U.S. patent application number 12/413822 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-30 for system and method to send information identifying reccomended media content items.
This patent application is currently assigned to AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.. Invention is credited to Ankur Mukerji, Charles Scott, Scott White.
Application Number | 20100251299 12/413822 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42785968 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100251299 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scott; Charles ; et
al. |
September 30, 2010 |
System and Method to Send Information Identifying Reccomended Media
Content Items
Abstract
A method includes accessing an electronic program guide (EPG).
The method includes identifying recommended media content items
using the EPG and selecting one or more addresses of recipients.
The method further includes sending information identifying
recommended media content items to the selected addresses.
Inventors: |
Scott; Charles; (Austin,
TX) ; White; Scott; (Austin, TX) ; Mukerji;
Ankur; (Austin, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AT & T LEGAL DEPARTMENT - Toler;ATTN: PATENT DOCKETING
ROOM 2A-207, ONE AT & T WAY
BEDMINISTER
NJ
07921
US
|
Assignee: |
AT&T Intellectual Property I,
L.P.
Reno
NV
|
Family ID: |
42785968 |
Appl. No.: |
12/413822 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4583 20130101;
H04N 21/4668 20130101; H04N 21/4788 20130101; H04N 5/44543
20130101; H04N 21/4826 20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 21/47202
20130101; H04N 21/4825 20130101; H04N 21/4334 20130101; H04N 21/432
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/39 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/445 20060101
H04N005/445 |
Claims
1. A computer implemented method, comprising: accessing an
electronic program guide (EPG) at a computing device; identifying
recommended media content items using the EPG; selecting one or
more addresses of recipients; and sending information identifying
the recommended media content items to the selected addresses.
2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one
item of media content from the recommended media content items is
scheduled for recording at a media recorder device associated with
the recipient.
3. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein all of the
recommended media content items are scheduled for recording at a
media recorder device associated with at least one of the
recipients in response to receiving a user selection selecting all
items of the recommended media content items.
4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one
item of media content from the recommended media content items is
automatically scheduled for download at a media recorder
device.
5. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the
computing device comprises a mobile telephony device.
6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one
of the addresses is associated with a mobile telephony device.
7. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one
of the addresses is associated with a set-top box device.
8. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one
of the addresses comprises an email address.
9. A computer implemented method comprising: receiving information
identifying recommended media content items at a computing device;
receiving a user selection of at least one item of media content
from the recommended media content items; when the at least one
item of media content is a scheduled program, automatically
scheduling recording of the at least one item of media content at a
media recorder device; and when the at least one item of media
content includes on demand media content, automatically placing the
at least one item of media content in an on demand items queue.
10. The computer implemented method of claim 9, further comprising
automatically scheduling a download of the at least one item of
media content at a media download device in response to the user
selection when the at least one item of media content includes
downloadable media content.
11. The computer implemented method of claim 10, wherein scheduling
the at least one item of media content for download comprises:
setting a priority of the at least one item of media content; and
placing the at least one item of media content in a download
queue.
12. The computer implemented method of claim 9, further comprising:
determining whether scheduling a recording of the at least one item
of media content would conflict with a previously scheduled
recording at the media recorder device; and automatically
identifying a second presentation of a program associated with the
previously scheduled recording or the at least one item of media
content.
13. The computer implemented method of claim 12, further
comprising: receiving a second user selection indicating that the
second presentation should be scheduled for recording; and
scheduling the second presentation for recording at the media
recorder.
14. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein scheduling
a recording of the at least one item of media content comprises
accessing an electronic program guide.
15. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein the
computing device comprises a set-top box (STB) device.
16. A computer-readable storage medium comprising operational
instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the
processor to: send a first graphical user interface (GUI) to a
first computing device, wherein the first GUI enables selection of
recommended media content items, and wherein the first GUI enables
access to an electronic program guide (EPG); receive, via the first
GUI, selections identifying recommended media content items;
receive, via the first GUI, addresses of recipients; and send
information identifying the recommended media content items to the
addresses of the recipients.
17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, further
comprising operational instructions that, when executed by the
processor, cause the processor to send a second GUI to a second
computing device, wherein the second GUI enables selection of at
least one item of media content from the recommended media content
items.
18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, further
comprising operational instructions that, when executed by the
processor, cause the processor to: receive, via the second GUI, a
user selection of at least one item of media content from the
recommended media content items; and send data to a third computing
device, wherein the data causes the third computing device to
schedule recording of the at least one item of media content.
