User devices are sometimes used to receive a content file (e.g., a video content file, an audio content file, etc.) from a content provider via a network. User devices can modify playback of the content file to skip a portion of the content file in which the user may not be interested (e.g., an advertisement). Manually modifying playback of the content file is often cumbersome and time-consuming.
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.
Systems and/or methods, as described herein, may permit a user device to receive and execute a script associated with a particular content file (e.g., a video or audio content file stored by a user device, a content storage device, or a live streaming content file corresponding to a live television broadcast or a live web broadcast). For example, the script may include an instruction to modify playback of the particular content file, such as an instruction to direct the user device to start playback of the particular content file, pause playback of the particular content file at a particular time index, fast forward playback of the particular content file at a particular time index, or rewind playback of the particular content file at a particular time index.
In some implementations, the systems and/or methods may store respective scripts for multiple content files. Thus, each content file may be associated with one or more custom scripts, which may be selected by a user of the user device. The user device may execute the selected custom script to modify playback of the content file.
In
As a result, different content files may include respective scripts with instructions to direct the user device to begin playback, pause playback, rewind playback, fast forward playback, or modify playback of the particular content file in some other manner. Additionally, or alternatively, a script may direct the user device to perform some other task (e.g., open a web page, play a different content file, open an application, etc.). In some implementations, a particular script may be associated with a payment charge value. Thus, a user, associated with the user device, may agree to incur a charge in exchange for being able to use the script.
User device 210 may include a device capable of communicating via a network, such as network 260. For example, user device 210 may correspond to a mobile communication device (e.g., a smart phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA)), a portable computer device (e.g., a laptop or a tablet computer), a gaming device, a set-top box, a desktop computer, or some other device. In some implementations, user device 210 may communicate with discovery server 220 to request a particular content file stored by provider server 250. User device 210 may include an associated display (e.g., a television display, a monitor, etc.). In some implementations, user device 210 may correspond to a client device, such as computing device to provide a script for a particular content file to script server 230.
Discovery server 220 may include a computing device, such as a server device, or a collection of server devices. In some implementations, discovery server 220 may receive an indication of a selection of a particular content file selected by user device 210 (e.g., a content file stored by user device 210, provider server 250, or stored by some other device). As described above, discovery server 220 may determine an identifier of the particular content file and may store information that identifies a script associated with the particular content file. In some implementations, discovery server 220 may determine an identifier of user device 210 and may identify a script associated with the identifier of user device 210 and the identifier of the particular content file. For example, a particular script for a particular content file may be accessible by a first user device 210 but not accessible by a second user device 210.
In some implementations, discovery server 220 may receive an indication, from script server 230, that a script has been provided for storage to script server 230. In some implementations, discovery server 220 may communicate with billing server 240 to identify that a particular script (e.g., a script having an associated payment charge value) has been delivered to user device 210.
Script server 230 may include a computing device, such as a server device, or a collection of server devices. In some implementations, script server 230 may store a script associated with a particular content file. As described above, script server 230 may receive an instruction from discovery server 220 to provide a particular script to user device 210 when discovery server 220 identifies the particular script associated with a particular content file requested by user device 210. In some implementations, script server 230 may receive scripts from user device 210 (e.g., via a user interface of user device 210), from provider server 250, or from some other source. Script server 230 may assign a script identifier to a received script for storage.
Billing server 240 may include a computing device, such as a server device, or a collection of server devices. In some implementations, billing server 240 may receive script delivery information from script server 230. In some implementations, billing server 240 may perform a billing settlement function to assess debits and credits to corresponding accounts of user device 210, provider server 250, or some other account, based on the script delivery information received by discovery server 220.
Provider server 250 may include a computing device, such as a server device, or a collection of server devices. In some implementations, provider server 250 may store a particular content file and may provide the particular content file to user device 210 (e.g., via a caching server or via some other intermediate server). In some implementations, provider server 250 may be associated with an owner of the particular content file and may provide scripts to script server 230 for delivery to user device 210 at an advertised payment charge value. Additionally, or alternatively, provider server 250 may be associated with a live broadcasting headend system, such as a system to provide a content file (e.g., in the form of a live television broadcast or a live web broadcast).
Network 260 may include one or more wired and/or wireless networks. For example, network 250 may include a cellular network, a public land mobile network (PLMN), a second generation (2G) network, a third generation (3G) network, a fourth generation (4G) network, a fifth generation (5G) network, and/or another network. Additionally, or alternatively, network 260 may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan network (MAN), a telephone network (e.g., the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)), an ad hoc network, a managed IP network, a virtual private network (VPN), an intranet, the Internet, a fiber optic-based network, and/or combination of these or other types of networks.
