Index channel technology

• US 9,374,610 B1
• Filed: 08/02/2013
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PurpleComm Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PurpleComm Incorporated
• Inventors: Chang, Jack H., Sheu, William H., Tuan, Sherman
• Primary Examiner(s): Flynn, Nathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Marandi, James R
• Application Number:
  US13/958,516
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 21/26258 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 21/2668 Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/278 Content descriptor database or directory service for end-user access details of content or meta data based information retrieval of video data in video databases G06F16/739
• 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 21/47214 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 21/4728 for selecting a Region Of Interest [ROI], e.g. for requesting a higher resolution version of a selected region
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4826 using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8549 Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer retrieval in video databases by using presentations in form of a video summary G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/858 Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot

Abstract

Index channel technology, in which input to display an index channel is received from a user identity and an index channel definition for the user identity is accessed. The index channel definition defines a sequence of content preview files for content files organized within channels. Display of the index channel is controlled by displaying the content preview files in the sequence defined by the accessed index channel definition and, during display of the content preview files in the sequence defined by the accessed index channel definition, a selection is received to view a content file that corresponds to a content preview file being displayed in accordance with the accessed index channel definition. Display of the content file is controlled and display of the index channel is returned at a position within the sequence of content preview files that corresponds to the received selection.

Claims

1. A method of providing an index channel within a content delivery network, the method comprising:

receiving, using a user identity, input to display a first index channel associated with a content delivery network;

receiving one or more inputs that define the first index channel, the one or more inputs that define the first index channel including an input defining a number of preview files to display in each set of content preview files and a selection of a sequential order or random order to display the preview files in each set of content preview files;

storing, as a first index channel definition associated with the user identity, data from the one or more inputs that define the first index channel;

based on the input to display the first index channel associated with the content delivery network, accessing the first index channel definition associated with the user identity, the first index channel definition defining a first sequence of a first set of content preview files for content files organized within channels available through the content delivery network, the first set of content preview files including video files;

based on the accessed first index channel definition, controlling display of the first index channel by displaying the first set of content preview files in the first sequence defined by the accessed first index channel definition, the controlling including;

displaying, responsive to receiving the input to display the first index channel, a first video file corresponding to a first content preview file included in the first set of content preview files, and

based on a determination that the number of preview files to display in each set of content preview files is satisfied and that a selection has not been received by a time after display of the first video file has ended, transitioning to display of a second video file corresponding to a second content preview file included in a second index channel that is nested within the first index channel, the second index channel being defined by a second index channel definition;

during display of the second content preview file, receiving a selection of the second content preview file; and

displaying, responsive to receiving the selection of the second content preview file, a third video file included in the second index channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein accessing the first index channel definition associated with the user identity comprises retrieving the stored first index channel definition from an electronic storage.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling display of the first index channel by displaying the first set of content preview files in the first sequence defined by the accessed first index channel definition comprises:

after completion of the first video file corresponding to the first content preview file in the first sequence defined by the accessed first index channel definition, controlling display of an interface element that enables a user associated with the user identity to provide an input to view a first content file associated with the first content preview file;

for a predefined period of time after completion of the first video file corresponding to the first content preview file, monitoring for the input to view the first content file associated with the first content preview file;

based on the monitoring, determining that the input to view the first content file associated with the first content preview file was not received within the predefined period of time; and

based on the determination that the input to view the first content file associated with the first content preview file was not received within the predefined period of time and that the number of preview files to display in each set of content preview files is satisfied;

identifying the second content preview file,

removing display of the interface element that enables the user associated with the user identity to provide the input to view the first content file associated with the first content preview file, and

controlling the display of the second video file corresponding to the second content preview file.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to receiving an input to return to display of the first index channel, returning to display of the first index channel at a position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein returning to display of the first index channel at the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition comprises:

during display of the third video file, receiving the input to return to display of the first index channel; and

based on the input to return to the display of the first index channel, returning to display of the first index channel at the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein returning to the display of the first index channel at the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition comprises:

receiving the input to return to display of the first index channel upon detecting completion of playback of the third video file; and

based on the input to return to display of the first index channel and the completion of the third video file, returning to display of the first index channel at the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

based on the received selection of the second content preview file, storing, in an electronic storage, the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition at a time of the selection,

wherein returning to display of the first index channel at the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition comprises;

accessing, from the electronic storage, the stored position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition at the time of the selection, and

using the stored position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition at the time of the selection to return to the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition that corresponds to the received selection of the second content preview file.

