Personalized video entertainment system

• US 20060010467A1
• Filed: 07/12/2004
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Segel, Jonathan Dean
• Granted Patent: US 7,627,824 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23424 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for inserting or substituting an advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26616 for merging a unicast channel into a multicast channel, e.g. in a VOD application, when a client served by unicast channel catches up a multicast channel to save bandwidth data multicast over packet-switching network H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• 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 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44016 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for substituting a video clip
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4667 Processing of monitored end-user data, e.g. trend analysis based on the log file of viewer selections
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand

Abstract

One or more content sequences are created from a store of video content, which could simply be broadcast content which has been captured and stored at a server within a network. The content sequences are generated according to the viewer'"'"'s specified, or demonstrated, viewing preferences. The viewer preferences are captured form entry by the user themselves, or by observation of their viewing habits. Multiple ‘users’ per household and multiple content sequences per viewer are possible. A content sequences is then streamed to the viewer, and looks to him/her just like a TV channel: when one program ends, another starts automatically. It is also possible for a viewer to select an item within the content sequence using an interactive program controller.

Claims

1. A video server for enabling personalized entertainment on a video terminal, comprising:

means for generating a viewer preference (VP) profile;

means for constructing a personalized content sequence by selecting a plurality of eligible video content items from a plurality of video content items using said VP profile;

a control unit for controlling selection and ordering of said plurality of eligible video content items within said personalized content sequence, and controlling transfer of a selected video content item of said personalized content sequence to said video terminal;

a user interface for transmitting video content selection commands from said video terminal to said video server, transmitting said selected video content item from said video server to said video terminal and transmitting video content feedback messages to said video server; and

an interface to a video content storage for storing said plurality of video content items and a content descriptor file associated with each video content items for describing said video content item.

2. The video server of claim 1, further comprising a network interface for receiving said plurality of video content items from one or more video content sources.

3. The video server of claim 1, wherein said means for generating comprises a profile generator for generating said VP profile based on viewer preference information, and updating said VP profile based on said viewer feedback messages.

4. The video server of claim 3, wherein said means for generating further comprises a recommender unit for processing data from said viewer preference profile and said content descriptor and generating a recommended content sequence.

5. The video server of claim 3, wherein said VP profile is a collection of selection criteria for identifying said selected video content item.

6. The video server of claim 4, wherein said means for constructing comprises a content selector for including into said content sequence all said eligible video content items based on said VP profile.

7. The video server of claim 1, wherein said content descriptor files are searchable for enabling identification of said selected video content item.

8. The video server of claim 1, wherein said personalized content sequence further comprises a preview file for each video content item.

9. The video server of claim 1, wherein said user interface includes:

a graphical user interface (GUI) for displaying on said video terminal a screen showing along one orthogonal axis all content sequences of said set and on a second orthogonal axis all content items in each said content sequence;

means for browsing said screen for uncovering said preferred video content item; and

means for transmitting said preferred video content item to said video terminal,

wherein said eligible content items are described on said screen using a high-level summary.

10. The video server of claim 9, wherein said eligible content items are described on said screen using a synopsis-level summary or a content item preview.

11. A program controller for controlling access of a video terminal to a video server, comprising:

an interactive user interface for selecting a preferred video content item from a preferred content sequence and controlling delivery of said preferred video content item on said video terminal; and

an interface to said video terminal for enabling transmission and reception of commands and preference messages between said video terminal and said program controller.

12. The program controller of claim 11, wherein said interactive user interface comprises:

an alphanumeric keypad for generating and transmitting alphanumeric messages to said video server;

a plurality of basic functions control buttons for controlling operational parameters of said video terminal; and

a first set of content selection buttons for selecting a preferred video content item and controlling delivery of said preferred video content item.

13. The program controller of claim 12, wherein said first set comprises:

sequence type selection means for electing a personal content sequence from a plurality of content sequences available at said video server; and

item selection means for electing said preferred video content item from said personal content sequence.

14. The program controller of claim 13, wherein said sequence type selection means comprises a sequence type control button for triggering display of a content sequence list with said plurality of content sequences, and for enabling browsing of said content sequence list for enabling selection of said personal content sequence.

15. The program controller of claim 14, wherein said sequence type selection means further comprises a profile selector, for enabling selection of said selected content sequence form a plurality of content sequences available for said video terminal.

16. The program controller of claim 14, wherein said item selection means comprises an item control button for triggering display of all content items in said personal content sequence, browsing said personal content sequence and selecting said preferred video content item.

17. The program controller of claim 14, wherein said sequence type selection means further comprises a synopsis view button for enabling display of information describing a selected video content item.

18. The program controller of claim 14, wherein said sequence type selection means further comprises a preview button for enabling display of a preview for a selected video content item.

19. The program controller of claim 12, wherein said interactive user interface further comprises a second set of viewer preference buttons for providing said video server with user preferences messages about said preferred video content item.

20. The program controller of claim 19, wherein said second set comprises:

preference stating means for transmitting to said video server a direct vote on personal appreciation regarding said preferred video content item;

one or more comments buttons for transmitting to said video server answers to questions regarding personal characterization of said preferred video content item.