The quantity of devices and/or networks, illustrated in
As shown in
Bus 305 may include a path that permits communication among the components of device 300. Processor 310 may include a processor, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another type of processor that interprets and executes instructions. Main memory 315 may include a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device that stores information or instructions for execution by processor 310. ROM 320 may include a ROM device or another type of static storage device that stores static information or instructions for use by processor 310. Storage device 325 may include a magnetic storage medium, such as a hard disk drive, or a removable memory, such as a flash memory.
Input device 330 may include a component that permits an operator to input information to device 300, such as a control button, a keyboard, a keypad, or another type of input device. Output device 335 may include a component that outputs information to the operator, such as a light emitting diode (LED), a display, or another type of output device. Communication interface 340 may include any transceiver-like mechanism that enables device 300 to communicate with other devices or networks. In one implementation, communication interface 340 may include a wireless interface, a wired interface, or a combination of a wireless interface and a wired interface.
Device 300 may perform certain operations, as described in detail below. Device 300 may perform these operations in response to processor 310 executing software instructions contained in a computer-readable medium, such as main memory 315. A computer-readable medium may be defined as a non-transitory memory device. A memory device may include memory space within a single physical storage device or memory space spread across multiple physical storage devices.
The software instructions may be read into main memory 315 from another computer-readable medium, such as storage device 325, or from another device via communication interface 340. The software instructions contained in main memory 315 may direct processor 310 to perform processes that will be described later. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement processes described herein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.
A particular instance of data structure 400 may contain different information and/or fields than another instance of data structure 400. In some implementations, each entry in data structure 400 may relate to a particular content file having an associated script stored by script server 230.
As shown in
File ID field 410 may include information to uniquely identify a particular content file having an associated script stored by script server 230. For example, file ID field 410 may store a string of characters to identify the particular content file. While a particular format of an identifier stored by file ID field 410 is shown in
File name field 420 may include information, such as a narrative, that describes a particular content file associated with a particular file ID. As an example shown in
Script ID field 430 may include information to uniquely identify one or more scripts stored by script server 230 associated with a particular content file. For example, script ID field 430 may store a string of characters to identify a particular script. As an example shown in
Provider ID field 440 may include information to uniquely identify a provider associated with a particular content file. For example, provider ID field 440 may store an account number, or some other identifier, to identify the provider associated with the particular content file and/or with a particular script. For example, provider ID field 440 may store information to identify a particular provider server 250 which user device 210 may communicate with to receive the particular content file and identify an account, associated with a particular provider server 250, with which to credit a payment charge value (e.g., when the script has an associated payment charge value).
Payment charge field 450 may include information to identify a payment charge value associated with a particular script. For example, provider server 250 may provide the particular script to script server 230 for delivery to user device 210 for a cost corresponding to the payment charge value. As an example, payment charge field 450 may store information to identify a payment charge value of $0.99 for the script ID of 5128, and a payment charge value of $0.49 for the script ID of 8456.
Authorized user device IDs field 460 may include information to identify particular user devices 210 that are authorized to receive a particular script. For example, an owner of the particular script (e.g., provider server 250, a particular user device 210, etc.) may provide information to identify user devices 210 that are authorized to receive the particular script. In some implementations, authorized user device IDs field 460 may store information to identify that any user device 210 may receive a particular script. For example, authorized user device IDs field 460 may store an indication, such as “public,” to identify that the particular script is authorized to be received by any user device 210.
While particular fields are shown in a particular format in data structure 400, in practice, data structure 400 may include additional fields, fewer fields, different fields, or differently arranged fields than are shown in
A particular instance of data structure 500 may contain different information and/or fields than another instance of data structure 500. In some implementations, data structure 500 may correspond to instructions associated with a particular script. Another instance of data structure 500 may correspond to instructions associated with another script.
As shown in
Script ID field 510 may store information to identify a script stored by script server 230 and corresponding to a script ID stored by script ID field 430.
Script instructions field 520 may store instructions associated with the particular script of data structure 500. In some implementations, script instructions field 520 may store an instruction which user device 210 may execute. In some implementations, script instructions field 520 may store instructions which user device 210 may execute in a particular order. For example, script instructions field 520 may store an instruction, such as PLAY(300) to initiate playback of a corresponding content file for 300 seconds. Script instructions field 520 may store an instruction, such as PAUSE(10) to pause playback of the corresponding content file for 10 seconds after initiating playback for 300 seconds. Script instructions field 520 may store an instruction, such as SKIP(30) to fast forward playback of the corresponding content file for 30 seconds. Script instructions field 520 may store an instruction, such as PLAY(END) to initiate playback of the corresponding content file until the end of the content file. Additionally, or alternatively, script instructions field 520 may store an instruction to modify the playback of the corresponding content file in some other manner.