19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, further
comprising operational instructions that, when executed by the
processor, cause the processor to: before sending the data,
determine whether scheduling a recording of the at least one item
of media content would conflict with a previously scheduled
recording at the third computing device; and when scheduling the
recording of the at least one item of media content would conflict
with the previously scheduled recording, identify a second
presentation of a program associated with the previously scheduled
recording or the at least one item of media content, wherein the
data sent to the third computing device causes the third computing
device to automatically schedule the second presentation for
recording at the third computing device.
20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, further
comprising operational instructions that, when executed by the
processor, cause the processor to: receive, via the second GUI, a
user selection selecting all of the recommended media content
items; when the at least one item of media content includes a
scheduled program, automatically instruct a third computing device
to record at least one item of media content from the recommended
media content items; when the at least one item of media content
includes on demand media content, automatically identify the at
least one item of media content in an active content list
associated with the third computing device; and when the at least
one item of media content includes downloadable media content,
automatically instruct the third computing device to schedule
download of the at least one item of media content at the third
computing device.
21. A system, comprising: a first computing device, to access an
electronic program guide (EPG), to identify recommended media
content based on selections from the EPG, and to send information
identifying the recommended media content to addresses associated
with selected recipients; wherein the EPG includes data identifying
scheduled media content and on demand media content.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first computing device is
responsive to a remote control device to enable a user to browse
the EPG and to identify the recommended media content by selecting
media content items from the EPG.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the remote control device is
further operable to enable the user to select the recipients from a
set of recipients.
24. The system of claim 22, wherein the remote control device is
further operable to enable the user to add a recipient and an
address associated with the recipient to the set of recipients.
25. The system of claim 21, further comprising: a second computing
device associated with one of the addresses to receive the
information identifying the recommended media content and to
automatically make the media content items associated with the user
selection available for playback at a set-top box (STB) device.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure is generally related to sending
information identifying recommended media content items.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A user may desire to send information identifying
recommended media content items to one or more recipients. For
example, a teacher may desire to send information identifying
recommended media content items to students. The user may identify
recommended media content items and deliver a hardcopy or an email
that includes information identifying the recommenced media content
items to particular recipients. Each recipient may then review the
recommended media content items and determine how to view each
item. For example, each recipient may manually schedule a recording
of media content items at a digital video recorder, manually select
video on demand items, and manually schedule download of
downloadable media content. When a recipient is not technically
knowledgeable, the recipient may encounter difficulties viewing
each recommended media content item.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first particular embodiment
of a system to send information identifying recommended media
content items;
[0004] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second particular embodiment
of a system to send information identifying recommended media
content items;
[0005] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a first particular embodiment of
a method to send information identifying recommended media content
items;
[0006] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a second particular embodiment
of a method to send information identifying recommended media
content items;
[0007] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a third particular embodiment of
a method to send information identifying recommended media content
items; and
[0008] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a
general computer system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] In a particular embodiment, a method includes accessing an
electronic program guide (EPG) at a computing device (e.g. at a
set-top box device or a personal computer). The method includes
identifying recommended media content items using the EPG. The
method further includes selecting addresses of one or more
recipients and sending information identifying the recommended
media content items to the selected addresses.
[0010] In another particular embodiment, a method includes
receiving information identifying recommended media content items
at a computing device. The method includes receiving a user
selection selecting at least one item of media content from the
recommended media content items. When the at least one item of
media content is a scheduled broadcast program, the method includes
automatically scheduling recording of the at least one item of
media content at a media recorder device. When the at least one
item of media content includes on demand media content, the method
includes automatically placing the at least one item of media
content in an on demand queue.
[0011] In another particular embodiment, a computer-readable
storage medium includes operational instructions that, when
executed by a processor, cause the processor to send a first
graphical user interface (GUI) to a first computing device. The
first GUI enables selection of recommended media content items and
enables access to an electronic program guide (EPG). The
computer-readable storage medium includes operational instructions
that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to
receive, via the first GUI, selections identifying recommended
media content items. The computer-readable storage medium includes
operational instructions that, when executed by the processor,
cause the processor to receive, via the first GUI, addresses of
recipients. The computer-readable storage medium further includes
operational instructions that, when executed by the processor,
cause the processor to send the information identifying the
recommended media content items to the addresses of the
recipients.
