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

• US 8,108,797 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2010
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Exaflop LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Stautner, John P., Lawson, Richard J., Belmont, Brian V.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US12/700,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20100138487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 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, 707/705, 707/781, 707/802, 707/803, 707/805
• 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:

receive a search request related to a plurality of content information files stored in a searchable database;

execute a search of the searchable database to obtain search results including a subset of the content information files which correspond to the search request;

determine supplemental content information associated with at least one content information file of the subset 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 subset 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 executable code, when executed, is configured to cause the data processing apparatus to:

store usage information of a user with respect to the searchable database;

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.

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

record previous media consumption of a user; and

recommend future media to consume, based on the previous media consumption.

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

receive a selection of a selected content information file from the subset of content information files; and

initiate a purchase of the selected content information file, based on the selection.

5. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication, based on the selection of the graphical reference.

6. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication using a network connection, the network communication including user-generated content that is related to a corresponding content information file of the selectable element, and which is received at a server and subsequently provided over the network to at least a second user, by the server.

7. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication, the network communication including user-generated content that is subsequently provided within a user interface by a server.

8. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication, the network communication including content related to the content information file associated with the selectable element.

9. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication, the network communication including real-time communication.

10. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication, the network communication including real-time communication of content received from a user.

11. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the executable code, when executed, is configured to cause the data processing apparatus to execute the action including initiating a network communication, including providing a user interface in conjunction with the content guide.

12. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the action includes including initiating a network communication, including providing an advertisement in conjunction with the content guide.

13. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication, the network communication including a chat session that is related in topic to the content information file corresponding to the selectable element.

14. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the supplemental information identifies audio related to a corresponding content information file of the selected graphical reference, and wherein the action includes output of audio related to the corresponding content information file.

15. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

21. The computer program product of claim 20 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.

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

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

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

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

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

42. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a search request related to a plurality of content information files stored in a searchable database;

executing a search of the searchable database to obtain search results including a subset of the content information files which correspond to the search request;

determining supplemental content information associated with at least one content information file of the subset 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 subset 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; and

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

43. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, further comprising:

storing usage information of a user with respect to the searchable database;

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.

44. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, further comprising:

recording previous media consumption of a user; and

recommending future media to consume, based on the previous media consumption.

45. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, further comprising:

receiving a selection of a selected content information file from the subset of content information files; and

initiating a purchase of the selected content information file, based on the selection.

46. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication, based on the selection of the graphical reference.

47. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication using a network connection, the network communication including user-generated content that is related to a corresponding content information file of the selectable element, and which is received at a server and subsequently provided over the network to at least a second user, by the server.

48. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication, the network communication including user-generated content that is subsequently provided within a user interface by a server.

49. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication, the network communication including content related to the content information file associated with the selectable element.

50. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication, the network communication including real-time communication.

51. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication, the network communication including real-time communication of content received from a user.

52. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the executable code, when executed, is configured to cause the data processing apparatus to execute the action including initiating a network communication, including providing a user interface in conjunction with the content guide.

53. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the action includes including initiating a network communication, including providing an advertisement in conjunction with the content guide.

54. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the action includes initiating a network communication, the network communication including a chat session that is related in topic to the content information file corresponding to the selectable element.

55. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the supplemental information identifies audio related to a corresponding content information file of the selected graphical reference, and wherein the action includes output of audio related to the corresponding content information file.

56. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the plurality of content information files comprises a plurality of audio files containing one or more song portions.

57. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the plurality of content information files comprises a plurality of video files.

58. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the plurality of content information files comprises audio-video files containing one or more television programs.

59. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the plurality of content information files comprises a plurality of software applications.

60. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the plurality of content information files comprises a plurality of audio-video broadcasts.

61. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein at least a portion of the database is stored remotely and accessed over a computer network.

62. The computer-implemented method of claim 61, 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.

63. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the supplemental content information is stored in the database.

64. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the supplemental content information includes descriptive information about a corresponding content information file.

65. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the supplemental content information includes advertisement information related to a corresponding content information file.

66. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the supplemental content information includes a command to obtain software related to the content information file.

67. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the supplemental content information includes a command to obtain an audio file related to the content information file.

68. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the supplemental content information includes a command to initiate a purchase related to the content information file.

69. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the content guide includes the organized display including a grid of the selectable elements, each selectable element identifying its corresponding content information file.

70. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the content guide includes the organized display including a list of the selectable elements, each selectable element identifying its corresponding content information file.

71. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the content guide includes the organized display including the selectable elements, each selectable element including a reference to its corresponding content information file.

72. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the content guide includes the organized display including the selectable elements, each selectable element including descriptive information about its corresponding content information file.

73. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the content guide is provided within a browser application.

74. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the selectable element is selectable to enable purchase of the content information file.

75. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the selectable element is selectable to enable an audio output of the content information file.

76. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the selectable element is selectable to enable a video output of the content information file.

77. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the selectable element includes a link to the content information file.

78. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the graphical reference includes a link to the supplemental content information.

79. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the graphical reference includes a link to a corresponding content information file.

80. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the graphical reference includes an icon representing supplemental content information related to the selectable element.

81. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the action includes initiating a purchase of an audio file.

82. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein the action includes initiating purchase of a video file.

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

receive a search request related to media files stored within a database;

execute a search of the media files, based on the search request, to provide search results including a subset of the media files;

determine supplemental information for each media file of the search results;

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

provide, within each selectable element, an icon related to corresponding supplemental information about a corresponding media file;

receive a selection of a selected icon associated with a selected media file of the search results; and

execute, in response to the selection, an action related to the selected media file and corresponding supplemental information.

84. The computer program product of claim 83, wherein the supplemental information identifies media related to the selected media file, and wherein selection of the icon initiates the action including output of the media related to the selected media file.

85. The computer program product of claim 83, wherein the supplemental information includes identification of a server, and wherein selection of the icon initiates the action including executing a network communication with the server and related to the selected media file.

86. The computer program product of claim 83, wherein the supplemental information identifies purchase information related to the selected media file, and wherein selection of the icon initiates the action including purchase of the selected media file.

87. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a search request related to media files stored within a database;

executing a search of the media files, based on the search request, to provide search results including a subset of the media files;

determining supplemental information for each media file of the search results;

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

providing, within each selectable element, an icon related to corresponding supplemental information about a corresponding media file;

receiving a selection of a selected icon associated with a selected media file of the search results; and

executing, in response to the selection, an action related to the selected media file and corresponding supplemental information.

88. The computer-implemented method of claim 87, wherein the supplemental information identifies media related to the selected media file, and wherein selection of the icon initiates the action including output of the media related to the selected media file.

89. The computer-implemented method of claim 87, wherein the supplemental information includes identification of a server, and wherein selection of the icon initiates the action including executing a network communication with the server and related to the selected media file.

90. The computer-implemented method of claim 87, wherein the supplemental information identifies purchase information related to the selected media file, and wherein selection of the icon initiates the action including purchase of the selected media file.