Systems and methods for providing enhanced sports watching media guidance

• US 8,640,165 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Issued: 01/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Ellis, Michael D., Radloff, Jon P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Featherstone, Mark D
• Application Number:
  US11/888,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20080062318A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,373 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 725/38
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/254 Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server arrangements for maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00; network services using third party service providers H04L67/53
• 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 21/431 Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• 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 21/458 Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4583 Automatically resolving scheduling conflicts, e.g. when a recording by reservation has been programmed for two programs in the same time slot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4667 Processing of monitored end-user data, e.g. trend analysis based on the log file of viewer selections
• 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 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• 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 21/4823 using a channel name
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• 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 21/8126 : involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 : End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 : Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Systems and methods for enhanced sports-related media content access and display are provided. An intelligent tuning module for multi-tuner systems may designate one sporting event as a primary sporting event and another sporting event as a secondary sporting event. A primary tuner may tune the primary event whenever possible and a secondary tuner may tune the secondary event whenever possible. Sporting events may be assigned user profile scores and tuned away from in reverse priority order. An interactive scoreboard may also be displayed with various game status and alert icons. The interactive scoreboard may allow a viewer to quickly tune between high-interest sporting events. Sports-specific features, such as wagering and fantasy league support, are also provided.

Claims

1. A method for enhanced sports viewing on a user equipment device, the method comprising:

tuning to a first sporting event;

accessing an application data feed including sports scores of a plurality of sporting events, wherein the sports scores comprise a current score for the first sporting event;

displaying an interactive scoreboard in a display screen simultaneously with the first sporting event; and

displaying the current score of the first sporting event in a first area of the interactive scoreboard and at least one additional score of another sporting event in a second area of the interactive scoreboard, wherein in response to a user request, the at least one additional score displayed in the second area is changed to a score of a different sporting event of the plurality of sporting events and the current score remains displayed in the first area.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first area of the interactive scoreboard and the second area of the interactive scoreboard are adjacent areas.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first area of the interactive scoreboard and the second area of the interactive scoreboard are both selectable by a user.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically scrolling the scores of the plurality of sporting events in the second area of the interactive scoreboard.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the application data feed comprises sports scores of sporting events that are currently in progress.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the application data feed comprises sports scores of sporting events that have recently ended.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the application data feed comprises both a media guidance application data feed and a supplemental data feed, wherein the supplemental data feed provides sports scores of sporting events that are not currently accessible by the user equipment device.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a user indication of at least one sport, wherein the at least one additional score is a score of a sporting event of the at least one sport.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying, in a third area of the interactive scoreboard, additional information about the second sporting event.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying, in a flip banner at least partially contiguous to the interactive scoreboard, additional information about the second sporting event.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving user input to move the interactive scoreboard to a new area of the display screen; and

displaying the interactive scoreboard on the display screen in the new area.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving user input to resize the interactive scoreboard to a new size; and

rendering the interactive scoreboard on the display screen in the new size.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the interactive scoreboard in the display screen comprises displaying the interactive scoreboard along the entire horizontal width of the display screen.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying an icon in the interactive scoreboard indicating that one or more of first sporting event and the second sporting event is currently tuned by at least one tuner in the user equipment device.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying an icon in the interactive scoreboard indicating that one or more of the first sporting event and the second sporting event is currently in foreground view.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining if one or more of the first sporting event and the second sporting event has resumed play; and

in response to determining that one or more of the first sporting event and the second sporting event has resumed play, displaying an icon in the interactive scoreboard.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining if one or more of the first sporting event and the second sporting event is back from commercial; and

in response to determining that one or more of the first sporting event and the second sporting event is back from commercial, displaying an icon in the interactive scoreboard.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the user request comprises:

a user selection of the second area in which at least one additional score is displayed.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the user request comprises:

selecting the at least one additional score displayed in the second area resulting in a visual distinguishing of the second area from the first area of the interactive scoreboard; and

receiving further user input to change the display of the at least one additional score.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining if one or more of the first sporting event and the second sporting event is currently available on at least one media source accessible by the user equipment device; and

in response to determining if one or more of the first sporting event and the second sporting event is available on at least one media source accessible by the user equipment device, displaying an icon in the area of the interactive scoreboard associated with the first or second sporting event.

21. The method of claim 4 wherein automatically scrolling the scores of the plurality of sporting events comprises automatically displaying each score of the plurality of sporting events for a user-configurable amount of time.

22. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving a user selection of the third area of the interactive scoreboard; and

in response to receiving the user selection of the third area of the interactive scoreboard, invoking a media guidance function.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the media guidance function is selected from the group consisting of tuning to the second sporting event, scheduling the second sporting event for recording, displaying a screen of additional information about the second sporting event, displaying the second sporting event in full-screen, adding the second sporting event to a user favorites list, setting a reminder for the second sporting event, and displaying the second sporting event in a PIP window.

