Patent Application
20170163701
The present principles relate to multimedia content. In particular, the present principles relate to recommendations based on a rate of consumption of multimedia content.
Video on demand (“VOD”) allows users to consume multimedia content at any time that is convenient for the user. VOD services may be used in conjunction with mobile devices, such as laptops, mobile phones, or tablets.
As noted above, video on demand allows users to consume multimedia content at any time. Some multimedia content consumers may have friends with whom they can discuss the latest episodes of their favorite shows. These discussions may take place on social networking platforms. Oftentimes, a multimedia content consumer is not aware that one of their friends also consumed a similar show, until they see hints on a social network (e.g., comments or a posting of a clip of the show, etc.). Furthermore, some may feel excluded from their social network, when they are not privy to subplots and characters of a particular program discussed by their friends online. In this instance, the person may try to compensate by “binge watching” episodes on VOD, only to find that they are too far behind to catch up to their friends in a reasonable amount of time.
In view of the foregoing, disclosed herein are apparatus, methods and mediums that generate viewing recommendations to users of a social network, the recommendations based on a consumption velocity. In one example, an apparatus can comprise an interface with circuitry to communicate with a multimedia content provider network; a storage device to maintain social networking data; and at least one processor configured to: track, using the interface, consumption of multimedia content within a given social network of the social networking data in the storage device; identify a consumption velocity of each node in the given social network; and transmit a recommendation to at least one node in the given social network, the recommendation being based at least partially on the consumption velocity.
In a further example, the transmitted recommendation can include a consumption velocity of a node in the given social network. In one aspect, the recommendation comprises a message to encourage a consumption velocity competition within the given social network. To transmit the recommendation, the at least one processor of the apparatus can transmit the recommendation, for example, in a private newsfeed. In another example, the at least one processor is further configured to communicate an incentive to increase the consumption velocity. Each node in the given social network can comprise a multimedia device associated with a multimedia content consumer.
In yet another example, a method can comprise: tracking, using at least one processor, consumption of multimedia content within a given social network of social networking data stored in a storage device; identifying, using the at least one processor, a consumption velocity of each node in the given social network; and transmitting, using the at least one processor, a recommendation to at least one node in the given social network, the recommendation being based, at least partially, on the consumption velocity.
In yet another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium can contain instructions which, when executed, cause at least one processor to: track, using an interface, consumption of multimedia content within a given social network of social networking data stored in a storage device; identify a consumption velocity of each node in the given social network; and transmit a recommendation to at least one node in the given social network, the recommendation being based at least partially on the consumption velocity.
Thus, the techniques disclosed herein allow multimedia consumers to receive content recommendations based, at least partially, on the consumption of their friends. In turn, a user can stay informed of different plots and characters of a program and can participate in discussions about the program on line. The aspects, features and advantages of the present principles will be appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of examples and accompanying figures. The following description does not limit the application; rather, the scope of the present principles is defined by the appended claims and equivalents.
Computer apparatus 102 can also contain at least one processor that can be arranged as different processing cores. For ease of illustration, one processor 106 is shown in
Memory 108 can be any type of memory capable of storing information accessible by processor 106 including, but not limited to, a memory card, read only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), as well as other write-capable and read-only memories. Computer apparatus 102 can include different combinations of the foregoing, whereby different portions of the instructions and data are stored on different types of media.
In another example, memory 108 can be a non-transitory computer readable medium that can include any computer readable media with the exception of a transitory, propagating signal. Examples of non-transitory computer readable media can include one of many physical media such as, for example, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor media. More specific examples of suitable non-transitory computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, a portable magnetic computer diskette such as floppy diskettes or hard drives, an erasable programmable read-only memory, a portable compact disc or other storage devices that can be coupled to computer apparatus 102 directly or indirectly. The non-transitory computer readable media can also include any combination of the foregoing and/or other devices as well. While only one memory 108 is shown in
Network interface device 104 can include hardware components (e.g., chipsets, controllers, antennas, etc.) and/or software that allow computer apparatus 102 to communicate with other computers via a network, such as a local area network (“LAN”), wide area network (“WAN”), the Internet, etc. Network interface device 104 can support one or more various protocols including virtual private networks, local Ethernet networks, and private networks using communication protocols proprietary to one or more companies, cellular and wireless networks, hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and various combinations of the foregoing. In the example of
Multimedia content provider network 112 can transmit multimedia content to set top box 120. The system can provide broadcast content 114, VOD content 116 and other interactive features, which can be delivered using Internet Protocol television (“IPTV”). Computer apparatus 102 can track the consumption velocity of each node of a given social network in social networking database 110. The consumption velocities can be stored in consumption database 111. Each node in the social networking data can be a multimedia device, such as set top box 120, associated with a multimedia content consumer. As such, social networking database 110 can enable social networking features in the multimedia content provider network 112. Although the architecture of social networking database 110 and consumption database 111 are not limited by any particular data structure, the data therein can be stored in computer registers, in a relational database as a table having a plurality of different fields and records, extensible markup language (XML) documents or flat files. The data can also be formatted in any computer-readable format. The data can comprise any information sufficient to identify the relevant information, such as numbers, descriptive text, proprietary codes, references to data stored in other areas of the same memory or different memories (including other network locations) or information that is used by a function to calculate the relevant data.
A set top box 120 can comprise suitable circuitry to read signals from the multimedia content provider network 112 and output displayable information to the display 122. The set top box 120 can be a cable converter or digital television adapter. The source of the signal from multimedia provider network 112 can include, but is not limited to, an Ethernet cable, a satellite dish, a coaxial cable, a telephone line, and/or broadband over power lines. Set top box 120 can be configured to access multiple television delivery methods including, but not limited to, terrestrial, cable, Internet, satellite or a combination of the foregoing, and can also be enabled to access broadcast content 114 and VOD content 116. The set top box 120 can connect to display 122 in a wired or wireless configuration. In a wired configuration, set top box 120 can be connected to display 122 using, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port.
Working examples of the apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium are shown in
Referring now to
Referring back to
Referring back to
In addition to the above, the recommendation can be a group incentive to motivate a social network to watch programming together. In this instance, group discounts can be provided such that the cost of watching VOD programming together is less expensive for each member of a social network than watching the program individually. For example, group incentives can be offered to the users 408, 410, 412 of node 402, node 404 and node 406, respectively, of
In another embodiment, the recommendations can be provided in a private newsfeed. In one example, a private news feed can include a page of a television show displayed in a personal VOD account. Referring now to
In yet another embodiment, the profile pictures 502-508 can be disseminated via other means such as via email, social network postings and other media dissemination techniques, both temporary and permanent.
Advantageously, the above-described apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and method allow multimedia consumers to receive content recommendations based on the consumption velocity of friends in their social network. In turn, a user can stay informed of different plots and characters in a program and be able to participate in discussions with their friends. In this regard, an apparatus can monitor the consumption of each user in the social network and provide recommendations based at least partially on the tracked consumption.
Although the present principles herein have been described with reference to particular examples, it is to be understood that these examples are merely illustrative of the present principles. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications can be made to the examples and that other arrangements can be devised without departing from the scope of the present principles as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, while particular processes are shown in a specific order in the appended drawings, such processes are not limited to any particular order unless such order is expressly set forth herein. Rather, various steps can be handled in a different order or simultaneously, and steps can be omitted or added.
