Patent Application
20110161813
Data collected from media consumers (e.g., viewers, listeners), especially data collected in real time, is highly desirable but difficult to obtain. Often such data collection requires a separate devices and/or interaction with live operators, which adds complexity to the overall process and tends to discourage viewers from participating. The difficulty of obtaining data is particularly prevalent with unidirectional broadcast media. Further, this complexity slows the process making it difficult to create a real-time interactive environment. Consequently, the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention provide improved mechanisms for collecting user responses that can be used to update media content.
Techniques and mechanisms are provided for collecting media consumer responses to confirm media content requested by the consumers and/or to adjust current media content based on the responses. According to particular embodiments, a user device is configured to display a barker screen that blocks at least a portion of its output interface. The barker screen may include a request to provide certain user input, which is then used to generate a response to be sent to a response processing server. In the same or other embodiments, a request for user input is transmitted from the media content switching server through a viewing medium, such as a unidirectional broadcast channel, to a user device. A response generated based on the user input is then received and processed.
Certain aspects of the present invention may be better explained by a way of following examples. Certain media content may be transmitted by a media content switching server using a unidirectional broadcast channel. When a user device attempts to switch to that channel, a barker screen may be first displayed on the user interface of the device. The barker screen may completely or partially block the media content. The barker screen may include a request for user input. In a particular example, the switch to the channel is not performed until user input is provided. Dynamically modified media content corresponding to the unidirectional broadcast channel is presented only after user input is received.
In another example, which may be integrated with the example above, a request is transmitted from a media content switching server to a user device. The user device may be switched to a unidirectional broadcasting channel, which is used for transmission of the request. The request may be configured to display a request screen on the output interface and to collect user input. A response generated based on user input is then received and processed and is used to adjust media content based on information contained in the response.
These and other features of the present invention will be presented in more detail in the following specification of the invention and the accompanying figures, which illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
The disclosure may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrates particular embodiments of the present invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to some specific examples of the invention including the best modes contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the described embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
For example, the techniques of the present invention will be described in the context of a particular user device, such as a mobile device. However, it should be noted that these techniques and mechanisms can be used with a variety of devices including a general computer system, a mobile device, a cable set-up box, a television, a cell phone, a Person Digital Assistant (PDA), and many others. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
Various techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be noted that some embodiments include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. For example, a processor is used in a variety of contexts. However, it will be appreciated that multiple processors can also be used while remaining within the scope of the present invention unless otherwise noted. Furthermore, the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes describe two entities as being connected. It should be noted that a connection between two entities does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, as a variety of other entities may reside between the two entities. For example, a processor may be connected to memory, but it will be appreciated that a variety of bridges and controllers may reside between the processor and memory. Consequently, a connection does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection unless otherwise noted.
The techniques and mechanisms of the present invention recognize that a broadcaster can benefit from confirming media content based on input from media consumers. In this document, media consumers are often referred to as users (e.g., user input). Further, media is often referred to as TV media. However, it should be understood that other forms of media (e.g., radio) are also within the scope of the present invention. User input generally requires some positive action from a user (e.g., pressing an area on a touch screen). However, these techniques and mechanisms may be also used to collect certain information stored on user devices. This process is sometimes referred to as “passive” collection. In certain embodiments, collected information (passive or active) is associated with corresponding media content. For example, a broadcaster may be interested to learn about a typical demographic profile of viewers of a particular program. This information may be used to tailor advertisement materials and/or to decide whether to modify or to discontinue the program.
Conventional media broadcasts (e.g., over the air TV or radio channel) use unidirectional transmission media, which can not be used to receive responses back from media consumers. Further, many conventional receivers have very limited mechanisms available for providing responses to media broadcasters. The techniques and mechanisms of the present invention recognize that media content can be made more interactive and/or more appropriate for the immediate viewing audience by modifying media broadcasts using real-time feedback. For example, responses and user information can be used to customize programming, tailor advertising content, create target product promotions, revise content streams, and recommend additional content even during conventional media broadcasts. Furthermore, user devices can also be used to supply additional information about the viewers and their respective devices.
Certain user devices provide a unique opportunity to implement techniques and mechanisms described herein due to their abilities to receive and process unidirectional broadcast signal from broadcasting transmitters and provide two-way communication over other wired or wireless networks, such as cellular networks. Therefore, even when media content is provided over conventional media broadcasts, a different communication modality could be used to send a response. More specifically, such user devices allow integrating multiple communication modalities while providing a unified user experience. Yet, in certain embodiments, media content is provided through a bi-directional network, such as the Internet. In these embodiments, both media content and user responses may be transmitted through the same network or communication medium. For example, Internet TV broadcast and user responses can be both transmitted to a mobile phone through a cellular network (e.g., a 3G network). In particular embodiments, a media content switching server could also be used as a response processing server. In other words, a user device may communicate with the same server both to receive media content and to provide a response.
