Meta channel based media system control technology

• US 8,607,274 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2013
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PurpleComm Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PurpleComm Incorporated
• Inventors: Tuan, Sherman, Chang, Jack H, Sheu, William H.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHUNG, JASON
• Application Number:
  US13/764,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20130198781A1
• Time in Patent Office: 302 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 725/46
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4387 by the use of playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/462 Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
• 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 21/4755 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 21/482 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 21/4826 using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Meta-channels identify content entries and indicate an order with which to experience the content entries. The meta-channels may include a multi-source meta-channel that includes at least a first content entry that relates to first content broadcast by a first content provider at a specific time and a second content entry that relates to second content made available, over a network, by a second content provider in response to user requests. A selection of a meta-channel is received and the selection of the meta-channel is mapped to a content entry defined by the selected meta-channel. A media system is controlled to render content based on a content entry mapped to by the selected meta-channel.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a media system based on meta-channel information, the method comprising:

storing, in electronic storage, meta-channel information defining multiple meta-channels that identify content entries and that indicate an order with which to experience the content entries;

receiving, from a particular user, a selection of a meta-channel included in the multiple meta-channels defined by the meta-channel information;

accessing, from the electronic storage, meta-channel information corresponding to the selected meta-channel;

based on the accessed meta-channel information corresponding to the selected meta-channel, determining that the selected meta-channel defines a dynamically configurable content entry that maps to multiple possible content entries;

accessing preferences of the particular user;

selecting, from among the multiple possible content entries, a single content entry for the dynamically configurable content entry based on the accessed preferences of the particular user; and

controlling a media system to render content based on the selected content entry,

wherein the selected meta-channel includes a content interrupt that defines content-related events that, when detected, trigger substitution of other content for content currently being rendered, the content-related events resulting in substitution;

when an Internet video of a particular type is detected as being published on the Internet; and

when an occurrence of a particular event in content other than content currently defined by the selected meta-channel is detected, and

wherein the method further comprises;

during rendering of content defined by the selected meta-channel, detecting a content-related event defined by the content interrupt;

in response to detecting the content-related event, identifying content corresponding to the content-related event

controlling the media system to change from rendering the content defined by the selected meta-channel to rendering the content corresponding to the content-related event;

detecting completion of the content corresponding to the content-related event; and

controlling the media system to resume rendering content defined by the selected meta-channel.

2. The method of claim 1:

wherein receiving the selection of the meta-channel comprises receiving a selection of a dynamically configurable meta-channel; and

wherein selecting, from among the multiple possible content entries, the single content entry for the dynamically configurable content entry based on the accessed preferences of the particular user comprises;

determining that the dynamically configurable meta-channel defines at least two content entries for which the order of the at least two content entries is dynamically configurable;

determining an order of the at least two content entries based on the accessed preferences of the particular user; and

based on the determined order, selecting, from among the at least two content entries, a single content entry for the dynamically configurable meta-channel that corresponds to a time when the selection of the dynamically configurable meta-channel was received.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

using the determined order to define when the at least two content entries that were not selected are to be experienced; and

controlling the media system to render content based on the at least two content entries that were not selected at a subsequent time defined using the determined order.

4. The method of claim 1:

wherein the selected content entry corresponds to previously-recorded broadcast content, the previously-recorded broadcast content having been broadcast and recorded prior to a time at which the selected content entry defines the previously-recorded broadcast content to be experienced; and

wherein controlling the media system to render content based on the selected content entry comprises automatically, without human intervention, controlling the media system to render the previously-recorded broadcast content defined by the selected content entry.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, from the particular user, the selection of a meta-channel included in the multiple meta-channels defined by the meta-channel information comprises:

receiving, from a remote control, a selection command that selects a particular channel number based on manipulation of the remote control;

identifying, from among multiple remote controls that are each associated with a specific user, the remote control from which the selection command was received;

based on the identification of the remote control, determining an identity of a user associated with the remote control; and

based on the determined identity of the user, mapping the particular channel number from the selection command to a meta-channel corresponding to the particular channel number for the user associated with the remote control, wherein the particular channel number is mapped to a different channel for at least one user associated with another of the multiple remote controls.

