MOSAIC VIDEO CONTENT SELECTION MECHANISM

• US 20090158337A1
• Filed: 12/13/2007
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MobiTV Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MobiTV Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: LaCommare, Greg, Mikami, Jason, Stiers, Todd
• Application Number:
  US11/956,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20090158337A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/44
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26225 involving billing parameters, e.g. priority for subscribers of premium services
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• 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 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application

Abstract

Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically obtain program guide data and select video content in an efficient and effective manner. A guide generator is configured to obtain program guide information from multiple sources including content providers. The guide generator compiles a real-time most watched program guide by determining viewing patterns associated with various channels and video clips. Channels and video clips requested most frequently are listed first. A real-time most watched program guide including data such as program titles, times, icons, and links is then provided and displayed as needed on client devices. Potentially limitless amounts of program guide data can be provided on a client device while still allowing a user to efficiently and effectively select video content.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a first mosaic video stream at a device;

displaying the first mosaic video stream to a user, the first mosaic video stream presenting a plurality of streaming channels;

providing a first overlay corresponding to the first mosaic video stream to the user, the first overlay allowing selection of a first streaming channel in the plurality of streaming channels;

receiving a user selection for the first streaming channel on the first overlay;

receiving the first streaming channel at the device;

displaying the first streaming channel to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mosaic video stream further presents a plurality of video clips.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of streaming channels and the plurality of video clips are displayed in a grid format.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of streaming channels and the plurality of video clips are displayed in a circular format.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mosaic video stream is a single streaming channel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first overlay allows numeric/text based entry.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first overlay allows graphical user interface selection of the first streaming channel.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a second mosaic video stream.

9. The method of claim 8, providing a second overlay corresponding to the second mosaic video stream.

10. A device, comprising:

an interface operable to receive a first mosaic video stream;

a display operable to output the first mosaic video stream to a user, the first mosaic video stream presenting a plurality of streaming channels;

a processor operable to generate a first overlay corresponding to the first mosaic video stream to the user, the first overlay allowing selection of a first streaming channel in the plurality of streaming channels;

wherein the processor is further operable to identify a user selection for the first streaming channel on the first overlay and process the first streaming channel for output to the user.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the first mosaic video stream further presents a plurality of video clips.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of streaming channels and the plurality of video clips are displayed in a grid format.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of streaming channels and the plurality of video clips are displayed in a circular format.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the first mosaic video stream is a single streaming channel.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the first overlay allows numeric/text based entry.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein the first overlay allows graphical user interface selection of the first streaming channel.

17. The device of claim 10, further comprising receiving a second mosaic video stream.

18. The method of claim 17, providing a second overlay corresponding to the second mosaic video stream.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving a first mosaic video stream;

means for displaying the first mosaic video stream to a user, the first mosaic video stream presenting a plurality of streaming channels;

means for providing a first overlay corresponding to the first mosaic video stream to the user, the first overlay allowing selection of a first streaming channel in the plurality of streaming channels;

means for receiving a user selection for the first streaming channel on the first overlay;

means for receiving the first streaming channel at the device;

means for displaying the first streaming channel to the user.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first mosaic video stream further presents a plurality of video clips.