U.S. patent application number 11/985847 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-21 for systems and methods for automatically purchasing and recording popular pay programs in an interactive media delivery system.
This patent application is currently assigned to United Video Properties, Inc. Invention is credited to Gevorg Gevorgyan, Royce Matsusei Hamano.
Application Number | 20090133078 11/985847 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40091028 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090133078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hamano; Royce Matsusei ; et
al. |
May 21, 2009 |
Systems and methods for automatically purchasing and recording
popular pay programs in an interactive media delivery system
Abstract
A system and method for automatically purchasing and recording
popular pay program is disclosed. The pay programs are selected
based on defined criteria and popularity. The most popular pay
program that meets defined criteria will be automatically recorded
and purchased. Notifications and confirmations are provided before
purchase of pay programs.
Inventors: |
Hamano; Royce Matsusei; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Gevorgyan; Gevorg; (Glendale,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROPES & GRAY LLP
PATENT DOCKETING 39/361, 1211 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
10036-8704
US
|
Assignee: |
United Video Properties,
Inc
Los Angeles
CA
|
Family ID: |
40091028 |
Appl. No.: |
11/985847 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4532 20130101;
H04N 5/775 20130101; H04N 21/4334 20130101; H04N 21/47211 20130101;
H04H 60/27 20130101; H04N 7/163 20130101; H04N 21/6181 20130101;
H04H 60/65 20130101; H04N 5/76 20130101; H04N 21/4661 20130101;
H04N 21/47214 20130101; H04N 21/4826 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101;
H04N 5/765 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/87 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/173 20060101
H04N007/173 |
Claims
1. A method for automatically purchasing and recording popular pay
programs in an interactive media delivery system, comprising:
determining the popularity of pay programs for a defined time
period; in response to the determining: recording the most-popular
pay programs for the defined time period; purchasing, up to a
defined spending limit, the most-popular pay programs for the
defined time period; receiving a user input identifying a pay
program that has been recorded and purchased; and in response to
the input, playing back the identified popular pay program.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein recording the most-popular
programs comprises recording only the purchased most-popular pay
programs.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising deleting un-purchased,
recorded most-popular pay programs.
4. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the pay programs are
pay-per-view programs or video-on-demand programs.
5. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the defined period of time
is defined by a user of the interactive media delivery system.
6. The method defined in claim 1 wherein automatically purchasing
and recording the most-popular pay programs comprises automatically
purchasing and recording the most-popular pay programs at a
user-specified time within the time period.
7. The method defined in claim 1 wherein automatically purchasing
and recording the most-popular pay programs comprises automatically
purchasing and recording the most-popular pay programs within the
time period at a user-specified frequency.
8. The method defined in claim 1 wherein: the method further
comprises receiving a user input defining a filter; and
automatically purchasing and recording the most-popular pay
programs comprises automatically purchasing and recording only the
most-popular pay programs matching the filter.
9. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising providing a
notification when a pay program is purchased or about to be
purchased.
10. The method defined in claim 1 wherein automatically purchasing
and recording the most-popular pay programs comprises not
purchasing and recording a pay program in response to a user input
indicating that the pay program should not be purchased.
11. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising prompting the
user to indicate whether the user would like pay programs, similar
to at least one automatically purchased and recorded program,
automatically purchased and recorded for the user.
12. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the defined spending
limit is a flat rate for a defined number of most-popular pay
programs.
13. A system for allowing users of an interactive media guidance
application to automatically purchase and record popular pay
programs in an interactive media delivery system, comprising:
control circuitry and an input device, the control circuitry
configured to: determine the popularity of pay programs for a
defined time period; in response to determining the popularity of
pay programs: record the most-popular pay programs for the defined
time period; purchase, up to a defined spending limit, the
most-popular pay programs for the defined time period; receive a
user input from the input device identifying a pay program that has
been recorded and purchased; and in response to the input, play
back the identified popular pay program.
14. The system defined in claim 13 wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to record only the purchased most-popular pay
programs.
15. The system defined in claim 13 wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to delete un-purchased, recorded most-popular
pay programs.
16. The system defined in claim 13 wherein the pay programs are
pay-per-view programs or video-on-demand programs.
17. The system defined in claim 13 wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to allow the defined period of time to be
defined by a user of the interactive media delivery system.
18. The system defined in claim 13 wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to automatically purchase and record the
most-popular pay programs at a user-specified time within the time
period.
19. The system defined in claim 13 wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to automatically purchase and record the
most-popular pay programs within the time period at a
user-specified frequency.
20. The system defined in claim 13 wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to: receive a user input from the input device
defining a filter; and automatically purchase and record the
most-popular pay programs that match the filter.
21. The system defined in claim 13 wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to provide a notification when a pay program is
purchased or about to be purchased.
22. The system defined in claim 13 wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to not automatically purchase and record a pay
program in response to a user input indicating that the pay program
should not be purchased.
23. The system defined in claim 13 wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to prompt the user to indicate whether the user
would like pay programs, similar to at least one automatically
purchased and recorded program, automatically purchased and
recorded for the user.
24. The system defined in claim 13 wherein the defined spending
limit is a flat rate for a defined number of most-popular pay
programs.
25-36. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to media systems, and more
particularly, to systems and methods for automatically purchasing
and recording popular pay programs in an interactive media delivery
system using interactive media guidance applications.
[0002] Pay programs, such as pay-per-view (PPV) programs, pay
near-video-on-demand (NVOD) programs, pay video-on-demand (VOD)
programs, or other types of pay media not included as part of a
user's subscription, are typically distributed to viewers over
wired and wireless networks. Viewers may purchase such pay programs
and view them, typically in accordance with viewing policies.
However, viewers may not have the time to proceed through all the
pay programs and purchase desired pay programs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In accordance with the principles of the present invention,
systems and methods for automatically purchasing and recording
popular pay programs are disclosed. The various embodiments
described herein, generally speaking, only purchase and record the
most popular program that satisfy the defined criteria. Defined
criteria may include a time period in which to inquire into the
popularity of pay programs, a frequency at which to automatically
purchase and record the most popular pay programs within the time
period, a time within the time period at which to purchase and
record the most popular pay programs, and a spending limit within
which to purchase the most popular pay programs. The capability to
automatically purchase and record most popular program or programs
gives a user the ability to purchase similar pay programs others in
the community are purchasing and recording, without the need to
proceed through all the pay programs to determine which one to
purchase.
[0004] Popularity of a pay program may be determined based on any
suitable criteria. For example, popularity may simply be based on
the number of users currently watching a particular pay program.
Alternatively, popularity may be determined based on past views of
a particular pay program.
[0005] Once popularity of pay program or programs is determined,
recording the most popular pay programs is performed under the
control of a suitable application, such as an interactive media
guidance application running on a user's equipment. Alternatively,
recording pay programs may be performed remotely on a server by,
e.g., a guidance application server application.
[0006] Popular pay programs may be automatically purchased up to a
defined spending limit. The spending limit can be user-defined or
generated based on past occurrences. In some embodiments, the
guidance application will send out a notification that a popular
pay program is about to be purchased and prompt the user to
confirm. In some embodiments the guidance application will not
purchase popular pay programs without user confirmation. In other
embodiments, the guidance application may only send out a
notification if the guidance application receives a user input to
do so, otherwise the guidance application automatically records and
purchases popular pay programs up to the defined spending
limit.
[0007] In some embodiments, all of the most popular pay programs
may be recorded, subsequently, the guidance application purchases
the most popular pay program or programs up to the defined spending
limit. The un-purchased popular pay program or programs are then
deleted from the server. In other embodiments, the guidance
application purchases the most popular pay program or programs up
to the defined spending limit and then records the popular pay
program or programs, saving space on remote servers. Such an
embodiment would be optimal in cases where the guidance application
is running on the user's equipment where space is more limited.
[0008] Recording and purchasing may be limited by user-supplied or
system defined filters. For example, the media guidance application
may receive user inputs defining, or based on monitored user
behavior define, genres or other criteria and, in response, only
record and purchase popular programs meeting the criteria.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The above and other objects and advantages of the invention
will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout,
and in which:
[0010] FIGS. 1 and 2 show illustrative displays that may be used to
provide interactive media guidance application listings in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 shows an illustrative user equipment device in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an illustrative cross-platform
interactive media system in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an illustrative system environment in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows an illustrative display that may be provided to
receive user input to set options for purchasing and recording
popular pay programs in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 shows an illustrative display provided to receive
user input to turn the purchasing and recording of popular pay
programs on or off in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 shows an illustrative display provided to receive
user input to set a defined time period for which popular pay
programs are determined and recorded in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 shows an illustrative display provided to receive
user input to set a time within the time period to purchase and
record popular pay programs in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention;
[0018] FIG. 10 shows an illustrative display provided to receive
user input to set the frequency at which to purchase and record
popular pay programs in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0019] FIG. 11 shows an illustrative display provided to receive
user input to filter selections, from purchasing and recording, pay
programs that are inconsistent with user preferences in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 12 shows an illustrative display provided to receive
user input to turn notifications before purchasing and recording
pay programs on or off in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0021] FIG. 13 shows an illustrative display to receive user input
to exclude certain pay programs from selection for purchasing and
recording in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 14 shows an illustrative display provided to receive
user input to set purchasing spending limits for popular pay
programs in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 15 shows an illustrative display provided to display
information such as listing of recorded programs, popularity level
of a recorded program, and other pay programs the user may want to
purchase and record, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0024] FIG. 16 shows an illustrative display provided to prompt the
user to confirm purchase of popular pay programs in accordance with
one embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIGS. 17-21 are illustrative process flowcharts of steps
involved in purchasing and recording popular pay programs according
to various embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The amount of media available to users in any given media
delivery system can be substantial. Consequently, many users desire
a form of media guidance through an interface that allows users to
efficiently navigate media selections and easily identify media
that they may desire. An application which provides such guidance
is referred to herein as an interactive media guidance application
or, sometimes, a media guidance application or a guidance
application.
