antenna 226 for receiving the broadcast AV signals. The AV signals received by the antenna can be processed by a set-top-box (STB) 222. Viewer premise 220 may also include, inter alio, a communication interface 224 and a monitor 228.

AV content may also be communicated as data files via network 205 (similar to network 105 of FIG. 1). The files communicated over network 205 may be received at user premise 220 by communication interface 224.

The broadcast AV signals received by antenna 226 and AV content received by interface 224 may be processed (decoded, etc.) by STB 222 and stored in a memory associated with the STB. The AV signals and/or content may be displayed on monitor 228.

Data may be communicated by/from STB 222 to CCP1 210 via network 205 (as well as to CCC 101 of FIG. 1). User interactions/preferences can be communicated by STB 222 for example.

STB 222 of FIG. 2 is depicted as a hardware device purely for illustrative purposes. STB 222 can also be software application. It can be a software application running on a smart TV for example. Therefore, a set-top-box (STB) as referred to in this disclosure can encompass a hardware and/or a software implementation/version.

A central content controller (CCC) in accordance with exemplary embodiments is illustrated in FIG. 3. CCC 300 may include, but is not limited to, a processor 310, a memory 320, a communication interface 330 and a system bus 340 for interconnecting each of these components in a known manner. A CCP may comprise similar components as CCC 300 and may be configured similar to CCC 300.

Interface 330 may provide communication between CCC 300 (or CCC 101 of FIG. 1) and the plurality of CCPs in their respective DMAs and STBs 222, 232 (of FIG. 2). CCC 300 may be a server located in the cloud. The communication between CCC 300 and the CCPs and/or STBs 222, 232 may be via network 105 (of FIG. 1) or 205 (of FIG. 2).

CCC 300 may have AV content stored within memory 320. In some embodiments, AV content may be archived in multiple locations.

A set-top-box (STB) in accordance with exemplary embodiments is illustrated in FIG. 4. STB 400 (labeled as 222 in FIG. 2) may include, but not limited to, a processor 410, a memory 420, a communication interface 430 and a system bus 440 for interconnecting each of these components in a known manner.

Communication interface 430 may receive viewer inputs via a remote control or a keyboard or other such input device 450. Interface 430 may receive AV content via an antenna 470 (if signal is broadcast/broadcast multicast for example) or from IP, WISP, 5G and broadband 480.

Interface 430 may also provide communication with a display or monitor (e.g. TV) 460 for displaying AV content. The display may have audio output for playing the audio component of the AV content. Interface 430 may also communicate data with CCC 101 of FIG. 1 or the corresponding CCP (one of 110-150 of FIG. 1 for example). The data may include viewer input. The data may also include viewer profile generated by/within STB 400. Memory 420 may store the received audiovisual data for viewing at a time chosen by the viewer.

The STB could be any reception device. It need not be limited to a typical hardware device as highlighted above. It can be any device (or software) that comprises, but not be limited to, a processor, storage, internet connection and broadcast reception. It can be a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop, a desktop or the like. It can be an app running on any of these devices. Each of those components (or software modules) may be in a single device or in multiple devices (such as network-attached storage, etc.).

A method 500 in accordance with exemplary embodiments is illustrated in FIG. 5. A viewer preference may be determined at 510. A viewer may identify a plurality of programs or AV content files the viewer wishes to view (a “wish list” of sorts). A list of available programs may be presented to the viewer in known manner such as based on programs viewed or by a search initiated by the viewer. The viewer may interact with a set-top-box (STB) via a remote control, a mouse, a pointing device, via voice, etc.

In some embodiments, viewer preference may be determined using predictive modeling techniques. Such techniques may identify programs based on viewer's viewing habits, for example. The set of pre-distributed content can also be targeted per viewer, using past viewing habits as a predictor for future viewing. This content can be free to the viewer, can be included in a subscription plan, can be paid for with an individual transaction or can be monetized via advertising.

In addition to stated viewer preferences or automatically predicted viewer preferences, an editor can decide what to include in a broadcast. This can be relevant at the initial stages before migration or evolution to the predictive modeling techniques.