[0012] In another particular embodiment, a system includes a first
computing device to access an electronic program guide (EPG) to
identify recommended media content items based on selections from
the EPG and to send information identifying the recommended media
content items to addresses associated with selected recipients. The
EPG includes information identifying scheduled media content and on
demand media content.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a first particular
embodiment of a system to send information identifying recommended
media content items is depicted and generally designated 100. The
system 100 includes a first computing device 102 coupled to a media
content server 104 via a network 106. An electronic program guide
(EPG) 108, a second computing device 110, a third computing device
112, and a download device 114 may also be coupled to the network
106.
[0014] The first computing device 102 is operable to access the EPG
108 and to create information identifying recommended media content
items 118 using the EPG 108. The first computing device 102 is
further operable to send the information identifying recommended
media content items 118 to selected addresses 120 of recipients.
For example, a teacher may identify recommended media content items
and send the information identifying recommended media content
items 118 to students. The first computing device 102 may be a
mobile telephony device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device,
a personal computing device, a set-top box (STB) device, other
computing device, or any combination thereof. The first computing
device 102 may include address data 154 from which a sender 116 may
select the selected addresses 120. The address data 154 may include
addresses associated with recipients that the sender 116 selects to
receive the information identifying recommended media content items
118. The sender 116 may modify the address data 154 by entering
recipient address data 150 at the first computing device 102. A
particular address from the address data 154 may be a phone number,
an email address, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, other address,
or any combination thereof. For example, the address data 154 may
include an address of the recipient 136 that is associated with a
mobile telephony device.
[0015] In a particular embodiment, the sender 116 uses a remote
control device 156 to interact with the first computing device 102.
For example, when the first computing device 102 is a STB device,
the remote control device 156 may be used to interact with the STB
device to create the information identifying recommended media
content items 218, to select recipients 152 and to send the
information identifying recommended media content items 118 to the
selected addresses 120 of the selected recipients 152. In a
particular embodiment, the remote control device 156 enables the
sender 116 to browse the EPG 108 to identify recommended media
content items by selecting media content items from the EPG 108.
The remote control device 156 may also enable the sender 116 to
select recipients 152 from the address data 154. The remote control
device 156 may enable the sender 116 to add, delete, or modify a
recipient and an address associated with the recipient.
[0016] The media content server 104 is operable to provide media
content to various devices, such as the first computing device 102,
the second computing device 110, the third computing device 112,
and the download device 114. The media content server 104 may
include various types of media content, including scheduled media
content 160, on demand media content 162, and downloadable media
content 164. For example, the scheduled media content 160 may
include media content, such as television programs or movies,
scheduled for broadcast at a particular date and time. The on
demand media content 162 may include media content that may be
streamed upon request from the media content server 104 to one or
more of the devices 102, 110, 112, and 114. The downloadable media
content 164 may include media content that may be download from the
media content server 104 to one or more of the devices 102, 110,
112, and 114. Although the media content server 104 is illustrated
as a single server in FIG. 1, in various embodiments the media
content sever 104 may include a plurality of servers. For example,
the plurality of servers may be a part of a particular service
provider network or each server may belong to a separate service
provider network.
[0017] In a particular embodiment, the second computing device 110
is associated with one of the selected addresses 120 and receives
the information identifying recommended media content items 118.
The second computing device 110 may display the information
identifying recommended media content items 118 at a display device
122 as displayed recommended media content 124. The second
computing device 110 may be a personal computer, a personal digital
assistant (PDA), a mobile telephony device, a set-top box device,
other computing device, or any combination thereof. The second
computing device 110 is further operable to receive a user
selection 128 from a recipient 136. The user selection 128 may
select at least one item from the displayed recommended media
content 124. In response to the user selection 128, the second
computing device 110 may automatically make the media content
associated with the user selection 128 available for playback at
the third computing device 112. For example, in response to the
user selection 128, the second computing device 110 may
automatically schedule a recording of scheduled media content 160,
automatically schedule a download of downloadable media content
164, and automatically place on demand media content 162 in a
queue. The third computing device 112 may be a digital video
recorder (DVR) device, personal computing device, STB device, other
computing device, or any combination thereof.