[0027] Interactive media guidance applications may take various
forms depending on the media for which they provide guidance. One
typical type of media guidance application is an interactive
television program guide. Interactive television program guides
(sometimes referred to as electronic program guides) are well-known
guidance applications that, among other things, allow users to
navigate among and locate many types of media content including
conventional television programming (provided via traditional
broadcast, cable, satellite, Internet, or other means), as well as
pay-per-view programs, on-demand programs (as in video-on-demand
(VOD) systems), Internet content (e.g., streaming media,
downloadable media, Webcasts, etc.), and other types of media or
video content. Guidance applications also allow users to navigate
among and locate content related to the video content including,
for example, video clips, articles, advertisements, chat sessions,
games, etc.
[0028] With the advent of the Internet, mobile computing, and
high-speed wireless networks, users are accessing media on personal
computers (PCs) and other devices on which they traditionally did
not, such as hand-held computers, personal digital assistants
(PDAs), mobile telephones, or other mobile devices. On these
devices users are able to navigate among and locate the same media
available through a television. Consequently, media guidance is
necessary on these devices, as well. The guidance provided may be
for media content available only through a television, for media
content available only through one or more of these devices, or for
media content available both through a television and one or more
of these devices. The media guidance applications may be provided
as on-line applications (i.e., provided on a web-site), or as
stand-alone applications or clients on hand-held computers, PDAs,
mobile telephones, or other mobile devices. The various devices and
platforms that may implement media guidance applications are
described in more detail below.
[0029] One of the functions of the media guidance application is to
provide media listings and media information to users along with
allowing users to record and watch saved programs. FIGS. 1-2 and
6-15 show illustrative displays that may be used to provide media
guidance, and in particular media listings and recording options.
The displays shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 6-15 may be implemented on any
suitable device or platform. While the displays of FIGS. 1-2 and
6-15 are illustrated as full-screen displays, they may also be
fully or partially overlaid over media content being displayed. A
user may indicate a desire to access media information by selecting
a selectable option provided in a display (e.g., a menu option, a
listings option, an icon, a hyperlink, etc.) or pressing a
dedicated button (e.g., a GUIDE button) on a remote control or
other user input interface or device. In response to the user's
indication, the media guidance application may provide a display
with media information organized in one of several ways, such as by
time and channel in a grid, by time, by channel, by media type, by
category (e.g., movies, sports, news, children, or other categories
of programming), recording priority, recording order, or other
predefined, user-defined, or other organization criteria.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows illustrative grid program listings display 100
arranged by time and channel that also enables access to different
types of media content in a single display. Display 100 may include
grid 102 with: (1) a column of channel/media type identifiers 104,
where each channel/media type identifier (which is a cell in the
column) identifies a different channel or media type available; and
(2) a row of time identifiers 106, where each time identifier
(which is a cell in the row) identifies a time block of
programming. Grid 102 also includes cells of program listings, such
as program listing 108, where each listing provides the title of
the program provided on the listing's associated channel and time.
Other information and indicators may also be included in grid
cells. With a user input device, a user can select program listings
by moving highlight region 110. Information relating to the program
listing selected by highlight region 110 may be provided in program
information region 112. Region 112 may include, for example, the
program title, the program description, the time the program is
provided (if applicable), the channel the program is on (if
applicable), the program's rating, and other desired information
such as whether the program is being recorded, whether there is a
scheduling conflict, or any other desired information.
[0031] In addition to providing access to linear programming
provided according to a schedule, the media guidance application
also provides access to non-linear programming which is not
provided according to a schedule. Non-linear programming may
include content from different media sources including on-demand
media content (e.g., VOD), Internet content (e.g., streaming media,
downloadable media, etc.), locally stored media content (e.g.,
video content stored on a digital video recorder (DVR), digital
video disc (DVD), video cassette, compact disc (CD), etc.), or
other time-insensitive media content. On-demand content may include
both movies and original media content provided by a particular
media provider (e.g., HBO On Demand providing "The Sopranos" and
"Curb Your Enthusiasm"). HBO ON DEMAND is a service mark owned by
Time Warner Company L. P. et al. and THE SOPRANOS and CURB YOUR
ENTHUSIASM are trademarks owned by the Home Box Office, Inc.
Internet content may include web events, such as a chat session or
Webcast, or content available on-demand as streaming media or
downloadable media through an Internet web site or other Internet
access (e.g. FTP). Non-linear programming content may also include
digital images and text based information, digital music and other
audio content.
[0032] Grid 102 may provide listings for non-linear programming
including on-demand listing 114, recorded media listing 116, and
Internet content listing 118. A display combining listings for
content from different types of media sources is sometimes referred
to as a "mixed-media" display. The various permutations of the
types of listings that may be displayed that are different than
display 100 may be based on user selection or guidance application
definition (e.g., a display listing purchased and recorded popular
pay programs such as the display illustrated in FIG. 15, only
on-demand and broadcast listings, etc.). As illustrated, listings
114, 116, and 118 are shown as spanning the entire time block
displayed in grid 102 to indicate that selection of these listings
may provide access to a display dedicated to on-demand listings,
recorded listings, or Internet listings, respectively. In other
embodiments, listings for these media types may be included
directly in grid 102. Additional listings may be displayed in
response to the user selecting one of the navigational icons 120.
(Pressing an arrow key on a user input device may affect the
display in a similar manner as selecting navigational icons
120.)
[0033] Display 100 may also include video region 122, advertisement
124, and options region 126. Video region 122 may allow the user to
view and/or preview programs that are currently available, will be
available, or were available to the user. The content of video
region 122 may correspond to, or be independent from, one of the
listings displayed in grid 102. Grid displays including a video
region are sometimes referred to as picture-in-guide (PIG)
displays. PIG displays and their functionalities are described in
greater detail in Satterfield et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,378,
issued May 13, 2003 and Yuen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,794, issued
May 29, 2001, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in
their entireties. PIG displays may be included in other media
guidance application displays of the present invention.
[0034] Advertisement 124 may provide an advertisement for media
content that, depending on a viewer's access rights (e.g., for
subscription programming), is currently available for viewing, will
be available for viewing in the future, or may never become
available for viewing, and may correspond to or be unrelated to one
or more of the media listings in grid 102. Advertisement 124 may
also be for products or services related or unrelated to the media
content displayed in grid 102. Advertisement 124 may be selectable
and provide further information about media content, provide
information about a product or a service, enable purchasing of
media content, a product, or a service, provide media content
relating to the advertisement, etc. Advertisement 124 may be
targeted based on a user's profile/preferences, monitored user
behavior, the type of display provided, or on other suitable
targeted advertisement bases.
[0035] While advertisement 124 is shown as rectangular or banner
shaped, advertisements may be provided in any suitable size, shape,
and location in a guidance application display. For example,
advertisement 124 may be provided as a rectangular shape that is
horizontally adjacent to grid 102. This is sometimes referred to as
a panel advertisement. In addition, advertisements may be overlaid
over media content or a guidance application display or embedded
within a display. Advertisements may also include text, images,
rotating images, video clips, or other types of media content.
Advertisements may be stored in the user equipment with the
guidance application, in a database connected to the user
equipment, in a remote location (including streaming media
servers), or on other storage means or a combination of these
locations. Providing advertisements in a media guidance application
is discussed in greater detail in, for example, Knudson et al.,
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/347,673, filed Jan. 17, 2003,
Ward, III et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,997, issued Jun. 29, 2004, and
Schein et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,388,714, issued May 14, 2002, which
are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. It
will be appreciated that advertisements may be included in other
media guidance application displays of the present invention.
[0036] Options region 126 may allow the user to access different
types of media content, media guidance application displays, and/or
media guidance application features. Options region 126 may be part
of display 100 (and other displays of the present invention), or
may be invoked by a user by selecting an on-screen option or
pressing a dedicated or assignable button on a user input device.
The selectable options within options region 126 may concern
features related to program listings in grid 102 or may include
options available from a main menu display. Features related to
program listings may include searching for other air times or ways
of receiving a program, recording a program, enabling series
recording of a program, modifying a recording priority of a
program, setting program and/or channel as a favorite, purchasing a
program, or other features. Options available from a main menu
display may include search options, VOD options, parental control
options, access to various types of listing displays, subscribe to
a premium service, edit a user's profile, access a browse overlay,
or other options.
[0037] The media guidance application may be personalized based on
a user's preferences. A personalized media guidance application
allows a user to customize displays and features to create a
personalized "experience" with the media guidance application. This
personalized experience may be created by allowing a user to input
these customizations and/or by the media guidance application
monitoring user behavior to determine various user preferences.
Users may access their personalized guidance application by logging
in or otherwise identifying themselves to the guidance application.
Customization of the media guidance application may be made in
accordance with a user profile. The customizations may include
varying presentation schemes (e.g., color scheme of displays, font
size of text, etc.), aspects of media content listings displayed
(e.g., only HDTV programming, recorded popular programs,
user-specified broadcast channels based on favorite channel
selections, re-ordering the display of channels, recommended media
content, etc.), desired recording features (e.g., recording or
series recordings for particular users, recording popular programs,
recording quality, recording priority of programs, recording and
cropping options etc.), parental control settings, and other
desired customizations.
[0038] The media guidance application may allow a user to provide
user profile information or may automatically compile user profile
information. The media guidance application may, for example,
monitor the media the user accesses and/or other interactions the
user may have with the guidance application. Additionally, the
media guidance application may obtain all or part of other user
profiles that are related to a particular user (e.g., from other
web sites on the Internet the user accesses, such as
www.tvguide.com, from other media guidance applications the user
accesses, from other interactive applications the user accesses,
from a handheld device of the user, etc.), and/or obtain
information about the user from other sources that the media
guidance application may access. As a result, a user can be
provided with a unified guidance application experience across the
user's different devices. This type of user experience is described
in greater detail below in connection with FIG. 4. Additional
personalized media guidance application features are described in
greater detail in Ellis et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/179,410, filed Jul. 11, 2005, Boyer et al., U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/437,304, filed Nov. 9, 1999, and Ellis et
al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/105,128, filed Feb. 21,
2002, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their
entireties.
