U.S. patent application number 10/946618 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for personalized content management.
Invention is credited to Grimes, Tom, Mai, Khanh.
Application Number | 20050114794 10/946618 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22784117 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050114794 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grimes, Tom ; et
al. |
May 26, 2005 |
Personalized content management
Abstract
A personalized content manager is disclosed. The personalized
content manager comprises an apparatus, system, method, and
computer readable medium that includes or performs the steps of
receiving input regarding the filtering of broadband content,
filtering the broadband content with one or more content categories
based on the filtering input, filtering the content with one or
more of a plurality of content sources based on the filtering
input, and generating a personalized content management interface
screen that includes a list of titles of the filtered content.
Inventors: |
Grimes, Tom; (Ottawa,
CA) ; Mai, Khanh; (Alpharetta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANDREWS KURTH L.L.P.
1701 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W. SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
22784117 |
Appl. No.: |
10/946618 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10946618 |
Sep 22, 2004 |
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09878232 |
Jun 12, 2001 |
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60210747 |
Jun 12, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/840 ;
707/E17.109; 715/810 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/9535 20190101;
H04N 21/4755 20130101; G06F 16/9577 20190101; H04N 5/44543
20130101; H04N 7/163 20130101; H04N 21/4508 20130101; H04N 21/478
20130101; Y10S 715/97 20130101; H04N 21/4828 20130101; H04N 21/4312
20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 21/4314 20130101; G06F 3/0482
20130101; H04N 21/44209 20130101; H04N 21/4532 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/840 ;
715/810 |
International
Class: |
G06F 003/00 |
Claims
What we claim is:
1. A personalized content management interface, comprising: a
dynamic graphical user interface ("GUI"), comprising: one or more
category buttons capable of being selected, wherein the category
button(s) represents a category of content that may be accessed by
a user; one or more source buttons, including a source button for
real-time stream, capable of being selected, wherein the source
button(s) represents a source of content that may be accessed by a
user; and a content list, wherein one category button and one
source button are selected and the content list includes any
content, if any, that is within the category of content represented
by the selected category button and that is provided by the source
of content represented by the selected source button.
2. The personalized content management interface of claim 1 wherein
the content list comprises a content title that may be selected to
access corresponding content.
3. The personalized content management interface of claim 1 in
which the dynamic GUI is displayed at a client on a display device
and the client has a bandwidth capacity, wherein the content list
is filtered to only include content that has a bandwidth
requirement less than or equal to the bandwidth capacity.
4. The personalized content management interface of claim 1 wherein
the one or more source buttons include a source button for local
cache content.
5. The personalized content management interface of claim 1 wherein
the one or more source buttons include a source button for
edge-of-net content.
6. The personalized content management interface of claim 1 wherein
the dynamic GUI displays available now content.
7. The personalized content management interface of claim 1 wherein
the dynamic GUI displays scheduled content.
8. The personalized content management interface of claim 1
comprising a plurality of source buttons, wherein: a plurality of
source buttons are selected; and the content list includes content
from the plurality of selected source buttons.
9. The personalized content management interface of claim 1 wherein
content list is sorted by a user profile that describes the user's
viewing habits.
10. The personalized content management interface of claim 1
further comprising a user machine and a display, wherein the
dynamic GUI is generated by software resident on the user machine
and is displayed on the display.
11. A method of personalized content management, comprising the
steps of: displaying a personalized content management interface;
receiving selection of one or more category buttons; receiving
selection of one or more source buttons, wherein the source buttons
include a multicast stream button; and generating a list of content
that comprises content titles for content that is within the
category of content represented by the selected category button and
that is provided by the source of content represented by the
selected source button.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the generating comprises sorting
the list of content according to a user profile.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the method is executed at a
client with a bandwidth capacity and wherein the generating
comprises filtering the list of content to only include content
that has a bandwidth requirement that is less than bandwidth
capacity of the client.
14. A client, that has a bandwidth capacity, comprising: a user
machine, that includes: a processor; a display; and a memory that
includes client software with a personal content manager module
containing instructions for generating: a dynamic graphical user
interface ("GUI"), that is displayed on the display, the dynamic
GUI comprising: one or more category buttons capable of being
selected, wherein the category button(s) represents a category of
content that may be accessed by a user; one or more source buttons,
including a source button for real-time stream, capable of being
selected, wherein the source button(s) represents a source of
content that may be accessed by a user; and a content list, wherein
one category button and one source button are selected and the
content list includes any content, if any, that is within the
category of content represented by the selected category button,
that is provided by the source of content represented by the
selected source button and that has a bandwidth that is less than
or equal to the client bandwidth capacity.
15. A system for providing broadband content that comprises: a
signal origination point that originates broadband content; a
transmission medium that receives and transmits the broadband
content transmitted from the signal origination point; a service
provider that received the transmitted broadband content; and the
client of claim 14, wherein the client received the transmitted
broadband content from the service provider.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation Application of Ser. No. 09/878,232,
filed Jun. 12, 2001, which in turn claimed the benefit of the
priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/210,747, filed Jun. 12, 2000, and which both applications are
hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. This
application also hereby incorporates by reference U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/835,529, filed Apr. 17, 2001.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention is related to multimedia content
delivery systems, and more particularly to systems that personalize
or customize content.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Over the past ten years, the bandwidth capacity available to
consumers for receiving content from the Internet and other
networks has increased ten-fold and more. The increased bandwidth
capacity has enabled consumers to download larger and larger files
and other content, including rich media and multimedia content such
as video clips, songs and movies. This increased bandwidth capacity
has increased Internet usage and the potential for enjoyable and
productive usage.
[0006] Despite the increased bandwidth capacity, however, prior to
the present invention, there were no consumer-based broadband
services that automate the delivery of rich media and multimedia
content directly to the consumer's personal computer (PC) or
Internet access device. Prior to the present invention, there were
no service providers optimizing the use of a broadband connection
by distributing multiple channels of rich media content and
providing a mechanism to automate the selective tuning to desired
material. Prior to the present invention, there were no mechanisms
available to support Internet protocol ("IP") recording and hence
the time-shifted viewing of rich media material broadcast to the
consumers PC or Internet access device.
[0007] Likewise, there has been an increase in the efforts of
companies to gather information about consumers and to target
consumers with advertising. Despite this effort, however, prior to
the present invention there was no user interface that incorporates
a profiling engine in offering personalized access to available
material. Indeed, prior to the present invention, there was no
personalized offering of rich media material to consumer PCs and
Internet access devices.
[0008] Indeed, for the consumer of rich multimedia material, there
does not exist a system of personalizing the consumer's access to
the rich multimedia material. No systems exist that allow the
consumer to view lists of content filtered by category and source.
