U.S. patent application number 14/829405 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-18 for system and method for providing curated content items.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fuhu, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robb Fujioka, Chiyu He, Douglas Quon Woo.
Application Number | 20160048599 14/829405 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55302342 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160048599 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fujioka; Robb ; et
al. |
February 18, 2016 |
System and Method for Providing Curated Content Items
Abstract
A system and method for providing curated content items is
disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes selecting
curated content items based on one or more of an age, an interest,
a subject, and a proficiency level of a user, receiving a search
request from the user for a first content item from the curated
content items, and providing the first content item to the
user.
Inventors: |
Fujioka; Robb; (Manhattan
Beach, CA) ; Woo; Douglas Quon; (Hermosa Beach,
CA) ; He; Chiyu; (San Jose, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fuhu, Inc. |
El Segundo |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55302342 |
Appl. No.: |
14/829405 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62038772 |
Aug 18, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
707/722 ;
705/26.62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/2668 20130101;
H04N 21/44222 20130101; H04N 21/4661 20130101; A63F 13/792
20140902; G06F 16/9535 20190101; G06Q 30/0631 20130101; G06F 16/955
20190101; H04N 21/4667 20130101; H04N 21/2665 20130101; H04N
21/25891 20130101; G06F 16/248 20190101; H04N 21/4668 20130101;
H04N 21/252 20130101; H04L 65/4084 20130101; H04N 21/25883
20130101; G06F 16/245 20190101; G06Q 30/0625 20130101; H04L 65/4023
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30; H04L 29/06 20060101 H04L029/06; A63F 13/792 20060101
A63F013/792; G06Q 30/06 20060101 G06Q030/06 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: selecting curated content items based on
one or more of an age, an interest, a subject, and a proficiency
level of a user; receiving a search request from the user for a
first content item from the curated content items; and providing
the first content item to the user.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user has a subscription
service with one or more of a third party operating system and an
application store, wherein the subscription service is for one or
more of an application and a game.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the first
content item to the user via cloud delivery.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing cloud back
up play of the first content item.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the first content item
to the user is based on downloading the first content item by the
user.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a conversion
to purchase a second content item based on historical consumption
of one or more curated content items.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a playlist
of one or more curated content items.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a free offer
of one or more curated content items.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising integrating the
curated content items into a primary screen.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a queue
list for one or more curated content items.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a trial
version of one or more curated content items.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a
conversion to purchase the one or more curated content items based
on the trial version.
13. A system, comprising: a content curation analytics engine that
selects curated content items based on one or more of an age, an
interest, a subject, and a proficiency level of a user, receives a
search request from the user for a first content item from the
curated content items, and provides the first content item to the
user.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the user has a subscription
service with one or more of a third party operating system and an
application store, wherein the subscription service is for one or
more of an application and a game.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the content curation analytics
engine provides the first content item to the user via cloud
delivery.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the content curation analytics
engine provides cloud back up play of the first content item.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the content curation analytics
engine provides the first content item to the user based on
downloading the first content item by the user.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the content curation analytics
engine provides a conversion to purchase a second content item
based on historical consumption of one or more curated content
items.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the content curation analytics
engine provides a playlist of one or more curated content
items.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the content curation analytics
engine provides a free offer of one or more curated content
items.
21. The method of claim 13, wherein the content curation analytics
engine integrates the curated content items into a primary
screen.
22. The method of claim 13, wherein the content curation analytics
engine provides a queue list for one or more curated content
items.
23. The method of claim 13, wherein the content curation analytics
engine provides a trial version of one or more curated content
items.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the content curation analytics
engine provides a conversion to purchase the one or more curated
content items based on the trial version.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present disclosure claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/038,772 entitled "SYSTEM AND
METHOD FOR PROVIDING CURATED CONTENT ITEMS" filed on Aug. 18, 2014
and is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a mobile
computer system, and more particularly, to a system and method for
providing curated content items to users.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A traditional search-based content providing system provides
a search result including various types of content items in
response to a user's search keyword(s). The user's history of
search keywords and interactions to past search results are used to
narrow and refine the search results for providing more accurate
search results. A search also provides customized results for the
user based on the user's history of search.
[0004] A user of a content subscription service provider typically
searches media content that is grouped by pre-determined
categories, such as by media genre. Examples of media genre include
"Action & Adventure," "Children & Family," "Comedy,"
"Documentary," "Foreign," "Drama," "Music & Musicals,"
"Horror," and "Sports & Fitness." Depending on the user's
preferences and content consumption habits, content items of a
certain category may be frequently consumed, however, other content
items of other categories may not be consumed at all. The content
subscription service provider may provide suggestions for content
items based on the user's content consumption patterns.
[0005] However, traditional content subscription services provide
access to large volumes of content items that are not conducive to
discovery. These traditional content subscription services provide
user interfaces that make it difficult for a user to discover
content items or associated content items that are rewarding to the
user. Furthermore, a user's content consumption habits may lead to
a habituation or addiction to specific topics, subjects, or types
of content items.
SUMMARY
[0006] A system and method for providing curated content items is
disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes selecting
curated content items based on one or more of an age, an interest,
a subject, and a proficiency level of a user, receiving a search
request from the user for a first content item from the curated
content items, and providing the first content item to the
user.
[0007] The above and other preferred features, including various
novel details of implementation and combination of elements, will
now be more particularly described with reference to the
accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be
understood that the particular methods and apparatuses are shown by
way of illustration only and not as limitations. As will be
understood by those skilled in the art, the principles and features
explained herein may be employed in various and numerous
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are included as part of the
present specification, illustrate the various embodiments of the
present disclosed system and method and together with the general
description given above and the detailed description of the
preferred embodiment given below serve to explain and teach the
principles of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary flow chart for content
qualification and priority tagging, according to one
embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow chart for producing
reports, according to one embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary process for content
curation, according to one embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary process of searching a
content item, according to one embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary process of discovering a
content item, according to one embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flow chart for balancing
curation interests, according to one embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary process of content curation
using a curated content subscription service, according to one
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a discovery path for attaining and
demonstrating proficiency, according to one embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary discovery path with locked
content items, according to one embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary content
curation system, according to one embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary user interface for
providing curated content items, according to one embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary user interface of a
character page, according to one embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary user interface of a video
content type, according to one embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary user interface of a video
page, according to one embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary user interface of an
application content type, according to one embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary user interface of an
application page, according to one embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 17 illustrates another exemplary user interface for
providing curated content items, according to one embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary user interface of an
electronic commerce page, according to one embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary flow chart for providing
curated content items, according to one embodiment; and
[0028] FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary computer architecture that
may be used for the present system, according to one
embodiment.
[0029] It should be noted that the figures are not necessarily
drawn to scale and that elements of structures or functions are
generally represented by reference numerals for illustrative
purposes throughout the figures. It also should be noted that the
figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the
various embodiments described herein. The figures do not describe
every aspect of the teachings described herein and do not limit the
scope of the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] A system and method for providing curated content items is
disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes selecting
a first set of content items from a plurality of available content
items provided by a plurality of content provider servers,
providing the first set of content items to a first user account of
a plurality of first user accounts on a first user portal that
displays on a user device, each of the first user accounts
associated with a respective subscriber account of a plurality of
subscriber accounts, receiving consumption information for each of
the plurality of first user accounts regarding the first set of
content items from the user device, determining limited content
curation analytics regarding the plurality of available content
items, selecting a second set of content items for the plurality of
first user accounts from the plurality of available content items
based on the limited content curation analytics and the consumption
information, and providing the second set of content items to each
of the plurality of first user accounts on the first user portal.
According to one embodiment, the first set of content items and the
second set of content items are selected from the plurality of
available content items that are available at a time of selecting a
respective first set of content items and a respective second set
of content items. The plurality of available content items used for
selecting the first set of content items and the plurality of
available content items used for selecting the second set of
content items, each refer to the plurality of content items that
are available at the time of selection. These instances of
plurality of available content items may or may not be the
same.
[0031] In one embodiment, the limited content curation analytics
include the consumption information for the plurality of first user
accounts as input. The present content curation system may select
the second set of content items from the plurality of available
content items using curated content heuristics based on the limited
content curation analytics.
[0032] In one embodiment, the present content curation system
segments content items within the second set of content items and
selects the second set of content items from the plurality of
available content items using curated content heuristics based on
balancing across segments of content items within the second set of
content items. The present content curation system may provide a
scheduled update of the segments of content items, where each of
the segments of content items includes one of a genre, a theme,
user tagged data, and a content type. The present content curation
system may provide the scheduled update of the segments of content
items based on varying one or more themes, wherein the theme is
based on one of a season, an event, a character, a relation, and a
geographical location. The segments of content items include a
plurality of content types, where the plurality of content types
includes two or more of broadcasted media content, a movie, a
video, an audio file, a text file, an electronic book, and an
application. The present content curation system may select the
second set of content items from the plurality of available content
items using the curated content heuristics based on limited time
content curation analytics. The present content curation system may
select the second set of content items from the plurality of
available content items using the curated content heuristics based
on one or more of collection analytics for the plurality of
available content items, analytics of a plurality of segments of
content items, analytics of popularity of content items, and
associative content analytics.
[0033] In one embodiment, the present content curation system
recommends one or more of a physical item and a virtual item
associated with a content item of the first set of content items
for purchase by the first user account on the user device, wherein
the virtual item includes a movie, a video, an audio file, an
electronic book, and an application. The present content curation
system may provide payment to the plurality of content provider
servers based on the consumption information. In one embodiment,
the present content curation system receives an indication of
consumption of a first content item of the first set of content
items, and provides a second content item to the first user account
based on the indication of consumption of the first content item,
where the second content item has one of a similar topic to the
first content item, a divergent topic from the first content item,
and an associated topic with the first content item.
[0034] According to one embodiment, a method includes selecting a
first set of content items of a limited content curation from a
plurality of available content items provided by a plurality of
content provider servers, providing the first set of content items
to a first user account on a first user portal that displays on a
user device, receiving consumption information for the first user
account regarding the first set of content items from the user
device, selecting a second set of content items for the first user
account based on the consumption information for the first user
account, and providing the second set of content items to the first
user account on the first user portal.
[0035] In one embodiment, the present content curation system
selects the first set of content items based on one or more of a
demography associated with the first user account, a user
preference associated with the first user account, a season, an
event, a character, a relation, a geographical location, a desired
content item provided by a content provider server of the plurality
of content provider servers, and a promotional campaign provided by
the content provider server.
[0036] In one embodiment, the present content curation system
selects a second set of content items for the first user account
based on the consumption information for the first user account
including logging a history of the consumption information, and
comparing the history of the consumption information with a
predetermined criterion of the consumption information. The
consumption information includes one or more of a completed task
associated with a content item of the first set of content items, a
cumulative consumption time of the content item of the first set of
content items, a number of times of consumption of the content
item, a frequency of consumption of the content item, and a number
of content items of the first set content items that are consumed
by the first user account.
[0037] In one embodiment, the present content curation system
provides a discovery path for the first user account, where the
discovery path includes a plurality of content items from the first
set of content items of the limited content curation from the
plurality of available content items. The present content curation
system may monitor a completion progress of the discovery path
based on the consumption information, and modify the discovery path
based on the consumption information. In one embodiment, the
present content curation system provides the first set of content
items to the first user account on a first user interface that
displays on the first user portal. The present content curation
system further provides the second set of content items to the
first user account on a second user interface that displays on the
first user portal.
[0038] In one embodiment, the present content curation system
provides the first set of content items to the first user account
of a plurality of first user accounts, where each of the first user
accounts is associated with a respective subscriber account of a
plurality of subscriber accounts, receives the consumption
information for the first user account for each of the plurality of
first user accounts, selects the second set of content items for
the plurality of first user accounts based on the consumption
information for each of the plurality of first user accounts, and
provides the second set of content items on the first user portal
to each of the plurality of first user accounts. The present
content curation system may select the second set of content items
for the plurality of first user accounts is based on limited
content curation analytics regarding the consumption information
for each of the plurality of first user accounts. The second set of
content items for the plurality of first user accounts may be
selected from the plurality of available content items.
[0039] In one embodiment, the present content curation system
receives a curation instruction that is configured by a second user
account on a second user portal that displays on the user device,
where the second set of content items for the first user account is
selected based on the consumption information for the first user
account and the curation instruction. The curation instruction may
include a desired triggering event including a predetermined status
of the consumption information for the first user account. The
curation instruction may include one or more of a completed task
associated with one or more content items of the first set of
content items, a threshold consumption time of the one or more
content items, a threshold number of times of consumption of the
one or more content items, a threshold frequency of consumption of
the one or more content items, and a threshold number of content
items of the first set of content items that are consumed by the
first user account. The first user account and the second user
account may be associated with a common subscription account.
[0040] According to one embodiment, the present system and method
includes selecting a first set of content items from a plurality of
available content items provided by a plurality of content provider
servers, providing the first set of content items to a second user
account included in a subscriber account, wherein the subscriber
account includes a first user account and the second user account,
providing a curation interface to the second user account on a
second user portal that displays on a user device, wherein the
curation interface displays information on the first set of content
items, receiving a curation instruction that is configured by the
second user account via the curation interface, selecting a second
set of content items from the first set of content items based upon
the curation instruction, and providing the second set of content
items to the first user account on a first user portal that
displays on the user device. The first user account may include a
first user identification, and the second user account may include
a second user identification.
[0041] In one embodiment, the information on the first set of
content items includes a discovery path including content items
from the first set of content items selected by the second user
account of the subscription account. In one embodiment, the present
content curation system provides the curation instruction to a
plurality of subscriber accounts upon authorization by the second
user identification via the curation interface. In another
embodiment, the present content curation system receives
consumption information for the first user account regarding the
second set of content items from the user device, and provides the
consumption information for the first user account to the plurality
of subscriber accounts. This allows the second user account by a
parent, for example, to share his/her curation experience with
other parent subscribers.
[0042] In one embodiment, the present content curation system
compiles a playlist from the second set of content items based on
the consumption information for the first user account regarding
the second set of content items. The playlist may be configured by
the first user account using the first user portal that displays on
the user device. The content curation system may provide the
playlist to a plurality of subscriber accounts upon authorization
by the first user account.
[0043] In one embodiment, the present content curation system
provides the consumption information for the first user account to
the plurality of content provider servers. The present content
curation system may provide payment to the plurality of content
provider servers based on the consumption information. In one
embodiment, the present content curation system associates the
subscriber account with a subscription service mode that is
selected by the second user account via the second user portal, and
selects the first set of content items from the plurality of
available content items provided by the plurality of content
provider servers based on the subscription service mode.
[0044] According to one embodiment, the present system and method
includes selecting curated content items based on one or more of an
age, an interest, a subject, and a proficiency level of a user,
receiving a search request from the user for a first content item
from the curated content items, and providing the first content
item to the user. The user may have a subscription service with one
or more of a third party operating system and an application store,
wherein the subscription service is for one or more of an
application and a game. The present content curation system may
provide the first content item to the user via cloud delivery. The
present content curation system may provide cloud back up play of
the first content item and allow the user to download the first
content item.
[0045] In one embodiment, the present content curation system
provides a conversion to purchase a second content item based on
historical consumption of one or more curated content items. The
present content curation system may provide a playlist of one or
more curated content items. The present content curation system may
provide a free offer of one or more curated content items. The
present content curation system may integrate the curated content
items into a primary screen.
[0046] In one embodiment, the present content curation system
provides a queue list for one or more curated content items. The
present content curation system may provide a trial version of one
or more curated content items and further provide a conversion to
purchase the one or more curated content items based on the trial
version.
[0047] In the following description, for purposes of clarity and
conciseness of the description, not all of the numerous components
shown in the schematic are described. The numerous components are
shown in the drawings to provide a person of ordinary skill in the
art a thorough enabling disclosure of the present system and
method. The operation of many of the components would be understood
to one skilled in the art.
[0048] Each of the additional features and teachings disclosed
herein can be utilized separately or in conjunction with other
features and teachings to provide a system and method for providing
curated content. Representative examples utilizing many of these
additional features and teachings, both separately and in
combination, are described in further detail with reference to the
attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to
teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing
preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to
limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, combinations
of features disclosed in the following detailed description may not
be necessary to practice the teachings in the broadest sense and
are instead taught merely to describe particularly representative
examples of the present teachings.
[0049] Moreover, various features of the representative examples
and the dependent claims may be combined in ways that are not
specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide
additional useful embodiments of the present teachings. In
addition, it is expressly noted that all features disclosed in the
description and/or the claims are intended to be disclosed
separately and independently from each other for the purpose of
original disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the
claimed subject matter independent of the compositions of the
features in the embodiments and/or the claims. It is also expressly
noted that all value ranges or indications of groups of entities
disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity
for the purpose of original disclosure, as well as for the purpose
of restricting the claimed subject matter. It is also expressly
noted that the dimensions and the shapes of the components shown in
the figures are designed to help understand how the present
teachings are practiced but are not intended to limit the
dimensions and the shapes shown in the examples.
[0050] According to one embodiment, the present mobile computer
system and applications running on the present mobile computer
system is designed for children. Children may learn, study, and
draw on the present mobile computer using a touch-sensitive screen
or a pen. The present mobile computer system provides a user
experience that is specifically tailored for a target age group by
providing characters, animations, video tutorials, and interactive
lessons. An application running on the present mobile computer
system may include an integrated parental control.
[0051] According to one embodiment, the present mobile computer
system provides an environment for children to learn how to use and
behave on a social networking platform that is managed and
monitored by parents. Each child on the social networking platform
has a unique identification (ID) and connects with trusted family
members to share their creations, activities, and photos through
email, instant messenger (IM), and photo sharing.
[0052] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of
ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be
practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well
known components or methods have not been described in detail but
rather in a block diagram, or a schematic, in order to avoid
unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Further specific
numeric references such as "first component," may be made. However,
the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a
literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the "first
component" is different from a "second component." Thus, the
specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific
details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within
the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term "coupled"
is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or
indirectly to the component through another component.
Curation Process
[0053] The present disclosure relates to a content curation system
and method for providing curated content items to users. According
to one embodiment, a curated content provider provides curated
content items to a user by selecting a limited number of content
items from a plurality of available content items. The available
content items may be provided by other content provider servers,
content publishing servers, and/or content distributor servers. The
present content curation system provides a first limited number of
content items from the plurality of available content items to a
first user (e.g., a child) based on a curation process that
encourages varied content consumption. The present content curation
system further selects a second limited number of content items
from the plurality of available content items that is approved by a
second user (e.g., a parent). The first user may be referred to as
a discovery user. The second user may be referred to as a control
user. This provides well-balanced content consumption for the
discovery user.
[0054] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system includes a variety of features including, but not limited
to, an overlay system architecture, a customizable and granular
parental controls, a curated application store, an electronic
commerce interface, multiple profile management capabilities,
kid-safe browsing, dual mode access controls, tracked user activity
in a discovery user mode, and an adaptive learning system. The
present content curation system further recommends content items
based on content popularity and past test results.
[0055] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system curates content items by providing a limited number of
content items of a primary topic from a plurality of available
content items to a discovery user. The discovery user may indicate
an interest in the curated content items by consuming one or more
of the curated content items. In addition, the discovery user may
indicate an interest in the curated content items via social
networking features of the present content curation system, such as
a shared play list feature that enables a discovery user to share a
play list of content items with other subscribers of the present
content curation system. The present content curation system
further selects content items of a secondary topic that is related
to the primary topic based on user interest and user consumption of
the limited number of content items of the primary topic. For
example, a discovery user indicates an interest in cars by
consuming content items concerning a primary topic of cars. The
present content curation system analyzes the user's interest in
cars and provides content items of a secondary topic that is
related to the primary topic of cars, including, but not limited
to, car design, engines, electric cars, air pollution, and resource
management.
[0056] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system curates content items by providing a limited number of
content items from a plurality of available content items, where
the limited number of content items is of a similar topic to a
content item that was previously consumed by a discovery user. The
present content curation system provides content items of a topic
that helps a discovery user to broaden his/her interest while
controlling the number of content items on a specific topic to
encourage the discovery user to explore other topics.
[0057] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system curates content items by providing a limited number of
content items from a plurality of available content items, where
the limited number of content items is of a divergent topic from a
content item that was previously consumed by a discovery user. This
encourages the discovery user to consume a content item with a
divergent topic from a prior consumed content item of primary
interest to the discovery user, thus broadening awareness and
piquing the curiosity of the discovery user. The present content
curation system may provide a content item with a topic that is
divergent from a discovery user's interest and consumption
information of curated content items based on topics that are
configured by a control user (e.g., a parent). For example, based
on a consumption information of a discovery user indicating a
strong aptitude and interest in content items of a first theme, the
present content curation system provides the discovery user (e.g.,
a child) with content items of a second theme that is associated
with a development goal configured by a control user (e.g., a
parent) and/or a curator. By providing content items of divergent
topics, the present content consumption system encourages a user to
explore balanced and varied content discovery.
[0058] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides limited content curation by selecting a limited
number of content items from a plurality of available content
items, and further selecting a type of content item. The present
content curation system provides a user with a limited number of
content items that may be segmented based on various factors,
including, but not limited to, a content type, a genre, a topic, a
theme, and user tagged data. The content type includes, but is not
limited to, a movie, a video, an application, an electronic book,
an audio file, a game, and an article. The present content curation
system allows the discovery user to select and consume one or more
content items from the limited number of content items of primary
interest to the discovery user. After the discovery user consumes
content items that are of primary interest, the present content
curation system provides the discovery user with content items
based on other factors, such as a content type, a genre, a topic,
and a theme. For example, the present content curation system
recommends a game related to a movie after a discovery user
consumes the movie content item to provide a multi-media
experience. Limited content curation provides discovery users with
a wide range of diverse topics and content types while offering
entertainment and educational benefits.
[0059] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a content item that is associated with a curated
content item to a discovery user by analyzing his/her discovery
experience history including consumption information of the curated
content item. The present content curation system recommends a
content item that is associated with a curated content item where
the recommended content item may be referred to as an associative
content item. The present content curation system provides a
limited menu, a set of links, or visual presentation of content
item icons or badges, to allow a user to discover an associative
content item. The present content curation system provides an
associative content item based on the consumption information of a
curated content item for the discovery user, and predetermined
information determined by a system curator or a control user (e.g.,
a parent). The consumption information includes, but is not limited
to, a completed task associated with the curated content item, a
cumulative consumption time of the curated content item, a number
of times of consumption of the curated content item, a frequency of
consumption of the curated content item, and a number of curated
content items that are consumed. The predetermined information may
correspond to undesirable content consumption information of the
discovery user, such as an excessive number of times or frequency
of consumption of a given content item, indicating a pattern of
habituated or addictive consumption. The predetermined information
may also correspond to desirable content consumption information of
the discovery user, such as consuming a set of related content
items within a limited curation time period, and may be used to
reward the discovery user for achieving a discovery goal or to
encourage the discovery user to pursue further discovery. The
present content curation system may further determine an
associative content item based on one or more additional
conditions, for example, a metadata tag of a content item, an
option based on a type of user device (e.g., a tablet computer, a
desktop computer, and a mobile device), and an amount of available
space on the user device.
[0060] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system extracts content items from a library of available content
items. The available content items may be stored in a database of
the content curation system or extracted from other content
provider servers (e.g., DIRECTTV.TM.) that maintain a respective
subscription service with the present content curation system. The
present content curation system analyzes, categorizes, and stores
the extracted content items in the database with metadata tags. The
present content curation system provides the extracted content
items to a discovery user based on the discovery user's demography
(e.g., age, gender), user preference, and consumption
information.