[0039] Another display arrangement for providing media guidance is
shown in FIG. 2. Video mosaic display 200 includes selectable
options 202 for media content information organized based on media
type, genre, and/or other organization criteria. In display 200,
television listings option 204 is selected, thus providing listings
206, 208, 210, and 212 as broadcast program listings. Unlike the
listings from FIG. 1, the listings in display 200 are not limited
to simple text (e.g., the program title) and icons to describe
media. Rather, in display 200 the listings may provide graphical
images including cover art, still images from the media content,
video clip previews, live video from the media content, or other
types of media that indicate to a user the media content being
described by the listing. Each of the graphical listings may also
be accompanied by text to provide further information about the
media content associated with the listing. For example, listing 208
may include more than one portion, including media portion 214 and
text portion 216. Media portion 214 and/or text portion 216 may be
selectable to view video in full-screen or to view program listings
related to the video displayed in media portion 214 (e.g., to view
listings for the channel that the video is displayed on).
[0040] The listings in display 200 are of different sizes (i.e.,
listing 206 is larger than listings 208, 210, and 212), but if
desired, all the listings may be the same size. Listings may be of
different sizes or graphically accentuated to indicate degrees of
interest to the user or to emphasize certain content, as desired by
the media provider or based on user preferences. Various systems
and methods for graphically accentuating media listings are
discussed in, for example, Yates, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/324,202, filed Dec. 29, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
[0041] Users may access media content and the media guidance
application (and its displays described above and below) from one
or more of their user equipment devices. FIG. 3 shows a generalized
embodiment of illustrative user equipment device 300. More specific
implementations of user equipment devices are discussed below in
connection with FIG. 4. User equipment device 300 may receive media
content and data via input/output (hereinafter "I/O") path 302. I/O
path 302 may provide media content (e.g., broadcast programming,
on-demand programming, Internet content, and other video or audio)
and data to control circuitry 304, which includes processing
circuitry 306 and storage 308. Control circuitry 304 may be used to
dedicate space on and direct recording of information to storage
devices (e.g., storage 308), and direct displaying of information
on display devices (e.g. display 312). Control circuitry 304 may be
used to send and receive commands, requests, and other suitable
data using I/O path 302. I/O path 302 may connect control circuitry
304 (and specifically processing circuitry 306) to one or more
communications paths (described below). I/O functions may be
provided by one or more of these communications paths, but are
shown as a single path in FIG. 3 to avoid overcomplicating the
drawing.
[0042] Control circuitry 304 may be based on any suitable
processing circuitry 306 such as processing circuitry based on one
or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal
processors, programmable logic devices, etc. In some embodiments,
control circuitry 304 executes instructions for a media guidance
application stored in memory (i.e., storage 308). In client-server
based embodiments, control circuitry 304 may include communications
circuitry suitable for communicating with a guidance application
server, remote recording server, or other networks or servers.
Communications circuitry may include a cable modem, an integrated
services digital network (ISDN) modem, a digital subscriber line
(DSL) modem, a telephone modem, or a wireless modem for
communications with other equipment. Such communications may
involve the Internet or any other suitable communications networks
or paths (which is described in more detail in connection with FIG.
4). In addition, communications circuitry may include circuitry
that enables peer-to-peer communication of user equipment devices,
or communication of user equipment devices in locations remote from
each other (described in more detail below).
[0043] Memory (e.g., random-access memory, read-only memory, or any
other suitable memory), hard drives, optical drives, or any other
suitable fixed or removable storage devices (e.g., DVD recorder, CD
recorder, video cassette recorder, or other suitable recording
device) may be provided as storage 308 that is part of control
circuitry 304. Storage 308 may include one or more of the above
types of storage devices. For example, user equipment device 300
may include a hard drive for a DVR (sometimes called a personal
video recorder, or PVR) and a DVD recorder as a secondary storage
device. Storage 308 may be used to store various types of media
described herein and guidance application data, including program
information, guidance application settings, user preferences or
profile information, popularity information, or other data used in
operating the guidance application. Nonvolatile memory may also be
used (e.g., to launch a boot-up routine and other
instructions).
[0044] Control circuitry 304 may include video generating circuitry
and tuning circuitry, such as one or more analog tuners, one or
more MPEG (e.g., MPEG-2, MPEG-4) decoders or other digital decoding
circuitry, high-definition tuners, or any other suitable tuning or
video circuits or combinations of such circuits. Encoding circuitry
(e.g., for converting over-the-air, analog, or digital signals to
MPEG signals for storage) may also be provided. Control circuitry
304 may also include scaler circuitry for upconverting and
downconverting media into the preferred output format of the user
equipment 300. Circuitry 304 may also include digital-to-analog
converter circuitry and analog-to-digital converter circuitry for
converting between digital and analog signals. The tuning, encoding
and decoding circuitry may be used by the user equipment to receive
and to display, to play, or to record media content. The tuning and
encoding circuitry may also be used to receive guidance data. The
circuitry described herein, including for example, the tuning,
video generating, encoding, decoding, scaler, and analog/digital
circuitry, may be implemented using software running on one or more
general purpose or specialized processors. Multiple tuners may be
provided to handle simultaneous tuning functions (e.g., watch and
record functions, picture-in-picture (PIP) functions,
multiple-tuner recording, etc.). If storage 308 is provided as a
separate device from user equipment 300, the tuning and encoding
circuitry (including multiple tuners) may be associated with
storage 308.
[0045] A user may control circuitry 304 using user input interface
310. User input interface 310 may be any suitable user interface,
such as a remote control, mouse, trackball, keypad, keyboard, touch
screen, touch pad, stylus input, joystick, voice recognition
interface, or other user input interfaces. Display 312 may be
provided as a stand-alone device or integrated with other elements
of user equipment device 300. Display 312 may be one or more of a
monitor, a television, a liquid crystal display (LCD) for a mobile
device, or any other suitable equipment for displaying visual
images. In some embodiments, display 312 may be HDTV-capable.
Speakers 314 may be provided as integrated with other elements of
user equipment device 300 or may be stand-alone units. The audio
component of videos and other media content displayed on display
312 may be played through speakers 314. In some embodiments, the
audio may be distributed to a receiver (not shown), which processes
and outputs the audio via speakers 314.
[0046] User equipment device 300 of FIG. 3 can be implemented in
system 400 of FIG. 4 as user television equipment 402, user
computer equipment 404, wireless user communications device 406, or
any other type of user equipment suitable for accessing media, such
as a non-portable gaming machine. For simplicity, these devices may
be referred to herein collectively as user equipment or user
equipment devices. User equipment devices, on which a media
guidance application is implemented, may function as a standalone
device or may be part of a network of devices. Various network
configurations of devices may be implemented and are discussed in
more detail below.
[0047] User television equipment 402 may include a set-top box, an
integrated receiver decoder (IRD) for handling satellite
television, a television set, a digital storage device, a DVD
recorder, a video-cassette recorder (VCR), a local media server, or
other user television equipment. One or more of these devices may
be integrated to be a single device, if desired. User computer
equipment 404 may include a PC, a laptop, a tablet, a WebTV box, a
personal computer television (PC/TV), a PC media server, a PC media
center, or other user computer equipment. WEBTV is a trademark
owned by Microsoft Corp. Wireless user communications device 406
may include PDAS, a mobile telephone, a portable video player, a
portable music player, a portable gaming machine, or other wireless
devices.
[0048] It should be noted that with the advent of television tuner
cards for PCs, WebTV, and the integration of video into other user
equipment devices, the lines have become blurred when trying to
classify a device as one of the above devices. In fact, each of
user television equipment 402, user computer equipment 404, and
wireless user communications device 406 may utilize at least some
of the system features described above in connection with FIG. 3
and, as a result, include flexibility with respect to the type of
media content available on the device. For example, user television
equipment 402 may be Internet-enabled allowing for access to
Internet content, while user computer equipment 404 may include a
tuner allowing for access to television programming. The media
guidance application may also have the same layout on the various
different types of user equipment or may be tailored to the display
capabilities of the user equipment. For example, on user computer
equipment, the guidance application may be provided as a web site
accessed by a web browser. In another example, the guidance
application may be scaled down for wireless user communications
devices.
[0049] In system 400, there is typically more than one of each type
of user equipment device but only one of each is shown in FIG. 4 to
avoid overcomplicating the drawing. In addition, each user may
utilize more than one type of user equipment device (e.g., a user
may have a television set and a computer) and also more than one of
each type of user equipment device (e.g., a user may have a PDA and
a mobile telephone and/or multiple television sets).
[0050] The user may also set various settings to maintain
consistent media guidance application settings across in-home
devices and remote devices. Settings include those described
herein, as well as channel and program favorites, programming
preferences that the guidance application utilizes to make
programming recommendations, display preferences, and other
desirable guidance settings. For example, if a user sets a channel
as a favorite on, for example, the web site www.tvguide.com on
their personal computer at their office, the same channel would
appear as a favorite on the user's in-home devices (e.g., user
television equipment and user computer equipment) as well as the
user's mobile devices, if desired. Therefore, changes made on one
user equipment device can change the guidance experience on another
user equipment device, regardless of whether they are the same or a
different type of user equipment device. In addition, the changes
made may be based on settings input by a user, as well as user
behavior monitored by the guidance application.
[0051] The user equipment devices may be coupled to communications
network 414. Namely, user television equipment 402, user computer
equipment 404, and wireless user communications device 406 are
coupled to communications network 414 via communications paths 408,
410, and 412, respectively. Communications network 414 may be one
or more networks including the Internet, a mobile phone network,
mobile device (e.g., Blackberry) network, cable network, public
switched telephone network, or other types of communications
network or combinations of communications networks. BLACKBERRY is a
service mark owned by Research In Motion Limited Corp. Paths 408,
410, and 412 may separately or together include one or more
communications paths, such as, a satellite path, a fiber-optic
path, a cable path, a path that supports Internet communications
(e.g., IPTV), free-space connections (e.g., for broadcast or other
wireless signals), or any other suitable wired or wireless
communications path or combination of such paths. Path 412 is drawn
with dotted lines to indicate that in the exemplary embodiment
shown in FIG. 4 it is a wireless path and paths 408 and 410 are
drawn as solid lines to indicate they are wired paths (although
these paths may be wireless paths, if desired). Communications with
the user equipment devices may be provided by one or more of these
communications paths, but are shown as a single path in FIG. 4 to
avoid overcomplicating the drawing.
