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Content storage method and systemRelated Patent Categories: Interactive Video Distribution Systems, Program, Message, Or Commercial Insertion Or Substitution, Specific To Individual User Or HouseholdContent storage method and system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060080703, Content storage method and system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/806,251, filed on Mar. 22, 2004. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates to content distribution techniques and to personal video recorders (PVRs). [0004] 2. Background Art [0005] The video cassette recorder (VCR) has been used for many years to allow users to record video programming to tape for personal use. Most modern video cassette recorders (VCRs) include a programmable memory to allow users to program the VCR in advance to later record a particular program. In this way, at the programmed time, the VCR tunes to the programmed channel and records the present video programming to tape. Over time, the VCR-programmable memory feature has been enhanced to simplify programming. [0006] Today, many viewers have turned to the personal video recorder (PVR) to record video programming for personal use. The PVR usually includes a hard disk drive and records video programming as digital video files on the hard disk drive. The PVR is able to provide all of the functionality associated with the traditional VCR, and provide some additional capabilities. One of these additional capabilities that has become quite popular is the ability to pause, rewind, and fast forward live broadcast programming. [0007] Existing PVRs have been quite successful, but some have perceived certain disadvantages associated with the PVR. U.S. Pub. No. 2003/0208767 A1 enumerates some perceived disadvantages of the PVR and describes network-based interactive programming and services. All content is recorded at the headend and a content license approach is utilized where a user may reserve programs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved content storage method that utilizes a file locker-based approach. A user has a personal file locker on the network. When content is stored in the user's file locker, it is available for the user to watch. This innovative file locker-based approach provides improvements over the existing PVR by, for example, providing added flexibility and economy of scale. At the same time, this innovative file locker-based approach may avoid some of the limitations associated with a content license approach. In this way, the personal file locker provides a solution that is not comprehended by the prior art. [0009] In carrying out the invention, a content storage method is provided for use in a content distribution network. The content distribution network provides broadcast video programming over the network to a plurality of users in accordance with a broadcasting schedule. The method comprises establishing a personal file locker on the network for a user. The file locker includes network storage space allocated for personal use by the user. The method further comprises establishing a content-storage-request database. The database tracks requests by the user for placing broadcast video programs into the user's file locker for personal use by the user. Requested content is stored in the user's file locker upon broadcast thereof and is thereafter made available to the user. Upon a request to view by the user, content stored in the user's file locker may be viewed. In this way, the invention provides a content storage area or file locker that a user can manage as if it were in his/her home. Operations supported include adding content, accessing content, and removing content. [0010] It is appreciated that the file locker-based approach provided by the invention provides flexibility and economy of scale by implementing a personal file locker for the user on the network. It is further appreciated that the file locker-based approach provided by the invention provides a personal storage-space allocation for personal use by the user and in this way may avoid some of the limitations associated with a content license approach. The invention provides an improved content storage method that provides the flexibility and economy of scale of a network solution, and provides the personal use and management of an in-home solution, brought together in the file locker-based method. [0011] At a more detailed level, the invention comprehends many possible features as further described below. The personal file locker may be established in any suitable way such as a directory or other file system/volume construct that is created to hold the user's content. A database entry in a file-locker database notes the details of the file locker. It is also to be appreciated that the content-storage-request database may be established in any suitable way. In a suitable approach, the content-storage-request database has entries corresponding to scheduled video programs, and a content-storage request by the user results in the addition of a pointer to the content-storage-request database entry for the requested program. The pointer points to the requesting user's file locker, or more specifically, points to the user's record in the file-locker database. When the pointer is added, the user's record in the file-locker database is also annotated so that the requests for that file locker can be tracked. [0012] In the approach just described, a request by the user to delete a previous content-storage request is handled by removing the previously added pointer and removing the corresponding annotation. [0013] Further, it is appreciated that the invention contemplates storing a requested video program to the user's file locker upon broadcast of the video program. It is further appreciated that the invention comprehends the storing of a requested video program to the user's file locker upon the general making of the video program available to the end user in any suitable fashion. [0014] With regard to storing the video program in the user's file locker, it is appreciated that any suitable data storage technique may be utilized to effectively get the data available at the appropriate file lockers. With regard to the later viewing of the stored video program, content viewing requests are authenticated to identify which subscriber