6. A system comprising:

at least one electronic storage device configured to store meta-channel information defining multiple meta-channels that identify content entries and that indicate an order with which to experience the content entries; and

at least one processor configured to perform operations comprising;

storing, in the electronic storage, meta-channel information defining multiple meta-channels that identify content entries and that indicate an order with which to experience the content entries;

receiving, from a particular user, a selection of a meta-channel included in the multiple meta-channels defined by the meta-channel information;

accessing, from the electronic storage, meta-channel information corresponding to the selected meta-channel;

based on the accessed meta-channel information corresponding to the selected meta-channel, determining that the selected meta-channel defines a dynamically configurable content entry that maps to multiple possible content entries;

accessing preferences of the particular user;

selecting, from among the multiple possible content entries, a single content entry for the dynamically configurable content entry based on the accessed preferences of the particular user; and

controlling a media system to render content based on the selected content entry,

wherein the selected meta-channel includes a content interrupt that defines content-related events that, when detected, trigger substitution of other content for content currently being rendered, the content-related events resulting in substitution;

when an Internet video of a particular type is detected as being published on the Internet; and

when an occurrence of a particular event in content other than content currently defined by the selected meta-channel is detected, and

wherein the operations further comprise;

during rendering of content defined by the selected meta-channel, detecting a content-related event defined by the content interrupt;

in response to detecting the content-related event, identifying content corresponding to the content-related event;

controlling the media system to change from rendering the content defined by the selected meta-channel to rendering the content corresponding to the content-related event;

detecting completion of the content corresponding to the content-related event; and

controlling the media system to resume rendering content defined by the selected meta-channel.

7. The system of claim 6:

wherein receiving the selection of the meta-channel comprises receiving a selection of a dynamically configurable meta-channel; and

wherein selecting, from among the multiple possible content entries, the single content entry for the dynamically configurable content entry based on the accessed preferences of the particular user comprises;

determining that the dynamically configurable meta-channel defines at least two content entries for which the order of the at least two content entries is dynamically configurable;

determining an order of the at least two content entries based on the accessed preferences of the particular user; and

based on the determined order, selecting, from among the at least two content entries, a single content entry for the dynamically configurable meta-channel that corresponds to a time when the selection of the dynamically configurable meta-channel was received.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise:

using the determined order to define when the at least two content entries that were not selected are to be experienced; and

controlling the media system to render content based on the at least two content entries that were not selected at a subsequent time defined using the determined order.

9. The system of claim 6:

wherein the selected content entry corresponds to previously-recorded broadcast content, the previously-recorded broadcast content having been broadcast and recorded prior to a time at which the selected content entry defines the previously-recorded broadcast content to be experienced; and

wherein controlling the media system to render content based on the selected content entry comprises automatically, without human intervention, controlling the media system to render the previously-recorded broadcast content defined by the selected content entry.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein receiving, from the particular user, the selection of a meta-channel included in the multiple meta-channels defined by the meta-channel information comprises:

receiving, from a remote control, a selection command that selects a particular channel number based on manipulation of the remote control;

identifying, from among multiple remote controls that are each associated with a specific user, the remote control from which the selection command was received;

based on the identification of the remote control, determining an identity of a user associated with the remote control; and

based on the determined identity of the user, mapping the particular channel number from the selection command to a meta-channel corresponding to the particular channel number for the user associated with the remote control, wherein the particular channel number is mapped to a different channel for at least one user associated with another of the multiple remote controls.

11. A method of controlling a media system based on meta-channel information, the method comprising:

storing, in electronic storage, meta-channel information defining multiple meta-channels that identify content entries and that indicate an order with which to experience the content entries;

receiving, from a particular user, a selection of a meta-channel included in the multiple meta-channels defined by the meta-channel information;

accessing, from the electronic storage, meta-channel information corresponding to the selected meta-channel;

based on the accessed meta-channel information corresponding to the selected meta-channel, determining that the selected meta-channel defines a dynamically configurable content entry that maps to multiple possible content entries;

accessing preferences of the particular user;

selecting, from among the multiple possible content entries, a single content entry for the dynamically configurable content entry based on the accessed preferences of the particular user; and

controlling a media system to render content based on the selected content entry,

wherein the selected meta-channel includes a content interrupt that defines content-related events that, when detected, trigger substitution of other content for content currently being rendered, the content-related events including detection of an Internet video of a particular type being published on the Internet and detection of an occurrence of a particular event in content other than content currently defined by the selected meta-channel, and

wherein the method further comprises;

during rendering of content defined by the selected meta-channel, detecting a content-related event defined by the content interrupt;

in response to detecting the content-related event, identifying content corresponding to the content-related event;

controlling the media system to change from rendering the content defined by the selected meta-channel to rendering the content corresponding to the content-related event;

detecting completion of the content corresponding to the content-related event; and

controlling the media system to resume rendering content defined by the selected meta-channel.