8. The method of claim 4:

wherein the position within the first index channel is encapsulated in a location address of the selected second content preview file; and

wherein returning to display of the first index channel at the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition comprises;

identifying the position within the first index channel encapsulated in the location address of the selected second content preview file, and

using the identified position to return to the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein returning to display of the first index channel at the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition comprises:

identifying a next content preview file that follows the first content preview file in the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition, and

returning to display of the first index channel by displaying the next content preview file.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein returning to display of the first index channel at the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition comprises:

determining a position within the first index channel and content files of the first set of the content preview files displayed subsequent to the received selection, the determined position corresponding to a next unviewed first content preview file in the first sequence that most closely follows the displayed first video file corresponding to the first content preview file and does not correspond to any of the content files displayed subsequent to the received selection, and

returning to display of the first index channel by displaying the next unviewed content preview file.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein returning to display of the first index channel at a position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition comprises:

receiving, from a remote control device operated by a user associated with the user identity, one or more commands selecting to return to the first index channel; and

based on the one or more commands selecting to return to the first index channel, returning to display of the first index channel at the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition.

12. The method of claim 4:

wherein controlling display of the first index channel comprises controlling display of the first index channel on a television that is controlled by a remote control device;

wherein receiving the selection of the second content preview file comprises receiving, from the remote control device, the selection to view the second content preview file;

wherein controlling display of the second index channel comprises controlling display of the second index channel on the television; and

wherein returning to display of the first index channel at a position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition comprises;

receiving, from the remote control device, the input to return to display of the first index channel, and

based on the input to return to display of the first index channel, returning to display, on the television, of the first index channel at the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition.

13. The method of claim 4:

wherein controlling display of the first index channel comprises controlling display of the first index channel on a mobile device that is controlled by a touch screen interface;

wherein receiving the selection of the second content preview file comprises receiving a first input applied to the touch screen interface to select the second content preview file;

wherein controlling display of the second index channel comprises controlling display of the second index channel on the mobile device; and

wherein returning to display of the first index channel at a position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition comprises;

receiving, from the touch screen interface, the input to return to display of the first index channel, and

based on the input to return to display of the first index channel, returning to display, on the mobile device, of the first index channel at the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition.

14. The method of claim 4:

wherein controlling display of the first index channel comprises controlling display of the first index channel on a computer that is controlled by a mouse and keyboard;

wherein receiving the selection of the second content preview file comprises receiving, from at least one of the mouse and keyboard, the selection of the second content preview file;

wherein controlling display of the second index channel comprises controlling display of the second index channel on the computer; and

wherein returning to display of the first index channel at a position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition comprises;

receiving, from at least one of the mouse and keyboard, the input to return to display of the first index channel, and

based on the input to return to display of the first index channel, returning to display, on the computer, of the first index channel at the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein accessing the first index channel definition associated with the user identity comprises accessing settings defined by an operator of the content delivery network.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein accessing the first index channel definition associated with the user identity comprises accessing settings defined by a content curator associated with multiple channels within the content delivery network, the settings being implemented for the multiple channels within the content delivery network defined by the content curator.

17. The method of claim 1:

wherein the first index channel definition is related to a single channel within the content delivery network; and

wherein controlling display of the first index channel by displaying the first set of content preview files in the first sequence defined by the accessed first index channel definition comprises displaying content preview files from the single channel within the content delivery network such that content preview files that correspond to content files organized in the single channel are displayed.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying one or more attributes of the user identity;

accessing one or more rules related to defining index channels;

analyzing the one or more rules related to defining index channels with respect to the one or more attributes of the user identity and the received one or more inputs that define the first index channel; and

generating the first index channel definition based on the analysis.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein determining the first index channel definition comprises determining which content preview files to include in the first index channel and determining a sequence for displaying the determined content preview files in the first index channel.