[0061] A plurality of content provider servers may provide
respective user subscription services to a discovery user/control
user. According to one embodiment, a discovery user/control user
maintains a first user subscription service with an electronic book
content provider server and a second user subscription service with
a movie content provider server. The present content curation
system receives information from the first user subscription
service and the second user subscription service to provide a
trans-media experience to the discovery user. For example, if a
discovery user watches a "Frozen" movie based on his/her first user
subscription service with the movie content provider server, the
present content curation system recommends a "Frozen" electronic
book to the discovery user based on his/her second user
subscription service with the electronic book content provider
server.
[0062] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system organizes and tags each curated content item with a theme to
encourage a discovery user (e.g., a child) to discover content
items that relate to a theme of interest. The present content
curation system varies a theme depending on various factors
including, but not limited to, a season, an event, a character, a
relation, and a user location. A theme provides an enriched user
experience, entertainment, education, and skill development for the
discovery user.
[0063] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a plurality of themes to facilitate a discovery
user's content discovery. The themes encompass educational and
developmental values for a discovery user to play, learn, and grow
from the content items. The present content curation system may tag
higher priorities to themes to promote a higher probability of
recurrence over a limited curation time period. Examples of themes
include, but are not limited to "Friends and Family", "Around the
World", "The Nature of Nature", "Animals", "Scoop, News,
Non-fiction", "Inside Outer Space", "Fantasy", "Creativity", and
"The Age of Dinosaurs".
[0064] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system organizes and tags each curated content item with a content
type (e.g., a movie, a video, an audio, and an electronic book) to
provide a trans-media user experience and facilitate a user to
discover an associated or a related content item that may be of a
different content type. The present content curation system
dynamically integrates content items of different content types or
media types to allow a user to make a contextual purchase of
content items that are available for purchase. The present content
curation system includes a user interface that has features such as
a theme and a character to facilitate a discovery of trans-media
content items.
[0065] The present content curation system categorizes content
items based on a content type (e.g., a video, music, an electronic
book, and an application) and a file format (e.g., mpeg-3, mpeg-4,
H.263/4, epub, pdf, and apk). Each content item may be associated
with different user discovery and search capabilities. For example,
content items are discoverable or searchable by a content type, a
title, a genre, an artist, an author, a category, an age, a
demographic, and a studio. The present content curation system
further allows a discovery user to purchase and download a curated
content item through an application store, to stream a curated
content item from an on-demand server, and/or to download a curated
content item to a user device for an offline use. The present
content curation system may provide a cloud delivery of a curated
content item (e.g., an application, a game) to the discovery user.
The present content curation system may further allow the discovery
user to back up a progress stage of a curated content item (e.g., a
playing level of a game). According to one embodiment, the present
content curation system provides the discovery user with a trial
version of a curated content item and further allows the discovery
user to purchase the curated content item after the discovery user
consumes the trial version.
[0066] The present content curation system provides one or more
themes to identify and publish a discovery of related or associated
content items in a common theme across multiple content types. A
blend of content types provides different approaches to
entertainment, education and personal growth, for example, an
electronic book for reading, and an application for adaptive
learning. The present content curation system provides trans-media
narrative (or trans-media storytelling) techniques for each theme
to deliver content across multiple platforms and formats. In
trans-media production, content providers develop a particular
subject matter, for example, a story based on multiple content
types, and deliver content items related to the particular subject
matter to the content distribution network. Trans-media narrative
provides an educational or developmental tool that offers a
different level of user engagement with multiple content types.
According to one embodiment, the present content curation system
provides themes with a higher priority than characters and places
themes in a more prominent portion of the user interface than
characters in a default setting and layout.
[0067] Themes provided by the present content curation system have
various characteristics. Content items are prioritized based on a
level of limited curation. According to one embodiment, themes have
a hierarchical order and can be associated with one or more
subsidiary categories. For example, the "Friends and family" theme
has sub-categories of "Parents and siblings," and "Friends and
neighbors." Themes may also be seasonal (e.g., Christmas,
Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Independence Day), and curated content
items that relate to seasonal events are provided to a discovery
user based on a demography and geographical location of the
discovery user. For example, the present content curation system
provides content items with an Independence Day theme (that is
celebrated in America) to a discovery user located in America but
not to a discovery user in China.
[0068] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system tags a content item with multiple themes. For example, the
present content curation system provides five content items 1-5
tagged with different themes A-E, i.e.; 1(A), 2(B), 3(C), 4(D), and
5(E). The content items also share a common theme S, science. The
present content curation system may plan a discovery experience of
science in a variety of ways, for example, 1(A,S), 2(B,S), 3(C,S),
4(D,S), 5(E,S).
[0069] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system monitors a discovery user's consumption information and
provides content items with a different theme to the user after the
discovery user consumes a threshold number of curated content items
with one or more given themes based on user inputs from a control
user. The present content curation system includes a custodial data
manager that receives the user inputs, such as a suggestion and a
request through a community portal. For example, the present
content curation system receives user inputs from a control user
(e.g., a parent) regarding the curation for a discovery user (e.g.,
a child). This helps to reinforce values as a part of a child's
education, entertainment and development.
[0070] The present content curation system provides a limited
number of curated content items to enable a discovery user to
select content items and associative content items through
discovery. The present content curation system continuously and
dynamically feeds content items to a discovery user based on the
discovery user's consumption of a current set of limited content
items.
[0071] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system tags metadata to categorize content items. FIG. 1
illustrates an exemplary flow chart for content qualification and
priority tagging, according to one embodiment. The present content
curation system 100 includes a content qualifying module 102, a
curating module 103, and a tagging module 104. The present content
curation system 100 communicates with one or more content provider
servers 101. In one embodiment, a content provider server 101
includes a content developer who is qualified by the content
qualifying module 102. In another embodiment, the content provider
server 101 includes a content publisher.
[0072] The content provider server 101 sends a collection of
content items to the content qualifying module 102 according to a
contract with the present content curation system 100 (at 151). The
content qualifying module 102 determines whether the content items
provided by the content provider server 101 meet curation and
quality guidelines (at 152). Examples of curation and quality
guidelines include, but are not limited to a desired age, and a
national and state curriculum standard. The content qualifying
module 102 returns the content items that fail to meet the curation
and quality guidelines to the content provider server 101 (at 153).
The content provider server 101 and the content qualifying module
102 confirm a revenue share model by setting a content type for
revenue share calculations (at 154). The content qualifying module
102 shares the revenue calculation with the content provider server
101 (at 155). For example, the content qualifying module 102
determines that the content provider server 101 receives a
percentage of revenue received from a plurality of discovery users
based on a number of times of consumption of a content item by the
plurality of discovery users. The content qualifying module 102
further determines a desired age group for curating the content
items (at 156). The content qualifying module 102 determines
whether licensing restrictions such as a territory and a date of
intended use are applicable to the content items (at 157). For each
content type, the content qualifying module 102 verifies that
content items for servicing users are available (at 158) and
requests missing content items from the content provider server 101
(at 159).
[0073] The curating module 103 curates the qualified content items
and determines the content items to refresh for a subsequent
refresh cycle. The curating module 103 sets a priority for tagging
content items based on a need for a current month's curation (at
160). The tagging module 104 reviews tagging metadata provided by
the content provider server 101 (at 161) and categorizes the
content items using the tagging metadata based on current themes
and characters for preparing curation (at 162). The tagging module
104 deletes, modifies, and adds keyword tags based on a report from
a reporting group, for example, a parental report (at 163). Based
on the report from the reporting group, the tagging module 104 may
identify an emerging theme based on users' keyword trends and send
a suggestion for a new theme to the curating module 103 (at 164).
The curating module 103 analyzes the content collection based on
the suggestion from the tagging module 104 (at 165) and
communicates with the content provider server 101 to review and
recursively discuss priorities for the content collection (at
166).
[0074] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow chart for producing
reports, according to one embodiment. The present content curation
system further includes a reporting module 106 and parental
services module 107. The reporting module 106 produces various
reports including a curation report 201, a financial report 202, a
public relations (PR) report 203, a search term report 204, and a
parental services report 205. The curation report 201 indicates the
popularity of content items within the demographic groups by
various factors including a content type, a content provider, a
theme, and a character. The curation report 201 may sort the
popularity of content items based on a gender and an age group. The
curation report 201 also includes information for subscription
growth and user retention. The curation report 201 may further
provide information that determine a reason for the popularity of a
content item, for example, a location of a banner on a user
interface, a genre, and a theme. The reporting group 106 forwards
the curation report 201 to the curating module 103 (at 251). The
curating module 103 receives and reviews the curation reports 201
from previous curation periods and determines content items to
publish in a subsequent curation period (at 206). The curating
module 103 forwards a summary of the curation report 201 to the
content provider server 101 to provide feedback on the popularity
and desirability of content items (at 252). According to one
embodiment, the curating module 103 provides a web interface, for
example, a dashboard, that includes the summary of the curation
report 201 to the content provider server 101.
[0075] The financial report 202 includes information for a revenue
share model with the content provider 101. The revenue share model
is based on content usage and consumption per curation period. The
reporting module 106 sends the financial report 202 to the content
provider server 101 (at 253). The PR report 203 may be reformatted
for external use by a PR company. The reporting group 106 sends the
PR report 203 to the content provider server 101 (at 254). The PR
report 203 may be used to influence qualified content providers and
other non-qualified content providers. The search term report 204
includes statistical data for popular search terms and tags. The
reporting module 106 sends the search term report 204 to the
tagging module 104 to feed recommendations for tagging the content
items (at 255). The parental services report 205 focuses on a
consumption time on a specific theme by a discovery user. A control
user may monitor the progress and activities of the discovery user
and intervene as necessary. The parental services report 205
provides timely associated materials to encourage interaction
between the control user and the discovery user and/or to enable
the control user to monitor and control the content items to which
the discovery user has access. The control user may review the
content consumption behavior of the discovery user and purchase a
content item or a related item for a birthday or rewards for good
behaviors. The reporting module 106 forwards the parental services
report 205 to the parental services module 107 to provide parenting
tips and advertisements for related items for sale (at 256).
[0076] The present content curation system provides limited content
curation to encourage a discovery user to navigate through the
curated offering of content items and to facilitate discovery of
content items by the discovery user. For example, a child user may
not know what he/she wants to do with his/her device, and are often
unaware of fun and beneficial opportunities. The present content
curation system provides an informed judgment to discern
appropriate alternatives to a discovery user. The present content
curation system promotes a continuing and dynamic discovery process
that strengthens a discovery user's engagement with content items
offered on his/her device, and stimulates future use of his/her
device. The curation process provides a quantity of different
content types, levels and subject matters of user experiences to
captivate and activate discovery users.
[0077] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary process for content
curation, according to one embodiment. A control user provides user
parameters 308 to a user interface 309 of a user device 310. The
user parameters 308 includes, but is not limited to, of a completed
task associated with a content item, a threshold consumption time
of the content item, a threshold number of times of consumption of
the content item, a threshold frequency of consumption of the
content item, and a number of content items that are consumed. The
content curation system 300 stores system parameters 303 for a
selection of content items for the user. The system parameters 303
includes, but is not limited to, a demography of a discovery user,
a user preference associated with the discovery user, a season, an
event, a character, a relation, a geographical location, a desired
content item provided by a content provider server of the plurality
of content provider servers, and a promotional campaign provided by
the content provider server. The theme selection module 304 selects
themes for the user based on the user parameters 308 and system
parameters 303. Based on the selected themes 305a-305e, the content
curation system filters and selects content items using a filtering
and selection module 302 from available content items 301. The
selected content items by the filtering and selection module 302
are displayed and made available for a discovery user via the user
interface 309.
Curated Content Subscription Service
[0078] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides limited content curation by narrowing a number of
content items that are available to a discovery user during a
limited curation time period. Limited content curation facilitates
a discovery user's discovery of content. Limited content curation
encourages the discovery user to discover content items in curated
subject matters and topics and additional subject matters and
topics that can help to broaden the development and the knowledge
of the discovery user. Limited content curation provides a variety
of content items specifically curated for the discovery user. For
example, the present content curation system provides limited
content curation by providing a limited number of content items
from a plurality of available content items within a limited
curation time period, measured in the number of content items
and/or the length of time required to consume these content items,
based on an expectation of the discovery user consuming these
content items during the given time period. In addition, the
present content curation system may notify the user of an
expiration of a content item at the end of the limited curation
time period to encourage the discovery user to consume the content
item during the limited curation time period.
