U.S. patent application number 16/517088 was filed with the patent office on 2019-11-07 for systems and methods for providing an on-demand entertainment service.
This patent application is currently assigned to Music Choice. The applicant listed for this patent is Music Choice. Invention is credited to David J. Del Beccaro, Stuart H. Farber, John J. Feras, JR., Daniel L. McGonigal, Donna M. O'Neill, Jeremy C. Rosenberg, Robert M. Steinberg, Christina B. Tancredi, Ronald M. Yurman.
Application Number | 20190342619 16/517088 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38921085 |
Filed Date | 2019-11-07 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20190342619 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Farber; Stuart H. ; et
al. |
November 7, 2019 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING AN ON-DEMAND ENTERTAINMENT
SERVICE
Abstract
The present invention provides systems and methods for, in some
cases, supplementing a broadcast media service with an on-demand
service.
Inventors: |
Farber; Stuart H.; (Horsham,
PA) ; Yurman; Ronald M.; (Short Hills, NJ) ;
Rosenberg; Jeremy C.; (Huntingdon Valley, PA) ;
Steinberg; Robert M.; (Horsham, PA) ; Feras, JR.;
John J.; (North Wales, PA) ; McGonigal; Daniel
L.; (Hatfield, PA) ; O'Neill; Donna M.;
(Ambler, PA) ; Tancredi; Christina B.; (Ambler,
PA) ; Del Beccaro; David J.; (Jenkintown,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Music Choice |
Horsham |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Music Choice
Horsham
PA
|
Family ID: |
38921085 |
Appl. No.: |
16/517088 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15231152 |
Aug 8, 2016 |
10390092 |
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16517088 |
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14163554 |
Jan 24, 2014 |
9414121 |
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15231152 |
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13157386 |
Jun 10, 2011 |
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14163554 |
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12605580 |
Oct 26, 2009 |
7962572 |
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13157386 |
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11002205 |
Dec 3, 2004 |
7617295 |
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12605580 |
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10339425 |
Jan 9, 2003 |
7325043 |
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11002205 |
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10098620 |
Mar 18, 2002 |
7783722 |
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11002205 |
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60612618 |
Sep 24, 2004 |
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60395360 |
Jul 12, 2002 |
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60390312 |
Jun 21, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/8352 20130101;
H04L 65/4084 20130101; H04N 21/26258 20130101; H04N 21/2665
20130101; H04N 21/437 20130101; H04N 21/6581 20130101; G06F 16/9535
20190101; H04N 21/4622 20130101; H04H 60/66 20130101; G06F 16/639
20190101; H04N 21/47202 20130101; H04N 2007/17372 20130101; H04N
21/6582 20130101; H04N 21/25891 20130101; G06F 16/4387 20190101;
G06F 16/40 20190101; H04N 21/4755 20130101; H04N 21/8113 20130101;
H04L 67/306 20130101; H04N 21/2668 20130101; H04N 7/173 20130101;
H04W 4/06 20130101; H04N 21/2225 20130101; H04N 21/439 20130101;
H04L 65/4076 20130101; H04N 21/233 20130101; H04N 21/816 20130101;
H04N 21/4825 20130101; H04H 60/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/472 20060101
H04N021/472; G06F 16/638 20060101 G06F016/638; G06F 16/438 20060101
G06F016/438; G06F 16/9535 20060101 G06F016/9535; H04N 21/462
20060101 H04N021/462; H04N 21/258 20060101 H04N021/258; H04N
21/2225 20060101 H04N021/2225; H04N 21/439 20060101 H04N021/439;
H04N 21/81 20060101 H04N021/81; H04N 21/233 20060101
H04N021/233 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a distribution network; and a distribution
system including: (1) a receiver system operable to receive a
signal transmitted from a media source, said signal including a
media channel comprising a stream of audio data and further
comprising a stream of video data and/or graphical data, (2) an
on-demand system, and (3) a transmission system operable to take
output from the on-demand system and output from the receiver
system and transmit the outputs to a set-top-box via the
distribution network, the output from the receiving system includes
the media channel comprising the stream of audio data, wherein the
set-top-box is operable to: (1) provide the audio data included in
the media channel to an audio system that reproduces the audio for
a user of the set-top-box to hear, (2) provide the video and/or
graphical data included in the media channel to a video system that
displays the video and/or graphical data on a display device for
the user to see, (3) display a user selectable element on the
display device so that the first user selectable element is
displayed on the display device together with the video and/or
graphical data obtained from the media channel, and (4) in response
to the user of the set-top-box selecting the selectable element,
transmit a message to the on-demand system to initiate an on-demand
session, wherein the message comprises meta information associated
with the user selectable element, and the on-demand system is
configured such that, in response to receiving the message
transmitted from the set-top-box, the on-demand system: uses the
meta information included in the message to select an asset, and
transmits the selected asset to the set-top-box as part of an
on-demand session.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the media channel further
comprises application data comprising the meta information.
3. The system of claim 2, the transmission system is configured to
transmit the meta information with the stream of audio data.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the set-top-box is configured to
display the user selectable element in response to receiving the
meta information.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the meta information comprises an
identifier for identifying an on-demand video.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 15/231,152,
filed on Aug. 8, 2016 (status pending), which is a continuation of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/163,554, filed Jan. 24, 2014
(now U.S. Pat. No. 9,414,121, issued on Aug. 9, 2016), which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/157,386, filed
Jun. 10, 2011 (abandoned), which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/605,580, filed Oct. 26, 2009 (now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,962,572 issued on Jun. 14, 2011), which is a continuation of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/002,205, filed Dec. 3, 2004
(now U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,295 issued on Nov. 10, 2009), which: (i)
is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/339,425, filed on Jan. 9, 2003 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,043
issued on Jan. 29, 2008), which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/390,312 (filed Jun. 21,
2002) and 60/395,360 (filed Jul. 12, 2002), (ii) is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/098,620, filed Mar. 18, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,783,722 issued
on Aug. 24, 2010), and (iii) claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/612,618, filed Sep. 24, 2004. All of the
above referenced applications and patents are incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention is related to entertainment and information
system, and, more specifically, to broadcast, on-demand and/or
personalized entertainment and information systems.
