Patent Application
20050240963
Content such as television programming can include, e.g., a programming service. An example of a programming service is a subscription programming service, such as, e.g., SHOWTIME, available from SHOWTIME NETWORKS INC. of New York, N.Y., USA. Content providers offer programming services as a product. An example of a content provider is, e.g., SHOWTIME NETWORKS INC. Content distributors own networks that can be used to distribute content. An example of a content distributor is, e.g., COMCAST CORPORATION of Philadelphia, Pa., USA, DIRECTV of El Segundo, Calif., USA, ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION of Englewood, Colo., USA, and TIME WARNER CABLE of Stamford, Conn., USA. Conventionally, content is distributed over various network platform types including, e.g., voice, data, cable television (CATV), wireless communications networks, direct broadcast satellite television, multichannel multipoint distribution service (MMDS) and wireless fidelity (WI-FI).
A large number of programming services can be provided to a viewer. The amount of channels a viewer has access to may number in the hundreds. It can be difficult for the viewer to determine what programs are on and to find the airdates and airtimes for their favorite programs. Programming guides have been introduced to help the viewer navigate through the large number of programming services available. Moreover, typical programming guides only provide information regarding the programs that are currently on and may cover hundreds of channels. Those few programming guides that do display programs that are showing days or weeks in advance are also typically based on when a programming is airing. As video on demand, digital video recorders (DVRs) and personal video recorders (PVRs) become more accessible, programs can be recorded and/or viewed as convenient for the viewer. The air time of a program is not a determining factor in what program to view. With the wide variety of options available, viewers require more information in order to help in making their viewing selections. Also, viewers desire in-depth information about their favorite shows and movies.
What is needed then is an improved technique of accessing enhanced content over content distribution systems that overcomes shortcomings of conventional solutions.
An interactive gateway according to an embodiment of the invention creates a centralized location that allows subscribers and non-subscribers to television channels to navigate interactive television features and added value content for the programming services available on the subscription channels. The programming services available on the subscription channels may include movies, original series, boxing and family programming. The interactive gateway can also introduce subscribers and non-subscribers to all of the channels and interactive services available from a particular content provider. In addition, viewers that have advanced set top boxes may be able to access full digital video recording capabilities, as well as set reminders to view programs. The interactive gateway provides the ability to interact and access an extraordinary amount of content. The interactive gateway also provides an easy, entertaining television viewing experience and provides viewers with the choice, control and convenience that they desire.
Although both subscriber and non-subscribers can access the interactive gateway, their experiences may be different. It may be preferable to present non-subscribers with promotional material regarding the programming services in order to entice non-subscribers to become subscribers. Subscribers are presented with the added-value content, in-depth information about the programming services and other features such as reminders, recording capabilities and the like.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises a computer readable medium storing computer readable program code for causing a computer to perform the steps of: receiving channel selection information from a viewer; determining if the viewer is a subscriber; providing an interactive gateway to the viewer, the interactive gateway providing an interface listing programs available to the viewer on a plurality of different channels to which the viewer is a subscriber; receiving a request for information via the interactive gateway regarding one of the listed channels from the viewer; and providing the requested information based on the subscription status of the viewer.
Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. A preferred exemplary embodiment is discussed below in the detailed description of the following drawings:
A preferred embodiment of the invention is discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art can recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention.
ITV environment 100 in an exemplary embodiment can include a content provider network operation center (NOC) 101, a plurality of ITV clients 116a, 116b, and a content distributor NOC 108, coupled to one another by content distributor network facilities 115. The ITV environment 100 of
Content provider NOC 101 can include, e.g., a software module 102 and a middleware module 103 running on top of a hardware module 104. The hardware module 104 may include a processor and associated memory. The content provider NOC 101 can also include a master control system 105 for assembling programming service content stored in a content storage facility 107 for distribution. The content provider NOC 101 can also include a distribution uplink 106 that can be used to upload content to the content distributor for distribution to ITV clients 116a, 116b.
Content distributor NOC 108 can include a software module 109, a middleware module 110, and an access control system 111a including, e.g., a conditional access subsystem 111b, running on a hardware module 112. A distribution downlink 113 can be used, in an exemplary embodiment, to download content from the content providers to the content distributor NOC 108, for temporary storage in content storage facility 114, prior to distribution via the content distributor network 115 to ITV clients 116a, 116b for viewing by viewers.
