Daypart guide workflow

• US 20050050070A1
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Sheldon, Andrew K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,716,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• 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 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Advertising templates, and request for corresponding multimedia programs that are available for distribution to third parties during a time period, are transmitted to content providers who respond by sending ad elements corresponding to the advertising templates. Daypart guides showing particular ad elements are designed for a particular headend and daypart. Each daypart guide is available to viewers serviced by the particular headend only during the time of day corresponding to the daypart. Viewers of the daypart guide select one of the ad elements each of which is navigationally linked to a display request page for the corresponding multimedia program from which the viewer can request to initiate a real time distribution thereof.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving requested multimedia programs and corresponding ad elements that are available during a time period for real time distribution to third parties respective associated with network resources;

forming a plurality of daypart guides each having selections of;

one or more said ad elements assembled into a template for the daypart guide;

a navigational link from each said selected ad element to a real time distribution request page for a corresponding said multimedia program;

a predetermined time of day; and

one said network resource;

transmitting, correspondingly, each said formed daypart guide to the selected network resource before the predetermined time of day of any day during the time period;

receiving a daypart guide request from one said third party during a time of day during the time period;

determining which said formed daypart guide corresponds to the daypart guide request time; and

initiating a real time distribution of the determined said day part guide to the one said third party from the selected network resource that is associated with the one said third party.

2. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising transmitting the multimedia programs corresponding to the selected ad elements to the correspondingly selected network resource prior to the time period.

3. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request from the one said third party for a real time distribution of one said multimedia program, wherein the request is initiated by;

input selecting one said ad element in the determined said day part guide;

a transmission to the one said third party of the real time distribution request page linked to the selected ad; and

input making the request from the real time distribution request page;

initiating the real time distribution of the requested multimedia program to the one said third party from the associated network resource.

4. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving transmissions from a plurality of content providers each including information regarding a plurality of multimedia programs available for real time distribution to third parties during respective time periods; and

receiving input to make said requests for, and corresponding to, the multimedia programs.

5. A method as described in claim 1, wherein each said transmitting and receiving is performed through the internet.

6. A method as described in claim 1, wherein each said multimedia program is selected from the group consisting of a pay per view, a video on demand, and a multimedia advertisement.

7. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the real time distribution request page contains information regarding the corresponding multimedia program that is selected from the group consisting of:

a title of the multimedia program;

the time of day;

a genre;

the name of a corresponding content provider;

a studio corresponding to the multimedia program;

preview availability for the multimedia program;

the run time for the multimedia program;

the type of the multimedia program;

a value for box office revenue for the multimedia program;

a rating value for the multimedia program;

a suggested retail price; and

a combination of the foregoing.

8. A method as described in claim 1, wherein each said multimedia program further comprises a preview of the multimedia program.

9. A method as described in claim 1, wherein:

each said real time distribution request page is a storefront page; and

each said daypart guide is a storefront page.

10. A method as described in claim 1, wherein:

each said real time distribution request page is a markup language page; and

the daypart guide is a markup language page.

11. A method as described in claim 1, wherein each said ad element contains objects selected from the group consisting of a title, a textual description, an image associated with the multimedia program corresponding thereto, and a combination thereof.

12. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the transmitting, correspondingly, each said formed daypart guide to the selected network resource before the predetermined time of day of any day during the time period further comprises an interactive scheduling routine for each said selected network resource that corresponds to the predetermined time of day.

13. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the forming a plurality of daypart guides comprises an interactive scheduling routine for each said selected network resource that corresponds to the predetermined time of day.

14. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the interactive scheduling routine comprises selecting from among the ads, for arrangement into a template for each said daypart guide, those having a corresponding said multimedia program likely to be desirable for viewing by the third parties at the predetermined time of day.

15. A method as described in claim 1, wherein:

each said selected network resource is selected from the group consisting of;

a carousel;

a headend;

a plurality of headends;

a server;

a production server;

a staging and preview server; and

a combination of the foregoing;

each said third party is selected from the group consisting of;

a client device;

a set top box for cable TV;

a set top box for satellite TV; and

a personal computer.

16. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the predetermined time of day is a daypart.

17. A method as described in claim 16, wherein the daypart is selected from the group consisting of morning, daytime, early fringe, primetime, late news, late fringe, weekend access, and weekend late night.

18. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the predetermined time of day is a continuous block of time that is not less than fifteen minutes and that is not more than a daypart.

19. A method as described in claim 18, wherein the daypart is selected from the group consisting of morning, daytime, early fringe, primetime, late news, late fringe, weekend access, and weekend late night.

