Recommendation engine apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. For use in a content delivery network, a recommendation apparatus comprising:
- a storage device adapted to;
store a plurality of information regarding a plurality of content elements expressed as n×
1 column vectors, said n×
1 column vectors each comprising a number, n, of aspects;
store a plurality of user profiles expressed as n×
1 column vectors, said n×
1 column vectors each comprising a number, n, of aspects; and
store an n×
1 column reference vector configured to define each of said n aspects as expressed in said plurality of content element vectors and said plurality of user profile vectors, where n is more than one; and
a digital processor in data communication with said storage device and adapted to run a computer program thereon, said computer program adapted to;
compare said plurality of content element column vectors to individual ones of said plurality of user profile column vectors; and
based at least in part on said comparison, produce at least one list of a plurality of content elements, said each of said plurality of content elements bearing a relationship to at least one of said plurality of user profiles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Recommendation engine apparatus and associated methods provide content compiled from various sources and selected to match user preferences. In one embodiment, the recommendation apparatus comprises a headend entity; in another, it is co-located on a user'"'"'s CPE. In one embodiment, the recommendation engine creates content records from content metadata for comparison to a user profile. The user profile is pre-programmed; however has the ability to dynamically shift toward a user'"'"'s preferences as the user takes actions regarding content. Client applications are utilized to compile and present content; feedback mechanisms are utilized to enable “learning” from user activities to generate more precise recommendations as well as to “unlearn” stale preferences. Recommended content is displayed in the form of a playlist, or as a continuous stream on a virtual channel, or presented in an electronic program guide. A business rules “engine” useful in implementing operational or business goals is also disclosed.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. For use in a content delivery network, a recommendation apparatus comprising:
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a storage device adapted to; store a plurality of information regarding a plurality of content elements expressed as n×
1 column vectors, said n×
1 column vectors each comprising a number, n, of aspects;store a plurality of user profiles expressed as n×
1 column vectors, said n×
1 column vectors each comprising a number, n, of aspects; andstore an n×
1 column reference vector configured to define each of said n aspects as expressed in said plurality of content element vectors and said plurality of user profile vectors, where n is more than one; anda digital processor in data communication with said storage device and adapted to run a computer program thereon, said computer program adapted to; compare said plurality of content element column vectors to individual ones of said plurality of user profile column vectors; and based at least in part on said comparison, produce at least one list of a plurality of content elements, said each of said plurality of content elements bearing a relationship to at least one of said plurality of user profiles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of identifying content targeted to a user based on one or more actions of said user, said method comprising:
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maintaining a user profile expressed as a vector at a storage apparatus of a recommendation apparatus, said user profile being specific to said user; generating at a processor of said recommendation apparatus, a first plurality of content records expressed as vectors, said first plurality of content record vectors being based, at least in part, on metadata regarding a plurality of content, each of said first plurality of content record vectors, and said user profile vector each having identical numbers of both columns and rows as one another; providing access to said plurality of content to said user; storing a user activity vector at said storage apparatus, said user activity vector comprising information relating to at least one action taken by said user with respect to an individual one of said plurality of content; generating at said processor of said recommendation engine, a second plurality of content record vectors, individual ones of said second plurality of content record vectors each comprising a weighted content record of said content acted upon by said user expressed as a vector; utilizing said individual ones of said second plurality of content record vectors at least in part to generate a second user profile vector; calculating a product of said individual ones of said second plurality of content record vectors to said second user profile vector to produce a scalar quantity; and said recommendation engine identifying individual ones of said plurality of content having a prescribed relation to an updated user profile based at least in part on said scalar quantity. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Computer readable apparatus comprising media adapted to contain a computer program having a plurality of instructions, said plurality of instructions which, when executed:
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maintain at least one user profile; generate a plurality of content records via at least metadata relating to a respective plurality of content; provide access to said plurality of content to a user; store a record of at least one act taken by said user with respect to an individual one of said plurality of content; multiply an individual one of said plurality of content records associated with said individual one of said plurality of content by a weighting factor determined by a nature of said act and an estimated relation of said act to one or more user preferences to generate a second content record; and add said second content record to said user profile to generate a second user profile. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. Computer readable apparatus comprising media adapted to contain a computer program having a plurality of instructions, said plurality of instructions which, when executed:
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maintain a user profile expressed as a vector at a storage apparatus of a recommendation apparatus, said user profile configured to be specific to a user; generate at a processor of said recommendation apparatus, a first plurality of content records expressed as vectors, said first plurality of content record vectors being based, at least in part, on metadata which relates to a plurality of content, each of said first plurality of content record vectors, and said user profile vector each comprise identical numbers of both columns and rows as one another; provide access to said plurality of content to said user; store a user activity vector at said storage apparatus, said user activity vector comprises information which relates to at least one action taken by said user with respect to an individual one of said plurality of content; generate at said processor of said recommendation engine, a second plurality of content record vectors, individual ones of said second plurality of content record vectors each comprise a weighted content record of said content acted upon by said user expressed as a vector; utilize said individual ones of said second plurality of content record vectors at least in part to generate a second user profile vector; calculate a product of said individual ones of said second plurality of content record vectors to said second user profile vector to produce a scalar quantity; and identify individual ones of said plurality of content which comprises a prescribed relation to an updated user profile based at least in part on said scalar quantity. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification