Method, System and Apparatus for Conveying Personalized Content to a Viewer

• US 20080301736A1
• Filed: 12/20/2005
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Original Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Inventors: Ratsch, Peter Werner, Heilbron, Maarten Boudewijn
• Granted Patent: US 8,127,331 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/61
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• 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 21/4312 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 21/44224 Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• 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 21/4753 for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4886 for displaying a ticker, e.g. scrolling banner for news, stock exchange, weather data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8126 involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

According to embodiments of the present invention a method, system and apparatus for conveying personalized content to a viewer is provided. A method for conveying personalized content comprises obtaining an indication of viewer-selected content and receiving an indication of a viewing time by which a target receiver device is required to have received the viewer-selected content. The method further comprises determining a delivery window based on the viewing time and generating a delivery component including the viewer-selected content and an identifier associated with the target receiver device. The method further comprises causing the delivery component to be delivered to the target receiver device during the delivery window.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

obtaining an indication of viewer-selected content;

receiving an indication of a viewing time by which a target receiver device is required to have received the viewer-selected content;

determining a delivery window based on the viewing time;

generating a delivery component including the viewer-selected content and an identifier associated with the target receiver device;

causing the delivery component to be delivered to the target receiver device during the delivery window.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said obtaining an indication of viewer-selected content comprises:

soliciting a viewer to provide an indication of at least one viewer choice;

deriving said indication of viewer-selected content from said indication of at least one viewer choice.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said soliciting comprises causing presentation of a Graphical User Interface on a computer screen to request inputting said indication of at least one viewer choice.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said soliciting comprises causing presentation of a Graphical User Interface on a television screen attached to said target receiver device to request inputting said indication of at least one viewer choice.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said soliciting comprises causing presentation of a web crawler application on a computer screen to request selecting said indication of at least one viewer choice.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein said soliciting comprises causing presentation of a Graphical User Interface on one of a wireless communication device, a cellular phone, a wireless e-mail device, a Personal Digital Assistant;

said Graphical User Interface for requesting said indication of at least one viewer choice.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein said soliciting comprises causing presentation of a Graphical User Interface on a television screen attached to a second receiver device, said second receiver device being different from said target receiver device.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising soliciting the viewer to provide said identifier associated with the target receiver device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising soliciting a viewer to provide said indication of a viewing time.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising soliciting the viewer to provide an indication of a frequency of viewing.

11. The method of claim 2, further comprising soliciting the viewer to provide said indication of a viewing time.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said soliciting a viewer to provide an indication of at least one viewer choice and said soliciting the viewer to provide said indication of a viewing time are performed substantially simultaneously.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining a delivery window comprises calculating a delivery beginning time which occurs at a pre-determined time interval before the viewing time, the pre-determined time interval being sufficient for the target receiver device to acquire said delivery component.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining an indication of viewer-selected content comprises obtaining said viewer-selected content.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining whether said viewer-selected content comprises one of generic content and personalized content.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said causing the delivery component to be delivered comprises causing the delivery component to be delivered only if it is determined that said viewer-selected content comprises personalized content.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein if said viewer-selected content comprises generic content, said causing delivery component to be delivered comprises:

compiling a generic broadcast component;

transmitting said generic broadcast component to a plurality of receiver devices, said plurality of receiver devices comprising said target receiver device;

transmitting an identifier of said generic broadcast component to the target receiver device to enable said target receiver to acquire said generic broadcast component during the delivery window.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said transmitting an identifier is performed before said transmitting said generic broadcast component.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein said obtaining comprises receiving a selection code, said selection code being representative of said indication of viewer-selected content

20. The method of claim 1, wherein said causing the delivery component to be delivered comprises:

broadcasting said delivery component to a plurality of receiver devices, the plurality of receiver devices comprising the target receiver; and

exclusively authorizing the target receiver device to acquire said delivery component.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein said causing the delivery component to be delivered comprises inserting said delivery component into a broadcasting stream at a beginning of said delivery window.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising maintaining said delivery component on said broadcasting stream until an end of said delivery window.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising maintaining said delivery component on said broadcasting stream for a portion of said delivery window, said portion sufficient to enable the target receiver device to acquire said delivery component.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein said causing the delivery component to be delivered comprises packetizing said delivery component and forwarding said packetized delivery component to the target receiver device.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication of an identifier of the target receiver device.

