Enhanced video content information associated with video programs

• US 7,293,275 B1
• Filed: 02/08/2002
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Yerkes, Rowland W., Lewis, Garth A., Schrader, Joseph A., Krieger, Allyson M., Kattwinkel, Eric Emil, Delp, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, NGOC K
• Application Number:
  US10/071,444
• Time in Patent Office: 2,097 Days
• Field of Search: 725/39, 725/40, 725/41, 725 43- 44, 725/45, 725/52, 725/53
• US Class Current: 725/40
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• 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 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• 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 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8549 Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer retrieval in video databases by using presentations in form of a video summary G06F16/739

Abstract

Providing interactive access to video programming and video content information in a multimedia system. A processing device of the multimedia system receives video content information associated with video programming that is to be broadcast. The video content information includes at least video identification information and video content information. The display device of the multimedia system presents a first interface image that presents the video content information for one of the video programs of the video programming. In response to viewer input, a second interface image is displayed on the display device presenting video content information for another one of the video programs of the video programming or for more detailed information associated with the video program. In this manner, the viewer can conveniently navigate through the video content information and identify information that is useful in selecting a program to watch.

Claims

1. In a multimedia system that includes a processing device for receiving and processing video programming and video content information associated with the video programming, and a display device for displaying the video programming, a method of providing interactive access to the video programming and the video content information, comprising the acts of:

receiving at the processing device video content information associated with video programming that is scheduled to be broadcast;

displaying on the display device a first interface image that presents the video content information for a particular video program of the video programming, the first interface image including a navigable supplemental content menu for obtaining additional information about the particular video program which is not displayed in the first interface image, wherein the navigable supplemental content menu on the first interface image includes a plurality of links to particular categories of available supplemental content information for the particular video program, such that each of the plurality of links is linked to a separate image associated with a respective category of supplemental content information for the particular video program;

in response to viewer input selecting one of the links to a particular category of supplemental content information, replacing the first interface image on the display device with a second interface image that presents the supplemental content information related to the particular category of supplemental content information for the particular video program of the video programming, the supplemental content information presented by the second interface image being related to the particular category of the video content information as identified by the selected link; and

within the second interface image that presents the supplemental content information for the particular video program and of the particular category, displaying a link for searching the video programming for one or more other video programs.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the processing device further receives video identification information that correlates the video content information with the particular video program.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first interface image further presents operation information on the display device and enables the viewer to provide input to the processing device that causes the processing device to perform a specified operation with respect to the particular video program.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising the acts of:

receiving from the viewer said input to the processing device; and

performing the specified operation, wherein the specified operation includes displaying the particular video program.

5. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising the acts of:

receiving from the viewer said input to the processing device; and

performing the specified operation, wherein the specified operation includes recording the particular video program.

6. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising the acts of:

receiving from the viewer said input to the processing device; and

performing the specified operation, wherein the specified operation includes issuing a reminder that the particular video program is to be broadcast.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first interface image presents each functionality and enables a viewer to provide input to the processing device that causes the processing device to perform filter operations on the video content information to identify video programs representing a subset of the video programming that is scheduled to be broadcast.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising receiving at the second interface image a viewer input indicative of criteria to be used for searching the video programming.

9. In a multimedia system that includes a processing device for receiving and processing video programming and video content information associated with the video programming, and a display device for displaying the video programming, a method of providing interactive access to the video programming and the video content information, comprising the acts of:

receiving at the processing device video content associated with video programming that is scheduled to be broadcast;

displaying on the display device a first interface image that presents the video content information for a particular video program of the video programming, the first interface image being linked to other video programs of the video programming;

in response to viewer input, displaying on the display device a second interface image that presents the video content information for a particular one of said other video programs of the video programming to which the first interface image is linked, said second interface image including a navigable supplemental content menu for obtaining additional information about the particular one of said other video programs and which is not displayed in the second interface image, wherein the navigable supplemental content menu on the second interface image includes a plurality of links to particular categories of available supplemental content information, such that each of the plurality of links is linked to a separate supplemental content interface image associated with a respective category of supplemental content information for the particular one of said other video programs; and

in response to viewer input selecting one of the links to a particular category of supplemental content information, replacing the second interface image with a supplemental content interface image associated with the particular category of supplemental content information displayed in the navigable supplemental content menu on the second interface image, the supplemental content interface image including a link for searching the video programming for one or more of the other video programs.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the processing device further receives video identification information that correlates the video content information with the associated particular video programs.

11. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the first interface image further presents operation information on the display device and enables the viewer to provide input to the process device that causes the processing device to perform a specified operation with respect to the particular video program.

12. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the video content information includes at least synopsis information, rating information, and actor information.

13. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the acts of:

providing a plurality of supplemental content interfaces images, each interface image being associated with a particular category of the supplemental content information displayed in the navigable menu on the second interface image.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the plurality of supplemental content interface images comprise web pages.

15. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein:

the particular category of the supplemental content information comprises actor information; and

wherein the supplemental content interface image comprises an actor information page containing biographical and filmographical information for the selected actor.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein:

the supplemental content interface image is linked to other video programs of the video programming; and

the method further comprising the act of, in response to viewer input, displaying on the display device another interface image that presents the video content information for one of said other video programs to which the supplemental content interface image is linked.

17. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the act of providing a video information select module including video identification information, the video information select module enabling the viewer to request the first interface image and the corresponding video content information.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the video information select module is linked to a listing on an electronic programming guide.

19. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the video information select module places a link as an overlay on a display of a video program.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, further comprising the act of automatically recording the video program being displayed at the time of the viewer selection in response to viewer selection of the video information select module.

21. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the video information select module is linked to search results provided in response to a search for video programming conducted by a viewer.

22. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the video interface image presents search functionality and enables a viewer to provide input to the processing device that causes the processing device to perform filter operations on the video content information to identify video programs representing a subset of the video programming that is scheduled to be broadcast.

23. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein the search functionality provides keywords selectable by the viewer, the filter operation filtering out all video programs not containing video content information containing the keyword selected.

24. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein the search functionality allows the viewer to select one or more search criteria, the filter operations filtering out all video programs not containing video content information containing the selected criteria.

25. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein:

the search functionality provides keywords selectable by the viewer and allows the receiver to select one or more search criteria; and

the filter operations filter out all video programs not containing video content information containing the selected keyword and the selected search criteria.

26. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the acts of:

receiving user input specifying video programs previously viewed;

storing data representing the video programs previously viewed; and

using the data representing the video programs previously viewed to specify parameters for filtering, such that the individual video programs displayed after filtering do not contain the video programs previously viewed.

27. A computer program product for implementing, in a multimedia system that includes a processing device for receiving and processing video programming and video content information associated with the video programming, and a display device for displaying the video programming, a method of providing interactive access to video the programming and the video content information, the computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable storage medium encoded with computer-executable instructions for implementing the method, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the processing device to perform the acts of;

receiving at the processing device video content information and video identification information associated with video programming that is scheduled to be broadcast;

displaying on the display device a first interface image that presents the video content information for a particular video program of the video programming, the first interface image including a navigable supplemental content menu for obtaining additional information about the particular video program which is not displayed in the first interface image, wherein the navigable supplemental content menu on the first interface image includes a plurality of links to particular categories of available supplemental content information, such that each of the plurality of links is linked to a separate interface image associated with a respective category of supplemental contact information for the the particular video program;

in response to viewer input selecting one of the links to a particular category of supplemental contact information, replacing the first interface image on the display device with a second interface image that presents the supplemental content information related to the particular category of supplemental content information on the supplemental content menu for the particular video program of the video programming, the supplemental content information presented by the second interface image being related to the particular category of the video content information as identified by the selected link; and

within the second interface image that presents the supplemental content information for the particular video program and of the particular category, displaying a link for searching the video programming for one or more other video programs.

28. A computer program product as defined in claim 27, wherein the act of displaying on the display device a first interface image further comprises the acts of:

presenting operation information on the display device; and

enabling the viewer to provide input to the processing device that causes the processing device to perform a specified operation with respect to the particular video.

29. A computer program product as defined in claim 27, wherein the act of displaying on the display device a first interface image further comprises the act of performing filter operations on the video content information in response to receiving user input to identify video programs representing subset of the video programming that is scheduled to be broadcast.

30. In a multimedia system that includes a processing device for receiving and processing video programming and video content information associated with the video programming, and a display device for displaying the video programming, a method of providing interactive access to the video programming and video content information, comprising the acts of:

receiving at the processing device video content information associated and video identification information associated with video programming that is scheduled to be broadcast;

receiving at the processing device video programming being broadcast;

displaying on the display device a particular video program of the video programming;

providing a video information select module that is selectable while the particular video program is being displayed, wherein the video information select module allows the user to request video content information;

in response to a viewer request for video content information, displaying on the display device a first interface image that presents the video content information for the particular video program, the first interface image including a navigable supplemental content menu for obtaining additional information about the particular video program which is not displayed in the first interface image, wherein the navigable supplemental content menu on the first interface image includes a plurality of links to particular categories of available supplemental content information for the particular video program, such that each of the plurality of links is linked to a separate interface image associated with a respective category of supplemental content information for the particular video program; and

in response to a viewer request for supplemental content information, by selecting one of the links in the navigable supplement content menu of the first interface image, displaying a supplemental content interface having supplemental content information related to the particular category of supplemental content information selected by the viewer, the supplemented content interface containing search functionality for searching the video programming for one or more other video programs.

31. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein the first interface image is linked to other video programs of the video programming.

32. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein the first interface image presents search functionality and enables a viewer to provide input to the processing device that causes the processing device to perform filter operations on the video content information to identify video programs representing a subset of the video programming that is scheduled to be broadcast.

33. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein:

the supplemental content interface is linked to other video programs of the video programming; and

the method further comprises, in response to viewer input, displaying on the display device a second interface image that presents the video content information for one of said other video programs to which the supplemental content interface image is linked.

34. A method as recited in claim 30, further comprising, in response to viewer input, displaying an icon, on the first interface image, indicating the video programs having previously been viewed.