As shown in
The interactive television system described herein is exemplary only. The invention can also be implemented in many other types of interactive systems. For example, the content provider may communicate directly with the ITV clients 116a. Programming services, video and interactive television content may be provided directly to the viewer. Also, a back channel may be provided directly from the ITV client 116a to the content provider, without passing through a content distributor. A back channel is not necessary in all embodiments of the invention.
As will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, content provider NOC 101 can distribute content via distribution uplink 106 to content distributor NOC 108. Content distributor NOC 108 can receive the content from content provider NOC 101 via distribution downlink 113. Content distributor NOC 108 can then distribute content to ITV clients 116a, 116b through content distributor network facilities 115. Examples of content distributors include, e.g., COMCAST CORPORATION of Philadelphia, Pa., USA, DIRECTTV of El Segundo, Calif. USA, ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION of Englewood, Colo., USA, and TIME WARNER CABLE of Stamford, Conn. USA. Conventionally, content is distributed over various network platform types including voice, data, cable television (CATV), wireless communications networks, direct broadcast satellite television, multichannel multipoint distribution service (MMDS) and wireless fidelity (WI-FI).
The content provided to the ITV clients 116A may include a number of channels, such as broadcast network channels, cable channels, subscription channels, etc. These types of channels may be referred to as linear channels. Other types of programming services may also be provided, such as on demand video services. One of the channels may be an interactive gateway that provides information regarding programming services that are available on a selected subset of the plurality of channels provided to the viewer. The selected subset of channels may be further limited to those channels provided by a single content provider. For example, the selected subset of channels may include a number of premium or subscription channels such as Showtime, The Movie Channel, The Sundance Channel, etc., which are available from SHOWTIME NETWORKS INC. of New York, N.Y., USA.
The interactive gateway acts as a centralized application that allows subscribers and non-subscribers to navigate interactive television features and added value content for the programming services available on the subset of subscription channels. The programming services available on the subscription channels may include movies, original series, boxing and family programming. The interactive gateway can also introduce subscribers and non-subscribers to all of the channels and interactive services available from a particular content provider. In addition, the interactive gateway may provide a means of exploring high definition channels, video on demand and PVR/DVR features. Viewers that have advanced set top boxes may be able to access full digital video recording capabilities, as well as set reminders to view programs.
The interactive gateway provides the ability to interact and access an extraordinary amount of content. For example, the interactive gateway can also act as a gateway for video assets such as interviews, “making of” videos, behind the scenes clips, and trailers. The video assets may be displayed via the interactive gateway. The video may originate from a video on demand server, a hard drive on the client device, a linear feed, or IP delivery. The interactive gateway also provides an easy, entertaining television viewing experience and provides viewers with the choice, control and convenience that they desire. An example of an interactive gateway and its format is described in more detail below. Of course, other ways of presenting added value content and other services are also possible within the scope of the invention.
A viewer may enter the interactive gateway by selecting the appropriate channel number via their ITV client 116A. Alternatively, the interactive gateway may be accessed through a button on a remote control, through an on screen menu, or through a content distributor's portal, among many others. A main information screen for the interactive gateway is presented to the viewer. An example of a main screen 220 is shown in
The type of information presented to the viewer via the main screen 220 can be tailored to the viewer depending on whether the viewer is a subscriber or a non-subscriber. If the viewer has a set-top box, the smartcard or other device in the set-top box may be queried in order to determine a subscription status. Additionally, the subscription status may be obtained from the content distributor e.g. through connection to the content distributor's billing system. The content presented on the main screen 220 may then be altered accordingly. A first set of content may be provided to subscribers and a second set of content may be provided to non-subscribers. The first set of content may include added value content such as behind the scenes information, trivia, filmographies, program promotions, etc. The content may also enable a subscriber to schedule recording of a program. The second set of content may include marketing materials. The second set of content is focused on getting the non-subscriber to become a subscriber.
