Methods and systems for generating and providing program guides and content

• US 10,327,037 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2017
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pluto, Inc. (Paramount Global (f/k/a ViacomCBS Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Pluto, Inc. (Paramount Global (f/k/a ViacomCBS Inc.))
• Inventors: Shanson, Spencer, Hale, Thomas Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Huerta, Alexander Q
• Application Number:
  US15/635,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20180014076A1
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26233 involving content or additional data duration or size, e.g. length of a movie, size of an executable file
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26258 for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26283 for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2743 Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/278 Content descriptor database or directory service for end-user access details of content or meta data based information retrieval of video data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4302 Content synchronisation processes, e.g. decoder synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4524 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; systems specially adapted for using geographical information in broadcast systems H04H60/70; protocols in which the network application is adapted for the location of the user terminal in communication control or processing H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 Games
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73

Abstract

Techniques for identifying, assembling, and transmitting content are described in the illustrative context of electronic program guides and program channels. An electronic program guide comprises a channel listing and channel program listings. Supplementary content slots are identified. A slot is associated with a time length and is scheduled during or after a scheduled program. A first item of supplementary content, associated with a first time length, is selected to be displayed during a first slot on a user device. In response to determining that the first time length content is less than the time length associated with the first slot, the underrun may be compensated for by causing subsequent primary content to be displayed on the user device at a time earlier than scheduled and a previously scheduled time length of a subsequent supplementary content slot may be extended to a first extended time length, with respect to the user.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of synchronizing content with an electronic program guide, the method comprising:

generating, by a first system comprising computer hardware configured with specific executable instructions, an electronic program guide, the electronic program guide comprising;

a listing of channels,

a listing channel programs, and

program begin and end times;

identifying supplementary content slots including at least a first slot, where one or more items of supplementary content are to be displayed to users,

wherein a given supplementary content slot is associated with a corresponding time length, and wherein in a given slot is scheduled during a corresponding scheduled program or after a corresponding scheduled program;

identifying by the first system, with respect to a first user, a first item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on a first device associated with the first user, the first item of supplementary content associated with a first time length;

identifying by the first system, with respect to a second user, a second item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on a second device associated with the second user, the second item of supplementary content different than the first item of supplementary content, the second item of supplementary content associated with a second time length;

determining by the first system whether the first time length, associated with the first item of supplementary content, is less than a time length associated with the first slot by calculating a difference in time length between the time length associated with the first slot and the first time length;

at least partly in response to determining that the first time length, associated with the first item of supplementary content, is less than the time length associated with the first slot;

compensating by the first system, at least in part, for the difference in time length between the time length associated with the first slot and the first time length by causing subsequent primary content to be displayed on the first device associated with the first user at a time earlier than scheduled;

extending by the first system, for the first user, a previously scheduled time length of a subsequent supplementary content slot to a first extended time length;

selecting one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the first extended time length;

causing by the first system the selected one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the first extended time length to be presented by the first device associated with the first user;

determining by the first system whether the second time length, associated with the second item of supplementary content, is less than the time length associated with the first slot by calculating a difference in time length between the time length associated with the first slot and the second time length;

at least partly in response to determining that the second time length, associated with the second item of supplementary content, is less than the time length associated with the first slot;

compensating by the first system, at least in part, for the difference in time length between the time length associated with the first slot and the second time length by causing subsequent primary content to be displayed on the second device at a time earlier than scheduled;

extending by the first system, for the second user, a previously scheduled time length of a subsequent supplementary content slot to a second extended time length;

selecting one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the second extended time length;

causing by the first system the selected one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the second extended time length to be presented by the second device.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising:

identifying, with respect to a third user, a third item of supplementary content to be displayed during a second slot on a third device associated with the third user, the third item of supplementary content associated with a third time length;

identifying, with respect to a fourth user, a fourth item of supplementary content to be displayed during the second slot on a fourth device associated with the fourth user, the fourth item of supplementary content different than the third item of supplementary content, the fourth item of supplementary content associated with a fourth time length;

determining whether the third time length, associated with the third item of supplementary content, is greater than a time length associated with the second slot by calculating a difference in time length between the time length associated with the second slot and the third time length;

at least partly in response to determining that the third time length, associated with the third item of supplementary content, is greater than the time length associated with the second slot;

