Cross-channel interstitial program promotion

• US 7,631,331 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2003
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starz Entertainment, LLC (Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Starz Entertainment, LLC (Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation)
• Inventors: Beyler, John C., Sie, John J., DePrez, Gregory R., Bauman, Mark G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Salce; Jason P
• Application Number:
  US10/460,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20030233656A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,372 Days
• Field of Search: 725 43- 47, 725/50, 725/52, 725 40- 42
• US Class Current: 725/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23106 involving caching operations prefetching while addressing of a memory level in which the access to the desired data or data block requires associative addressing means within memory systems or architectures G06F12/0862; caching at an intermediate stage in a data network H04L67/568
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• 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 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• 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 21/44204 Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• 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 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47208 for requesting near-video-on-demand content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6187 involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• 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 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 : involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 : on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 : involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8227 : the additional signal being at least another television signal

Abstract

According to the invention, a method for generating a personalized menu promoting other video programs available from a video content delivery system is disclosed. The video content delivery system provides a plurality of channels of video content simultaneously. In one step, it is determined that a triggering event has occurred with a video content delivery conduit. First information about one or more users is gathered. The one or more users are associated with an account with the video content delivery system. Alternative video programs are determined and personalized for the one or more users based, at least in part, upon the first information. The context for the triggering event is analyzed to produce second information. A configuration of the personalized menu is determined based, at least in part, upon the second information. The personalized menu is formulated for presentment to the one or more users. The personalized menu comprises links to the alternative video programs.

Claims

1. A method for generating a personalized menu promoting other video programs available from a video content delivery system, wherein the video content delivery system includes a plurality of channels of video content simultaneously, the method comprising steps of:

determining that a triggering event has occurred with a video content delivery conduit while a first video program is being presented;

gathering first information about one or more users, wherein the one or more users are associated with an account with the video content delivery system;

determining alternative video programs personalized for the one or more users based, at least in part, upon the first information;

analyzing context for the triggering event to produce second information, wherein the second information includes;

whether there is promotional video to play with the personalized menu, and

a format of the promotional video;

determining a context-sensitive configuration of the personalized menu based, at least in part, upon the second information; and

formulating the personalized menu with the context-sensitive configuration for presentment to the one or more users while continuing to present the first video program, wherein the personalized menu comprises links to the alternative video programs.

2. The method for generating the personalized menu promoting other video programs available from the video content delivery system, wherein the content delivery system provides the plurality of channels of video content simultaneously as recited in claim 1, wherein the triggering event includes at least one of:

pausing playback on the video content delivery conduit;

reaching a limit on viewing;

tuning to a previously presented channel;

determining an aspect ratio mismatch between the video content stream and a display for the video content stream that results in unused portions of the display; and

determining a periodic timer has expired.

3. The method for generating the personalized menu promoting other video programs available from the video content delivery system, wherein the content delivery system provides the plurality of channels of video content simultaneously as recited in claim 1, wherein the first information is derived from at least one of:

viewing habits of the one or more users, and

expressed interest of the one or more users.

4. The method for generating the personalized menu promoting other video programs available from the video content delivery system, wherein the content delivery system provides the plurality of channels of video content simultaneously as recited in claim 1, wherein the first information can be resolved to an individual of the one or more users.

5. The method for generating the personalized menu promoting other video programs available from the video content delivery system, wherein the content delivery system provides the plurality of channels of video content simultaneously as recited in claim 1, wherein the context-sensitive configuration of the personalized menu includes at least one of:

full screen or partial screen;

transparent or opaque; and

ephemeral or persistent.

6. The method for generating the personalized menu promoting other video programs available from the video content delivery system, wherein the content delivery system provides the plurality of channels of video content simultaneously as recited in claim 1, wherein the context-sensitive configuration of the personalized menu includes size and placement of the personalized menu.

7. The method for generating the personalized menu promoting other video programs available from the video content delivery system, wherein the content delivery system provides the plurality of channels of video content simultaneously as recited in claim 1, wherein the formulating step comprises determining alternative video programs to present to the one or more users.

8. The method for generating the personalized menu promoting other video programs available from the video content delivery system, wherein the content delivery system provides the plurality of channels of video content simultaneously as recited in claim 1, wherein the alternative video programs are either stored video programs or video programs playing on other channels.

9. The method for generating the personalized menu promoting other video programs available from the video content delivery system, wherein the content delivery system provides the plurality of channels of video content simultaneously as recited in claim 1, wherein the first video program is a stored video program or a video program in a linear schedule of video programs.