20. A computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the method of claim 1.

21. A method comprising:

transmitting to content providers;

requests for, and corresponding to, multimedia programs that are available for distribution to third parties during a time period; and

ad element templates that correspond to a template for a daypart guide;

receiving transmissions from the content providers that include ad elements, wherein each said ad element;

conforms to a corresponding said ad element template; and

corresponds to one said multimedia program;

receiving input selecting a network resource, the time period of availability, and one or more of the multimedia programs;

transmitting to a selected network resource, prior to the corresponding time period of availability, the selected multimedia programs;

receiving input to form the daypart guide by selections of;

one or more said ad elements assembled into the template for the daypart guide;

a navigational link from each said selected ad element to a display request page for a corresponding said selected multimedia program; and

a predetermined time of day for the formed daypart guide;

transmitting the formed daypart guide to the selected network resource in advance of the predetermined time of day of any day during the corresponding time period of availability of the selected multimedia programs;

receiving a request for the formed day part guide from one said third party during;

the predetermined time of day; and

the corresponding time period of availability of the selected multimedia programs;

initiating a real time distribution of the formed daypart guide to the one said third party from the selected network resource.

22. A method as described in claim 21, further comprising:

receiving a request from the one said third party for a real time distribution of one said multimedia program, wherein the request is initiated by;

input selecting one said ad element in the formed daypart guide;

a transmission to the one said third party of the display request page linked to the selected ad element; and

input making the request from the display request page;

initiating the real time distribution of the requested multimedia program to the one said third party from the selected network resource.

23. A method as described in claim 21, further comprising:

receiving transmissions from a plurality of content providers each including information regarding a plurality of multimedia programs available for real time distribution to third parties during respective time periods; and

receiving input to make said requests for, and corresponding to, the multimedia programs.

24. A method as described in claim 21, wherein each said transmission is performed through the internet.

25. A method as described in claim 21, wherein each said multimedia program is selected from the group consisting of a pay per view, a video on demand, and a multimedia advertisement.

26. A method as described in claim 21, wherein the display request page contains information regarding the multimedia program that is selected from the group consisting of:

a title of the multimedia program;

the time of day;

a genre;

the name of the corresponding content provider;

a studio corresponding to the multimedia program;

a preview availability for the multimedia program;

the run time for the multimedia program;

the type of the multimedia program;

a value for a box office revenue for the multimedia program;

a suggested retail price;

a rating value for the multimedia program; and

a combination of the foregoing.

27. A method as described in claim 21, wherein each said multimedia program further comprises a preview of the multimedia program.

28. A method as described in claim 21, wherein:

each said display request page is a storefront pages; and

the daypart guide is a storefront page.

29. A method as described in claim 21, wherein:

each said display request page is a markup language page; and

the daypart guide is a markup language page.

30. A method as described in claim 21, wherein each said ad element contains objects selected from the group consisting of a title, a textual description, an image associated with the multimedia program corresponding thereto, and a combination thereof.

31. A method as described in claim 21, wherein the transmitting the formed daypart guide to the selected network resource further comprises an interactive scheduling routine for the selected network resource that corresponds to the predetermined time of day.

32. A method as described in claim 21, wherein the receiving input to form the daypart guide further comprises an interactive scheduling routine for the selected network resource that corresponds to the predetermined time of day.

33. A method as described in claim 32, wherein the interactive scheduling routine comprises selecting from among the ad elements, for arrangement into one said template for the daypart guide, those having a corresponding said multimedia program likely to be desirable for viewing by the third parties at the predetermined time of day.

34. A method as described in claim 21, wherein:

each said selected network resource is selected from the group consisting of;

a carousel;

a headend;

a plurality of headends;

a server;

a production server;

a staging and preview server; and

a combination of the foregoing;

each said third party is selected from the group consisting of;

a client device;

a set top box for cable TV;

a set top box for satellite TV; and

a personal computer.

35. A method as described in claim 21, wherein the predetermined time of day is a daypart.

36. A method as described in claim 35, wherein the daypart is selected from the group consisting of morning, daytime, early fringe, primetime, late news, late fringe, weekend access, and weekend late night.

37. A method as described in claim 21, wherein the predetermined time of day is a continuous block of time that is not less than fifteen minutes and that is not more than a daypart.

38. A method as described in claim 37, wherein the daypart is selected from the group consisting of morning, daytime, early fringe, primetime, late news, late fringe, weekend access, and weekend late night.

