Programming distribbution system

Abstract

A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of programs having a counterpart in the second set of programs. A request from a user for program control over one of the programs in the first set of programs is detected. A determination whether the requested program has a counterpart program stored on the server is made. If so, the counterpart program form the server is played under the control of the user.

1 . A method for distributing programming, the method comprising:
 transmitting a set of programs in real time according to a schedule of programming;   identifying a subset of programs of the set of programs for which associated content is available for controlled viewing, wherein controlled viewing enables a user to activate one or more commands to control the play of at least part of a program;   transmitting one or more notification symbols to be displayed to the user to indicate that the subset of programs are available for controlled viewing, distinguished from other programs not available for controlled viewing; and   transmitting an interface selectable by the user to activate the one or more commands.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting a listing of programs available to the user, wherein the listing includes the one or more notification symbols.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that the user has tuned to a particular program of the subset of programs;   transmitting a first signal causing a notification symbol of the one or more notification symbols to be superimposed on the particular program; and   transmitting a second signal to permit the user to activate one or more commands to control the play of at least a part of the particular program.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more notification symbols is an icon. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more notification symbol is an alphanumeric string. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting a request of the user to control playback of a specific program;   determining whether to authorize playback control of the specific program; and   upon determining that playback control is authorized, transmitting a signal to indicate that the user is authorized to control playback of the specific program.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 determining whether the subset of programs comprises the specific program.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 identifying whether the user is a subscriber to a subscription service.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, upon determining that playback control is authorized, transmitting carrier and digital channel information corresponding to the specific program. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more commands comprise commands to pause, rewind, start or fast-forward the program. 
     
     
         11 . A method of showing programming, the method comprising:
 displaying a first program in real-time;   notifying a viewer that controlled viewing of the first program is available, wherein controlled viewing enables the viewer to control the play of at least part of the first program;   receiving a viewer signal requesting the ability to control the play of at least part of the first program;   determining that the viewer is authorized to control the play of at least part of the first program;   receiving a viewer command identifying a temporal feature of the play of at least part of the first program; and   displaying the at least part of the first program at a time in accordance with the viewer command.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 displaying a second program in real-time, wherein the viewer is not notified that controlled viewing of the second program is available.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein notifying the viewer comprises superimposing a notification symbol on the displayed real-time first program. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein notifying the viewer comprises superimposing a notification symbol on a portion of a program listing associated with the first program. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the program listing comprises a program schedule. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining whether the first program is a program associated with a subscription service; and   determining whether the user is a subscriber to the subscription service.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the viewer command comprises a fast-forward command, a pause command, a play command, or a rewind command.