[0079] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system periodically publishes and updates curated content items to
a discovery user. The present content curation system provides a
curated content subscription service that authorizes a discovery
user with a subscriber's pass to discover or consume the curated
content items.
[0080] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a user interface for providing a limited number of
curated content items to a discovery user with a subscriber's pass.
The present content curation system may provide the subscriber's
pass to the discovery user for free or for a purchase price, for
example, for a specified duration of time. The user interface for
providing limited curation facilitates and encourages the discovery
user's discovery of a variety of pre-selected content items from a
plurality of available content items. Limited content curation
encourages a discovery user to discover content items as opposed to
receiving a search result that is provided by a search engine in
response to the user's search request using a search criterion
(e.g., a search keyword).
[0081] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary process of searching a
content item, according to one embodiment. A user 401 provides a
keyword or a selection of a keyword to a search engine 405 (at
402). The search engine 405 indexes the user's selection of
keywords and finds items that contain the keywords from a myriad of
available content items 410 and returns the matching search results
to the user 401 (at 411).
[0082] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary process of discovering a
content item, according to one embodiment. A content curation
system performs a plurality of content curation processes 505a-505n
for a respective curation period (e.g., a month) from March to
November. The content curation system provides a content curation
process 505 that dynamically curates content items 510 based on
system parameters and user parameters (as described earlier) and
generates a limited number of content items for each theme A, B, F,
G, and R. For each curation period, the content curation system
selects and provides a new set of content items to the user.
[0083] The present content curation system facilitates and
encourages a discovery of content items by a discovery user such as
a child who requires supervision for content consumption. A search
system is typically based on a user's knowledge of information for
searching, and allows a user to seek a search result until he/she
finds desired information. In contrast, the present content
curation system and method provides content discovery when a
discovery user is unsure what to look for, or when the discovery
user is not looking for particular information. Content discovery
allows a discovery user to uncover information that the discovery
user may not be aware of, does not seek, or does not know whether
he/she wanted the information. The present content curation system
provides a tool to deliver and push information to the discovery
user by providing a limited number of curated content items for a
limited curation time period, and by periodically updating the
curated content items after each limited curation time period.
[0084] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a first number of content items from a plurality of
available content items to a discovery user (e.g., a child). The
user may consume one or more content items from the first set of
content items based on his/her primary interest. Based upon the
discovery user's consumption information of the first set of
content items, the present content curation system provides a
second number of content items from the plurality of available
content items. The second number of content items may include
content items that have not been consumed by the user so that the
discovery user can explore new content items and topics that are
beyond the discovery user's primary interest and consumption. In an
embodiment, the first number of content items and the second number
of content items each is selected from a limited curation of
content items provided by the content curation system, based upon a
curation instruction of a control user.
[0085] Content discovery benefits the discovery user's education
and developments by presenting diversified content items and
topics. Since the number of curated content items presented to the
discovery user is limited, the discovery user is encouraged to
explore and experience other content items that are of secondary
interest after consuming content items of primary interest. During
a limited time curation period, a discovery user may repeatedly
consume or access a content item. The present content curation
system determines when to restrict a discovery user from consuming
a content item based on one or more of a completed task associated
with a content item, a cumulative consumption time, a number of
times of consumption of the content item, a frequency of consuming
a content item, and a number of content items that are consumed.
After restricting the discovery user from accessing the content
item, the present content curation system provides the content item
to the user again after the limited time curation period expires or
after the discovery user consumes other content items. In an
embodiment, restrictions on access to certain content items, and
removal of restrictions, may be based upon curation instructions
provided by a control user (e.g., a parent) associated with the
discovery user (e.g., a child).
[0086] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a curated content subscription service for a
discovery user that receives and logs consumption information
regarding the user's consumption of content items during a limited
curation time period, and compiles one or more predetermined
information regarding content consumption by the user. The present
content curation system may further analyze the predetermined
information to detect an occurrence of a triggering event. The
curated content subscription service may be provided to multiple
users, for example, a discovery user such as a child who requires
supervision for content consumption and a control user such as a
parent. The predetermined information may be established by the
control user or a curating module of the present content curation
system, and may be used to monitor and implement goals as to the
discovery user's discovery of content, for example, to encourage
balanced and varied discovery of content by the discovery user. The
predetermined information may correspond to undesirable content
consumption information of the discovery user, such as an excessive
number of times or frequency of consumption of a given content
item, indicating a pattern of habituated or addictive consumption.
The predetermined information may also correspond to desirable
content consumption information of the discovery user, such as
consuming a set of related content items within a limited curation
time period, and may be used to reward the discovery user for
achieving a discovery goal or to encourage the discovery user to
pursue further discovery.
[0087] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides limited time curation that includes a first
curation time period within a second curation time period, where
the first curation time period is shorter than the second curation
time period. For example, the present content curation system
provides games to a discovery user for a first curation time period
(e.g., an afternoon, a weekend) during a second curation time
period (e.g., a month). The present content curation system may
curate an additional content item for discovery after the discovery
user consumes one or more curated content items prior to the
expiration of the second curation time period. The present content
curation system removes a portion of content items from a
collection of content items at a refresh point (e.g., at an end of
the second curation time period) and adds/substitutes new content
items. At the refresh point, the present content curation system
may also update elements of the user interface, such as a range and
a placement of a theme, a featured theme, a character, and a
trans-media content grouping.
[0088] In limited time curation, the content curation system
publishes content items for a limited curation time period. For
example, the present content curation system provides a set of
content items on a monthly basis, and refreshes the set of content
items at the end of each month. In another example involving
non-periodic limited time curation, the limited curation time
period is a fixed period of days before or after a certain date
(e.g., starting 5 days before July 4.sup.th and ending on July
4.sup.th). In one embodiment, the subscription service based on
limited time curation does not allow a discovery user to save a
published content item to a user device. Instead, the subscription
service only allows the user to access the published content items
during a limited curation time period.
[0089] Limited time curation complements discovery of content
items. According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a theme and a character for each limited curation
time period (e.g., one month). The present content curation system
sets one or more tagging priorities and content categories to
implement the theme and the character for each limited curation
time period. Likewise, the present content curation system can
change user interface elements such as a default setting, a layout
of content items based on discovery objectives. Examples of
discovery objectives include rules of relevancy, such as selecting
content by an age group, a character, a category, or historical
data of other discovery users within the same age group.
[0090] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a curated content subscription service that
provides curated content items that are specifically selected for a
discovery user who subscribes to the curated content subscription
service. In one embodiment, the present content curation system
receives and analyzes information including parental inputs, and
monitors and uses the information when determining content items to
provide to a discovery user. The selection of content items, i.e.,
content curation, may be performed manually by a human curator or
by an automated curation process based on various selection
criteria. The selection criteria may be determined based on user
groups or individual users. For example, content items are selected
based on, but not limited to, an age group, a content type,
popularity, and a result of a past user experience, such as a
preschool test (e.g., reading and identifying basic colors). The
curated content subscription service offers a personalized content
curation service to a discovery user.
[0091] The present content curation system provides a discovery
user having a subscription with a user interface application that
authorizes the discovery user to access a curated content item. The
limited time curation allows the discovery user to have authorized
access to a content item for a limited time period. Subject to
parental approval or other authorization, the discovery user may
purchase a permanent copy of the content item of a particular
interest. The discovery user may also purchase a usage right for
streaming of video and music content, and download an electronic
book and an application.
[0092] According to one embodiment, the present curated content
subscription service provides different levels of content curation
to help a discovery user to navigate through the subscription
content. For example, a first level provides content items across
mixed content types. The user interface displays a plurality of
content items of mixed content types across different themes. The
user interface also provides a direct access to download or open
applications within content screens grouped by the thematic
categories. A second level offers different views of the content
within the media player for accessing content items. Referring to
FIG. 1, the first and second levels are curated by the curating
module 103 in collaboration with the content provider server 101,
according to one embodiment. The application may be downloaded,
installed, or opened from an icon that links to the application
shown on the first and second levels. Depending on the agreement
with the content provider server 101, the present content curation
system may host the content items or collaborate with the content
provider server 101 to host their content items on the platform of
content provider server 101.
[0093] The present content curation system refreshes content items
based on a specified curation period, for example, a week, a month
and a quarter. The present content curation system may allow
popular content items to expire earlier than a specified curation
period to provide an opportunity to upsell the popular content
items to a control user. The present content curation system may
continue offering content items after the specified curation
period. For example, the present content curation system continues
to offer unpopular or unexperienced content items to encourage the
user to explore them. After the unpopular or unexperienced content
items (e.g., a book and news) are explored by the discovery user,
the present content curation system re-provides popular content
items (e.g., a game and an application) to the discovery user. The
present content curation system may collaborate with content
providers to determine an expiry time of a particular content item
and specify the duration of content subscription. The subscription
service provided by the present content curation system seeks to
provide a balanced mix of popular, educational, trendy, and
seasonal content items for users to continue interaction with the
subscription service. Content providers may be paid based on a
usage model. For example, the present content curation system pays
a content provider based on consumption information for a plurality
of subscribing users. The usage-based revenue sharing model
benefits the content curation provider as well as the content
providers. The curated content items are continuously provided and
updated to trigger new interests from the discovery users.
[0094] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a catalog of qualified content items that is
specifically tailored for a discovery user based on a collection of
qualified content items. A limited number of content items within
the catalog is made available to the discovery user for a specified
curation period. The present content curation system determines the
placement and substance of icons and descriptions for each
qualified content item on the menu of the catalog on the user
interface.
[0095] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides content items directed toward the growth and
development of a discovery user (e.g., a child). A catalog of
qualified content items is selected and presented to a discovery
user to facilitate development and education. While a control user
may be allowed to review and control the content items available to
a discovery user, the present content curation system provides a
curated content subscription service that the control user can
trust via knowledgeable, intentional, and purposeful steps to
develop the skills of the discovery user. Using the curated content
items provided in a catalog format, the discovery user is provided
with an opportunity to learn and explore various topics and
subjects. The content items may also help the discovery user to
improve interpersonal skills and social behavior, and experience
calisthenics and creative exercises.
[0096] The present content curation system provides limited
curation to encourage a discovery user to navigate through the
curated offering of content items and facilitates the discovery of
content items instead of searching content items by the discovery
user. The discovery user may not know what he/she wants to do with
his/her device, and are often unaware of fun and beneficial
opportunities. The present content curation system provides an
informed judgment to discern appropriate alternatives to a
discovery user. The present content curation system promotes a
continuing and dynamic discovery process that strengthens a user's
engagement with content items offered on his/her device, and
stimulates future use of his/her device. The curation process
provides a quantity of different content types, levels and subject
matters of user experiences to captivate and activate users.
[0097] The present content curation system provides limited content
curation that changes content items that are provided to a
discovery user. The user interface displays curated content items
that are intended to engage and catch a discovery user's attention
in a central portion of the user interface. The present content
curation system substitutes content items after a specified
curation period. Furthermore, the present content curation system
may update curated content items based on a combination of a
specified curation period and an occurrence of a triggering event.
The present content curation system provides a streamlined process
of content acquisition, scheduling, determining priority,
categorizing, placement, and receiving feedback on the usage of
curated content items. In one embodiment, the present content
curation system provides criteria to aid in the process, for
example, a content mix, a brand, a character popularity, a cultural
trend, an event, a season, an associated content priority, shelf
life limitation, a promotional schedule, and a standard for child
development, pedagogical methodologies and effective measurements
of user's interactions and activities.
[0098] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system continues a theme from a first specified time curation
period to a second specified time curation period to provide
different content items and different focuses or narrations related
to the same theme. For example, the present content curation system
provides a "Friends and Family" theme that features parents and
siblings for one month, and features friends and neighbors in
another month.
