System and method for enhanced video selection

• US 20050228806A1
• Filed: 03/15/2005
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TiVo Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visible World Incorporated (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Haberman, Seth
• Granted Patent: US 9,396,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/58 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/738 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/74 Browsing; Visualisation therefor end-user interfaces for requesting or interacting with video content, e.g. video on demand interfaces or electronic program guides, H04N21/472
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/78 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/72 using electronic programme guides [EPG] focusing on identifying broadcast space time H04H60/39 ; menu type display of EPG in television receivers H04N21/47
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/73 using meta-information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• 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 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4438 Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• 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 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8153 comprising still images, e.g. texture, background image
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8549 : Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer retrieval in video databases by using presentations in form of a video summary G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 : between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A system and method for presenting video asset information to a viewer to assist the view in selecting a video asset for viewing. The video assets can be available from a plurality of different video asset sources, such as VOD (video on demand), PVR (personal video recorders) and broadcast (including over the air, cable, and satellite). Images from the video assets are displayed in a uniform manner, along with information about the video assets. The information includes data in a metadata category. The view can select one of the video assets for viewing, but also can navigate using metadata categories such as genre, actors, director etc. This allows a much easier and natural navigating and selection process for viewers.

Claims

1. A system for gathering video asset information for a user to assist said user in selecting a video asset for viewing, wherein said video assets are available from a plurality of different video asset sources, said system comprising:

a metadata component, to store data regarding said video assets available from said plurality of different video asset sources, said data grouped into at least one metadata category;

wherein at least some of said data is presented to said user to allow said user to select and view video assets irrespective of said video asset source.

2. The system of claim 1 further including:

a clip/still component to obtain and store at least one image associated with each video asset available from said plurality of different video asset sources.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said user may select which video asset sources are available for video assets.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein when said at least some data is presented to said user, said user may request a search for other video assets available from said plurality of different video asset sources which have associated data that substantially matches said presented at least some data, in said metadata category.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said user may select other video asset sources while requesting said search for other video assets based on said presented at least some data.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one image associated with a video asset is displayed to said user along with said at least some data.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said metadata categories include actor, director, genre, sport, league, team, player, or school.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said video asset sources include VOD, PVR, or contemporaneous or future broadcast video.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein if said user selects for viewing a video asset from a future broadcast video source, said system provides said user with an option of setting an alert to remind said viewer at a time proximate when said video asset can be viewed.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one image includes still clips, video clips, or trailers.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said system is ancillary to a first system assisting said user in selecting a video asset on a particular video asset source.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said system alerts said user if a selected video asset for viewing requires a format conversion in order to be viewed.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein if a same video asset is available from a plurality of video asset sources, said system includes a selection setting to determine from which video asset source said same video asset will be made available for viewing.

14. A method for gathering video asset information to assist a user in selecting a video asset for viewing, wherein said video assets are available from a plurality of different video asset sources, said method comprising:

obtaining data regarding said video assets available from said plurality of different video asset sources, wherein said data is grouped into at least one metadata category; and

presenting at least some of said data to said user to allow said user to select and view video assets irrespective of said video asset source.

15. The method of claim 14 further including:

obtaining at least one image associated with each video asset available from said plurality of different video asset sources, and presenting said at least one image in conjunction with said data to said user.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said user may select which video asset sources are available for video assets.

17. The method of claim 14 further including:

receiving a request from said user for other video assets available from said plurality of different video asset sources which have associated data that substantially matches said presented at least some data, in said metadata category.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said metadata categories include actor, director, genre, sport, league, team, player, or school.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein said video asset sources include VOD, PVR, or contemporaneous or future broadcast video.

20. A system for gathering video asset information for a user to assist said user in selecting a video asset for viewing, wherein said video assets are available from a plurality of different video asset sources, said system comprising:

an asset availability component to determine available video assets from said plurality of video asset sources;

a clip/still component to obtain and store at least one image associated with each video asset available from said plurality of different video asset sources;

a metadata component, to store data regarding said video assets available from said plurality of different video asset sources, said data grouped into at least one metadata category;

wherein at least some of said data is presented to said user along with at least one image associated with a video asset, to allow said user to select and view video assets irrespective of said video asset source;

wherein when said at least some data is presented to said user, said user may interact and request a search for other video assets available from said plurality of different video asset sources which have associated data that substantially matches said presented at least some data, in said metadata category.