DVR playlist provisioning system

• US 9,578,374 B1
• Filed: 04/30/2015
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Inventors: Whitten, Robert Clark, Eruteya, Malcolm
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thomas, Jason
• Application Number:
  US14/700,585
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/738 Presentation of query results
• 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 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• 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 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4335 Housekeeping operations, e.g. prioritizing content for deletion because of storage space restrictions storage management, e.g. defragmentation G06F3/0604; unloading stored programs G06F9/445; storage management in file systems G06F16/10; buffering arrangements in a network node or in an end terminal in packet networks H04L49/90
• 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 21/458 Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• 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 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• 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 21/835 Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/91 : Television signal processing therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only

Abstract

A system is provided for the provision of DVR playlists. DVR playlists allow for consumers to manage the availability, arrangement, and type of content to be provided from a DVR such that content items are intelligently added, arranged, played back, and deleted via the DVR playlist. Aspects of the system allow playlists to be created by the system, by the consumer, and in co-operation between the system and the consumer. Content items may also be provisioned, such that a DVR playlist limits playback, while still providing variety and consumer choice. Aspects of the system allow for various seed attributes to affect which content items are automatically chosen to comprise the DVR playlist. Content items may be shared amongst user accounts under a subscriber account so that space on a DVR is more efficiently provisioned.

Claims

1. A method for provisioning DVR playlists, comprising, receiving a seed:

determining attributes of the seed;

retrieving subscriber account permissions associated with a subscriber account;

identifying a content item that includes metadata matching the attributes of the seed;

locating at least one of;

a copy of the content item being streamed;

a copy of the content item on a DVR associated with the subscriber account;

a copy of the content item on a service provider server; and

a copy of the content item on a third-party server;

determining whether a located copy of the content item is permitted by the subscriber account permissions;

selecting one of the a permitted located copies copy determined to be an available content item;

adding the available content item to a first DVR playlist;

playing back the available content item from the first DVR playlist;

in response to playing back the available content item from the first DVR playlist, indicating via the first DVR playlist the available content item as viewed;

in response to indicating via the first DVR playlist the available content item as viewed, determining whether a second DVR playlist associated with the subscriber account includes the available content item;

when the second DVR playlist associated with the subscriber account includes the available content item, determining whether the second DVR playlist indicates the available content item as viewed;

when the second DVR playlist indicates the available content item as viewed, removing the available content item from the first DVR playlist and the second DVR playlist;

determining whether a local copy of the available content item exists on the DVR associated with the subscriber account and when it is determined that the local copy exists, deleting the local copy.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the seed is based on a displayed content item, receiving the seed further comprises:

receiving a selection of the displayed content item;

analyzing the displayed content item for metadata indicating a tone;

adding the displayed content item to the first DVR playlist; and

in response to adding the displayed content item to the first DVR playlist, playing back the displayed content item.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein determining the attributes of the seed further comprises analyzing past consumer behavior to affect a weighting of the attributes; and

wherein identifying the content item that includes metadata matching the attributes of the seed further comprises, selecting the content item determined to have a highest weighting as the identified content item.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to playing back the available content item from the first DVR playlist, providing a user interface to present a plurality of available content items, wherein the user interface is operable to transmits a selection of one of the plurality of available content items to play back as a next available content item.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a request for branching playback including:

selecting the second DVR playlist, comprised of different available content items;

in response to indicating the available content item as viewed, branching playback to the second DVR playlist, wherein a next available content item is selected from the different available content items comprising the second DVR playlist; and

in response to branching playback to the second DVR playlist, playing back the next available content item.

6. A system for provisioning DVR playlists, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storage including instructions, which when executed by the processor are operable to;

receive a seed;

determine attributes of the seed;

retrieve subscriber account permissions associated with a subscriber account;

identify a content item that includes metadata matching the attributes of the seed;

locate at least one of;

a copy of the content item being streamed;

a copy of the content item on a DVR associated with the subscriber account;

a copy of the content item on a service provider server; and

a copy of the content item on a third-party server;

determine whether a located copy of the content item is permitted by the subscriber account permissions;

select one of the a permitted located copies copy determined to be an available content item;

add the available content item to a first DVR playlist;

play back the available content item from the first DVR playlist;

in response to playing back the available content item from the first DVR playlist, indicate via the first DVR playlist the available content item as viewed, in response to indicating via the first DVR playlist the available content item as viewed, determine whether a second DVR playlist associated with the subscriber account includes the available content item;