Discussion of the Background
[0003] Broadcasters, such as music broadcasters (e.g., conventional
radio stations and other broadcasters of music, video or multimedia
works) must accommodate the tastes of a mass audience, and, as we
all know, it is not possible to please all of the people all of the
time; we each have our own unique likes and dislikes. Consequently,
a broadcaster at times may broadcast content that one or more
members of the audience may not prefer to consume.
[0004] One solution to this problem is to increase the number of
radio stations and/or the number of cable stations that carry
music, and thereby increase the likelihood that a listener will
find a station that is playing a "good" song. However, this is not
a practical solution because there is only a finite amount of
bandwidth available to broadcast music, and this bandwidth is
already at or near capacity. Further, it is prohibitively expensive
to create additional broadcast bandwidth.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention provides, among other things, systems
and methods for supplementing a broadcast media service with an
on-demand and personalized media service. An on-demand media
service is a service that enables a user to select the precise
content (e.g., music, video or other content) and/or type of
content (e.g., genre and sub-genre) that is transmitted by the
service provider to the user, when a user desires such content. A
personalized media service is a service that allows a user to have
at least some degree of control over the content that is
transmitted by the service provider to the user.
[0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for
providing an on-demand, personalized and a broadcast service to a
plurality of users. In one embodiment, the system includes: a
broadcast media source for broadcasting a signal including
plurality of broadcast media channels, wherein each broadcast
channel is associated with a format; a distribution center
including: a signal receiver system that receives the broadcast
signal, an on-demand system, and a transmission system that (a)
combines an output from the on-demand system with an output from
the signal receiver system to create a combined signal that
includes the plurality of broadcast media channels and (b)
transmits the combined signal to a plurality of client systems via
a distribution network.
[0007] Preferably, the client systems are operable to (1) isolate
at least one of the channels within the combined signal, (2)
provide audio data included in the isolated channel to an audio
system that reproduces the audio for a user of the client system to
hear, (3) provide video data included in the isolated channel to a
video system that displays the video data on a display device for
the user to see, (4) provide graphical data included in the
isolated channel to a video system that displays the graphical data
on a display device for the user to see, (5) display a user
selectable button on the display device so that the user selectable
button is displayed on the display device together with the video
data, and (6) in response to the user of the client system
selecting the selectable button, communicate with the on-demand
system to initiate an on-demand session.
[0008] In some embodiments, in response to the user of the client
system selecting the selectable button, the client system transmits
information to the on-demand system, and, in response thereto, the
on-demand system transmits a list of music videos to the client
system.
[0009] The client system preferably displays the list of music
videos on the display device so that the user is able to select one
or more of the listed videos. In response to the user selecting one
or more of the listed videos, the client system transmits to the
on-demand system information identifying the music videos selected
by the user. After receiving the information identifying the music
videos selected by the user, the on-demand system creates a
playlist of media assets. After creating the playlist, the
on-demand system transmits to the client system, one at a time, the
media assets included in the playlist. Preferably, for each video
selected by the user there is a corresponding media asset in the
playlist. Additionally, zero or more of the media assets included
in the playlist may include commercial elements, promotional
messages, etc.
[0010] In other embodiments, in response to the user of the client
system selecting the selectable button, the client system transmits
to the on-demand system information identifying the user and/or the
client system, and, in response thereto, the on-demand system
determines whether there is included in a set of channel profiles
one or more channel profiles associated with the user and/or the
client system.
[0011] If there is included in the set of channel profiles one or
more channel profiles associated with the user and/or the client
system, then the on-demand system may transmit to the client system
a list of the one or more channel profiles. The client system may
display the list to the user and the user is able to select one of
the listed channel profiles. In response to the user selecting a
channel profile, the client system may transmit to the on-demand
system information identifying the channel profile selected by the
user.
[0012] After receiving the information identifying the channel
profile selected by the user, the on-demand system may select one
or more media assets that match the selected channel profile,
establish an on-demand session with the client system, and, after
establishing the on-demand session, transmit to the client system
the selected media asset(s). In some embodiments, the process of
selecting additional media assets and then transmitting those
assets to the client system may continue for a predetermined or
indefinite period of time. In this way, the system may provide a
personalized entertainment system. Advantageously, in some
embodiments, one or more of the selected media assets include
commercial elements, promotional message, etc. For example, a
selected media asset may be a short (e.g., 30 second) video
advertisement.
[0013] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method
for providing an on-demand service to a user of a client system
having a display. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps
of: displaying to the user on the display a user interface
comprising a button associated with an on-demand service; in
response to the user activating the button, transmitting
information to an on-demand system, wherein the information
includes information associated with the activated button;
receiving at the on-demand system the transmitted information;
creating a playlist of media assets after receiving the transmitted
information, wherein the playlist includes a first media asset and
a second media asset; establishing an on-demand session with the
client system after receiving the transmitted information;
transmitting from the on-demand system to the client system the
first media asset; reproducing the first media asset at the client
system; transmitting from the on-demand system to the client system
the second media asset after transmitting the first media asset;
reproducing the second media asset at the client system; and
terminating an on-demand session established with the client system
after transmitting the second media asset.
[0014] The above and other features and advantages of the present
invention, as well as the structure and operation of preferred
embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of
the present invention and, together with the description, further
serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a
person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for providing both an
on-demand, personalized media service and a broadcast service to a
plurality of users.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a process.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates content that may be displayed to a user
when the user's client system is tuned to a broadcast music
channel.
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of one
embodiment of on-demand system 192.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates an example user interface.
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a process for creating the playlist
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates three sets of scripts.
[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates an example user interface.
[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates an example user interface.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a process according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0027] FIGS. 12-16 illustrate example user interfaces.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a process according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 18 illustrates an example user interface.
[0030] FIG. 19 illustrates example playlists.
