Enhanced electronic program guides

• US 20090178081A1
• Filed: 08/29/2006
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synamedia Limited
• Original Assignee: NDS Limited (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Goldenberg, Miriam, Sterkin, Asher, Seldin, Yevgeny
• Granted Patent: US 8,181,201 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/46
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04804 Transparency, e.g. transparent or translucent windows
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/45 for identifying users
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/46 for recognising users' preferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/64 for providing detail information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/65 for using the result on users' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 for using the result on distributors' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/72 using electronic programme guides [EPG] focusing on identifying broadcast space time H04H60/39 ; menu type display of EPG in television receivers H04N21/47
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• 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 21/44222 Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• 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 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

A method and system for rating programs, the method including, receiving a sample of viewing logs from a plurality of set top boxes (STBs), determining, from the sample of viewing logs, at least groups of viewers sharing similar interests, and groups of programs sharing similar audience, computing time dynamics of rating distribution for the groups of viewers and the groups of programs, and incorporating at least one of the following into broadcast metadata the time dynamics of rating distributions of the groups of viewers for each of the groups of programs, rating distributions of the groups of viewers for each of the groups of programs marginalized by time, rating distributions of the groups of viewers for each program marginalized by time, relative sizes of each group of viewers, and a mapping of each program to groups of programs, thereby making the broadcast metadata available to the plurality of STBs for use in computing ratings. Related systems and methods are described.

Claims

1. A method for rating programs, the method comprising:

receiving a sample of viewing logs from a plurality of set top boxes (STBs);

determining, from the sample of viewing logs, at least;

groups of viewers sharing similar interests; and

groups of programs sharing similar audience;

computing time dynamics of rating distribution for the groups of viewers and the groups of programs; and

incorporating at least one of the following into broadcast metadata;

the time dynamics of rating distributions of the groups of viewers for each of the groups of programs;

rating distributions of the groups of viewers for each of the groups of programs marginalized by time;

rating distributions of the groups of viewers for each program marginalized by time;

relative sizes of each group of viewers; and

a mapping of each program to groups of programs,

thereby making the broadcast metadata available to the plurality of STBs for use in computing ratings.

2. The method according to claim 1 and wherein a result of the computing is broadcast to the plurality of STBs.

3. The method according to claim 1 and wherein a result of the incorporating the time dynamics of rating distributions is broadcast to the plurality of STBs.

4. The method according to claim 1 and wherein a result of the incorporating the marginal distributions is broadcast to the plurality of STBs.

5. The method according to claim 1 and wherein the groups of viewers and groups of programs are determined using a bi-clustering method.

6. A method for determining confidence in viewer presence near a set top box (STB), the method comprising:

assigning a level of confidence in viewer presence to be 100% each time any type of signaling activity is detected; and

smoothly decreasing the level of confidence in viewer presence over time.

7. The method according to claim 6 and wherein the signaling comprises electrical appliance remote control signaling.

8. The method according to claim 7 and wherein the signaling comprises TV remote control signaling.

9. The method according to claim 7 and wherein the signaling comprises air conditioning signaling.

10. The method according to claim 6 and wherein the signaling comprises infrared signaling.

11. The method according to claim 6 and wherein the signaling comprises Bluetooth signaling.

12. The method according to claim 6 and wherein the signaling comprises FM signaling.

13. A method for determining confidence in viewer presence near a set top box (STB), the method comprising:

initially setting a level of confidence in viewer preference to be “

undefined”

;

whenever any type of signaling activity is detected, assigning a level of confidence in viewer presence to be 100%; and

whenever the level of confidence in viewer preference is less than or equal to 100% and more than 0%, smoothly decreasing the level of confidence in viewer presence over time.