[0052] Although communications paths are not drawn between user
equipment devices, these devices may communicate directly with each
other via communication paths, such as those described above in
connection with paths 408, 410, and 412, as well other short-range
point-to-point communication paths, such as USB cables, IEEE 1394
cables, wireless paths (e.g., Bluetooth, infrared, IEEE 802-11x,
etc.), or other short-range communication via wired or wireless
paths. BLUETOOTH is a certification mark owned by Bluetooth SIG,
INC. The user equipment devices may also communicate with each
other directly through an indirect path via communications network
414.
[0053] System 400 includes media content source 416 and media
guidance data source 418 coupled to communications network 414 via
communication paths 420 and 422, respectively. Paths 420 and 422
may include any of the communication paths described above in
connection with paths 408, 410, and 412. Communications with the
media content source 416 and media guidance data source 418 may be
exchanged over one or more communications paths, but are shown as a
single path in FIG. 4 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. In
addition, there may be more than one of each of media content
source 416 and media guidance data source 418, but only one of each
is shown in FIG. 4 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. (The
different types of each of these sources are discussed below.) If
desired, media content source 416 and media guidance data source
418 may be integrated as one source device. Although communications
between sources 416 and 418 with user equipment devices 402, 404,
and 406 are shown as through communications network 414, in some
embodiments, sources 416 and 418 may communicate directly with user
equipment devices 402, 404, and 406 via communication paths (not
shown) such as those described above in connection with paths 408,
410, and 412.
[0054] Media content source 416 may include one or more types of
media distribution equipment including a television distribution
facility, cable system headend, satellite distribution facility,
programming sources (e.g., television broadcasters, such as NBC,
ABC, HBO, etc.), intermediate distribution facilities and/or
servers, Internet providers, on-demand media servers, and other
media content providers. NBC is a trademark owned by the National
Broadcasting Company, Inc., ABC is a trademark owned by the ABC,
INC., and HBO is a trademark owned by the Home Box Office, Inc.
Media content source 416 may be the originator of media content
(e.g., a television broadcaster, a Webcast provider, etc.) or may
not be the originator of media content (e.g., an on-demand media
content provider, an Internet provider of video content of
broadcast programs for downloading, etc.). Media content source 416
may include cable sources, satellite providers, on-demand
providers, Internet providers, or other providers of media content.
Media content source 416 may also include a remote media server
used to store different types of media content (including video
content selected by a user), in a location remote from any of the
user equipment devices. Popular programs may be recorded on the
remote media server in space associated with a user or in shared
space used by all users. Systems and methods for remote storage of
media content, and providing remotely stored media content to user
equipment are discussed in greater detail in connection with Ellis
et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/332,244, filed Jun. 11,
1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0055] Media guidance data source 418 may provide media guidance
data, such as media listings, media-related information (e.g.,
broadcast times, broadcast channels, media titles, media
descriptions, ratings information (e.g., parental control ratings,
critic's ratings, etc.), genre or category information, actor
information, logo data for broadcasters' or providers' logos,
etc.), media format (e.g., standard definition, high definition,
etc.), advertisement information (e.g., text, images, media clips,
etc.), on-demand information, popularity information, and any other
type of guidance data that is helpful for a user to navigate among
and locate desired media selections.
[0056] Media guidance application data may be provided to the user
equipment devices using any suitable approach. In some embodiments,
the guidance application may be a stand-alone interactive
television program guide that receives program guide data via a
data feed (e.g., a continuous feed, trickle feed, or data, in the
vertical blanking interval of a channel).
[0057] Program schedule data, popularity information, and other
guidance data may be provided to the user equipment on a television
channel sideband, in the vertical blanking interval of a television
channel, using an in-band digital signal, using an out-of-band
digital signal, or by any other suitable data transmission
technique. Program schedule data, popularity information, and other
guidance data may be provided to user equipment on multiple analog
or digital television channels. Program schedule data, popularity
information, and other guidance data may be provided to the user
equipment with any suitable frequency (e.g., continuously, daily, a
user-specified period of time, a system-specified period of time,
in response to a request from user equipment, etc.). In some
approaches, guidance data from media guidance data source 418 may
be provided to users' equipment using a client-server approach. For
example, a guidance application client residing on the user's
equipment may initiate sessions with source 418 to obtain guidance
data when needed. Media guidance data source 418 may provide user
equipment devices 402, 404, and 406 the media guidance application
itself or software updates for the media guidance application.
[0058] Media guidance applications may be, for example, stand-alone
applications implemented on user equipment devices. In other
embodiments, media guidance applications may be client-server
applications where only the client resides on the user equipment
device. For example, media guidance applications may be implemented
partially as a client application on control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3)
of user equipment device 300 and partially on a remote server as a
server application (e.g., media guidance data source 418). The
guidance application displays may be generated by the media
guidance data source 418 and transmitted to the user equipment
devices. The media guidance data source 418 may also transmit data
for storage on the user equipment, which then generates the
guidance application displays based on instructions processed by
control circuitry.
[0059] Media guidance system 400 is intended to illustrate a number
of approaches, or network configurations, by which user equipment
devices and sources of media content and guidance data may
communicate with each other for the purpose of accessing media and
providing media guidance. The present invention may be applied in
any one or a subset of these approaches, or in a system employing
other approaches for delivering media and providing media guidance.
The following three approaches provide specific illustrations of
the generalized example of FIG. 4.
[0060] In one approach, user equipment devices may communicate with
each other within a home network. User equipment devices can
communicate with each other directly via short-range point-to-point
communication schemes describe above, via indirect paths through a
hub or other similar device provided on a home network, or via
communications network 414. Each of the multiple individuals in a
single home may operate different user equipment devices on the
home network. As a result, it may be desirable for various media
guidance information or settings to be communicated between the
different user equipment devices. For example, it may be desirable
for users to maintain consistent media guidance application
settings on different user equipment devices within a home network,
as described in greater detail in Ellis et al., U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/179,410, filed Jul. 11, 2005. Different
types of user equipment devices in a home network may also
communicate with each other to transmit media content. For example,
a user may transmit media content from user computer equipment to a
portable video player or portable music player.
[0061] In a second approach, users may have multiple types of user
equipment by which they access media content and obtain media
guidance. For example, some users may have home networks that are
accessed by in-home and mobile devices. Users may control in-home
devices via a media guidance application implemented on a remote
device. For example, users may access an online media guidance
application on a website via a personal computer at their office,
or a mobile device such as a PDA or web-enabled mobile telephone.
The user may set various settings (e.g., recordings, reminders, or
other settings) on the online guidance application to control the
user's in-home equipment. The online guide may control the user's
equipment directly, or by communicating with a media guidance
application on the user's in-home equipment. Various systems and
methods for user equipment devices communicating, where the user
equipment devices are in locations remote from each other, are
discussed in, for example, Ellis et al., U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/927,814, filed Aug. 26, 2004, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0062] In a third approach, users of user equipment devices inside
and outside a home can use their media guidance application to
communicate directly with media content source 416 to access media
content. Specifically, within a home, users of user television
equipment 402 and user computer equipment 404 may access the media
guidance application to navigate among and locate desirable media
content. Users may also access the media guidance application
outside of the home using wireless user communications devices 406
to navigate among and locate desirable media content.
[0063] It will be appreciated that while the discussion of media
content has focused on pay programs, the principles of media
guidance can be applied to other types of media content, such as
music, images, etc.
[0064] FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a system that may be used to
determine popular programs in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention. In particular, FIG. 5 shows equipment of users of an
interactive media delivery system connected to remote server 502
via communications network 508. Control circuitry of remote server
502 includes processing circuitry 504 and storage 506. Control
circuitry of remote server 502 may be used to send and receive
commands, requests, and other suitable data, dedicate space on and
direct recording of information to storage devices, and direct
displaying of information on display devices. Control circuitry of
remote server 502 may be based on any suitable processing circuitry
504 such as processing circuitry based on one or more
microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors,
programmable logic devices, etc. In some embodiments, control
circuitry of remote server 502 executes instructions for a media
guidance application stored in memory (i.e., storage 506). User
equipment may include user television equipment 402 (FIG. 4), user
computer equipment 404 (FIG. 4), or wireless user communications
device 406 (FIG. 4). User equipment is described in connection with
FIG. 3. Remote server 502 may be part of media guidance data source
418 (FIG. 4). It receives data indicative of users' program
selections from users' equipment (e.g., user equipment 510 to 540
of FIG. 5) connected to it via communications network 508 (FIG. 5).
Based on the data, a determination of popular programs is made. For
example, user equipment 510 may obtain input via user input
interface 310 (FIG. 3) from user 1 to record popular programs among
users 2 to N. User equipment 510 transmits user input to remote
server 502 (FIG. 5). In one embodiment, remote server 502 processes
the data indicative of users 2 to N's program selections to
generate identifier data indicative of popular media and transmits
the identifier data to user equipment 510. In another embodiment,
user equipment 510 receives from remote server 502 popularity
information such as data indicative of users 2 to N's program
selections and processes the information to generate identifier
data indicative of popular media. Popularity information may also
be provided by a third party that tracks user activity (e.g.,
Nielsen). Popular programs among users 2 to N may also be
determined by sampling a subset of users (e.g., a statistical
sampling indicative of users 3 to N-1's program selections) and
then extrapolating from the sample. Any suitable sampling and
extrapolation algorithms/techniques may be used. The
sampling/extrapolation may be performed, for example, by remote
server 502 control circuitry under the control of the instructions
of a guidance application server application or a third party
(e.g., Nielsen).