Likewise, no systems exist that allow the consumer to view lists of
content filtered or sorted by a personal profile. Further, no
systems exists that provide a dynamic interface that a consumer can
modify to their liking to display differently filtered and sorted
lists of content.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An advantage of the present invention is that it overcomes
the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art. Another
advantage of the present invention is that it provides a
personalized content manager, whereby a user can personalize
multimedia content received from a multimedia content delivery
system. Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides an easy to use, customizable interface for viewing,
listening or otherwise accessing (collectively referred to as
"viewing") multimedia content.
[0010] These and other advantages of the present invention are
achieved by a personalized content management interface, comprising
a dynamic graphical user interface ("GUI"). The dynamic GUI
comprises one or more category buttons capable of being selected,
one or more source buttons, including a source button for real-time
stream, capable of being selected, and a content list. Each
category button represents a category of content that may be
accessed by a user. Likewise, each source button represents a
source of content that may be accessed by a user. One category
button and one source button are selected and the content list
includes any content, if any, that is within the category of
content represented by the selected category button and that is
provided by the source of content represented by the selected
source button.
[0011] These and other advantages of the present invention are also
achieved by a method of personalized content management. The method
comprises the steps of displaying a personalized content management
interface, selecting one or more category buttons, selecting one or
more source buttons, wherein the source buttons include a multicast
stream button, and generating a list of content that comprises
content titles for content that is within the category of content
represented by the selected category button and that is provided by
the source of content represented by the selected source
button.
[0012] Likewise, these and other advantages of the present
invention are achieved by a client, that has a bandwidth capacity,
comprising a user machine, that includes a processor, a display,
and a memory. The memory includes client software with a personal
content manager module containing instructions for generating a
dynamic graphical user interface ("GUI"), that is displayed on the
display. The dynamic GUI comprises one or more category buttons
capable of being selected, wherein the category button(s)
represents a category of content that may be accessed by a user,
one or more source buttons, including a source button for real-time
stream, capable of being selected, wherein the source button(s)
represents a source of content that may be accessed by a user, and
a content list, wherein one category button and one source button
are selected and the content list includes any content, if any,
that is within the category of content represented by the selected
category button, that is provided by the source of content
represented by the selected source button and that has a bandwidth
that is less than or equal to the client bandwidth capacity. A
system for providing broadband content that comprises a signal
origination point that originates broadband content, a transmission
medium that receives and transmits the broadband content
transmitted from the signal origination point, a service provider
that received the transmitted broadband content, and the client
described above, wherein the client received the transmitted
broadband content from the service provider, also achieves these
and other advantages of the present invention.
[0013] Further, these and other advantages of the present invention
are achieved by a method of personalized content management. The
method comprises the steps of receiving input regarding the
filtering of broadband content, filtering the broadband content
with one or more content categories based on the filtering input,
filtering the content with one or more of a plurality of content
sources based on the filtering input, and generating a personalized
content management interface screen that includes a list of titles
of the filtered content. A computer-readable medium containing
instructions for performing the above-described method and a user
machine comprising a processor and a memory containing
instructions, for execution by the processor, for performing the
above-described method, also achieve these and other advantages of
the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The detailed description will refer to the following
drawings, in which like numbers refer to like items, and in
which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a broadband content
delivery system.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of bandwidth
testing.
[0017] FIGS. 3a and 3b are block diagrams illustrating exemplary
components of the broadband content delivery system.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary program
nugget.
[0019] FIGS. 5-7 are illustrations of exemplary personal content
management interface screens.
[0020] FIGS. 8-13 are flowcharts illustrating exemplary methods of
personal content management.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a broadband content delivery system 10
with which the present invention may be used. A personalized
content manager (not shown in FIG. 1) is used to manage the
broadband content delivered by the broadband content delivery
system 10. The illustrative broadband content delivery system 10
comprises a signal origination point 12, a transmission medium 14
(e.g., a satellite), one or more service providers 16, and one or
more clients 18. The client 18 typically includes a user machine
(e.g., a PC) that includes resident client software. The client
software enables access to the broadband content, supports the
broadband content delivery system 10 and provides the personalized
content manager and the personalized content management interface.
Typically, high bandwidth content 20 (e.g., video, audio and web
data) is transmitted from a signal origination point 12 such as a
Network Operations Center ("NOC") on high-resolution ("high rez")
virtual channels 22. The transmission medium 14 is satellite, ether
and/or landline, or a combination thereof. The content 20 is
received by a service provider 16, typically an edge-of-net
broadband Internet service provider ("ISP") and transmitted over a
broadband medium 24, such as DSL or coaxial cable, to a client 18.
Two-way communications between the client 18 and the NOC 12 are
maintained over the Internet 26.
[0022] In addition to transmitting the content on virtual channels
22, the broadband content delivery system 10 also transmits a
control channel that is received by the client 18. The control
channel contains information and instructions that help enable the
client 18 to access and control the content 20 provided by the
broadband content delivery system 10. The control channel is used
to issue commands or directives to the client 18. These commands or
directives may result in feedback or a report back from the client
18 to the NOC 12 via the Internet. Significantly, the control
channel is used to deliver program descriptors or "program
nuggets", which are discussed in detail below.
[0023] Not necessarily all clients 18 of the broadband content
delivery system 10 will have the bandwidth capability or resources
to receive the high bandwidth on high rez virtual channels 22
(e.g., 512 Kbps or more). Accordingly, in addition to high
bandwidth content 20, the broadband content delivery system 10
provides low bandwidth content 20 on low-resolution ("low rez")
virtual channels 22 (e.g., approximately 200 Kbps) or other
communications bandwidth to accommodate these clients.
Consequently, when a client 18 signs-on, the broadband content
delivery system 10 preferably conducts a bandwidth test to measure
client's 18 bandwidth capability ("available bandwidth"). Usually,
the available bandwidth is calculated as the maximum bandwidth
content that the client 18 can consistently receive.
[0024] As illustrated in the flowchart seen in FIG. 2, an exemplary
method 30 of bandwidth testing comprises: client software links 32
to a local system Point of Presence (POP) server at the ISP, via a
TCP/IP point to point connection; the POP server transmits 34 a
fixed volume of data to the client; the client software records 36
the time required to receive this data; during transmission of the
fixed volume of data, the client software calculates 38 a point
sample of throughput; and, the preceding are repeated 39 until the
results are consistent within a certain constant window of time
(e.g., when the results are within a 5% range). In this example the
amount of data divided by the time required to receive the data
determines the client's 18 available bandwidth. Alternatively, the
bandwidth test may be run with the POP server transmitting varying
volumes of data to the client 18 to determine if the results change
for these different values.
