Patent Application
20100043037
Video on Demand (VOD) (also known as television (TV)-based VOD, on-demand television, movies-on-demand, content on demand, on-demand programming, VOD on the web, VOD on cable, pay-as-you-go, Internet-on-demand video, entertainment on demand, etc.) may utilize the Internet, intranets, and/or a multitude of other networks. VOD content can be viewed using many different electronic devices, such as, telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal computers, set-top boxes (STBs), portable media devices, etc. VOD allows viewers to select video and its accompanying content, and have the video/content sent for viewing to their STB, personal computer, mobile telephone, etc. If the VOD is to be viewed on a TV, the video/content might be stored in a customer's digital video recorder (DVR). In such cases, the customer could watch the program retrieved from the DVR's hard drive. For cable television, the customer typically can watch VOD video/content directly from a network head-end.
Subscription video on demand (SVOD), referred to herein as subscription video packages, may include movie and/or programming packages associated with scheduled events. Subscription video packages may enable (e.g., for a fixed fee) subscribers to have unlimited access to movies and/or programming during a specific time period (e.g., such as a month). However, marketing every single type of subscription video package (e.g., packages targeting different ethnic segments) requires prohibitively substantial resources (e.g., time, money, manpower, etc.). Thus, to discover an un-purchased subscription video package requires the user to happen upon a channel offering the un-purchased subscription video package via a search or via a remote control input. Such a method for discovering subscription video packages is inefficient and fails to adequately promote subscription video packages.
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention.
Systems and/or methods described herein may enable companies (e.g., companies providing subscription video packages) to promote subscription video packages (e.g., SVOD) based on various information (e.g., subscription video package demand information, demographic information, event information, past order information, etc.) to subscribers. The systems and/or methods may provide feedback so that the companies may promote desired subscription video packages to the appropriate users. In one implementation, for example, the systems and/or methods may receive demand, event, past order, and/or demographic information associated with a subscription video package, and may determine a subscription video package advertisement based on the received information. The systems and/or methods may provide the subscription video package advertisement to a set-top box (STB) and/or user device for display, and may receive, from the STB and/or user device, a request for the subscription video package based on the subscription video package advertisement. The systems and/or methods may provide the requested subscription video package to the STB and/or user device for display and/or storage.
A “subscription video package,” as the term is used herein, is to be broadly construed to include, for example, SVOD, TV-based VOD, on-demand television, movies-on-demand, content on demand, on-demand programming, VOD on the web, VOD on cable, pay-as-you-go (PAYG), all day movies, live-streaming video and on-demand streaming video, Internet-on-demand video, Internet Protocol (IP)-based video, IPTV broadcasting, Internet high definition television (HDTV), Internet video, web video, video webcasting, webcasting, broadcast Internet, switched digital video (SDV), sports on demand, application on demand, entertainment on demand, information on demand, news on demand, on-demand services, television on demand, switched-on TV, anything-on-demand, a television programming package (e.g., a sports package that may include the NBA channel, the NFL network, ESPN classic, etc.), etc.
As used herein, the terms “subscriber,” “viewer,” and/or “user” may be used interchangeably. Also, the terms “subscriber,” “viewer,” and/or “user” are intended to be broadly interpreted to include a user device, a STB, and/or a television or a user of a user device, STB, and/or television.
Television 110 may include a television monitor that is capable of displaying television programming, content provided by STB 120, and/or content provided by other devices (e.g., a digital video disk (DVD) player, a video camera, etc., not shown) connected to television 110.
STB 120 may include a device that receives television programming (e.g., from server 140), and provides the television programming to television 110 or another device. STB 120 may allow a user to alter the programming provided to television 110 based on a signal (e.g., a channel up or channel down signal) from remote control 130. STB 120 may record video in a digital format to a disk drive or other memory medium within STB 120. In one exemplary implementation, STB 120 may be incorporated directly within television 110 and/or may include a digital video recorder (DVR).
Remote control 130 may include a device that allows a user to control programming and/or content displayed on television 110 via interaction with television and/or STB 120.
Server 140 may include one or more server entities, or other types of computation or communication devices, that gather, process, search, and/or provide information in a manner described herein. In one implementation, server 140 may include a computer system, an application, a cable head-end, and/or a broadcasting device capable of providing content (e.g., subscription video packages, TV programming, movies, on-demand services, live television, etc.), advertisements, instructions, and/or other information to STB 120 and/or user device 150.
