METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DIRECTING RECIPIENTS OF VIDEO CONTENT ITEMS TO INTERESTING VIDEO CONTENT ITEMS

• US 20090282436A1
• Filed: 05/07/2008
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Perry, Guy
• Granted Patent: US 8,645,993 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/735 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23418 involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics television picture signal circuitry for scene change detection H04N5/147; filtering for image enhancement G06T5/00; methods or arrangements for recognising scenes G06V20/00; arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4668 for recommending content, e.g. movies
• 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 21/4755 for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/654 Transmission by server directed to the client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8133 specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

A method of directing a recipient of video content items employing a mobile device to at least one video content item of interest to the recipient comprises: storing a plurality of predetermined pattern identifiers and corresponding pattern data, the pattern identifiers and pattern data generated by reference to data predictive of recipient interest; detecting a predetermined pattern in at least one video content item by reference to the stored pattern data; and in response to the detection, transmitting an indication of the at least one video content item and the pattern identifier corresponding to the stored pattern data used to detect the predetermined pattern in the video content item to a plurality of mobile devices including the mobile device employed by the recipient, the indication directing the recipient to the video content item that is associated with the detected predetermined pattern that is of interest to the recipient. This allows users to follow desired live events without having to watch undesirable programming waiting for something interesting to happen.

Claims

1. A method of directing a recipient of video content items employing a mobile device to at least one video content item of interest to the recipient, comprising:

storing a plurality of predetermined pattern identifiers and corresponding pattern data, the pattern identifiers and pattern data generated by reference to data predictive of recipient interest;

detecting a predetermined pattern in at least one video content item by reference to the stored pattern data; and

in response to the detection, transmitting an indication of the at least one video content item and the pattern identifier corresponding to the stored pattern data used to detect the predetermined pattern in the video content item to a plurality of mobile devices including the mobile device employed by the recipient, the indication directing the recipient to the video content item that is associated with the detected predetermined pattern that is of interest to the recipient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting comprises:

generating a notification message, the notification message including the pattern identifier corresponding to the stored pattern data used to detect the predetermined pattern in the video content item and a channel identifier associated with the at least one video content item from a plurality of broadcast channels transmitted to the mobile device; and

broadcasting the notification message to a plurality of mobile devices.

3. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising determining a particular mobile device associated with the stored pattern data used to detect the predetermined pattern in the video content item;

and

wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting an alert message to the particular mobile device, the alert message indicating transmission of the at least one video content item.

4. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising receiving, from the user, through an interface, a selection of at least one identified logical event to indicate used interest in predetermined pattern data corresponding to the logical event.

5. A method of filtering video content items on a mobile device, comprising:

receiving at least one notification message, the message including a pattern identifier and a channel identifier;

in response to the pattern identifier matching a pattern identifier previously stored in the mobile device, displaying the at least one notification message; and

providing an interface for a user of the mobile device to tune the mobile device to a channel associated with the channel identifier.

6. The method of claim 5, additionally comprising:

selecting, through an interface provided by a broadcast network, an identified logical event in a video content item; and

storing, in the mobile device, a pattern identifier associated with the identified logical event.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the tuning comprises in response to an input from the user, tuning the mobile device to the channel associated with the channel identifier.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the tuning comprises automatically tuning the mobile device to the channel associated with the channel identifier.

9. A method of filtering video content items on a mobile device, comprising:

receiving an alert message indicating transmission of at least one video content item;

displaying the alert message; and

tuning the mobile device to a channel associated with the alert message.

10. The method of claim 9, additionally comprising selecting, through an interface provided by a broadcast network, an identified logical event in a video content item, the identified logical event associated with the alert message.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the tuning comprises in response to an input from the user, tuning the mobile device to the channel associated with the alert message.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the tuning comprises automatically tuning the mobile device to the channel associated with the alert message.