14. The method according to claim 13 and wherein the signaling comprises electrical appliance remote control signaling.

15. The method according to claim 14 and wherein the signaling comprises TV remote control signaling.

16. The method according to claim 14 and wherein the signaling comprises air conditioning signaling.

17. The method according to claim 13 and wherein the signaling comprises infrared signaling.

18. The method according to claim 13 and wherein the signaling comprises Bluetooth signaling.

19. The method according to claim 13 and wherein the signaling comprises FM signaling.

20. A method for determining confidence in viewer presence near a set top box (STB), the method comprising:

receiving a first remote control signal at the STB;

assigning a level of confidence in viewer presence to be 100% in response to receiving the first remote control signal;

smoothly decreasing the level of confidence in viewer presence over time;

receiving a second remote control signal at the STB; and

setting the level of confidence in viewer presence to be 100%.

21. The method according to claim 20 and wherein the decreasing comprises exponential decreasing.

22. The method according to claim 20 and wherein the level of confidence in viewer presence drops at the end of a broadcast program.

23. The method according to claim 20 and wherein the signaling comprises electrical appliance remote control signaling.

24. The method according to claim 23 and wherein the signaling comprises TV remote control signaling.

25. The method according to claim 23 and wherein the signaling comprises air conditioning signaling.

26. The method according to claim 20 and wherein the signaling comprises infrared signaling.

27. The method according to claim 20 and wherein the signaling comprises Bluetooth signaling.

28. The method according to claim 20 and wherein the signaling comprises FM signaling.

29. A method for determining viewer preference, the method comprising:

collecting a sample of viewing statistics;

analyzing the collected statistics and determining groups of viewers sharing similar interests;

estimating a relative size of each group of viewers;

broadcasting a typical rating profile of each group of viewers, thereby enabling a set top box (STB) to determine with which group or groups of viewers the STB shares interest;

assigning a statistics report-back probability to particular members of each group of viewers, the statistics report-back probability of a member of a group of viewers being in inverse proportion to the size of the group of viewers;

receiving a plurality of reported-back samples; and

weighting each one of the plurality of reported-back samples according to a size of a viewer group associated with the one sample.

30. The method according to claim 29 and wherein the collecting occurs at a broadcast headend.

31. The method according to claim 29 and wherein the receiving occurs at a broadcast headend.

32. The method according to claim 29 and wherein the weighting occurs at a broadcast headend.

33. A method for program zapping on a set top box (STB), the method comprising:

collecting viewing statistics;

reporting the viewing statistics to a broadcast headend;

receiving, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of viewer groups and data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, the data corresponding to data found in the viewing statistics;

determining, by comparing the viewing statistics with data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, to which at least one viewing group the STB belongs;

receiving, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of programs preferred by members of the at least one viewing group;

tuning to one of the programs comprised in the list comprising a plurality of programs when the STB is tuned to a next program.

34. The method according to claim 33 and wherein the viewing statistics comprise at least:

an indication of remote control activity;

programs viewed; and

duration of viewing time for the programs viewed.

35. A method for program zapping on a set top box (STB), the method comprising:

collecting viewing statistics;

reporting the viewing statistics to a broadcast headend;

receiving, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of viewer groups and data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, the data corresponding to data found in the viewing statistics;

determining, by comparing the viewing statistics with data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, to which at least one viewing group the STB belongs;

receiving, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of programs preferred by members of the at least one viewing group to which the set top box does not belong; and

tuning to one of the programs comprised in the list comprising a plurality of programs when the STB is tuned to a next program.

36. The method according to claim 35 and wherein the viewing statistics comprise at least:

an indication of remote control activity;

programs viewed; and

duration of viewing time for the programs viewed.

37. A method for program zapping on a set top box (STB), the method comprising:

collecting viewing statistics;

reporting the viewing statistics to a broadcast headend;

receiving, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of viewer groups and data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, the data corresponding to data found in the viewing statistics;

determining, by comparing the viewing statistics with data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, to which at least one viewing group the STB belongs;

receiving, from the broadcast headend, a ranked list comprising a plurality of programs preferred by members of the at least one viewing group, the ranking indicating levels of preference by members of the at least one viewing group;

performing a search at the STB for programs, the programs being associated with metadata comprising the search term; and

listing results of the search according to rank order.