[0065] FIG. 6 shows an illustrative interactive media guidance
application display that may be provided to receive user input to
set options for automatically recording and purchasing popular pay
programs that may be displayed on display 312 (FIG. 3) of user
equipment device or media device 402, 404 or 406 (FIG. 4). Options
may be set based on, for example, user input or system-generated
input such as a user guide data feed, and appropriate warning
messages may be displayed if any setting is inappropriate. In
particular, FIG. 6 shows an illustrative interactive media guidance
application display 600 that includes header region 601 with header
identifier region 604 and description region 605, options selection
region 603, and video region 602 (sometimes referred to as a
"picture-in-guide" or "PIG" region) that may be used to display
videos, messages, or other information. Display regions in the
interactive media guidance application can utilize scrolling to
display additional information.
[0066] In the example of FIG. 6, header region 601 shows the
function category that the interactive media guidance application
is currently in ("General Settings"). Options selection region 603
includes options region 608 and details region 610. Options region
608 displays available options under a function category and
displays available sub-options under an option when the option is
highlighted. Details region 610 displays status of an option when
the option is highlighted in 608 and displays details of an option
when the option is selected in 608. Description region 605 displays
a description of a highlighted option. If options for recording and
purchasing popular pay programs are set based on user input, a user
may input information through user input interface 310 (FIG. 3).
Highlighting an option in 608 may be accomplished, for example, by
navigating through user input interface 310 (FIG. 3) until the
desired option is highlighted on display 312 (FIG. 3). Selecting an
option in 608 may be accomplished, for example, by pressing a
select button (indicated by 612) on user input interface 310 (FIG.
3) when the desired option is highlighted. In the example of FIG.
6, option "Record and Purchase Popular Pay Programs" 606 under
function category "General settings" is highlighted in options
region 608. Accordingly, options region 608 displays available
sub-options under "Record and Purchase Popular Pay Programs,"
details region 610 displays the status of the sub-options, and
description region 605 displays a description for the "Record and
Purchase Popular Pay Programs" option. Exiting display 600 may be
accomplished, for example, by pressing an exit button (indicated by
614) on user input interface 310. Any other suitable options may be
included in options region 608. For example, "Pop-Up Alerts" may be
included as a sub-option under "Record and Purchase Popular Pay
Programs" and listed below "Display Results" in region 608. When
"Pop-Up Alerts" is on, it will pop up a display, for example, to
alert a current viewer/user that the credit card is about to expire
and to change some information. The exact details for "Pop-Up
Alerts" may be set using a display similar to the "Notification"
display (the "Notification" display is discussed in connection with
FIG. 12). Box 616 displays the current time.
[0067] FIG. 7 shows an illustrative interactive media guidance
application display that may be provided to receive user input to
turn the recording and purchasing of popular pay programs option on
or off. This display may be displayed on display 312 (FIG. 3) of
user equipment device or media device 402, 404 or 406 (FIG. 4). In
particular, FIG. 7 shows an illustrative interactive media guidance
application display 700 that is displayed after the "On/Off"
sub-option of "Record and Purchase Popular Pay Programs" is
highlighted and selected in FIG. 6. Description region 705 shows a
description of the selected option. Options region 608 shows the
selected option 706. Details region 710 shows settings ("ON" or
"OFF") for the selected option. Turning on the "Record and Purchase
Popular Pay Programs" option, for example, may be accomplished by
pressing a select button (indicated by 612) on user input interface
310 (FIG. 3). In the example of FIG. 7, turning off the "Record and
Purchase Popular Pay Programs" option may be accomplished by
navigating through user input interface 310 (FIG. 3) until the
desired setting ("OFF") is highlighted on display 700 and then
selecting the setting by pressing a select button (indicated by
612) on user input interface 310 (FIG. 3).
[0068] FIG. 8 shows an illustrative interactive media guidance
application display that may be provided to receive user input to
set start and end times of a defined time period for which popular
pay programs are determined, purchased and recorded. This display
may be displayed on display 312 (FIG. 3) of user equipment device
or media device 402, 404 or 406 (FIG. 4). In particular, FIG. 8
shows an illustrative interactive media guidance application
display 800 that is displayed after the "Set Time Period"
sub-option of "Record and Purchase Popular Pay Programs" is
highlighted and selected in FIG. 6. Description region 805 shows a
description of the selected option. Options region 608 shows the
selected option 806. Details region 810 shows available settings
for the selected option. Setting the start time, for example, may
be accomplished by highlighting available setting 818 using the
navigational features of user input interface 310 (FIG. 3) and
entering the desired date and time in the appropriate fields using
user input interface 310 (FIG. 3). Setting the end time follows a
similar procedure. Pressing a select button (indicated by 612) on
user input interface 310 (FIG. 3) accepts the settings just
entered. In the example of FIG. 8, details region 810 shows that
start time is set to be 9:00 AM on Jul. 31, 2008 and the end time
is set to be 8:00 PM on Aug. 30, 2008. If an inappropriate time
period (e.g., end time occurs earlier than start time) is entered,
the interactive media guidance application may display an
appropriate warning message on display 312 (FIG. 3). The "Set Time
Period" option may allow other suitable features, such as allowing
the user to recur the current setting by the same span currently
configured. For example, user may checkmark checkbox 812 labeled
"Recurring." The interactive media guidance application may then
recur the current 30-day setting for the next 30 days
automatically. The interactive media application would record and
purchase popular pay programs in the same time period until the
user de-selects checkbox 812 or until any suitable time. Although
the discussion of FIG. 8 refers to the options as set by a user,
the system may automatically set an appropriate, defined time
period as well (e.g., one week, every time user television is off,
or continuous for as long as the "Record and Purchase Popular Pay
Programs" option is on).
[0069] FIG. 9 shows an illustrative interactive media guidance
application display that may be provided to receive user input to
set the day and time within the time period in which to record and
purchase popular pay programs. This display may be displayed on
display 312 (FIG. 3) of user equipment device or media device 402,
404 or 406 (FIG. 4). In particular, FIG. 9 shows an illustrative
interactive media guidance application display 900 that is
displayed after the "Set Purchase Time", sub-option of "Record and
Purchase Popular Pay Programs" is highlighted and selected in FIG.
6. Description region 905 shows a description of the selected
option. Options region 608 shows the selected option 906. Details
region 910 shows available settings for the selected option.
Setting the time within the time period to record and purchase pay
programs, for example, may be accomplished by highlighting
available setting 918 using the navigational features of user input
interface 310 (FIG. 3) and entering the desired day and time in the
appropriate fields using user input interface 310 (FIG. 3).
Pressing a select button (indicated by 612) on user input interface
310 (FIG. 3) accepts the settings just entered. Other ways to
define the time period may be presented by the interactive media
guidance application, such as every time user television is off. In
the example of FIG. 9, details region 910 is set to record and
purchase time within the time period at 9:00 AM on Aug. 30,
2008.
[0070] FIG. 10 shows an illustrative interactive media guidance
application display that may be provided to receive user input to
set the frequency at which to purchase and record popular pay
programs. This display may be displayed on display 312 (FIG. 3) of
user equipment device or media device 402, 404 or 406 (FIG. 4). In
particular, FIG. 10 shows an illustrative interactive media
guidance application display 1000 that is displayed after the "Set
Frequency" sub-option of "Record and Purchase Popular Pay Programs"
is highlighted and selected in FIG. 6. Description region 1005
shows a description of the selected option. Options region 608
shows the selected option 1006. Details region 1010 shows available
settings for the selected option. Setting the frequency to record
and purchase pay programs, for example, may be accomplished by
highlighting available setting 1018 using the navigational features
of user input interface 310 (FIG. 3) and entering the desired
numerical value in the appropriate fields using user input
interface 310 (FIG. 3). Pressing a select button (indicated by 612)
on user input interface 310 (FIG. 3) accepts the settings just
entered. In the example of FIG. 10, 10 is set as the frequency at
which to record and purchase pay programs. Although the discussion
of FIG. 10 refers to the options as set by a user, the system may
automatically set options (e.g., based on monitored default
values.). For example, if a user fails to enter a frequency, the
system may select 1 as its default frequency in which to purchase
and record popular pay programs within the time period.
[0071] FIG. 11 shows an illustrative interactive media guidance
application display that may be provided to receive user input to
filter selections, from automatic purchasing and recording, pay
programs that are inconsistent with user preferences. This display
may be displayed on display 312 (FIG. 3) of user equipment device
or media device 402, 404 or 406 (FIG. 4). In particular, FIG. 11
shows an illustrative interactive media guidance application
display 1100 that is displayed after the "Define Filter" sub-option
of "Record and Purchase Popular Pay Programs" is highlighted and
selected in FIG. 6. Description region 1105 shows a description of
the selected option. Options region 608 shows the selected option
1106. Details region 1110 shows available settings for the selected
option. Setting the filter, for example, may be accomplished by
navigating within region 1110 using the navigational features of
user input interface 310 (FIG. 3) and checking the appropriate
checkboxes using user input interface 310 (FIG. 3). Pressing a
select button (indicated by 612) on user input interface 310 (FIG.
3) accepts the settings just entered. In the example of FIG. 11,
the user may filter only comedies released within the last year for
recording and purchase by the guidance application by checking the
appropriate checkboxes. Although the discussion of FIG. 11 refers
to the options as set by a user, the system may automatically set
options (e.g., based on monitored user behavior, etc.). For
example, if monitored user behavior indicates that user likes the
situation comedy genre released within the past year, the system
may set options such that only popular pay situation comedies that
are released within the past year are recorded and purchased.
[0072] FIG. 12 shows an illustrative interactive media guidance
application display for receiving input to allow the user to turn
notifications on or off, before purchasing and recording pay
programs. For example, a user may have set the defined spending
limit to be high (e.g., $2,000). To ensure that only pay programs
that the user has not seen yet are recorded and purchased, the user
may require the guidance application to notify the user of
potential pay programs for record and purchase and not to proceed
with record and purchase until confirmation is given.
[0073] In particular, FIG. 12 shows an illustrative interactive
media guidance application display 1200 that is displayed after the
"Notification/Verification" sub-option of "Record and Purchase
Popular Pay Programs" is highlighted and selected in FIG. 6.
Description region 1205 shows a description of the selected option.