The options presented to a viewer may also vary depending on whether the viewer is a current subscriber or not. For example, the secondary navigation bar 224 includes a get Showtime button 225A and an on tonight button 225B. The get Showtime button 225A is provided for ordering the subscription channels. Selecting button 225A takes non-subscribers through an ordering process. If the viewer is already a subscriber, button 225A may not be presented. The content and functionality is preferably tailored to the viewer's subscription status. Selecting the on tonight button 225B displays the programming that is available on the subset of subscription channels for the current date. If the viewer is a non-subscriber, this button may not be presented or not enabled. Additionally, the viewer may be presented with a record button. The record button may be used to schedule the recording of a program. The record button may be presented to both subscribers and non-subscribers. However, if a non-subscriber selects this button, a message is displayed stating that this feature is only available to subscribers. The tone of the content presented can be varied based on the subscription status of the viewer. Those that are non-subscribers can be presented with marketing content to entice them to select the order option. The subscription status of the viewer should continue to be monitored as the viewer navigates through the interactive gateway to ensure that the viewer is supplied with the appropriate content. If the subscription status of the viewer changes, for example by selecting the get Showtime button 225A and subscribing, the change in subscription status is detected. The viewer is then presented with subscriber content.
In order to provide an easy navigation system, the content available on the interactive gateway may be organized into different sections in a convenient menu displayed in the primary navigation bar 222. The various video programs available for viewing are organized into different categories. In the embodiment shown in
If the viewer selects the series category, a series screen is presented. The series screen may show the available programming services that are organized into the series category. An example of a series screen 230 is shown in
Once the viewer selects a particular series from list 232, the viewer is presented with an introduction screen for the selected series. An example of an introduction screen 238 is shown in
If the viewer selects the episodes category from secondary navigation bar 224, the episodes screen 246 shown in
Selecting an episode from the list 250 displays a summary screen for the selected episode. An example of an episode summary screen 252 is shown in
The information provided to the viewer regarding the episode might entice the viewer to watch the show. Therefore, the viewer can be provided with a record/remind option. The record/remind option allows the viewer to record the episode or set a reminder that appears to remind the viewer when the episode next airs. Of course, this option is only available for episodes which have yet to air and for which an air date and time is available. A record/remind button 254 is presented in the secondary navigation bar 224 for this purpose. A play option, described below, may also be provided for available programming services, for example, programming services available via video on demand, stored or cached on a hard drive at the client device or otherwise available for play. Button 254 may read record or remind, depending of whether the viewer has a PVR or other recording means that the system can tie into. An application programming interface (API) may be provided that allows the PVR/DVR to be queried to determine its capabilities. In this example, no recording device has been located, so button 254 reads “Remind Me”. Once the viewer selects button 254, recording of the episode is automatically scheduled for recording or a reminder is automatically set. Again, an API may be provided to allow a recording request to be passed to the PVR/DVR. The recording request may include information identifying the program, a start time, duration, channel number, etc. In response to the recording request, the interactive gateway can send a confirmation, conflict or failure message. A pop up window may be displayed to inform the viewer that the recording/reminder is set or that other conditions exist.
If the cast button 242 is selected from the secondary navigation bar 224 on the series introduction screen 238, a cast screen is provided. The cast screen 258, an example of which is shown in
If the viewer selects the characters option 243 from the secondary navigation bar 224, a characters screen is presented. The characters screen displays a listing of the characters in the series, along with a short description of each character. In
Referring again to
If the viewer does not desire to select from one of the items shown in the promotion area, alternate points of access to movie information are provided via secondary navigation bar 224. Secondary navigation bar 224 includes an our picks button 272 and an all movies button 274. Both of these buttons provide access to functionality that helps the viewer navigate through the large number of available movies in order to quickly and easily locate the movie that the viewer is interested in. When the our picks button 270 is selected, the viewer is provided with a list of movie titles in content area 226. The movie titles are selected by someone other than the viewer, for example, the content provider, and are organized into an “Our Picks” category. The movies in the “Our Picks” category may be selected according to box office receipts, awards won, etc. The viewer can select a movie title from the list and obtain additional information about the movie via the movie summary screen, which is described in more detail below.
Secondary navigation bar 224 also includes an all movies button 274. As its name implies, all movies includes all of the movies available on all of the selected subscription channels. The number of movies available may be quite large and may be overwhelming to some viewers. Therefore, the all movies category is further broken down into sub-categories by genre. The genres may include classic, comedy, drama, etc. The viewer can filter through the list of movies using the different genres.