The preferences may be determined and stored in memory associated with STB 222 (of FIG. 2). Set-top-box 222 may communicate the preferences expressly indicated by the viewer or preferences determined by the predictive techniques to CCC 101 (of FIG. 1).

The preference may be communicated at 520. An AV file corresponding to the communicated preference may be identified at 530. The identified AV file may be communicated at 540. The communicated AV file may be stored at 550.

The stored content may be removed upon viewing of the received file or upon reaching pre-set expiration date for example. The broadcast may utilize digital sub-channels for broadcasting the identified AV content.

In some embodiments, a DMA can be served without a dedicated content controller proxy (CCP) as illustrated in FIG. 6. In system 600, DMA1 (and viewer premise 615) may have content broadcast from CCC 601 or from an AV content server 660.

In embodiments where a CCP is not present within a DMA, programming or content that is relevant to the particular DMA may be received by CCC 601 or server 660 from the broadcasring source (such as a channel local to that particular DMA for example). Server 660 may also comprise components similar to those of CCP 101 (or 601) and be configured similarly. A CCP may be used as a backup in certain implementations to provide redundancy.

In some embodiments, CCC 101 may receive multiple preferences from one viewer, one preference from multiple viewers or multiple preferences from multiple viewers. CCC 101 may then identify a plurality of AV files corresponding to these preferences. The AV files may then be broadcast in a carouseling manner. That is, if N files are identified for broadcast, then they can be broadcast sequentially from file 1 to file N in the following sequence: 1, 2, 3, . . . , N. Upon broadcasting of N files, the process may be repeated starting with file 1 and continuing to file N. Each file may be broadcast in its entirety before the next file is broadcast.

The broadcast list may be dynamic (i.e. not static). During broadcasting of files 1 to N, other files may be added and some may be removed. If a file is added, it can be assigned file number N+1. If a file a removed, identification of the remaining files may be moved up by one (e.g. file 5 can become file 4, etc.).

In other embodiments also using the carouseling manner, a (first) portion of each of files 1, 2, 3, . . . , N may be broadcast sequentially followed by a (second) portion of these files (i.e. 1, 2, 3, . . . , N). This process may continue until all portions of all the files are broadcast. The entire process may repeat itself upon the broadcast of all files and portions thereof. That is, the files may be broadcast in a loop that can be repeated a pre-designated number of times over a pre-set period of time.

AV files may be added to the list based on new preferences being received by CCC 300 (of FIG. 3 or CCC 101 of FIG. 1). Upon successful receipt of a particular file (that corresponds to a preference sent by a STB), the STB may send a receipt acknowledgement to CCC 300. If no additional unfulfilled requests for that particular file remain, the AV content file may be removed from the broadcast list.

AV content files may be broadcast in a compressed format for decompression by a STB. Only the STBs that requested a particular AV file may receive the file broadcast by a controller. In this regard, the broadcast may effectively operate in a broadcast-multicast manner. That is, even though an AV content file is being broadcast (available to any antenna within a service area of the broadcast source), only the STBs that requested a particular AV file may be able/allowed/authorized to receive the file.

STBs may also receive partial files. The STB may be turned off during a portion of the broadcast. It may be using all of its tuners for other files, broadcasts or video streams. Power outages or weather conditions may also interference with receiving the broadcast.

Every storable segment of the broadcast will have a unique identifier that associates that segment of content with the overall AV file that it is a part of. Each segment will also know the total number of segments for the file as well as what number it is in the total count. So for example, if a STB gets a partial broadcast of a file, it would know that it has segments 7-24 of AV file X and that when AV file X is broadcast again in the carousel, it only needs to store segments 1-6.

The missing file elements or remaining portions can be acquired in a following or subsequent broadcast (carouseling). If the need to have the complete file is more urgent, the remaining or incomplete portions of a file can be received over an IP unicast connection.

An audiovisual content file received by STB 400 may be stored in memory 420. If a requested or desired program is already cached on the device (i.e. STB), the content may readily be available for the viewer.

Using broadcast distribution technologies, the content distributor can rotate what content is available for download using a carouseling technique. The various devices that consume content can then download and store that content as it is broadcast. Over time, each device will collect the full set of broadcasted content.