[0031] FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating a process according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a system for providing both an
on-demand, personalized media service and a broadcast service to a
plurality of users.
[0033] FIG. 22 illustrates an example user interface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 for providing both
an on-demand, personalized media service and a broadcast service to
users 101a-n. System 100 includes one or more broadcast media
sources 102 and one or more signal distribution centers 104. Each
distribution center 104 is coupled to a plurality of client systems
110 through a distribution network 108.
[0035] Broadcast media source 102 may broadcast a signal 112 to one
or more distribution centers 104. As shown in FIG. 1, media source
102 may use a communications satellite 113 to transmit signal 112
to distribution center 104, but other communication methods may
also be used.
[0036] Preferably, signal 112 contains several (e.g., about 40)
broadcast media channels, with each channel being associated with
one or more formats or categories of media. For example if signal
112 contains 40 broadcast music channels, one of the broadcast
channels may be associated with the Jazz format while another may
be associated with the Alternative Rock genre. A channel includes
audio and/or video data. A channel may also include application
data, which may include, for example, meta-data, instructions
and/or other application data. For example, a broadcast music
channel may include an audio data stream corresponding to an audio
work (e.g., a song) and associated video data. The video data may
include images associated with the song (e.g., an image of the
artist who recorded the song). A channel may also include
application data.
[0037] Distribution center 104 may be, for example, a cable
head-end. Distribution center 104 may include one or more broadcast
signal receiving systems 120 for receiving signals transmitted from
broadcast media source 102 as well as other signal sources.
Distribution center may also include a transmission system 122 for
combining an output of signal receiving systems 120 and on-demand
channels outputted by on-demand system 192 to generate a combined
signal 125, which is transmitted to client systems 110 via
distribution network 108. Accordingly, combined signal 125 may
contain several broadcast channels as well as several on-demand
channels. In other embodiments, transmission system 122 does not
combine the output of signal receiving systems 120 and on-demand
channels outputted by on-demand system 192 to generate a combined
signal 125, but rather takes the outputs and transmits them to the
client systems through the network.
[0038] Additionally, distribution center 104 may include a local ad
insertion (LADI) system 177 coupled between a signal receiving
system 120 and transmission system 122. The LADI system is
described in provisional patent application No. 60/623,246, filed
on Nov. 1, 2004, the contents of which is incorporated herein by
this reference.
[0039] Distribution network 108 may include, for example, various
amplifiers, bridges, routers, taps, drop cables, and/or other
communications equipment. Additionally, distribution network 108
may include one or more forms of a wireless network.
[0040] Client systems 110 are operable to isolate at least one of
the channels within combined signal 125 and then provide the audio
and video data contained in the channel to an audio/video system
111, which reproduces the audio/video for a user 101 to hear and/or
view. A/V system 111 preferably includes a display device (e.g., a
TV or other display device) for displaying the video portion of the
channel. Additionally, systems 110 include a client software
application that is operable to display user 101 selectable buttons
on the same display system that displays the video data. Although
A/V system 111 is illustrated separately from client system 110, it
is contemplated that A/V system 111 may be part of client system
110.
[0041] The client systems 110 may include, for example, a
conventional unidirectional or bi-directional set-top box or a
computer equipped with, at the least, an interface (e.g., tuner and
demodulator) for receiving information sent through distribution
network 108. In another embodiment, the client system 110 may
include a computer or similar device which is equipped with an
interface (network card or similar) for receiving data packets
(e.g., IP packets or other packets) sent through network 108.
[0042] Although FIG. 1 shows that all of the components of
media-on-demand system 102 are included within distribution center
104, this need not be the case as some or all of the components of
media-on-demand system 102 may be located remotely from
distribution center 104.
[0043] In one embodiment, for at least one broadcast channel, media
source 102 performs the process 200 shown in FIG. 2. Process 200
includes a number of steps. In step 202, media source 102 accesses
a playlist associated with the broadcast channel. In step 204,
media source 102 retrieves from a media library a media asset
(e.g., a song or music video) included in the playlist. In step
206, media source 102 transmits the media asset to the distribution
centers 104 (i.e., media asset is included in signal 112). In step
208, media source 102 also includes in the signal application data
associated with the broadcast channel.
[0044] In one embodiment, the media asset retrieved and transmitted
by media source 102 contains only audio data, no video data. In
this embodiment, media source 102 may create video data to
complement the audio data and transmit the video data with the
audio data to the distribution centers (systems and methods for
creating a visual complement of an audio work are described in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,275,256, which is incorporated herein by this
reference). Thus, in one embodiment, for a given broadcast channel,
media source 102 transmits to the distribution centers 104 audio
data corresponding to a song, video data to complement the audio
data, and client application data.
[0045] Each distribution center 104 may retransmit some or all of
this data to a plurality of client systems 110. The client systems
110 that are tuned to the given broadcast channel provide the audio
and video data to A/V system 111, which reproduces the audio and
displays the video on a display device. Additionally, the client
application data may instruct the client systems 110 tuned to the
given broadcast channel to display user 101 selectable buttons on
top of the video output. That is, the client application data may
control at least part of the user interface displayed to the user
101. This feature is illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates video content and buttons that may be
displayed on an A/V system 111 display device when the
corresponding client system 110 is tuned to the given broadcast
music channel. As shown in FIG. 3, the video content may include
still images 302, 304 and text 306, 308, all of which may be
related to the current audio content of the broadcast channel. For
example, still image 302 may be an image of the artist who recorded
the audio content and text 306 may provide information about the
audio content, such as the name of the song, album and artist. As
used herein, the term artist is used broadly to mean an individual
or a group of individuals (e.g., a rock band or jazz band).
[0047] As also shown in FIG. 3, buttons 311, 312, 313 and 314 may
be displayed to the user 101. Button 311 is labeled "videos",
button 312 is labeled "my music", and button 313 is labeled
"concerts, interviews, etc." A user 101 who wishes to watch one or
more specific videos can do so by activating button 311, a user 101
who wishes to listen to a personalized audio channel can do so by
activating button 311, and a user 101 who wishes to view/listen to
other content (e.g., pre-recorded concerts, interviews, and other
content) can do so by activating button 312. Although, four buttons
are shown in FIG. 3, it is contemplated that more or fewer buttons
may be displayed.