when the second DVR playlist associated with the subscriber account includes the available content item, determine whether the second DVR playlist indicates the available content item as viewed when the second DVR playlist indicates the available content item as viewed, remove the available content item from the first DVR playlist and the second DVR playlist;

determine whether a local copy of the available content item exists on the DVR associated with the subscriber account and when it is determined that the local copy exists, delete the local copy.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the seed is based on a displayed content item, to receive the seed, the system is further operable to:

receive a selection of the displayed content item;

analyze the displayed content item for metadata indicating a tone for the displayed content item;

add the displayed content item to the first DVR playlist; and

in response to adding the displayed content item to the first DVR playlist, play back the displayed content item.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein to determine the attributes of the seed, the system is further operable to analyzes past consumer behavior to affect a weighting of the attributes;

and wherein, to identify the content item that includes metadata matching the attributes of the seed, the system is further operable to selects the content item determined to have a highest weighting as the identified content item.

9. The system of claim 6, further operable to:

in response to playing back the available content item from the first DVR playlist, provide a user interface to present a plurality of available content items, wherein the user interface is operable to transmit a selection of one of the plurality of available content items to play back as a next available content item.

10. The system of claim 6, further operable to:

receive a request for branching playback including;

the second DVR playlist, comprised of different available content items;

in response to indicating the available content item as viewed, branch playback to the second DVR playlist, wherein a next available content item is selected from the different available content items comprising the second DVR playlist; and

in response to branching playback to the second DVR playlist, play back the next available content item.

11. A playlist engine for provisioning DVR playlists, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storage including instructions, which when executed by the processor are operable to provide;

a communication module, operable to receive communications indicating content items to be displayed on an endpoint device;

a construction module, operable to build a playlist comprising the indicated content items;

an availability module storing subscriber account permissions, operable to locate the content items comprising the playlist and determine whether the content items comply with the subscriber account permissions;

a provision module, operable to determine an order for the content items comprising the playlist and to enable the display of the content items according to the order on the endpoint device receive a seed;

determine attributes of the seed use subscriber account permissions associated with a subscriber account identify a content item that includes metadata matching the attributes of the seed locate at least one of;

a copy of the content item being streamed a copy of the content item on a DVR associated with the subscriber account;

a copy of the content item on a service provider server and a copy of the content item on a third-party server;

determine whether a located copy of the content item is permitted by the subscriber account permissions;

select a permitted located copy determined to be an available content item add the available content item to the first DVR playlist;

play back the available content item from the first DVR playlist;

in response to playing back the available content item from the first DVR playlist, indicate via the first DVR playlist the available content item as viewed in response to indicating via the first DVR playlist the available content item as viewed, determine whether a second DVR playlist associated with the subscriber account includes the available content item;

when the second DVR playlist associated with the subscriber account includes the available content item, determine whether the second DVR playlist indicates the available content item as viewed when the second DVR playlist indicates the available content item as viewed, remove the available content item from the first DVR playlist and the second DVR playlist determine whether a local copy of the available content item exists on the DVR associated with the subscriber account and when it is determined that the local copy exists, delete the local copy.

12. The playlist engine of claim 11, further comprising a selection module, operable to parse metadata from the communications to interpret the seed, wherein the seed indicates content items to be displayed on the endpoint device based on matching metadata.

13. The playlist engine of claim 11, wherein an order for content items is a branching order, wherein multiple content items are presented for selection as a next-to-display content item on the endpoint device at termination of a currently-displayed content item.

14. The playlist engine of claim 13, further wherein the provision module is further operable to present the multiple content items for selection as the next-to-display content item from a plurality of playlists.

15. The playlist engine of claim 11, wherein the provision module is further operable to:

enable content items for display by downloading the content items to a computer storage medium associated with the endpoint device;

determine whether the content items stored by the computer storage medium associated with the endpoint device have been displayed from each playlist that the content items comprise; and

when the content items stored by the computer storage medium associated with the endpoint device have been displayed from each playlist that the content items comprise, automatically remove the content items from the computer storage medium associated with the endpoint device.

16. The playlist engine of claim 11, wherein the availability module is further operable to locate content items from at least one of:

a content item stream;

a DVR local to an endpoint device;

a DVR networked to the endpoint device;

a service provider of the endpoint device; and

a third-party service available to the endpoint device.

17. The playlist engine of claim 11, wherein the communications indicating content items to be displayed on the endpoint device further to identify a desired playlist comprising the indicated content items.

18. The playlist engine of claim 11, wherein the construction module is further operable to-remove the content items from the first DVR playlist or the second DVR playlist in response to termination of a currently-displayed content item.