compensating, at least in part, for the difference in time length between the time length associated with the second slot and the third time length by causing subsequent primary content to be displayed on the third device associated with the third user at a time later than scheduled;

reducing, with respect to the third user, a previously scheduled time length of a subsequent supplementary content slot to a first reduced time length;

selecting one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the first reduced time length;

causing the selected one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the first reduced time length to be presented by the third device associated with the third user;

determining whether the fourth time length, associated with the fourth item of supplementary content, is greater than the time length associated with the second slot by calculating a difference in time length between the time length associated with the second slot and the fourth time length;

at least partly in response to determining that the fourth time length, associated with the fourth item of supplementary content, is greater than the time length associated with the second slot;

compensating, at least in part, for the difference in time length between the time length associated with the second slot and the fourth time length by causing subsequent primary content to be displayed on the fourth device associated with the fourth user at a time later than scheduled;

reducing, with respect to the fourth user, a previously scheduled time length of a subsequent supplementary content slot to a second reduced time length;

selecting one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the second reduced time length;

causing the selected one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the second reduced time length to be presented by the fourth user device.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising:

accessing a first set of information comprising;

location information of the first device,

behavior information of social connections of the first user,

historical content navigation information of the first user,

historical interstitial interaction information of the first user, and/or

first user preference information;

selecting the first item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the first device associated with the first user based at least in part on the first set of information;

accessing a second set of information comprising;

location information of the second device,

behavior information of social connections of the second user,

historical content navigation information of the second user,

historical interstitial interaction information of the second user, and/or

second user preference information;

selecting the second item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the second device associated with the second user based at least in part on the second set of information.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising:

accessing location information for the first device;

selecting the first item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the first device associated with the first user based at least in part on the location information for the first device;

accessing location information for the second device;

selecting the second item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the second device associated with the second user based at least in part on the location information for the second device.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising:

accessing behavior information of social connections of the first user, the behavior information of social connections of the first user comprising viewing history, expressed preferences, inferred preferences, and/or historical interstitial interactions of social connections of the first user;

selecting the first item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the first device associated with the first user based at least in part on the behavior information of social connections of the first user;

accessing behavior information of social connections of the second user, the behavior information of social connections of the second user comprising viewing history, expressed preferences, inferred preferences, and/or historical interstitial interactions of social connections of the second user;

selecting the second item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the first device associated with the second user based at least in part on the behavior information of social connections of the second user.

6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first user and the second user are viewing a first program on a first channel, the method further comprising selecting the first item of supplementary content and the second item of supplementary content based in part on channel metadata of the first channel that the first user and the second user are viewing, the channel metadata comprising channel type and/or subject matter information.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first user and the second user are viewing a first program on a first channel, the method further comprising selecting the first item of supplementary content and the second item of supplementary content based in part on program metadata of the first program that the first user and the second user are viewing, the program metadata comprising information regarding people or items appearing in the program.

8. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising:

accessing a first set of information associated with the first user, the first set of information comprising location information of the first device, the location information comprising an IP address or GPS location information associated with the first device, behavior information of social connections of the first user, historical content navigation information of the first user, historical interstitial interaction information of the first user;

selecting the first item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the first device associated with the first user based at least in part on the first set of information;

accessing a second set of information associated with the second user, the second set of information comprising location information of the second device, the location information comprising an IP address or GPS location information associated with the second device, behavior information of social connections of the second user, historical content navigation information of the second user, historical interstitial interaction information of the second user;

selecting the second item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the second device associated with the second user based at least in part on the second set of information.

9. A system configured to manage the distribution of content to user devices, the system comprising:

a network interface;

a computing device;

non-transitory memory that stores instructions which when executed by the computing device, cause the system to perform operations comprising;

generating an electronic program guide, the electronic program guide comprising;

a listing of channels,

a listing channel programs, and

program begin and end times;

identifying supplementary content slots including at least a first slot, where one or more items of supplementary content are to be displayed to users,

wherein a given supplementary content slot is associated with a corresponding time length, and wherein in a given slot is scheduled during a corresponding scheduled program or after a corresponding scheduled program;

identifying, with respect to a first user, a first item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on a first device associated with the first user, the first item of supplementary content associated with a first time length;

identifying, with respect to a second user, a second item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on a second device associated with the second user, the second item of supplementary content different than the first item of supplementary content, the second item of supplementary content associated with a second time length;