Options region 608 shows the selected option 1206. Details region
1210 shows available settings for the selected option. Details
region 1210 shows available settings for the selected option.
Details region 1210 shows settings ("ON" or "OFF") for the selected
option. Turning on the "Notification/Verification" option, for
example, may be accomplished by pressing a select button (indicated
by 612) on user input interface 310 (FIG. 3). In the example of
FIG. 12, turning off the "Notification/Verification" option may be
accomplished by navigating through user input interface 310 (FIG.
3) until the desired setting ("OFF") is highlighted on display 1200
and then selecting the setting by pressing a select button
(indicated by 612) on user input interface 310 (FIG. 3). The user
may checkmark checkbox 1212 to ensure that the guidance application
will not automatically record and purchase popular pay programs
without receiving a confirmation from the user. (See FIG. 16 for a
illustrative display of the notification described herein). In this
case, the user selected to be notified onscreen. In other
embodiments, the notification can be sent to a media device 402
such as a cell phone or PDA through communication path 412 and
communication network 414.
[0074] FIG. 13 shows an illustrative interactive media guidance
application display that may be provided to receive user input to
exclude programs from automatic selection for recording and
purchasing. For example, a user who does not like sports may
exclude a boxing match, a pay program likely to be popular by most
popularity criteria, from selection for recording and purchasing.
This exclusions display may be displayed on display 312 (FIG. 3) of
user equipment device or media device 402, 404 or 406 (FIG. 4).
Control circuitry 306, (e.g., under the control of the instructions
of an interactive media application) in user equipment 510 or
processing circuitry 504 in remote server 502 may be configured to
exclude programs from selection for recording.
[0075] In particular, FIG. 13 shows an illustrative interactive
media guidance application display 1300 that is displayed after the
"Exclusions" sub-option of "Record and Purchase Popular Pay
Programs" is highlighted and selected in FIG. 6. Description region
1305 shows a description of the selected option. Options region 608
shows the selected option 1306. Details region 1310 shows available
settings for the selected option. The size, shape, layout and
contents of the cells in details region 1310 may be similar to
those of the grid 102 in FIG. 1. Region 1310 includes cells of
program listings, such as program listing 1312 for "Saw IV." A user
who likes horror films and checkmarks the horror genre in detail
region 1110 (FIG. 11) may dislike a particular movie within the
horror genre. The guidance application allows the user to exclude
Saw IV from selection for recording by highlighting it in program
listing 1312 using the navigational features of user input
interface 310 (FIG. 3) and pressing a select button (indicated by
612) on user input interface 310 (FIG. 3) to accept this setting.
Additional programs may be excluded using a similar procedure. In
this example, "The HeartBreak Kid" is selected. The "Exclusions"
option may allow programs to be excluded based on additional
suitable criteria (e.g., no programs from certain genres, etc.).
Although the discussion of FIG. 13 refers to the options as set by
a user, the system may automatically set options (e.g., based on
monitored user behavior, etc.). For example, if monitored user
behavior indicates that user does not like the horror film genre,
the system may set options to exclude all horror pay programs as
indicated by a user guide data feed.
[0076] FIG. 14 shows an illustrative interactive media guidance
application display that may be provided to receive user input to
set spending limits for recording an purchasing popular pay
programs. This display may be displayed on display 312 (FIG. 3) of
user equipment device or media device 402, 404 or 406 (FIG. 4). In
particular, FIG. 14 shows an illustrative interactive media
guidance application display 1400 that is displayed after the "Set
Spending Limit" sub-option of "Record and Purchase Popular Pay
Programs" is highlighted and selected in FIG. 6. Description region
1405 shows a description of the selected option. Options region 608
shows the selected option 806. Details region 1410 shows available
settings for the selected option. Setting the minimum limit for
purchasing popular pay programs, for example, may be accomplished
by highlighting available setting 1418 using the navigational
features of user input interface 310 (FIG. 3) and entering the
desired date and time in the appropriate fields using user input
interface 310 (FIG. 3). Setting the maximum limit for purchasing
popular pay programs follows a similar procedure. Pressing a select
button (indicated by 612) on user input interface 310 (FIG. 3)
accepts the settings just entered. In the example of FIG. 14,
details region 1410 shows that minimum amount is set to $100 and
the maximum amount is set to $200. If an inappropriate amount
(e.g., maximum is less than the minimum) is entered, the
interactive media guidance application may display an appropriate
warning message on display 312 (FIG. 3). Although the discussion of
FIG. 14 refers to the options as set by a user, the system may
automatically set an appropriate, defined spending limit as well
(e.g., based on at least 3 prior user entries).
[0077] FIG. 15 shows an illustrative interactive media guidance
application display to display information about the recorded and
purchased programs and to play the recorded and purchased programs.
This display may be displayed on display 312 (FIG. 3) of user
equipment device or media device 402, 404 or 406 (FIG. 4). In
particular, FIG. 15 shows an illustrative interactive media
guidance application display 1500 that is displayed after the
"Display Results" sub-option of "Record and Purchase Popular Pay
Programs" is highlighted and selected in FIG. 6. Description region
1505 shows a description of the selected option. Options region 608
shows the selected option 1506. Details region 1510 shows the
information provided by the selected option and reflects the
results of settings shown in FIGS. 8-14. Additional information, if
available, may be displayed as well (e.g. popularity of the
recorded programs among all users of the interactive media delivery
system). The information may be displayed in any suitable format.
For example, details region 1510 may simply show a listing of
recorded programs only. A user may highlight a program from the
listing using the navigational features of user input interface 310
of FIG. 3 (e.g., a remote control) and press an info button to get
a separate display with information related to the highlighted
program and its users.
[0078] In the example of FIG. 15, the "Recorded Programs" display
region 1512 lists programs recorded and purchased. Two programs are
shown in 1512 and additional recorded programs can be shown by
using the scroll bar on the right. Programs that are currently
being recorded and purchased may also be displayed, and indicators
may be used to show that recording and purchasing is in progress
and options to view those programs live may be provided.
Highlighting a program using the navigational features of user
input interface 310 (FIG. 3) displays information such as
popularity statistics of the highlighted program (1516), statistics
on viewers/users of the highlighted program, other pay programs the
user may like based on past purchases (1518). Other popularity
information, such as other user demographic information, may be
displayed as well (1517). Remote server 502 may also keep track of
the total number of times a user accesses a particular program or
the total time a user spends on a program by communicating with the
user's equipment via communications network 508 (FIG. 5). Remote
server 502 (FIG. 5) aggregates these individual pieces of data to
obtain popularity statistics on a program.
[0079] In the example of FIG. 15, the first program (1515) was
shown on channel PPV1 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Jul. 31, 2008. One
hour 58 minutes of the program was recorded. The second program
(1516) was shown on channel PPV2 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Jul.
31, 2008. To play a recorded pay program, user may press a play
button on a remote control that is part of user input interface 310
(FIG. 3) when the program is highlighted in 1510. To play all
recorded programs, user may select "Play List" button 1540 (FIG.
13).
[0080] FIG. 16 shows an illustrative interactive prompt that may be
used to notify the user that a pay program is about to be
automatically purchased. The prompt is displayed on display 312
(FIG. 3) of user equipment device or media device 402, 404 or 406
(FIG. 4). In particular, FIG. 16 shows an illustrative interactive
media guidance application prompt 1600 that is displayed after the
guidance application determines that a pay program meets defined
criteria and is ready to record and purchase the pay program. The
prompt is only displayed if the "Notification/Verification"
sub-option of "Record and Purchase Popular Pay Programs" is
selected and turned on in FIG. 12. Television monitor 1602 shows a
user watching a baseball game, however the user may be viewing any
suitable program. Dialogue prompt 1604 pops on the screen when a
pay program is about to be recorded and purchased. In this example,
the dialogue prompt 1604 calls attention that the "Boxing:
Holyfield v. Ibraqimov" boxing match met the defined criteria and
is ready for recording and purchasing. Dialogue prompt 1604 request
the user to confirm the purchase of said pay program. A user may
accept this selection by pressing a yes button (indicated by 1608)
on user input interface 310 (FIG. 3). The guidance application
proceeds to purchase said pay program via communication path 412
(FIG. 4) and communication network 414 (FIG. 4), requests
authorization to charge user's account, receives authorization,
streams data, and downloads the data to user equipment 404 (FIG. 4)
or retains the pay program remotely on remote storage 506. A user
who does not like this selection may deselect pay program by
pressing a no button (indicated by 1608) on user input interface
310 (FIG. 3). The pay program will not be purchased.
[0081] FIGS. 17-21 are illustrative process flow charts of steps
involved in determining, recording and purchasing popular pay
programs. In particular, FIG. 17 shows an illustrative process 1700
for automatically recording and purchasing popular pay programs, up
to a defined spending limit, in accordance with one embodiment of
the current invention. Process 1700 may take place in an
environment shown in FIG. 5. In step 1702 user equipment device 304
(FIG. 3) or remote server 502 (FIG. 5) receive criteria for
recording and purchasing popular pay programs from user input
device 310. In the embodiment in which the user equipment device
304 (FIG. 3) receives the criteria, user equipment device 304 (FIG.
3) transmits the criteria to remote server 502 (FIG. 5) via
communications network 508 (FIG. 5). In the embodiment in which the
remote server 502 (FIG. 5) receives the criteria this step is not
needed. Remote server 502 (FIG. 5) receives the input and
processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) interprets the input. In step
1704 processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) transmits requests for
information indicative of media selections to users 2 to N's
equipment (520 to 540) via communications network 508, and receives
this information from users 2 to N's equipment via 508 (FIG. 5).
The information gathered may include, for example, the media users
2 to N are currently watching or using, the media users 2 to N are
currently recording, the media users 2 to N have scheduled to
record, or combinations thereof. Remote server 502 (FIG. 5) using
processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) processes this popularity
information before transmitting it to user equipment device 304
(FIG. 3) via communications network 508 (FIG. 5). User equipment
device 304 (FIG. 3) receives the popularity information and stores
it in storage 308 (FIG. 3). (Alternatively, remote server 502 (FIG.