12. The method of claim 11:

wherein receiving the selection of the meta-channel comprises receiving a selection of a dynamically configurable meta-channel; and

wherein selecting, from among the multiple possible content entries, the single content entry for the dynamically configurable content entry based on the accessed preferences of the particular user comprises;

determining that the dynamically configurable meta-channel defines at least two content entries for which the order of the at least two content entries is dynamically configurable;

determining an order of the at least two content entries based on the accessed preferences of the particular user; and

based on the determined order, selecting, from among the at least two content entries, a single content entry for the dynamically configurable meta-channel that corresponds to a time when the selection of the dynamically configurable meta-channel was received.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

using the determined order to define when the at least two content entries that were not selected are to be experienced; and

controlling the media system to render content based on the at least two content entries that were not selected at a subsequent time defined using the determined order.

14. The method of claim 11:

wherein the selected content entry corresponds to previously-recorded broadcast content, the previously-recorded broadcast content having been broadcast and recorded prior to a time at which the selected content entry defines the previously-recorded broadcast content to be experienced; and

wherein controlling the media system to render content based on the selected content entry comprises automatically, without human intervention, controlling the media system to render the previously-recorded broadcast content defined by the selected content entry.

15. A system comprising:

at least one electronic storage device configured to store meta-channel information defining multiple meta-channels that identify content entries and that indicate an order with which to experience the content entries; and

at least one processor configured to perform operations comprising;

storing, in the electronic storage, meta-channel information defining multiple meta-channels that identify content entries and that indicate an order with which to experience the content entries;

receiving, from a particular user, a selection of a meta-channel included in the multiple meta-channels defined by the meta-channel information;

accessing, from the electronic storage, meta-channel information corresponding to the selected meta-channel;

based on the accessed meta-channel information corresponding to the selected meta-channel, determining that the selected meta-channel defines a dynamically configurable content entry that maps to multiple possible content entries;

accessing preferences of the particular user;

selecting, from among the multiple possible content entries, a single content entry for the dynamically configurable content entry based on the accessed preferences of the particular user; and

controlling a media system to render content based on the selected content entry,

wherein the selected meta-channel includes a content interrupt that defines content-related events that, when detected, trigger substitution of other content for content currently being rendered, the content-related events including detection of an Internet video of a particular type being published on the Internet and detection of an occurrence of a particular event in content other than content currently defined by the selected meta-channel, and

wherein the operations further comprise;

during rendering of content defined by the selected meta-channel, detecting a content-related event defined by the content interrupt;

in response to detecting the content-related event, identifying content corresponding to the content-related event;

controlling the media system to change from rendering the content defined by the selected meta-channel to rendering the content corresponding to the content-related event;

detecting completion of the content corresponding to the content-related event; and

controlling the media system to resume rendering content defined by the selected meta-channel.

16. The system of claim 15:

wherein receiving the selection of the meta-channel comprises receiving a selection of a dynamically configurable meta-channel; and

wherein selecting, from among the multiple possible content entries, the single content entry for the dynamically configurable content entry based on the accessed preferences of the particular user comprises;

determining that the dynamically configurable meta-channel defines at least two content entries for which the order of the at least two content entries is dynamically configurable;

determining an order of the at least two content entries based on the accessed preferences of the particular user; and

based on the determined order, selecting, from among the at least two content entries, a single content entry for the dynamically configurable meta-channel that corresponds to a time when the selection of the dynamically configurable meta-channel was received.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise:

using the determined order to define when the at least two content entries that were not selected are to be experienced; and

controlling the media system to render content based on the at least two content entries that were not selected at a subsequent time defined using the determined order.