26. An apparatus for delivering viewer-selected content comprising:

a first interface for distributing at least one content stream;

a second interface;

a control module, coupled to said first and second interfaces, the control module operable to;

receive via said second interface an indication of viewer-selected content;

receive via said second interface an indication of a viewing time by which a target receiver device is required to have received the viewer-selected content;

determine a delivery window based on the viewing time;

generate a delivery component including the viewer-selected content and an identifier associated with the target receiver device;

cause the delivery component to be delivered to the target receiver device via said first interface during the delivery window.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the control module is operable to receive an indication of a viewer choice;

said indication of a viewer choice comprising said indication of viewer-selected content and said indication of the viewing time.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the control module is operable to cause a Graphical User Interface to be presented on a computer to request inputting said viewer choice;

said computer connected to said control module over a network via said second interface.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the control module is operable to cause a Graphical User Interface to be presented on a television screen attached to said target receiver device to request inputting said indication of a viewer choice.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the control module is operable to download an iTV application to said target receiver device via said first interface.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the control module is operable to cause a Graphical User Interface to be presented on one of a wireless communication device, a cellular phone, a wireless e-mail device, a Personal Digital Assistant;

said Graphical User Interface for requesting said viewer choice.

32. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the control module is operable to calculate a delivery beginning time which occurs at a pre-determined time interval before the viewing time, the pre-determined time interval being sufficient for the target receiver device to acquire said delivery component.

33. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a third interface for obtaining content;

and wherein the control module is operable to obtain said viewer-selected content via said third interface.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said third interface and said second interface are the same.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the control module is further operable to determine whether said viewer-selected content comprises one of generic content and personalized content.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the control module is further operable to cause the delivery component to be delivered only if it is determined that said viewer-selected content comprises personalized content.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein if it is determined that said viewer-selected content comprises generic content, the control module is operable to:

compile a generic broadcast component;

transmit said generic broadcast component to a plurality of receiver devices, said plurality of receiver devices comprising said target receiver device;

transmit an identifier of said generic broadcast component to the target receiver device to enable said target receiver to acquire said generic broadcast component during the delivery window.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said control module is operable to transmit an identifier of said generic content before it transmits said generic broadcast component.

39. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the control module is further operable to:

broadcast said delivery component to a plurality of receiver devices, the plurality of receiver devices comprising the target receiver device; and

exclusively authorize the target receiver device to acquire said delivery component.

40. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the control module is operable to insert said delivery component into a broadcasting stream at a beginning of said delivery window.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the control module is further operable to maintain said delivery component on said broadcasting stream until an end of said delivery window.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein said control module is further operable to maintain said delivery component on said broadcasting stream for a portion of said delivery window, said portion sufficient to enable the target receiver device to acquire said delivery component.

43. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the control module is operable to packetize said delivery component and to forward said packetized delivery component to the target receiver device.

44. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said control module is further operable to receive an indication of said identifier of the target receiver device.

45. A set top box registered to a viewer, the set top box comprising:

a first interface operable to receive from a content provider a content stream;

a second interface adapted to receive an indication of a viewer choice from the viewer, the indication of a viewer choice comprising an indication of viewer-selected content and an indication of a viewing time by which the set-top box is required to have received the viewer-selected content;

a processing unit coupled to said first and second interfaces, the processing unit operable to;

effect a transmission to the content provider of said indication of a viewer choice;

said transmission being instrumental in causing a delivery component to be delivered to the. set-top box before the viewing time, the delivery component comprising the viewer-selected content;

wake up at a pre-determined time before the viewing time to acquire the delivery component from the content provider via said first interface;

acquire said viewer-selected content by the viewing time; and

convey said viewer-selected content to the viewer.

46. The set-top box of claim 45, wherein the processing unit is operable to effect said transmission via said first interface.

47. The set top box of claim 45, wherein said set-top box comprises a third interface for connecting to a telephone line;

and wherein the processing unit is operable to effect said transmission via said third interface.

48. The set-top box of claim 45, wherein said second interface is operable to receive signals from a control device.

49. The set-top box of claim 45, wherein said first interface is adapted for satellite broadcast reception.

50. The set-top box of claim 45, where said first interface is adapted for a coaxial cable transmission.

51. The set-top box of claim 45, wherein said first interface is adapted for receiving said content stream from an IPTV-based distribution system.

52. The set-top box of claim 45, wherein said first interface is adapted for receiving said content stream from an xDSL-based distribution system.