According to various embodiments, a user device is connected to a response processing server through a cellular network, such as a 3G network. Examples of cellular networks include, but not limited to TDMA Single-Carrier, CDMA Multi-Carrier, CDMA Direct Spread, CDMA TDD, FDMA/TDMA, and IP-OFDMA. Cellular networks may be supported by different cell phone providers. In a specific example, at least two of the cellular networks that are used to collect user responses are supported by different cellular network providers. More generally, any network that allows two-way wired and/or wireless transmission to user devices may be used for collecting user responses, such as Wi-Fi, Muni Wi-Fi, General packet radio service (GPRS), iBurst, WiBro/WiMAX, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System-Time-Division Duplexing (UMTS-TDD), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO), Long Term Evolution (LTE), satellite, and many others. As noted above, a user device may receive media content from a media content switching server using one of the networks and technologies described above.
A viewing medium is used for transmitting media content, such as video, audio, text, and other forms of data. In certain embodiments, a viewing medium is a unidirectional broadcast, and media content is presented on a particular unidirectional broadcast channel. A user switches to a channel to access corresponding media content. A channel switching process is sometimes referred to as tuning to a channel. In particular embodiments, the viewing medium is based on a mobile digital TV transmission protocol and technologies, such as Advanced Television Systems Committee-Mobile/Handheld (ATSC-M/H) protocol, Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (T-DMB), Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld (DVB-H), etc.
According to particular embodiments, the system 100 includes one or more user devices 101-104 that are configured to receive and display media content, to receive user input, and to transmit a response based on user input. These functions can be performed using one or more communications media described above. Examples of user devices include various mobile devices, such as cell phones, smart-phones, personal digital assistants (PDA), media players, as well as personal computers, servers, TV set-up boxes, and other devices. Certain hardware aspects of a user device are described in the context of
In particular embodiments, a user device is configured to receive unidirectional media broadcast signals, such as TV and/or radio transmission signals, from one or more media content switching servers 141-142 These signals may include real-time audio and video streams, individual, non-real-time video and audio streams, etc. For the purposes of this document, a media content switching server may be any device that is used to deliver media content to one or more user devices 101-104. Examples of media content switching servers include a transmitter, repeater, gap-filler, and satellite. The media content switching servers 141-142 may use various technologies and protocols, listed above, to deliver the signal to the user devices 101-104.
According to particular embodiments, a broadcasting service (e.g., a TV or radio station) intially prepares media content that is converted into radio frequency signals by the media content switching servers 141-142 and that is transmitted to the user devices 101-104. The user devices 101-104 are configured to decode the received radio signals and to display media content corresponding to one or more channels on their user interfaces. The broadcasting service typically has content provider links as well as a content database (not shown).
In some embodiments, a response processing server 121 provides feedback to the media content switching servers 141-142. This feedback may be used for real-time adjustments of the media content or some future operations. For example, a broadcaster may collect certain data contained in such feedbacks over a period of time and use this data for statistical analysis and other purposes. The response processing server 121 may be operated by an entity (e.g., a service provider) that is different from a broadcaster. For example, one response processing server may be used to provide feedback to multiple broadcasters. In other embodiments, a response processing server 121 and a media content switching server 141 may be integrated into a single server. Such server may be used both to provide media content and to receive responses from user devices connected with bidirectional communications mechanisms.
According to particular embodiments, user devices 101-104 are configured to deliver responses to the response processing server 121 over wired and/or wireless bidirectional communication networks, such as cellular networks 111-112. An IP address or some other identifier of the response processing server 121 may be stored in the memory of the user device or transmitted together with a request. For example, a broadcaster may have its own designated response processing server. When a user switches to a media channel provided by this broadcaster and the broadcaster sends a request to the user, the request may include an IP address to transmit a response to that server.
At some point, the user interface may start displaying unobstructed media content 211 as shown in
A barker screen may be then presented for display on at least a portion the output interface (block 303). One such example is illustrated in
A device may then receive user input (block 305) that responds to a request displayed on the barker screen. A user device may have one or more input interfaces. It should be noted that a period of user inaction or a channel change event may also be considered as user input. In some embodiments, the operation 305 is not performed. For example, a request may include “passive collection” of information from the user device as described above.
Once the input is provided and/or data collected from the user device, the device may transmit a response to the response processing server (block 307). As described in the context of
After transmitting the response, the user device may receive a reply (block 309). A reply may be transmitted from the response processing server or from the media content switching server. In certain embodiments, a reply may include instructions to the user device for switching to a channel containing actual media content (e.g., switching from a barker channel to a media content channel). In particular embodiments, the response includes other channel suggestions, advertisement materials, and/or other instructions. It should be noted that receiving a reply (block 309) is an optional operation. A user device may proceed with displaying a media content based on the other triggering events as described below without receiving any replies.
