Filtering system based on pattern of usage

• US 6,260,192 B1
• Filed: 06/02/1997
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Nakano, Hiroaki, Niijima, Makoto, Rosin, Robert, Sonoda, Yumie, Hsu, P. Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): GRANT, CHRISTOPHER C
• Application Number:
  US08/867,613
• Time in Patent Office: 1,499 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.716, H04/N.7173, 345/327, 348/6, 348/7, 348/12, 348/13, 348/10, 348/11, 348/1, 455/6.2, 455/6.3, 455/5.1, 455/4.2, 455/3.1, 455/2, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219
• US Class Current: 725/39
• 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 21/44224 Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4438 Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• 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 21/4622 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 21/4667 Processing of monitored end-user data, e.g. trend analysis based on the log file of viewer selections
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

An internet on-demand system for television presents internet content and traditional television programming as part of a single coherent interface. The system includes a server and a client capable of providing a dynamic graphical user interface. An intelligent agent passively filters selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user'"'"'s past pattern of usage of the client. The system can display an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through and highlights links to selected web pages which are organized according to templates corresponding to their content. The web pages are presented on the graphical user interface as channels as part of the same milieu as channels of traditional television programming. The user can select a channel from a rotary menu wheel. The server queries the client regarding its available data stream connections, including telephone modems, cable modems, and digital satellite broadcasting, in order to determine the most efficient delivery of different types of data through all of the available bandwidth connections. The efficient delivery of data allows the client to present text, graphics, video, audio and other multimedia information from a web page over the internet as a coordinated presentation.

Claims

1. A system for selectively displaying internet content and television programming on a display, the system comprising:

a client, including a display, and channels separately representing individual television content and individual internet content;

means for selecting between the channels, wherein when an individual television content channel or an individual internet content channel is selected the client presents the content associated with the selected channel on the display;

means for presenting on the display an internet gateway interface which selectively scrolls through links to selected web pages organized according to templates corresponding to web page content displayed on internet content channels; and

a server, including means for establishing a data connection with the client and downloading data along the data connection to the client, and means for passively filtering selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user'"'"'s past patterns of usage of the client.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the filtering means modifies the links to selected topics present in the templates by monitoring the user'"'"'s use of the client to determine the user'"'"'s preferences for the selected topics in the templates.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the filtering means comprise an intelligent agent for filtering web pages content into categories on the template, enabling automatic adaptation of the template and associated categories based on the past user viewing habits.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the client includes a video input, at least one data communication line, and a digital storage medium, the client is capable of displaying video from the video input and data from the digital storage medium on the display, the server is connected to the client by the communication line, the server being capable of communication with a plurality of other servers, wherein the server and the client can communicate with one another such that documents from the other servers can be provided to the client and stored on the digital storage medium, and the server further includes a database categorizing a number of documents from the other servers into topics of interest according to pre-selected criteria.

5. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the client includes a set top box, connected to the display, for providing connections to video and computer data sources to be processed and displayed on the display.

6. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the display comprises a television screen.

7. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data connection between the client and server comprises a telephone modem.

8. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the client further includes a processor for performing multimedia tasks, programming for the internet web, browsing, and controlling multimedia tasks.

9. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the client further includes a remote control device.

10. A system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for alphanumerically entering text.

11. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data connection to the client comprises a satellite service for delivering television programming and for delivering internet content during the television programming blanking signal.

12. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data connection comprises an ISDN connection.

13. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data connection comprises a digital satellite data service.

14. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data connection comprises a cable modem.

15. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the server comprises a POP server for enabling the client to access the internet so that the client can request information from other servers connected to the internet.

16. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the client further comprises a graphical user interface, and the server provides the graphical user interface with a page with links to internet content.

17. A system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a menu for providing a single uniform interface to enable the user to navigate among the channels of internet sites and television stations.

18. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the internet channels represent a URL on a particular server.

19. A system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a service interconnected with the server, for providing quality control in presenting selected links to web pages by preselecting links to other web pages created and maintained by other internet entities and organizations.

20. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the templates categorize and organize the links.

21. A system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of dedicated menus, each for a different command function including a plurality of different customized controls.

22. A system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for filtering and blocking internet content and television programming, compatible with television and internet blocking filters.

23. A system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for demultiplexing data to the client, which comprise means for downloading graphics, sound, or video files over a large bandwidth data connection.

24. A system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for synchronizing decompression of different types of data files for simultaneous and coordinated presentation to the user.

25. A system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the intelligent agent is adapted to automatically modify, adapt, and update a guide page and templates and to organize and categorize the predetermined web links to the user based at least in part on past user viewing and browsing habits.

26. A system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the intelligent agent searches that portion of the content of the internet preselected for inclusion with the templates for the user.

27. A system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the intelligent agent is adapted to modify topics contained in the templates and filter the preselected topics accordingly for that template.

28. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the server monitors documents requested by the client in order to determine topics of interest to the user of the client.

29. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the server provides suggestions to the client for additional documents categorized into topics of interest from the other servers.

30. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the digital storage medium comprises a hard drive.

31. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the digital data storage medium comprises a digital video disk.

32. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the digital storage medium comprises a digital video tape.

33. A system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the television screen comprises a cathode ray tube.

34. A system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the television screen comprises a liquid crystal display.

35. A system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the remote control device includes numeric keys for selecting channels.

36. A system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the remote control device includes directional controls for controlling movement of selection means on the television screen.

37. A system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the remote control device includes a button for activating a link or command.

38. A system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the remote control device includes dedicated keys for jumping to a specialized function.

39. A system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the alphanumeric means comprise a keyboard.

40. A system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the data connection comprises a digital satellite broadcasting connection.

41. A system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the data connection comprises a cable connection.

42. A system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the server links are predetermined web pages screened by the internet service provider.

43. A system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the templates include links classified into categories, which templates provide a framework for presenting the links in the client graphical user interface.

44. A system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the menu comprises a rotary wheel menu.

45. A system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the menu further includes a separate channel for a guide page having links to URLs.

46. A system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the menu overlies the screen, so as to enable video or television programming to continue in the background on the display.

47. A system as set forth in claim 19, wherein the service determines the staleness of a web site based on adequacy of maintenance or updating thereof.

48. A system as set forth in claim 21, wherein a dedicated menu function comprises web browsing.

49. A system as set forth in claim 21, wherein a dedicated menu function comprises sending E-Mail.

50. A system as set forth in claim 21, wherein a dedicated menu function comprises reading E-Mail.

51. A system as set forth in claim 21, wherein a dedicated menu function comprises retrieving E-Mail.

52. A system as set forth in claim 43, wherein the templates are stored on the server.

53. A system as set forth in claim 43, wherein the templates are stored on the client.

54. A system as set forth in claim 43, wherein the templates are stored on the server and the client.

55. A system as set forth in claim 43, wherein the templates include a plurality of different categories, including web page content defined by predetermined identifying attributes identifying aspects of the subject matter of the web page content.

56. A system as set forth in claim 43, further comprising an active television screen user interface including the templates.

57. A system as set forth in claim 43, including a guide page comprising a template including links to different preselected pre categorized web pages of user interest.

58. A system as set forth in claim 44, wherein the rotary wheel menu comprises a series of panels which appear to occupy three-dimensional space including extending behind the television screen, wherein the panels on the front side of the rotary wheel menu can be viewed on the television screen.

59. A system as set forth in claim 58, further comprising means for rotating the rotary wheel menu to simulate movement within a three-dimensional space, causing the visible panels other than the forwardmost panel to be behind other panels as the wheel is rotated.

60. A system as set forth in claim 44, further comprising means for highlighting a selection box for a desired panel to rotate into.

61. A system as set forth in claim 58, further comprising a remote control device, and means on the remote control device for enabling movement of the panels up and down.

62. A system as set forth in claim 58, wherein the rotary wheel menu resembles a Ferris Wheel, with the panels remaining facing the user as the wheel is rotated.

63. A system as set forth in claim 58, wherein the distance between adjacent panels decreases and eventually overlaps towards the zenith and nadir of the rotary wheel, whereby the extreme panels displayed on the screen appear to move behind other displayed panels.

64. A system as set forth in claim 58, wherein the panel becomes more translucent as the panel moves to the zenith and nadir of the wheel.

65. A system as set forth in claim 57, wherein the guide page comprises a channel selectable by the user.

66. A system as set forth in claim 57, wherein the guide page is further adapted to be automatically modified.

67. A system as set forth in claim 57, wherein the guide page is stored on the server.

68. A system as set forth in claim 57, wherein the guide page is stored on the client.

69. A system as set forth in claim 57, wherein the guide page is stored on the client and the server.

70. A system as set forth in claim 57, wherein the guide page includes a set of topics, and a set of links associated with each topic.

71. A system as set forth in claim 57, wherein the guide page comprises a dynamic interface for scrolling through links to provide the client user with a revolving choice of links.

72. A system as set forth in claim 60, further comprising means on a remote control device for selecting the desired channel, which is highlighted in the selection box.

73. A system as set forth in claim 66, wherein guide page adaptation is based in part on past user viewing habits.

74. A system as set forth in claim 70, wherein the links include an associated object for visually indicating the subject matter of the link.

75. A system as set forth in claim 70, wherein the guide page topics and links are selectable in a series of sequences.

76. A system as set forth in claim 70, further comprising a remote control device for selecting a link to deliver the internet content to the client for display on a television screen.

77. A system as set forth in claim 71, wherein the guide page further includes associated objects for the scrolling links.

78. A system as set forth in claim 74, wherein the associated objects are displayed as a slideshow presentation to the user.

79. A system as set forth in claim 74, wherein the associated objects are displayed as a filmstrip presentation to the user.

80. A system as set forth in claim 75, wherein the series of sequences comprises a first set of selected topics displayed on the screen for the client user, and a subset of the first set of topics selectively highlighted in a first sequential order.

81. A system as set forth in claim 76, wherein the remote control device includes selection buttons for selecting a highlighted link.

82. A system as set forth in claim 76, wherein the remote control device includes a cursor for selecting a non-highlighted link.

83. A system as set forth in claim 77, further comprising means for actively scrolling through frames to dynamically present topics, links, and associated objects according to a template-defined classification structure.

84. A system as set forth in claim 78, wherein the slideshow presentation comprises a dynamic sideways moving slideshow of simultaneously shown links and associated objects for a plurality of topics.

85. A system as set forth in claim 80, wherein each succeeding displayed topic is highlighted in descending order, and the sequence begins again at the first set of topics.

86. A system as set forth in claim 80, further comprising a second set of internet links associated with the first set of topics.

87. A system as set forth in claim 81, wherein upon highlighting a link, an object associated with the highlighted link is displayed on the television screen.

88. A system as set forth in claim 86, wherein the second set of internet links are highlighted in a second sequential order.

89. A system as set forth in claim 87, wherein the object comprises a graphic image.

90. A system as set forth in claim 87, wherein the object comprises an animation.

91. A system as set forth in claim 87, wherein the object comprises a sound file.

92. A system as set forth in claim 86, further comprising a dynamic interface comprising means for scrolling through selected topics of a first set, links of a second set associated with each selected topic, and objects associated with each link.

93. A system as set forth in claim 87, wherein the object is stored on the client.

94. A system as set forth in claim 87, wherein the object is stored on a network server.

95. A system as set forth in claim 87, wherein the object is stored on the server containing the URL for the highlighted link.

96. A system as set forth in claim 87, further comprising means for enabling downloading the associated object from the server when the link is first highlighted.

97. A system as set forth in claim 94, further comprising means for establishing a connection with the network server after a link is selected by the user and while the previously downloaded web page is being viewed, to follow links present in the web page and download other related web pages of user interest.

98. A system as set forth in claim 96, wherein the downloading enabling means comprise a high speed, large bandwidth data connection.

99. A system as set forth in claim 96, further comprising means for enabling downloading of the associated object periodically to the client, and saving thereof on the digital storage medium during off-peek low usage hours.

100. A system as set forth in claim 96, wherein the downloading enabling means further automatically updates web pages which are part of frequently visited web sites.

101. A system as set forth in-claim 96, further comprising means for providing a substantially fast user interface to the user.

102. A system as set forth in claim 96, wherein the data connection comprises a digital satellite connection.

103. A system as set forth in claim 97, further comprising means for initiating a dial-up connection to the network server when the user initially selects the guide page.

104. A method of selectively displaying internet content and television programming on a display, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a connection between a client and a server for downloading data from the server along a data connection to the client;

displaying an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through links to selected web pages organized according to templates corresponding to web page content displayed on internet content channels;

selecting between channels separately representing individual television content and individual internet content, in the client which includes a display, wherein when an individual television content channel or an individual internet content channel is selected the client presents the content associated with the selected channel on the display; and

passively filtering selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user'"'"'s past patterns of usage of the client.