[0025] Referring back to FIG. 1, content 20 may be transmitted or
broadcast by the NOC 12 on the virtual channels 22 as real-time
multicast or unicast streams. A multicast stream comprises
streaming content that is directed to and available to multiple
clients 18. A unicast stream comprises streaming content that is
directed to and available to one client 18. Furthermore, additional
content 20 may be provided by third-parties as on-demand broadband
content selected from the Internet ("edge-of-net") by a user at the
client 18. For example, an ISP 16 may provide the edge-of-net
content. Likewise, the user may store selected content, such as
portions of the real-time multicast or unicast streams in a local
cache at the client 18. This stored or personal content 28 may be
kept on a user machine hard-drive or other storage medium.
[0026] FIGS. 3a and 3b are block diagrams illustrating exemplary
hardware components of the broadband content delivery system 10
that may be used for implementing the personalized content manager.
FIG. 3a includes the client 18, comprising a user machine 40
connected with a network such as the Internet 26, providing network
connections to the NOC 12 and the ISP 16. The user machine 40
includes the client software 43 that the user has downloaded from
an ISP 16 or portal or otherwise obtained (e.g., by loading from a
CD-ROM or magnetic disk or by being pre-installed on the user
machine 40). As mentioned, the client software 43 supports the
broadband content delivery system 10 and is executed to run the
personalized content manager ("PCM") 45. Preferably, the
personalized content manager 45 is a module of the client software
43. Other clients 18, such as client 19 may also be connected with
network and may include the same components as client 18.
[0027] The user machine 40 illustrates typical components of a user
machine. The user machine 40 typically includes a memory 42, a
secondary storage device 44, a processor 46, an input device 48, a
display device 50, and an output device 52. Memory 42 may include
random access memory (RAM) or similar types of memory, and it may
store one or more applications 44, including client software 43,
and a web browser 56, for execution by processor 46. The secondary
storage device 44 may include a hard disk drive, floppy disk drive,
CD-ROM drive, or other types of non-volatile data storage. The
local cache that includes a user's personal content 28, and a
user's personal profile, may be stored on the secondary storage
device 44. The processor 46 may execute client software 43
(including the personalized content management interface 45) and
other applications 44 stored in memory 42 or secondary storage 50,
or received from the Internet or other network 60. The processor 46
may execute client software 43 in order to provide the functions
described in this specification including the personalized content
management interface screens and personal content manager 45
functions described below. The input device 48 may include any
device for entering information into the user machine 40, such as a
keyboard, mouse, cursor-control device, touch-screen, infrared,
microphone, digital camera, video recorder or camcorder. The
display device 50 may include any type of device for presenting
visual information such as, for example, a computer monitor or
flat-screen display. The output device 52 may include any type of
device for presenting a hard copy of information, such as a
printer, and other types of output devices include speakers or any
device for providing information in audio form.
[0028] The web browser 56 is used to access the personalized
content manager 45 and display the personalized content management
interface screens, through which the user can manage the broadband
content broadcast by the broadband content delivery system 10, as
described below. The web browser 56 also is used to access the NOC
12 and ISP 16. Examples of web browsers 56 include the Netscape
Navigator program and the Microsoft Internet Explorer program. Any
web browser, co-browser, or other application capable of retrieving
content from a network and displaying pages or screens may be
used.
[0029] Examples of user machines 40 for interacting within the
broadband content delivery system 10 include personal computers,
laptop computers, notebook computers, palm top computers, network
computers, Internet appliances, or any processor-controlled device
capable of executing a web browser 56 or other type of application
for interacting with the broadband content delivery system 10.
[0030] FIG. 3b illustrates typical hardware components of a server
58 at the NOC 12. A server 58 at an ISP 16, such as the local
system POP server referred to in FIG. 2 above, may have similar
hardware components. The server 58 typically includes a memory 60,
a secondary storage device 62, a processor 64, an input device 66,
a display device 68, and an output device 70. The memory 60 may
include RAM or similar types of memory, and it may store one or
more applications 64 for execution by processor 64. The secondary
storage device 62 may include a hard disk drive, floppy disk drive,
CD-ROM drive, or other types of non-volatile data storage. The
processor 64 executes application(s) 64, which are stored in memory
60 or secondary storage 74, or received from the Internet 26 or
other network. The input device 66 may include any device for
entering information into server 58, such as a keyboard, mouse,
cursor-control device, touch-screen, infrared, microphone, digital
camera, video recorder or camcorder. The display device 68 may
include any type of device for presenting visual information such
as, for example, a computer monitor or flat-screen display. The
output device 70 may include any type of device for presenting a
hard copy of information, such as a printer, and other types of
output devices include speakers or any device for providing
information in audio form.
[0031] The server 58 may store a database structure in secondary
storage 74, for example, for storing and maintaining information
regarding the broadband content delivery system 10 and the clients.
For example, it may maintain a relational, object-oriented, or
other database for storing information concerning client 18 users,
the access rights of the users, their account status and/or a user
personal profile.
[0032] As mentioned above, processor 46 (and/or processor 64) may
execute one or more software applications 54 (or 72), such as
client software 43, in order to provide the personalized content
manager 45, the personalized content management interface screens,
and other functions described in this specification. The processing
may be implemented in software, such as software modules, for
execution by computers or other machines. Preferably, the personal
content manager 45 is a module or component of the client software
43. The processing by processor 46 (and/or processor 64) may
provide and support pages, windows and menus (collectively,
"screens") described in this specification and otherwise for
display on display devices associated with the client 18. The term
"screen" refers to any visual element or combinations of visual
elements for displaying information or forms; examples include, but
are not limited to, graphical user interfaces on a display device
or information displayed in web pages or in pop-up windows/menus on
a display device. The screens may be formatted, for example, as web
pages in HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Extensible Markup
Language (XML) or in any other suitable form for presentation on a
display device depending upon applications used by users to
interact with the broadband content delivery system 10.
[0033] The screens include various buttons, as explained below, to
provide information or to receive information or commands. The term
"button" with respect to screens refers to a particular portion of
a screen, possibly including the entire screen. Buttons are
selected, for example, to enter information or commands or to
retrieve information or access other screens. The selection may
occur, for example, by using a cursor-control device to "click on"
or "double click on" the button; alternatively, buttons may be
selected by entering a series of keystrokes or in other ways such
as through voice commands or use of a touch screen. In addition,
although the screens described below illustrate a particular
arrangement and number of buttons in each screen, other
arrangements are possible and different numbers of buttons in the
screens may be used to accomplish the same or similar functions of
displaying information and receiving information or commands. Also,
the same button may be used for performing a number of functions,
such as both displaying information and receiving a command.
