U.S. patent application number 12/109021 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for method and system for inserting a new channel into a list of preferred channels.
This patent application is currently assigned to JLB VENTURES, LLC. Invention is credited to Dan Kikinis.
Application Number | 20080216115 12/109021 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22913110 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080216115 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kikinis; Dan |
September 4, 2008 |
Method and System for Inserting a New Channel Into a List of
Preferred Channels
Abstract
A first set of channels is provided. The first set of channels
is selected based on a predetermined criteria related to a viewing
preference of a viewer. A first channel not selected based on the
predetermined criteria related to the viewing preference of the
viewer is inserted into the first set of channels. In one
embodiment, a system operator inserts the first channel into the
first set of channels. In one embodiment, insertion is disallowed
if a number of channels not selected based on the predetermined
criteria related to the viewing preference of the viewer that have
been inserted into the first set of channels is greater than a
predetermined number.
Inventors: |
Kikinis; Dan; (Saratoga,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
1100 13th STREET, N.W., SUITE 1200
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-4051
US
|
Assignee: |
JLB VENTURES, LLC
Washington
DC
|
Family ID: |
22913110 |
Appl. No.: |
12/109021 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10029508 |
Oct 19, 2001 |
7389523 |
|
|
12109021 |
|
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60242011 |
Oct 19, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/34 ;
348/E5.097; 348/E7.063 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/454 20130101;
H04N 21/4755 20130101; H04N 21/25891 20130101; H04N 7/165 20130101;
H04N 21/6543 20130101; H04N 21/4532 20130101; H04N 21/25883
20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101; H04N 5/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/34 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/10 20060101
H04N007/10 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: providing a first set of channels, the
first set of channels selected based on a predetermined criteria
related to a viewing preference of a viewer; and inserting into the
first set of channels a first channel not selected based on the
predetermined criteria related to the viewing preference of the
viewer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of prior application Ser.
No. 10/029,508, entitled Method And System For Inserting A New
Channel Into A List Of Preferred Channels, and filed Oct. 19, 2001,
which is incorporated by reference herein, and which claims
priority to the provisional filed application entitled Inserting a
"Cuckcoo" Channel into a List of Channel Favorites, filed on Oct.
19, 2000, Ser. No. 60/242,011, which is also incorporated by
reference herein. This application is also related to application
Ser. No. 10/029,784, entitled Method and Apparatus for Generation
of a Preferred Broadcasted Programs List, and filed on Oct. 19,
2001, which is also incorporated by reference herein, and which
claims priority to the provisional filed application entitled
Dynamic, Automatic Generation of Favorite Times and Channel List,
filed on Oct. 19, 2000, Ser. No. 60/241,880, which is also
incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to the field of data processing. More
specifically, the invention relates to processing data relating to
television viewing preferences.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Very often program providers deliberately make the set up
and maintenance of preferred channel lists inconvenient, requiring
arcane programming, etc., because program providers are afraid they
may be unable to push new channels into the market if people are
given a simple, convenient way to select only the programs they
like and thus ignore new channels coming to market. Such a
convenience for viewers would make it more difficult for program
providers to introduce new channels and programs into the
market.
[0004] As a result, preferred channel lists are, to a certain
degree, made inconvenient to create and use and are not emphasized
a lot, because there is, for program providers, an inherent
conflict between providing a good method for generating and using a
preferred channel list and having the ability to push new
content.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A first set of channels is provided. The first set of
channels is selected based on a predetermined criteria related to a
viewing preference of a viewer. A first channel not selected based
on the predetermined criteria related to the viewing preference of
the viewer is inserted into the first set of channels. In one
embodiment, a system operator inserts the first channel into the
first set of channels. In one embodiment, insertion is disallowed
if a number of channels not selected based on the predetermined
criteria related to the viewing preference of the viewer that have
been inserted into the first set of channels is greater than a
predetermined number.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The present invention will be understood more fully from the
detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings
of various embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not
be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but
are for explanation and understanding only.
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical channel lineup available on a
television organized into clusters of channels according to one
embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a list of preferred channels of a viewer
according to one embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a viewer's preferred channel list
according to one embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a table that presents preferred channel
lists according to one embodiment; and
[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a process for inserting a channel into a
viewer's preferred channels list according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical channel lineup available on a
television organized into clusters of channels according to one
embodiment. The spectrum 100 of available channels is shown as a
line. In digital cable systems there is a cluster of local
broadcast channels at the lowest available channel number, which is
typically channel 2.
[0013] Ultrahigh frequency ("UHF") stations that desire to be
placed in a channel slot that is more frequently selected may vie
for gaps in the air programming space at this lowest end of the
channel lineup. Those vied-for channels typically start at channel
2 and extend to some other channel approximately in the range of 20
to 25. Often UHF channels somewhere around channel 36 or 44, for
example, are, on cable, inserted at channel numbers as low as
channel 5 or 6, for example. Sometimes broadcasters pay cable
companies a placement fee to be at inserted at a lower channel
number. Channels 2, 3, 4, and 5 are shown on spectrum 100 in a
cluster 101 of expensive channels.