20. The method of claim 18:

wherein identifying one or more attributes of the user identity comprises identifying subscriptions associated with the user identity for channels in the content delivery network and identifying a market within which the user identity is located;

wherein analyzing the one or more rules related to defining index channels with respect to the one or more attributes of the user identity comprises analyzing the one or more rules related to defining index channels with respect to the identified subscriptions and the identified market; and

wherein generating the first index channel definition comprises generating the first index channel definition based on the identified subscriptions and the identified market.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the selection of the second content preview file comprises receiving, from a remote control device operated by a user associated with the user identity, one or more commands selecting to view the second content preview file that corresponds to the second video file being displayed in accordance with the accessed first index channel definition and the second index channel definition.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from a remote control device operated by a user associated with the user identity, one or more commands navigating through the first index channel; and

based on the one or more commands navigating through the first index channel, updating display of the first index channel in accordance with the navigation through the first index channel.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

returning, from display of the third video file, to display of the second index channel at a position within a second sequence of a second set of content preview files defined by the second index channel definition; and

returning, from display of the second index channel, to display of the first index channel.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the first index channel includes at least two levels of additional index channels nested within the first index channel, further comprising:

navigating through the at least two levels of additional index channels nested within the first index channel by stepping through consecutive levels of the at least two additional index channels nested within the first index channel and then returning to the first index channel by stepping through the consecutive levels of the at least two additional index channels in a reverse order.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

based on a determination that a selection has not been received by a time after display of the third video file has ended and that the number of preview files to display in each set of content preview files is not satisfied, transitioning to display of a fourth video file corresponding to a fourth content preview file included in a second set of content preview files of the second index channel.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

during display of the fourth video file, receiving the input to return to display of the first index channel; and

based on the input to return to display of the first index channel, returning to display of the first index channel at the position within the first sequence of the first set of content preview files defined by the accessed first index channel definition.

27. A system comprising:

at least one computer; and

at least one computer-readable medium coupled to the at least one computer having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the at least one computer, causes the at least one computer to perform operations comprising;

receiving, using a user identity, input to display a first index channel associated with a content delivery network;

receiving one or more inputs that define the first index channel, the one or more inputs that define the first index channel including an input defining a number of preview files to display in each set of content preview files and a selection of a sequential order or random order to display the preview files in each set of content preview files;

storing, as a first index channel definition associated with the user identity, data from the one or more inputs that define the first index channel;

based on the input to display the first index channel associated with the content delivery network, accessing the first index channel definition associated with the user identity, the first index channel definition defining a first sequence of a first set of content preview files for content files organized within channels available through the content delivery network, the first set of content preview files including video files;

based on the accessed first index channel definition, controlling display of the first index channel by displaying the first set of content preview files in the first sequence defined by the accessed first index channel definition, the controlling including;

displaying, responsive to receiving the input to display the first index channel, a first video file corresponding to a first content preview file included in the first set of content preview files, and

based on a determination that the number of preview files to display in each set of content preview files is satisfied and that a selection has not been received by a time after display of the first video file has ended, transitioning to display of a second video file corresponding to a second content preview file included in a second index channel that is nested within the first index channel, the second index channel being defined by a second index channel definition;

during display of the second content preview file, receiving a selection of the second content preview file; and

displaying, responsive to receiving the selection of the second content preview file, a third video file included in the second index channel.

28. At least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with at least one computer program comprising instructions that, when executed, operate to cause a computer to perform operations comprising:

receiving, using a user identity, input to display a first index channel associated with a content delivery network;

receiving one or more inputs that define the first index channel, the one or more inputs that define the first index channel including an input defining a number of preview files to display in each set of content preview files and a selection of a sequential order or random order to display the preview files in each set of content preview files;

storing, as a first index channel definition associated with the user identity, data from the one or more inputs that define the first index channel;

based on the input to display the index channel associated with the content delivery network, accessing the first index channel definition associated with the user identity, the first index channel definition defining a first sequence of a first set of content preview files for content files organized within channels available through the content delivery network, the first set of content preview files including video files;

based on the accessed first index channel definition, controlling display of the first index channel by displaying the first set of content preview files in the first sequence defined by the accessed first index channel definition, the controlling including;

displaying, responsive to receiving the input to display the first index channel, a first video file corresponding to a first content preview file included in the first set of content preview files, and

based on a determination that the number of preview files to display in each set of content preview files is satisfied and that a selection has not been received by a time after display of the first video file has ended, transitioning to display of a second video file corresponding to a second content preview file included in a second index channel that is nested within the first index channel, the second index channel being defined by a second index channel definition;

during display of the second content preview file, receiving a selection of the second content preview file; and

displaying, responsive to receiving the selection of the second content preview file, a third video file included in the second index channel.