Integrated content guide for interactive selection of content and services on personal computer systems with multiple sources and multiple media presentation

• US 7,694,235 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2008
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Exaflop LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Lawson, Richard J., Belmont, Brian V., Stautner, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US12/180,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20090025033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 715716-718, 715/720, 715/721, 715/723, 715/733, 715/762, 715/765, 715/810, 715/825, 715/835, 715/840, 715/854, 715/855, 715/962, 715/205, 725 37- 40, 725/42, 725/48, 725/51, 725 59- 61, 725/64, 707/1, 707/10, 707/100, 707/104.1
• US Class Current: 715/835
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/433 Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A integrated content guide for multiple sources is provided with hyper-text type links to allow for the selection of various programs. The hyper-text links are provided for a transmitted and then stored digital bit stream. This allows for the embedding within the content guide what could be additional commercial information. The embedding may also be as to additional information for other related television or radio shows or the like. Information can be additional television shows, related information or activities on on-line services or automatic telephone ordering of products or services being displayed.

Claims

1. A computer program product stored in digital media and including executable code that, when executed, is configured to cause a data processing apparatus to

determine a plurality of content information files stored in a database;

determine supplemental content information associated with at least one content information file of the plurality of content information files;

provide a graphical user interface within a display, the graphical user interface providing a content guide that includes an organized display of a plurality of selectable elements corresponding respectively to the plurality of content information files;

provide a graphical reference to the supplemental content information within a selectable element of the plurality of selectable elements;

receive a selection of the graphical reference; and

execute an action based on the selection and on the supplemental content information.

2. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the plurality of content information files comprises a plurality of audio files containing one or more song portions.

3. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the plurality of content information files comprises a plurality of video files.

4. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the plurality of content information files comprises audio-video files containing one or more television programs.

5. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the plurality of content information files comprises a plurality of software applications.

6. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the plurality of content information files comprises a plurality of audio-video broadcasts.

7. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the database is stored remotely and accessed over a computer network.

8. The computer program product of claim 7 wherein at least a portion of the database is stored locally and at least some of the content information files stored therein are obtained from the portion stored remotely.

9. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the supplemental content information is stored in the database.

10. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the supplemental content information includes descriptive information about a corresponding content information file.

11. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the supplemental content information includes advertisement information related to a corresponding content information file.

12. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the supplemental content information includes a command to obtain software related to the content information file.

13. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the supplemental content information includes a command to obtain an audio file related to the content information file.

14. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the supplemental content information includes a command to initiate a purchase related to the content information file.

15. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the content guide includes the organized display including a grid of the selectable elements, each selectable element identifying its corresponding content information file.

16. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the content guide includes the organized display including a list of the selectable elements, each selectable element identifying its corresponding content information file.

17. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the content guide is provided in response to a search of the database, the search providing the selectable elements and corresponding content information files.

18. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the content guide includes the organized display including the selectable elements, each selectable element including a reference to its corresponding content information file.

19. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the content guide includes the organized display including the selectable elements, each selectable element including descriptive information about its corresponding content information file.

20. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the content guide is provided within a browser application.

21. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the selectable element is selectable to enable purchase of the content information file.

22. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the selectable element is selectable to enable an audio output of the content information file.

23. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the selectable element is selectable to enable a video output of the content information file.

24. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the selectable element includes a link to the content information file.

25. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the graphical reference includes a link to the supplemental content information.

26. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the graphical reference includes a link to a corresponding content information file.

27. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the graphical reference includes an icon representing supplemental content information related to the selectable element.

28. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the selection includes a mouse click selection.

29. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the action includes displaying an advertisement within the supplemental content information and related to the content information file.

30. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the action includes obtaining at least a portion of the supplemental content information for display thereof in association with the content guide.

31. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the action includes initiating a purchase of an audio file.

32. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the action includes initiating purchase of a video file.

33. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the action includes initiating a download of the supplemental content information from a remote server.

34. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the action includes initiating a download of the content information file from a remote server.

35. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the executable code, when executed, is configured to cause the data processing apparatus to

store usage information of a user with respect to the content information files;

determine additional content information files based on the usage information; and

provide an option to the user for future use of the additional content information files.

36. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the plurality of content information files comprises a plurality of audio and/or video files, and wherein the action includes initiation of a purchase and download of a corresponding one of the content information files.

37. A computer-implemented method comprising:

determining a plurality of content information files stored in a database;

determining supplemental content information associated with at least one content information file of the plurality of content information files;

providing a graphical user interface within a display, the graphical user interface providing a content guide that includes an organized display of a plurality of selectable elements corresponding respectively to the plurality of content information files;

providing a graphical reference to the supplemental content information within a selectable element of the plurality of selectable elements;

receiving a selection of the graphical reference;

executing an action based on the selection and on the supplemental content information.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein determining the plurality of content information files comprises determining a plurality of audio files containing one or more song portions.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein determining the plurality of content information files comprises determining a plurality of video files.

40. The method of claim 37 wherein determining the plurality of content information files comprises determining a plurality of software applications.

41. The method of claim 37 wherein determining the supplemental content information includes determining descriptive information about a corresponding content information file.