[0018] When the user selection 128 selects a scheduled program, the
second computing device 110 may instruct the third computing device
112 to automatically schedule recording of the selected media
content at the third computing device 112. For example, the
recipient 136 may view the displayed recommended media content 124
at the display device 122 of a mobile telephony device, and the
user selection 128 may cause the mobile telephony device to
automatically schedule recording of the selected media content at a
DVR device. When the user selection 128 selects an on demand media
content item, the on demand media content item may be automatically
placed in an on demand queue 132 of the third computing device 112.
When the user selection 128 selects a downloadable media content
item, the download device 114 may automatically place the selected
media content item in a download queue 134 of the download device
114. In a particular embodiment, the download device may be a
personal computing device or a STB device.
[0019] In operation, the sender 116 may access the EPG 108 at the
first computing device 102. The sender 116 may identify recommended
media content items by selecting media content items using the EPG
108. Further, the sender 116 may select one or more addresses from
the address data 154, such as an address associated with the
recipient 136. The first computing device 102 may send the
information identifying recommended media content items 118 to the
selected addresses 120 associated with the selected recipients 152.
The information identifying recommended media content items 118 may
be received at the second computing device 110 when the second
computing device 110 is associated with an address of the selected
addresses 120. The second computing device 110 may display the
displayed recommended media content 124 at the display device 122.
The recipient 136 may provide the user selection 128, selecting at
least one item of media content from the displayed recommended
media content 124. For example, the recipient 136 may select
program A from displayed recommended media content 124. The second
computing device 110 may receive the user selection 128 and
automatically schedule at least one item of media content from the
displayed recommended media content 124 for recording at the third
computing device 112. For example, the third computing device 112
may be a media recorder device such as a DVR. The displayed
recommended media content 124 may include a user selectable option
to select (e.g., accept) all of the recommended media content. For
example, when the recipient 136 accepts items from the information
identifying the recommended media content items 118, all of the
media content of the displayed recommended media content 124 may be
automatically scheduled for recording at the third computing device
112.
[0020] The second computing device 110 may determine whether a
selected item of media content is the schedule media content 160,
the downloadable media content 164, or the on demand media content
162 and perform an appropriate action to provide the selected item
of media content for playback. For example, when the user selection
128 includes a scheduled program from the scheduled media content
160, the second computing device 110 may automatically schedule
recording of the scheduled program at the third computing device
112. In a particular embodiment, the second computing device 110
automatically schedules recording of a scheduled program by
accessing the EPG 108. When the user selection 128 includes the on
demand media content 162, the second computing device 110 may
automatically place the on demand media content 162 in an on demand
queue 132 associated with the third computing device 112. For
example, the second computing device 110 may send a request to
purchase the on demand media content to the media content server
104, and in response the media content server 104 may place the on
demand media content 162 in the on demand items queue 132
associated with the third computing device 112. When the user
selection 128 includes the downloadable media content 164, the
second computing device 110 may automatically schedule the
downloadable media content 164 for download at the download device
114. In a particular embodiment, the download device 114 is
integrated with the third computing device 112. For example, when
the third computing device is a STB, the download device 114 may be
internal to the STB. In another particular embodiment, the download
device 114 is a device separate from the third computing device
112. For example, the third computing device 112 may be a set-top
box device while the download device 114 may be a personal
computing device. In a particular embodiment, scheduling a download
of at least one item of media content at the download device 114
includes setting a priority of the item of media content and
placing the item of media content in the download queue 134
associated with the download device 114. In this way, the second
computing device 110 may perform appropriate actions to make each
selected item of media content available to the recipient 136.
[0021] When the user selection 128 conflicts with one or more
scheduled recordings 126 at the third computing device 112, the
second computing device 110 may automatically identify a second
presentation of a program associated with either the previously
scheduled recording 126 or associated with the selected media
content. The second computing device 110 may prompt the recipient
136 to select which of the second presentations to record. For
example, the information identifying recommended media content
items 118 may include a program X that is scheduled at the same
time as a program A in the scheduled recordings 112. The second
computing device 110 may automatically determine a second
presentation of either program X or program A. The second computing
device 110 may prompt the recipient 136 to select from among the
second alternatives. The second computing device 110 may receive a
second user selection 130 and schedule the second presentation for
recording at the third computing device 112.
