System and method for self management of a live web event

• US 9,032,441 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2008
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BrightTALK Limited (TechTarget, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: BrightTALK Limited (TechTarget, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rance, Peter, Logan, Dorian, Winter, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Ricky
• Application Number:
  US12/231,493
• Publication Number:
  US 20100058410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,443 Days
• Field of Search: 725/50, 725/97, 725/109, 348/14.08
• US Class Current: 725/50
• 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 21/2743 Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4758 for providing answers, e.g. voting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

A system, method, and computer program for self management of a live web event is provided. In exemplary embodiments, an individual associated with a channel may schedule a web event. Upon scheduling, a user, such as one or more presenters, may be provided a management interface through which content may be prepared for the live web event during a self preparation process. In exemplary embodiments, the user may upload content (e.g., images such as slides) and generate content (e.g., polling questions and answers) autonomously.

Claims

1. A method for self management of a live web event, comprising:

receiving scheduling instructions for the live web event and scheduling the live web event for a channel, the channel being a user interface comprising one or more related web events, the one or more related web events being related by a common subject matter;

providing a management interface through which a user may perform self-preparation processing of content prior to the live web event, the self-preparation processing comprising generating and editing the content;

receiving inputs associated with the content from the user via the management interface;

storing the inputs in a content database for use during the live web event;

providing the live web event to a channel player related to the channel in substantially real-time, the channel player comprising a user interface in which the live web event and the one or more related web events are independently selectable;

receiving control data corresponding to a command given by a presenter, the control data stored as a control data file, comprising a current state of the live web event;

putting the control data the into a live audio stream, the live audio stream comprising live audio generated during the live web event; and

providing the content during the live web event, the content being synchronized with the live audio stream via the control data file by

determining whether a predetermined period of time has passed;

if the predetermined period of time has passed, transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

if the predetermined period of time has not passed, not transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

determining whether a change in a state of the control data file has occurred;

if the change in the state has occurred, transmitting a new control data file and updating the content;

if no change in the state of the control data file has occurred, retransmitting the control data file and not updating the content.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a content upload interface configured to receive inputs for uploading of content.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the content comprises images.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a content generation interface configured to receive inputs for generating content.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the content comprises polling questions and answers.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the input comprises edits to content stored in the content database.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing at least one preparation communication to one or more potential presenters.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising providing a link to the management interface via the preparation communication to a presenter.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising providing access or login information for the live web event via the preparation communication.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically generating at least a portion of instructions for presenters based on the received scheduling instructions, the instructions for presenters comprising a link to the management interface and login information for the live web event.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a countdown clock in the management interface, the countdown clock being synchronized to a system clock.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising disabling the self-preparation processing when a lockout time is reached.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing audio cues prior to the live web event.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing interactive access to the content to two or more presenters, each presenter using a separate computing device, at a time of the live web event.

15. The method of claim 1, the management interface being provided through a channel application on a computing device.

16. The method of claim 1, the providing the live web event comprising encoding the live audio stream in a formatted audio stream that is optimized for network distribution.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising synchronizing the formatted audio stream with one or more presentation events via additional control data injected into the formatted audio stream, each presentation event being an event initiated by a presenter, during the live web event.

18. The method of claim 1, the control data file comprising data that controls display of the content and the live audio stream comprising commentary provided by one or more participants.

19. The method of claim 1, the live audio stream being received via a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication network.

20. A system for self management of a live web event, comprising:

a media engine configured to receive scheduling instructions for the live web event, establish the live web event on a channel, and process contents for the live web event, the channel being a user interface comprising one or more related web events, the one or more related web events being related by a common subject matter;

an interface module configured to provide a management interface through which a user may perform self-preparation processing of the content prior to the live web event, and configured to receive inputs associated with the content from the user via the management interface, the self-preparation processing comprising generating and editing the content; and

a content database configured to store the inputs and provide the live web event to a channel player related to the channel in substantially real-time, the channel player comprising a user interface in which the live web event and the one or more related web events are independently selectable, the media engine receiving control data corresponding to a command given by a presenter, the control data stored as a control data file, comprising a current state of the live web event;

putting the control data the into a live audio stream, the live audio stream comprising live audio generated during the live web event, and providing the content during the live web event, the content being synchronized with the live audio stream via the control data file by determining whether a predetermined period of time has passed;

if the predetermined period of time has passed, transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

if the predetermined period of time has not passed, not transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

determining whether a change in a state of the control data file has occurred;

if the change in the state has occurred, transmitting a new control data file and updating the content;

if no change in the state of the control data file has occurred, retransmitting the control data file and not updating the content.