22. The method according to claim 1, wherein a format of a currently playing video is a pillar box format, and the personalized menu is configured to be placed in unused portions.

23. The method according to claim 1, wherein a format of a currently playing video is a letter box format, and the personalized menu is configured to be placed in unused portions.

24. The method according to claim 1, wherein the personalized menu is configured to be ephemeral.

25. The method according to claim 1, wherein a currently playing video signal is displayed with artifacts before a normal video signal is displayed, and the personalized menu is configured to be shown in a full screen or partial screen when the artifacts are shown.

26. The method according to claim 1, wherein the personalized menu is configured to be ephemeral.

27. The method according to claim 1, wherein the personalized menu is configured to be in a partial screen and/or transparent.

10. A method for generating a customized menu promoting other video programs available from a video content delivery system, the method comprising steps of:

determining that a triggering event has occurred with a video content delivery conduit while a content program is selected for playback;

determining alternatives to the content program, wherein the alternatives are at least one of;

categories of video programs, and

individual video programs;

determining context information based on

whether the alternatives allow temporal manipulation;

analyzing context for the triggering event to produce second information, wherein the second information includes;

whether there is promotional video to play with the customized menu, and a format of the promotional video

determining a context-sensitive configuration of the customized menu based, at least in part, upon the context information and the second information;

formulating the customized menu with the context-sensitive configuration for presentment to the one or more users, wherein the customized menu comprises links to the alternatives; and

causing display of the customized menu to the one or more users while the content program is selected for playback.

11. The method for generating the customized menu promoting other video programs available from the content delivery system as recited in claim 10, wherein the second-listed determining step comprises determining alternatives similar to the content program.

12. The method for generating the customized menu promoting other video programs available from the content delivery system as recited in claim 10, wherein the second-listed determining step comprises determining alternatives based, at least in part, upon past viewing habits of the one or more users.

13. The method for generating the customized menu promoting other video programs available from the content delivery system as recited in claim 10, wherein the second-listed determining step comprises determining alternatives based, at least in part, upon stated preferences of the one or more users.

14. The method for generating the customized menu promoting other video programs available from the content delivery system as recited in claim 10, wherein the triggering event includes at least one of:

reaching a limit on viewing;

tuning to a previously presented channel;

determining a channel has been selected, but does not currently have a video content stream that is tunable;

determining a channel or a program is not authorized for viewing;

determining an aspect ratio mismatch between the video content stream and a display for the video content stream that results in unused portions of the display; and

determining a periodic timer has expired.

15. The method for generating the customized menu promoting other video programs available from the content delivery system as recited in claim 10, wherein the formulating step comprises determining if a configuration of the customized menu is:

full screen or partial screen;

transparent or opaque; and

ephemeral or persistent.

16. The method for generating the customized menu promoting other video programs available from the content delivery system as recited in claim 10, wherein the formulating step includes determining a size and placement of the customized menu.

17. The method for generating the customized menu promoting other video programs available from the content delivery system as recited in claim 10, wherein the alternatives are either stored video programs or video programs playing on other channels.

18. The method for generating the customized menu promoting other video programs available from the content delivery system as recited in claim 10, wherein the content program is either a stored video program or a video program in a linear schedule of video programs.

19. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the computer-implementable method for generating the customized menu promoting other video programs available from the content delivery system of claim 10.

20. A computer system adapted to perform the computer-implementable method for generating the customized menu promoting other video programs available from the content delivery system of claim 10.

21. A method for generating a personalized menu promoting other video programs available from a video content delivery system, wherein the video content delivery system provides a plurality of channels of video content simultaneously, the method comprising steps of:

determining that a triggering event has occurred with a video content delivery conduit;

gathering first information about one or more users, wherein the one or more users are associated with an account with the video content delivery system, wherein the first information is derived from at least one of;

viewing habits of the one or more users, and

expressed interest of the one or more users;

determining alternative video programs personalized for the one or more users based, at least in part, upon the first information, wherein the alternative video programs are either stored video programs or video programs playing on other channels;

determining second information based on

whether there is promotional video to play with the personalized menu and

whether there is temporal manipulation associated with the alternative video programs

determining a context-sensitive configuration of the personalized menu based, at least in part, upon the second information;

formulating the personalized menu with the context-sensitive configuration for presentment to the one or more users, wherein;

the personalized menu comprises links to the alternative video programs, and

the formulating step comprises determining alternative video programs to present to the one or more users; and

causing display of the personalized menu to the one or more user while the video content delivery conduit is playing back.