39. A computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the method of claim 21.

40. A entertainment system comprising:

means for sending advertising templates, and requests for corresponding multimedia programs that are available for licensed distribution to third parties during a time period, to content providers;

means for the content providers to response by sending ad elements corresponding to the advertising templates;

means for forming daypart guides showing particular ones of the ad elements, wherein each said daypart guide;

corresponds to a particular headend and daypart; and

is available to viewers serviced by the particular headend only during the time of day corresponding to the daypart;

means for a viewer of the daypart guide to select one said ad element of one said daypart guide, wherein each selected said ad element is navigationally linked to a display request page for the corresponding multimedia program; and

means for the viewer of the display request page to request to initiate a real time distribution of the corresponding multimedia program.

41. The entertainment system as described in claim 40, further comprising means for real time distribution of the corresponding multimedia program from the particular headend for viewing by the requesting viewer.

42. A system comprising:

means for receiving requested multimedia programs and corresponding ad elements that are available during a time period for real time distribution to third parties respective associated with network resources;

means for forming a plurality of daypart guides each having selections of;

one or more said ad elements assembled into a template for the daypart guide;

a navigational link from each said selected ad element to a real time distribution request page for a corresponding said multimedia program;

a predetermined time of day; and

one said network resource;

means for transmitting, correspondingly, each said formed daypart guide to the selected network resource before the predetermined time of day of any day during the time period;

means for receiving a daypart guide request from one said third party during a time of day during the time period;

means for determining which said formed daypart guide corresponds to the daypart guide request time; and

means for initiating a real time distribution of the determined said day part guide to the one said third party from the selected network resource that is associated with the one said third party.

43. The system as described in claim 42, further comprising means for transmitting the multimedia programs corresponding to the selected ad elements to the correspondingly selected network resource prior to the time period.

44. The system as described in claim 42, further comprising:

means for receiving a request from the one said third party for a real time distribution of one said multimedia program, wherein the request is initiated by;

input selecting one said ad element in the determined said day part guide;

a transmission to the one said third party of the real time distribution request page linked to the selected ad; and

input making the request from the real time distribution request page;

means for initiating the real time distribution of the requested multimedia program to the one said third party from the associated network resource.

45. The system as described in claim 42, further comprising:

means for receiving transmissions from a plurality of content providers each including information regarding a plurality of multimedia programs available for real time distribution to third parties during respective time periods; and

means for receiving input to make said requests for, and corresponding to, the multimedia programs.

46. The system as described in claim 42, wherein each said means for transmitting and means for receiving is performed through the internet.

47. The system as described in claim 42, wherein each said multimedia program is selected from the group consisting of a pay per view, a video on demand, and a multimedia advertisement.

48. The system as described in claim 42, wherein the real time distribution request page contains information regarding the corresponding multimedia program that is selected from the group consisting of:

a title of the multimedia program;

the time of day;

a genre;

the name of a corresponding content provider;

a studio corresponding to the multimedia program;

preview availability for the multimedia program;

the run time for the multimedia program;

the type of the multimedia program;

a value for box office revenue for the multimedia program;

a suggested retail price;

a rating value for the multimedia program; and

a combination of the foregoing.

49. The system as described in claim 42, wherein each said multimedia program further comprises a preview of the multimedia program.

50. The system as described in claim 42, wherein:

each said real time distribution request page is a storefront page; and

each said daypart guide is a storefront page.

51. The system as described in claim 42, wherein:

each said real time distribution request page is a markup language page; and

the daypart guide is a markup language page.

52. The system as described in claim 42, wherein each said ad element contains objects selected from the group consisting of a title, a textual description, an image associated with the multimedia program corresponding thereto, and a combination thereof.

53. The system as described in claim 42, wherein the means for transmitting, correspondingly, each said formed daypart guide to the selected network resource before the predetermined time of day of any day during the time period further comprises means for interactive scheduling of each said selected network resource that corresponds to the predetermined time of day.

54. The system as described in claim 42, wherein the means for forming a plurality of daypart guides comprises means for interactive scheduling of each said selected network resource that corresponds to the predetermined time of day.

55. A system as described in claim 54, wherein the means for interactive scheduling comprises means for selecting from among the ads, for arrangement into a template for each said daypart guide, those having a corresponding said multimedia program likely to be desirable for viewing by the third parties at the predetermined time of day.