21. The system of claim 20 further comprising a messaging module configured to provide preparation communications to the presenter.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the interface module is further configured to provide a content upload interface.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein the interface module is further configured to provide a content generation interface.

24. The system of claim 20 further comprising a timing module configured to synchronize components of the system to a particular clock.

25. A non-transitory computer readable medium having embodied thereon a program, the program providing instructions for a method for self management of a live web event, the method comprising:

receiving scheduling instructions for the live web event and scheduling the live web event for a channel, the channel being a user interface comprising one or more related web events, the one or more related web events being related by a common subject matter;

providing a management interface through which a user may perform self-preparation processing of content prior to the live web event, the self-preparation processing comprising generating and editing the content;

receiving inputs associated with the content from the user via the management interface;

storing the inputs in a content database for use during the live web event;

providing the live web event to a channel player related to the channel in substantially real-time, the channel player comprising a user interface in which the live web event and the one or more related web events are independently selectable;

receiving control data corresponding to a command given by a presenter, the control data stored as a control data file, comprising a current state of the live web event;

putting the control data the into a live audio stream, the live audio stream comprising live audio generated during the live web event; and

providing the content during the live web event, the content being synchronized with the live audio stream via the control data file by

determining whether a predetermined period of time has passed;

if the predetermined period of time has passed, transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

if the predetermined period of time has not passed, not transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

determining whether a change in a state of the control data file has occurred;

if the change in the state has occurred, transmitting a new control data file and updating the content;

if no change in the state of the control data file has occurred, retransmitting the control data file and not updating the content.

26. A method for self management of a live web event, comprising:

receiving scheduling instructions for the live web event and scheduling the live web event for a channel, the channel being a user interface comprising one or more related web events, the one or more related web events being related by a common subject matter;

providing a management interface through which a user may perform self-preparation processing of content prior to the live web event, the self-preparation processing comprising at least one of generating and editing the content;

receiving inputs associated with the content from the user via the management interface;

storing the inputs in a content database for use during the live web event;

automatically generating at least a portion of instructions for presenters based on the received scheduling instructions, the instructions for presenters comprising a link to the management interface and login information for the live web event;

providing, to one or more potential presenters, at least one preparation communication comprising the instructions for presenters, the at least one preparation communication being transmitted to the one or more potential presenters after the storing the inputs in the content database;

receiving control data corresponding to a command given by a presenter, the control data stored as a control data file, comprising a current state of the live web event;

putting the control data file into a live audio stream, the live audio stream comprising live audio generated during the live web event;

providing the content during the live web event, the content being synchronized with the live audio stream via the control data file by determining whether a predetermined period of time has passed;

if the predetermined period of time has passed, transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

if the predetermined period of time has not passed, not transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

determining whether a change in a state of the control data file has occurred;

if the change in the state has occurred, transmitting a new control data file and updating the content;

if no change in the state of the control data file has occurred, retransmitting the control data file and not updating the content; and

providing the live web event to a channel player related to the channel in substantially real-time, the channel player comprising a user interface in which the live web event and the one or more related web events are independently selectable.

27. The method of claim 26, the at least one preparation communication comprising a title, date and time of the live web event.

28. The method of claim 26, the login information comprising at least one of a uniform resource locator, a dial-in number, and an access pin automatically generated by a management server based on the received scheduling instructions.

29. A method for self management of a live web event, comprising:

receiving scheduling instructions for the live web event and scheduling the live web event for a channel, the channel being a user interface comprising one or more related web events, the one or more related web events being related by a common subject matter;

providing a management interface through which a user may perform self-preparation processing of content prior to the live web event, the self-preparation processing comprising generating and editing the content;

receiving inputs associated with the content from the user via the management interface;

storing the inputs in a content database for use during the live web event;

providing the live web event to a channel player in substantially real-time, the channel player comprising a user interface in which the live web event and the one or more related web events are independently selectable;

receiving control data corresponding a command given by a presenter, the control data stored as a control data file, comprising a current state of the live web event;

putting the control data file into a live audio stream, the live audio stream comprising live audio data generated during the live web event;

providing the content during the live web event, the content being synchronized with the live audio stream via the control data file by

determining whether a predetermined period of time has passed;

if the predetermined period of time has passed, transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

if the predetermined period of time has not passed, not transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

determining whether a change in a state of the control data file has occurred;

if the change in the state has occurred, transmitting a new control data file and updating the content;

if no change in the state of the control data file has occurred, retransmitting the control data file and not updating the content;

and

managing the live web event at a presentation time using a resource manager that manages pools of resources, the pools of resources providing one or more services for one or more applications utilized during the live web event, each resource in a pool providing the same service for an application.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

monitoring the pools of resources in order to allocate resources; and

dynamically reallocating resources within a pool of resources if a resource fails, the dynamic reallocating causing one or more of the resources to substitute for the failed resource in providing the service for the application.