determining whether the first time length, associated with the first item of supplementary content, is less than a time length associated with the first slot by calculating a difference in time length between the time length associated with the first slot and the first time length;

at least partly in response to determining that the first time length, associated with the first item of supplementary content, is less than the time length associated with the first slot;

compensating, at least in part, for the difference in time length between the time length associated with the first slot and the first time length by causing subsequent primary content to be displayed on the first device associated with the first user at a time earlier than scheduled;

extending, with respect to the first user, a previously scheduled time length of a subsequent supplementary content slot to a first extended time length;

selecting one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the first extended time length;

causing the selected one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the first extended time length to be presented by the first device associated with the first user;

determining whether the second time length, associated with the second item of supplementary content, is less than the time length associated with the first slot by calculating a difference in time length between the time length associated with the first slot and the second time length;

at least partly in response to determining that the second time length, associated with the second item of supplementary content, is less than the time length associated with the first slot;

compensating, at least in part, for the difference in time length between the time length associated with the first slot and the second time length by causing subsequent primary content to be displayed on the second device associated with the second user at a time earlier than scheduled;

extending, with respect to the second user, a previously scheduled time length of a subsequent supplementary content slot to a second extended time length;

selecting one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the second extended time length;

causing the selected one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the second extended time length to be presented by the second device associated with the second user.

10. The system as defined in claim 9, the operations further comprising:

identifying, with respect to a third user, a third item of supplementary content to be displayed during a second slot on a third device associated with the third user, the third item of supplementary content associated with a third time length;

identifying, with respect to a fourth user, a fourth item of supplementary content to be displayed during the second slot on a fourth device associated with the fourth user, the fourth item of supplementary content different than the third item of supplementary content, the fourth item of supplementary content associated with a fourth time length;

determining whether the third time length, associated with the third item of supplementary content, is greater than a time length associated with the second slot by calculating a difference in time length between the time length associated with the second slot and the third time length;

at least partly in response to determining that the third time length, associated with the third item of supplementary content, is greater than the time length associated with the second slot;

compensating, at least in part, for the difference in time length between the time length associated with the second slot and the third time length by causing subsequent primary content to be displayed on the third device associated with the third user at a time later than scheduled;

reducing, with respect to the third user, a previously scheduled time length of a subsequent supplementary content slot to a first reduced time length;

selecting one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the first reduced time length;

causing the selected one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the first reduced time length to be presented by the third device associated with the third user;

determining whether the fourth time length, associated with the fourth item of supplementary content, is greater than the time length associated with the second slot by calculating a difference in time length between the time length associated with the second slot and the fourth time length;

at least partly in response to determining that the fourth time length, associated with the fourth item of supplementary content, is greater than the time length associated with the second slot;

compensating, at least in part, for the difference in time length between the time length associated with the second slot and the fourth time length by causing subsequent primary content to be displayed on the fourth device associated with the fourth user at a time later than scheduled;

reducing, with respect to the fourth user, a previously scheduled time length of a subsequent supplementary content slot to a second reduced time length;

selecting one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the second reduced time length;

causing the selected one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the second reduced time length to be presented by the fourth device associated with the fourth user.

11. The system as defined in claim 9, the operations further comprising:

accessing a first set of information comprising;

location information of the first device,

behavior information of social connections of the first user,

historical content navigation information of the first user,

historical interstitial interaction information of the first user, and/or

first user preference information;

selecting the first item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the first device associated with the first user based at least in part on the first set of information;

accessing a second set of information comprising;

location information of the second device,

behavior information of social connections of the second user,

historical content navigation information of the second user,

historical interstitial interaction information of the second user, and/or

second user preference information;

selecting the second item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the second device associated with the second user based at least in part on the second set of information.

12. The system as defined in claim 9, the operations further comprising:

accessing location information for the first device;

selecting the first item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the first device associated with the first user based at least in part on the location information for the first device;

accessing location information for the second device;

selecting the second item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the second device associated with the second user based at least in part on the location information for the second device.