Once the viewer selects a genre, the available movies in that genre are displayed to the viewer in an alphabetical list 286 in content area 226. The genre navigation bar 280 displays the name of the active genre in field 284. The number of available movies in a genre may still be quite large and it may take an appreciable amount of time for the viewer to locate the desired movie. Therefore, screen 278 may also include twenty-six linkable buttons 287 that are labeled to correspond to the letters of the alphabet. The viewer can use these buttons to search through the movie titles in the active genre to locate a specific movie title. The viewer selects a button 287 and the available movie titles beginning with the corresponding letter are displayed in content area 226. In the example shown in
Once the viewer selects a particular movie, a movie summary screen for that movie is presented to the viewer. The movie summary screen can provide the viewer with an overview of the movie and other pertinent data, such as rating, running time, date released, genre, etc. An example of a movie summary screen 288 is shown in
The insider button 291 in secondary navigation bar 224 allows the viewer to obtain additional, in-depth information about the movie, such as box office, release date, official web site, filming locations, soundtrack listing, behind the scenes, trivia, and awards. Examples of insider screens 296A-296B are shown in
Secondary navigation bar 224 also provides a cast button 292. By selecting the cast button 292, a movie cast screen is presented. The movie cast screen may provide information about the actors in the film, their characters, and a biography or filmography for an actor. An example of a movie cast screen 304 is shown in
When the more link 307 is selected, an actor in movie screen is presented to the viewer. The actor in movie screens 308A, B shown in
Primary navigation bar 222 also allows the viewer to select from family and boxing categories. Selecting these categories presents the viewer with in-depth information via screens similar to those described above in connection with the series and movie categories. If the viewer selects the family category, an introductory screen is displayed. The introductory screen may present promotions related to family programming to the viewer. The viewer can select to retrieve additional information regarding the promotions or to search for a particular family program. The viewer is presented with a list of programs from which they can make a selection, similar to the process described above for movies. Once the viewer selects a particular program, a summary screen for the program is displayed. The summary screen provides the viewer with an overview of the program and all pertinent data such as rating, running time, date released, advanced program information, etc. In addition, the viewer may obtain additional information on the family movie or family series by selecting an insider option. Similar to the movie insider discussed above, the family insider allows the viewer to retrieve information regarding the box office, release date, web site, soundtrack listings, behind the scenes trivia and awards for the particular movie or series. The viewer can also select a cast option to retrieve information regarding the actors in the movie or program, their characters and select a specific biography or filmography for a member of the cast, similar to the functions described above in the movie cast screen. A record/reminder and/or play option may also be presented to the viewer.
If the viewer selects the boxing category from primary navigation bar 222, an introductory screen is presented that allows the viewer to select from a number of cycling promotions or to search for a particular program or other content. The viewer can search by events, fighters, or fights. Once the viewer selects a fighter or an event, the viewer is presented with a summary screen for that particular fight or fighters. At that point, the viewer can request information about a particular fighter, get insider information, set up a reminder, or record the event. If the viewer selects fighters, the viewer can also obtain information regarding the accomplishments of the fighter, the fighter profile, or complete ring record.
Accordingly, a viewer can use the interactive gateway to gain a vast amount of information regarding programs and movies being offered on the selected subset of channels, including the cast and characters of the movies and programs, and other in depth information. The interactive gateway provides a convenient and easy to use interface to navigate the large amount of information available, as well as to record programs and set reminders. A viewer may obtain programming information, added value content, schedule recording of programs, and access to subscription activation via the interactive gateway.
Some of the programming services covered by the interactive gateway may be available via video on demand. For these programs, a play button may be displayed next to the program name. The play button may be provided in menu 224 in addition to the record/remind button or in another location in any of the screens described above. The user can then select to play the program immediately instead or recording the program or waiting until the program's next scheduled air time. A link may also be provided to the on demand service.
As mentioned above, the viewer may use the interactive gateway to initiate the recording of programming services or to set reminders to view a program. In the navigation process discussed above, the viewer navigates through a series of categories of programs and screens in order to locate the program desired. The option to set a recording/reminder is presented once a particular program is identified. Only one program for recording/reminding is scheduled at a time. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the viewer is provided with the ability to schedule recordings/reminders for many different programs from a single screen. The main screen 220 may be provided with buttons in the secondary navigation bar 224 for different recording options. A first of these options may be called “Quick Picks”. An example of a quick picks screen 320 is shown in
The viewer can select programs from list 322 for recording. A check box 324 is arranged next to each program title in list 322. The check box 324 is used to select the programs to be recorded. The viewer simply uses the remote control to place a checkmark in the check box 324 next to the desired program title. After the viewer makes their selections, a record button is actuated. The selected movies are then automatically scheduled for recording. The interactive gateway can interact with a recorder to set the recording of the program, for example using an API in the manner described above. Thus, the viewer can quickly and easily schedule recordings of programs for viewing at a later time.