5) stores the popularity information in storage 506 (FIG. 5) and
transmits the popularity information to user equipment device 304
(FIG. 3) when requested to do so). In step 1706, control circuitry
306 (e.g., under the control of the instructions of an interactive
media guidance application), using the popularity information,
determines the most popular pay program by, for example, counting
the number of users for each pay program that meet the defined
criteria and selecting the pay program with the most users for
recording. In some embodiments remote server 502 (FIG. 5) may
transmit the popularity information to user equipment device 304
(FIG. 3) via communications network 508 (FIG. 5), user equipment
device 304 (FIG. 3) stores the information in storage 308 (FIG. 3)
and user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) processes the popularity
information. Using this processed popularity information, control
circuitry 306 (e.g., under the control of the instructions of an
interactive media guidance application) determines the most popular
pay program by, for example, counting the number of users for each
pay program that meet the defined criteria and selecting the pay
program with the most users for recording. In step 1708, user
equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) or remote server 504 (FIG. 5)
commences recording the selected most popular pay program in either
storage 308 (FIG. 3) or storage 506 (FIG. 5). In step 1710, user
equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) or remote server 504 (FIG. 5)
purchases the most popular pay program by control circuitry 304
(FIG. 3) or processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) using well-known
technology for purchasing pay programs such as pay-per-view and
video-on-demand pay programs, up to the defined spending limit. In
step 1712, user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) or remote server 502
(FIG. 5) receive input from input device 310 (FIG. 3) identifying a
pay program that has been recorded on storage 308 (FIG. 3) or
storage 506 (FIG. 5). In step 1714, user equipment device 304 (FIG.
3) or remote server 502 (FIG. 5) takes the program from storage 308
(FIG. 3) or storage 506 (FIG. 5) and plays the program on display
312 (FIG. 3).
[0082] FIG. 18 shows an illustrative process 1800 for automatically
recording and purchasing popular pay programs, up to a defined
spending limit, in accordance with one embodiment of the current
invention. In step 1802 user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) or
remote server 502 (FIG. 5) receive criteria for recording and
purchasing popular pay programs from user input device 310. In the
embodiment in which the user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) receives
the criteria, user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) transmits the
criteria to remote server 502 (FIG. 5) via communications network
508 (FIG. 5). In the embodiment in which the remote server 502
(FIG. 5) receives the criteria this step is not needed. Remote
server 502 (FIG. 5) receives the input and processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5) interprets the input. In step 1804 processing circuitry
504 (FIG. 5) transmits requests for information indicative of media
selections to users 2 to N's equipment (520 to 540) via
communications network 508, and receives this information from
users 2 to N's equipment via 508 (FIG. 5). The information gathered
may include, for example, the media users 2 to N are currently
watching or using, the media users 2 to N are currently recording,
the media users 2 to N have scheduled to record, or combinations
thereof. Remote server 502 (FIG. 5) using processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5) processes the popularity information before transmitting
it to user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) via communications network
508 (FIG. 5). User equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) receives the
popularity information and stores it in storage 308 (FIG. 3).
(Alternatively, remote server 502 (FIG. 5) stores the popularity
information in storage 506 (FIG. 5) and transmits the popularity
information to user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) when requested to
so). In step 1806, control circuitry 306 (e.g., under the control
of the instructions of an interactive media guidance application),
using the popularity information, determines the most popular pay
program by, for example, counting the number of users for each pay
program that meet the defined criteria and selecting the pay
program with the most users for recording. In some embodiments
remote server 502 (FIG. 5) may transmit the popularity information
to user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) via communications network
508 (FIG. 5), user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) stores the
information in storage 308 (FIG. 3) and user equipment device 304
(FIG. 3) processes the popularity information. Using this processed
popularity information, control circuitry 306 (e.g., under the
control of the instructions of an interactive media guidance
application) determines the most popular pay program by, for
example, counting the number of users for each pay program that
meet the defined criteria and selecting the pay program with the
most users for recording. In step 1808, user equipment device 304
(FIG. 3) or remote server 504 (FIG. 5) commences recording the
selected most popular pay program in either storage 308 (FIG. 3) or
storage 506 (FIG. 5). In step 1810, user equipment device 304 (FIG.
3) or remote server 504 (FIG. 5) purchases the most popular pay
program by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3) or processing circuitry
504 (FIG. 5) using well-known technology for purchasing pay
programs such as pay-per-view and video-on-demand pay programs, up
to the defined spending limit. It should be noted, that recording
and purchasing do not need to take place in two steps as shown in
illustrative process 1800. In one embodiment, purchasing is a
necessary component of recording, and recording will not take place
unless purchasing occurs. For example, in such an embodiment,
control circuitry 306 or processing circuitry 504 (e.g., under the
control of the instructions of an interactive media guidance
application) would record the popular pay program only after
purchasing occurs. In step 1812, user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3)
deletes un-purchased popular pay programs from storage 308 (FIG. 3)
or storage 506 (FIG. 5). In step 1814, user equipment device 304
(FIG. 3) or remote server 502 (FIG. 5) receive input from input
device 310 (FIG. 3) identifying a pay program that has been
recorded on storage 308 (FIG. 3) or storage 506 (FIG. 5) an not
deleted in step 1814. In step 1816, user equipment device 304 (FIG.
3) or remote server 502 (FIG. 5) takes the program from storage 308
(FIG. 3) or storage 506 (FIG. 5) and plays the program on display
312 (FIG. 3).
[0083] FIG. 19 shows an illustrative process 1900 for automatically
recording and purchasing popular pay programs, up to a defined
spending limit, in accordance with one embodiment of the current
invention. In step 1902 user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) or
remote server 502 (FIG. 5) receive criteria for recording and
purchasing popular pay programs from user input device 310. In the
embodiment in which the user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) receives
the criteria, user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) transmits the
criteria to remote server 502 (FIG. 5) via communications network
508 (FIG. 5). In the embodiment in which the remote server 502
(FIG. 5) receives the criteria this step is not needed. Remote
server 502 (FIG. 5) receives the input and processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5) interprets the input. In step 1904 processing circuitry
504 (FIG. 5) transmits requests for information indicative of media
selections to users 2 to N's equipment (520 to 540) via
communications network 508, and receives this information from
users 2 to N's equipment via 508 (FIG. 5). The information gathered
may include, for example, the media users 2 to N are currently
watching or using, the media users 2 to N are currently recording,
the media users 2 to N have scheduled to record, or combinations
thereof. Remote server 502 (FIG. 5) using processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5) processes the popularity information before transmitting
it to user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) via communications network
508 (FIG. 5). User equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) receives the
popularity information and stores it in storage 308 (FIG. 3).
(Alternatively, remote server 502 (FIG. 5) stores the popularity
information in storage 506 (FIG. 5) and transmits the popularity
information to user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) when requested to
so). In step 1906, control circuitry 306 (e.g., under the control
of the instructions of an interactive media guidance application),
using the popularity information, determines the most popular pay
program by, for example, counting the number of users for each pay
program that meet the defined criteria and selecting the pay
program with the most users for recording. In some embodiments
remote server 502 (FIG. 5) may transmit the popularity information
to user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) via communications network
508 (FIG. 5), user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) stores the
information in storage 308 (FIG. 3) and user equipment device 304
(FIG. 3) processes the popularity information. Using this processed
popularity information, control circuitry 306 (e.g., under the
control of the instructions of an interactive media guidance
application) determines the most popular pay program by, for
example, counting the number of users for each pay program that
meet the defined criteria and selecting the pay program with the
most users for recording. In step 1908, user equipment device 304
(FIG. 3) or remote server 504 (FIG. 5) purchases the most popular
pay program by control circuitry 304 (FIG. 3) or processing
circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) using well-known technology for purchasing
pay programs such as pay-per-view and video-on-demand pay programs,
up to the defined spending limit. In step 1910, user equipment
device 304 (FIG. 3) or remote server 504 (FIG. 5) commences
recording the selected most popular pay program in either storage
308 (FIG. 3) or storage 506 (FIG. 5). In step 1912, user equipment
device 304 (FIG. 3) or remote server 502 (FIG. 5) receive input
from input device 310 (FIG. 3) identifying a pay program that has
been recorded on storage 308 (FIG. 3) or storage 506 (FIG. 5). In
step 1914, user equipment device 304 (FIG. 3) or remote server 502
(FIG. 5) takes the program from storage 308 (FIG. 3) or storage 506
(FIG. 5) and plays the program on display 312 (FIG. 3).
[0084] FIG. 20 shows an illustrative process 2000 for automatically
recording and purchasing popular pay programs, up to a defined
spending limit, in accordance with one embodiment of the current
invention. In step 2002, remote server 502 (FIG. 5) receives from
user equipment 510 (FIG. 5) via communications network 508 (FIG.
5), user input criteria for recording and purchasing popular pay
programs, entered in illustrative displays 600 through 1400 (FIGS.
6 through 14). In step 2004, remote processing circuitry 504 (FIG.
5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines the window in which to
record and purchases popular pay programs. Remote processing
circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions
of a guidance application server application) determines the
frequency by, for example, dividing user input for time period,
entered in illustrative displays 800 (FIG. 8), by the user input
for frequency, entered in illustrative displays 1000 (FIG. 10). For
example, the guidance application may determine 28 days as the time
period in which to ascertain the popularity of and record and
purchase popular pay programs. The guidance application may also
determine 4 as the frequency at which to determine the popularity
of pay programs. The guidance application divides the time period,
28, by the frequency, 4, to obtain the window in which to determine
popularity, record, and purchase pay programs In this example, the
window is every 7 days up to the defined time period. In step 2006,
remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the
control of the instructions of a guidance application server
application) selects a pay program.
[0085] In step 2008, remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG.
5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines the popularity of
selected pay program. Remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG.