[0014] This practice originated because when early televisions and
set top boxes were turned on, they initially displayed channel 2,
and the viewer would then surf upward (numerically) through the
channels. The presumed assumption was that the closer a channel was
to the channel number initially offered when the TV was turned on,
the better the chance was that the viewer would surf to the
channel.
[0015] When, later, vast numbers of premium channels were added,
they were issued some arbitrary starting channel number, for
example channel 500, and then started from there. Again, a similar
issue of favorable positioning arose. Channels 500, 501, and 502
are shown on spectrum 100 in a cluster 102 of premium channels.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a list of preferred channels of a viewer
according to one embodiment. Preferred channel list 200 lists
channels 2, 4, 7, 11, 500, 501, and 845 as the preferred channels
of the user on spectrum 201. These channels are selected based on
predetermined criteria related to the viewing preference of the
viewer. In one embodiment, the predetermined criteria includes
channel numbers. In one embodiment, the predetermined criteria
includes viewing times. In one embodiment, the predetermined
criteria includes subject matter. In one embodiment, the preferred
channel list contains channels manually selected by the viewer. In
one embodiment, the preferred channel list contains channels which
are frequently selected by a viewer. The frequency may be a
predetermined amount. In one embodiment, the preferred channel list
contains channels which the viewer watches for the longest period
of time. The minimum period of time may be a predetermined amount.
These predetermined amount may be specified by the viewer in one
embodiment, or by a system operator (such as a cable provider) in
one embodiment. In one embodiment, the preferred channel list is
shown on a television display. In one embodiment, the preferred
channel list may be accessed and changed by a viewer by pressing
buttons on a remote control or on a set-top box or on a television
itself. The preferred channel list may be navigable in one
embodiment through a series of menus.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a viewer's preferred channel list
according to one embodiment. Channel 164 is a channel to be
included in the viewer's preferred channel list but not selected
based on the predetermined criteria related to the viewing
preference of the viewer that, in one embodiment, the system
operator inserts into the viewer's preferred channel list 300. Such
a channel may be inserted, in one embodiment, for a limited period
(for example, for a week, a month, or any other desired period) as
a promotion, and certain restrictions may apply to the insertion of
the channel. In one embodiment, the media provider or cable
programmer is not permitted to insert a number of channels greater
than some predetermined threshold (for example, 10 percent) of the
preferred channels in the viewer's list. Therefore, in one
embodiment, insertion is disallowed if a number of channels not
selected based on the predetermined criteria related to the viewing
preference of the viewer that have been inserted into the first set
of channels is greater than a predetermined number. This
predetermined number is in one embodiment selected by a system
operator such as a cable provider. The predetermined number may in
another embodiment be selected by a viewer.
[0018] As insertions can allow new programs to be promoted, there
may be value in those inserted channel opportunities for new
networks to enter aggressively into the market. Also, the cable
company can use such insertions to promote its own programs on
occasion, such as special events, season premieres etc., by
inserting a preview channel for a special event on a specific day
or a week, etc.
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a table that presents preferred channel
lists according to one embodiment. It shows a lineup with pointers
for the preferred channel list 400. In one embodiment, the
end-of-list segment 403 points back to the initial channel segment,
to allow continuous browsing of the list. In one embodiment, table
segments 401A through 401N are standard channel listings, whereas
table segment 402 is a listing for a channel not selected based on
the predetermined criteria related to the viewing preference of the
viewer, as inserted in the preferred channel listing in FIG. 3.
[0020] In one embodiment, also included in segment 402 is a date
limit 404, causing the listing to expire once that date limit has
been reached. Such a time limit could be specific down to hours or
even seconds, in cases of promotions of the type of, for example, a
special boxing fight on a popular premium channel. In such cases,
the program provider could insert a special promotion channel that
expires when the fight begins or ends. Upon expiration, the expired
channel is in one embodiment removed from the preferred channels
list.
[0021] The commands that insert segment 402 into a preferred
channels list could be broadcast by the system operator into all
recipient devices (for example, cable boxes, set-top boxes,
integrated intelligent televisions, etc.). In one embodiment, the
command is a tag or element or object that is recognized by the
electronic programming guide ("EPG") or interactive programming
guide ("IPG") and is accordingly processed and causes a software
engine to insert a new channel into the preferred channel list in
the correct location as set forth above.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for
inserting a channel into a viewer's preferred channels list
according to one embodiment. In process block 501, a system
operator (for example, a cable provider, a satellite provider,
etc.) may insert the channel using software running on a computer
system at a location remote to the viewer. In process block 502,
the computer system would then transmit (for example, through the
television cable system coupled with the computer system, or
through the air in the case of a satellite system, etc.) the change
to the viewer's preferred channel list. The change in one
embodiment is in the form of a command understandable by a
recipient device to alter the viewer's preferred channel list. The
viewer's preferred channel list is in one embodiment stored in a
set-top box which interfaces with the media system (for example,
the cable system, the satellite system, etc.). In one embodiment,
the viewer's preferred channel list is stored in a television which
interfaces with the media system. In process block 503, upon
receipt of the change to the preferred channel list, the device
which stores the preferred channel list (e.g., a set-top box, a
television, etc.) alters the preferred channel list to insert the
channel. Of course, other systems besides cable systems may be used
also. Some of these other systems include satellite systems,
telephone systems, and internet systems.