While particular fields are shown in a particular format in data structure 500, in practice, data structure 500 may include additional fields, fewer fields, different fields, or differently arranged fields than are shown in
As shown in
Process 600 may also include providing a script query to script server 230 (block 620). For example, discovery server 220 may provide the identifier associated with the particular content file and the identifier associated with the user device to script server 230 as part of a script query to script server 230. In some implementations, the script query may include a request for information to identify whether a script, associated with the particular content file, is being stored by script server 230. In some implementations, script server 230 may identify whether a script, associated with the particular content file, is being stored by performing a search for the identifier of the particular content file in data structure 400 (e.g., in file ID field 410). Additionally, script server 230 may determine whether user device 210 is authorized to receive an identified script file based on performing a search for the identifier of user device 210 in data structure 400 (e.g., in authorized user device IDs field 460).
Process 600 may further include receiving a script response (block 630). For example, discovery server 220 may receive the script response from script server 230 based on providing script server 230 with the script query and based on script server 230 identifying whether a script is being stored by script server 230, as described above. In some implementations, the script response may include a script list to identify one or more scripts associated with the particular content file, and may include information for each script, such as a script identifier, a script description, and/or a payment charge value. Alternatively, the script response may include an indication that script server 230 is not storing a script associated with the particular content file.
Process 600 may also include providing the script list to the user device (block 640). For example, discovery server 220 may provide the script list to user device 210 based on receiving the script list, as described above. In some implementations, user device 210 may present the script list on a content platform or a user interface of user device 210. For example, user device 210 may present the script list including a description of each script in the script list, an associated payment charge value of each script, and/or some other information regarding each script. In some implementations, the script list may list scripts in order of popularity (e.g., based on a number of requests for the scripts), ratings (e.g., based on user feedback ratings), payment charge values, or in some other order. In some implementations, the script may direct user device 210 to request, from a user of user device 210, information regarding a rating of the script (e.g., a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” voting system, or some other type of rating system to rate the script).
Process 600 may further include receiving an indication of the selection of a script (block 650). For example, discovery server 220 may receive an indication of the selection of a script when a user, associated with user device 210, selects a particular script via the content platform or user interface of user device 210. In some implementations, discovery server 220 may receive an indication of a selection to omit providing user device 210 with a script (e.g., when a user, of user device 210, selects to not apply a script to the particular content file or selects to forgo an associated payment charge value of a script).
Process 600 may also include providing a script to the user device (block 660). For example, discovery server 220 may send an instruction to script server 230 to direct script server 230 to provide a script to user device 210. In some implementations, the script may correspond to the selected script, as described above with respect to block 650. Alternatively, the script may correspond to a default script. Alternatively, the script may correspond to a single script associated with the particular content file (e.g., when script server 230 stores a single script associated with the particular content file). As described above, user device 210 may apply the script to the particular content file by executing instructions associated with the script (e.g., instructions that direct user device to begin playback of the particular content file, to fast forward during a time period associated with a commercial time period of the particular content file, or modify playback of the particular content file in some other manner).
Process 600 may also include providing script delivery information to a billing server (block 670). For example, discovery server 220 may provide information to billing server 240 that a particular script having, an associated payment charge, has been delivered to user device 210. In some implementations, discovery server 220 may also provide information regarding user device 210 (e.g., an identifier of user device 210, an account number associated with a user of user device 210, etc.) and may provide a provider ID, associated with the script, to billing server 240. As described above, billing server 240 may perform a billing settlement function based on script delivery information received by discovery server 220.
While a particular series of blocks has been described above with regard to
In some implementations, block 640-650 may be omitted when script server 230 stores a single script associated with the particular content and/or when a default script is associated with the particular content file. Further, blocks 660-670 may be omitted when discovery server 220 receives a selection, from user device 210, to not provide user device 210 with a script. Additionally, block 670 may be omitted when no payment charge value is associated with the script provided to user device 210.
In
As further shown in
As described above, different content files may include respective scripts with instructions to direct user device 210 to start playback, pause playback, rewind playback, fast forward playback, or modify playback of a particular content file in some other manner. In some implementations, a particular script may be associated with a payment charge value, such as a payment charge value. Thus, a user, associated with the user device, may agree to incur a charge in exchange for being able to use the script. Further, each content file may be associated with a script that directs the user device to skip a portion of the content file having an advertisement, or directs the user device to modify playback of the content file in some other manner.
The foregoing description provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the possible implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations.
It will be apparent that different examples of the description provided above may be implemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardware in the implementations illustrated in the figures. The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement these examples is not limiting of the implementations. Thus, the operation and behavior of these examples were described without reference to the specific software code—it being understood that software and control hardware can be designed to implement these examples based on the description herein.
Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the possible implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one other claim, the disclosure of the possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.
No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.