Digital media content management system and method

• US 10,631,033 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2018
• Issued: 04/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HSNi LLC (Qurate Retail Group (f/k/a Liberty Interactive Corporation))
• Original Assignee: HSNi LLC (Qurate Retail Group (f/k/a Liberty Interactive Corporation))
• Inventors: McDevitt, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Mendoza, Junior O
• Application Number:
  US15/886,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20180160164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43079 of additional data with content streams on multiple devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• 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 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6156 specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6193 involving transmission via a satellite arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end session in a satellite broadcast system H04B7/18526
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8133 specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program

Abstract

A system and method is disclosed herein that provides a multi-device, multi-screen experience where original content, other content, and associated data can interact and flow between a primary display device and one or more secondary devices. More particularly, the system and method disclosed herein provides for the delivery and management of digital media content to an end user by providing the multi-device, multi-screen experience where original content, other content, and associated data can interact and flow between devices. The system and method enables an individual to create a virtually universal home commerce and monitoring ecosystem by integrating a device into their home Wi-Fi and content consumption systems.

Claims

1. A method for managing a presentation of content on one or more devices in a premises, the method comprising:

receiving, by a data communication hub, first source content from a first content provider and interpreting the first source content to identify data content within the first source content;

updating user profile information associated with a user of the data communication hub with the identified data content that indicates items of interest to the user and relating to the first source content;

generating, by the data communication hub, a pre-designated search based on the user profile information that includes the indicated items of interest to the user and related to the received first source content;

receiving, by the data communication hub, broadcast electronic information from at least one electronic information sending device associated with at least one object in the premises, with the broadcast electronic information configured to provide an identification of a type of the at least one object and descriptive information providing characteristics about the at least one object;

interpreting, by the data communication hub, the descriptive information about the at least one object to identify the type of the at least one object and associated metadata indicating the provided characteristics relating to the at least one object;

after the at least one object and the associated metadata are identified based on the descriptive information, automatically refining, by the data communication hub, the pre-designated search query based on the identified type of the at least one object and the associated metadata with the provided characteristics relating to the at least one object to configure the pre-designated search query to identify content to be displayed on a first display device;

identifying, by the data communication hub using the refined search query, second source content for display in the premises;

selecting and receiving, at the data communication hub, the identified second source content from a data source that is a second content provider of the source content; and

transmitting, by the data communication hub, the received second source content to the first display device in the premises to be displayed thereon, the first display device being a device different than the at least one electronic information sending device.

2. The method for managing a presentation of content according to claim 1, further comprising storing the user profile information in an electronic database that relates to a user of the data communication hub.

3. The method for managing a presentation of content according to claim 2, further accessing, by the data communication hub, electronic information from the second data source by applying the refined search query on the Internet to identify the second source content.

4. The method for managing a presentation of content according to claim 3, further comprising storing the received descriptive information about the at least one object as part of the user profile information relating to the user of the data communication hub.

5. The method for managing a presentation of content according to claim 1, further comprising determining, by the data communication hub, additional content that is complementary or alternative content that is different than the identified second source content identified by the data communication hub.

6. The method for managing a presentation of content according to claim 5, further comprising:

coordinately transmitting the identified second source content to the first display device in the premises to be presented thereon and the determined additional content that is different than the first or second source content to a second display device in the premises to be presented by a user interface of a software application running on the second display device,

wherein the first display device displays the identified second source content that is related and different than the determined secondary content displayed on the second display device.

7. The method for managing a presentation of content according to claim 6, further comprising:

receiving, by the data communication hub, at least one command input to the user interface of the software application running on the second display device;

interpreting the at least one command input by the data communication hub; and

generating and transmitting at least one instruction to at least one electronic device in the premises to control an operation thereof.

8. The method for managing a presentation of content according to claim 6, further comprising:

receiving by a navigation tool on the second display device at least a portion of the determined additional content to be displayed thereon; and

generating, by the navigation tool, control instructions transmitted to the first display device to control a display on the first display device of the metadata relating to the at least one object and the identified second source content in order to provide a coordinated presentation of information on the first and second display devices.

9. The method for managing a presentation of content according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic information sending device comprises a radio-frequency identification device (RFID) tag associated with the at least one object.

10. The method for managing a presentation of content according to claim 1, wherein the characteristics relating to the at least one object comprises at least one of size, brand, purchase date and expiration date of the at least one object.

11. A data communication hub for managing a presentation of content to a user on one or more devices in a premises, the data communication hub comprising:

at least one input configured to receive;

first source content from a first content provider, and

broadcast electronic information from at least one electronic information sending device associated with at least one object in the premises, with the broadcast electronic information configured to provide an identification of a type of the at least one object and descriptive information providing characteristics about the at least one object; and

at least one processor having software that, when executed on the processor, causes the processor to;

interpret the first source content to identify data content within the first source content,

update user profile information associated with a user of the data communication hub with the identified data content that indicates items of interest to the user and relating to the first source content,

generate a pre-designated search based on the user profile information that includes the indicated items of interest to the user and related to the received first source content,

interpret the descriptive information about the at least one object to identify the type of the at least one object and associated metadata indicating the provided characteristics relating to the at least one object,

after the at least one object and the associated metadata are identified based on the descriptive information, automatically refine the pre-designated search query based on the identified type of the at least one object and the associated metadata with the provided characteristics relating to the at least one object to configure the pre-designated search query to identify content to be displayed on a first display device;

identify second source content for display in the premises using the refined search query,

select and receive the identified second source content from a data source that is a second content provider; and

transmit, by at least one output of the data communication hub, the received second source content to the first display device in the premises to be displayed thereon, the first display device being a device different than the at least one electronic information sending device.

