Method and apparatus for browsing using multiple coordinated device sets

• US 9,143,839 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2012
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Convergent Media Solutions LLC (Strategic Intellectual Solutions, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Convergent Media Solutions LLC (Strategic Intellectual Solutions, LLC)
• Inventors: Reisman, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): HOANG, HIEU T
• Application Number:
  US13/670,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20130073738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 709/227, 709/228, 709/229
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2216/15 Synchronised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/426 Receiver side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/93 which locates resources of other pieces of information, e.g. URL [Uniform Resource Locator]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2358 for generating different versions, e.g. for different recipient devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2387 Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25 Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25825 involving client display capabilities, e.g. screen resolution of a mobile phone optimising the visualisation of content during browsing in the Internet G06F16/9577; processing of terminal status or physical abilities in wireless networks H04W8/22; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• 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 21/41407 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 21/4143 : embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 : Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 : User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4358 : for generating different versions, e.g. for different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440263 : by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for displaying on a connected PDA
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4438 : Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• 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 21/4622 : 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 21/4668 : for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47208 : for requesting near-video-on-demand content
• 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 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• 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 21/6175 : involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6193 : involving transmission via a satellite arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end session in a satellite broadcast system H04B7/18526
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/643 : Communication protocols network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP], H04L65/65
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 : End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/85 : Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8543 : using a description language, e.g. Multimedia and Hypermedia information coding Expert Group [MHEG], eXtensible Markup Language [XML] information retrieval of semistructured data, the underlying structure being taken into account, e.g. mark-up language structure data G06F16/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/858 : Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8583 : by creating hot-spots
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Systems and methods for navigating hypermedia using multiple coordinated input/output device sets. Disclosed systems and methods allow a user and/or an author to control what resources are presented on which device sets (whether they are integrated or not), and provide for coordinating browsing activities to enable such a user interface to be employed across multiple independent systems. Disclosed systems and methods also support new and enriched aspects and applications of hypermedia browsing and related business activities.

Claims

1. A method of operating a content server system, comprising:

receiving at the content server system an internet request that is directed to a particular URL (Uniform Resource Locator), the internet request originating and initiated by a user rather than from a particular supported continuous media resource;

determining whether a PPC (program presentation context) parameter that indicates that the particular supported continuous media resource is currently being presented to the user is associated with the internet request, the PPC parameter originating separately from the particular supported continuous media resource;

in the event that the PPC parameter is determined to be associated with the internet request, the content server system responding to the internet request with first substantive user-relevant content with relevance that is at least in part a function of the URL and at least in part a function of the particular supported continuous media resource currently being presented to the user; and

in the event that the PPC parameter is determined to not be associated with the internet request, the content server system responding with second substantive user-relevant content with relevance that is at least in part a function of the URL and different from the first content, and wherein the second content comprises content other than a portion of the particular supported continuous media resource.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPC parameter is a TVC (television context) parameter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular URL includes a path name and the responding in either event is at least in part a function of the path name.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPC parameter specifies an identification of the particular supported continuous media resource.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the identification is by one or more parameters that resolve to a unique program identifier.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the identification is by a channel number and such other information needed to resolve to a unique program identifier.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the identification is by a URL parameter associated with the particular supported continuous media resource that is supplied with the internet request and is independent of the particular URL.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPC parameter specifies a particular time position in the presentation of the particular supported continuous media resource.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPC parameter specifies a particular time position and a particular image region in the presentation of the particular supported continuous media resource.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second content is associated with the continuous media resource.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the particular supported continuous media resource is a non -advertising content program.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the particular supported continuous media resource is an advertising program associated with a non-advertising content program.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein in the event that a PPC parameter is determined to not be available, the first content is dynamically created.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPC parameter is received with the internet request.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the PPC parameter is provided as a query string portion of the particular URL.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the PPC parameter is provided as a SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) request.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the PPC parameter is provided as a cookie.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the PPC parameter is provided in an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) format.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the responding is performed with facilitation of a supporting server system.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the supporting server system provides a PPC resolution service.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPC parameter is provided independently of the receiving.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the PPC parameter is provided by a separate service in response to a request from the content server system.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the separate service is a web service.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular supported continuous media resource is distributed over the Internet.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the particular supported continuous media resource is streamed.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the particular supported continuous media resource is downloaded.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular supported continuous media resource is distributed over a proprietary network.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the proprietary network is a cable television network.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the proprietary network is a satellite television network.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular supported continuous media resource comprises broadcast television, VOD (Video On Demand), video streaming, video download, broadcast radio, audio streaming or audio download.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein the internet request is an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) request.

32. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a continuing flow of content responses that are at least in part a function of the PPC parameter, wherein the continuing flow relates to continuous presentation of the particular supported continuous media resource.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the continuing flow is altered responsive to an updated PPC parameter.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the continuing flow facilitates presentation of enhancement content that is substantially synchronized with the presentation of the particular supported continuous media resources.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the content of the continuing flow is determined based on a selection of one or more of a plurality of enhancement channels, each channel providing different enhancement content.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein the content server system is an advertising server.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the advertising server is a Web advertising server.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the Web advertising server coordinates with a continuous media advertising server that facilitates placement of continuous media advertisements into a presentation of the continuous media.

39. The method of claim 1, wherein the method operates in conjunction with further context -awareness methods for context attributes other than the PPC parameter.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the context attributes other than the PPC parameter comprise a location context.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the context attributes other than the PPC parameter comprise a device type context.

42. The method of claim 1, wherein the internet request is at least in part a function of a preference of the user.

43. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular URL corresponds to a particular selection by the user.

44. The method of claim 1, wherein the first content comprises advertising content.

45. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPC parameter is included with the internet request.

46. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular supported continuous media resource comprises advertising content.

47. The method of claim 1, wherein the content server system is responsive to requests directed to at least two different particular URLs with the same domain name wherein the URLs differ in their path component, and the first substantive user-relevant content corresponding to each internet request differs based on which of the two different particular URLs the internet request was directed to.

48. The method of claim 1, wherein the content server system is responsive to requests directed to at least two different particular URLs with the same domain name wherein the URLs differ in their path component, and the second substantive user-relevant content corresponding to each internet request differs based on which of the two different particular URLs the internet request was directed to.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein the second substantive user-relevant content corresponding to each internet request differs based on which of the two different particular URLs the internet request was directed to.

50. The method of claim 1, wherein the second substantive user-relevant content is responsive to a request directed to the particular URL without regard to whether a particular supported continuous media resource is currently being presented to the user or not.

51. The method of claim 1, wherein the first substantive user-relevant content comprises both portions of substantive user-relevant content that are PPC-specific and portions of substantive user-relevant content that are not PPC-specific.

52. The method of claim 1, wherein the event that the PPC parameter is determined to not be associated with the internet request is an expected case of normal operation under which the content server system is intended to satisfy the user associated with the request, and the event that the PPC parameter is determined to be associated with the internet request is a functionally enhanced case in which added context awareness is intended to better satisfy the user associated with the internet request.

53. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPC parameter is received with the internet request.

54. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPC parameter is not received with the internet request, and is separately obtained by the server system.

55. A method of operating a content server system, comprising:

receiving at the content server system an internet request that is directed to a particular URL (Uniform Resource Locator), the internet request originating and initiated by a user rather than from a particular supported continuous media resource; and

determining whether the internet request is associated with at least two independent context parameters, the at least two independent context parameters originating separately from the particular supported continuous media resource;

in the event that the at least two independent context parameters are determined to be associated with the internet request, adapting a response to the internet request as a function of the at least two independent context parameters;

wherein a first one of the at least two independent context parameters comprises a PPC (program presentation context) parameter that indicates that the particular supported continuous media resource is currently being presented to the user; and

wherein a second one of the at least two independent context parameters comprises an additional context parameter other than the PPC parameter that was not previously associated with a current session of the user; and

wherein the response comprises content other than a portion of the particular supported continuous media resource and comprises substantive user-relevant content with relevance that is at least in part a function of the particular URL.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the PPC parameter is a TVC (television context) parameter.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the second one of the at least two independent context parameters indicates a sender device type.

58. The method of claim 55, wherein the second one of the at least two independent context parameters indicates a sender location.

59. The method of claim 55, wherein the adapting is at least in part a function of a preference of the user.

60. The method of claim 55, wherein the particular URL corresponds to a particular selection by the user.

61. The method of claim 55, wherein the particular supported continuous media resource comprises advertising content.

62. The method of claim 55, wherein the PPC parameter is included with the internet request.

63. The method of claim 55, wherein the content comprises advertising content.