56. The system as described in claim 42, wherein:

each said selected network resource is selected from the group consisting of;

a carousel;

a headend;

a plurality of headends;

a server;

a production server;

a staging and preview server; and

a combination of the foregoing;

each said third party is selected from the group consisting of;

a client device;

a set top box for cable TV;

a set top box for satellite TV; and

a personal computer.

57. The system as described in claim 42, wherein the predetermined time of day is a daypart.

58. The system as described in claim 57, wherein the daypart is selected from the group consisting of morning, daytime, early fringe, primetime, late news, late fringe, weekend access, and weekend late night.

59. The system as described in claim 42, wherein the predetermined time of day is a continuous block of time that is not less than fifteen minutes and that is not more than a daypart.

60. The system as described in claim 42, wherein the daypart is selected from the group consisting of morning, daytime, early fringe, primetime, late news, late fringe, weekend access, and weekend late night.

61. A headend for a multisystem operator, the headend comprising:

a network for real time communication with the multisystem operator and third parties;

storage, in communication with the headend, for a plurality daypart guides each including;

a time of day during which the daypart guide can be communicated, via the means for real time communication, from the headend to said third parties requesting same;

an arrangement of a plurality of ad elements; and

a navigational link from each said ad element to a real time distribution request page for a corresponding multimedia program;

logic for performing the real time communication, wherein the real time communication with the third parties includes;

receiving, at a request time, a daypart guide request from one said third party;

determining which of the daypart guides corresponds to the daypart guide request; and

initiating a real time distribution of the determined said day part guide to the one said third party via the network.

62. The headend as defined in claim 61, wherein:

the storage includes each said multimedia program corresponding to each said ad element; and

the real time communication further comprises;

receiving a request from the one said third party for a real time distribution of one said multimedia program, wherein the request is initiated by;

input selecting one said ad element in the determined said day part guide;

a transmission to the one said third party of the real time distribution request page linked to the selected ad; and

input making the request from the real time distribution request page;

initiating the real time distribution of the requested multimedia program via the network from the storage to the one said third party.

63. The headend as described in claim 61, wherein the real time communication further comprises receiving transmissions from a multisystem operator that include:

the daypart guides; and

each said multimedia program corresponding to each said ad element in the respective daypart guides.

64. The headend as described in claim 61, wherein each said multimedia program is selected from the group consisting of a pay per view, a video on demand, and a multimedia advertisement.

65. The headend as described in claim 61, wherein the real time distribution request page contains information regarding the corresponding multimedia program that is selected from the group consisting of:

a title of the multimedia program;

the time of day;

a genre;

the name of a corresponding content provider;

a studio corresponding to the multimedia program;

preview availability for the multimedia program;

the run time for the multimedia program;

the type of the multimedia program;

a value for box office revenue for the multimedia program;

a suggested retail price;

a rating value for the multimedia program; and

a combination of the foregoing.

66. The headend as described in claim 61, wherein each said multimedia program further comprises a preview of the multimedia program.

67. The headend as described in claim 61, wherein:

each said real time distribution request page is a storefront page; and

each said daypart guide is a storefront page.

68. The headend as described in claim 61, wherein:

each said real time distribution request page is a markup language page; and

the daypart guide is a markup language page.

69. The headend as described in claim 61, wherein each said ad element contains objects selected from the group consisting of a title, a textual description, an image associated with the multimedia program corresponding thereto, and a combination thereof.

70. The headend as described in claim 61, wherein each said third party is selected from the group consisting of:

a client device;

a set top box for receiving a communication service; and

a personal computer.

71. The headend as described in claim 61, wherein the time of day during which the daypart guide can be communicated, via the means for real time communication, from the headend to said third parties requesting same is a daypart.

72. The headend as described in claim 71, wherein the daypart is selected from the group consisting of morning, daytime, early fringe, primetime, late news, late fringe, weekend access, and weekend late night.

73. The headend as described in claim 61, wherein the time of day during which the daypart guide can be communicated, via the means for real time communication, from the headend to said third parties requesting same is a continuous block of time that is not less than fifteen minutes and that is not more than a daypart.

74. The headend as described in claim 73, wherein the daypart is selected from the group consisting of morning, daytime, early fringe, primetime, late news, late fringe, weekend access, and weekend late night.

75. A user interface comprising a panel depicted on a display screen to depict one or more video on demand (VOD) ads each:

corresponding to a VOD that is available for distribution to each of a plurality of subscribing viewers from an associated headend during a calendar period;

being distributed to the plurality of subscribing viewers for display on the panel only during a predetermined daypart, or portion thereof, within the calendar period; and

being selectable by input received from each subscribing viewer to initiate a real time distribution of the corresponding VOD to the subscribing viewer making the input selection.