is making the request so that access to a subscriber's file locker is limited to that subscriber. Preferably, the user may utilize pause, rewind, and fast forward features while viewing. [0015] Further, in carrying out the invention, a content storage system for use in a content distribution network is provided. The content distribution network provides broadcast video programming over the network to a plurality of users in accordance with a broadcasting schedule. The system comprises a personal file locker on the network for a user. The file locker is a construct created to hold the user's content and includes network storage space allocated for personal use by the user. The system further comprises a content-storage-request database for tracking requests by the user for placing broadcast video programs into the user's file locker for personal use by the user. The system further comprises computer instructions executable by a computer on the network. Upon the broadcasting of a video program for which there exists a request by the user to place the video program into the user's file locker, the computer instructions direct the storage of the video program in the user's file locker, and make the stored video program available to the user for viewing. [0016] The system may incorporate any of the various aspects of the content storage methods provided. As appropriate, computer instructions executable by a computer on the network are utilized to carry out various aspects of the invention. It is appreciated that the implementation of computer instructions executable by a computer may be achieved in any suitable way. In addition, it is appreciated that the content storage systems and methods may be used in other arrangements where broadcast programming is provided over a network and are not strictly limited to broadcast video programming arrangements. [0017] Further, in carrying out the invention, a content storage method is provided in which a plurality of personal file lockers are established on the network for a plurality of users. Each file locker includes network storage space allocated for personal use by the corresponding user. The method further comprises establishing a content-storage-request database for tracking requests by the plurality of users for placing broadcast video programs into their file lockers for personal use. The method further comprises, upon the broadcasting of a video program for which there exists at least one request by a user to place the program into the user's file locker, storing that video program in each requesting user's file locker. The stored video program is made available for viewing by each user whose file locker received the video program. [0018] In another aspect of the invention, a content storage system comprising a plurality of personal file lockers on the network for a plurality of users is provided. In the system, computer instructions executable by a computer on the network are utilized to store video programs in appropriate file lockers and make the stored video programs available for viewing by users. [0019] In addition to the various approaches described above for carrying out the invention in ways that involve providing content storage methods and systems that use a file locker-based approach, instantiation of the invention may take place in alternative ways and involve independent alternative approaches to carrying out the invention to achieve independent alternative embodiments of the invention. Thus, the invention as a whole comprehends various different alternative and independent approaches for carrying out the various concepts involved. [0020] In carrying out the invention in a first alternative approach, a method for time-shifted viewing of content for use in a content distribution network is provided. The content distribution network delivers a plurality of broadcast video programs over the network to a plurality of viewers in accordance with a broadcast schedule. The method comprises allocating a remote personal storage resource on the network for a user. The method further comprises receiving a request by the user for storage of a desired one or more of the broadcast video programs. The method further comprises, only if the request is received no later than a scheduled broadcast of the desired program, in response to the request automatically storing the desired video program in the user's remote personal storage resource upon the scheduled broadcasting of the desired video program. The method further comprises automatically making the stored video program available to the user over the network for viewing at a subsequent time specified by the user. [0021] At a more detailed level, the method in the first alternative approach comprehends further features. For example, a quantity limit on how much total content can be stored for the user in the remote personal storage resource may be established. For example, one or more limits for each of the stored video programs, including one or more limits selected from: {an expiration date, a maximum permitted number of repeated viewings} may be established. For example, the user may be charged a fee in exchange for raising one or more of the limits. Further, the desired broadcast video program may be a television series, and the user request may be a single interactive request for storage of a plurality of installments of the series. The content distribution network may include broadband network infrastructure selected from one or more of the following: {cable television network, satellite network, telephone network, wireless network, power line network}. The content distribution network may include packet-switched network infrastructure. Continue reading about Content storage method and system... Full patent description for Content storage method and system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Content storage method and system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Content storage method and system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Systems and methods for delivering content over a network Next Patent Application: Method and system for transmitting a video message to television set Industry Class: Interactive video distribution systems ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Content storage method and system patent info. 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