18. The system of claim 15:

wherein the selected content entry corresponds to previously-recorded broadcast content, the previously-recorded broadcast content having been broadcast and recorded prior to a time at which the selected content entry defines the previously-recorded broadcast content to be experienced; and

wherein controlling the media system to render content based on the selected content entry comprises automatically, without human intervention, controlling the media system to render the previously-recorded broadcast content defined by the selected content entry.

19. A method of controlling a media system based on meta-channel information, the method comprising:

storing, in electronic storage, meta-channel information defining multiple meta-channels that identify content entries and that indicate an order with which to experience the content entries;

receiving, from a particular user, a selection of a meta-channel included in the multiple meta-channels defined by the meta-channel information by;

receiving, from a remote control, a selection command that selects a particular channel number based on manipulation of the remote control,

identifying, from among multiple remote controls that are each associated with a specific user, the remote control from which the selection command was received,

based on the identification of the remote control, determining an identity of a user associated with the remote control, and

based on the determined identity of the user, mapping the particular channel number from the selection command to a meta-channel corresponding to the particular channel number for the user associated with the remote control, wherein the particular channel number is mapped to a different channel for at least one user associated with another of the multiple remote controls,

accessing, from the electronic storage, meta-channel information corresponding to the selected meta-channel;

based on the accessed meta-channel information corresponding to the selected meta-channel, determining that the selected meta-channel defines a dynamically configurable content entry that maps to multiple possible content entries;

accessing preferences of the particular user;

selecting, from among the multiple possible content entries, a single content entry for the dynamically configurable content entry based on the accessed preferences of the particular user; and

controlling a media system to render content based on the selected content entry,

wherein the selected meta-channel includes a content interrupt that defines a content-related event that, when detected, triggers substitution of content corresponding to the content-related event for content currently being rendered by the media system, and

wherein the method further comprises;

during rendering of content defined by the selected meta-channel, detecting the content-related event defined by the content interrupt;

in response to detecting the content-related event, identifying content corresponding to the content-related event;

controlling the media system to change from rendering the content defined by the selected meta-channel to rendering the content corresponding to the content-related event;

detecting completion of the content corresponding to the content-related event; and

controlling the media system to resume rendering content defined by the selected meta-channel.

20. A system comprising:

at least one electronic storage device configured to store meta-channel information defining multiple meta-channels that identify content entries and that indicate an order with which to experience the content entries; and

at least one processor configured to perform operations comprising;

storing, in the electronic storage, meta-channel information defining multiple meta-channels that identify content entries and that indicate an order with which to experience the content entries;

receiving, from a particular user, a selection of a meta-channel included in the multiple meta-channels defined by the meta-channel information by;

receiving, from a remote control, a selection command that selects a particular channel number based on manipulation of the remote control,

identifying, from among multiple remote controls that are each associated with a specific user, the remote control from which the selection command was received,

based on the identification of the remote control, determining an identity of a user associated with the remote control, and

based on the determined identity of the user, mapping the particular channel number from the selection command to a meta-channel corresponding to the particular channel number for the user associated with the remote control, wherein the particular channel number is mapped to a different channel for at least one user associated with another of the multiple remote controls,

accessing, from the electronic storage, meta-channel information corresponding to the selected meta-channel;

based on the accessed meta-channel information corresponding to the selected meta-channel, determining that the selected meta-channel defines a dynamically configurable content entry that maps to multiple possible content entries;

accessing preferences of the particular user;

selecting, from among the multiple possible content entries, a single content entry for the dynamically configurable content entry based on the accessed preferences of the particular user; and

controlling a media system to render content based on the selected content entry,

wherein the selected meta-channel includes a content interrupt that defines a content-related event that, when detected, triggers substitution of content corresponding to the content-related event for content currently being rendered by the media system, and

wherein the operations further comprise;

during rendering of content defined by the selected meta-channel, detecting the content-related event defined by the content interrupt;

in response to detecting the content-related event, identifying content corresponding to the content-related event;

controlling the media system to change from rendering the content defined by the selected meta-channel to rendering the content corresponding to the content-related event;

detecting completion of the content corresponding to the content-related event; and

controlling the media system to resume rendering content defined by the selected meta-channel.