13. A method of filtering video content items on a mobile device, comprising:

retrieving a user profile from the mobile device;

retrieving a content identifier from broadcast streams of the video content items;

comparing the content identifier with the user profile; and

in response to the content identifier matching the user profile, displaying an indication to the user that a content item matching the user profile is being broadcast.

14. The method of claim 13, additionally comprising:

selecting, through an interface provided by a broadcast network, an identified logical event in the content item; and

storing, in the user profile, an entry associated with the identified logical event.

15. The method of claim 13, additionally comprising tuning the mobile device to a channel in which the video content item associated with the content identifier is being broadcast.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the tuning comprises in response to an input from the user, tuning the mobile device to the channel in which the video content item associated with the content identifier is being broadcast.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the tuning comprises automatically tuning the mobile device to the channel in which the video content item associated with the content identifier is being broadcast.

18. An apparatus for directing a recipient of video content items employing a mobile device to at least one video content item of interest to the recipient, comprising:

a database storing a plurality of predetermined pattern identifiers and corresponding pattern data, the pattern identifiers and pattern data generated by reference to data predicative of recipient interest;

a processor configured to detect a predetermined pattern in at least one video content item by reference to the stored pattern data; and

a transmitter configured to, in response to the detection, transmit an indication of the at least one video content item and the pattern identifier corresponding to the stored pattern data used to detect the predetermined pattern in the video content item to a plurality of mobile devices including the mobile device employed by the recipient, the indication directing the recipient to the video content item that is associated with the detected predetermined pattern that is of interest to the recipient.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processor is additionally configured to generate a notification message, the notification message including the pattern identifier corresponding to the stored pattern data used to detect the predetermined pattern in the video content item and a channel identifier associated with the at least one video content item from a plurality of broadcast channels transmitted to the mobile device;

and

wherein the transmitter is configured to broadcast the notification message to a plurality of mobile devices.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processor is additionally configured to determine a particular mobile device associated with the stored pattern data used to detect the predetermined pattern in the video content item;

and

wherein the transmitter is additionally configured to transmit an alert message to the particular mobile device, the alert message indicating transmission of the at least one video content item.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, additionally comprising a receiver configured to receive, from the user, through an interface, a selection of at least one identified logical event to indicate used interest in predetermined pattern data corresponding to the logical event.

22. An apparatus of filtering video content items on a mobile device, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive at least one notification message, the message including a pattern identifier and a channel identifier;

a display configured to display the at least one notification message in response to the pattern identifier matching a pattern identifier previously stored in the mobile device; and

a processor configured to provide an interface for a user of the mobile device to tune the mobile device to a channel associated with the channel identifier.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is additionally configured to select, through an interface provided by a broadcast network, an identified logical event in a video content item, and store, in the mobile device, a pattern identifier associated with the identified logical event.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is additionally configured to tune the mobile device to the channel associated with the channel identifier in response to an input from the user.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is additionally configured to automatically tune the mobile device to the channel associated with the channel identifier.

26. An apparatus of filtering video content items on a mobile device, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive an alert message indicating transmission of at least one video content item;

a display configured to display the alert message; and

a processor configured to tune the mobile device to a channel associated with the alert message.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the processor is additionally configured to select, through an interface provided by a broadcast network, an identified logical event in a video content item, the identified logical event associated with the alert message.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the processor is additionally configured to tune the mobile device to the channel associated with the alert message in response to an input from the user.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the processor is additionally configured to automatically tune the mobile device to the channel associated with the alert message.

30. An apparatus of filtering video content items on a mobile device, comprising a processor configured to:

retrieve a user profile from the mobile device;

retrieve a content identifier from broadcast streams of the video content items;

compare the content identifier with the user profile; and

in response to the content identifier matching the user profile, display an indication to the user that a content item matching the user profile is being broadcast.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the processor is additionally configured to select, through an interface provided by a broadcast network, an identified logical event in the content item, and store, in the user profile, an entry associated with the identified logical event.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the processor is additionally configured to tune the mobile device to a channel in which the video content item associated with the content identifier is being broadcast.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the processor is configured to, in response to an input from the user, tune the mobile device to the channel in which the video content item associated with the content identifier is being broadcast.

34. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the processor is configured to automatically tune the mobile device to the channel in which the video content item associated with the content identifier is being broadcast.

35. An apparatus for directing a recipient of video content items employing a mobile device to at least one video content item of interest to the recipient, comprising:

means for storing a plurality of predetermined pattern identifiers and corresponding pattern data, the pattern identifiers and pattern data generated by reference to data predicative of recipient interest;

means for detecting a predetermined pattern in at least one video content item by reference to the stored pattern data; and

means for, in response to the detection, transmitting an indication of the at least one video content item and the pattern identifier corresponding to the stored pattern data used to detect the predetermined pattern in the video content item to a plurality of mobile devices including the mobile device employed by the recipient, the indication directing the recipient to the video content item that is associated with the detected predetermined pattern that is of interest to the recipient.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the means for transmitting comprises:

means for generating a notification message, the notification message including the pattern identifier corresponding to the stored pattern data used to detect the predetermined pattern in the video content item and a channel identifier associated with the at least one video content item from a plurality of broadcast channels transmitted to the mobile device; and

means for broadcasting the notification message to a plurality of mobile devices.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, additionally comprising means for determining a particular mobile device associated with the stored pattern data used to detect the predetermined pattern in the video content item;

and

wherein the means for transmitting transmits an alert message to the particular mobile device, the alert message indicating transmission of the at least one video content item.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, additionally comprising means for receiving, from the user, through an interface, a selection of at least one identified logical event to indicate used interest in predetermined pattern data corresponding to the logical event.

39. An apparatus of filtering video content items on a mobile device, comprising:

means for receiving at least one notification message, the message including a pattern identifier and a channel identifier;

means for, in response to the pattern identifier matching a pattern identifier previously stored in the mobile device, displaying the at least one notification message; and

means for providing an interface for a user of the mobile device to tune the mobile device to a channel associated with the channel identifier.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, additionally comprising:

means for selecting, through an interface provided by a broadcast network, an identified logical event in a video content item; and

means for storing, in the mobile device, a pattern identifier associated with the identified logical event.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the means for providing an interface to tune the mobile device tunes the mobile device to the channel associated with the channel identifier in response to an input from the user.

42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the means for providing an interface to tune the mobile device automatically tunes the mobile device to the channel associated with the channel identifier.

43. An apparatus of filtering video content items on a mobile device, comprising:

means for receiving an alert message indicating transmission of at least one video content item;

means for displaying the alert message; and

means for tuning the mobile device to a channel associated with the alert message.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, additionally comprising means for selecting, through an interface provided by a broadcast network, an identified logical event in a video content item, the identified logical event associated with the alert message.

45. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the means for tuning tunes the mobile device to the channel associated with the alert message in response to an input from the user.

46. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the means for tuning automatically tunes the mobile device to the channel associated with the alert message.

48. The apparatus of claim 43, additionally comprising:

means for selecting, through an interface provided by a broadcast network, an identified logical event in the content item; and

means for storing, in the user profile, an entry associated with the identified logical event.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, additionally comprising means for tuning the mobile device to a channel in which the video content item associated with the content identifier is being broadcast.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the means for tuning tunes the mobile device to the channel in which the video content item associated with the content identifier is being broadcast, in response to an input from the user.

51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the means for tuning automatically tunes the mobile device to the channel in which the video content item associated with the content identifier is being broadcast.

47. An apparatus of filtering video content items on a mobile device, comprising:

means for retrieving a user profile from the mobile device;

means for retrieving a content identifier from broadcast streams of the video content items;

means for comparing the content identifier with the user profile; and

means for, in response to the content identifier matching the user profile, displaying an indication to the user that a content item matching the user profile is being broadcast.