[0099] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flow chart for balancing
curation interests, according to one embodiment. The present
content curation system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 further includes
a testing module 105. In addition to publishing content items for a
limited time period (e.g., a month, a quarter, and a year), the
curating module 103 prepares a draft of content curation based on
themes and seasonality (at 651) and provides the draft to the
content provider server 101 (at 652). Based on a revenue share
model with the content provider 101 for each content type, the
content curator 103 confirms that the content provider 101's
interests (e.g., a promotional campaign of a new song, a new movie
title, and a new application) are balanced (at 653). In response,
the testing module 105 tests the revenue share projection (at 661).
For each demographic group (e.g., an age, a gender, and a
location), the content curator 103 checks that the content items
reflect what the primary users (e.g., children) desire (at 654).
The testing module 105 tests various editions of curated content
groups for target demographic groups (at 662). The content curator
103 also checks whether the content items marketed to parents are
performing as intended by referring to a parental feedback (at
655). The testing module 105 tests parental communication (at 663).
If all tests are passed (at 656), the curating module 103 publishes
the content items for each theme and content type for the current
specified curation period (at 660). The curating module 103 repeats
the curation process by drafting the curation for a subsequent
limited time period.
[0100] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary process of content curation
using a curated content subscription service, according to one
embodiment. The present content curation system provides a content
curation process 505 that receives subscription services from
multiple content subscription service providers 705a-705n of
different types of media including music, a movie, an electronic
book, and a game. The content curation process 505 unifies the
subscription services to multiple content subscription service
providers 705 and generates a limited number of content items per
themes A, B F, G, and R. The selection of content items may be
based on an agreement with each of the content subscription service
providers 705. For example, certain content items are available for
streaming, and other content items may be available only for a
purchase. Since the content curation process 505 manages the
subscription to the content subscription service providers 705, a
discovery user who subscribes to the present content curation
service does not need to manage individual subscriptions with the
content subscription service providers 705. The present content
curation system provides the discovery user with a unified user
interface to access different types of content items from different
content subscription service providers 705.
Dual Mode
[0101] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides curated content items in a dual mode. A dual mode
operation of a computer's operating system (OS) provides a first
type of user interface or profile for a discovery user (e.g., a
discovery mode) and a second type of user interface or profile for
a control user (e.g., a control mode). An example of a dual mode
operation of a tablet computer is described in U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2013/0254660.
[0102] According to one embodiment, the present system and method
includes a curated content subscription service that provides a
subscription account associated with two or more accounts to
provide custodial content management and publication. For example,
the curated content subscription service is a parent-child
subscription service. The curated content subscription service
provides a subscription account associated with at least one
control user account (e.g., for a parent) and a discovery user
account (e.g., for a child). Although different user interfaces are
provided for the control user account and the discovery user
account, both accounts are managed under the same subscription
account of the curated content subscription service. The curated
content subscription service allows the control user to provide
curated content items to a corresponding discovery user for
educational, developmental, and entertainment benefits.
[0103] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides qualified and curated experiences to a discovery
user. The discovery user selects an icon of a corresponding content
item, and consumes the content item by learning, playing with, and
growing from the content item. The curated content items may be
selected from a library of various content types including a video,
music, an electronic book, a game, and an activity. The present
content curation system identifies specific user experiences to
offer to one or more of the discovery user and the control user.
Different user experiences may be provided to a discovery user and
a control user.
[0104] The present content curation system qualifies user
experiences that are made available to a discovery user. The
standards for qualification may vary depending not only on the
demographics of the discovery user (e.g., an age, a location) but
also on the type of content items such as a video, music, an
electronic book, a game, and an activity. The qualification process
employed by the present content curation system finds content items
that meet applicable standards (e.g., kid safe, fun, and
education). According to one embodiment, the qualified content
items are categorized for facilitating the discovery user's
discovery and for proper assessment by user interactions.
[0105] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system creates a plurality of subscription service modes based on a
target demographic group. A demographic group includes, but is not
limited to, an age group, a common interest group (e.g., a cooking
group and a sports group), an education group (e.g., a student
group), a business group, and a geographic group. The present
content curation system allows a discovery user to access a
subscription service mode, for example, using a mode icon on a user
interface of a user device. For example, a cooking group has access
to a kitchen mode, a business group has access to a business mode,
for example, a HSN.RTM. mode, a BEST BUY.RTM. mode, or a
WALMART.RTM. mode. Each subscription service mode may have a unique
look and feel. For example, the present content curation system
configures celebrity chef cooking shows, recipes, search controls
for recipes and ingredients, and electronic commerce for a kitchen
mode. The electronic commerce configuration of the kitchen mode
allows a user to purchase a physical item through a partner of the
present content curation system, for example, an online kitchen
store and an online food store.
[0106] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system allows a control user of a subscriber account to select a
subscription service mode and associates the subscriber account
with the subscription service mode. The present content curation
system provides the subscription service mode to a discovery user
and the control user of the subscriber account and selects a set of
content items from the plurality of available content items
provided by the plurality of content provider servers based on the
subscription service mode.
[0107] According to one embodiment, different subscription service
modes have common attributes, including, but not limited to, an
organization of content by themes, and multiple content types of
curated content. Each subscription service mode may further have
specific attributes such as a rewards system, electronic commerce
features, access controls, and discovery and learning paths.
According to one embodiment, the present content curation system
analyzes user activity in an application associated with a
subscription service mode and applies the analyzed user activity in
another application associated with the mode. For example, the
present content curation system allows a shopping list created by a
discovery user of a kitchen mode in an application to be fulfilled
by one or more third party retailer applications.
[0108] According to one embodiment, an organization of content by
themes may be common to a plurality of subscription service modes,
such as a kitchen mode and a sports mode. However, the present
content curation system may configure a type of theme for each
subscription service mode. For example, a kitchen mode includes an
ethnic food theme (e.g., Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Japanese,
French), a healthy diet theme (e.g., light cooking, healthy foods),
and a food type (e.g., sandwiches, salads).
[0109] According to one embodiment, an organization of content by
multiple content types may be common to a plurality of subscription
service modes. However, the present content curation system may
configure a range and a balance of content types for each
subscription service mode. For example, a kitchen mode may include
a range and a balance of electronic books, videos, cooking class
ware, applications, and articles that are different from other
modes.
Conditions for Refreshing Curated Content Items
[0110] According to one embodiment, the present content creation
system provides a curated content subscription service to a user by
refreshing or updating a limited number of content items provided
to the user based on determining that the predetermined information
regarding the user's content consumption matches a given pattern or
metric (e.g., a triggering event that is prescribed by the control
user or by a curator). For example, the present content curation
system removes a content item from the limited number of content
items when a discovery user's consumption information reaches or
exceeds a threshold number of times or a threshold frequency of
consumption of the content item. The threshold number of times or
the threshold frequency of consumption of the content item may be
determined by a control user and/or a curator. In another example,
the present content curation system refreshes the limited number of
content items to include content items that have a related topic or
theme to a desired content item when a discovery user completes a
consumption of one or more content items from the limited number of
content items of a given topic or theme. The desired content item
may be determined by a control user and/or a curator.
[0111] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system refreshes or updates a limited number of content items based
on a triggering event, such as an event that occurs in a discovery
user's content consumption information, for example, a completion
of a task, a threshold number of accesses, and a threshold
frequency of access to a given content item. The triggering event
may be based on predetermined information regarding a user's
content consumption of a first limited number of content items. The
present content curation system may refresh or update content items
to provide a second limited number of content items from a
plurality of available content items based on one or more of a
triggering event and a limited curation time period. For example,
the present content curation system refreshes content items at
fixed time intervals, and optionally updates content items at other
times based on the occurrence of a triggering event.
[0112] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a second limited number of content items from a
plurality of available content items based on a triggering event
that indicates that a discovery user has consumed a first limited
number of content items associated with a first topic. The present
content curation system provides the second limited number of
content items related to a second topic. This provides
well-balanced content consumption by helping the discovery user to
avoid being addicted to particular content items and encourages the
user to consume varied and rewarding content.
[0113] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a first limited set of content items that includes
a game X. To achieve a discovery goal of discouraging addictive
content consumption, the present content curation system receives
predetermined information that includes a maximum number of times
of consumption of game X. The present content curation system
provides a second limited set of content items that excludes game X
based on a triggering event that indicates that a number of times
of consumption of game X matches the maximum number of times.
[0114] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a first limited set of content items of topic X. To
encourage discovery of related topics/themes, the present content
curation system receives predetermined information that includes a
consumption of a desired number of content items of topic X. The
present content curation system provides a second limited set of
content items of topic Y that is of a related topic to topic X
based on a triggering event that indicates that the discovery user
has completed consumption of at least the desired number of content
items of topic X from the first limited set of content items.
[0115] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a first limited set of content items of topic X. To
encourage discovery of divergent topics/themes, the present content
curation system receives predetermined information that includes a
consumption of a desired number of content items of topic X. The
present content curation system provides a second limited set of
content items of topic Y that is of a divergent topic from topic X
based on a triggering event that indicates that the discovery user
has completed consumption of at least the desired number of content
items of topic X from the first limited set of content items.
[0116] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a first limited set of content items featuring an
introductory topic. To encourage exploration of areas of interest
within a broad topic or theme, the present content curation system
receives predetermined information that includes a consumption of a
desired number of content items on the introductory topic. The
present content curation system provides a second limited set of
content items of topic Y that is of a more advanced topic than
topic X based on a triggering event that indicates that the
discovery user has completed consumption of at least the desired
number of content items of the introductory topic from the first
limited set of content items.
[0117] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a first limited set of content items of a
development/educational topic. To reward a user for diligence in
pursuing a development/educational topic, the present content
curation system receives predetermined information that includes a
consumption of a desired number of content items on a
development/educational topic. The present content curation system
provides a second limited set of content items featuring a desired
character based on a triggering event that indicates that the
discovery user has completed consumption of at least the desired
number of content items of the development/educational topic from
the first limited set of content items.
[0118] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides adaptive discovery of content items. In adaptive
discovery, the present content curation system identifies an
emerging trend to identify a theme and a topic in the limited
content curation collection. The present content curation system
provides associated content items to a discovery user based on a
user trend from a plurality of discovery users. The present content
curation system receives consumption information for a plurality of
discovery users and determines a user trend based on the
consumption information.
[0119] For example, the present content curation system determines
a user trend that discovery users who consume content items with a
topic in cats also consume content items with a topic in dinosaurs.
The present content curation system determines the user trend based
on consumption information that includes an indication that a
plurality of discovery users that consumes content items with a
topic in cats also consumes content items with a topic in
dinosaurs. The present content curation system may receive the
indication based on determining that the plurality of discovery
users meet or exceed a threshold number (e.g., 10,000). The present
content curation system may also receive the indication based on
determining that the plurality of discovery users consume content
items with the topic in cats and the topic in dinosaurs a number of
times that meet or exceed a threshold number (e.g., consume 100,000
times). The present content curation system then provides content
items with a topic in dinosaurs to a discovery user that consumes
content items with a topic in cats based on the indication.
[0120] The present content curation system performs tests and
applies metrics (e.g., the most viewed/played content items in the
last 30 days) to a proposed limited content curation collection and
adjusts the limited content curation collection based on
determining whether the adjusted content curation collection is
well-balanced (e.g., by a content type, a theme, and a topic)
and/or whether the adjusted content curation collection satisfies
the need of target demographics of the discovery user (e.g., an age
group, a gender). The determination of whether a content curation
collection is well-balanced may be based in part on curatorial
objectives tailored to the target demographics of the discovery
user, for example, for children providing a balance of enhanced
learning, skill mastery, development of values, and fun. The
present content curation system also reviews parental feedback and
determines whether content items within the adjusted content
curation collection satisfy a parental need and goal.
[0121] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides an adaptive discovery of content items that alters
curated content items based on a user level and a user choice.
Adaptive discovery encourages the user to explore new activities
and subjects and/or drive to a higher and comprehensive level of
experience for which the user has shown an aptitude.
