Method and system for providing customized media content

• US 20040117828A1
• Filed: 12/16/2002
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hiser, Randolph Keith, Hulett, Rick, Huey, Brian Michael, Parker, Benjamin James
• Granted Patent: US 8,893,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2381 Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• 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 21/2668 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 21/44224 Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6405 Multicasting data broadcast and multicast in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

The invention is a method and system for customizing media content distributed by a multicast network based on a stored user profile. A new high quality video distribution method is disclosed. A new system supporting targeted, interactive advertising is taught. The tracking of media content consumed in the home is enabled. Media content producers are provided with a new connection to media content consumers. Unwanted media channels are no longer distributed to a customer.

Claims

1. A method for providing customized media service, comprising:

receiving media content from a content provider;

converting the media content into an Internet-usable format;

selectively limiting access to the converted media content based on a user profile; and

delivering the selectively-limited, converted media content to at least one receiving device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the content provider comprises at least one of the following:

a computer, a cable television provider, a satellite programming provider, a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player, a Compact Disc (CD) player, a Mini Disc (MD) player, a Video Cassette Recorder/Player (VCR), a television studio, a movie studio, a production studio, a media archive, and a radio programming provider.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the Internet-usable format includes a format adhering to an Internet-networking protocol.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the selectively limiting access to the converted media content includes receiving a plurality of media preferences to populate the user profile.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the media preferences include a selection from the group comprising:

channel preferences, language preferences;

genre preferences, service-duration preferences, and format preferences.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving the plurality of media preferences includes receiving data from a data-entry component.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the data-entry component comprises at least one of the following:

a computer, a terminal, computer executable code that monitors and reports user activity, a kiosk, a web site, a telephone, a television, a speaker, and a default-settings programming device.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising storing the user profile in a computer-readable medium.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising logging the delivered, selectively-limited, converted media content for billing purposes.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein delivering the selectively-limited, converted media content includes communicating the converted media content to the receiving device over a multicast network.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein delivering the selectively-limited, converted media content further includes communicating the converted media content to the receiving device over a communications network operationally coupled to the multicast network.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the communications network includes a telephone-service network.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the receiving device comprises at least one of the following:

a television, a DSLAM, a set-top device, a personal data assistant, a personal communications system, a telephony device, a consumer-electronics device, and a computer.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing for the reception of user input via the receiving device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the user input comprises at least one of the following:

transaction information, the media preferences, presentation preferences, an information request, a menu-navigation selection, a message, and purchasing information;

wherein said presentation preferences comprise channel line-up preferences.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising delivering customized advertising content to the receiving device based on the user input.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing video-on-demand via the multicast network.

18. A method for providing media content to one or more receiving devices in a communications networking environment, comprising:

receiving a request from an end user for a media selection;

storing the request in an profile associated with the end-user;

receiving the media selection from a media content-storage system;

converting the media selection into an Internet-usable format; and

delivering the converted media selection to the one or more receiving devices.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the content-storage system comprises at least one of the following:

a computer, a cable television provider, a satellite programming provider, a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player, a Compact Disc (CD) player, a Mini Disc (MD) player, a Video Cassette Recorder/Player (VCR), a television studio, a movie studio, a production studio, a media archive, and a radio programming provider.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the Internet-usable format includes a format adhering to an Internet-networking protocol.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein delivering the converted media content includes communicating the converted media content to the receiving device over a multicast network.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein delivering the converted media content further includes communicating the converted media content to the receiving device over a communications network operationally coupled to the multicast network.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the communications network includes a telephone-service network.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the receiving device comprises at least one of the following:

a television, a DSLAM, a set top device, a personal data assistant, a personal communications system, a telephony device, a consumer-electronics device, and a computer.

