Methods and apparatus for providing media on mobile devices

• US 8,301,164 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2012
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TiVo Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MobiTV Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Tran, Monica, Peacock, Gavin, Roseborough, James, Lowell, David, Nallan, Aravind, Farmer, Ian
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehrpour, Melody
• Assistant Examiner(s): STEPHEN, EMEM O
• Application Number:
  US13/425,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20120180089A1
• Time in Patent Office: 223 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/404.2, 455/456.3, 455/414.3, 455/3.1, 725 60- 62
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23614 Multiplexing of additional data and video streams arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• 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 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 Transmission by the client directed to the server
• 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 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

Techniques and mechanisms are provided for sending targeted content and data to mobile devices. Location information associated with a device is determined. In some instances, the location information is manually entered. In other instances, the location information is determined automatically from characteristics associated with the device. Location information can be obtained from global positioning system (GPS) data, cell-site triangulation, Internet Protocol (IP) address detection, etc. Content and advertising can be provided in a location relevant manner to the mobile device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a request for program guide information, the request received from a device at a first location;

sending program guide information to the device, the program guide information for a first block of channels for a first time slot;

receiving a subsequent request for program guide information, the request received from the device at a second location, wherein the subsequent request is triggered by user interaction with the device; and

sending additional program guide information to the device, the additional program guide information for a second block of channels for the same first time slot, wherein the second block of channels comprise channels not included in the first block of channels.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the request is received from the device at the first location and the subsequent request is received from the device at a second location.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein program guide information is sent with advertising corresponding to the first location of the device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein additional program guide information is sent with advertising corresponding to the second location of the device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a request for a program included in the program guide information is received.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the program is sent with advertising corresponding to the first location of the device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first block of channels does not include a program subject to blackout restrictions particular to the first location.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second block of channels includes the program.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location is provided by a component included on the device.

10. A system comprising:

an input interface operable to receive a request for program guide information, the request received from a device at a first location;

a processor operable to identify a first block of channels;

an output interface operable to send program guide information to the device, the program guide information for the first block of channels for a first time slot;

wherein a subsequent request for program guide information is received from the device at a second location, wherein the subsequent request is triggered by user interaction with the device, wherein additional program guide information is sent to the device, the additional program guide information for a second block of channels for the same first time slot, wherein the second block of channels comprise channels not included in the first block of channels.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the request is received from the device at the first location and the subsequent request is received from the device at a second location.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein program guide information is sent with advertising corresponding to the first location of the device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein additional program guide information is sent with advertising corresponding to the second location of the device.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein a request for a program included in the program guide information is received.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the program is sent with advertising corresponding to the first location of the device.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the first block of channels does not include a program subject to blackout restrictions particular to the first location.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the second block of channels includes the program.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the first location is provided by a component included on the device.

19. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:

computer code for receiving a request for program guide information, the request received from a device at a first location;

computer code for sending program guide information to the device, the program guide information for a first block of channels for a first time slot;

computer code for receiving a subsequent request for program guide information, the request received from the device at a second location, wherein the subsequent request is triggered by user interaction with the device; and

computer code for sending additional program guide information to the device, the additional program guide information for a second block of channels for the same first time slot, wherein the second block of channels comprise channels not included in the first block of channels.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the request is received from the device at the first location and the subsequent request is received from the device at a second location.