[0048] As used herein, the term button includes, without
limitation, any selectable display element or well-defined area
within an interface that is activated (e.g., "clicked") to select a
command, such as, a hyperlink or menu-option, wherein, when the
element is activated by the user 101, the client system 110 may
perform some action in response.
[0049] In some embodiments, a user 101 can "activate" a button
311-314 using a remote control (not shown) that communicates with
client system 110 or using a client system 110 control panel (not
shown). For example, the user 101 can press buttons on the remote
control or control panel to highlight a button and then after the
button is highlighted press a button labeled "ok" to thereby
activate the button.
[0050] Additionally, in some embodiments, client system 110 may
include a remote control having buttons corresponding to user
interface buttons 311-314, such that activating one of the
corresponding buttons on the remote control has the same effect as
activating the corresponding button 311-314. For example, the
remote control may have a button labeled "videos," and pressing the
"videos" button on the remote may have the same effect as
activating button 311.
[0051] In response to a user 101 activating button 311, client
system 110 communicates with on-demand system 192 to initiate an
on-demand session. For example, client system 110 may transmit to
on-demand system 192 information identifying the button activated
by the user 101, information identifying the broadcast channel to
which the user 101 device was tuned when the user 101 activated the
button, and information identifying the artist of the song that was
playing when the user 101 activated the button.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 illustrates a functional
block diagram of one embodiment of on-demand system 192. As shown
in FIG. 4, on-demand system 192 may include a media server 402, a
media asset selector 404, a profile management system 405, a media
pump 408, and a storage system 410 for storing user 101 created
profiles 411, a collection of media assets 412, meta-data 414,
which may be stored in a database, a collection of scripts 416, and
user 101 data 418, which also may be stored in a database. Some or
all of the media assets 412 may be linked with meta-data 414. For
example, where a given media asset is a music video or song, the
given media asset may be linked with meta-data, wherein the
meta-data includes information about the music video, such as, the
title, artist, genre, director, length, etc.
[0053] One or more computer and storage systems may be used to
implement on-demand system 192. For example, one or more computer
systems may be used to implement media server 402 while one or more
other computer systems may be used to implement media asset
selector 404. The computer systems may be co-located or located in
several different facilities. Accordingly, media asset selector 404
and media server 402 may be implemented in software and/or
hardware.
[0054] In some embodiments, media server 402 is capable of
outputting digital data streams at a constant rate to numerous
client systems 110 simultaneously. Media server may be implemented
using a conventional video-on-demand ("VOD") or VOD-like server. In
some embodiments, client system 110 can buffer data so that media
server 402 does not have to transmit at constant rates.
[0055] Storage system 410 may include one or more storage devices,
such as hard disk drives, CD/DVD drives, and/or other storage
devices. The storage devices that make up storage system 410 may or
may not be co-located, and each storage device may or may store
only one type of information. For example, a first set of one or
more storage devices may store media assets 412 and a second set of
one or more storage devices may store scripts 416.
[0056] User 101 data 418 may include information about users 101.
That is each user 101 may have associated user 101 data. For
example, for each user 101, the database of user 101 data may
include: demographic information about the user 101 (e.g., age,
sex, location, income), a list of the most recent (e.g., within the
last 4 months) assets requested by the user 101, a list of the most
recent advertisements transmitted to the user 101, information
indicating whether the user 101 selected a predetermined asset a
predetermined number of times within a predetermined period,
etc.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating
a process 500, according to some embodiments, performed after the
user 101 activates "videos" button 311. As mentioned above, a user
101 may activate button 311 if the user 101 wishes to view one or
more music videos. Process 500 may begin in step 502. In step 502,
client system 110 transmits information to on-demand system 192.
The information may include: (a) information identifying the
channel to which client system 110 was tuned when the user 101
activated button 110, (b) information indicating that the user 101
activated button 311, and (c) information identifying the artist of
the song that was playing when the user 101 activated the
button.
[0058] In step 504, on-demand system 192 transmits to client system
110 a list of the artist's music videos that are included in the
media asset collection 412. For example, the user 101 may have
selected button 311 at a point in time when the user 101 was tuned
to a broadcast music channel that was playing a song by the artist
U2, in which case, on-demand system 192 would transmit to client
system 110 a list of zero or more of U2's music videos. Preferably,
on-demand system 192 does not include in the list the titles of any
videos that are not included in media asset collection 412.
[0059] In step 506, client system 110 receives the list and
displays the list in a display area of a user interface displayed
to the user 101. The user interface includes selectable buttons.
FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary user interface 600 that may be
displayed in step 506.
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 6, user interface 600 includes a
display area 620 for displaying the list of music video titles 621
received from on-demand system 192. User interface 600 also
includes buttons 601-608.
[0061] In step 508, client system 110 waits for the user 101 to
take some action. For example, the user 101 may select to view one
or more of the listed videos. To do this, the user 101 may
highlight one or more of the listed video titles and then activate
a button on the remote control (not shown) that communicates with
client system 110. If the user 101 selects to view one or more of
the listed videos then control may pass to step 510. In some
embodiments, to select more than one video, the user 101 may first
have to activate "create playlist" button 607. In these
embodiments, selecting button 607 enables the user 101 to select up
to X videos, where X is greater than or equal to 2. In one example,
selecting button 607 enables the user 101 to select up to 10
videos. Additionally, in these embodiments, control may not pass to
step 510 until the user 101 has indicated that he/she is done
selecting videos. A selectable button may be displayed to the user
101 for this purpose. Such a button may be labeled "start playlist"
or "done selecting."
[0062] In step 510, client system 110 transmits to on-demand system
192 information identifying the video(s) selected by the user 101.
In step 512, system 192 creates a playlist of media assets (FIG. 7
illustrates a process for creating the playlist). That is, system
192 determines the media assets that it will transmit to client
system 110 in response to receiving from client system 110 the
information identifying the video(s) selected by the user 101.