[0122] According to one embodiment, the present curated content
subscription service includes an adaptive learning system. The
present curated content subscription service makes use of various
instructional components of a fundamental adaptive learning system
("FALS"). FALS and the content discovery provided by the present
content curation system may include overlapping approaches to child
education and development. For example, the present curated content
subscription service rewards successful achievement of
developmental goals identified with content items (via meta-tags)
through indirect instructional components of FALS, such as a
control user-authorized purchase of content items sampled during
discovery. Another example is an adaptive learning dashboard that
includes information on a discovery user's discovery history, such
as information on a subject matter or a theme of interest to the
discovery user as indicated by discovery statistics. The present
content curation system may determine discovery statistics by
tracking discovery user activity, such as a search term, an item
description pages viewed, and time spent on consuming a type of
content, for example, a video, music, an electronic book, and an
educational material.
[0123] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a discovery path for a user. Completion of a
discovery path demonstrates proficiency in the fundamental skill
set. The discovery path may be programmable so that a discovery
path of the curated content can be changed to adapt to a real-world
school curriculum or syllabus. The discovery path permits
customization of the FALS system to align with different course
content and/or teaching techniques that may be used with a given
individual or educational institution.
[0124] FIG. 8 illustrates a discovery path for attaining and
demonstrating proficiency, according to one embodiment. The curator
of the present content curation system prepares discovery paths for
Topic 1 802, Topic 2 804, Topic 3 806 and Topic 4 808. The
discovery path for Topic 1 802 includes content items 811, 812,
813, and 814. The discovery path for Topic 2 804 includes content
items 811, 818, and 819. The discovery path for Topic 3 806
includes content items 811, 812, 815, and 816. The discovery path
for Topic 4 808 includes content items 811, 812, 813, 814, and 820.
It is understood that the present content curation system may
include any number of discovery paths having any number of content
items without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
The present content curation system requires a discovery user to
consume milestone content items including content items 811, 814,
816, and 820 before advancing to consume a subsequent content item.
The present content curation system requires a discovery user to
complete a discovery path to demonstrate proficiency of a
corresponding topic. After the discovery user experiences a content
item, the present content curation system encourages the discovery
user to discover a subsequent or additional content item in the
discovery path. Examples of a discovery path include, but are not
limited to, a story arc, a character arc, a theme, and a mixed
content type associated with a story, a character, and/or a
theme.
[0125] According to one embodiment, the user may become proficient
with Topic 1 by completing content items 811, 812, 813, 814 as
indicated by the paths 850, 851, 852, and 854. Depending on the
user's proficiency in completing content items, the user may follow
an alternative path as indicated by the paths 853 and 854. As
shown, a user may bypass a consumption of content items 812 and 813
and proceed to consume content item 814 after consuming content
item 811.
[0126] In one embodiment, content items may be shared among
different topics. For example, content item 811 is a shared
milestone lesson that begins the paths necessary to attain
proficiency in Topic 1 802, Topic 2 804, Topic 3 806, and Topic 4
808. In particular, a user progresses through content items 811,
818 and 819 to attain proficiency in Topic 2 804.
[0127] According to one embodiment, a group of content items in a
discovery path is arranged in close proximity on a user interface
to encourage a discovery of the content items. For example, a group
of content items that are required to be consumed by a discovery
user to complete a topic is arranged horizontally or vertically in
a scroll bar. In one embodiment, the present content curation
system does not require a discovery user to consume content items
in a discovery path in a pre-determined order. As long as the
discovery user consumes content items defined in a discovery path,
the user is considered proficient in the corresponding topic. In
another embodiment, a user is required to experience or consume
content items of a discovery path in a pre-determined order to
complete the discovery path.
[0128] A discovery path has logical interrelationships among
content items in a discovery path. For example, a discovery path is
a serial where a starting point may lead to multiple discovery
paths depending on the path chosen by a discovery user or
determined by the present content curation system. The successful
completion of a discovery path may lead to a curator's or system's
selection or suggestion of a suitable further discovery path, for
example, a related narrative that is suited for a discovery user's
interest and aptitudes, or a parental selection.
[0129] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary discovery path with locked
content items, according to one embodiment. The discovery path for
Topic 1 902 includes content items 911, 912, 913, and 914. Content
items 911 and 914 are milestone content items in the discovery
path. Content items 911 and 912 are unlocked whereas content items
913 and 914 are locked. Unlocking a content item in a discovery
path achieves a controlled sequence of topic completion. Initially,
the discovery user only has the first content item 911 available in
the discovery path. If the discovery user completes the content
item 912, the next content item 913 in the sequence is unlocked.
The present content curation system provides guidance to steer the
discovery user to navigate the discovery path to a subsequent
content item in the discovery path. When the content item 912 is
consumed by the discovery user, content item 913 unlocks and
becomes available to the discovery user.
[0130] According to one embodiment, the discovery of content toward
proficiency in a topic is dynamic. The present content curation
system determines a score for the discovery user based on the
discovery user's experience with the content item. For example, the
present content curation system determines a score based on a time
for accessing the content item, a quiz score after accessing the
content item, and a level of user interaction with the content item
such as a number of clicks or a cursor movement. The present
content curation system determines a higher score for a successful
completion of a content item that is indicated by a start of the
content item to the end of the content item than a partial
completion of the content item. The present content curation system
may convert the score to virtual currency for the discovery user to
purchase a content item or to play a game that has a limited
playing time on the content curation system. According to one
embodiment, when the discovery user consumes or completes a content
item with a minimum target score, the present content curation
system reveals subsequent content items that are available to the
discovery user in a linear fashion, for example, one content item
at a time. According to another embodiment, when the discovery user
consumes or completes a content item with a desired score, the
present content curation system unlocks some or all content items
up to the a subsequent milestone, thus allowing the discovery user
to bypass consumption of certain content items along the discovery
path.
[0131] In one embodiment, scoring of a content item facilitates a
content review and assessment. A third party rating or an industry
rating and usage metrics of a particular content item may be used
in determining a score of a content item on an aggregate and
sub-group (e.g., ages 2-5, 6-9) basis. Based on the scores and
usage metrics of content items, a more efficient discovery path may
be established by including content items and a mix of different
content types of content items that are expected to deliver a more
efficient discovery path of a topic.
[0132] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system monitors the discovery user's progression in a discovery
path. Based on the discovery user's progression in a discovery
path, the present content curation system dynamically adapts the
discovery path by redirecting a user to a new discovery path,
adding, deleting, and/or modifying content items in the current
discovery path.
[0133] FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary content
curation system, according to one embodiment. The content curation
system 1000 includes a tracking system 1005, a parental control
system 1006, a content curation analytics engine 1007, a
subscription manager 1008, a purchase recommendation engine 1009,
and a web interface 1010. The web interface 1010 has a control user
portal 1012, a curator portal 1013, and a user portal 1011 to
provide a respective interface to a discovery user (e.g., child)
device 1001, a control user device 1002, and a curator device 1003
via the Internet 1050. A discovery user may access the content
curation system 1000 by logging in to a discovery user mode on the
discovery user device 1001 using a discovery user account. A
control user may access the content curation system 1000 by
accessing a control user mode on the control user device 1002 (or
the discovery user device 1001) using a control user account.
According to one embodiment, the discovery user account and the
corresponding user account are part of a common subscription
account of the present curated content subscription service. It is
understood that the curator device 1003 may be part of the content
curation system 1000 without deviating from the scope of the
disclosure. The curator portal 1013 may be provided to an internal
curator within the content curation system 1000 instead of the
curator device 1003 via the web interface 1010. The content
curation analytics 1007 provides a limited number of content items
from a plurality of available content items provided by the content
provider 1004 to a discovery user based on various factors
including, but not limited to, a season, an event, a character, a
relation, a geographical location, consumption information, a
desired content item provided by the content provider 1004, and a
promotional campaign provided by the content provider 1004. It is
understood that the content curation system 1000 may receive
content items from any number of content providers without
deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. According to
one embodiment, a user accessing the curator portal selects a
subset of content items from the limited number of content items to
further limit the number of content items to present to the user
for a limited curation time period.
[0134] The tracking system 1005 receives consumption information of
the discovery user including usage metrics of the content items
from the discovery user device 1001. The content provider 1004 may
send the consumption information of the discovery user to the
content curation system 1000 via the Internet 1050. A user may tag
content items available from a content library via the curator
portal 1013. According to another embodiment, the content curation
analytics tags the content items. The tracking system 1005 uses the
tagging information when monitoring usage of content items. The
tracking system 1005 tracks usage metrics of content items from the
discovery user device 1001, for example, by detecting the user
consumption of content items in a discovery path. The tracking
system 1005 further determines a related content item that has not
been consumed by the discovery user in a discovery path. The
tracking system 1005 may further track and aggregate usage metrics
of content items from a plurality of discovery users via their
respective discovery user devices 1001.
[0135] According one embodiment, the tracking system 1005
communicates with a discovery user device 1001 via a web socket
installed on the discovery user device 1001. In one embodiment, a
browser of the discovery user device 1001 uses a client program to
create a connection with a server of the content curation system
1000 and establishes a web socket in the browser. The web socket is
further used to communicate with the content curation system 1000
when receiving content items from the content curation system 1000
or directly from the content providers 1004.
[0136] According one embodiment, the present content curation
system sends a message to a discovery user based on the discovery
user's progression in a discovery path. The web socket established
between the content curation system 1000 and the discovery user
device 1001 may be used to send a message to the discovery user. In
one embodiment, a web socket is established between the content
curation system 1000 and a control user device 1002 (or the
discovery user device 1001 if the control user accesses the control
user mode on the discovery user device 1001). The content curation
system 1000 sends a message to the control user device 1002
including a report of the discovery user's consumption information
to the control user. The consumption information of the discovery
user includes, but is not limited to, a title of a content item, a
start time of accessing the content item, an idle time during an
access of the content item, a finish time of accessing the content
item, a number of times of consumption of the content item, and a
number of successful completion of the content item. For example, a
timer starts when a discovery user opens a page of an electronic
book, and the timer stops when the discovery user closes the
electronic book. The timer may run on the client program even when
the discovery user device 1001 does not communicate with the
content curation system 1000. If the content curation system 1000
determines that an undiscovered content item requires more time to
consume than allowed based on a parental time control, or if a
content item is expressly excluded in a discovery path by the
parental control, the content item is excluded from a list of
suggested content items.
[0137] In another embodiment, the present content curation system
sends a guided message to help the discovery user discover a
curated content item in the discovery path. For example, a voice
message of a curator of the content curation system 1000 may be
automatically sent to the discovery user to encourage the discovery
user to consume a specific content item. In another example, a
comment field of a message includes the curator's message guiding
the discovery user with an explanation of a step to complete a
discover path. The messaging feature of the content curation system
1000 provides a tool for a curator to communicate with a discovery
user while providing various supporting tools for guiding the
discovery user to discover curated content items aligned with a
planned discovery path.
[0138] According one embodiment, the parental control system 1006
provides a parental control of content items that are presented to
a discovery user. The parental control system 1006 may be embedded
across multiple discovery user profiles and across different user
interfaces or user devices that are registered with the content
curation system 1000. A control user enters a password to gain
access to the control user portal 1012. The parental control system
1006 receives a usage report from the user device 1001 including
the consumption information of content items for the discovery user
in a discovery path. The control user portal 1012 may enable a
control user to modify limited content curation provided by the
system curator or the present content curation system to provide a
customized or personalized curation for a discovery user. The
control user portal 1012 may incorporate controls for creation or
modification of customized curations, such as a menu of content
collections (e.g., a theme) and a title, to be selected for
inclusion or exclusion, discovery path controls, content duration
controls, and access controls (e.g., time-of-day access,
day-of-the-week access).
[0139] Using the control user portal 1012, the control user may act
as a secondary curator. According to one embodiment, the control
user uses the control user portal 1012 to establish a discovery
path, or to modify a discovery path by selecting, adding, and/or
deleting content items in the discovery path. According to one
embodiment, the control user uses the control user portal 1012 to
exclude certain content items from content available for discovery
by a discovery user (e.g., a child). The control user portal 1012
may notify a control user of an expiration date of a content item
included in a discovery path or other parental curations so that
the control user may be aware of the content item that may become
unavailable before the discovery user completes the discovery
path.
