A system for flexible, time/space delayed content consumption using virtual content containers

Abstract

Present (predominant) modes of video delivery – broadcast, cable, and satellite – are inflexible in terms of program times, viewing locations, and viewing devices. With increased mobility of users, together with the availability of a variety of viewing devices, the need for video consumption ‘anytime’, ‘anywhere’, ‘anyhow’ has been growing. This paper presents a model to support the above needs using entities called virtual content container (VCCs). The VCCs facilitate the selection of video content of interest, and subsequent consumption in time/space delayed manner, and provide flexibilities of viewing times, locations, and devices.