[0022] Thus, the sender 116 can efficiently send the information
identifying recommended media content items 118 to the selected
addresses 120 of one or more recipients. For example, a teacher may
create the information identifying recommended media content items
118 and send the information identifying recommended media content
items 118 to students. An example of information identifying
recommended media content items 118 is a list of content item
titles. In addition, each of the recipients of the information
identifying recommended media content items 118 may select only
those media content items that they wish to view and the second
computing device 110 performs various actions to automatically make
the selected items available. Furthermore, the second computing
device 110 automatically determines whether a particular media
content item is scheduled media content 160, downloadable media
content 164, or on demand media content 164 and then takes an
appropriate action to make the particular media content available
to the recipient 136. In this way, the recipient 136 can
automatically obtain multiple media content items from the
information identifying recommended media content items 118 via a
single selection.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a second particular
embodiment of a system to send information identifying recommended
media content items is depicted and generally designated 200. The
system 200 includes a first computing device 202 coupled to a media
content server 204 via a network 206. In the illustrated
embodiment, an electronic program guide (EPG) 208, a second
computing device 210, a third computing device 212, and a
recommendation server 270 are also coupled to the network 206.
[0024] The media content server 204 is operable to provide media
content to various devices, such as the first computing device 202,
the second computing device 210, and the third computing device
212. The media content server 204 may include various types of
media content, such as scheduled media content, on demand media
content, downloadable media content, other media content, or any
combination thereof. Although the media content server 204 is
illustrated as a single server in FIG. 2, in various embodiments
the media content server 204 may include a plurality of servers.
For example, the plurality of servers may be a part of a particular
service provider network, or each server may belong to a separate
service provider network.
[0025] The recommendation server 270 is operable to send first data
280 representing a first graphical user interface (GUI) 242 to the
first computing device 202 and is operable to send second data 282
representing a second GUI 224 to the second computing device 210.
In the embodiment illustrated, the recommendation server 270
includes a processor 272, an input/output interface 274, and a
memory 276. The memory 276 includes operational instructions 278
that are executable by the processor 272 to perform the various
functions of the recommendation server 270.
[0026] The first computing device 202 is operable to receive the
first data 280 from the recommendation server 270 and to display
the first GUI 242 at a first display device 240. The first GUI 242
may include one or more of a scheduled program listing 244, a video
on demand listing 246, and a downloadable content listing 248. In a
particular embodiment, the functions described as being performed
by the first computing device 202 are performed by a combination of
the first computing device 202 and the recommendation server 270.
For example, the first computing device 202 may access the EPG 208
via the recommendation server 270.
[0027] A sender 216 may use the first GUI 242 to create information
identifying recommended media content items 218. For example, the
sender 216 may create the information identifying recommended media
content items 218 by accessing the EPG 208 via the first GUI 242.
The first computing device 202 is operable to receive, via the
first GUI 242, a selection of selected media content 250 to create
the information identifying recommended media content items 218.
The first computing device 202 is further operable to receive, via
the first GUI 242, a selection of selected recipients 252 and to
identify the selected addresses 220 associated with the selected
recipients 252. The first computing device 202 is further operable
to send the information identifying recommended media content items
218 to the selected addresses 220. The first computing device 202
may be a mobile telephony device, a personal computing device, a
personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a set-top box (STB)
device, or any other computing device.
[0028] The second computing device 210 is operable to receive
second data 282 from the recommendation server 270 and to display
the second GUI 224 at a second display device 222. For example, the
second GUI 224 may display the information identifying recommended
media content items 218 at the second display device 224. The
second computing device 210 may be associated with one of the
selected addresses 220 associated with the selected recipients 252.
In a particular embodiment, the functions described as being
performed by the second computing device 210 are performed by a
combination of the second computing device 210 and the
recommendation server 270. For example, the second computing device
210 may send a message to the recommendation server 270 requesting
the recommendation server 270 to provide a selected media content
items for download. The second computing device 210 may enable a
recipient 236 to select, via the second GUI 224, at least one item
of media content from the second GUI 224. The second computing
device 210 is operable to receive a user selection 228 via the
second GUI 224. The user selection 228 may select at least one item
of media content from the information identifying recommended media
content items 218. After receiving the user selection 228, the
second computing device 210 is operable to automatically schedule
recording of the selected item of media content at the third
computing device 212. The third computing device 212 may be a
personal computing device, a STB device, a DVR device, or other
computing device. In a particular embodiment, the third computing
device 212 is integrated with the second computing device 210. In
another particular embodiment, the third computing device 212 is a
different device that is independent of the second computing device
210. The user selection 228 may select one or more of the items of
recommended media content displayed at the second GUI 224. In a
particular embodiment, the user selection 228 may select all of the
recommended media content via a "select all" selection.