[0140] According to one embodiment, the parental control system
1006 further includes a shared curation list that includes curated
data such as curation lists from a plurality of control users. The
control user portal 1012 includes a control for publishing a
control user's curated data to a shared curation list on a
community portal that is accessible to other control users.
According to one embodiment, the discovery user portal 1011
displays a shared playlist of content items consumed by a plurality
of discovery users.
[0141] The control user portal 1012 may include a rewards system,
which may be similar to indirect instructional components of FALS.
For example, a control user (e.g., a parent) using the control user
portal 1012 may award virtual currency upon an achievement of a
pre-defined discovery goal that enables a discovery user (e.g.,
his/her child) to purchase a content item sampled during
discovery.
[0142] The control user portal 1012 allows the control user to
review an achievement of the discovery user. The parental control
system 1006 receives a usage report from the discovery user device
1001 including the consumption information of content items for the
discovery user in a discovery path. According to one embodiment,
the content curation system 1000 presents customized information
based on the consumption information of a discovery user. The
content curation analytics engine 1007 uses the customized
information and provides suggestions for establishing and modifying
a discovery path, including selecting, adding, and/or deleting
content items in a discovery path designed for the discovery
user.
[0143] According to one embodiment, the content curation analytics
engine 1007 may analyze customized information to determine a
desired size of the curated content collection, a desired mix of
genres and/or content types for the curated content collection, and
a desired time period for the curated content collection based on
limited curated content heuristics. The content curation analytics
engine 1007 analyzes consumption information from one or more
discovery users based on trial and error to adjust a balance across
different segments (e.g., a content type, a genre) of the limited
curation collection. The limited curated content heuristics may
make use of various curation analytics as inputs. The curation
analytics include, but are not limited to, collection analytics,
balance analytics, popularity analytics, and associative content
analytics. The collection analytics include statistics related to a
limited curation collection, for example, a volume and consumption
statistics. The balance analytics include statistics related to a
balance among different categories of a limited curation
collection, for example, a relative frequency of different genres
or different content types. The popularity analytics include a
frequency of consumption of different titles or different groups of
content items. The associative content analytics include
consumption of groups of associated content items, for example,
information indicating that one or more discovery users are
consuming an entire curation collection or most content across
groups of content items. For example, if a group of curated content
items is not consumed by a plurality of discovery users, the
content curation analytics engine 1007 rebalances the curation
collection by omitting the group of curated content items.
[0144] The content curation analytics engine 1007 also communicates
with the content provider 1004 to make further refinement to the
curation process based on various factors including consumption
information, a desired content item provided by the content
provider 1004, and a promotional campaign by the content provider
1004. Based on a successful completion of a content item or a
topic, the discovery user may be awarded with virtual currency. The
earned virtual currency allows the discovery user to unlock
additional content items and progress toward the completion of a
discovery path.
[0145] The subscription manager 1008 manages subscriptions to
multiple content subscription service providers including content
provider 1004. It allows a discovery user to access content items
available from multiple content subscription service providers from
the discovery user portal 1011. Therefore, the discovery user does
not have to maintain individual subscriptions to multiple content
subscription service providers.
[0146] According to one embodiment, the content curation system
1000 identifies a group of associative content items associated
with content items contained in a discovery path. The associative
content items may be presented to a control user, a curator, and/or
a discovery user via the control user portal 1012, the curator
portal 1013, and/or the discovery user portal 1011 respectively.
For example, an associative content form includes, but is not
limited to, a content description (e.g., a text box), a content
title, a content type (e.g., a drop-down list for choices of
keyword, trans-media group, provider bundle, and content curator
bundler), an available time (allowing a curator to establish
associative content groups for a limited time period, for example,
a single subscription period), and a fixed order (allowing a
curator to select whether or not to fix the order of the
titles).
[0147] According to one embodiment, the content curation system
1000 provides a discovery path via the control user portal 1012,
the curator portal 1013, and/or the discovery user portal 1011. The
discovery path defines a desired path for discovering content items
in a pre-determined sequence by the content curation analytics 1007
or a control user. In one embodiment, a discovery path transitions
between a current (indicated by "current") content item that is
consumed by a discovery user, and a subsequent (indicated by
"next") content item that the content curation system 1000 suggests
or selects as the next content item for the discovery user. For
example, a discovery path form includes, but is not limited to, a
transition type, a path element, a discovery path type, and a
discovery path message.
[0148] The transition type defines the types of content items. For
example,
[0149] a. current=title 1, next=title 2
[0150] b. current=title 1, next=associated content group 1
[0151] c. current=associate content group 1, next=title 1
[0152] d. current=associate content group 1, next=associated
content group 2
[0153] The path element may depend on a transition type and prompts
a discovery user to select the "current" and "next" content items
from the content library. For example, the discovery path type
provides a drop-down list of types of discovery scenarios such as
serial, trans-media, story arc, character arc, apparent interest,
and divergent from apparent interest. The discovery path type may
be used to select among standardized messages for suggesting the
next content item to the discovery user. The discovery path message
provides a text input that allows the curator to provide a
customized message to the discovery user.
[0154] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system utilizes data from a time control report and provides
insight into the discovery user's activities. The usage data
contained in the time control report is provided to the content
curation analytics 1007 to monitor the discovery user's activities
and analyze the navigation and consumption habits of the discovery
user to improve the curation of content items and plan a discovery
path for other discovery users.
[0155] The purchase recommendation engine 1009 recommends one or
more of a physical item and a virtual item for purchase by the
discovery user via the discovery user portal 1011 and/or the
control user via the control user portal 1012. The physical item
and virtual item may be associated with a content item that is
present to the discovery user via the discovery user portal 1011.
For example, the purchase recommendation engine 1009 recommends a
physical item that is a stuffed toy of a character in a cartoon
video content item. The virtual item includes, but is not limited
to, a movie, a video, an audio file, an electronic book, and an
application. For example, the purchase recommendation engine 1009
recommends a "Frozen" game application and a "Frozen" electronic
book for a "Frozen" movie content item.
[0156] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a discovery path to encourage a discovery user to
purchase a content item. For example, the content curation
analytics 1007 prepares group A of content items for a current
limited curation time period and group B of content items for a
subsequent limited curation time period. Before the current limited
curation time period expires, for example, 7 days before the launch
of the curation period for group B, the content curation analytics
1007 compares group A and group B and determines content items that
are not to be transferred from group A to group B based on various
system and user parameters as described above. The content curation
analytics 1007 sends a message to the discovery user notifying of
an upcoming expiration of those content items at the end of the
current limited curation time period and encourages the discovery
user to purchase them. For example, a content item in group A is a
trial version. In this case, the message includes a one-click-buy
button or an instruction to purchase the expiring content item such
as a movie, a comic, an electronic book, and an application.
[0157] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides a bundled group of content items and delivers a
message to a discovery user based on the discovery user's
consumption information to prompt the discovery user to finish
consumption of the bundled group. For example, a bundled group
titled "Batman" includes a movie, comics, and an application. When
a discovery user has consumed two of the three items, the present
content curation system sends a message to inform the discovery
user that there remains another content item available in the
bundled group "Batman" for the discovery user to consume.
User Interface
[0158] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system includes a user interface for providing curated content
items to a discovery user (e.g., a child) that includes, but is not
limited to, a banner below a content type, a new button/tab
indicating latest content items in a curation library, a partner
page, a home page, an all button indicating all content items,
categories including a theme (e.g., dogs) and a genre (e.g.,
action, comedy), and an electronic commerce page that provides
purchase recommendations for a physical item and/or a virtual item
associated with a content item. For example, a user interface for a
partner page may include various types of content items that are
provided by a partner content provider server (e.g., DISCOVERY
FAMILY.RTM., DISNEY.RTM., and NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS.RTM.), such
as a movie, a television show, a game, and a video. A discovery
user may select an all button on a user interface to display all
the curated content items that may be arranged in any order.
[0159] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary user interface for
providing curated content items, according to one embodiment. A
user interface 1100 for a discovery user mode provides four entry
points, namely, themes 1101, characters 1102, a content type widget
1103, and a search widget 1104. The four entry points are used to
initiate the user's navigation and to organize banner
advertisements for the curated content item arranged in the user
interface 1100.
[0160] A line of banners for themes 1101 and characters 1102 are
arranged on an upper portion of the user interface 1100. Themes
1101 and characters 1102 are arranged in a horizontal scroll. The
content type widget 1103 is arranged on a vertical sidebar on the
left side of the user interface 1100, The search widget 1104
supports searching content items by various titles, keywords,
themes, and other parameters. The present content curation system
tags content items with various types of metadata to provide an
enhanced search function. The search widget 1104 may also return
results that are associated with the user's search terms such as a
character and a theme. It is noted that themes 1101 and characters
1102, the content type widget 1103, and the search widget 1104 can
be arranged in different portions and scales on the user interface
1100 without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
The content type widget 1103 includes, but is not limited to,
videos 1105, applications 1106, games 1107, songs 1108, and
electronic books 1109. In a default layout, content items organized
by themes 1101 and characters 1102 facilitate and encourage a user
to discover content items instead of searching. The present content
curation system chooses a set of active themes that represents a
natural starting point for a user's discovery of content items.
[0161] The page layout defines the location and spatial
relationship of the user interface (UI) elements (e.g., banners and
widgets) that relate to the content items on the user interface.
The page layout may favor certain UI elements by locating them in a
strategic location of the user interface to draw a user's
attention. For example, the user interface includes one or more
featured banners having featured content items in a strategic
location, for example, in the center of the user interface. The
arrangement of UI elements within the page layout emphasizes the
importance of certain themes, characters, and content items, and
encourages a user's discovery. UI elements that appear on the
active area of the user interface are favored over other UI
elements that are only visible following a horizontal scroll or
vertical scroll.
[0162] According to one embodiment, the present content cu ration
system groups together UI elements that appear on the user
interface. Such UI elements include, but are not limited to, banner
advertisements. The UI elements arranged within the same row or
column are more likely to be discovered as a series, than UI
elements that do not have a spatial relationship. The grouping of
UI elements facilitates the discovery of related or associative
content items by arranging the UI elements of related content items
together in a row or column.
[0163] Referring to FIG. 11, the user interface 1100 includes
larger and more prominently placed banners 1110 and 1111a-1111b at
the lower portion. The banners 1110 and 1111a-1111b feature desired
content items to the discovery user. The user interface may use
visual cues to encourage the discovery of certain UI elements as
well as other elements such as banding, grouping, and highlighting
of a screen element. The user interface may incorporate a different
look and feel for different themes. For example, UI colors may
change, or design features associated with a given element may
change depending on the identity (and associated metadata) of the
active theme.
[0164] According to one embodiment, the UI features mixed media
banner advertisements. When a media banner advertisement
representing a content item is selected, a media player appropriate
for the content item is started. The associated content links may
be pre-loaded to ensure a faster response time. Examples of media
players include, but are not limited to, an application player, a
game player, a video player, an electronic book reader, and a music
player.
[0165] The client application running on a user device communicates
with a server of the present content curation system. The server
integrates multiple content delivery technology methodologies into
a single offering, for example, using web banners to link to
various technology platforms such as video players, third party
subscription services, etc. The server also integrates the
reporting and delivery structure of third party services into a
pre-authenticated and approved system. This enables a discovery
user to access content items from multiple content providers using
one subscription with the present content curation system.
[0166] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary user interface of a
character page, according to one embodiment. In response to a
discovery user's selection of a content item corresponding to a
character, for example, Cinderella, a user interface 1200 is
presented to the user. The user interface 1200 includes a banner
advertisement 1210 having a description of the selected content
item, Cinderella. The user interface 1200 further includes a mixed
curation of content, including movies 1211a-1211c, short stories
1212a-1212b, and music 1213a-1213d. It is understood that other
mixed content types and a greater or lesser number of content types
may be provided without deviating from the scope of the present
disclosure. The user interface 1200 includes a purchase option icon
1220 for purchasing content items that are available for
purchase.