Since the interactive gateway provides information regarding programming services that are available on a plurality of different channels, a conflict may arise when two or more programs that are selected for recording are scheduled to air on separate channels at the same time. On some devices, multiple programs cannot typically be recorded at the same time. When this occurs, a conflict resolution process should be provided. Thus, the viewer does not need to resolve each conflict themselves as is the case with typical DVRs. The recording of multiple programs can be achieved simply, with minimal effort and navigation.
In the conflict resolution process, data for each of the programs selected from the quick picks list is obtained. The data contains every air date for all of the programs included in the list. As the viewer selects programs from the quick picks list, an attempt is made to schedule the recording of each selected program. Late night showings of the selected programs, for example from 3 am-5 am, that are least likely to conflict with previously scheduled recordings are first attempted to be scheduled. The airdate and airtime for the newly selected show is compared to the airdates and airtimes for previously scheduled recordings. If there is a conflict with the recording of a selected program, the next airdate or airtime for the conflicting show is attempted to be scheduled. The system continues to move through the list of air dates/times for the program until an available recording time is located. If all airdates for the newly selected program result in a conflict with already scheduled recordings, the list of air dates/times for the previously scheduled conflicting program is examined. The airdate and airtime for the previously scheduled recording is compared to the airdates and airtimes for the newly selected show to determine alternate recording times for the previously scheduled program. If a recording time for both programs that are in conflict can still not be scheduled, the viewer is presented with a dialogue box with options to manually resolve the conflict.
Once a program is recorded, the viewer can watch the program at their leisure. After viewing a program that has been recorded, the viewer may desire to delete the program from his PVR, computer, etc. If there is no record that the program has already been recorded, viewed and/or subsequently deleted, the program may be re-recorded. Therefore, a list is maintained of all previously recorded programs. A cookie or the like indicating which programs have been recorded can be used. Before a program is recorded, the list is consulted to ensure that a program is not duplicated once it has been successfully recorded. Alternatively, the previously recorded program may be omitted from the quick picks list if the program has been recorded or viewed by that viewer.
The quick picks feature is quite different from existing viewer interfaces provided for PVR recording. Existing interfaces typically depend on a programming grid that displays all the programs currently airing. The viewer is forced to perform a search or browse through a series of categories and subcategories often based on air time and date in order to locate the program they desire to record. This process may work well if the viewer knows exactly the program that they are looking for and when it airs or the category if the viewer is looking for a particular type of program. However, neither of these approaches offers the convenience or flexibility of the quick picks list.
As mentioned above, the quick picks list is compiled based on criteria provided by someone other than the viewer. The interactive gateway can also provide a feature that allows the viewer to specify the types of programs that they wish to record. The viewer can create a profile via the interactive gateway. Programs that match the viewer profile are automatically determined. The matching programs are then automatically scheduled for recording. An example of the process of creating a viewer profile is shown in
Next, the programming services available on the various channels are examined to determine those that fit the viewer's preferences. Those programs that match the viewer profile are identified. The programs may be selected from a master list, such as quick picks. The master list is filtered based on the user's preferences. This can be done by assigning the different programs scores in different categories and then matching programs with high scores in the particular categories with viewer profiles with corresponding high scores. Those programs that are identified as matching the viewer profile are automatically scheduled for recording on the viewer's PVR/DVR, personal computer, or other recording device. A list of those programs that are scheduled for recording is also saved in a database. The viewer can access the list of programs scheduled for recording at any time. The viewer can edit the list to add or delete programs, as they desire. Conflicts in the scheduling of the recording of programs are handled in the same manner as described above for the quick picks feature. The viewer can also edit their preferences and change their profile if desired.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the above discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
In a similar manner, the term “processor” may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that may be stored in registers and/or memory. A “computing platform” may comprise one or more processors.
Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatuses for performing the operations herein. An apparatus may be specially constructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose device selectively activated or reconfigured by a program stored in the device.
Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in one or a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Embodiments of the invention may also be implemented as instructions stored on a machine-readable medium, which may be read and executed by a computing platform to perform the operations described herein. A machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a machine-readable medium may include read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.), and others.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. While this invention has been particularly described and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood to those having ordinary skill in the art that changes in the above description or illustrations may be made with respect to formal detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
