Feedback for Unavailable Content

• US 20100275236A1
• Filed: 07/01/2010
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Marc Andrew, Kortum, Philip Ted
• Granted Patent: US 8,046,390 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2425 Iterative querying; Query formulation based on the results of a preceding query
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/913 Multimedia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/938 intellectual property markets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/939 Idea solicitation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/944 Business related

Abstract

A particular method includes searching a database associated with a content provider. The database includes content items available from the content provider as well as content items that are not available from the content provider. The database is searched based on a search query received from a set-top box to generate a list of content items. The list of content items includes at least one entry corresponding to a particular content item that is unavailable and includes a feedback control. The method further includes receiving a request that the content provider make the particular content item available and automatically determining to acquire rights to provide access to the particular content item based at least in part on the request.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

at a server associated with a content provider, receiving a search query from a set-top box;

querying a database based on the search query to generate a list of content items, wherein at least one particular entry in the list of content items corresponds to a particular content item that is unavailable from the content provider, the at least one particular entry including a feedback control;

transmitting the list of content items to the set-top box;

receiving a request via the feedback control that the content provider make the particular content item available; and

automatically determining to acquire rights to provide access to the particular content item based at least in part on the request.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the list of content items comprises a prompt to submit the request via a text input of the feedback control.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the determination to acquire rights is further based on a frequency of inclusion of the particular content item in search queries received at the server.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the determination to acquire rights is further based on a frequency of inclusion of the particular content item in lists of content items transmitted to set-top boxes.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a media preview of the particular content item to the set-top box.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the media preview comprises audio content, video content, or any combination thereof.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the particular content item is a cinematic movie and wherein the media preview is a trailer associated with the cinematic movie.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the particular content item is an on-demand content item.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the particular content item is a television program.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the particular content item is an audio recording.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising, after automatically acquiring rights to provide access to the particular content item, transmitting an indication to the set-top box that the particular content item is available.

12. A set-top box, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, wherein the memory comprises instructions, that when executed, cause the processor to;

receive a search query;

transmit the search query to a server associated with a content provider;

receive a list of content items based on the search query, wherein at least one particular entry in the list of content items corresponds to a particular content item that is unavailable from the content provider, the at least one particular entry includes a feedback control;

transmit the list of content items to a display device;

receive a request via the feedback control that the content provider make the particular content item available;

transmit the request to the server;

receive an indication that the particular content item is available; and

transmit the indication that the particular content item is available to the display device.

13. The set-top box of claim 12, wherein the memory further comprises instructions to cause the processor to transmit to the display device a prompt to submit the request via a text input of the feedback control.

14. The set-top box of claim 12, wherein the memory further comprises instructions to cause the processor to receive a media preview of the particular content item.

15. The set-top box of claim 14, wherein the memory further comprises instructions to cause the processor to transmit the media preview to the display device.

16. A tangible computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the comptuer to:

receive a search query from a set-top box;

query a database based on the search query to generate a list of content items, wherein at least one particular entry in the list of content items corresponds to a particular content item that is unavailable from the content provider and includes a feedback control;

transmit the list of content items to the set-top box;

receive a request via the feedback control that the content provider make the particular content item available; and

automatically determine to acquire rights to provide access to the particular content item based at least in part on the request.

17. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to acquire the rights to provide access to the particular content item

18. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to, after acquiring the rights to provide access to the particular content item, transmit an indication to the set-top box that the particular content item is available.

19. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the determination to acquire rights is further based on a frequency of inclusion of the particular content item in search queries received at a server.

20. The tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the determination to acquire rights is further based on a frequency of inclusion of the particular content item in lists of content items transmitted to set-top boxes.