21. The program controller of claim 20, wherein said preference stating means comprises an approval and a disapproval button.

22. The program controller of claim 20, wherein said preference stating means comprises a favorite button.

23. The program controller of claim 11, wherein said interactive user interface further comprises a view mode button for enabling said video terminal to request and select said preferred video content item directly from a content storage at said video server, whether said video content item was included in said video content sequence or not.

24. The program controller of claim 11, wherein said interactive user interface further comprises a set of profile buttons for enabling selection of a content sequence out of a plurality of content sequences assigned to said video terminal.

25. The program controller of claim 11, wherein, when said video terminal is a TV set, said interactive user interface is implemented as a TV remote controller, and said video interface is implemented as a set-top device.

26. The program controller of claim 11, wherein, when said video terminal is a computer monitor, said interactive user interface is implemented as a keyboard.

27. A video system for provisioning personalized entertainment on a video terminal, comprising:

a video storage for storing a plurality of video content items received from one or more video service providers and a content descriptor file associated with each said video content item;

a video server for creating a personalized content sequence from said video content items, controlling access of said video terminal to said content sequence, and controlling storage and retrieval of said plurality of video content items to/from said video storage; and

an access multiplexer with multiple ports, a port for connecting said video terminal to said video server over a local data network.

28. The system of claim 27, further comprising an aggregation interface connected to one or more communication networks for routing said plurality of video content items to said video server.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein said video server comprises:

means for generating a viewer preference profile according to viewing patterns identified for said video terminal;

means for constructing a content sequence from a plurality of eligible video content items selected based on said viewer preference profile and said content description file; and

a control unit for controlling selection and order of said eligible video content items within said sequence, and controlling transfer of a selected video content item of said sequence to said video terminal.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein said local data network is a digital subscriber line (DSL) network, and said access multiplexer is a DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) for connecting a plurality of video terminals to said video server over said DSL network.

31. The system of claim 27, further comprising a satellite antenna for providing said video server with said plurality of video content items broadcast by a satellite TV provider.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein said video server comprises a cable TV interface for receiving said plurality of video content items broadcast by a cable TV provider.

33. The system of claim 27, wherein said video server comprises a high-speed modem for receiving said plurality of video content items from a network based video source.

34. A method of providing personalized video entertainment on a plurality of video terminals connected to a video server storing a plurality of video content items, comprising:

generating a viewer preference (VP) profile for a video terminal;

constructing a content sequence from eligible video content items identified using said VP profile; and

controlling transfer of said eligible content items in said content sequence to said video terminal.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of controlling comprises viewing video content items in said content sequence in a successive order provided by said video server, or in a preferred order selected at said video terminal.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of generating comprises collecting viewer preference information relevant to said video terminal;

and preparing a collection of selection criteria for identifying eligible video content items associated with said video terminal and storing said selection criteria in said VP profile.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said collection of selection criteria includes reliability factors that take into account the quality of said viewer feedback messages.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein said collection of selection criteria include external content item data appraisals and popularity metrics.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of constructing comprises preparing a set of content sequences for said video terminal, each content sequence comprising video content items of a genre specified in said VP profile.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of constructing comprises applying a selection algorithm to said plurality of video content items based on said VP profile.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said selection algorithm includes is one of the group of machine learning algorithms, pattern matching algorithms, fuzzy retrieval algorithms, genetic algorithms, collaborative filtering algorithms, Bayesian categorization algorithms, Pareto accumulation of preferences algorithms, Lexicographical prioritization algorithms, and weighted attribute ranking algorithm.

42. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of controlling comprises viewing said preferred video content item at a regular speed, scrolling back and forth within said preferred video content item, temporarily stopping viewing of said item of interest or canceling viewing of said item of interest.

43. The method of claim 34, further comprising updating said viewer preference profile based on viewer feedback data transmitted from video terminal to said video server.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said step of updating comprises:

collecting said viewer feedback data received from said video terminal; and

reapplying said selection algorithm for updating said VP profile based on said viewer feedback data.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said viewer feedback data is directly entered from said video terminal into said viewer preference profile.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein said step of collecting said viewer feedback data is automatically performed at said server based on the viewing patterns detected at said video server.

47. A method of providing personalized video entertainment on a plurality of video terminals connected to a video server storing a plurality of video content items, comprising:

generating a viewer preference (VP) profile for a video terminal;

constructing a content sequence from eligible video content items identified by said VP profile;

selecting a preferred video content item from said content sequence; and

controlling transfer of said preferred video content item from said video server to said video terminal.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said step of selecting comprises selecting a preferred content sequence form said set of content sequences for said video terminal, and then selecting said preferred video content item from said preferred content sequence.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein said step of selecting comprises:

displaying on said video terminal a screen showing along one orthogonal axis all content sequences of said set and on a second orthogonal axis all content items in each said content sequence;

browsing said screen for uncovering said preferred video content item; and

transmitting the identity of said preferred video content item to said video server.

50. The method of claim 47, wherein said step of selecting comprises, displaying on said video terminal a screen showing said content sequence and then browsing through all video content items in said content sequence.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein said step of selecting further comprises searching said content sequence based on user defined search criteria for locating said preferred video content item.