13. The system as defined in claim 9, the operations further comprising:

accessing behavior information of social connections of the first user, the behavior information of social connections of the first user comprising viewing history, expressed preferences, inferred preferences, and/or historical interstitial interactions of social connections of the first user;

selecting the first item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the first device associated with the first user based at least in part on the behavior information of social connections of the first user;

accessing behavior information of social connections of the second user, the behavior information of social connections of the second user comprising viewing history, expressed preferences, inferred preferences, and/or historical interstitial interactions of social connections of the second user;

selecting the second item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the first device associated with the second user based at least in part on the behavior information of social connections of the second user.

14. The system as defined in claim 9, wherein the first user and the second user are viewing a first program on a first channel, the operations further comprising selecting the first item of supplementary content and the second item of supplementary content based in part on channel metadata of the first channel that the first user and the second user are viewing, the channel metadata comprising channel type and/or subject matter information.

15. The system as defined in claim 9, wherein the first user and the second user are viewing a first program on a first channel, the operations further comprising selecting the first item of supplementary content and the second item of supplementary content based in part on program metadata of the first program that the first user and the second user are viewing, the program metadata comprising information regarding people or items appearing in the program.

16. The system as defined in claim 9, the operations further comprising:

accessing a first set of information associated with the first user, the first set of information comprising location information of the first device, the location information comprising an IP address or GPS location information associated with the first device, behavior information of social connections of the first user, historical content navigation information of the first user, historical interstitial interaction information of the first user;

selecting the first item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the first device associated with the first user based at least in part on the first set of information;

accessing a second set of information associated with the second user, the second set of information comprising location information of the second device, the location information comprising an IP address or GPS location information associated with the second device, behavior information of social connections of the second user, historical content navigation information of the second user, historical interstitial interaction information of the second user;

selecting the second item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the second device associated with the second user based at least in part on the second set of information.

17. Non-transitory memory that stores programmatic instructions that when executed by a computer system causes the computer system to perform operations comprising:

accessing an electronic program guide, the electronic program guide comprising;

a listing of channels,

a listing channel programs, and

program begin and end times;

identifying supplementary content slots including at least a first slot, where one or more items of supplementary content are to be displayed to users,

wherein a given supplementary content slot is associated with a corresponding time length, and wherein in a given slot is scheduled during a corresponding scheduled program or after a corresponding scheduled program;

identifying, with respect to a first user, a first item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on a first user device associated with the first user, the first item of supplementary content associated with a first time length;

determining whether the first time length, associated with the first item of supplementary content, is less than a time length associated with the first slot by calculating a difference in time length between the time length associated with the first slot and the first time length;

at least partly in response to determining that the first time length, associated with the first item of supplementary content, is less than the time length associated with the first slot;

compensating, at least in part, for the difference in time length between the time length associated with the first slot and the first time length by causing subsequent primary content to be displayed on the first user device at a time earlier than scheduled;

extending, with respect to the first user, a previously scheduled time length of a subsequent supplementary content slot to a first extended time length;

selecting one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the first extended time length;

causing the selected one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the first extended time length to be presented by the first user device.

18. The non-transitory memory system as defined in claim 17, the operations further comprising:

identifying, with respect to a second user, a second item of supplementary content to be displayed during a second slot on a second user device associated with the second user, the second item of supplementary content associated with a second time length;

determining whether the second time length, associated with the second item of supplementary content, is greater than a time length associated with the second slot by determining a difference in time length between the time length associated with the second slot and the second time length;

at least partly in response to determining that the second time length, associated with the second item of supplementary content, is greater than the time length associated with the second slot;

compensating, at least in part, for the difference in time length between the time length associated with the second slot and the second time length by causing subsequent primary content to be displayed on the second user device at a time later than scheduled;

reducing, with respect to the second user, a previously scheduled time length of a subsequent supplementary content slot to a first reduced time length;

selecting one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the first reduced time length; and

causing the selected one or more items of supplementary content for the subsequent supplementary content slot having the first reduced time length to be presented by the second user device.

19. The non-transitory memory system as defined in claim 17, the operations further comprising:

accessing a first set of information comprising;

location information of the first user device,

behavior information of social connections of the first user,

historical content navigation information of the first user,

historical interstitial interaction information of the first user, and/or

first user preference information;

selecting the first item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the first user device associated with the first user based at least in part on the first set of information.

20. The non-transitory memory system as defined in claim 17, the operations further comprising:

accessing location information for the first user device;

selecting the first item of supplementary content to be displayed during the first slot on the first user device associated with the first user based at least in part on the location information for the first user device.