Self-service channel marketplace

• US 9,894,420 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2016
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Patterson, James, Walk, Hunter Everett, Yong, Kuan Loong
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Ricky
• Application Number:
  US15/256,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20160373827A1
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/739 in form of a video summary, e.g. the video summary being a video sequence, a composite still image or having synthesized frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23109 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. EPG data repository details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/239 Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. prioritizing client content requests hybrid fiber coaxial [HFC] networks for upstream channel allocation for video distribution H04L12/2801; flow control in data networks H04L47/10; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/251 Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies details of learning user preferences for the retrieval of video data in a video database G06F16/739; computer systems using learning methods G06N3/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• 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 21/2668 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 21/2743 Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• 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 21/432 Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4332 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository interfaces, Database management systems or updating for information retrieval G06F16/23; details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video database G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44224 Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• 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 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4756 : for rating content, e.g. scoring a recommended movie
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 : for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02

Abstract

A content hosting system allows content providers to create channels of video content and make them available to users in a marketplace. Users can search or browse for channels of interest, and selectively subscribe to channels. Users can also pay for the right to view premium videos in each channel. The system ranks channels according to the value provided. Generally, users will seek out and subscribe to the highest ranked channels that provide the greatest value. The ranking function allows different providers to compete for the subscriptions of users. Providers can observe their channel'"'"'s reception in the market by analyzing rankings and usage statistics to adjust channels to maximize channel performance. The system operator can also create bundled channels containing videos from multiple providers, and the resulting subscription revenue can be distributed to the various providers of the videos in the channel.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of providing channels of videos, the method comprising:

maintaining, for each user, subscriber viewing data comprising a proportion of time each user spends viewing a first subset of a plurality of subscription channels relative to a second subset of the plurality of subscription channels, and user feedback data comprising user ratings for the videos of the plurality of subscription channels;

receiving, by the content hosting system, a user search request from a client device for subscription channels, the search request including a keyword;

identifying, by a content hosting system, search results including a plurality of subscription channels of videos responsive to the user search request, each subscription channel of videos including a plurality of videos included in the subscription channel by a provider associated with the subscription channel;

determining a channel value for each of the plurality of subscription channels based on a weighted combination of a quality of a subscription offering combined with a relevance of the subscription offering to the user, wherein the quality of the subscription offering is based on at least a subscriber churn rate, and the relevance of the subscription offering to the user is based on the user feedback data and the subscriber viewing data;

generating improved search results by modifying positioning of a subset of subscription channels in the search results to appear higher in the improved search results and increase exposure to the subset of subscription channels, wherein generating the improved search results comprises;

ranking the plurality of subscription channels based on the channel value associated with each subscription channel and a degree of match of each subscription channel with the keyword, wherein at least one subscription channel that does not include the keyword is more highly ranked, based on at least the channel value, than a first subscription channel that matches the keyword and the at least one subscription channel that does not include the keyword is ranked lower, based on at least the channel value, than a second subscription channel that matches the keyword; and

providing the improved search results including the ranked plurality of subscription channels to the client device.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein identifying the plurality of subscription channels comprises:

determining one or more keywords associated with each of the plurality of subscription channels; and

comparing the keywords associated with each of the plurality of subscription channels with the keyword included in the user search request to determine matching subscription channels that match the keyword included in the user search request and non-matching subscription channels that do not include the keyword included in the user search request.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein ranking the plurality of subscription channels comprises:

identifying a user profile of a user associated with the user search request, the user profile indicating interests of the user;

identifying one or more non-matching subscription channels that match the interests of the user based on a comparison of the keywords associated with the one or more subscription channels and the interests of the user included in the user profile; and

ranking at least one of the identified non-matching subscription channels higher than the subscription channel that matches the keyword.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the subscriber viewing data further comprises at least one of a total amount of time spent by subscribers on each subscription channel, an average amount of time spent by the subscribers on each subscription channel, a proportion of time spent per video for each subscription channel relative to other videos in the subscription channel, and a proportion of time spent by the subscribers on subscription channels relative to non-subscription videos.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the quality of the subscription offering is further based on channel content comprising a price to subscribe to the subscription channel, the plurality of videos available for viewing as part of the subscription channel, channel advertisements displayed on the subscription channel, and channel promotions associated with the subscription channel.

6. The computer-implemented of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of channels includes videos from a plurality of different providers.

7. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing executable code for proving channels of videos, the code when executed by one or more computer processors causes the computer processors to:

maintain, for each user, subscriber viewing data comprising a proportion of time each user spends viewing a first subset of a plurality of subscription channels relative to a second subset of the plurality of subscription channels, and user feedback data comprising user ratings for the videos of the plurality of subscription channels;

receive, by the content hosting system, a user search request from a client device for subscription channels, the search request including a keyword;

identify, by a content hosting system, search results including a plurality of subscription channels of videos responsive to the user search request, each subscription channel of videos including a plurality of videos included in the subscription channel by a provider associated with the subscription channel;

determine a channel value for each of the plurality of subscription channels based on a weighted combination of a quality of a subscription offering combined with a relevance of the subscription offering to the user, wherein the quality of the subscription offering is based on at least a subscriber churn rate, and the relevance of the subscription offering to the user is based on the user feedback data and the subscriber viewing data;

generate improved search results by modifying positioning of a subset of subscription channels in the search results to appear higher in the improved search results and increase exposure to the subset of subscription channels, wherein generating the improved search results comprises the computer processors executing the code to;

rank the plurality of subscription channels based on the channel value associated with each subscription channel and a degree of match of each subscription channel with the keyword, wherein at least one subscription channel that does not include the keyword is more highly ranked, based on at least the channel value, than a first subscription channel that matches the keyword and the at least one subscription channel that does not include the keyword is ranked lower, based on at least the channel value, than a second subscription channel that matches the keyword; and

providing the improved search results including the ranked plurality of subscription channels to the client device.

8. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein identifying the plurality of subscription channels comprises:

determining one or more keywords associated with each of the plurality of subscription channels; and

comparing the keywords associated with each of the plurality of subscription channels with the keyword included in the user search request to determine matching subscription channels that match the keyword included in the user search request and non-matching subscription channels that do not include the keyword included in the user search request.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein ranking the plurality of subscription channels comprises:

identifying a user profile of a user associated with the user search request, the user profile indicating interests of the user;

identifying one or more non-matching subscription channels that match the interests of the user based on a comparison of the keywords associated with the one or more subscription channels and the interests of the user included in the user profile; and

ranking at least one of the identified non-matching subscription channels higher than the subscription channel that matches the keyword.

10. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the subscriber viewing data further comprises at least one of a total amount of time spent by subscribers on each subscription channel, an average amount of time spent by the subscribers on each subscription channel, a proportion of time spent per video for each subscription channel relative to other videos in the subscription channel, and a proportion of time spent by the subscribers on subscription channels relative to non-subscription videos.

11. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the quality of the subscription offering is further based on channel content comprising a price to subscribe to the subscription channel, the plurality of videos available for viewing as part of the subscription channel, channel advertisements displayed on the subscription channel, and channel promotions associated with the subscription channel.

12. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of channels includes videos from a plurality of different providers.

13. A computer system for providing channels of videos, the computer system comprising:

one or more computer processors; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable code, the code when executed by the computer processors causes the computer processors to;

maintain, for each user, subscriber viewing data comprising a proportion of time each user spends viewing a first subset of a plurality of subscription channels relative to a second subset of the plurality of subscription channels, and user feedback data comprising user ratings for the videos of the plurality of subscription channels;

receive, by the content hosting system, a user search request from a client device for subscription channels, the search request including a keyword;

identify, by a content hosting system, search results including a plurality of subscription channels of videos responsive to the user search request, each subscription channel of videos including a plurality of videos included in the subscription channel by a provider associated with the subscription channel;

determine a channel value for each of the plurality of subscription channels based on a weighted combination of a quality of a subscription offering combined with a relevance of the subscription offering to the user, wherein the quality of the subscription offering is based on at least a subscriber churn rate, and the relevance of the subscription offering to the user is based on the user feedback data and the subscriber viewing data;

generate improved search results by modifying positioning of a subset of subscription channels to appear higher in the search results, the improved search results increase exposure to the subset of subscription channels, wherein generating the improved search results comprises the computer processors executing the code to;

rank the plurality of subscription channels based on the channel value associated with each subscription channel and a degree of match of each subscription channel with the keyword, wherein at least one subscription channel that does not include the keyword is more highly ranked, based on at least the channel value, than a subscription channel that matches the keyword and the at least one subscription channel that does not include the keyword is ranked lower, based on at least the channel value, than a second subscription channel that matches the keyword; and

provide the improved search results including the ranked plurality of subscription channels to the client device.

14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein identifying the plurality of subscription channels comprises:

determining one or more keywords associated with each of the plurality of subscription channels; and

comparing the keywords associated with each of the plurality of subscription channels with the keyword included in the user search request to determine matching subscription channels that match the keyword included in the user search request and non-matching subscription channels that do not include the keyword included in the user search request.

15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein ranking the plurality of subscription channels comprises:

identifying a user profile of a user associated with the user search request, the user profile indicating interests of the user;

identifying one or more non-matching subscription channels that match the interests of the user based on a comparison of the keywords associated with the one or more subscription channels and the interests of the user included in the user profile; and

ranking at least one of the identified non-matching subscription channels higher than the subscription channel that matches the keyword.

16. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the subscriber viewing data further comprises at least one of a total amount of time spent by subscribers on each subscription channel, an average amount of time spent by the subscribers on each subscription channel, a proportion of time spent per video for each subscription channel relative to other videos in the subscription channel, and a proportion of time spent by the subscribers on subscription channels relative to non-subscription videos.

17. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the quality of the subscription offering is further based on channel content comprising a price to subscribe to the subscription channel, the plurality of videos available for viewing as part of the subscription channel, channel advertisements displayed on the subscription channel, and channel promotions associated with the subscription channel.