[0034] Although only one server 58 is shown, broadband content
delivery system 10 may use multiple servers 59 as necessary or
desired to support the users and may also use back-up or redundant
servers to prevent network downtime in the event of a failure of a
particular server. In addition, although the user machine 40 and
server 58 are depicted with various components, one skilled in the
art will appreciate that the user machine 40 and the server 58 can
contain additional or different components. In addition, although
aspects of an implementation consistent with the present invention
are described as being stored in memory, one skilled in the art
will appreciate that these aspects can also be stored on or read
from other types of computer program products or computer-readable
media, such as secondary storage devices, including hard disks,
floppy disks, or CD-ROM; a carrier wave from the Internet or other
network; or other forms of RAM or ROM. The computer-readable media
may include instructions for controlling a computer system, such as
user machine 40 and server 58, to perform a particular method or
implementation.
[0035] Referring back to FIG. 1, the content 20, whether broadcast
as a real-time stream on a virtual channel or provided by a
third-party as edge-of net content, comprises chunks of content
called programs. Typically each program that is broadcast as a
real-time stream on a virtual channel 22 has a corresponding
program nugget 74. As discussed above, program nuggets 74 are
preferably broadcast or communicated on the control channel. The
NOC 12 usually transmits the program nugget 74 at some time
preceding the broadcast of the corresponding program. The
personalized content manager 45 preferably uses program nuggets 74,
and the data contained therein, to manage the content 20 as
described below.
[0036] An example program nugget 74 is seen in FIG. 4. The program
nugget 74 shown includes various information and data related to a
corresponding program. For example, this information and data may
comprise a program title 76, a program description 78, a rating 80,
a program classification 82, a program category name 84, program
sub-category names 86, a thumbnail display 88 or link to thumbnail
display, a link 90 to a video trailer, a local cache path 92, a
local cache filename 94, schedule information 96, pay-per-view
information 98, a program ID 100, a source IP address 102, a source
TCP Port 104, a bitrate 106 and an expiry date 108 for the program.
Other data and information may be included in the program nugget
74.
[0037] The program nugget 74 is usually written in Extensible
Markup Language ("XML") format, although other formats or languages
may be used. If the program nugget 74 is written in XML, the
information and data from the program nugget 74 may be easily used
to generate or incorporated in a dynamic hyper-text markup language
("DHTML") screen. Typically, the program nugget 74 is stored at the
client 18 on the user machine's 40 secondary storage device 44.
Program nuggets 74 will usually remain stored at the client 18 at
least until the corresponding program is viewed. Consequently,
program nuggets 74 corresponding to personal content 28 that the
user has saved in the local cache will be available when the user
chooses to examine or view the personal content. Alternatively,
program nuggets 74 can be re-transmitted or requested at a later
time.
[0038] Referring back to FIG. 4, an example of the program
description 78 is a textual description of the program. The rating
80 indicates the appropriate viewer-ship of the program and may use
the MPAA standards. The program classification 82 provides the type
of program (e.g., professional baseball game, horror movie, rock
music, historical documentary, etcetera) and the general category
of the program. For example, a number may indicate the program
classification 82. Specific ranges of numbers may indicate a
general category (e.g., 1400-1499 may indicate sports programs). A
sub-range of numbers within the general category range may indicate
a sub-category (e.g., 1400-1405 may indicate baseball programs).
Likewise, a specific number may indicate a specific type of program
(e.g. 1401 may be professional baseball games). Program
classification 82 may also be indicated by other classifications
systems, such as combinations of letters, letters and numbers or
any similar system. The program category name 84 indicates the
general category (e.g., sports) of the program, while the
sub-category names 86 indicate sub-categories (e.g., race, Formula
1) of the program.
[0039] The thumbnail 88 is usually a video or audio clip of the
program. For example, the thumbnail 88 may be a single still screen
shot from a program. Likewise, it may be a few seconds of audio
from the program or a longer portion of audio from the program.
Thumbnails 88 may be provided for all types of content, whether
movies, music, information or other types of content. Similarly,
the link 90 to a video trailer provides a link to a short (e.g.,
three minutes) motion video trailer or preview of the program. The
video trailer may be broadcast on a virtual channel and/or stored
on the user machine's 40 secondary storage device 44. The links to
the thumbnail and video trailer preferably identify the name and
paths of files comprising the thumbnail and video trailer.
[0040] The real-time stream content may include pay-per-view
content. Accordingly, for pay-per-view content, the pay-per-view
information 98 describes various pay-per-view options, such as
one-time viewing only, multiple-viewings, storing in the local
cache, a specific time-period for viewing (e.g., a day, week,
month, season or year), and includes the pricing for these options.
Likewise, the real-time stream content may exclude content that
expires. For example, if the user has only paid for one-month of
viewing a program, that program will expire one-month after it is
purchased. Other programs, which are available for purchase or
simply for storing at no cost, preferably expire on a certain date.
The expiration date 108 is the date on which the content expires.
The program ID 100 is a number that identifies the program.
[0041] The program nuggets 74 also contain source data indicating
the source of the corresponding program. For example, if a program
is a real-time stream program or an edge-of-net program, the source
data of the corresponding program nugget 74 will so indicate with
the source IP address 102 and the source TCP port 104. If a
real-time stream program is stored as personal content 28 in the
local cache, the source data of the corresponding program nugget 74
will be modified to reflect that the local cache is the source of
the program. For example, the program nugget 74 may include the
local cache path 92 and local cache filename if the content is
stored in the local cache. The program nuggets 74 may also include
bandwidth information (e.g., the bitrate 106) that is used with the
bandwidth capability to determine a client's 18 ability to receive
the particular content.
[0042] The NOC 12 may also transmit program nuggets 74 for
edge-of-net content. As with the real-time stream programs, a
program nugget 74 for an edge-of-net program will usually be
transmitted at some time preceding the broadcast or availability of
the corresponding edge-of-net program. The program nuggets 74 for
edge-of-net programs may have information and data similar to that
discussed above for real-time stream programs. The third-parties
that broadcast the edge-of net content preferably provide this
information and data to the NOC 12 (or local system POP server) for
incorporation in a program nugget 74.
[0043] The broadband content delivery system 10 provides a
personalized content management interface 45 for its users. The
personalized content manager 45 provides personalized content
management screens and enables the user to manage the content
provided by the multiple sources described above. The user can
manage the content 20 from real-time streams, the edge-of-net and
the local cache or subset of this content (collectively,
hereinafter referred to as content 20). The program nuggets 74,
specifically the program classifications 82, program category names
84 and sub-category names 86 in the program nuggets 74, facilitate
the organization and sorting of the content into various
categories. Likewise, the source data (e.g., source IP address 102,
source TCP port 104, local cache path 92 and local cache filename
94) facilitates the organization and sorting of the content 20 by
the multiple sources (real-time stream, edge-of-net and local
cache). In combination, this data from the program nuggets 74
enables the presentation of content 20 sorted by category and
source.