User device 150 may include a radiotelephone, a personal communications system (PCS) terminal (e.g., that may combine a cellular radiotelephone with data processing and data communications capabilities), a personal digital assistant (PDA) (e.g., that can include a radiotelephone, a pager, Internet/intranet access, etc.), a laptop, a personal computer, or other types of computation or communication devices, threads or processes running on these devices, and/or objects executable by these devices. In one implementation, user device 150 may include any device (e.g., an Internet Protocol (IP)-based device) that is capable of accessing server 140 via network 160.
Network 160 may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a telephone network, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), an intranet, the Internet, an optical fiber (or fiber optic)-based network, or a combination of networks.
Processing logic 220 may include a processor, microprocessor, or other type of processing logic that may interpret and execute instructions. Main memory 230 may include a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device that may store information and instructions for execution by processing logic 220. ROM 240 may include a ROM device or another type of static storage device that may store static information and/or instructions for use by processing logic 220. Storage device 250 may include a magnetic and/or optical recording medium and its corresponding drive.
Input device 260 may include a mechanism that permits an operator to input information to device 200, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a microphone, voice recognition and/or biometric mechanisms, remote control 130, etc. Output device 270 may include a mechanism that outputs information to the operator, including a display, a printer, a speaker, etc. Communication interface 280 may include any transceiver-like mechanism that enables device 200 to communicate with other devices and/or systems. For example, communication interface 280 may include mechanisms for communicating with another device or system via a network, such as network 160.
As described herein, device 200 may perform certain operations in response to processing logic 220 executing software instructions contained in a computer-readable medium, such as main memory 230. A computer-readable medium may be defined as a physical or logical memory device. The software instructions may be read into main memory 230 from another computer-readable medium, such as storage device 250, or from another device via communication interface 280. The software instructions contained in main memory 230 may cause processing logic 220 to perform processes described herein. 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.
Although
As further shown in
Server 140 may use subscription video package information 310, event information 320, past subscription information 330, and/or demographic information 340 to determine one or more advertisements for one or more subscription video packages. For example, in one implementation, server 140 may determine an advertisement for the most-demanded subscription video packages based on subscription video package information 310 (e.g., based on user demand for one or more subscription video packages), and may provide the advertisement to all users. Alternatively and/or additionally, server 140 may provide the advertisement (e.g., for display via STB 120) to certain demographic areas based on demographic information 340. For example, server 140 may determine that the advertisement is pertinent to a certain age group, and may provide the advertisement (e.g., for display via STB 120) to the certain age group.
In another implementation, server 140 may use past subscription information 330 to provide a weighted predictor (e.g., a weight threshold) for a generated advertisement. For example, if a first user previously ordered a subscription video package (e.g., as provided by past subscription information 330) associated with the advertisement, and a second user did not order the subscription video package (e.g., as provided by past subscription information 330), server 140 may assign a greater weight to the first user than a weight assigned to the second user. Server 140 may provide the advertisement to users (e.g., may target certain users) assigned weights exceeding a certain threshold. In other implementations, server 140 may utilize a different weighting methodology based on past subscription information 330.
In still another implementation, server 140 may determine an advertisement for subscription video packages associated with an event, based on event information 320, and may provide the advertisement to users who may be interested in the event. For example, if event information 320 indicates that St. Andrew's Day (a Polish holiday) is approaching, server 140 may generate an advertisement for subscription video packages associated with Polish content, and may provide the advertisement to Polish users (e.g., as identified by demographic information 340). In one implementation, event information 320 may indicate an uptick or spike in demand for a particular subscription video package relating to an event (e.g., St. Andrew's Day), and the uptick/spike in demand for the particular package may trigger targeted advertising aimed at those users (e.g., Polish users) most likely to be interested in the particular subscription video package. For example, the uptick/spike in demand for the particular subscription video package may trigger a commensurate uptick in advertising provided specifically to those users who will most likely subscribe to the particular package.
As further shown in
Server 140 may receive request 380, and may confirm that the requested one or more subscription video packages associated with advertisement 360 are available. For example, server 140 may determine whether the requested one or more subscription video packages associated with advertisement 360 have expired, have already been purchased by the user associated with STB 120 and/or user device 150, etc. As shown in
Such an arrangement, as depicted in
Although
As illustrated in
Main broadcast 410 may include a television program being broadcast via STB 120 on television 110 (or via user device 150), a television commercial, a program guide provided by STB 120 and/or user device 150, video-on-demand provided by STB 120 and/or user device 150, etc.