This may necessitate a catalog of content to be sent ahead of time to a STB so that it (the STB) knows what content should be on its local storage and can keep track of what has been stored and what has not been stored. This catalog can be targeted and personalized per user.

If the full catalog may take a significant amount of time to be fully downloaded, and if most of the content has been downloaded and some key parts have not, the STB can locate and fill in the missing parts of its catalog via unicast delivery of content (instead of waiting for the content to arrive via the broadcast carousel). This can be done at a time of day when unicast delivery is less expensive.

The AV content that is broadcast and cached at a viewer premise may be broadcast at different speeds. It can be broadcast at a higher speed by increasing the bandwidth that is allocated for broadcast. The file size of an encoded video file can be decreased. This can be accomplished by utilizing a more effective codec compression such as going from H.264 to HEVC/H.265 or by reducing the bitrate that the file is encoded; that is, decreasing the quality by reducing the amount of space that each frame of the video takes up or by reducing the resolution of the video file (from 4K to 1080p or 720p). A number of techniques can be combined to reduce the file size even further.

In this scenario, an AV file that might be 30 minutes in duration for viewing may be broadcast in less than that time (i.e. <30 minutes).

A smaller file (with a constant bandwidth) can be transmitted at a faster rate. Conversely, a larger file (with a constant bandwidth) can be transmitted at a slower rate.

An AV file may be broadcast at a lower speed by decreasing the bandwidth allocated for the broadcast. It can also be reduced by increasing the resolution. In this scenario, an AV file that might be 30 minutes in duration for viewing may be broadcast in more than that time (i.e. >30 minutes).

Although exemplary embodiments have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made which will achieve some of the advantages of embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Such modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Further, in the description and the appended claims the meaning of “comprising” is not to be understood as excluding other elements or steps. Further, “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality, and a single unit may fulfill the functions of several means recited in the claims.

The above description of illustrated embodiments and what is described in the Abstract below, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Although specific embodiments of and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as will be recognized by those skilled in relevant art.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Claims

1. A method of communicating audiovisual (AV) content to a viewer, the method comprising the steps of:

determining viewing preferences associated with a viewer;

communicating the preferences to a content controller;

identifying an audiovisual content file corresponding to the preferences;

broadcasting the identified audiovisual content file over-the-air (OTA) to a set-top-box associated with a viewer; and

storing the audiovisual content file.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an input from the viewer, the input representing the viewer preferences.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating the preferences via a network connection.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the viewer preference based on a viewer profile.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the viewer profile is based on predictive modeling.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a plurality of audiovisual content files corresponding to the preferences; and

broadcasting the identified plurality of audiovisual content files in a carouseling manner that is repeated in a loop.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining that at least a portion of a content file has been broadcast; and

requesting the already broadcast portion be submitted via a unicast connection.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining that at least one of identified content files has been broadcast;

waiting for a next loop to broadcast the at least one identified file;

receiving the at least one identified file; and

storing the received file.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

broadcasting a catalog to at least one of a plurality of viewers, wherein the catalog identifies a plurality of audiovisual content files designated for transmission to the at least one viewer.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

broadcasting the audiovisual content files during a non-peak time.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

broadcasting the audiovisual content files via sub-channels.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

removing files from memory upon an occurrence of a pre-determined event.

13. A system for providing audiovisual content to a viewer, comprising:

a controller configured to receive a viewer preference for an audiovisual content file; and to broadcast the audiovisual content file over the air; and

a set-top-box associated with a viewer, the box configured to communicate the viewer preference to the controller; and to store the received broadcast audiovisual content file.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a network connection for providing a communication link from the set-top-box to the controller.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a plurality of set-top-boxes communicating preferences for a plurality of viewers to the controller; and

the controller is further configured to broadcast the audiovisual content files utilizing a carouseling technique.

16. A set-top-box comprising:

a communication interface configured to: receive broadcast audiovisual signals via an antenna; and receive and transmit data via a network connection, the transmitted data including viewing preferences of a viewer;

a processor configured to: convert the received audiovisual signals into a display format; and

a memory for storing the converted audiovisual signals.