[0167] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary user interface of a video
content type, according to one embodiment. A user interface 1300 is
displayed when a discovery user selects a video content type. The
user interface 1300 includes an age button 1318 that allows the
discovery user to configure an age range (e.g., all ages, ages
5-10, and ages 10-14) and display content items selected for the
age range. The user interface 1300 includes a library button 1319
for displaying content items within a curation library. The user
interface 1300 includes banners 1311a-1311c that feature desired
content items for the video content type.
[0168] The user interface 1300 further includes other curated
content items 1312a-1312d as grouped by an all tab 1320, a new tab
1315 (shown by default), a top tab 1316, a themes tab 1317, and a
genre tab 1321. The all tab 1320 includes all the content items in
the curation library that may be arranged in any order. The new tab
1315 includes the latest content in the curation library. The top
tab 1316 includes the most popular content items in the curation
library. The themes tab 1317 includes curated content items sorted
by themes. For example, the themes include "Dinosaurs and
reptiles", "Cars & things that go", "Space & science",
"Sports", "Dogs & cats", "Wild friends", "Food", "Nature",
"Heroes", and "Around the world". The genre tab includes curated
content items sorted by a genre type. For example, the genres
include "Action & adventure", "Fantasy", and "Silly stuff".
While FIG. 13 only displays an exemplary user interface for a video
content type, it is understood that similar user interfaces may be
displayed for other content types, including, but not limited to,
an application, an electronic book, a game, and music.
[0169] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary user interface of a video
page, according to one embodiment. A user interface 1400 is
displayed when a discovery user selects a banner for a movie. The
user interface 1400 includes an artwork 1412 and a description 1411
of the selected movie. The user interface 1400 includes trailers
and teasers 1413a-1413d, and information regarding the details of
the selected movie, for example, cast and crew, and language. The
trailer and teasers 1413 include a selectable link for playing
either on the user interface 1400 or using a separate media player.
The user interface 1400 further includes associative content items
1414a-1414f that are related (and curated) to the selected
movie.
[0170] FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary user interface of an
application content type, according to one embodiment. A user
interface 1500 is displayed when a discovery user selects an
application content type. The user interface 1500 includes an age
button 1518 that allows the discovery user to configure an age
range (e.g., all ages, ages 5-10, and ages 10-14) and display
content items selected for the age range. The user interface 1500
includes a library button 1519 for displaying content items within
a curation library. The user interface 1500 includes banners
1511a-1511c that feature desired applications to the discovery
user. The user interface 1500 includes other curated content items
1512a-1512d as grouped by a new tab 1515 (shown by default), a top
tab 1516 and a themes tab 1517. The new tab 1515 includes the
latest content in the curation library. The top tab 1516 includes
the most popular content items in the curation library. The themes
tab 1517 includes curated content items sorted by themes. The
content items 1512a-1512d may or may not be of the same content
type of the desired applications featured in the banners
1511a-1511c on the major slots of the application user interface
1500.
[0171] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary user interface of an
application page, according to one embodiment. A user interface
1600 is displayed when a discovery user selects a banner for an
application. The user interface 1600 includes an artwork 1612 and a
selectable banner 1613 of the selected application "Fruity
Fractions". Other applications 1614a-1614b of a similar type of
metadata (e.g., a content type and a genre) are also shown next to
the selectable banner 1613. The user may select a download button
1620 to download the selected application. The user interface 1600
includes content items 1625a-1625f that are related to the selected
application, such as a movie, music, a trailer, and an electronic
book. Similar user interfaces may be presented to the discovery
user for other types of content including games, music, and
electronic books in response to the discovery user's selection of
the corresponding content type widgets.
[0172] FIG. 17 illustrates another exemplary user interface for
providing curated content items, according to one embodiment. A
user interface 1700 is displayed when a discovery user launches an
application for providing curated content items. The user interface
1700 includes an age button 1711 that allows the discovery user to
configure an age range (e.g., all ages, ages 5-10, and ages 10-14)
and display content items selected for the age range. The user
interface 1700 includes a library button 1712 for displaying
content items within a curation library.
[0173] The user interface 1700 includes content items that are
sorted by characters 1701a-1701c. The user interface 1700 includes
content items that are sorted by categories 1702a-1702c. The
categories 1702a-1702c include, but are not limited to, recently
watched content items, a partner page, a genre, and a theme. The
user interface 1700 includes banners 1703a-1703c that feature
desired content items, for example, an upcoming content item, a
popular content item, and a content item provided by the present
content curation system. The user interface 1700 further includes
content items sorted by different content types, such as movie
content items 1704a-1704c, television show content items
1705a-1705c, video content items 1706a-1706c, application content
items 1707a-1707c, game content items 1708a-1708c, music content
items 1709a-1709c, and electronic book content items 1710a-1710c.
It is understood that the user interface 1700 may include any
number of content types arranged in any order without deviating
from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0174] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary user interface of an
electronic commerce page, according to one embodiment. A user
interface 1800 is displayed when a discovery user accesses or
consumes a content item 1801, for example, a music album. The
content item 1801 may include artwork such as an image, a
description, and a title. The user interface 1800 may inform the
discovery user of an upcoming expiration of the content item and
request the discovery user to purchase the music album using
virtual currency or other forms of currency. The discovery user may
choose not to purchase the content item by selecting a cancel
button 1804 or purchase the content item by selecting a purchase
button 1805. The purchase button 1805 may further display a price
of the content item for sale.
[0175] The user interface 1800 recommends other virtual items such
as curated content items 1802a-1802d for purchase or consumption by
the discovery user. The curated content items 1802a-1802d may have
one or more of a similar topic as the content item 1801, a
divergent topic from the content item 1801, and an associated topic
with the content item 1801. The user interface 1800 further
recommends physical items 1803a-1803d for purchase by the discovery
user. The physical items 1803a-1803d may be associated with the
content item, for example, a headphone physical item for listening
to a music album content item. When the discovery user selects one
of the physical items 1803a-1803d, the user interface 1800 provides
a description of the one of the physical items 1803a-1803d such as
a written description and an image. The user interface 1800 allows
the discovery user to purchase the one of the physical items
1803a-1803d using virtual currency or other forms of currency.
Curation Integration with Broadcasted Media Content Application
[0176] According to one embodiment, the present content curation
system provides integration with an external application that
displays broadcasted media content items on a user device from a
media content provider server, for example, DIRECTTV TV
ANYWHERE.TM. application. The present content curation system
curates content items for a discovery user using videos and video
rights from a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) such as a
media content provider server for example, DIRECTTV.RTM.,
COMCAST.RTM., AT&T.RTM. and VERIZON.RTM. by communicating with
the media content provider server using a MVNO digital rights
management (DRM) protocol. According to one embodiment, the present
content curation system provides a set of curated content items for
a desired time period based on access rights provided by the media
content provider server.
[0177] FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary flow chart for providing
curated content items, according to one embodiment. The present
content curation system selects a set of content items from a
plurality of available content items provided by a content service
provider server (at 1901). The present content curation system may
select the set of content items based on various factors,
including, but not limited to, a season, an event, a character, a
relation, a geographical location, a desired content item provided
by the content provider server, and a promotional campaign provided
by the content provider server. According to one embodiment, the
present content curation system selects the set of content items
from available content items provided by a plurality of content
service provider servers having different types of content. The
present content curation system provides the set of content items
to a first user account on a first user portal of a user device (at
1902).
[0178] The present content curation system determines whether a
current limited curation time period has ended (at 1903). If the
present content curation system detects the current limited
curation time period has ended (at 1903), the present content
curation system returns to selecting a set of content items (at
1901). If the present content curation system does not detect that
the current limited curation time period has ended (at 1903), the
present content curation system receives consumption information of
the set of content items for the first user account (at 1904). The
consumption information includes, but is not limited to, a
completed task associated with a content item of the set of content
items, a cumulative consumption time of the content item, a number
of times of consumption of the content item, a frequency of
consumption of the content item, and a number of content items of
the set of content items that are consumed.
[0179] The present content curation system determines whether the
current limited curation time period has ended (at 1905). If the
present content curation system detects that the current limited
curation time period has ended (at 1905), the present content
curation system returns to selecting a set of content items (at
1901). If the present content curation system does not detect that
the current limited curation time period has ended (at 1905), the
present content curation system receives a desired triggering event
defined by a second user account via a second user portal on the
user device (at 1906). In one embodiment, the second user account
defines the desired triggering event via a second user portal on
another user device. The desired triggering event includes, but is
not limited to, a completed task associated with a content item of
the set of content items, a threshold consumption time of the
content item, a threshold number of times of consumption of the
content item, a threshold frequency of consumption of the content
item, and a threshold number of content items that are
consumed.
[0180] The present content curation system determines whether the
current limited curation time period has ended (at 1907). If the
present content curation system detects that the current limited
curation time period has ended (at 1907), the present content
curation system returns to selecting a set of content items (at
1901). If the present content curation system does not detect that
the current limited curation time period has ended (at 1907), the
present content curation system checks whether the consumption
information satisfies a desired triggering event (at 1908). The
desired triggering event includes, but is not limited to, a
completed task associated with a content item of the set of content
items, a threshold consumption time of the content item, a
threshold number of times of consumption of the content item, a
threshold frequency of consumption of the content item, and a
threshold number of content items of the set of content items that
are consumed.
[0181] If the consumption information satisfies the desired
triggering event (at 1908), the present content curation system
further determines the current limited curation time period has
ended (at 1909). If the consumption information does not satisfy
the desired triggering event (at 1908), the present content
curation system returns to receiving consumption information (at
1904). If the present content curation system detects that the
current limited curation time period has ended (at 1909), the
present content curation system returns to selecting a set of
content items (at 1901). If the present content curation system
does not detect that the current limited curation time period has
ended (at 1909), the present content curation system selects a
subsequent set of content items from the plurality of available
content items based on the consumption information satisfying the
desired triggering event (at 1910). For example, if the desired
triggering event is a maximum number of times to access a game as 5
times, the present content curation system omits the game from the
subsequent set of content items if the discovery user has accessed
the game at least 5 times.
[0182] The present content curation system determines whether the
current limited curation time period has ended (at 1911). If the
present content curation system detects that the current limited
curation time period has ended (at 1911), the present content
curation system returns to selecting a set of content items (at
1901). If the present content curation system does not detect that
the current limited curation time period has ended (at 1911), the
present content curation system provides the subsequent set of
content items to the first user account via the first user portal
on the user device (at 1912). The present curation process
dynamically provides and refreshes content items that are
specifically tailored to each discovery user.
[0183] FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary computer architecture that
may be used for the present system, according to one embodiment.
The exemplary computer architecture may be used for implementing
one or more components described in the present disclosure
including, but not limited to, the present content curation system.
One embodiment of architecture 2000 includes a system bus 2001 for
communicating information, and a processor 2002 coupled to bus 2001
for processing information. Architecture 2000 further includes a
random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device 2003
(referred to herein as main memory), coupled to bus 2001 for
storing information and instructions to be executed by processor
2002. Main memory 2003 also may be used for storing temporary
variables or other intermediate information during execution of
instructions by processor 2002. Architecture 2000 may also include
a read only memory (ROM) and/or other static storage device 2004
coupled to bus 2001 for storing static information and instructions
used by processor 2002.
[0184] A data storage device 2005 such as a magnetic disk or
optical disc and its corresponding drive may also be coupled to
architecture 2000 for storing information and instructions.
Architecture 2000 can also be coupled to a second I/O bus 2006 via
an I/O interface 2007. A plurality of I/O devices may be coupled to
I/O bus 2006, including a display device 2008, an input device
(e.g., an alphanumeric input device 2009 and/or a cursor control
device 2010).
[0185] The communication device 2011 allows for access to other
computers (e.g., servers or clients) via a network. The
communication device 2011 may include one or more modems, network
interface cards, wireless network interfaces or other interface
devices, such as those used for coupling to Ethernet, token ring,
or other types of networks.
[0186] The above example embodiments have been described
hereinabove to illustrate various embodiments of implementing a
system and method for online bidding. Various modifications and
departures from the disclosed example embodiments will occur to
those having ordinary skill in the art. The subject matter that is
intended to be within the scope of the disclosure is set forth in
the following claims.
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