[0029] The second computing device 210 is further operable to
automatically determine whether scheduling recording of the at
least one item of media content would conflict with a previously
scheduled recording at the third computing device 212. The second
computing device 210 is operable to automatically identify a second
presentation of a program associated with the previously scheduled
recording or the at least one item of media content. The second
computing device 210 is further operable to automatically schedule
the second presentation for recording at the third computing device
212. For example, the information identifying recommended media
content items 218 may identify a program X that is scheduled for
recording at the same time that a program A is scheduled for
recording. The second computing device 210 may automatically
identify a second presentation of either program X or program A and
automatically schedule the second presentation for recording at the
third computing device 112.
[0030] The second computing device 210 may automatically perform
various actions to make each selected item of media content
available to the recipient 236. For example, the second computing
device 210 may automatically schedule recording of at least one
item of media content from the information identifying recommended
media content items 218 at the third computing device 212 when the
selected media content includes a scheduled program. The second
computing device 210 may automatically identify at least one item
of media content in an active content list 232 associated with the
third computing device 212 when the selected item of media content
includes on demand media content. The second computing device 210
may automatically schedule download of the selected item of media
content at the third computing device 212 when the selected item of
media content includes downloadable media content. For example, the
selected media content item may be automatically placed in a
download queue 234 associated with the third computing device
212.
[0031] In operation, the recommendation server 270 may send the
first data 280 to the first computing device 202 for display at the
first display device 240. The first computing device 202 may
display, via the first GUI 242, the information identifying
recommended media content items 218 and selected addresses 220 of
selected recipients 252. The first computing device 202 may send
the information identifying recommended media content items 218 to
the selected addresses 220.
[0032] A computing device associated with each of the selected
addresses 220 may receive the information identifying recommended
media content items 218. For example, the selected addresses 220
may include an address associated with the second computing device
210. The second computing device 210 may receive the information
identifying recommended media content items 218 and display the
information identifying recommended media content items 218 via the
second GUI 224, at the second display device 222. The second
computing device 210 may, via the second GUI 224, receive a user
selection 228 of one or more of the items of the recommended media
content 224. The second computing device 210 may automatically make
the selected one or more items of media content available for
playback at the third computing device 212. For example, when the
item of media content is a scheduled program, the item of media
content may be automatically scheduled for recording at the third
computing device 212. When the selected item of media content
includes on demand media content, the selected item of media
content may be automatically identified in the active content list
232 associated with the third computing device 212. When the item
of media content includes downloadable media content, the
downloadable media content may be automatically scheduled for
download at the third computing device 212. For example, the
downloadable media content may be placed in the download queue 234
associated with the third computing device 212.
[0033] Thus, the recipient 236 may receive the information
identifying recommended media content items 218, select one or more
items of the recommended media content, and have the selections
automatically made available for playback at the third computing
device 212. The recipient 236 does not have to determine whether a
particular item from the information identifying recommended media
content items 218 is downloadable media content or video-on demand
media content or scheduled media content. Instead, the second
computing device 210 determines how each selected item of media
content may be obtained for viewing and automatically schedules
recording of scheduled programs, automatically places on demand
items in the active content list 232, and automatically places
downloadable media content items in the download queue 234. By
receiving and performing various actions after receiving the user
selection 228, the second computing device 210 makes selected items
from the information identifying recommended media content items
218 available to the recipient 236. In this way, the amount of
effort required to make each selected item of media content
available to the recipient 236 is reduced.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a first particular embodiment of
a method to send information identifying recommended media content
items. The method may be performed by a computing device, such as
the first computing device 102 of FIG. 1, the first computing
device 202 of FIG. 2, or the recommendation server 270 of FIG.
2.
[0035] The method begins by accessing an electronic program guide
(EPG) at a computing device, at 302. Moving to 304, recommended
media content items are identified using the EPG. Advancing to 306,
an address of one or more recipients is selected. Proceeding to
308, information identifying the recommended media content is sent
to the selected addresses. For example, in FIG. 1, the sender 116
may access the EPG 108 via the first computing device 102 to create
the recommended media content items 118. The sender 116 may use the
first computing device 102 to select selected recipients 152 and
send the recommended media content items 118 to the selected
addresses 120. The method ends at 310.