[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a personalized content
management interface screen 110. As described above, the
personalized content manager 45 is preferably a module of the
client software 43. When the personalized content manager 45 module
is executed (e.g., by processor 46), it generates the personalized
content management screen 110 shown in FIG. 5, and other
embodiments of the screen 110 discussed herein. The personalized
content management interface screen 110 preferably comprises a
dynamic graphical user interface (GUI), as illustrated by the
screen in FIG. 5. The dynamic GUI 110 presents the above-described
content 20 sorted by category and source. The dynamic GUI 110 is
usually a dynamic hyper-text markup language (DHTML) screen,
although other formats and languages may be used. The dynamic GUI
110 is preferably displayed on the user machine's 40 display device
50 and may be accessed and controlled with a cursor controlled by
the input device 48 (e.g., a cursor-control device, such as a
mouse).
[0045] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the dynamic GUI 110
comprises an "available now" menu 112 which lists program titles 76
of content that is available for immediate viewing based on the
users selection of one or more category buttons 114 (e.g., news,
business, finance, sports, music, video, technology, computers,
lifestyles and arts) from a list of categories and one or more
source buttons 116 (e.g., cache, edge-of-net and live (i.e.,
real-time streams)) from a list of sources. The category names for
the category buttons 114 are preferably taken from program category
names 84 of available program nuggets 74. The available now menu
112 further comprises an "all" button 118 that may be highlighted
to select all categories. If the all button is highlighted, the
available now menu 112 displays program titles 76 of all content
available from the selected source buttons 116. Likewise, the
available now menu 112 comprises an up arrow 120 and a down arrow
122 which are selected to scroll through the list of categories
124, and an "Up" button 126 which may be highlighted to immediately
return to the top of the category list 124. Further, the available
now menu 112 comprises a "search" button 128 that is clicked in
order to display the content from the highlighted/selected
categories 114 and sources 116.
[0046] Using the available now menu 112, the user may choose to
view available content from specific categories by clicking on the
categories' buttons 114 with the cursor, which will highlight the
specific categories on the available now menu 112. The user may
select any combination of one or more of the available sources by
clicking on the source buttons 116. The categories 114 and sources
116 selected may be toggled and more or less may be selected at any
time. With category button(s) 114 and source button(s) 116
highlighted, clicking on the search button 128 will cause the
dynamic GUI 110 to display a list of program titles 76 of content
available in the selected category(ies) from the source(s)
selected. Referring to FIG. 5, for example, the user may wish to
see news, business, finance, sports and computers content from the
edge of net and live (i.e., real-time stream) sources. Once the
search button 128 is clicked, all content available from these
categories and these sources is listed, by title and source, on the
dynamic GUI 110. The DHTML screen comprising this list may be built
by extracting information (e.g., program titles 76 and source data)
from the program nugget 74 XML files or through other similar
means.
[0047] The user's selection of categories and sources are the
criteria that the personalized content manager 45 utilizes as a
filter to determine which titles 76 from which sources to display
on the dynamic GUI 110. The personalized content manager 45
compares the categories selected with the program classifications
82 and/or program category names 84 contained in the program
nuggets 74 for the available content. If there is a match, then the
matched content is filtered for further comparison with the
user-selected sources. If there is no match, the content is
filtered out. All the matched content is filtered by the selected
sources. The source data (e.g., source IP address 102, source TCP
port 104, local cache path 92 and local cache filename 94)
contained in the program nuggets 74 is compared to the selected
sources, and if there is a match, the content's title is displayed
on the dynamic GUI 110. If there is no match, the content is not
from a selected source and its title 76 will not be displayed. The
categories on the dynamic GUI 110 may be classified using a
numbering scheme as discussed above for the program
classifications. For example, if 1400-1499 is all sports, then any
content that has a program classification within this range of
numbers will be filtered for further comparison with the
user-selected sources. It is specifically noted that the order of
filtering may be altered; for example, the content may be filtered
by the selected sources and then by the selected categories.
[0048] In an alternative embodiment, the All button 118 and all of
the source buttons 116 are highlighted in the dynamic GUI's 110
default status so that the dynamic GUI 110 displays a list of all
program titles 76 available from all the sources. Further, the
dynamic GUI 110 may be configured so that toggling the selected
category buttons 114 and source buttons 116 will cause the dynamic
GUI 110 to display program titles 76 of content from the selected
categories 114 and sources 116 without necessitating the clicking
of the search button 128.
[0049] In one embodiment, double-clicking on a category button 114
will cause the dynamic GUI 110 to switch to a specific category
menu 130 that corresponds to the double-clicked category button
114. In the example seen in FIG. 6, the sports category button has
been double-clicked and the dynamic GUI 110 has switched to a
sports category menu. The sports category menu, and indeed any
specific category menu 130, is very similar to the normal available
now menu 112 displayed in FIG. 5. The primary difference is that
the category list 124 has been replaced by a list of sub-category
buttons 132 corresponding to sub-categories of the specific
category. For example, the sports category menu comprises a list of
sub-category buttons including hockey, baseball, football,
basketball, soccer, golf, tennis, rugby, cricket and curling. The
sub-category names may be taken from the program sub-category names
86 in available program nuggets 74. The specific category menus 30
are operated in much the same manner as the normal available now
menu 112. For example, if the user highlights the hockey, baseball
and soccer category buttons 114 and the edge of net and live source
buttons 116 by clicking on them and clicks the search button 128,
the titles 76 of any hockey, baseball or soccer content available
from the edge of net or real-time stream will be displayed on the
dynamic GUI 110.
[0050] Usually each program title 76 in the displayed lists on the
dynamic GUI 110 comprises hyper-text. Consequently, when a program
title 76 displayed on the dynamic GUI 110 is double-clicked with
the cursor or otherwise launched, the dynamic GUI 110 inserts and
displays extended information about the selected program. This
extended information preferably includes a program description and
a hotlink or hyperlink that provides direct access for retrieval
and display or recording (caching) of the content. Clicking on the
hotlink, for example, may cause the selected program to be
displayed with an overlay menu that provides the options of
immediate viewing or caching. The extended information may also
include additional characteristics of the program retrieved from
the program nugget 74 XML. For example, the extended information
may include the program description 78, the program classification
82, the source, and/or the program thumbnail 88. The extended
information may be presented directly below the selected program
title 76 in the program list or as a pop-up or drop-down window.
This feature allows the user to learn more about programs before
selecting them for viewing or recording. Alternatively,
double-clicking on the program title 76 may cause the program to be
displayed (e.g., in a screen on the display device 50).
[0051] Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, the dynamic GUI 110 also
comprises a "Text Specific" data field 134. The Text Specific data
field 134 allows the user to further refine the displayed program
list. Text strings entered into the Text Specific data field 134
may be applied against the program titles 76, program descriptions
78, sub-category names 86 and program types of the listed programs.