Preferably, the playlist includes the video(s) selected by the user
101 and zero or more other media assets. For example, the playlist
may include one or more short advertisements in addition to the
video(s) selected by the user 101.
[0063] In step 516, media server 402 transmits (e.g., by streaming)
one at a time the media assets included in the playlist.
Preferably, the media assets are transmitted in playlist order. In
this way, when a user 101 selects to watch a video, the user 101
may first see a short advertisement, then one of the selected
videos, then another short advertisement, etc.
[0064] In some embodiments, a user 101 can "link" from a playing
asset to another asset. For example, in one embodiment, a user 101
may activate a particular button (on the remote control or
displayed on the display screen) while listening to/watching the
asset that is being transmitted in step 516. Activating the
particular button may cause client system 110 to transmit to
on-demand system 192 a command associated with the activated
button. In response to receiving the command, on-demand system 192
may cease transmitting whichever asset is currently being
transmitted ("the current asset") and transmit another asset. As a
specific example, the particular button may be a "skip" or "next"
button, in which case, in response to receiving the command,
on-demand system 192 ceases transmitting the current asset and
transmits an asset included in the playlist that has not already
been transmitted. If the playlist is an ordered list of assets,
then on-demand system 192 transmits the asset that follows the
asset that was playing when the user 101 activated the button.
[0065] Additionally, in some embodiments, activating a particular
button may cause client system 110 to transmit to on-demand system
192 an asset identifier associated with an asset. In response to
receiving the asset identifier, on-demand system 192 may cease the
current asset and transmit the asset identified by the identifier.
In this way, the user 101 can link from one asset that is in the
playlist to another asset that may not be in the playlist. For
example, the current asset may be a promotion for a newly added
video and the asset identifier is an identifier that identifies the
new added video. Thus, while the user 101 is watching the
promotion, the user 101 can simply just activate a button to see
the newly added video that is the subject of the promotion.
[0066] Preferably, after the identified asset has been fully
transmitted to the client system 110, on-demand systems resumes
playing the playlist. That is, after the identified asset has been
fully transmitted, on-demand system 192 transmits an asset included
in the playlist that has not already been transmitted. If the
playlist is an ordered list of assets, then on-demand system 192
transmits the asset that follows the asset that was playing when
the user 101 activated the button.
[0067] Referring now to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating
a process 700 performed by media asset selector 404, according to
one embodiment, for creating a playlist in response to a user 101
selecting one or more videos. Process 500 may begin in step 702,
where media asset selector 404 receives data indicating the
selection(s) made by the user 101 and/or data identifying the user
101 and/or client system 110 (e.g., user 101-id associated with the
user 101 or a device id associated with the client system 110).
Thus, for example, if the user 101 selected one music video, then
media asset selector 404 may receive in step 702 data identifying
the selected music video. The data may include the name of the
music video or a unique code associated with the music video or
channel.
[0068] In step 704, media asset selector 404 selects one of the
scripts 416. Scripts 416 instruct media asset selector 404 as to
which media assets should be included in the media asset package.
On-demand system 192 may include a set of scripts or multiple sets
of scripts. Accordingly, in some embodiments, each script has a
priority assigned to it. This feature is illustrated in FIG. 8.
FIG. 8 shows three sets of scripts, sets 801, 802 and 803. FIG. 8
also shows that each script in each set may be assigned a priority
value. For example, scripts 810 and 811 of set 801, scripts 820 and
821 of set 802, and script 830 of set 803 are each assigned a
priority value of "1" and scripts 812 and 813 of set 801 and
scripts 822 and 823 of set 802 are each assigned a priority value
of "2". In this example, the lower the priority value, the "higher"
the priority. So, scripts 810, 811, 820, 821 and 830 have the
"highest" priority.
[0069] In some embodiments, in step 704, media asset selector 404
selects the script having the highest priority (if two or more
scripts have the same priority, then the selector may randomly
select one of the high priority scripts).
[0070] In step 706, media asset selector 404 interprets the
selected script. That is, media asset selector 404 performs actions
as instructed by the script. Accordingly, the script includes
instructions that instruct media asset selector 404 to take certain
actions, such as, for example: performing logical operations,
comparing values, retrieving data from a database, writing data to
a file, selecting another script to interpret, and selecting
certain media assets to include in a playlist. Because a script may
instruct media asset selector 404 to include one or more assets in
a playlist, a playlist may be partially or fully specified as a
result of interpreting the script.
[0071] In some embodiments, each script 416 is written in a
language similar to Javascript or other well-known scripting
languages. Thus, the scripts provide, among other things, looping
and decision making control structures (e.g., IF/WHILE statements),
thereby enabling a script author to implement detailed and/or
complex logic flow in asset selection.
[0072] After step 706, the process may end or may proceed to step
708. The process may end if, after interpreting the script, a
complete playlist is specified. In step 708, media asset selector
404 selects another script. The script selected in step 708 may be
the next highest priority script or a script identified by the
first script. That is, the first script may include an instruction
instructing media asset selector 404 to next select and interpret a
specific script. After step 708, the process returns to step
706.
[0073] Because the media assets to be included in a playlist are
selected based on one or more scripts, the selector system 404 is
highly flexible and easy to maintain.
[0074] Referring back to FIG. 6, buttons 601-608 enable a user 101
to find the video(s) the user 101 would like to watch. For example,
if the user 101 is interested in selecting a newly added video, the
user 101 may select button 602. In response to user 101 selecting
button 602, client system 110 transmits to on-demand system 192
information indicating that the user 101 activated button 602 (step
520). In response, on-demand system 192 determines the newly added
videos for the currently selected format (step 522). This
information may be stored in a database within system 192.
