Momentary Electronic Program Guide

• US 20080271078A1
• Filed: 04/30/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Taylor, Thomas H., Brown, David A., Sahami, Mehran, Patel, Manish G., Gupta, Neha, Blackburn, John, Gossweiler, Richard C.
• Application Number:
  US11/742,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20080271078A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/40
• 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 21/4532 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4826 using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score

Abstract

A computer-implemented method includes determining a time relative to a playing media program to insert a user notification, automatically generating a suggestion regarding a media program other than the playing media program to be presented to an audience member of the playing media program, providing, in a format for presentation on a user-related media player, the generated suggestion at the location in the playing media program, and causing the generation of a control that, when selected, performs an action related to the non-playing media program.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

determining a time relative to a playing media program to insert a user notification;

automatically generating a suggestion regarding a media program other than the playing media program to be presented to an audience member of the playing media program;

providing, in a format for presentation on a user-related media player, the generated suggestion at the location in the playing media program, and

causing the generation of a control that, when selected performs an action related to the non-playing media program.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining the time relative to the playing media program comprises selecting a time for display of the user notification.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the time is selected as a period relative to an endpoint of a program segment.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the time is selected as a clock-based time.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the clock-based time is the top or bottom of an hour.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the generated suggestion includes a programming schedule grid.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the programming schedule grid displays a personalized channel.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the playing media program is recorded on a device operated by the user, and the non-playing media program is a broadcast program.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the generated suggestion from a server to a remote display device.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising removing the display of the generated suggestion after a predetermined time period if the suggestion is not acted upon.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the suggestion is generated based on a similarity in subject matter between the playing program and the non-playing program.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising determining that the non-playing program is available for display to a user before providing the generated suggestion.

13. A computer-readable media having instructions recorded thereon, the instructions when executed, performing the actions of:

determining a time relative to a playing media program to insert a user notification;

automatically generating a suggestion regarding a media program other than the playing media program to be presented to an audience member of the playing media program;

providing, in a format for presentation on a user-related media player, the generated suggestion at the location in the playing media program, and

causing the generation of a control that, when selected, performs an 11 action related to the non-playing media program.

14. The media of claim 13, wherein the generated suggestion includes a programming schedule grid.

15. The media of claim 14, wherein the programming schedule grid displays a personalized channel.

16. The media of claim 13, wherein the suggestion is generated in a portable program module over a small portion of the playing media program.

17. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

automatically identifying an event, in a display of a first media program on a display device, for triggering a suggestion about a second media program related to the first media program;

causing the suggestion to be displayed on the display device with the first media program; and

providing information that causes the display device to switch to the second media program as a result of a user response to the suggestion.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the suggestion includes a program associated with content of the playing program or with interests associated with a user associated with the display device.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 18, wherein the suggestion includes a plurality of programs that are each associated with content in the playing program or with interests associated with the user.

20. A computer-implemented system for generating media programming information, comprising:

a network interface to receive media programming information over an internet connection;

a memory storing commands that, when executed, cause a suggestion about a non-playing media program to be provided over a playing media program; and

a processor operating a program selector to identify characteristics about the playing program or a user associated with the playing program and to select the non-playing media program based on the identified characteristics.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the network interface, memory, and processor are on a client device associated with a media player.