[0036] Thus, a sender can access an EPG to easily identify
recommended media content items from scheduled programs, on demand
media content, and downloadable media content, and can send
information identifying the recommended media content to one or
more recipients.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a second particular embodiment
of a method to send information identifying recommended media
content items. The method may be performed by the second computing
device 110 of FIG. 1, the second computing device 210 of FIG. 2, or
the recommendation server 270 of FIG. 2.
[0038] The method begins by receiving information identifying
recommended media content items at a computing device, at 402.
Moving to 404, a user selection is received selecting at least one
item of media content from the recommended media content items.
Advancing to 406, when the at least one item of media content
includes on demand media content, the at least one item of media
content is automatically placed in an on demand queue. Proceeding
to 408, when the at least one item of media content includes
downloadable media content, the at least one item of media content
may be automatically scheduled for download at a media download
device. Moving to 410, when the at least one item of media content
is a scheduled program, recording of the at least one item of media
content may be automatically scheduled at a media recorder in
response to the user selection. For example, in FIG. 2, the second
computing device 210 may receive the information identifying
recommended media content items 218, receive the user selection 228
selecting at least one item of media content from the information
identifying recommended media content items 218, and make the at
least one item of media content available to the recipient 236.
[0039] Advancing to 412, a determination may be made whether
scheduling a recording of the at least one item of media content
would conflict with a previously scheduled recording at the media
recorder device. Proceeding to 414, a second presentation of one of
the programs associated with the previously scheduled recording and
the at least one item of media content may be automatically
identified. Advancing to 416, a second user selection may be
received indicating that the second presentation should be
scheduled for recording. Continuing to 418, the second presentation
may be scheduled for recording at the media recorder. The method
ends at 420. Thus, a recipient can select at least one item of
media content from information identifying recommended media
content items and have the selected at least one item of media
content automatically made available for viewing.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a third particular embodiment of
a method to send information identifying recommended media content
items. The method may be performed by the first computing device
102 of FIG. 1, the second computing device 110 of FIG. 1, the first
computing device 202 of FIG. 2, the second computing device 210 of
FIG. 2, or the recommendation server 270 of FIG. 2.
[0041] The method begins by sending a first graphical user
interface (GUI) to a first computing device, at 502. The first GUI
may be used to identify recommended media content items. The first
GUI may enable access to an electronic program guide (EPG). Moving
to 504, selections identifying recommended media content items are
received via the first GUI. Moving to 506, addresses of recipients
are received via the first GUI. Advancing to 508, information
identifying the recommended media content items is sent to the
addresses of the recipients. For example, in FIG. 2, the
recommendation server 270 sends the first GUI 242 to the first
computing device 202. The recommendation server 270 may receive the
information identifying recommended media content items 218 and the
selected addresses 220 via the first GUI 242.
[0042] Proceeding to 510, a second GUI is sent to a second
computing device. The second GUI enables selection of at least one
item of media content from the recommended media content items.
Proceeding to 512, a user selection may be received via the second
GUI selecting the at least one item of media content from the
recommended media content items. Proceeding to 514, a determination
may be made whether the at least one item of media content is
available as a scheduled program, an on demand program, or via a
download. When the at least one item of media content includes a
scheduled program, at 514, data may be sent to a third computing
device that causes the third computing device to schedule recording
of the at least one item of media content, at 516. Proceeding to
518, before sending the data, a determination may be made whether
scheduling recording of the at least one item of media content
would conflict with a previously scheduled recording at the third
computing device. Moving to 520, when scheduling recording of the
at least one item of media content would conflict with the
previously scheduled recording, a second presentation of one of a
program associated with the previously scheduled recording and the
at least one item of media content may be identified. The data sent
to the third computing device may cause the third computing device
to automatically schedule the second presentation for recording at
the third computing device. The method ends at 526.
[0043] When the at least one item of media content includes on
demand media content, at 514, the at least one item of media
content may be automatically identified in an active content list
associated with the third computing device, at 522. The method ends
at 526.
[0044] When the at least one item of media content includes
downloadable media content, at 514, a download of the at least one
item of media content may be automatically scheduled at the third
computing device, at 524. The method then ends at 526.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a general
computer system is shown and is designated 600. The computer system
600 includes a set of instructions that can be executed to cause
the computer system 600 to perform any one or more of the methods
or computer based functions disclosed herein. The computer system
600, or any portion thereof, may be connected, e.g., using a
network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.