The user enters a specific text string into the Text Specific data
field 134 and clicks the Search button 128, causing the
personalized content manager 45 to search the above-mentioned
fields of available program nuggets 74 for matches. For example, if
the user wanted to locate Philadelphia Flyers.RTM. hockey games, it
would enter "Philadelphia Flyers" in the Text Specific data field
134 and click the Search button 128. The resultant search will
cause the dynamic GUI 110 to display a program list with program
titles 76 of programs that had only Philadelphia Flyers.RTM. in one
of the above-mentioned fields (e.g., program title 76), if there
were any available in the content as sorted by the selected
categories and sources. Alternatively, a search page or pop-up
window that enables the user to conduct a word search may be
accessed from a hyperlink on the dynamic GUI 110.
[0052] In another embodiment, as shown by FIG. 7, the dynamic GUI
110 comprises a "scheduled" menu 136. Toggling between an
"available now" button 138 and "schedule" button 140 on the dynamic
GUI 10 may access the scheduled menu 136. The scheduled menu 136
lists program titles 76 of content that will be broadcast live
(i.e., as a real-time stream) on a virtual channel at some time in
the future. This scheduled content may be selected by the user at
any time in advance of broadcast, for automatic caching on the
client 18 hard drive and later, on-demand viewing. Similarly, the
scheduled content may be selected to provide the user with a
reminder when it is broadcast or to be automatically displayed at
its scheduled time.
[0053] Consequently, like the available now menu 112, the scheduled
menu 136 comprises one or more category buttons 114 from a list of
categories, up arrow 120 and down arrow 122 buttons, an All button
118, an Up button 126, a Search button 128 and a Text Specific data
field 134 that operate as described above. For example, the
category buttons 114 may be double-clicked to access a category
specific scheduled menu 136. Additionally, the scheduled menu 136
comprises a plurality of day buttons 142 and a plurality of hour
buttons 144 (or other increments of time). The day buttons 142 may
correspond to the days of the week (i.e., Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday), as shown in FIG. 7, or
alternatively, to the seven (7), ten (10), fourteen (14), etcetera,
days including and following the present day as indicated by a
number (e.g., 0 represents today and 1-6 represent the next six
days). In addition to selecting zero, one or more category buttons
114, the user may select one or more day buttons 142 and, if
desired, one or more hour buttons 144 to see the content available
on the selected day(s) at any selected time(s) for any selected
category(ies). By clicking on the desired category button(s) 114,
day button(s) 142 and hour button(s) 144 and clicking the Search
button 128, the user causes the Scheduled menu 136 to display a
list of program titles 76, including the scheduled day and time of
broadcast. With any program title 76 highlighted, the user can
click on a reminder button 146, to schedule a reminder when the
selected program is broadcast, or a cache button 148, to schedule
the caching of the selected program in the user machine's 40
secondary storage device 44.
[0054] The dynamic GUIs 110 discussed above may be "Smart Menus"
whose selection choices are automatically sorted in order of
preference according to an analysis of historical usage accrued in
the user's personal profile (a.k.a., user profile). The broadband
content delivery system 10 preferably tracks the user's viewing
decisions or habits in order to create the user's personal profile.
For example, the program classification 78 (and/or program category
name 84 and sub-category names 86) for each program that the user
views may be recorded, thereby creating a running total of the
number of programs from each general category and/or sub-category
and/or of each program type that the user views. Accordingly, the
user's personal profile will comprise the user's category and type
preferences as determined by this running total. For example, if
the running total indicates that the user has viewed professional
hockey games 85 times out of 100 total programs viewed, the user's
personal profile will include a first program type preference for
professional hockey games. In the same example, the user's personal
profile will also include a first sub-category preference of hockey
and a first general category preference of sports. The data
comprising the running total and user preferences, as well as the
user profile generated from this data, may be stored in the user
machine's 40 secondary storage device 44.
[0055] Alternatively, the user may proactively create and/or modify
the user's personal profile. The user may select program type
preferences from a list of program types. Likewise, the user may
select sub-category and general category preferences from lists of
sub-categories and general categories. Further, the user may modify
its user profile by re-ordering its existing preferences. For
example, if the user's first program type preference is
professional baseball games and the user wants to change this first
program type preference to professional football games (e.g.,
because it is football season), the user may select professional
football games from the list of program types. Any changes to the
user's personal profile made by a user are also preferably stored
in the user machine's 40 secondary storage device 44.
[0056] The user's personal profile is preferably used to sort the
program lists displayed by the dynamic GUI 110. The user's personal
profile preferably is applied to the program lists after the
categories selected by the user on the dynamic GUI 110 are
determined. For example, if the user's personal profile indicates a
first program type preference for professional hockey games since
the user has viewed professional hockey games 85% of the time, and
the all category is selected, then any professional hockey games
that are available from the sources (assuming all the sources are
selected) will be displayed at the top or most prominent position
of the program list.
[0057] If, for the same user as above, the news category is
selected, then the first program type preference is irrelevant and
inapplicable to the program list. If the remaining program type
preferences of the user are also irrelevant and inapplicable to the
program list (i.e., because they are for program types that are not
included in the news category), the sub-category preferences of the
user will be next examined. Since the user's personal profile
indicates a first program type preference for professional hockey
games since the user has viewed professional hockey games 85% of
the time, then the hockey sub-category would be the first
sub-category preference indicated by the user's personal profile.
Consequently, any news programs that also fell in the hockey
sub-category (e.g., a hockey news program) will be displayed at the
top or most prominent position of the program list on the dynamic
GUI 110.
[0058] The user may decide to view available content on the dynamic
GUI 110 without the user's personal profile being used to sort the
program lists. Accordingly, the dynamic GUI 110 may include a user
profile sort hyper-text (not shown). If the user profile sort
hyper-text is selected, the program lists will be sorted with the
user profile. If the user profile sort hyper-text is de-selected,
the program lists will not be sorted with the user profile. If the
program lists are not sorted with the user profile, other sorting
mechanisms or methods may be used to sort the program lists. For
example, the program lists may be sorted in alphabetical order or
in chronological order.
[0059] Generally it is preferred that the dynamic GUIs 10 described
above also do not display program titles 76 of content that the
client 18 cannot receive. As discussed previously, not all clients
will have the bandwidth capability to receive the high bandwidth on
high rez virtual channels 22. Consequently, the personalized
content manager 45 preferably filters the content from the multiple
sources with the client's 18 bandwidth capability, as determined by
the process described above, to prevent the display of such
content. Accordingly, the dynamic GUI 110s, such as the available
now menu 112 and schedule menu, will not display this
non-receivable content.