[0075] In the situations where the user 101 activated videos button
311 when client system 110 was tuned to a particular broadcast
music channel, then, initially, the currently selected format is
format of that particular broadcast channel. So, for example, if
the user 101 had client system 110 tuned to the "R&B and
Hip-Hop" broadcast music channel when the user 101 activated button
311, then, until changed by the user 101, the currently selected
format is "R&B and Hip-Hop." The user 101 can change the
selected format by activating the "change format button" 608 and
selecting a new format. Additionally, the user 101 can select
button 606 to select all formats. By selecting "all formats" button
606, the user 101 is given the option to select videos across all
formats of music. In step 526, on-demand system 192 transmits to
client system 110 a list of the newly added videos determined in
step 522. After step 526, control passes back to step 506.
[0076] If the user 101 is interested in selecting a popular video,
the user 101 may select button 603. In response to user 101
selecting button 603, client system 110 transmits to on-demand
system 192 information indicating that the user 101 activated
button 603 (step 528). In response, on-demand system 192 determines
the local top 10 videos for the currently selected format (step
530). This information may be determined from information stored in
a database. Accordingly, on-demand system 192 may record all user
101 video selections so that the popular videos can be determined.
In step 531, on-demand system 192 transmits to client system 110 a
list of the videos determined in step 530. After step 531, control
passes back to step 506.
[0077] If the user 101 is interested in selecting a video from a
particular sub-category of the currently selected format, the user
101 may activate button 604. In response to user 101 selecting
button 604, client system 110 transmits to on-demand system 192
information indicating that the user 101 activated button 604 (step
532). In response, on-demand system 192 transmits to client system
110 a list of the sub-categories of the current format (step 534).
Client system 110 displays the list of sub-categories to the user
101 so that the user 101 can select a sub-category (step 536) (see
FIG. 9). In response to a user 101 selecting a sub-category, client
system 110 transmits to on-demand system 192 information indicating
the sub-category selected by the user 101 (step 538). In response,
on-demand system 192 transmits to client system 110 a list of
videos associated with the selected sub-category (step 540). After
step 540, control passes back to step 506.
[0078] If the user 101 is interested in selecting a video from a
particular artist associated with the currently selected format,
the user 101 may activate button 605. In response to user 101
selecting button 605, client system 110 transmits to on-demand
system 192 information indicating that the user 101 activated
button 605 (step 542). In response, on-demand system 192 transmits
to client system 110 a list of the artists associated with the
current format (step 544) (if the user 101 had selected button
606--all formats--followed by button 605, then the list will
include artists associated with all formats). Client system 110
displays the list of artists to the user 101 so that the user 101
can select an artist (step 546) (see FIG. 10). In response to a
user 101 selecting an artist, client system 110 transmits to
on-demand system 192 information indicating the artist selected by
the user 101 (step 548). In response, on-demand system 192
transmits to client system 110 a list of videos associated with the
artist (step 550). After step 550, control passes back to step
506.
[0079] Referring back to FIG. 3, a user 101 who wishes to initiate
a personalized on-demand session (i.e., a "personalized channel")
can do so by activating button 312. A "personalized channel" may be
an audio channel, a video channel or in some embodiments, a
combination of audio and video channels. Referring now to FIG. 11,
FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a process 1100, according to
some embodiments, performed in response to a user 101 activating
button 312, which is displayed on a display device of or connected
to client system 110.
[0080] Process 1100 may begin in step 1102, where a determination
is made as to whether on-demand system 192 has any personalized
channel profiles 411 associated the user 101's client system 110 or
with the user 101. If on-demand system 192 does not have any such
personalized channel profiles 411, control may pass to step 1132,
otherwise control may pass to step 1104.
[0081] In step 1104, on-demand system 192 determines the names of
the personalized channel profiles associated with the user 101 or
the user 101's client system 110. In step 1106, on-demand system
192 transmits to client system 110 the list of determined names. In
step 1107, client system 110 displays the names of the personalized
channels in a user interface that is displayed on the display
device.
[0082] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary user interface 1200 that
may be displayed in step 1108. As shown in FIG. 12, the names of
several personalized video channel profiles are listed in one
display area 1202 and the names of several personalized audio
channel profiles are listed in another display area 1204. Also
displayed to the user 101 are menu-options 1211-1214.
[0083] In step 1108, client system 110 waits for the user 101 to
take some action. At this point, the user 101 has several options.
The user 101 may elect to play, create, modify and delete one of
the channel profiles (or simply "channel" for short). To play,
modify or delete one of the channels, the user 101 may highlight
the name of the channel the user 101 wants to play, modify or
delete, and then activate the appropriate button 1211-1214 by using
a remote control interfaced with client system 110, as is well
known in the art.
[0084] If the user 101 elects to play one of the listed channels
then control may pass to step 1110. In step 1110, client system 110
transmits to on-demand system 192 information identifying the
channel selected by the user 101 and information indicating that
the user 101 desires "play" the channel profile. For example, the
information may include the name of the channel or an identifier
uniquely associated with the channel and a "play" command.
[0085] In step 1112, system 192 retrieves the identified channel
profile, and, in step 1113, creates a playlist of one or more media
assets based, at least in part, on the contents of the selected
channel profile. That is, on-demand system selects one or more
media assets based, at least in part, on the channel profile. As
discussed above, on-demand system may interpret one or more scripts
to create the playlist. Accordingly, in some embodiments, on-demand
system 192 may include a script for creating playlists based on
channel profiles. Preferably, the playlist created in step 1113
includes a work or works that match the profile selected by the
user 101. In this way, the playlist will likely include works that
the user 101 will enjoy. Additionally, the playlist may include or
consist of one or more short advertisements (e.g., a promotional
message).
[0086] In step 1116, media server 402 transmits (e.g., by
streaming) one at a time the media assets included in the playlist.
Preferably, the media assets are transmitted in playlist order. In
step 1118, on-demand system adds additional media assets to the
play list if necessary. Additional media assets may need to be
added to the playlist if the end of the play list is approaching.
On-demand system 192 may approach the end of the playlist if,
within a certain amount of time from initiating the personalized
session, the user 101 does not indicate to client system 110 that
the user 101 wishes to terminate the personalized session. This
amount of time, of course, depends on the length of the
playlist.