At some point, a triggering event occurs resulting in media content displayed on the user interface (block 311). A triggering event may be completion of all requested user inputs, receipt of a response (operation 309), time out period, information contained in the user input or stored on the user device.
The technique may start with transmission of a request for user input to one or more user devices (block 331). In certain embodiments, a request is transmitted through a viewing medium. For example, a user device may be tuned to a particular media channel, and a request is transmitted as a part of the overall media content. In other embodiments, a request is transmitted through another medium (e.g., a bidirectional communication medium). In a particular example, a response processing server has information about user devices tuned to a particular channel. The server uses this information to transmit a request to these devices. A request may include instructions for user devices to display a request screen, which may be similar to a barker screen described above.
Once one or more users respond to the request, their user devices generate responses based on user inputs and transmit these responses to a response processing server. In addition to inputs provided by users, responses may include information stored and collected by the user devices (e.g., viewing profile, device characteristics, user location, user profile, etc.).
The responses are received by one or more response processing servers (block 333). As mentioned above, a request may include an address (e.g., an IP address) of a response processing server. In some examples, a user may transmit one response to one processing server and another response to another processing server. Further, the user device may transmit the same response to multiple servers. For example, a broadcaster, marketing entity, cellular phone service provider, and other entities may be interested in all or parts of information contained in the responses.
In certain embodiments, a response processing server waits for a predetermined period of time while receiving responses in operations 333. A request may provide some time for users to respond. Further, a period of time may be allocated for response transmission.
Received responses are then processed by a response processing server (block 335). Processing may be performed upon receiving each new response, upon receiving a predetermined number of the responses, after a predetermined period of time, or according to any other process initialization scheme. Often, the server processes responses in multiple batches in order to provide intermediate results to interested parties. For example, the broadcasting service may receive intermediate result and update the broadcast content with the “up-to-date” results while additional responses are being collected and processed by the server. Such scheme (i.e., broadcasting intermediate results) may encourage additional viewers to respond. Processing of the responses (block 335) may involve integrating responses from multiple users and, in certain embodiments, performing statistical analysis of the received data. (e.g., calculating averages, standard deviations, etc). Processing responses may involve updating a media channel dashboard, for example to display a total number of viewers, a number of viewers who responded to the request, information contained in the responses, correlations to the current media content, etc.
The results of operation 335 may be used to perform adjustments of media content (block 337), for example, to introduce media content more appropriate to the viewer profile indentified from the responses. In a particular example, responses may reveal that the respondents belong to a particular demographic category identified by the broadcaster. The broadcaster may use this information to introduce advertisement content specific to this demographic category. In general, viewer feedback may be used to improve viewer experience and/or maximize advertising effectiveness.
Further, certain data contained in responses may be collected over a period of time and may be stored on a response processing server and/or on a media content switching server. For example, a broadcaster may need to know how a particular show performs throughout the season and use this information to adjust its advertising practices (e.g., cost, content, duration, etc.). If data is stored on a response processing server by an entity other than the broadcaster, it may be delivered to or retrieved by a broadcaster for a certain fee.
In certain embodiments, response results from operation 335 are used to adjust media content in order to maximize a number of viewers belonging to a specific profile. For example, a broadcaster may be interested in presenting media content that would be more appropriate to a particular demographic group. Yet, the broadcaster may learn from the user responses that very few viewers belong to that group. The broadcaster may start integrating messages about upcoming media content in order to attract new viewers and retain existing viewers belonging to the target demographic group.
Certain operations of the technique illustrated in
Particular examples of interfaces supports include Ethernet interfaces, frame relay interfaces, cable interfaces, DSL interfaces, token ring interfaces, and the like. In addition, various very high-speed interfaces may be provided such as fast Ethernet interfaces, Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, ATM interfaces, HSSI interfaces, POS interfaces, FDDI interfaces and the like. Generally, these interfaces may include ports appropriate for communication with the appropriate media. In some cases, they may also include an independent processor and, in some instances, volatile RAM. The independent processors may control such communications intensive tasks as packet switching, media control and management.
Because such information and program instructions may be employed to implement the systems/methods described herein, the present invention relates to tangible, machine readable media that include program instructions, state information, etc. for performing various operations described herein. Examples of machine-readable media include hard disks, floppy disks, magnetic tape, optical media such as CD-ROM disks and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as optical disks, and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory devices (ROM) and programmable read-only memory devices (PROMs). Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in the form and details of the disclosed embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be interpreted to include all variations and equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