24. The method of claim 17 wherein the sporting event that is back from commercial is tuned but not currently displayed in the display screen.

25. The method of claim 17 wherein determining if one or more of the first sporting event or the second sporting event is back from commercial comprises analyzing the black frame interval of at least one tuner output.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein determining if one or more of the first sporting event or the second sporting event is back from commercial comprises analyzing the audio level of at least one tuner output in conjunction with the black frame interval.

27. The method of claim 17 wherein determining if one or more of the first sporting event or the second sporting event is back from commercial comprises receiving a commercial data flag from a facility remote from the user equipment device.

28. A system for enhanced sports viewing on a user equipment device, the system comprising:

a display screen; and

control circuitry configured to;

tune to a first sporting event;

access an application data feed including sports scores of a plurality of sporting events, wherein the sports scores comprise a current score for the first sporting event;

display, on the display screen, an interactive scoreboard in a display screen simultaneously with the first sporting event;

display, on the display screen, the current score of the first sporting event in a first area of the interactive scoreboard and at least one additional score of another sporting event in a second area of the interactive scoreboard; and

in response to a user request, change the at least one additional score displayed in the second area to a score of a different sporting event of the plurality of sporting events and continue to display the current score in the first area.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the first area of the interactive scoreboard and the second area of the interactive scoreboard are adjacent areas.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the first area of the interactive scoreboard and the second area of the interactive scoreboard are both selectable by a user.

31. The system of claim 28 wherein the control circuitry is configured to automatically scroll the scores of the plurality of sporting events in the second area of the interactive scoreboard.

32. The system of claim 28 wherein the application data feed comprises sports scores of sporting events that are currently in progress.

33. The system of claim 28 wherein the application data feed comprises sports scores of sporting events that have recently ended.

34. The system of claim 28 wherein the application data feed comprises both a media guidance application data feed and a supplemental data feed, wherein the supplemental data feed provides sports scores of sporting events that are not currently accessible by the user equipment device.

35. The system of claim 28 wherein the control circuitry is configured to receive a user indication of at least one sport, wherein the at least one additional score is a score of a sporting event of the at least one sport.

36. The system of claim 28 wherein the control circuitry is configured to display, in a third area of the interactive scoreboard, additional information about the second sporting event.

37. The system of claim 28 wherein the control circuitry is configured to display, in a flip banner at least partially contiguous to the interactive scoreboard, additional information about the second sporting event.

38. The system of claim 36 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

receive a user selection of the third area of the interactive scoreboard; and

in response to receiving the user selection of the third area of the interactive scoreboard, invoke a media guidance function.

39. The system of claim 28 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

receive user input to move the interactive scoreboard to a new area of the display screen; and

display the interactive scoreboard on the display screen in the new area.

40. The system of claim 28 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

receive user input to resize the interactive scoreboard to a new size; and

render the interactive scoreboard on the display screen in the new size.

41. The system of claim 28 wherein the control circuitry is configured to display the interactive scoreboard in the display screen along the entire horizontal width of the display screen.

42. The system of claim 28 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to display an icon in the interactive scoreboard indicating that one or more of first sporting event and the second sporting event is currently tuned by at least one tuner in the user equipment device.

43. The system of claim 28 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to display an icon in the interactive scoreboard indicating that one or more of the first sporting event and the second sporting event is currently in foreground view.

44. The system of claim 28 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

determine if one or more of the first sporting event and the second sporting event has resumed play; and

in response to determining that one or more of the first sporting event and the second sporting event has resumed play, display an icon in the interactive scoreboard.

45. The system of claim 28 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

determine if one or more of the first sporting event and the second sporting event is back from commercial; and

in response to determining that one or more of the first sporting event and the second sporting event is back from commercial, display an icon in the interactive scoreboard.

46. The system of claim 31 wherein the control circuitry is configured to automatically scroll the scores of the plurality of sporting events by automatically displaying each score of the plurality of sporting events for a user-configurable amount of time.

47. The system of claim 38 wherein the media guidance function is selected from the group consisting of tuning to the second sporting event, scheduling the second sporting event for recording, displaying a screen of additional information about the second sporting event, displaying the second sporting event in full-screen, adding the second sporting event to a user favorites list, setting a reminder for the second sporting event, and displaying the second sporting event in a PIP window.

48. The system of claim 45 wherein the sporting event that is back from commercial is tuned but not currently displayed in the display screen.

49. The system of claim 45 wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine if one or more of the first sporting event or the second sporting event is back from commercial by receiving a commercial data flag from a facility remote from the user equipment device.

50. The system of claim 45 wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine if one or more of the first sporting event or the second sporting event is back from commercial by analyzing the black frame interval of at least one tuner output.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine if one or more of the first sporting event or the second sporting event is back from commercial by analyzing the audio level of at least one tuner output in conjunction with the black frame interval.