Advertisement 420 may include an advertisement (e.g. subscription advertisement 350) associated with a subscription video package. Advertisement 420 may include information, such as one or more advertisements for subscription video packages in greatest demand (e.g., as provided by subscription video package information 310). For example, if premium movie channel subscription video packages are in demand, advertisement 420 may include information (e.g., prices, features, etc.) associated with such premium movie channels. In one implementation, advertisement 420 may include an advertisement associated with or otherwise related to content provided by main broadcast 410. For example, if main broadcast 410 provides financial information (e.g., a television program discussing the stock market), advertisement 420 may include an advertisement associated with financial subscription video packages. In other implementations, advertisement 420 may include an advertisement that is not associated with content provided by main broadcast 410.
Selection mechanism 430 may include a button, an icon, a link, and/or other similar selection mechanisms (e.g., instructions). For example, selection mechanism 430 may include information, such as “Select one or more packages and then select OK.” If a viewer of television 110 (and/or user device 150) selects selection mechanism 430 or follows instructions provided by selection mechanism 430 (e.g., via remote control 130), STB 120 and/or user device 150 may provide request 380 to server 140.
Although user interface 400 depicts a variety of information, in other implementations, user interface 400 may depict fewer, different, or additional information than depicted in
Advertisement 510 may include an advertisement (e.g. subscription advertisement 350) associated with a subscription video package. Advertisement 510 may include information, such as one or more advertisements for subscription video packages associated with events (e.g., as provided by event information 320). For example, if event information 320 indicates that St. Patrick's Day (an Irish holiday) is approaching, advertisement 510 may include information promoting Irish subscription video packages (e.g., to Irish users and/or to all users). In another example, if event information 320 indicates that a popular action movie is currently in theaters, advertisement 510 may include information promoting action movie subscription video packages (e.g., to certain users and/or to all users). In one implementation, advertisement 510 may include an advertisement associated with or otherwise related to content provided by main broadcast 410. In other implementations, advertisement 510 may include an advertisement that is not associated with content provided by main broadcast 410.
Although user interface 500 depicts a variety of information, in other implementations, user interface 500 may depict fewer, different, or additional information than depicted in
Advertisement 610 may include an advertisement (e.g. subscription advertisement 350) associated with a subscription video package. Advertisement 610 may include information, such as one or more advertisements for subscription video packages determined based on past order information (e.g., as provided by past subscription information 330). For example, if past subscription information 330 indicates that particular users subscribe to football games on Sundays, advertisement 610 may include information promoting football related subscription video packages, and may be provided to the particular users and/or to all users. In another example, if past subscription information 330 indicates that particular users frequently subscribe to movies, advertisement 610 may include information promoting unlimited movie related subscription video packages (e.g., to certain users and/or to all users). In one implementation, advertisement 610 may include an advertisement associated with or otherwise related to content provided by main broadcast 410. In other implementations, advertisement 610 may include an advertisement that is not associated with content provided by main broadcast 410.
Although user interface 600 depicts a variety of information, in other implementations, user interface 600 may depict fewer, different, or additional information than depicted in
Advertisement 710 may include an advertisement (e.g. subscription advertisement 350) associated with a subscription video package. Advertisement 710 may include information, such as one or more advertisements for subscription video packages associated with a demographic area (e.g., as provided by demographic information 340). For example, if demographic information 340 indicates that particular users are Japanese, advertisement 710 may include information promoting Japanese related subscription video packages, and may be provided to the particular users and/or to all users. In another example, if demographic information 340 indicates that particular users are more than sixty-five years in age, advertisement 710 may include information promoting subscription video packages related to retirement (e.g., related to vacations, money management, etc.). In one implementation, advertisement 710 may include an advertisement associated with or otherwise related to content provided by main broadcast 410. In other implementations, advertisement 710 may include an advertisement that is not associated with content provided by main broadcast 410.
Although user interface 700 depicts a variety of information, in other implementations, user interface 700 may depict fewer, different, or additional information than depicted in
Package field 805 may include information associated with subscription video packages (e.g., subscription video package information 310), such as content, costs, features, services, etc. For example, package field 805 may include entries for “Package1,” “Package2,” Package3,” etc.