25. A computer-readable medium containing computer-usable instructions embodied thereon for causing one or more computers to perform a method of providing customized media service, the method comprising:

receiving media content in an Internet-usable format from a media content source;

referencing a user-profile database to customize the media content; and

communicating a portion of the media content based on the user-profile database to a receiving device.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the Internet-usable format includes a format adhering to an Internet-networking protocol.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the user profile database contains media preferences comprise at least one of the following:

television-channel preferences, language preferences;

genre preferences, service-duration preferences, viewing preferences, topic preferences, ratings preferences, actor preferences, style preferences, era preferences, artist preferences, protocol preferences, and format preferences.

28. A system for providing customized media service, comprising:

media-content conditioning component (MCCC) for receiving raw media content and converting the raw media content into an Internet-usable format;

a user-profiles database coupled to the MCCC;

a video server operationally coupled to the user-profiles database for communicating with the user-profiles database, for receiving and storing the converted media content, and for selectively limiting access to the converted media content; and

a multicast network operationally coupled to the video server for delivering the selectively-limited, converted media content to and communicating with at least one receiving device.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the MCCC includes a decryptor.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the MCCC includes a demodulator operationally coupled to the decryptor.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the MCCC includes a transrater operationally coupled to the demodulator.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the Internet-usable format includes a format adhering to an Internet-networking protocol.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the selectively limiting access to the converted media content includes receiving a plurality of media preferences to populate the user profile.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the media preferences include a selection from the group comprising:

television-channel preferences, language preferences;

genre preferences, service-duration preferences, viewing preferences, topic preferences, ratings preferences, actor preferences, style preferences, era preferences, artist preferences, protocol preferences, and format preferences.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein receiving the plurality of media preferences includes receiving data from a data-entry component.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the data-entry component comprises at least one of the following:

a computer, a terminal, computer executable code that monitors and reports user activity, a kiosk, a telephone, a television, a speaker, a consumer-electronics device, and a default-settings programming device.

37. The system of claim 36, further comprising a receiving device operationally coupled to the multicast network.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the receiving device comprises at least one of the following:

a television, a display device, a personal data assistant, a personal communications system, a telephony device, a consumer-electronics device, and a computer.

39. The system of claim 38, further comprising a communications network operationally coupled to the multicast network.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the communications network includes a telephone-service network.

41. A system for providing customized media service, comprising:

a receiving means for receiving media content from a content provider;

a converting means for converting the media content into an Internet-usable format;

a filtering means for selectively limiting access to the converted media content based on a user profile; and

a delivering means for delivering the selectively-limited, converted media content to at least one receiving device.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the content provider comprises at least one of the following:

a computer, a cable television provider, a satellite programming provider, a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player, a Compact Disc (CD) player, a Mini Disc (MD) player, a Video Cassette Recorder/Player (VCR), a television studio, a movie studio, a production studio, a media archive, and a radio programming provider.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the Internet-usable format includes a format adhering to an Internet-networking protocol.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the filtering means includes a preference means for receiving a plurality of media preferences to populate the user profile.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the media preferences include a selection from the group comprising:

channel preferences, language preferences;

genre preferences, service-duration preferences, and format preferences.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the preference means includes a means for receiving data from a data-entry component.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the data-entry component comprises at least one of the following:

a computer, a terminal, computer executable code that monitors and reports user activity, a kiosk, a telephone, a television, a speaker, and a default-settings programming device.

48. The system of claim 47, further comprising a storage means for storing the user profile in a computer-readable medium.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the delivering means further includes a means for communicating the converted media content to aid receiving device over a multicast network.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the delivering means further includes a means for communicating the converted media content to the receiving device over a communications network operationally coupled to the multicast network.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the communications network includes a telephone-service network.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the receiving device comprises at least one of the following:

a television, a display device, a personal data assistant, a personal communications system, a telephony device, a consumer-electronics device, and a computer.

53. The system of claim 52, further comprising a user-input-reception means for the reception of user input via the receiving device.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the user input comprises at least one of the following:

transaction information, the media preferences, an information request, a menu-navigation selection, and purchasing information.

55. The system of claim 54, further comprising an advertising means for delivering customized advertising to the receiving device based on the user input.