[0023] In one embodiment, the software could be programmed to
restrict the number of such special segments, according to the
number of standard segments in the preferred channel list.
[0024] As an additional option, in one embodiment viewers could be
given the opportunity to have channels inserted in their preferred
channels list that are selected from a set of the channels with at
least a predetermined occurrence in the preferred channels lists of
all other viewers in the viewer's geographic location, such as the
viewer's city or state, or are channels are selected from a set of
channels that typically concentrate on particular topics of
interest, such as nature, crime and police, comedy, etc.
[0025] The processes described above may be implemented by a
system. In one embodiment the system includes a first unit to
provide a viewer's preferred channel list and a second unit that
interfaces (for example, through a cable system or over the air in
the case of a satellite system) with the first unit to provide for
inserting into the viewer's preferred channel list a channel not
selected based on the predetermined criteria related to the viewing
preference of the viewer. In one embodiment, the first unit is
included in a set-top box. In one embodiment, the first unit is
included in a television. In one embodiment, the first unit is a
set-top box and the second unit is a computer system (e.g., a
server). In one embodiment, the first unit is a television and the
second unit is a computer system (e.g., a server). In one
embodiment, the first unit is located remotely from the second
unit. In one embodiment, the channel not selected based on the
predetermined criteria related to the viewing preference of the
viewer is selected by a system operator. In one embodiment, the
second unit is further to disallow insertion upon determining that
a number of channels not selected based on the predetermined
criteria related to the viewing preference of the viewer that have
been inserted into the viewer's preferred channel list is greater
than a predetermined number. In one embodiment the channel not
selected based on the predetermined criteria related to the viewing
preference of the viewer is set to expire once a time limit has
been reached. In one embodiment, the channel not selected based on
the predetermined criteria related to the viewing preference of the
viewer is selected from a set of channels that includes channels
having at least a predetermined frequency in channels lists of
other viewers in the viewer's geographic location. In one
embodiment, the channel not selected based on the predetermined
criteria related to the viewing preference of the viewer is
selected from a set of channels based on a predetermined subject
matter. In one embodiment, the predetermined subject matter may be
subject matter selected by a viewer. In one embodiment, the
predetermined subject matter may be subject matter equivalent to
the subject matter found on channels that a viewer frequently
watches.
[0026] The embodiments described above can be implemented using
software in a TV viewing system. Such a TV viewing system can be
implemented in many ways. A typical approach to implementation uses
a set-top box that contains, among other things, a CPU, storage
(e.g., RAM, ROM, etc.), a receiving network adapter, and circuitry
to drive a viewing system such as a TV, monitor, projector, etc.
All of these elements are not necessarily shown, but are well know
in the art. For purposes of the embodiments described below, any
other grouping, such as a TV with a built-in CPU, or a personal
computer with TV capabilities are considered to be equivalent. Such
television viewing system are typically supplied with TV content by
system operators, including but not limited to cable
provider/operators, satellite provider/operators, broadcasters,
overbuilders, etc.
[0027] The method and apparatus disclosed herein may be integrated
into advanced Internet- or network-based knowledge systems as
related to information retrieval, information extraction, and
question and answer systems. The system has a processor coupled to
a bus. Also coupled to the bus are a memory which may contain
instructions. Additional components coupled to the bus are a
storage device (such as a hard drive, floppy drive, CD-ROM,
DVD-ROM, etc.), an input device (such as a keyboard, mouse, light
pen, bar code reader, scanner, microphone, joystick, etc.), and an
output device (such as a printer, monitor, speakers, etc.). Of
course, an exemplary computer system could have more components
than these or a subset of the components listed.
[0028] The method described above can be stored in the memory of a
computer system (e.g., set top box, video recorders, etc.) as a set
of instructions to be executed. In addition, the instructions to
perform the method described above could alternatively be stored on
other forms of machine-readable media, including magnetic and
optical disks. For example, the method of the present invention
could be stored on machine-readable media, such as magnetic disks
or optical disks, which are accessible via a disk drive (or
computer-readable medium drive). Further, the instructions can be
downloaded into a computing device over a data network in a form of
compiled and linked version.
[0029] Alternatively, the logic to perform the methods as discussed
above, could be implemented in additional computer and/or machine
readable media, such as discrete hardware components as large-scale
integrated circuits (LSI's), application-specific integrated
circuits (ASIC's), firmware such as electrically erasable
programmable read-only memory (EEPROM's); and electrical, optical,
acoustical and other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier
waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.); etc.
[0030] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident
that various modifications and changes may be made to these
embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
the invention. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the
embodiments described above apply also to satellite and internet
and telephone systems as well as the cable systems described.
Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in
an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
* * * * *