System, method, and apparatus for connecting non-co-located video content viewers in virtual TV rooms for a shared participatory viewing experience

• US 20090094656A1
• Filed: 10/02/2008
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John B. Carlucci
• Original Assignee: John B. Carlucci
• Inventors: Carlucci, John B.
• Application Number:
  US12/286,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20090094656A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/115
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/475 End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

System, method and apparatus for connecting non-co-located video content viewers in Virtual TV Rooms for a shared participatory viewing experience. A multi-platform communication system allows viewers to connect across a plurality of video content delivery services in self-organized viewing communities to interact with each other as they enjoy the content as if they were in the same physical viewing location. A mechanism is provided to allow users to quickly see what their friends are currently watching and join them. In addition to exchanging text-based messages, viewers also share their impressions of the current video program via a defined set of single-key-click impressions called Buzz Tags™. A database and calculation process aggregates this information in to Buzz Profiles as a resource for users to find interesting content and fellow viewers with similar interests.

Claims

1. In a computer network including a central server and a plurality of client devices, a method for associating and connecting multiple viewers watching the same video program via a plurality of video content delivery networks wherein the viewers are not co-located in the same physical location, the method comprising the steps of:

registering a first user along with his/her video service provider, service area &

service tier in a central database;

capturing the first user'"'"'s current video program viewing information by direct text entry or cross referencing the user'"'"'s current channel number to program guide data derived from registration information;

publishing the first user'"'"'s current program viewing information along with program impressions entered by the user to his/her established social network of friends;

registered friends interested in sharing the viewing experience may then request to join the first user;

upon approval from the first user, the users are connected via the server and share their viewing experience by exchanging impressions of the video program in real-time.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a registered user can send an invitation to other users to join him/her for a current or future viewing event.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein a registered user can view the current video program and impressions of all members of their social network simultaneously.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein metadata related to the video content and/or the community of connected users is used to enhance the interactive viewing experience.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein public viewing sessions are available for any interested user to join.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein viewers interact using a defined set of single key click viewing impressions referred to as Buzz Tags™

.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the Buzz Tags™

impressions are captured in a database along with the User ID, Video Content ID, and index time within the video program.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of aggregating the Buzz Tag™

impressions for a given Video Content ID to create a Buzz Profile.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein viewers rate a given video program using a defined set of single key click viewer ratings.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the program rating is captured in a database along with the User ID and Video Content ID.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of searching and recommending video programs based on the Buzz Profile and Rating of a user selected community of viewers for a given time window, program type and keyword match.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting advertising content based on demographic and Buzz Tag™

data.