38. The method according to claim 37 and wherein the viewing statistics comprise at least:

an indication of remote control activity;

programs viewed; and

duration of viewing time for the programs viewed.

39. The method according to claim 37 and wherein the search comprises a context based search.

40. The method according to claim 37 and wherein the search comprises a viewing history based search.

41. A method for program zapping on a set top box (STB), the method comprising:

collecting viewing statistics;

reporting the viewing statistics to a broadcast headend;

receiving, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of viewer groups and data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, the data corresponding to data found in the viewing statistics;

determining, by comparing the viewing statistics with data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, to which at least one viewing group the STB belongs;

receiving, from the broadcast headend, a ranked list comprising a plurality of programs preferred by members of the at least one viewing group, the ranking indicating levels of preference by members of the at least one viewing group;

requesting a recommendation for a program;

receiving a plurality of recommendations for a plurality of programs; and

displaying the recommendations according to rank order.

42. The method according to claim 41 and wherein the viewing statistics comprise at least:

an indication of remote control activity;

programs viewed; and

duration of viewing time for the programs viewed.

43. The method according to claim 41 and wherein the recommendations are recommendations provided by a third party recommender.

44. The method according to claim 43 and wherein the third party recommender comprises a professional provider of ratings.

45. The method according to claim 43 and wherein the third party recommender comprises a peer recommender.

46. The method according to claim 43 and wherein the third party recommender comprises a community of recommenders.

47. A system for rating programs, the system comprising:

a viewing log receiver operative to receive a sample of viewing logs from a plurality of set top boxes (STBs);

a determining apparatus which determines, from the sample of viewing logs, at least;

groups of viewers sharing similar interests; and

groups of programs sharing similar audience;

a processor operative to compute time dynamics of rating distribution for the groups of viewers and the groups of programs; and

a broadcast metadata providing unit operative to incorporate at least one of the following into broadcast metadata;

the time dynamics of rating distributions of the groups of viewers for each of the groups of programs;

rating distributions of the groups of viewers for each of the groups of programs marginalized by time;

rating distributions of the groups of viewers for each program marginalized by time;

relative sizes of each group of viewers; and

a mapping of each program to groups of programs,

thereby making the broadcast metadata available to the plurality of STBs for use in computing ratings.

48. A system for determining confidence in viewer presence near a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

a level of confidence assigning unit operative to assign a level of confidence in viewer presence to be 100% each time any type of signaling activity is detected; and

the level of confidence assigning unit further operative to smoothly decrease the level of confidence in viewer presence over time.

49. A system for determining confidence in viewer presence near a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

a level of confidence assigning unit initially sets a level of confidence in viewer preference to be “

undefined”

;

whenever any type of signaling activity is detected, the level of confidence assigning unit assigns a level of confidence in viewer presence to be 100%; and

whenever the level of confidence in viewer preference is less than or equal to 100% and more than 0%, the level of confidence assigning unit smoothly decreases the level of confidence in viewer presence over time.

50. A system for determining confidence in viewer presence near a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

a level of confidence assigning unit receives a first remote control signal at the STB;

the level of confidence assigning unit assigns a level of confidence in viewer presence to be 100% in response to receiving the first remote control signal;

the level of confidence assigning unit smoothly decreases the level of confidence in viewer presence over time;

the level of confidence assigning unit receives a second remote control signal at the STB; and

the level of confidence assigning unit sets the level of confidence in viewer presence to be 100%.

51. A system for determining viewer preference, the system comprising:

a collector which collects a sample of viewing statistics;

an analyzer which analyzes the collected statistics and determines groups of viewers sharing similar interests;

a processor which estimates a relative size of each group of viewers;

a broadcast apparatus which broadcasts a typical rating profile of each group of viewers, thereby enabling a set top box (STB) to determine with which group or groups of viewers the STB shares interest;

an assigner which assigns a statistics report-back probability to particular members of each group of viewers, the statistics report-back probability of a member of a group of viewers being in inverse proportion to the size of the group of viewers;

a receiver which receives a plurality of reported-back samples; and

a weighting unit which weights each one of the plurality of reported-back samples according to a size of a viewer group associated with the one sample.

