Systems and methods for providing a broadcast entertainment service and an on-demand entertainment service

• US 8,166,133 B1
• Filed: 12/21/2007
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Music Choice
• Original Assignee: Music Choice
• Inventors: Steinberg, Robert M., Yurman, Ronald M., Rosenberg, Jeremy C., McGonigal, Daniel L., Feras, John J. Jr., Delbeccaro, David J., Farber, Stuart H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Jungwon
• Application Number:
  US11/963,164
• Time in Patent Office: 1,586 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200, 709/219, 709/231, 386/224, 386/261, 386/240, 846/09, 725/60, 725/100, 725/87
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4387 by the use of playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/48 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/06 Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 for using the result on distributors' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/17372 the upstream transmission being initiated or timed by a signal from upstream of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/233 Processing of audio elementary streams monitoring, identification or recognition of audio in broadcast systems H04H60/58
• 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 21/26258 for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/437 Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. for transmitting client requests to a VOD server flow control in data networks H04L47/10; streaming protocols, e.g. RTP or RTCP, H04L65/65; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests in data packet switching networks H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/439 Processing of audio elementary streams
• 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 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 : using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 : Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• 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 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/816 : involving special video data, e.g 3D video
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8352 : involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 : Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for, in some cases, supplementing a broadcast media service with an on-demand and personalized media service.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

selecting a song;

creating video data related to the song;

after selecting the song and after creating the video data, transmitting a media channel comprising audio data corresponding to the song, the video data related to the song, and application data including a video identifier identifying a video, wherein

a client system is operable to receive the audio, video and application data and provide the audio and video data to an audio/video system that is operable to produce audio corresponding to the audio data and display on a display device video output corresponding to the video data, and

while the client system is providing the audio and video data to the audio/video system, the client system is configured such that, in response to a user selecting a user selectable button, the client system transmits to an on-demand system a message comprising the video identifier;

receiving said message that comprises the video identifier and that was transmitted by the client system; and

in response to receiving said message comprising the video identifier, transmitting from the on-demand system to the client system the identified video, wherein the client system is configured to receive the transmitted video and automatically play the received video in response to receiving the transmitted video.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the client system is configured such that, after playing the received video, the client system automatically tunes to the media channel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the application data comprises information that causes the client system to display a user selectable button on the display device with the video output.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the user indicates that the user desires to view the video by activating the user selectable button.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing an on-demand session with the client system in response to receiving the message and transmitting the identified video after establishing the on-demand session.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the client system is configured such that, in response to the user selecting the user selectable button, the client system configures a tuner of the client system so that the tuner is not tuned to the media channel but rather is tuned to an on-demand channel.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user selectable button is a button on a remote control that is used to control the client system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the video data comprises information identifying the artist who recorded the song such that the video output includes information identifying the artist who recorded the song.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the video data comprises a still image related to the song.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the video data comprises information identifying a title of the song such that the video output includes information identifying the title of the song.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the video data comprises information identifying an album on which the song can be found.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the media channel comprises broadcasting the media channel so that a plurality of client systems can tune to the media channel.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the media channel is a music channel.

14. In an environment comprising an on-demand system and a client system operable to communicate with the on-demand system, a method for providing an on-demand service, comprising:

transmitting a signal comprising a media channel, the media channel comprising audio data associated with an artist, video data, and client application data, wherein

the client system is operable to receive the signal and provide the audio and video data to an audio/video system that is operable to produce audio corresponding to the audio data and display on a display device video output corresponding to the video data,

the client application data comprises information that is configured to cause the client system to display a user selectable button on the display device, and

the client system is configured such that, in response to a user selecting the user selectable button, the client system transmits to the on-demand system a message comprising information identifying the media channel and/or the artist associated with the audio data;

receiving the message transmitted from the client system; and

in response to receiving the message, selecting, based, at least in part, on the information identifying the media channel and/or the artist associated with the audio data a list of (1) works or (2) artists and transmitting the list to the client system and further transmitting to the client system client application data, wherein the client system is configured to display at least a portion of the list and the client application data comprises information that is configured to cause the client system to display a second user selectable button along with the list, wherein the client system is configured such that, in response to the user selecting the second user selectable button, the client system transmits to the on-demand system a second message.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of transmitting the signal comprises broadcasting the signal so that a plurality of client systems can receive the signal and tune to the media channel.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein

the media channel is associated with a format, and

the information identifying the media channel comprises information identifying the format with which the media channel is associated.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the media channel is associated with a format, the second list consists of a list of artists, and each artist included in the second list is associated with the format with which the media channel is associated.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the media channel is associated with a format, the second list consists of a list of video works, and each video work included in the second list is associated with the format with which the media channel is associated.

19. A system for providing an on-demand entertainment service, the system being configured to:

a) transmit a signal comprising a media channel, the media channel comprising audio data associated with an artist, video data, and client application data, wherein

a client system is operable to receive the signal and provide the audio and video data to an audio/video system that is operable to produce audio corresponding to the audio data and display on a display device video output corresponding to the video data,

the client application data comprises information that is configured to cause the client system to display a user selectable button on the display device, and

the client system is configured such that, in response to a user selecting the user selectable button, the client system transmits to the system a message comprising information identifying the media channel and/or the artist associated with the audio data;

b) select, based, at least in part, on the information identifying the media channel and/or the artist associated with the audio data a list of (1) works or (2) artists in response to receiving the message transmitted from the client system; and

c) transmit the list to the client system, wherein the client system is configured to display at least a portion of the list, wherein

the system is configured such that, in response to receiving the message, the system transmits to the client system not only the list, but also client application data comprising information that is configured to cause the client system to display a second user selectable button along with the list, wherein the client system is configured such that, in response to the user selecting the second user selectable button, the client system transmits to the system a second message.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the system is configured to transmit the signal by broadcasting the signal so that a plurality of client systems can receive the signal and tune to the media channel.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein

the media channel is associated with a format, and

the information identifying the media channel comprises information identifying the format with which the media channel is associated.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the system is configured such that, in response to receiving the second message, the system transmits to the client system a second list of works or artists.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the media channel is associated with a format, the second list consists of a list of artists, and each artist included in the second list is associated with the format with which the media channel is associated.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the media channel is associated with a format, the second list consists of a list of video works, and each video work included in the second list is associated with the format with which the media channel is associated.