Using broadcast television as a portal for video on demand solicitation
First Claim
1. A method for facilitating reduction of redundancy of prompts displayed to a user, the method comprising:
- receiving media content from a content broadcasting system;
displaying the media content that is received;
monitoring the media content that is displayed to detect an event, wherein the event comprises an occurrence of a trigger embedded in the media content;
storing the event, wherein a history of events that are detected is maintained;
maintaining a history of prompts displayed to the user, each displayed prompt corresponding to an associated event;
determining, based on programmed evaluation criteria applied to the history of events and the history of displayed prompts, when the detected event is a unique event, wherein when a unique event is detected;
determining one or more video-on-demand offerings associated with the event; and
providing a displayed prompt to the user that provides a notification that the one or more video-on-demand offerings associated with the event are available, wherein the determining when the detected event is a unique event based on programmed evaluation criteria applied to the history of events and the history of displayed prompts facilitates the reduction of redundancy of prompts displayed to the user, wherein the method is implemented by a client device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are described for using broadcast television systems as an implicit portal for solicitation of video on demand programs. A viewing device is monitored for the occurrence of a specific event, such as a channel change or the detection of a trigger mechanism programmed into a content program. When the event is detected, a user is prompted to notify the user of the availability of video on demand content related to the channel or program the user is watching. If the user indicates that he is interested in such content, available video on demand programs are presented to the user for selection. Means are also provided to prevent redundant and other unwanted prompts from appearing on the user'"'"'s display.
99 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for facilitating reduction of redundancy of prompts displayed to a user, the method comprising:
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receiving media content from a content broadcasting system; displaying the media content that is received; monitoring the media content that is displayed to detect an event, wherein the event comprises an occurrence of a trigger embedded in the media content; storing the event, wherein a history of events that are detected is maintained; maintaining a history of prompts displayed to the user, each displayed prompt corresponding to an associated event; determining, based on programmed evaluation criteria applied to the history of events and the history of displayed prompts, when the detected event is a unique event, wherein when a unique event is detected; determining one or more video-on-demand offerings associated with the event; and providing a displayed prompt to the user that provides a notification that the one or more video-on-demand offerings associated with the event are available, wherein the determining when the detected event is a unique event based on programmed evaluation criteria applied to the history of events and the history of displayed prompts facilitates the reduction of redundancy of prompts displayed to the user, wherein the method is implemented by a client device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A client device communicatively coupled to a content broadcasting system, the client device comprising:
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a processor; memory; a monitor module configured to monitor the client device for events associated with media content received from the content broadcast system and detect occurrences of such events; a history module to maintain a history of user prompts provided to a user of the client device, each user prompt corresponding to an occurrence of an event; a control module configured to identify one or more content programs associated with a detected event, wherein the control module utilizes specified evaluation criteria applied to the history of user prompts to determine if a detected event is associated with a unique event or with a repeating event, wherein determining when a detected event is associated with a unique event or with a repeating event facilitates a reduction of redundancy of user prompts; a user interface module configured to; provide a user prompt informing a user that one or more content programs associated with a detected event are available; receive a response to the user prompt; and display program information regarding the one or more content programs associated with the event if the response to the user prompt is a request to display the program information. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. One or more computer-readable storage media containing computer-executable instructions that, when executed on a computer, perform a method, the method comprising:
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monitoring in a client device to detect an occurrence of a condition, the client device being configured to receive broadcast media content via multiple channels of a content broadcasting system; maintaining in the client device a history of displayed prompts, wherein each displayed prompt corresponds to an occurrence of a condition; determining in the client device based on specified evaluation criteria applied to the history of displayed prompts, when the occurrence of the detected condition is unique, wherein when the occurrence of the detected condition is unique, providing a user-selectable option that comprises a displayed prompt that facilitates a user to receive program information about one or more content programs related to broadcast media content currently being accessed; receiving a response to the user-selectable option; and displaying the program information if the response to the user-selectable option is an indication to display the program information, wherein the determining when the occurrence of the detected condition is unique facilitates a reduction of redundancy of displayed prompts. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification