COMMUNITY DRIVEN PROGRAM ACCESS SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20090006473A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Elliott, John, Yashpal, Vikram
• Granted Patent: US 8,787,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/73 using meta-information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/80 characterised by transmission among terminal devices

Abstract

A method to create community channels is provided. The method includes defining a subset of channels from a broadcast network, associating one or more tags with the channels, and employing the tags to enable a community network from the broadcast network.

Claims

1. A method to create a community channel, comprising:

defining a subset of channels from a broadcast network;

associating one or more tags with the channels; and

employing the tags to enable a community channel of a community network from the broadcast network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the tags as metadata that is employed to communicate information from end users relating to the channels.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising caching the metadata on a local device.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising synchronizing the metadata to a broadcast when the broadcast is viewed at a later time than an initial transmission of the metadata.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising employing the tags as enablers for other members of a defined community to receive a desired broadcast.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising inviting members of a community to a network via a user interface.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the network is configured as a public or a private network.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the tags are employed as client filters.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a program guide to identify members of a community network or programs associated with the members.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the program guide enables members to view common programming based on shared filters.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising searching public community channels based on user interests or joining the community channels by subscribing to public channels.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an interface to form a discussion thread among members of a community channel.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising generating messages when community channel members are viewing related programs.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising an interface to upload media to be considered by a community.

15. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions to tag components of one or more broadcast channels, where the tags are employed to communicate with other members of a community network formed from the broadcast channels; and

a processor that executes the instructions.

16. The communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the tag is communicated as metadata and cached on a local device.

17. The communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the tag is employed to synchronize a communication with a broadcast channel.

18. A communications apparatus, comprising:

means for associating metadata to broadcast data content;

means for defining members of a community network; and

means for communicating the metadata to the members of the community network.

19. A machine-readable medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions for:

identifying members of a community network that utilize channels from a broadcast network;

inviting the members to join the community network; and

receiving metadata associated with the community network that is related to the broadcast network.

20. The machine-readable medium of claim 19, further comprising generating an interface to identify the members and communicate the metadata.

30. The machine-readable medium of claim 19, further comprising utilizing an interface to identify the members and communicate the metadata.

21. A processor that executes the following instructions:

associating tags with broadcast data content;

caching the tags on a local device; and

synchronizing the tags on a community network in accordance with the broadcast data content.

22. A method to create a community channel, comprising:

receiving a subset of channels for a broadcast network;

receiving one or more tags with the channels; and

employing the tags to receive communications as a community channel of a community network derived from the broadcast network.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising receiving the tags as metadata in order to receive information from end users relating to the channels.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising synchronizing the metadata to a broadcast when the broadcast is viewed at a later time than an initial transmission of the metadata.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising receiving the tags as enablers from other members of a defined community in order to receive a desired broadcast.

26. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions to process tag components received in accordance with one or more broadcast channels, where the tags are employed to communicate with other members of a community network formed from the broadcast channels; and

a processor that executes the instructions.

27. The communications apparatus of claim 26, wherein the tag is communicated as metadata and cached on a local device.

28. The communications apparatus of claim 26, wherein the tag is employed to synchronize a communication with a broadcast channel.

29. A machine-readable medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions for:

identifying members of a community network that utilize channels from a broadcast network;

receiving an invitation from the members to join the community network; and

receiving metadata associated with the community network that is related to the broadcast network.

31. A processor that executes the following instructions:

receiving tags in accordance with broadcast data content;

caching the tags on a local device; and

synchronizing the tags on a community network in accordance with the broadcast data content.