53. A set top box registered to a viewer, the set top box comprising:

a first interface operable to receive from a content provider a content stream;

a second interface adapted to receive an indication of a viewer choice from the viewer, the indication of a viewer choice comprising an indication of viewer-selected content and an indication of a viewing time by which a target receiver device is required to have received the viewer-selected content;

a processing unit coupled to said first and second interfaces, the processing unit operable to effect a transmission to the content provider of said indication of viewer choice;

said transmission being instrumental in;

causing a delivery component to be delivered to the target receiver device before the viewing time, the delivery component comprising the viewer-selected content;

causing said target receiver device to wake up at a pre-determined time before the viewing time to acquire the delivery component from the content provider via said first interface; and

causing said target receiver to acquire said viewer-selected content by the viewing time.

54. The set top box of claim 53, wherein said set-top box comprises said target receiver device.

55. The set-top box of claim 53, wherein said indication of viewer-selected content comprises a file to be transmitted to the target receiver device.

56. A set top box registered to a viewer, the set top box comprising:

a first interface operable to receive from a content provider a content stream;

a second interface operable to receive an indication of a viewing time by which the set-top box is required to have received viewer-selected content;

a processing unit coupled to said first and second interfaces, said processing unit operable;

to wake up at a pre-determined time before the viewing time;

to acquire a delivery component comprising the viewer-selected content from said content stream by the viewing time; and

to convey said viewer-selected content to the viewer.

57. The set-top box of claim 56, wherein to acquire a delivery component, the processing unit is operable to retrieve said delivery component from said content stream, the delivery component having been authorized for exclusive retrieval by the processing unit.

58. The set-top box of claim 56, wherein said second and first interfaces are the same.

59. The set-top box of claim 56, wherein said processing unit is operable to receive second interface at least one signal from a control device, said at least one signal representative of said indication of a viewing time.

60. The set-top box of claim 59, wherein said processing unit is further operable to transmit via said first interface to a content provider said indication of a viewing time.

61. A system comprising:

a target receiver device;

a content provider for distributing a content stream to a plurality of receiver devices, the plurality of receiver devices including the target receiver device;

the content provider operable to;

obtain an indication of viewer-selected content;

receive an indication of a viewing time by which the target receiver device is required to have received the viewer-selected content;

determine a delivery window based on the viewing time;

generate a delivery component including the viewer-selected content and an identifier associated with the target receiver device;

cause the delivery component to be delivered to the target receiver device during the delivery window

62. The system of claim 61, further comprising a distribution network connecting said target receiver device and said content provider.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein said distribution network comprises a satellite broadcast network.

64. The system of claim 62, wherein said distribution network comprises a coaxial cable distribution network.

65. The system of claim 62, wherein said distribution network comprises an IPTV-based distribution network.

66. The system of claim 62, wherein said distribution network comprises an xDSL-based distribution network.

67. The system of claim 61, further comprising a computing apparatus for soliciting a indication of a viewer choice;

said indication of a viewer choice comprising an indication of viewer-selected content and an indication of the viewing time; and

wherein the content provider is operable;

to receive said indication of a viewer choice from said computing apparatus;

to derive said indication of viewer-selected content and said indication of the viewing time from said indication of a viewer choice.

68. The system of claim 67, wherein said content provider is further operable to transmit a copy of the indication of a viewer choice to said target receiver;

and wherein said target receiver is operable to store said indication of a viewer choice.

69. The system of claim 61, further comprising a computing apparatus for soliciting an indication of a viewer choice;

said indication of a viewer choice comprising an indication of viewer-selected content and an indication of the viewing time;

said computing apparatus operable to generate a selection code that represents at least a portion of said indication of a viewer choice.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein said computing apparatus is connected to said content provider via a data network;

and wherein said computing apparatus is further operable to transmit said selection code to said content provider.

71. The system of claim 69, wherein said computing apparatus is operable to convey said selection code to a viewer for transmitting to said content provider via one of said target receiver device and a telephony connection.

72. The system of claim 61, wherein said target receiver device is operable to:

solicit an indication of viewer-selected content and an indication of the viewing time; and

transmit said indication of viewer-selected content and said indication of the viewing time to the content provider.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein said target device is operable to store an indication of the viewing time.

74. The system of claim 73, wherein said target receiver is operable to wake up at a pre-determined time before the viewing time to acquire the delivery component from said content provider.

75. The system of claim 61, further comprising a second receiver device;

said second receiver device being operable to;

solicit said indication of viewer-selected content, said indication of the viewing time and an indication of the identifier associated with the target receiver device; and

transmit said indication of viewer-selected content, said indication of the viewing time and said indication of the identifier associated with the target receiver device to the content provider.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein said indication of viewer-selected content comprises a file to be transmitted to said target receiver device.

77. The system of claim 61, wherein said target receiver device is operable to wake up at a pre-determined time before the viewing time to acquire the delivery component from the content provider.