[0087] If the user 101 elects to delete one of the listed channel
profiles, then control may pass to step 1122. In step 1122, client
system 110 transmits to on-demand system 192 information
identifying the channel profile selected by the user 101 and
information indicating that the user 101 desires to delete the
channel profile. In step 1124, on-demand system deletes the
profile.
[0088] If the user 101 elects to modify one of the listed channel
profiles, then control may pass to step 1126. In step 1126, client
system 110 transmits to on-demand system 192 information
identifying the channel profile selected by the user 101 and
information indicating that the user 101 desires to modify the
channel profile. In step 1128, on-demand system enables the user
101 to modify the profile by, for example, adding formats to the
profile or removing formats from the profile.
[0089] If the user 101 elects to create a new personalized channel,
then control may pass to step 1130. In step 1130, client system 110
transmits to on-demand system 192 information indicating that the
user 101 desires to create a new channel profile. In step 1132,
on-demand system 192 transmits to client system 110 a list of music
formats. In step 1134, client system 110 receives the list and
displays the list in a display area of a user interface displayed
to the user 101.
[0090] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary user interface 1300 that
may be displayed in step 1134. As shown in FIG. 13, the names of
several music formats are listed in a display area 1302.
[0091] In step 1136, the user 101 elects whether he/she wants to
create a video channel profile or an audio channel profile. To
select a video channel profile, the user 101 would, of course,
activate videos button 1311, and to select an audio channel
profile, the user 101 would activate audio button 1312.
[0092] In step 1138, the user 101 selects the format(s) that he/she
would like to include in the profile and then selects the
"continue" button 1313. For example, the user 101 may wish to
create a channel profile that includes the "Classic R&B",
"Gospel" and "R&B" Hip Hop" formats. In response to the user
101 selecting a format(s) and activating button 1313, client system
110 may transmit to on-demand system 192 information indicating the
format(s) selected by the user 101 (step 1140). In step 1142,
on-demand system 192 may transmit to client system 110 a list of
sub-categories for each format selected by the user 101 and client
system displays the list(s) to the user 101. FIG. 14 illustrates a
user interface 1400 that may be displayed in step 1142. User
interface 1400 enables the user 101 to select one or more
sub-categories for each category of music selected in step 1138.
When the user 101 is finished selecting the sub-categories the user
101 may activate continue button 1413.
[0093] In step 1144, client system 110 displays to the user 101 a
user interface that enables the user 101 to set the mix for the
channel. That is, it enables the user 101 give a weight to each
format selected in step 1138. FIG. 15 illustrates a user interface
1500 that may be displayed in step 1144. When the user 101 is
finished setting the mix for the channel, the user 101 may activate
continue button 1513.
[0094] In step 1146, client system 110 displays to the user 101 a
user interface that enables the user 101 to set a name for the
channel. FIG. 16 illustrates a user interface 1600 that may be
displayed in step 1148. As shown in FIG. 16, the user interface
includes a keypad 1602. The user 101 may name a channel by
selecting characters (letters, numbers, etc) from keypad 1602 using
the remote control. When the user 101 is finished setting the name
for the channel, the user 101 may activate continue button 1613.
After step 1146, control may pass back to step 1107 or to step
1113.
[0095] Referring back to FIG. 3, a user 101 who wishes to watch a
previously recorded program can do so by activating button 313.
Referring now to FIG. 17, FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a
process 1700, according to some embodiments, performed in response
to a user 101 activating button 313. Process 1700 may begin in step
1702. In step 1702, client system 110 transmits information to
on-demand system 192. The information may include information
indicating that the user 101 activated button 313.
[0096] In step 1704, on-demand system 192 transmits to client
system 110 a list of pre-recorded programs that are included in the
media asset collection 412. The pre-recorded programs may included
pre-recorded concerts, interviews, other music related programs,
etc. Along with the set of program titles, on-demand system 192 may
also transmit to client system 110 information regarding each
program, such as a short description of the program.
[0097] In step 1706, client system 110 receives the set of program
titles and displays the them in a display area of a user interface
displayed to the user 101. FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary user
interface 1800 that may be displayed in step 1706. Referring now to
FIG. 18, user interface 1800 includes a display area 1820 for
displaying the list of program titles received from on-demand
system 192.
[0098] In step 1708, client system 110 waits for the user 101 to
take some action. For example, the user 101 may select to view one
or more of the listed programs. To do this, the user 101 may
highlight one or more of the listed program titles and then
activate a button on a remote control (not shown) that communicates
with client system 110. In response to the user 101 highlighting
one of the displayed program titles, client system 110 may display
in a display area 1821 of user interface 1800 information
pertaining to the selected program, such as a short description of
the program. If the user 101 selects to view one or more of the
listed programs then control may pass to step 1710.
[0099] In step 1710, client system 110 transmits to on-demand
system 192 information identifying the program(s) selected by the
user 101. In step 1712, system 192 creates a playlist of media
assets (FIG. 7 illustrates a process for creating the playlist).
That is, system 192 determines the media assets that it will
transmit to client system 110 in response to receiving from client
system 110 the information identifying the program(s) selected by
the user 101. Preferably, the playlist includes the program(s)
selected by the user 101 and one or more other media assets. For
example, the playlist may include one or more short advertisements
in addition to the program(s) selected by the user 101.
[0100] In some embodiments, a program may be divided into two or
more segments. Each segment may be media asset. In these
embodiments, on-demand system 192 may create a playlist wherein an
advertisement(s) or other media asset(s) is/are positioned between
two segments of the program. The advertisement or other media asset
may be selected based on one or more criteria. As an example,
advertisements can be selected based on the broadcast channel to
which the user 101's client system was last tuned. Additionally,
information about the user 101 can influence the selection of an
advertisement. Such information about the user 101, which may be
stored, in user 101 data 418, includes the user 101's age, sex,
location, listening/viewing history and advertisements the user 101
has already seen.
