Method and system for selecting a video piece from a database

• US 5,678,012 A
• Filed: 05/05/1995
• Issued: 10/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Lubetkin, Jeffrey Aaron, Sposato, Jonathan N., Kimmich, Jon B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KATBAB, ABDOLLAH
• Application Number:
  US08/435,373
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 395/155, 395/159, 395/161, 395/327, 395/348, 348/7
• US Class Current: 725/37
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A system and method for selecting a video piece from an assortment of video pieces available over an interactive network uses a graphical interface in connection with a database on which each of the available video pieces is characterized by categories and by quantitative rating of criteria. The characterization of the video pieces by categories and quantitative criteria is based on the subject matter of the video pieces. The graphical interface displays control elements, icons and sliders that relate to the categories and quantitative criteria. By selecting icons and manipulating the sliders, the user can initiate a selection process that will select a video piece that relates to the users subject matter interest. The system and method is intended for children to use in selecting cartoons over an interactive network.

Claims

1. In an interactive network having a headend server with an assortment of video pieces stored thereon, a user system for receiving video pieces and having a graphical viewer interface and an input device, and a network connection therebetween, a system for selecting a video piece from the assortment of video pieces available over an interactive network for viewing by a user, the system comprising:

a. a database of video pieces wherein each video piece in the database is characterized by categories relating to the subject matter content of the video piece;

b. a set of icon control elements displayed by the graphical viewer interface, each icon control element being associated with each of the categories, and each icon control element being selectable by acquiring focus from the input device; and

c. selection means for selecting at least N video pieces from the assortment of video pieces in response to a user activating at least one of the icon control elements by means of the input device, wherein each video piece in the database is further characterized by quantitative criteria relating to the subject matter of the video piece and the icon control elements are further associated with the quantitative criteria, and wherein the assortment of video pieces is n, the number of categories is m, the number of quantitative criteria is p, and the quantitative criteria has y levels and wherein ##EQU2##

2. In an interactive network having a headend server with an assortment of video pieces stored thereon, a user system for receiving video pieces and having a graphical viewer interface and an input device, and a network connection therebetween, a method for selecting a video piece for viewing by a user comprising the steps of:

a. characterizing the video pieces based on categories relating to the subject matter content of the video piece, wherein the step of characterizing further includes assigning quantitative criteria to each video piece in the database relating to the subject matter of the video piece and the step of displaying further includes displaying icon control elements that are associated with the quantitative criteria;

b. displaying a set of icon control elements each of which is associated with one of the categories;

c. focusing on at least one of the icon control elements by means of the input device; and

d. selecting at least Xl video pieces from the assortment of video pieces in response to a user activating at least one of the icon control elements by means of the input device, wherein the assortment of video pieces is n, the number of categories is m, the number of quantitative criteria is p, and the quantitative criteria has y levels and wherein ##EQU3##