Number of orders field 810 may include entries 825 providing numbers of orders associated with the subscription video packages provided in package field 805. For example, number of orders field 810 may indicate that “Package1” (e.g., provided in package field 805) was ordered a number (e.g., “Number1”) of times by users, that “Package2” (e.g., provided in package field 805) was ordered a number (e.g., “Number2”) of times by users, and that “Package3” (e.g., provided in package field 805) was ordered a number (e.g., “Number3”) of times by users.
Advertisement field 815 may include entries 825 providing advertisements (e.g., subscription advertisement 350) associated with the subscription video packages provided in package field 805. For example, advertisement field 815 may indicate that “Package1” (e.g., provided in package field 805) is associated with an advertisement (e.g., “Ad1”), that “Package2” (e.g., provided in package field 805) is associated with an advertisement (e.g., “Ad2”), and that “Package3” (e.g., provided in package field 805) is associated with an advertisement (e.g., “Ad3”). More than one advertisement may be identified for a particular package provided in advertisement field 815.
Package demographic field 820 may include entries 825 providing demographic information (e.g., demographic information 340) associated with the subscription video packages provided in package field 805. For example, package demographic field 820 may indicate that “Package1” (e.g., provided in package field 805) is associated with a demographic (e.g., “Demographic1”), that “Package2” (e.g., provided in package field 805) is associated with a demographic (e.g., “Demographic2”), and that “Package3” (e.g., provided in package field 805) is associated with a demographic (e.g., “Demographic3”). In one example, if the subscription video package provided in package field 805 relates to movies in Japanese, package demographic field 820 may indicate that such a subscription video package may be of interest to Japanese users. More than one advertisement may be identified for a particular package provided in package demographic field 820.
As further shown in
Event field 830 may include information associated with events (e.g., event information 320), such as ethnic festivals, holidays, sporting events, entertainment events, historical events, etc. For example, event field 830 may include entries for “Event1,” “Event2,” Event3,” etc.
Event demographic field 835 may include entries 840 providing demographic information (e.g., demographic information 340) associated with the events provided in event field 830. For example, event demographic field 835 may indicate that “Event1” (e.g., provided in event field 830) is associated with a demographic (e.g., “Demographic1”), that “Event2” (e.g., provided in event field 830) is associated with a demographic (e.g., “Demographic2”), and that “Event3” (e.g., provided in event field 830) is associated with a demographic (e.g., “Demographic3”). In one example, if the event provided in event field 830 relates to a Vietnamese holiday, event demographic field 835 may indicate that such an event may be of interest to Vietnamese users.
As still further shown in
User field 845 may include information associated with users of services (e.g., subscription video packages) provided by server 140, such as user identification, user name, user address, etc. For example, user field 845 may include entries for “User1,” “User2,” User3,” etc. In one example, each entry in user field 845 may include an identifier for a user (e.g., an account number, a user name and/or password, etc.), the user's name, user contact information (e.g., address, telephone number, email address, etc.), etc.
Demographic information field 850 may include entries 860 providing demographic information (e.g., demographic information 340, such as age, ethnicity, etc.) associated with the users provided in user field 845. For example, demographic information field 850 may indicate that “User1” (e.g., provided in user field 845) is associated with demographic information (e.g., “Info1”), that “User2” (e.g., provided in user field 845) is associated with demographic information (e.g., “Info2”), and that “User3” (e.g., provided in user field 845) is associated with demographic information (e.g., “Info3”).
Past order field 855 may include entries 860 providing past order information (e.g., past subscription information 330) associated with the users provided in user field 845. For example, past order field 855 may indicate that “User1” (e.g., provided in user field 845) is associated with past order information (e.g., “Order1”), that “User2” (e.g., provided in user field 845) is associated with past order information (e.g., “Order2”), and that “User3” (e.g., provided in user field 845) is associated with past order information (e.g., “Order3”).
As also shown in
Although
Database 900 may include a storage device (e.g., main memory 230, ROM 240, storage device 250, etc.) that may store information received by server 140. In one implementation, database 900 may store information described above in connection with database portion 800 (
Demanded package ad generator logic 910 may include any hardware, software, or combination of hardware and software based logic (e.g., processing logic 220) that receives subscription video package information 310 from database 900, and determines one or more advertisements for one or more demanded subscription video packages, as indicated by reference number 950 (e.g., as “ad(s) for demanded package(s)”). In one implementation, demanded package ad generator logic 910 may determine which subscription video packages are in demand (e.g., based on subscription video package information 310), and may associate appropriate advertisements with such demanded subscription video packages. Demanded package ad generator logic 910 may provide ad(s) for demanded package(s) 950 (e.g., advertisement 420) to appropriate users (e.g., via STBs 120 and/or user devices 150 associated with the users).