[0060] In alternative embodiments, this non-receivable content is
displayed on the dynamic GUI 110. However, in these embodiments,
the non-receivable content is displayed in a manner than prevents
the user from accessing it. For example, program titles 76 for
programs that the client 18 cannot receive may be displayed as
normal text that cannot be clicked (e.g., non-hyper-text). These
program titles 76 may also be grayed-out to indicate that the user
cannot access them. Additionally, these program titles 76 may be
hyper-text that is not linked with the corresponding content,
therefore preventing access to the content, that may be selected so
as to cause the pop-up or pull-down window with the program's
characteristics to be displayed. These alternative dynamic GUI 110
embodiments may be used to encourage viewers to purchase additional
bandwidth capacity. Advertisements selling expanding bandwidth
services may be displayed when content is selected which cannot be
accessed due to a client's 18 limited bandwidth.
[0061] The method of determining the bandwidth capacity or
available bandwidth described above is one example of a number of
available methods. The available bandwidth may be requested from
the ISP 16 that provides the broadband connection to the client 18.
This broadband ISP 16 may know the available bandwidth from
previous tests or may perform their own regular tests. Likewise,
the broadband ISP 16 may know what the available bandwidth should
be based on the equipment installed at the client 18 and the
broadband medium used to connect to the client 18. Additionally,
the client 18 or a NOC 12 server 58 may store historical records of
the client's 18 throughput and determine the client's 18 available
bandwidth from these records.
[0062] Further, the available bandwidth determined from any of the
above methods or means may be used as a starting point for the
first method described above. In other words, the available
bandwidth may be requested from the ISP 16, and this available
bandwidth may be used as a baseline for the test illustrated in
FIG. 2. If the test shown in FIG. 2 determined a substantially
different available bandwidth than that provided by the ISP 16, the
NOC 12 may re-run the test to verify the results.
[0063] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 150
of personalized content management, preferably performed by the
personalized content manager 45, as described above. As shown, the
method 150 comprises the steps of: broadband content 152; receiving
filtering input 154; filtering the content with one or more content
categories 156; filtering the content with one or more content
sources 158; sorting the filtered content with the user profile
160; generating a personalized content management interface screen
that includes a list of titles of the filtered and sorted content
162; and, determining if user filtering input is received 164,
whereby steps 156-164 are repeated if user filtering input is
received.
[0064] Receiving broadband content 152 preferably comprises a
client 18 receiving broadband content from a plurality of sources,
such as from the NOC 12, edge-of-net content from the ISP 16, and
personal content from the local cache (e.g., on the user machine
40). The receiving step 152 preferably also comprises receiving a
plurality of program nuggets 74. The received program nuggets 74
may correspond to received content, future, scheduled content or
available PPV content, for example. Receiving filtering input 154
preferably comprises the personalized content manager 45 receiving
filtering input from a user and/or from default settings.
Preferably, when the client software 43 is first started by a user,
the personalized content manager 45 will generate a personalized
content management interface screen in which the content is
filtered based on default settings. In this situation, the
receiving step 154 will receive the default settings, which may be
set by the user and stored on the user machine's 40 secondary
storage device 44. Alternatively, the receiving step 154 will
receive user filtering input such as selected source(s) buttons 116
and/or selected category button(s) 114. In this situation, the
personalized content manager 45 will generate a personalized
content management interface screen in which the content is
filtered based on the user filtering input alone or in combination
with default settings.
[0065] Filtering the content with one or more content categories
156 preferably comprises the personalized content manager 45
filtering the received content based on received filtering input
related to category. For example, the filtering step 156 may
include the personalized content manager 45 comparing user selected
or default categories to program nugget category data (e.g.,
program classification 82, program category names 84, and/or
program sub-category names 86) found in the received content's
program nuggets 74. If the user selected or default category(ies)
matches the program nugget category data of certain content (e.g.,
a program), then the certain content is not filtered out.
Oppositely, if there is no match, the certain content is filtered
out.
[0066] Filtering the content with one or more content sources 158
preferably comprises the personalized content manager 45 filtering
the received content based on received filtering input related to
source. For example, the filtering step 158 may include the
personalized content manager 45 comparing user selected or default
source(s) to program nugget source data (e.g., IP address 102, TCP
port 104, local cache path 92, and/or local cache filename 94)
found in the received content's program nuggets 74. If the user
selected or default source(s) matches the program nugget source
data of certain content (e.g., a program), then the certain content
is not filtered out. Oppositely, if there is no match, the certain
content is filtered out. The order in which the filter steps 156
and 158 are executed is variable.
[0067] Sorting the content with the user profile 160 preferable
comprises the personalized content manager 45 sorting the received
content based on the user's personal profile. As described above,
the client software 43 preferably tracks the user's content usage
and creates a user personal profile, or user profile, based on this
tracking. For example, the client software 43 may store the
occurrence or frequency of the user viewing content with a certain
program classification 82, category name 84 and/or sub-category
name 86. Preferably, the client software 43 ranks the program
classifications 82, category names 84 and/or sub-category names 86
of the user's viewed content based on the number of occurrences or
frequency of viewing. Alternatively, the user may set or modify the
rankings of program classifications 82, category names 84 and/or
sub-category names 86 in the user's personal profile. Either way,
the sorting step 160 preferably includes the personalized content
manager 45 sorting the received content to match rankings of the
program classifications 82, category names 84 and/or sub-category
names 86 in the user profile. The sorting step 160 is preferably
performed after the filtering steps 156 and 158, although it may be
performed prior to these steps.
[0068] The generating a personalized content management interface
screen that includes a list of titles of filtered and sorted
content 164 preferably comprises the personalized content manager
45 generating a dynamic GUI 110 (e.g., including menus 112, 130 or
136) that includes the program titles 76 of the certain content
that was not filtered out by the filtering steps 156 and 158 and
which is sorted by the sorting step 160. The dynamic GUI 110 is
preferably displayed by the web browser 56 on the display device 50
of the user machine 40. The dynamic GUI 110 therefore preferably
includes content from selected categories (or sub-categories, see
specific category menu 132 above) from selected sources (NOC 12,
edge-of-net from the ISP 16 or personal content 28 from the local
cache).
[0069] As discussed above, the dynamic GUI 110 preferably includes
numerous sections (e.g., buttons, arrows and/or hyperlinks) through
which the user can browse through, search, and further filter the
program titles. If the preceding steps are performed in conjunction
with the client software 43 start-up, the default settings are
preferably used to filter (156 and 158) the content. If the
preceding steps are not performed in conjunction with the client
software 43 start-up, user filtering input and/or default settings
may be used to filter the content. Either way, determining if user
filtering input is received 164 preferably comprises the
personalized content manager 45 determining if the user selects a
section to enter initial user filtering input (e.g., the user first
enters filtering input on the first generated and displayed dynamic
GUI 110 after client software 43 start-up) or additional user
filtering input (e.g., the user enters additional filtering input
on a dynamic GUI 110 generated based on previous user filtering
input). If the user does enter filtering input, the method 150
preferably repeats steps 156-164.