31. A method for self management of a live web event, comprising:

receiving scheduling instructions for the live web event and scheduling the live web event for a channel, the channel being a user interface comprising one or more related web events, the one or more related web events being related by a common subject matter;

providing a management interface through which a user may perform self-preparation processing of content prior to the live web event, the self-preparation processing comprising generating and editing the content;

requesting user information from the user, the user information being used to advertise the live web event when the user is a presenter for the live web event;

receiving inputs associated with the content from the user via the management interface;

storing the inputs in a content database for use during the live web event;

providing the live web event to a channel player in substantially real-time, the channel player comprising a user interface in which the live web event and the one or more related web events are independently selectable;

receiving control data corresponding to a command given by a presenter, the control data stored as a control data file, comprising a current state of the live web event;

putting the control data file into a live audio stream, the live audio stream comprising live audio generated during the live web event;

providing the content during the live web event, the content being synchronized with the live audio stream via the control data file by

determining whether a predetermined period of time has passed;

if the predetermined period of time has passed, transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

if the predetermined period of time has not passed, not transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

determining whether a change in a state of the control data file has occurred;

if the change in the state has occurred, transmitting a new control data file and updating the content;

if no change in the state of the control data file has occurred, retransmitting the control data file and not updating the content;

and

managing the live web event at a presentation time using a resource manager that manages pools of resources, the pools of resources providing one or more services for one or more applications utilized during the live web event, each resource in a pool providing the same service for an application.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising generating an advertisement for the live web event in a channel listing.

33. The method of claim 31, the pools of resources comprising a group of media encoders that encode media for use during the live web event.

34. The method of claim 33, the pools of resources further comprising a group of slide converters that convert slides used during the live web event.

35. The method of claim 34, the pools of resources further comprising a group of transcoders that transcode data files used during the live web event into a preferred format.

36. A method for self management of a live web event, comprising:

receiving scheduling instructions for the live web event;

scheduling the live web event based on the scheduling instructions, the scheduling the live web event being performed for a channel, the channel being a user interface comprising one or more related web events, the one or more related web events being related by a common subject matter;

providing a management interface through which a user may perform self-preparation processing of content prior to the live web event, the self-preparation processing comprising generating and editing the content;

requesting user information from the user, the user information being used to advertise the live web event when the user is a presenter for the live web event;

receiving inputs associated with the content from the user via the management interface;

storing the inputs in a content database for use during the live web event;

providing the live web event to a channel player in substantially real-time, the channel player comprising a user interface in which the live web event and the one or more related web events are independently selectable;

receiving control data corresponding to a command given by a presenter, the control data stored as a control data file, comprising a current state of the live web event;

putting the control data file into a live audio stream, the live audio stream comprising live audio generated during the live web event;

providing the content during the live web event, the content being synchronized with the live audio stream via the control data file by

determining whether a predetermined period of time has passed;

if the predetermined period of time has passed, transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

if the predetermined period of time has not passed, not transmitting the control data file alongside the live audio stream;

determining whether a change in a state of the control data file has occurred;

if the change in the state has occurred, transmitting a new control data file and updating the content;

if no change in the state of the control data file has occurred, retransmitting the control data file and not updating the content;

managing the live web event at a presentation time using a resource manager that manages pools of resources, the pools of resources providing one or more services for one or more applications utilized during the live web event, each resource in a pool providing the same service for an application; and

providing a create vote option during the live web event configured to allow the user to create a vote on-the-fly.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

receiving a request to create a vote on-the-fly;

providing a vote generation interface configured to receive inputs for generating the vote on-the-fly; and

presenting the vote on-the-fly during the live web event.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising providing a quick vote on-the-fly comprising:

receiving audio of the user asking a question; and

providing a plurality of predetermined answers in response to receiving a quick vote indication from a presenter.