76. A user interface comprising a daypart guide display screen to depict one or more video on demand (VOD) ads each having a corresponding navigational link to a real time distribution request page for a corresponding VOD that is available for distribution to each subscribing viewer from an associated headend during any day of a calendar period, wherein each said VOD ad:

distributed by the associated headend to each subscribing viewer for display on the daypart guide display screen only during a predetermined daypart, or portion thereof, within any day during the calendar period; and

is selectable by each subscribing viewer to initiate a linking from the VOD ad via the corresponding navigational link to the corresponding real time distribution request page for the corresponding VOD from the associated headend, wherein the corresponding real time distribution request page includes a navigational link selectable by each subscribing viewer to initiate a real time distribution of the corresponding VOD to the subscribing viewer making the selection.

77. The user interface as defined in claim 76, wherein the real time distribution request page comprises a video storefront for the corresponding VOD that is navigated to when the subscribing viewer selects the VOD ad.

78. A user interface comprising:

a first panel depicted on a display screen to depict one or more video on demand (VOD) ads each;

having a corresponding navigational link to a real time distribution request page for a corresponding VOD that is available for distribution to each subscribing viewer from an associated headend during any day of a calendar period; and

being distributed by the associated headend to each subscribing viewer for the first panel displayed on the display screen only during a predetermined daypart, or portion thereof, within any day during the calendar period;

a second panel depicted on the display screen to depict the real time distribution request page for the corresponding VOD that is available for distribution from the associated headend to each subscribing viewer that selects the corresponding VOD ad from the first panel.

79. The user interface as defined in claim 78, wherein the real time distribution request page comprises a video storefront for the corresponding VOD.

80. A user interface for a daypart guide comprising a display including one or more ad elements each having a corresponding navigational link to a real time distribution request page for a corresponding multimedia program that is available for distribution to viewers from an associated network resource during any day during a specific time period, wherein each said ad element:

is coordinated by the network resource to be in the display only during a predetermined time of day within any day during the specific time period of availability of the corresponding multimedia program; and

is viewer selectable to initiate a linking from the ad element via the corresponding navigational link to the corresponding real time distribution request page for the corresponding multimedia program from the associated network resource.

81. A video on demand (VOD) system comprising:

means for executing a browser application to display;

a daypart guide depicting one or more VOD ads each;

having a corresponding navigational link to a real time distribution request page for a corresponding VOD that is available for distribution to a subscribing viewer from an associated headend during any day of a calendar period; and

being displayed on the daypart guide only during a predetermined daypart, or portion thereof, within the calendar period;

the real time distribution request page for the corresponding VOD that is available for distribution from the associated headend to the subscribing viewer upon selection of the corresponding VOD ad from the daypart guide;

means for receiving input from the subscribing viewer to the means for executing the browser application;

means for interpreting the input as a selection from the subscribing viewer; and

means for applying each said selection, via the use of the means for receiving input, to initiate;

the display of the daypart guide; and

the display of the real time distribution request page via input selecting one said VOD ad displayed on the daypart guide; and

the real time distribution of the corresponding VOD to the subscribing viewer making input to the real time distribution request page for the corresponding VOD.

82. The VOD system as defined in claim 81, wherein the real time distribution request page comprises a video storefront corresponding to the selected one said VOD ad displayed on the daypart guide.

83. A video on demand (VOD) system, comprising:

a set top box having memory, a processor, and an input device; and

a browser application stored in the memory and executed on the processor to;

display a daypart guide depicted on a display screen to depict a plurality of VOD ads each corresponding one VOD;

facilitate a selection, via use of the input device by a subscribing viewer, one said VOD ad, wherein each said VOD ad;

corresponds to a VOD that is available for distribution to the subscribing viewer from an associated headend during a calendar period;

is displayed on the daypart guide only during a predetermined daypart, or portion thereof, within the calendar period; and

is selectable by the subscribing viewer to initiate the real time distribution of the corresponding VOD to the subscribing viewer.

84. The VOD system as defined in claim 83, wherein the browser application is executed on the processor to:

display a real time distribution request page for the corresponding VOD upon the selection of the corresponding one said VOD ad; and

receive the real time distribution of the corresponding VOD to the subscribing viewer from the associated headend upon a requesting input received via the input device during the display of the real time distribution request page.

85. The VOD system as defined in claim 83, wherein the real time distribution request page comprises a video storefront for the corresponding VOD upon the selection of the corresponding one said VOD ad.