Event based ad generator logic 920 may include any hardware, software, or combination of hardware and software based logic (e.g., processing logic 220) that receives event information 320 from database 900, and determines one or more advertisements for one or more subscription video packages associated with one or more events, as indicated by reference number 960 (e.g., as “ad(s) for package(s) associated with event(s)”). In one implementation, event based ad generator logic 920 may determine which subscription video packages are associated with events (e.g., based on event information 320), and may associate appropriate advertisements with such subscription video packages. Event based ad generator logic 920 may provide ad(s) for package(s) associated with event(s) 960 (e.g., advertisement 510) to appropriate users (e.g., via STBs 120 and/or user devices 150 associated with the users).
Past order based ad generator logic 930 may include any hardware, software, or combination of hardware and software based logic (e.g., processing logic 220) that receives past subscription information 330 from database 900, and determines one or more advertisements for one or more subscription video packages based on past subscription information 330, as indicated by reference number 970 (e.g., as “ad(s) for package(s) based on past orders”). In one implementation, past order based ad generator logic 930 may determine which subscription video packages may be associated with certain users (e.g., based on past subscription information 330), and may associate appropriate advertisements with such subscription video packages. Past order based ad generator logic 930 may provide ad(s) for package(s) based on past orders 970 (e.g., advertisement 610) to appropriate users (e.g., via STBs 120 and/or user devices 150 associated with the users).
Demographic specific ad generator logic 940 may include any hardware, software, or combination of hardware and software based logic (e.g., processing logic 220) that receives demographic information 340 from database 900, and determines one or more advertisements for one or more subscription video packages based on demographic information 340, as indicated by reference number 980 (e.g., as “ad(s) for package(s) associated with demographic area”). In one implementation, demographic specific ad generator logic 940 may determine which subscription video packages may be appropriate for certain users (e.g., based on demographic information 340), and may associate appropriate advertisements with such subscription video packages. Demographic specific ad generator logic 940 may provide ad(s) for package(s) associated with demographic area 980 (e.g., advertisement 710) to appropriate users (e.g., via STBs 120 and/or user devices 150 associated with the users).
Although
As illustrated in
As further shown in
Returning to
Process block 1020 may include the process blocks depicted in
In another example, server 140 may use past subscription information 330 to provide a weighted predictor (e.g., a weight threshold) for a generated advertisement. For example, if a first user previously ordered a subscription video package (e.g., as provided by past subscription information 330) associated with the advertisement, and a second user did not order the subscription video package (e.g., as provided by past subscription information 330), server 140 may assign a greater weight to the first user than a weight assigned to the second user. Server 140 may provide the advertisement to users assigned weights exceeding a certain threshold.
In still another example, server 140 may determine an advertisement for the subscription video packages associated with an event, based on event information 320, and may provide the advertisement to users who may be interested in the event. For example, if event information 320 indicates that St. Andrew's Day (a Polish holiday) is approaching, server 140 may generate an advertisement for subscription video packages associated with Polish content, and may provide the advertisement to Polish users (e.g., as identified by demographic information 340).
Systems and/or methods described herein may enable companies to promote subscription video packages, based on various information, to subscribers. The systems and/or methods may provide feedback so that the companies may promote desired subscription video packages to the appropriate users. In one implementation, for example, the systems and/or methods may receive demand, event, past order, and/or demographic information associated with a subscription video package, and may determine a subscription video package advertisement based on the received information. The systems and/or methods may provide the subscription video package advertisement to a set-top box (STB) and/or user device for display, and may receive, from the STB and/or user device, a request for the subscription video package based on the subscription video package advertisement. The systems and/or methods may provide the requested subscription video package to the STB and/or user device for display and/or storage.
The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention.
For example, while a series of blocks has been described with regard to
It will be apparent that embodiments, as described herein, 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 embodiments described herein is not limiting of the invention. Thus, the operation and behavior of the embodiments were described without reference to the specific software code--it being understood that software and control hardware may be designed to implement the embodiments based on the description herein.
Further, certain portions of the invention may be implemented as “logic” that performs one or more functions. This logic may include hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit or a field programmable gate array, or a combination of hardware and software.
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 invention. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification.
No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. 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.