52. A system for program zapping on a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

a collector which collects viewing statistics;

a reporter which reports the viewing statistics to a broadcast headend;

a first receiver which receives, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of viewer groups and data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, the data corresponding to data found in the viewing statistics;

a comparator which compares the viewing statistics with data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, and thereby determines to which at least one viewing group the STB belongs;

a second receiver which receives, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of programs preferred by members of the at least one viewing group;

a tuner which tunes to one of the programs comprised in the list comprising a plurality of programs when the STB is tuned to a next program.

53. A system for program zapping on a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

a collector which collects viewing statistics;

a reporter which reports the viewing statistics to a broadcast headend;

a first receiver which receives, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of viewer groups and data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, the data corresponding to data found in the viewing statistics;

a comparator which compares the viewing statistics with data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, and thereby determines to which at least one viewing group the STB belongs;

a second receiver which receives, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of programs preferred by members of the at least one viewing group to which the set top box does not belong; and

a tuner which tunes to one of the programs comprised in the list comprising a plurality of programs when the STB is tuned to a next program.

54. A system for program zapping on a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

a collector which collects viewing statistics;

a reporter which reports the viewing statistics to a broadcast headend;

a first receiver which receives, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of viewer groups and data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, the data corresponding to data found in the viewing statistics;

a comparator which compares the viewing statistics with data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, and thereby determines to which at least one viewing group the STB belongs;

a second receiver which receives, from the broadcast headend, a ranked list comprising a plurality of programs preferred by members of the at least one viewing group, the ranking indicating levels of preference by members of the at least one viewing group;

a search mechanism which performs a search at the STB for programs, the programs being associated with metadata comprising the search term; and

a listing unit which lists results of the search according to rank order.

55. A system for program zapping on a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

a collector which collects viewing statistics;

a reporter which reports the viewing statistics to a broadcast headend;

a first receiver which receives, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of viewer groups and data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, the data corresponding to data found in the viewing statistics;

a comparator which compares the viewing statistics with data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, and thereby determines to which at least one viewing group the STB belongs;

a second receiver which receives, from the broadcast headend, a ranked list comprising a plurality of programs preferred by members of the at least one viewing group, the ranking indicating levels of preference by members of the at least one viewing group;

a program recommendation requester which requests a recommendation for a program;

a third receiver which receives a plurality of recommendations for a plurality of programs; and

a display which displays the recommendations according to rank order.

56. A system for rating programs, the system comprising:

viewing log receiving means operative to receive a sample of viewing logs from a plurality of set top boxes (STBs);

determining means for determining, from the sample of viewing logs, at least;

groups of viewers sharing similar interests; and

groups of programs sharing similar audience;

processing means for computing time dynamics of rating distribution for the groups of viewers and the groups of programs; and

broadcast metadata providing means for incorporating at least one of the following into broadcast metadata;

the time dynamics of rating distributions of the groups of viewers for each of the groups of programs;

rating distributions of the groups of viewers for each of the groups of programs marginalized by time;

rating distributions of the groups of viewers for each program marginalized by time;

relative sizes of each group of viewers; and

a mapping of each program to groups of programs,

thereby making the broadcast metadata available to the plurality of STBs for use in computing ratings.

57. A system for determining confidence in viewer presence near a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

level of confidence assigning means for assigning a level of confidence in viewer presence to be 100% each time any type of signaling activity is detected; and

level of confidence decreasing means for smoothly decreasing the level of confidence in viewer presence over time.

