Movies channel

• US 7,577,974 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Skinner, Kent Hayden, Seri, Pierre-Francois, Grossman, Joel K., Tan, Albert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Thai
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hasan; Syed Y
• Application Number:
  US10/856,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20050278750A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,908 Days
• Field of Search: 725/62, 725/9, 725/28, 725/45, 725/46, 725/75, 725/82, 725/87, 725/97, 725/98, 725/135, 725/136, 725/148, 342/357.11, 348/E5.008, 348/E7.073, 455/266, 455/456.3, 455/550.1, 455/566
• US Class Current: 725/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• 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 21/26291 for providing content or additional data updates, e.g. updating software modules, stored at the client deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4524 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; systems specially adapted for using geographical information in broadcast systems H04H60/70; protocols in which the network application is adapted for the location of the user terminal in communication control or processing H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• 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 21/454 Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• 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 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• 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 21/8133 specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides a movie channel to a user on a mobile device. Movie based content associated with a movie channel is automatically delivered and stored on a mobile electronic device for access by a user. Using the device, users can quickly and efficiently access movie information without having to type in information, or specifically request the movie information to be downloaded to the device. The movie channel includes several different modes for categorically displaying different types of movie information. Some example modes include: a movies mode; a theaters mode; and a current top movies mode. The movies mode is organized to display information relating to particular movies on the electronic device. The theaters mode is arranged to display information relating to particular theaters on the electronic device. The current top movies mode displays information relating to the current “hot” movies.

Claims

1. A method for receiving, displaying and interacting with movie channel content associated with a movie channel on a mobile electronic device, comprising:

automatically and repeatedly receiving a broadcast transmission including the movie channel content encoded on a communication signal that is automatically broadcast to many electronic devices at the same time such that each of the electronic devices receives the same movie channel content;

wherein the movie channel content is not personalized when it is broadcast;

wherein the movie channel content is received as records;

wherein the broadcast transmission includes public messages and private messages;

wherein the public messages are decodable by each of the many electronic devices receiving the broadcast and where in the private messages within the broadcast are decodable only by a single electronic device receiving the broadcast;

wherein the broadcast movie channel content comprises;

a top 10 list of current movies having the ten highest revenues for a week;

movie names, movie theatre names, ratings and genres; and

wherein the movie channel content is broadcast more frequently during a weekend as compared to weekdays;

storing at least a portion of the movie channel content on the electronic device;

associating the movie channel content with a movie channel application on the electronic device;

filtering the movie channel content based on pre-defined preferences;

wherein the pre-defined preferences include determining when there is a designation of;

a selection of movie theatres;

a selection of movie genre preferences;

a selection of ratings;

a selection of movie theatres within a designated area;

a selection of actors; and

a selection of directors;

wherein the filtering is based on the pre-defined preferences and is automatically performed on the electronic device after the movie channel content has been received on the electronic device and wherein the filtering creates personalized content on the electronic device;

wherein the pre-defined preferences are received on the mobile electronic device through one or more private messages received through the broadcast and wherein the received pre-defined preferences are stored on the mobile electronic device after being received through the one more private messages;

decoding the received records using the movie channel application;

wherein decoding the received records includes associating an index value with an expanded name when one of the records is encoded as an index;

wherein theatre names are encoded as an index;

setting a current view associated with the movie channel; and

displaying the current view on a display of the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein setting the current view further comprises setting the current view to one of:

a list of movies;

a list of theaters; and

a list of top 10 movies on the device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein setting the current view associated with the movie channel, further comprises selecting a mode associated with the movie channel, wherein the mode is selected from at least one of:

a movies mode;

a theaters mode; and

a top 10 mode.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising setting the current view to:

a list of movies currently playing when the movies mode is selected;

a list of theaters when the theaters mode is selected; and

a list of top movies currently playing when the top 10 mode is selected.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising receiving an input indicating a selection associated with one of the modes;

and in response to the selection setting the current view.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising determining when a movie is selected;

and in response to the movie being selected showing details associated with the movie.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein showing details associated with the movie further comprises showing at least one of:

a list of theaters playing the movie;

the movie times; and

movie ratings.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising determining when a theater is selected;

and in response to the theater being selected showing movies playing at the theater.

9. The method of claim 1, further adjusting the current view based on user preferences.

10. An apparatus for receiving, navigating, and displaying movie content that is associated with a movie channel, comprising:

a data store;

a communication connection configured to receive a communication signal including the movie content that is automatically broadcast to a plurality of mobile electronic devices at the same time and store the movie content in the data store;

wherein the movie content is not personalized when it is broadcast;

wherein the movie content is received as records;

wherein the broadcast transmission includes public messages and private messages;

wherein the public messages are decodable by each of the plurality of mobile electronic devices receiving the broadcast and wherein the private messages within the broadcast are decodable only by a single electronic device receiving the broadcast;

wherein the broadcast movie content comprises;

a top 10 list of current movies having the ten highest revenues for a week;

movie names, movie theatre names, ratings and genres; and

wherein the movie channel content is broadcast more frequently during a weekend as compared to weekdays;

a display;

a user interface that includes a selector; and

an electronic system that is arranged to interact with the user interface, the data store, the communication connection, and the display, wherein the electronic system is configured to;

select a current operating mode when a movie channel is activated;

filter the movie content based on pre-defined user preferences ;

wherein the pre-defined user preferences include determining when there is a designation of;

a selection of movie theatres;

a selection of movie genre preferences;

a selection of ratings;

a selection of movie theatres within a designated area;

a selection of actors; and

a selection of directors;

wherein the filtering is based on the pre-defined preferences and is automatically performed on the electronic device after the movie channel content has been received on the electronic device and wherein the filtering creates personalized content on the apparatus;

wherein the pre-defined user preferences are received on the mobile electronic device through one or more private messages received through the broadcast and wherein the received pre-defined preferences are stored on the mobile electronic device after being received through the one more private messages;

decoding the received records;

wherein decoding the received records includes associating an index value with an expanded name when one of the records is encoded as an index;

wherein theatre names are encoded as an index;

change the current operating mode in response to the selector;

select a current view that is associated with the current operating mode; and

display the current view on the display.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electronic system is further configured to activate a list browser in response to the selector when one of the operating modes is active.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the electronic system is further configured to activate a movie list in response to the interface selection device when a movie mode is active, wherein the movie list is organized as a list of movies that are currently showing at theaters based on the pre-defined user preferences, and wherein the selector is configured for selecting one of the movies in the list.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electronic system is further configured to set the current view to show at least one of:

show times and theaters currently playing the selected movie.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the electronic system is further configured to activate a theater list in response to the interface selection device when a theater mode is active, wherein the theater list is organized as a list of theaters, movie times, and ratings, and wherein the selector is configured for selecting one of the theaters in the list.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electronic system is further configured to set the current view to show at least one of:

show times and movies currently playing the selected theater.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising adjusting the list of theaters based on user preferences.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising adjusting the list of theaters based on a location associated with the apparatus.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the electronic system is further configured to activate a top 10 list in response to the interface selection device when a top 10 mode is active, wherein the top 10 list is organized as a list of movies, and wherein the selector is configured for selecting one of the movies in the list.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the electronic system is further configured to set the current view to show at least one of:

ranking and earnings associated with the selected movie.

20. A system for providing and interacting with movie content associated with a movie channel, comprising:

a data collector configured to collect the movie content associated with the movie channel;

wherein the movie content comprises;

a top 10 list of current movies having the ten highest revenues for a week;

movie names, movie theatre names, ratings and genres;

a broadcast device configured to automatically broadcast a communication signal including the movie content to a plurality of mobile electronic devices at the same time;

wherein the movie content is not personalized when it is broadcast;

wherein the movie content is received as records;

wherein the broadcast transmission includes public messages and private messages;

wherein the public messages are decodable by each of the many electronic devices receiving the broadcast and where in the private messages within the broadcast are decodable only by a single electronic device receiving the broadcast;

a mobile electronic device, having;

a data store;

a communication connection configured to automatically receive the broadcast communication signal and store the movie content in the data store;

a display;

a user interface that includes a selector; and

an electronic system that is arranged to interact with the communication connection, the user interface, the data store and the display, wherein the electronic system is configured to;

filter the movie content based on pre-defined user preferences;

wherein the pre-defined user preferences include determining when there is a designation of;

a selection of movie theatres;

a selection of movie genre preferences;

a selection of ratings;

a selection of movie theatres within a designated area;

a selection of actors; and

a selection of directors;

wherein the filtering is based on the pre-defined preferences and is automatically performed on the electronic device after the movie channel content has been received on the electronic device and wherein the filtering creates personalized content on the apparatus;

wherein the pre-defined user preferences are received on the mobile electronic device through one or more private messages received through the broadcast and wherein the received pre-defined preferences are stored on the mobile electronic device after being received through the one more private messages;

decode the received records;

wherein decoding the received records includes associating an index value with an expanded name when one of the records is encoded as an index;

wherein theatre names are encoded as an index;

select a current view associated with the movie channel;

change the current view in response to the selector; and

display the current view on the display.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the movie content includes:

currently playing movies;

theaters associated with a user of the mobile electronic device;

show times;

ratings;

reviews;

earnings, director, genre, running time, actors, and actresses.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the electronic system is further configured to a detailed view associated with at least one of:

a selected movie and a selected theater.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein the broadcast device is configured to broadcast an FM communication signal.

24. The system of claim 20, further comprising a server configured to receive user preferences associated with users receiving the movie channel;

wherein the user preferences include preferences related to at least one of the following;

preferred theaters and ratings.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the broadcast device is further configured to send theater names as part of a configuration message.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the broadcast device is configured to broadcast movie names in one stream and movie times in another stream.

27. The system of claim 20, wherein the broadcast device is further configured to determine and transmit only the movie content that relates to a particular region.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the broadcast device broadcasts theater information, movie information, and show time information associated with the region.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the mobile electronic device is further configured to store only the movie content that matches at least one preference associated with the device.

30. The system of claim 20, wherein the broadcast device is further configured to broadcast at least one of the following streams:

a stream information (SI) stream that provides location and change tracking information;

a theater names (TN) stream that provides the names of theaters in a region;

a movie names (MN) stream that provides names of available movies in the region; and

a show times (ST) stream that provides show times for the available movies.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the SI stream includes a table of content version that includes information about other streams, wherein the table of content version changes when there is a change in a name of at least one of a movie and a theater.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the communication connection of the mobile electronic device is further configured to receive the SI stream and further comprises an application that is configured to determine packets of interest to the device.

33. The system of claim 30, further comprising maintaining an array of IDs that relate to the theaters in a region.

34. The system of claim 30, further comprising broadcasting a show time and providing the other show times by an offset relative to the show time.

35. The system of claim 30, wherein the broadcast device is further configured to broadcast a packet description including:

an identifier that identifies the stream;

a packet index indicating a packet; and

at least one marker that indicates at least one of a starting point and an ending point.

36. The system of claim 30, wherein the MN stream includes a rating for each of the available movies in the region.