[0070] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 170
of personalized content management, preferably performed by the
personalized content manager 45, as described above. The method 170
preferably comprises the steps of: receiving user category and
source selection(s) 172; comparing selected category(ies) to
program nugget data 174; comparing selected source(s) to program
nugget data 176; sorting content with the user profile 178;
displaying titles of sorted and matched content 180; receiving user
title selection 182; and, displaying content corresponding to
selected title 184. Steps 172 to 180 may be performed as described
above. For example, the receiving user category and source(s) 172
may include the personalized content manager 45 receiving user
selections of category button(s) 114 and source button(s) 116.
Likewise, displaying title of sorted and matched content 180 may
include the personalized content manager 45 generating a dynamic
GUI 110 with the program titles 76 of the filtered and sorted
content and displaying the dynamic GUI 110 on the web browser 56 on
the display device 50 of the user machine 40.
[0071] Receiving user title selection 182 preferably comprises the
personalized content manager 45 (and/or client software 43)
receiving a user selection of a program title 76 displayed in the
dynamic GUI 110 (e.g., including menus 112, 130 or 136). The user
may select a program title 76 by clicking on the program title 76,
if the program title 76 includes a hyperlink. The hyperlink may be
a link to the content corresponding to the selected program title,
in which case the client software 43 displays the content
corresponding to the selected title 184. Alternatively, as
described above, the hyperlink may be a link to a pop-up, pull-down
or overlay menu that includes additional options, such as further
information regarding the corresponding content (e.g., such as the
program description 78 or PPV information 98, if applicable),
access to the thumbnail 88 and/or video trailer 90, and/or the link
to the corresponding content, for example. Accordingly, the method
170 may also comprise displaying a pop-up, pull-down or overlay
menu (not shown), displaying a program description or PPV
information (not shown), and/or displaying a thumbnail or video
trailer (not shown).
[0072] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 190
of personalized content management, preferably performed by the
personalized content manager 45, as described above. The method 190
preferably comprises the steps of: receiving user category and
source selection(s) 192; comparing selected category(ies) to
program nugget data 194; comparing selected source(s) to program
nugget data 196; sorting content with the user profile 198;
filtering the content with bandwidth capacity 200; and, displaying
titles of sorted and matched content 202. The filtering step 200
preferably comprises the personalized content manager 45 filtering
the content with the bandwidth capacity of the client 18 on which
the personalized content manager 45 is running. Preferably, the
personalized content manager 45 compares the bandwidth capacity to
the bitrate 106 in the program nuggets. If the bitrate 106 of
certain content exceeds the bandwidth capacity, the certain content
is filtered out. As discussed above, the personalized content
manager 45 may treat the content filtered out based on bandwidth
capacity in a variety of ways. For example, the personalized
content manager 45 may exclude the filtered out content from the
generated dynamic GUI 110. Alternatively, the personalized content
manager 45 may include the filtered out content in the dynamic GUI
110 by including the corresponding program titles 76 grayed-out
without hyperlinks or with hyperlinks to pop-ups, pull-downs or
overlays that explain why the program title 76 is grayed-out and/or
include an offer for expanding the client's 18 bandwidth
capacity.
[0073] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 210
of personalized content management, preferably performed by the
personalized content manager 45, as described above. The method 210
preferably comprises the steps of: receiving user category and
source selection(s) 212; comparing selected category(ies) to
program nugget data 214; comparing selected source(s) to program
nugget data 216; sorting content with the user profile 218;
filtering content with available now status 220; and, displaying
titles of available now, sorted and matched content 222. The
filtering content with available now status 220 preferably
comprises the personalized content manager 45 determining what
received content is presently available. Generally, all received
content is presently available (notwithstanding bandwidth and other
restrictions). However, the system 10 may multicast or unicast
content that is available in the future (e.g., PPV content
purchased for a scheduled, later viewing). Also, the NOC 12
generally transmits program nuggets 74 in advance of the
corresponding content. Therefore, the filtering content with
available now status 220 may include the personalized content
manager 45 comparing schedule information 96 in program nuggets 74
with the present time and filtering out content that corresponds to
program nuggets 74 with schedule information 96 for future times.
The displaying titles of available now, sorted and matched content
222 preferably includes the personalized content manager 45
generating a dynamic GUI 110 that includes the available now menu
112. The available now menu 112 is preferably the default setting
for the dynamic GUI 110.
[0074] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 230
of personalized content management, preferably performed by the
personalized content manager 45, as described above. The method 230
preferably comprises the steps of: receiving user category and
source selection(s) 232; comparing selected category(ies) to
program nugget data 234; comparing selected source(s) to program
nugget data 236; sorting content with the user profile 238;
filtering content with input schedule data 240; and, displaying
titles of scheduled, sorted and matched content 242. The filtering
content with input schedule data 240 preferably comprises the
personalized content manager 45 receiving a user schedule input and
filtering the scheduled content based on the user schedule
input.
[0075] As described above, dynamic GUI 110 preferably comprises a
schedule menu button 140 that toggles to the scheduled menu 136.
The schedule menu 136 preferably displays scheduled content and
includes a plurality of day buttons 142 and hour buttons 144.
Accordingly, the filtering content with input schedule data 240
preferably comprises the personalized content manager 45 receiving
user selections of one or more day buttons 142 and/or hour buttons
144 and comparing the selected day(s) and/or hour(s) to the
schedule information 96 in received program nuggets. The displaying
step 242 preferably comprises the personalized content manager 45
generating and displaying a dynamic GUI 110 comprising a scheduled
menu 136 that includes schedule content with schedule information
96 that matched the selected day(s) and/or hour(s).
[0076] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 250
of personalized content management, preferably performed by the
personalized content manager 45, as described above. The method 250
preferably comprises the steps of: receiving user category and
source selection(s) 252; comparing selected category(ies) to
program nugget data 254; comparing selected source(s) to program
nugget data 256; sorting content with the user profile 258;
displaying titles of sorted and matched content 260; conducting a
word search of displayed titles 262; and, displaying titles of
content matching word search 264: Conducting a word search of
displayed titles 262 preferably comprises the personalized content
manager 45 receiving a search term input from the text specific
data field 134 and comparing the search term to program nugget 74
data. For example, the personalized content manager 45 may compare
the search term to program titles 76, program descriptions 78,
program ratings 80, program classifications 82, program category
names 84, program sub-category names 86, source data, schedule
information 96, expiry date 108, etc. The displaying titles of
content matching word search 264 preferably includes the
personalized content manager 45 generating and displaying a dynamic
GUI 110 with program titles 76 corresponding to content that had
matching program nugget 74 data.
[0077] While the invention has been described with reference to the
exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be
able to make various modifications to the described embodiments of
the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of
the invention. The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth
by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those
skilled in the art will recognize that these and other variations
are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined in the following claims and their equivalents.
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