Abstract

Items of video content offered for viewing on a video-on-demand (VOD) platform of a digital TV service provider are each assigned a respective title and hierarchical address corresponding to hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories within which the title for the video content is to be categorized. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. The EPG dynamically adjust its display listings of each level of categories, subcategories, and titles in order to minimize the number of remote control keypresses needed for a viewer to navigate to a title of interest.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04N 5/445 - Receiver circuitry for displaying additional information

Abstract

Video content is uploaded via the Internet to a video-on-demand (VOD) server (40) identified by a title and a hierarchical address of categories and subcategories for categorizing the title. The VOD server (40) converts and stores the video content at a storage address in a video content database (45) linked to the title. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as in its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. This can enable many, new blogging or podcasting-like programs by popular 'Hosts' to be self-published on the Internet and readily navigated for display on TV. The EPG can also store TV program addresses as bookmarks and allow them to be shared with other subscribers or with friends and contacts online by sending to their email addresses.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
• G06F 13/00 - Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
• H04N 5/445 - Receiver circuitry for displaying additional information

Abstract

A video on-demand (VOD) content delivery system for a cable TV system comprising a VOD Application Server (10) located at a cable Head End which manages a Database (11) of templates for generating templatized VOD content in response to requests for specific video content elements by viewer request signals transmitted from the TV equipment (21) of a viewer to the Cable Head End, and a Video Server (12) for storing video content encoded as video content elements and for supplying a requested video content element in response to the VOD Application Server (10) for delivery to the TV equipment of the viewer.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04N 7/173 - Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• H04N 5/445 - Receiver circuitry for displaying additional information