12. The data communication hub according to claim 11, further comprising an electronic memory configured to store the user profile information that relates to a user of the data communication hub.

13. The data communication hub according to claim 12, wherein the software, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to access electronic information from the second data source by applying the refined search query on the Internet to identify the second source content.

14. The data communication hub according to claim 13, wherein the electronic memory is further configured to store the received descriptive about the at least one object as part of the user profile information relating to the user of the data communication hub.

15. The data communication hub according to claim 11, wherein the software, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to determine additional content that is complementary or alternative content that is different than the identified second source content identified by the data communication hub.

16. The data communication hub according to claim 15, wherein the software, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to coordinately transmit the identified second source content to the first display device in the premises to be presented thereon and the determined additional content that is different than the first or second source content to a second display device in the premises to be presented by a user interface of a software application running on the second display device, such that the first display device displays the identified second source content that is related and different than the determined secondary content displayed on the second display device.

17. The data communication hub according to claim 16, wherein the software, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to:

receive at least one command input to the user interface of the software application running on the second display device;

interpret the at least one command input; and

generate and transmit at least one instruction to at least one electronic device in the premises to control an operation thereof.

18. The data communication hub according to claim 11, wherein the at least one electronic information sending device comprises a radio-frequency identification device (RFID) tag associated with the at least one object.

19. The data communication hub according to claim 11, wherein the characteristics relating to the at least one object comprises at least one of size, brand, purchase date and expiration date of the at least one object.

20. A system for locally managing a presentation of content to a user in a premises, the system comprising:

a first display device;

at least one electronic information sending device associated with at least one object in the premises; and

a data communication hub comprising at least one input configured to receive first source content from a first content provider and broadcast electronic information from the at least one electronic information sending device, with the broadcast electronic information configured to provide an identification of a type of the at least one object and descriptive information providing characteristics about the at least one object, and at least one processor having software that, when executed on the processor, causes the processor to;

interpret the first source content to identify data content within the first source content,

update user profile information associated with a user of the data communication hub with the identified data content that indicates items of interest to the user and relating to the first source content,

generate a pre-designated search based on the user profile information that includes the indicated items of interest to the user and related to the received first source content,

interpret the descriptive information about the at least one object to identify the type of the at least one object and associated metadata indicating the provided characteristics relating to the at least one object,

after the at least one object and the associated metadata are identified based on the descriptive information, automatically refine the pre-designated search query based on the identified type of the at least one object and the associated metadata with the provided characteristics relating to the at least one object to configure the pre-designated search query to identify content to be displayed on a first display device;

identify second source content for display in the premises using the refined search query,

select and receive the identified second source content from a data source that is a second content provider; and

transmit, by at least one output of the data communication hub, the received second source content to the first display device in the premises to be displayed thereon,

wherein the first display device is a device different than the at least one electronic information sending device.

21. The system for locally managing a presentation of content according to claim 20, wherein the software, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to determine additional content that is complementary or alternative content that is different than the identified second source content identified by the data communication hub.

22. The system for locally managing a presentation of data content according to claim 21, further comprising a second display device,

wherein the software, when executed by the processor of the data communication hub, further causes the processor to coordinately transmit the identified second source content to the first display device in the premises to be presented thereon and the determined additional content that is different than the first or second source content to the second display device in the premises to be presented by a user interface of a software application running on the second display device, such that the first display device displays the identified second source content that is related and different than the determined additional content displayed on the second display device.

23. The system for locally managing a presentation of data content according to claim 22, wherein the software, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to:

receive at least one command input to the user interface of the software application running on the second display device;

interpret the at least one command input; and

generate and transmit at least one instruction to at least one electronic device in the premises to control an operation thereof.

24. The system for locally managing a presentation of data content according to claim 22, wherein the second display device comprises a navigation tool configured to receive at least a portion of the determined additional content to be displayed thereon, and wherein the navigation tool is configured to generate and transmit control instructions to the first display device to control a display on the first display device of the metadata relating to the at least one object and the identified second source content in order to provide a coordinated presentation of information on the first and second display devices.

25. The system for locally managing a presentation of data content according to claim 20, wherein the at least one input of the data communication hub is configured to wirelessly receive the descriptive information about the at least one object from the at least one electronic information sending device.

26. The system for locally managing a presentation of data content according to claim 25, wherein the at least one electronic data sending device comprises a radio-frequency identification device (RFID) tag associated with the at least one object.