[0101] Thus, in many embodiments, if two different users select the
same program, at the same time or at different times, on-demand
system 192 may create one playlist for the first user 101 and a
different playlist for the second user 101, where the first
playlist is tailored to the first user 101 and the second playlist
is tailored to the second user 101. So, even if two users select
the same program, the users may have a different viewing
experience. As a specific example, if the first user 101 is under
the age of 20 and the second user 101 if over the age of 30, then
the advertisements, if any, included in the playlist for the first
user 101 may be different than the advertisements, if any, included
in the playlist for the second user 101. This feature is
illustrated in FIG. 19, which shows two exemplary playlists 1901
and 1902, one for a first user 101 and one for a second user 101,
where both users selected the same program, which program, in this
example, was divided into three segments.
[0102] In step 1716, media server 402 transmits (e.g., by
streaming) one at a time the media assets included in the playlist.
Preferably, the media assets are transmitted in playlist order. In
this way, when a user 101 selects to watch a program, the user 101
may first see a short advertisement, then a segment of the selected
program, then another short advertisement, etc.
[0103] Referring back to FIG. 3, a user 101 who wishes to hot link
from a broadcast audio channel to video-on-demand video can do so
by activating button 314. Although button 314 is shown as a
distinct button, in some embodiments, button 314 may simply be a
hotspot over display element 302 or 304, for example.
[0104] Referring now to FIG. 20, FIG. 20 is a flow chart
illustrating a process 2000, according to some embodiments,
performed in response to a user 101 activating button 314.
[0105] Process 2000 may begin in step 2002. In step 2002, client
system 110 transmits information to on-demand system 192. The
information may include information indicating that the user 101
activated button 314. Preferably, the information also includes a
video identifier that identifies a video. Preferably, the
identified video is related to the content of the broadcast channel
to which client system 110 was tuned when the user 101 activated
the button 314. For example, if the content on the broadcast
channel is from Artist X, then the identified video may be a music
video from Artist X.
[0106] In step 2004, system 192 creates a playlist of media assets.
That is, system 192 determines the media assets that it will
transmit to client system 110 in response to receiving from client
system 110 the music video identifier. Preferably, the playlist
includes the identified video and zero or more other media assets.
For example, the playlist may include one or more short
advertisements in addition to the identified video.
[0107] In step 2008, media server 402 transmits (e.g., by
streaming) one at a time the media assets included in the playlist.
Preferably, the media assets are transmitted in playlist order. In
step 2012, the client system 110 returns (i.e., tunes) to the
broadcast channel to which it was tuned when the user 101 activated
button 314.
[0108] In some embodiments, it is not necessary for a user 101 to
first configure client system 110 to "tune" to a broadcast media
channel before user 101 can enjoy the services of on-demand system
192. For example, in some embodiments, user 101 can cause client
system 110 to communicate with on-demand system 192 at any time by,
for example, activating a pre-defined button on the remote control
or control panel.
[0109] For example, the user 101 may at any time cause client
system 110 to send a message to on-demand system indicating that
the user 101 would like to see a menu of on-demand services. In
response, on-demand system 192 may respond by transmitting to
client system 110 information regarding the available on-demand
services.
[0110] Client system 110 may then display a user interface 2200
(see FIG. 22) that enables user 101 to select one of the available
on-demand services. User interface may include buttons that when
activated cause the same or substantially the same effect as
activating buttons 311-314. For example, user interface 2200 may
include a button 2201, which is labeled "videos", a button 2202,
which is labeled "MyMusic," and a button 2203, which is labeled
"concerts, interviews, etc."
[0111] After a user activates the "videos" button 2201, client
system 110 may display to user 101 user interface 600, wherein a
list of music formats (e.g., rock, alternative, jazz, etc.) is
displayed in display area 620. Client system 110 enables user to
select one of the listed formats. After the user 101 selects a
format, client system 110 may communicate the selection to
on-demand system 192 and subsequently receive from on-demand system
192 a list of artists associated with the format (see step 544 of
process 500). That is, process 500 may be performed at this point
beginning with step 544. After the user activates the "MyMusic"
button 2202, process 1100 may be performed. Similarly, after the
user activates button 2203 process 1700 may be performed.
[0112] Referring now to FIG. 21, FIG. 21 illustrates another
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a block diagram of
a system 2100 for providing both an on-demand, personalized media
service and a broadcast service to users 101. System 2100 includes
many of the same components as system 100. In system 2100, user 101
interacts with a set-top-box (STB) 2120 coupled to a conventional
television (TV). STB 2120 has the functionality of client system
110 described above.
[0113] User 101 also interacts with a personal computer (PC) 2126,
which is coupled to a modem 2124, which may be a conventional cable
modem. As used herein, the term "personal computer" should be
construed broadly to include any computing system capable of
executing application software, such as a web browser or a media
player or other applications. Preferably modem 2124 and STB 2120
share a cable 2125 to connect to network 2108, which may be a
cable-tv (CATV) network. In this embodiment, user 101 can have
personalized channels transmitted to either of STB 2120 and PC
2126.
[0114] PC 2126 preferably includes a web browser program and media
player. The web browser and media player may communicate with a web
server 2102. For example, in response to a user 101 action, the web
browser or media player may send a request to web server 2102. In
response, web server 2102 may determine the personalized channel
profiles 411 that are associated with the user 101 and transmit the
names of the personalized channels to PC 2126, which then displays
the names on a display device of the PC. The user 101 can then
select one the personalized channels. In response, PC 2126
transmits the selection to web server 2120. On-demand system 192
will then start streaming to PC 2126 media based on the channel
selected by the user 101. Accordingly, the same channel profile 411
can be used to stream personalized media to STB 2120 or PC
2126.
[0115] While various embodiments/variations of the present
invention have been described above, it should be understood that
they have been presented by way of example only, and not
limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention
should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary
embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the
following claims and their equivalents.
[0116] Additionally, while the processes described above and
illustrated in the drawings are shown as a sequence of steps, this
was done solely for the sake of illustration. Accordingly, unless
indicated otherwise, the steps need not be performed in the order
shown. Further, it is contemplated that some steps may be added and
other steps omitted.
* * * * *