System and method for customizing an interface related to accessing, manipulating and viewing internet and non-internet related information

• US 8,997,003 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2011
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guild Forest LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Flatrock Technology, LLC (Concert Technology Corporation)
• Inventors: Stern, Joseph L.
• Primary Examiner(s): PITARO, RYAN F
• Application Number:
  US13/237,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20120072851A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 715/745, 715/747
• US Class Current: 715/745
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/957 Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation
• 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: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• 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 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for accessing, generating, presenting and manipulating Internet and non-Internet related information, data and content, including information netcast over the Internet. The system is also capable of controlling operatively connected, privately networked devices. A number of graphical user interfaces are utilized to facilitate user access, manipulation and control of information, data and content and networked devices. Some of the graphical user interfaces are time and topic oriented, are customizable by the user, and allow for the manipulation of information, data, content and operatively connected networked devices from the graphical interfaces themselves. The system is preferably enhanced through the use of an intelligent, dynamically updated user profile that is fully integrated with the system.

Claims

1. A device for facilitating a selection of media, the device comprising:

a network transceiver adapted to;

communicate with an internet content source; and

,

communicate with a private network content source;

a processor adapted to;

receive first information on content available from the internet content source;

receive second information on content available from the private network content source;

determine third information on content stored locally on the device;

determine a user of the device;

effect creation of a profile of the user of the device identifying content preferences of the user;

effect updating the profile based on the content experienced from content availability information;

effect suggestion of a starting position for a previously viewed internet content item based on a last position viewed in a previous session; and

electronic circuitry for effecting a display of visual information and adapted to;

display the content availability information based on the profile of the user of the device, the content availability information comprising the first information, the second information, and the third information; and

display graphical icons representing a plurality of software applications and a plurality of functionalities.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the network transceiver is further adapted to;

communicate with a television network content source;

the processor is further adapted to;

receive fourth information on content available from the television network content source; and

the electronic circuitry for effecting the display of visual information is further adapted to;

display fourth information on content available from the television network content source.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the network transceiver is further adapted to;

communicate with a radio network content source;

the processor further adapted to;

receive fifth information on content available from the radio network content source; and

the electronic circuitry for effecting the display of visual information further adapted to;

display fifth information on content available from the radio network content source.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further adapted to:

scan memory to determine applications stored on the device;

update the profile of the user based on the memory scan; and

the electronic circuitry for effecting the display of visual information is further adapted to;

update the display of the content availability information based on the profile of the user of the device.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further adapted to:

scan memory to determine content stored on the device;

update the profile of the user based on the memory scan; and

the electronic circuitry for effecting the display of visual information further adapted to;

update the display of the content availability information based on the profile of the user of the device.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further adapted to:

receive input from the user to update the profile;

update the profile based on the input from the user; and

the electronic circuitry for effecting the display of visual information is further adapted to;

update the display of the content availability information based on the profile of the user of the device.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein in order to receive input from the user to update the profile, the processor is further adapted to:

receive input from the user via a voice recognition interface.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the content is at least one of audio and video.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is a set top box.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the set top box is a television set top box.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein selected content is provided to another device for viewing.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is a phone.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein selected content is viewed on the device.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the electronic circuitry for effecting the display of visual information is a touch sensitive display.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is a personal communications device.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further adapted to:

determine an initial profile based on past viewing habits of the user.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further adapted to:

receive sixth information identifying recommended content; and

the electronic circuitry for effecting the display of visual information further adapted to;

display the sixth information identifying recommended content.

18. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further adapted to:

receive updated software for at least one application; and

update the software for the at least one application.

19. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further adapted to:

download the internet content indicated by the first information for later viewing.

20. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further adapted to:

present internet content delivered as a webcast in near real time.

21. The device of claim 1 wherein the content availability information is arranged by one of a channel, a content source, and a time of availability.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein content availability information is displayed in a grid.

23. The device of claim 1 wherein the content availability information is displayed as a guide.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein the device is any device with a CPU and other components capable of running the guide such as, but not limited to, a computer or television set top box.

25. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further adapted to:

receive information identifying one or more home automation devices; and

the electronic circuitry for effecting the display of visual information further adapted to;

display the information identifying the one or more home automation devices.

26. The device of claim 1 wherein the first information on content available from the internet content source is one of a URL, a content item URL, a content item name, a content item duration, and a content item summary.

27. The device of claim 1 wherein the second information on content available from the private network content source is one of a content item URL, a content item name, a content item duration, and a content item summary.

28. A phone for facilitating a selection of media, the phone comprising:

a network transceiver adapted to;

communicate with an internet content source; and

communicate with a private network content source;

a processor adapted to;

receive first information on content available from the internet content source;

receive second information on content available from the private network content source;

determine third information on content stored locally on the phone;

determine a user of the phone;

effect creation of a profile of the user of the phone identifying content preferences of the user;

effect updating of the profile based on the content experienced from content availability information;

effect suggestion of a starting position suggestion for a previously viewed internet content item based on a last position viewed in a previous session;

download the internet content indicated by the first information for later viewing; and

receive sixth information identifying recommended content; and

a touch sensitive display for displaying visual information adapted to;

display the content availability information based on the profile of the user of the phone, the content availability information comprising the first information, the second information, the third information, and the sixth information; and

display graphical icons representing a plurality of software applications and a plurality of functionalities.

29. The device of claim 28 wherein the content is one of audio and video.

30. The phone of claim 28 wherein the content availability information is arranged by one of a channel, a content source, and a time of availability.

31. The phone of claim 28 wherein content availability information is displayed in a grid.