Method for automatically collecting and delivering application event data in an interactive network

• US 5,752,159 A
• Filed: 01/13/1995
• Issued: 05/12/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Comcast MO Group Incorporated (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: US West Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Meier, John R., Faust, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, John W.
• Application Number:
  US08/372,153
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 348/7, 348/12, 348/13, 348/1.2, 348/10, 348/6, 455/5.1, 455/3.1, 455/4.1, 455/4.2, 455/6.1, 455/2
• US Class Current: 725/105
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/544 Remote
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; 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 21/44222 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 21/47214 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 21/6582 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 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A method is disclosed for automatically collecting and delivering multimedia application event data in an interactive network. The interactive network includes a server and a plurality of client stations. In operation, an event of a multimedia application at a first client station is identified. An event data signal representing the event is then transmitted and received by the server. The server processes the event data signal to determine if it is interested in the event. The server stores the event data signal if it is interested in the event. The server also allows other client stations to register an interest in the event. Upon determining an event of interest to a client station, the server automatically delivers the event data representing the event to the interested client station.

Claims

1. In an interactive network including a server and a plurality of client stations, the server including a memory and a processor having event processing control logic, a method for automatically collecting event data from a multimedia application at a client station with the server, the method comprising:

identifying an event of a multimedia application at a first client station;

transmitting, from the first client station, an event data signal representing the event;

receiving the event data signal with the server;

processing the event data signal with the event processing control logic of the server to determine if the event is of interest to the server;

storing the event data signal in the memory of the server if the event is of interest to the server;

registering an interest of a second client station in the event with the server;

processing the event data signal stored in the memory of the server with the event processing control logic of the server to determine if the event is of interest to the second client station;

transmitting the event data signal from the server if the second client station is interested in the event; and

receiving the event data signal with the second client station.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving an input signal from an input device of the first client station to identify an event of a multimedia application at the first client station.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the interactive network is an interactive television network.

4. In an interactive network including a server and a plurality of client stations, the server including a memory and a processor having event processing control logic, a method for automatically delivering event data from a server to a multimedia application at a client station, the method comprising:

identifying an event of a multimedia application at a first client station;

transmitting, from the first client station, an event data signal representing the event;

receiving the event data signal with the server;

storing the event data signal in the memory of the server;

registering an interest of a second client station at the server, wherein the interest of the second client station is indicative of the second client station being interested in the event;

processing the event data signal stored in the memory of the server with the event processing control logic of the server to determine if the event is of interest to the second client station;

transmitting, from the server, the event data signal stored in the memory of the server representing the event if the second client station is interested in the event; and

receiving the event data signal with the second client station.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

receiving an input signal from an input device of the second client station to register an interest in an event of a multimedia application.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein:

the interactive network is an interactive television network.