Apparatus and method for the collection and utilization of user selection in a content delivery environment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A content delivery network for transmitting multiple channels of content;
- said network comprising;
(a) a multiple channel source for generating multiple channels of content;
(b) a user interface for receiving one or more user input from one or more users;
(c) a detection and reporting member comprising one or more sniffers distributed in the network for detecting and reporting in real time one or more users'"'"' preference of content based on user input from the one or more users, wherein each of the multiple channel sources and the user interface comprise one of the one or more sniffers;
(d) at least one multicast element and a transmission medium operably connected to said at least one multicast element and to said multiple channel source, and wherein said detection and reporting member is operably connected to said multicast element with a sniffer of the one or more sniffers at the at least one multicast element; and
(e) a service analysis and management analysis system configured to receive the user input from the one or more users and to provide statistical reports of content utilized by each of the one or more users, wherein said service analysis and management analysis system is further configured to correlate the user input and content description to create statistical databases and report of the one or more users behaviors of a specific set of one or more users, wherein said service analysis and management analysis system comprises filtering to remove recognizable behavior patterns not relevant to managing the content delivery network, and wherein said service analysis and management analysis system is separate from said user interface;
wherein one of said one or more sniffers is contained in a broadband loop carrier, each of said sniffers is configured to extract in real time said one or more user input using Internet Group Managed Protocol (IGMP) functionality, and wherein data on the transmission medium is controlled responsive to extracted user input from the sniffers.
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Abstract
A system and method for the collection, analysis, utilization, and/or reporting of user preference of content experienced by the user preferably for managing the distribution network of a content delivery environment, managing the selections of content available, reporting user selections of content available, and/or execution of user instructions as presented in the content.
38 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A content delivery network for transmitting multiple channels of content;
- said network comprising;
(a) a multiple channel source for generating multiple channels of content; (b) a user interface for receiving one or more user input from one or more users; (c) a detection and reporting member comprising one or more sniffers distributed in the network for detecting and reporting in real time one or more users'"'"' preference of content based on user input from the one or more users, wherein each of the multiple channel sources and the user interface comprise one of the one or more sniffers; (d) at least one multicast element and a transmission medium operably connected to said at least one multicast element and to said multiple channel source, and wherein said detection and reporting member is operably connected to said multicast element with a sniffer of the one or more sniffers at the at least one multicast element; and (e) a service analysis and management analysis system configured to receive the user input from the one or more users and to provide statistical reports of content utilized by each of the one or more users, wherein said service analysis and management analysis system is further configured to correlate the user input and content description to create statistical databases and report of the one or more users behaviors of a specific set of one or more users, wherein said service analysis and management analysis system comprises filtering to remove recognizable behavior patterns not relevant to managing the content delivery network, and wherein said service analysis and management analysis system is separate from said user interface; wherein one of said one or more sniffers is contained in a broadband loop carrier, each of said sniffers is configured to extract in real time said one or more user input using Internet Group Managed Protocol (IGMP) functionality, and wherein data on the transmission medium is controlled responsive to extracted user input from the sniffers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 17)
- said network comprising;
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9. A content delivery network for transmitting multiple channels of content;
- said network comprising;
(a) a multiple channel source for generating multiple channels of content; (b) a user interface for receiving one or more user inputs from one or more users; (c) a content and feedback processor for modifying content, in real time, provided to the one or more users based on the user input from the one or more users; (d) at least one multicast element and a transmission medium operably connected to said at least one multicast element and to said multiple channel source, wherein each of said at least one multicast element containing said content and feedback processor; (e) a plurality of sniffers including a sniffer in the content and feedback processor for detecting and reporting user input, wherein one of said sniffers being contained in said at least one multicast element, wherein one of said sniffers contained in a broadband loop carrier, and wherein each said sniffers is configured to extract in real time said one or more user input using Internet Group Managed Protocol (IGMP) functionality; (f) a service analysis and management analysis system configured to receive the user input from the one or more users and to provide statistical reports of content utilized by each of the one or more users, wherein said service analysis and management analysis system is further configured to correlate the user input and content description to create statistical databases and report of the one or more users behaviors of a specific set of one or more users, wherein said service analysis and management analysis system utilizes filtering to filter out certain recognizable behavior patterns that are not relevant to the collection of viewer preference reports, wherein said service analysis and management analysis system is separate from said user interface and wherein said service analysis and management analysis system is configured to detect access violations comprising one of adding an unauthorized user interface, pulling content not part of a service profile, and parental controls; and (g) multicast management element connected to each of said at least one multicast element, the transmission medium, and said multiple channel source, wherein said multicast management element sets content from the multiple channel source through the transmission medium to the at least one multicast element responsive to user feedback. - View Dependent Claims (10)
- said network comprising;
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11. A method of managing a content delivery network having a multiple channel source and a user interface for receiving one or more user inputs from one or more users;
- said method including the steps of
(a) detecting, in real time, one or more users'"'"' preference based on the user input from the one or more users, wherein said detecting is performed by at least one multicast element and a transmission medium operably connected to said at least one multicast element and to said multiple channel source, and a plurality of sniffers including a sniffer contained in a broadband loop carrier for detecting and reporting user input, wherein sniffers of said plurality of sniffers also being contained in said at least one multicast element and a content and feedback processor, and wherein each of said plurality of sniffers is configured to extract in real time said one or more user input using Internet Group Managed Protocol (IGMP)functionality; (b) processing the user input from the one or more users, wherein said processing step further comprises filtering out recognizable behavior patterns not relevant to managing the content delivery network, and wherein said processing performed by a service analysis and management analysis system separate from said user interface; and
,(c) instantly, on aggregate, or as statistically predicted to be needed periodically, performing each of the following based on said processing step; (i) managing the availability of one or more channels from the multiple channel source; (ii) executing one or more specific instructions based on user input providing feedback relating to one or more options that are presented or available to the one or more users; (iii) generating a report providing information relating to the one or more user inputs from the one or more users; and (iv) correlating the user input and content description to create statistical databases and report of the one or more users behaviors of a specific set of one or more users. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- said method including the steps of
Specification