5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines popularity of a pay
program by transmitting requests for information indicative of
media selections to users 2 to N's equipment (520 to 540) via
communications network 508, and receives this information from
users 2 to N's equipment via 508 (FIG. 5). The information gathered
may include, for example, the media users 2 to N are currently
watching or using, the media users 2 to N are currently recording,
the media users 2 to N have scheduled to record, or combinations
thereof. Remote server 502 (FIG. 5), using processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5), processes the popularity information. Remote server
processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the
instructions of a guidance application server application)
determines the pay program that, for example, is viewed the most
times over the time period, is the most popular. In step 2010, the
remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the
control of the instructions of a guidance application server
application) determines if the pay program selected is the last pay
program available. If the selected pay program is not the last
program available, the remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG.
5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) selects the next pay program (step
2006) and determines its popularity similar to the way it
determined the previous pay program (step 2008), except that the
available pay programs will not include the previously selected
program when determining the popularity of the currently selected
program. This loop continue until all the pay programs have been
evaluated for popularity.
[0086] In step 2012, remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG.
5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) sorts the pay programs by
popularity. In step 2014, remote server processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) selects the next most popular pay
program. In step 2016, remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG.
5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines if the popularity of the
selected pay program is greater than the defined threshold obtained
in step 2002 from user equipment 510 (FIG. 5) (although not
illustrated in any displays, popularity thresholds may be created
by the guidance application or the user. For simplicity, and since
it is out of the scope of this invention, illustrative threshold
displays are omitted). If the popularity is not greater than the
defined threshold, remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5)
(e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines if the next window has
arrived in which to determine popularity, record and purchase pay
programs (step 2017). If the next window did not arrive yet, for
example, we are in day three of the first window within the time
period, the remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g.,
under the control of the instructions of a guidance application
server application) continues to determine if the window arrived as
shown in step 2018. If the next window does arrive, the remote
server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control
of the instructions of a guidance application server application)
selects the next pay program (step 2006) and starts the process
again.
[0087] If the popularity is greater than the defined threshold, in
step 2020, the remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5)
(e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines if the popular pay
program meets filter criteria, entered by the user in illustrative
display 1100 and 1300 (FIGS. 11 and 13) and obtained in step 2002
from user equipment 510 (FIG. 5). If the popular pay program does
not meet the filter criteria, the remote server processing
circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions
of a guidance application server application) selects the next most
popular pay program (step 2014). For example, if the user defined
the filter in illustrative display 1100 (FIG. 11) so that only pay
programs of the comedy genre should be recorded and purchased, any
program selected to be most popular but is not a comedy, will be
discarded and a different popular pay program will be selected.
[0088] If the remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5)
(e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines that the popular pay
program does meet the defined threshold, in step 2022, the remote
server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control
of the instructions of a guidance application server application)
records the popular pay program to user equipment 510 (FIG. 5).
[0089] In step 2024, the remote server processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines if the spending limit
for purchasing popular pay programs, entered by the user in
illustrative display 1400 (FIG. 14) and obtained in step 2002 from
user equipment 510 (FIG. 5), is exceeded. If the popular pay
program exceeds the defined spending limit, the remote server
processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the
instructions of a guidance application server application) deletes
the recorded popular pay program (step 2026) from storage 308 (FIG.
3) or storage 506 (FIG. 5). The remote server processing circuitry
504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a
guidance application server application) determines if the next
window has arrived in which to determine popularity, record and
purchase pay programs (step 2028). If the next window did not
arrive yet, for example, we are in day three of the first window
within the time period, the remote server processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) continues to determine if the
window arrived as shown in step 2029. If the next window does
arrive, the remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g.,
under the control of the instructions of a guidance application
server application) selects the next pay program (step 2006) and
starts the process again. For example, the user defined the
spending limit to purchase popular pay programs to be $100, and the
guidance application already purchases $95 worth of pay programs.
If the recorded pay program is more than $5, the guidance
application will delete the recorded pay program and wait until the
next window to record and purchase additional pay programs.
[0090] If the remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5)
(e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines that the spending limit
is not exceeded, in step 2030, the remote server processing
circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions
of a guidance application server application) determines if the
purchase is confirmed. The remote server processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) requests confirmation information,
entered by the user in illustrative display 1600 (FIG. 16) from
user equipment 510 (FIG. 5). In step 2032, if the remote server
processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the
instructions of a guidance application server application)
determines the user did not confirmed the purchase, the remote
server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control
of the instructions of a guidance application server application)
deletes the pay program (step 3033) from storage 306 (FIG. 3) or
storage 506 (FIG. 5) and selects the next most popular pay program
(step 2014).
[0091] If the remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5)
(e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines the popular pay program
is confirmed, in step 2034, the remote server processing circuitry
504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a
guidance application server application) purchases most popular pay
program. The remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g.,
under the control of the instructions of a guidance application
server application) then selects the next most popular pay program
(step 2014). It should be noted, in one embodiment of the current
invention, the purchasing is a necessary component of recording and
recording step can trigger the purchasing step. In such an
embodiment, purchasing and recording are actually one step and are
contingent on each other.
[0092] FIG. 21 shows an illustrative process 2100 for automatically
recording and purchasing popular pay programs, up to a defined
spending limit, in accordance with one embodiment of the current
invention. In step 2102, remote server 502 (FIG. 5) receives from
user equipment 510 (FIG. 5) via communications network 508 (FIG.
5), user input criteria for recording and purchasing popular pay
programs, entered in illustrative displays 600 through 1400 (FIGS.
6 through 14). In step 2104, remote processing circuitry 504 (FIG.
5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines the window in which to
record and purchases popular pay programs. Remote processing
circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions
of a guidance application server application) determines the
frequency by, for example, dividing user input for time period,
entered in illustrative displays 800 (FIG. 8), by the user input
for frequency, entered in illustrative displays 1000 (FIG. 10). For
example, the guidance application may determine 28 days as the time
period in which to ascertain the popularity of and record and
purchase popular pay programs. The guidance application may also
determine 4 as the frequency at which to determine the popularity
of pay programs. The guidance application divides the time period,
28, by the frequency, 4, to obtain the window in which to determine
popularity, record, and purchase pay programs In this example, the
window is every 7 days up to the defined time period. In step 2106,
remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the
control of the instructions of a guidance application server
application) selects a pay program.
[0093] In step 2108, remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG.
5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines the popularity of
selected pay program. Remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG.
5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines popularity of a pay
program by transmitting requests for information indicative of
media selections to users 2 to N's equipment (520 to 540) via
communications network 508, and receives this information from
users 2 to N's equipment via 508 (FIG. 5). The information gathered
may include, for example, the media users 2 to N are currently
watching or using, the media users 2 to N are currently recording,
the media users 2 to N have scheduled to record, or combinations
thereof. Remote server 502 (FIG. 5), using processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5), processes the popularity information. Remote server
processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the
instructions of a guidance application server application)
determines the pay program that, for example, is viewed the most
times over the time period, is the most popular. In step 2110, the
remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the
control of the instructions of a guidance application server
application) determines if the pay program selected is the last pay
program available. If the selected pay program is not the last
program available, the remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG.
5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) selects the next pay program (step
2106) and determines its popularity similar to the way it
determined the previous pay program (step 2108), except that the
available pay programs will not include the previously selected
program when determining the popularity of the currently selected
program. This loop continue until all the pay programs have been
evaluated for popularity.
[0094] In step 2112, remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG.
5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) sorts the pay programs by
popularity. In step 2114, remote server processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) selects the next most popular pay
program.
[0095] In step 2116, the remote server processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines if the popular pay
program meets filter criteria, entered by the user in illustrative
display 1100 (FIG. 11) and obtained in step 2102 from user
equipment 510 (FIG. 5). If the popular pay program does not meet
the filter criteria, the remote server processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) selects the next most popular pay
program (step 2114). For example, if the user defined the filter in
illustrative display 1100 (FIG. 11) so that only pay programs of
the comedy genre should be recorded and purchased, any program
selected to be most popular but is a comedy, will be discarded and
a different popular pay program will be selected.
[0096] If the remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5)
(e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines that the popular pay
program does meet the defined threshold, in step 2118, determines
if the spending limit for purchasing popular pay programs, entered
by the user in illustrative display 1400 (FIG. 14) and obtained in
step 2002 from user equipment 510 (FIG. 5), is exceeded. If the
popular pay program exceeds the defined spending limit, the remote
server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control
of the instructions of a guidance application server application)
determines if the next window has arrived in which to determine
popularity, record and purchase pay programs (step 2120). If the
next window did not arrive yet, for example, we are in day three of
the first window within the time period, the remote server
processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the
instructions of a guidance application server application)
continues to determine if the window arrived as shown in step 2121.
If the next window does arrive, the remote server processing
circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions
of a guidance application server application) selects the next pay
program (step 2106) and starts the process again. For example, the
user defined the spending limit to purchase popular pay programs to
be $100, and the guidance application already spent $95. If the
recorded pay program is more than $5, the guidance application will
wait until the next window and start the process again.
[0097] If the remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5)
(e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines that the spending limit
is not exceeded, in step 2122, the remote server processing
circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions
of a guidance application server application) determines if the
purchase is confirmed. The remote server processing circuitry 504
(FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) requests confirmation information,
entered by the user in illustrative display 1600 (FIG. 16) from
user equipment 510 (FIG. 5). If the remote server processing
circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions
of a guidance application server application) determines the user
did not confirmed the purchase, the remote server processing
circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions
of a guidance application server application) selects the next most
popular pay program (step 2114).
[0098] If the remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5)
(e.g., under the control of the instructions of a guidance
application server application) determines the popular pay program
is confirmed, in step 2124, the remote server processing circuitry
504 (FIG. 5) (e.g., under the control of the instructions of a
guidance application server application) purchases most popular pay
program. The remote server processing circuitry 504 (FIG. 5) (e.g.,
under the control of the instructions of a guidance application
server application), in step 2126, records the popular pay program
to storage 306 (FIG. 3) or storage 506 (FIG. 5) and selects the
next most popular pay program (step 2114).
[0099] The above described embodiments of the present invention are
presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and
the present invention is limited only by the claims which
follow.
* * * * *
References