[0046] In a networked deployment, the computer system 600 may
operate in the capacity of a computing device, such as the first
computing device 102 of FIG. 1, the second computing device 110 of
FIG. 1, the third computing device 112 of FIG. 1, the download
device 114 of FIG. 1, the first computing device 202 of FIG. 2, the
second computing device 210 of FIG. 2, the third computing device
212 of FIG. 2, and the recommendation server 270 of FIG. 2. The
computer system 600 can also be implemented as or incorporated into
various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a
personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop
computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications
device, a network router, a wireless telephone, a land-line
telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile
machine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web
appliance, a switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of
executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that
specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a particular
embodiment, the computer system 600 can be implemented using
electronic devices that provide voice, video or data communication.
Further, while a single computer system 600 is illustrated, the
term "system" shall also be taken to include any collection of
systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set,
or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer
functions.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the computer system 600 may
include a processor 602, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a
graphics-processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer
system 600 can include a main memory 604 and a static memory 606
that can communicate with each other via a bus 608. As shown, the
computer system 600 may further include a video display unit 610,
such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT)
display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel
display, a solid-state display, or a projection display.
Additionally, the computer system 600 may include an input device
612, such as a keyboard or a remote control, and a cursor control
device 614, such as a mouse or a remote control. The computer
system 600 can also include a disk drive unit 616, a signal
generation device 618, such as a speaker, and a network interface
device 620.
[0048] In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 6, the disk
drive unit 616 may include a computer-readable medium 622 in which
one or more sets of instructions 624, e.g. software, can be
embedded. Further, the instructions 624 may embody one or more of
the methods or logic as described herein. In a particular
embodiment, the instructions 624 may reside completely, or at least
partially, within the main memory 604, the static memory 606,
and/or within the processor 602 during execution by the computer
system 600. The main memory 604 and the processor 602 also may
include computer-readable media.
[0049] In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware
implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits,
programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be
constructed to implement one or more of the methods described
herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of
various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and
computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may
implement functions using two or more specific interconnected
hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals
that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as
portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.
Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and
hardware implementations.
[0050] In accordance with various embodiments of the present
disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented by
software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in an
exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include
distributed processing, component/object distributed processing,
and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system
processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the
methods or functionality as described herein.
[0051] The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable
medium that includes instructions 624 or receives and executes
instructions 624 so that a device connected to a network 626 can
communicate voice, video or data over the network 626. Further, the
instructions 624 may be transmitted or received over the network
626 via the network interface device 620.
[0052] While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single
medium, the term "computer-readable medium" includes a single
medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed
database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or
more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium"
shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, or
encoding a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that
cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods
or operations disclosed herein.
[0053] In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the
computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a
memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile
read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a
random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory.
Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a
magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other
storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal
communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment
to an email or other self-contained information archive or set of
archives may be considered equivalent to a tangible storage medium.
Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or
more of a computer-readable storage medium and other equivalents
and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.
It should also be noted that software that implements the disclosed
methods may optionally be stored on a tangible storage medium, such
as: a magnetic medium, such as a disk or tape; a magneto-optical or
optical medium, such as a disk; or a solid state medium, such as a
memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only
(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other
re-writable (volatile) memories.
[0054] Although the present specification describes components and
functions that may be implemented in particular embodiments with
reference to particular standards and protocols, the invention is
not limited to such standards and protocols. For example, standards
for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g.,
TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP, MPEG, SMPTE, H.264) represent examples
of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded
by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same
functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having
the same or similar functions as those disclosed herein are
considered equivalents thereof.
[0055] The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are
intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the
various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as
a complete description of all of the elements and features of
apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods
described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those
of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other
embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such
that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly,
the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative
rather than restrictive.
[0056] One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to
herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term "invention"
merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit
the scope of this application to any particular invention or
inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have
been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated
that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or
similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments
shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent
adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of
the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically
described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art
upon reviewing the description.
[0057] The Abstract of the Disclosure is submitted with the
understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the
scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing
Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or
described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining
the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as
reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more
features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the
following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed
to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed
embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the
Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as
defining separately claimed subject matter.
[0058] The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered
illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are
intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other
embodiments, which fall within the scope of the present invention.
Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the
present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible
interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and
shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed
description.
* * * * *