42. The method of claim 37 wherein determining the supplemental content information includes determining a command to obtain software related to the content information file.

43. The method of claim 37 wherein providing the content guide includes providing the organized display including a grid of the selectable elements, each selectable element identifying its corresponding content information file.

44. The method of claim 37 wherein providing the content guide includes providing the organized display including a list of the selectable elements, each selectable element identifying its corresponding content information file.

45. The method of claim 37 wherein the selectable element is selectable to enable purchase of the content information file.

46. The method of claim 37 wherein the graphical reference includes an icon representing supplemental content information related to the selectable element.

47. The method of claim 37 wherein executing the action includes obtaining at least a portion of the supplemental content information for display thereof in association with the content guide.

48. The method of claim 37 wherein executing the action includes initiating a purchase.

49. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

storing usage information of a user with respect to the content information files;

determining additional content information files based on the usage information; and

providing an option to the user for future use of the additional content information files.

50. A system including executable code recorded on digital media, the system comprising:

a content guide provider configured to access content information of multiple types and to provide a content guide including an organized display of selectable elements, the selectable elements each corresponding to a content information file, and further configured to provide at least one graphical reference within at least some of the selectable elements, wherein the at least one graphical reference provides a link to supplemental content information for a corresponding content information file; and

a navigational front end configured to receive a selection of the at least one graphical reference and to execute an action based thereon and based on the linked supplemental content information.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein the plurality of content information files comprises a plurality of audio and/or video files, and wherein the action includes initiation of a purchase and download of a corresponding one of the content information files.

52. The system of claim 50 wherein the content information files comprise a plurality of audio files containing one or more song portions.

53. The system of claim 50 wherein the content information files comprise a plurality of video files.

54. The system of claim 50 wherein the content information files comprise audio- video files containing one or more television programs.

55. The system of claim 50 wherein the content information files comprise a plurality of software applications.

56. The system of claim 50 wherein the content information files comprise a plurality of audio-video broadcasts.

57. The system of claim 50 wherein at least a portion of a database storing the content information files is stored remotely and accessed over a computer network.

58. The computer program product of claim 57 wherein at least a portion of the database is stored locally and at least some of the content information files stored therein are obtained from the portion stored remotely.

59. The system of claim 50 wherein the supplemental content information is stored in a database.

60. The system of claim 50 wherein the supplemental content information includes descriptive information about a corresponding content information file.

61. The system of claim 50 wherein the supplemental content information includes advertisement information related to a corresponding content information file.

62. The system of claim 50 wherein the supplemental content information includes a command to obtain software related to the content information file.

63. system of claim 50 wherein the supplemental content information includes a command to obtain an audio file related to the content information file.

64. The system of claim 50 wherein the supplemental content information includes a command to initiate a purchase related to the content information file.

65. The system of claim 50 wherein the content guide includes the organized display including a grid of the selectable elements, each selectable element identifying its corresponding content information file.

66. The system of claim 51 wherein the content guide includes the organized display including a list of the selectable elements, each selectable element identifying its corresponding content information file.

67. The system of claim 50 wherein the content guide is provided in response to a search of a database containing the content information files, the search providing the selectable elements and corresponding content information files.

68. system of claim 50 wherein the content guide includes the organized display including the selectable elements, each selectable element including a reference to its corresponding content information file.

69. The system of claim 50 wherein the content guide includes the organized display including the selectable elements, each selectable element including descriptive information about its corresponding content information file.

70. The system of claim 50 wherein the content guide is provided within a browser application.

71. The system of claim 50 wherein the selectable element is selectable to enable purchase of the content information file.

72. The system of claim 50 wherein the selectable element is selectable to enable an audio output of the content information file.

73. The system of claim 50 wherein the selectable element is selectable to enable a video output of the content information file.

74. The system of claim 50 wherein the selectable element includes a link to the content information file.

75. The system of claim 50 wherein the graphical reference includes a link to the supplemental content information.

76. The system of claim 50 wherein the graphical reference includes a link to a corresponding content information file.

77. The system of claim 50 wherein the graphical reference includes an icon representing supplemental content information related to the selectable element.

78. The system of claim 50 wherein the selection includes a mouse click selection.

79. The system of claim 50 wherein the action includes displaying an advertisement within the supplemental content information and related to the content information file.

80. The system of claim 50 wherein the action includes obtaining at least a portion of the supplemental content information for display thereof in association with the content guide.

81. The system of claim 50 wherein the action includes initiating a purchase of an audio file.

82. The system of claim 50 wherein the action includes initiating purchase of a video file.

83. The system of claim 50 wherein the action includes initiating a download of the supplemental content information from a remote server.

84. The system of claim 50 wherein the action includes initiating a download of the content information file from a remote sewer.

85. The system of claim 50 wherein the system is configured to:

store usage information of a user with respect to the content information files;

determine additional content information files based on the usage information; and

provide an option to the user for future use of the additional content information files.

86. The system of claim 50 wherein the plurality of content information files comprises a plurality of audio and/or video files, and wherein the action includes initiation of a purchase and download of a corresponding one of the content information files.