Program storage, retrieval and management based on segmentation messages

摘要

Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed.

主权项

1. A method of storing expanses of portions of program signal streams by a program content distribution system, the method comprising:
receiving program signal streams from a plurality of sources of program content by a program content distribution system, the program signal stream comprising sequences of programs provided serially, wherein at least one of the program signal streams comprises at least one segmentation message defining a start of an expanse of the respective program signal stream and an end of the expanse based, at least in part, on a position of a respective segmentation message in the program signal stream; segmenting by the distribution system the at least one respective program signal stream into the expanse based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message, as the at least one program signal stream is received; creating an asset containing the expanse based, at least in part, on the at least one segmentation message, by the distribution system; and storing the created asset by the distribution system.