58. A system for determining confidence in viewer presence near a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

level of confidence assigning means for initially setting a level of confidence in viewer preference to be “

undefined”

;

the level of confidence assigning means assigning a level of confidence in viewer presence to be 100% whenever any type of signaling activity is detected; and

level of confidence decreasing means for smoothly decreasing the level of confidence in viewer presence over time whenever the level of confidence in viewer preference is less than or equal to 100% and more than 0%.

59. A system for determining confidence in viewer presence near a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

receiving means for receiving a first remote control signal at the STB;

level of confidence assigning means for assigning a level of confidence in viewer presence to be 100% in response to receiving the first remote control signal;

level of confidence decreasing means for smoothly decreasing the level of confidence in viewer presence over time;

second receiving means for receiving a second remote control signal at the STB; and

the level of confidence assigning means operative to set the level of confidence in viewer presence to be 100%.

60. A system for determining viewer preference, the system comprising:

collecting means for collecting a sample of viewing statistics;

analyzing means for analyzing the collected statistics and determining groups of viewers sharing similar interests;

processor means for estimating a relative size of each group of viewers;

broadcasting means for broadcasting a typical rating profile of each group of viewers, thereby enabling a set top box (STB) to determine with which group or groups of viewers the STB shares interest;

assigning means for assigning a statistics report-back probability to particular members of each group of viewers, the statistics report-back probability of a member of a group of viewers being in inverse proportion to the size of the group of viewers;

receiving means for receiving a plurality of reported-back samples; and

weighing means for weighting each one of the plurality of reported-back samples according to a size of a viewer group associated with the one sample.

61. A system for program zapping on a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

collecting means for collecting viewing statistics;

reporting means for reporting the viewing statistics to a broadcast headend;

first receiving means for receiving, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of viewer groups and data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, the data corresponding to data found in the viewing statistics;

comparing means for determining, by comparing the viewing statistics with data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, to which at least one viewing group the STB belongs;

second receiving means for receiving, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of programs preferred by members of the at least one viewing group;

tuning means for tuning to one of the programs comprised in the list comprising a plurality of programs when the STB is tuned to a next program.

62. A system for program zapping on a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

collecting means for collecting viewing statistics;

reporting means for reporting the viewing statistics to a broadcast headend;

first receiving means for receiving, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of viewer groups and data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, the data corresponding to data found in the viewing statistics;

comparing means for determining, by comparing the viewing statistics with data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, to which at least one viewing group the STB belongs;

second receiving means for receiving, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of programs preferred by members of the at least one viewing group to which the set top box does not belong; and

tuning means for tuning to one of the programs comprised in the list comprising a plurality of programs when the STB is tuned to a next program.

63. A system for program zapping on a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

collecting means for collecting viewing statistics;

reporting means for reporting the viewing statistics to a broadcast headend;

first receiving means for receiving, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of viewer groups and data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, the data corresponding to data found in the viewing statistics;

comparing means for determining, by comparing the viewing statistics with data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, to which at least one viewing group the STB belongs;

second receiving means for receiving, from the broadcast headend, a ranked list comprising a plurality of programs preferred by members of the at least one viewing group, the ranking indicating levels of preference by members of the at least one viewing group;

searching means for performing a search at the STB for programs, the programs being associated with metadata comprising the search term; and

listing means for listing results of the search according to rank order.

64. A system for program zapping on a set top box (STB), the system comprising:

collecting means for collecting viewing statistics;

reporting means for reporting the viewing statistics to a broadcast headend;

first receiving means for receiving, from the broadcast headend, a list comprising a plurality of viewer groups and data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, the data corresponding to data found in the viewing statistics;

comparing means for determining, by comparing the viewing statistics with data associated with each of the plurality of viewing groups, to which at least one viewing group the STB belongs;

second receiving means for receiving, from the broadcast headend, a ranked list comprising a plurality of programs preferred by members of the at least one viewing group, the ranking indicating levels of preference by members of the at least one viewing group;

recommendation requesting means for requesting a recommendation for a program;

third receiving means for receiving a plurality of recommendations for a plurality of programs; and

displaying means for displaying the recommendations according to rank order.