Media planner

• US 8,001,567 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2002
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Thornthwaite, Warren Neal, Cho, Wei Wei Ada, Ozer, Stuart
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN BA, HOANG VU A
• Application Number:
  US10/137,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20040203639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,393 Days
• Field of Search: 725/44, 725/45, 725/46, 725/47, 725/58, 725/61, 455/414, 386/297, 715/700, 715/968
• US Class Current: 725/44
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2353 specifically adapted to content descriptors, e.g. coding, compressing or processing of metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• 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 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A media planner displays descriptors that represent programs that are scheduled for broadcast on tiles according to a layout. The layout arranges the tiles according to a day and a day part based on a scheduled broadcast date and time associated with a program.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a client device, a plurality of descriptors associated with a plurality of programs scheduled for broadcast, wherein the plurality of programs are scheduled for broadcast on a plurality of different broadcast channels;

generating a graphical user interface that is structured as a two-dimensional grid with days represented on a first axis and day parts represented on a second axis, the day parts each representing a block of time greater than one hour;

associating, via a processor executing on the client device, a day and day part with each descriptor, the day being based on a scheduled broadcast date and the day part being based on a scheduled broadcast time; and

generating a layout of descriptor blocks for display on the graphical user interface, each of the descriptor blocks displaying a descriptor associated with a particular program and being equal in size, regardless of program duration, such that the descriptor blocks are presented in the two-dimensional grid of the graphical user interface according to day and day part, such that within a portion of the two-dimensional grid corresponding to a particular day and a particular day part, multiple descriptor blocks are displayed in a non-temporal order, representing programs that are scheduled for broadcast on the particular day during the particular day part, and on any number of a plurality of channels, such that each descriptor block does not directly correspond to an indicated actual broadcast start time.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the descriptors comprise at least one of a title, an actor name, a director name, a year, and a plot description.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the programs scheduled for broadcast comprise at least one of television programs, movies, video-on-demand, and music.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the day parts are of arbitrary length and are configured based on viewer behavior.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the generating further comprises ordering the display of the descriptor blocks according to a rank.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the rank is based on ratings associated with the programs.

7. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the rank is based on a frequency with which a viewer previously viewed a program.

8. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the rank is based on a duration with which a viewer previously viewed a program.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the generating further comprises sorting the descriptors alphabetically.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the generating further comprises:

determining an available display resolution; and

using the available display resolution to determine a number of descriptors to arrange.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

filtering the descriptors that are received to select descriptors associated with recommended programs; and

generating a layout of the descriptors that are selected.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a program that a viewer is not interested in; and

preventing a descriptor associated with the program that the viewer is not interested in from being displayed.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a selected descriptor; and

displaying a website associated with the program that is associated with the selected descriptor.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a selected descriptor block; and

subsequently displaying, via the graphical user interface, additional information associated with the program that is associated with the selected descriptor block, the additional information not being previously displayed or indicated in the two-dimensional grid.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the additional information comprises a broadcast channel, an actual broadcast time, a duration, and a plot description.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a selected descriptor; and

scheduling a media recorder to record the program associated with the selected descriptor.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the media recorder comprises a digital video recorder.

18. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a selected descriptor block;

determining that the program associated with the selected descriptor block is currently being broadcast; and

causing the broadcast of the program that is associated with the selected descriptor block to be displayed.

19. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a selected day along the first axis of the two-dimensional grid; and

displaying descriptors associated with programs scheduled for broadcast on a date associated with the selected day, the descriptors displayed in an electronic program guide grid arranged in a two-dimensional grid by broadcast channel and broadcast time.

20. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the generating further comprises:

determining viewing preferences of a viewer; and

sorting the descriptors according to a rank based on frequencies with which other viewers, having viewing preferences similar to the viewing preferences of the viewer, have viewed the programs associated with the descriptors.

64. One or more computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed via one or more processors, perform the method as recited in claim 1.

21. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a client device, a plurality of descriptors associated with a plurality of programs scheduled for broadcast, wherein the plurality of programs are broadcast on a plurality of different channels;

filtering, via a processor executing on the client device, the descriptors to select recommended descriptors that are associated with recommended programs; and

generating a layout of the recommended descriptors for display on a graphical user interface, such that the recommended descriptors are presented via the graphical user interface according to a plurality of day parts arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of broadcast days arranged in a plurality of columns, wherein;

a first column represents a first day and a second column represents a different second day;

for each of the plurality of broadcast days, a group of recommended descriptors are listed in a non-temporal order and the group is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of day parts;

broadcast channels are not initially presented via the graphical user interface; and

the layout is generated in association with a weekly media planner presenting the recommended descriptors via a single display screen.

22. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the filtering comprises selecting recommended descriptors that are associated with one or more new programs.

23. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the filtering comprises:

determining a rating threshold; and

selecting recommended descriptors that are associated with programs rated by a rating authority, the programs having a rating within the rating threshold.

24. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the filtering comprises:

determining a genre; and

selecting recommended descriptors that are associated with programs that are associated with the genre.

25. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the filtering comprises:

determining a viewer identity; and

selecting recommended descriptors based on the viewer identity.

26. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the selecting recommended descriptors comprises:

selecting a descriptor that is associated with a program or broadcast channel that a viewer associated with the viewer identity has previously selected.

27. The method as recited in claim 26, wherein a day part associated with the descriptor is the same as a day part associated with the program or broadcast channel that the viewer associated with the viewer identity has previously selected.

28. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the selecting recommended descriptors comprises:

determining a program that a viewer associated with the viewer identity has previously selected;

determining another viewer that has selected the program; and

selecting a descriptor that is associated with another program that the other viewer has selected.

29. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the selecting recommended descriptors comprises:

selecting descriptors that are associated with programs that are scheduled to be broadcast on channels that a viewer associated with the viewer identity has access to, based on a subscription associated with the viewer.

30. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the selecting recommended descriptors comprises:

receiving an indication of one or more favorite programs from a viewer associated with the viewer identity; and

selecting descriptors that are associated with the favorite programs.

31. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the selecting recommended descriptors comprises:

determining a channel that a viewer associated with the viewer identity may subscribe to; and

selecting descriptors that are associated with programs that are scheduled for broadcast on the channel that the viewer associated with the viewer identity may subscribe to.

65. One or more computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed via one or more processors, perform the method as recited in claim 21.

32. A system, comprising:

one or more processors;

a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure a graphical user interface to generate a display screen, comprising;

a two-dimensional grid having a plurality of day indicators along a first axis of the grid and a plurality of day part indicators along a second axis of the grid; and

a plurality of schedule areas within the grid, each displaying a plurality of equal sized tiles via the display screen, each tile representing a scheduled program, each schedule area associated with a day indicator and a day part indicator, wherein;

the display screen is generated in association with a weekly media planner presenting the plurality of approximately equal sized tiles;

at least one tile is associated with a first day indicator;

at least one tile is associated with a second day indicator; and

for each of the plurality of schedule areas, the plurality of equal sized tiles are listed in a non-temporal order such that there is no direct link between a particular scheduled program start time and a tile representing the particular scheduled program.

33. The system as recited in claim 32, wherein the day indicators are selected from a group of day indicators comprising Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

34. The system as recited in claim 32, wherein the day part indicators are selected from a group of day part indicators comprising morning, early afternoon, evening, prime time, late night, 6:

00 am-10;

59 am, 11;

00 am-3;

59 pm, 4;

00 pm-6;

59 pm, 7;

00 pm-10;

59 pm, and 11;

00 pm-5;

59 pm.

35. The system as recited in claim 32, wherein the plurality of schedule areas display different numbers of tiles.

36. The system as recited in claim 32, wherein the display screen further comprises a filter selection area that allows a user to select a filter to apply to the displayed tiles.

37. The system as recited in claim 36, wherein the filter to apply to the displayed tiles is selected from a group of filters comprising favorites, movies, sports, drama, comedy, and music.

38. The system as recited in claim 32, wherein the display screen further comprises a selectable indicator that represents a function associated with a scheduled program.

39. The system as recited in claim 38, wherein the function is selected from a group of functions comprising providing additional information associated with the scheduled program and selecting the scheduled program to be recorded.

40. A system, comprising:

a processor;

a memory;

a data repository in the memory to store descriptors, broadcast dates, and broadcast times associated with programs scheduled for broadcast, wherein the programs scheduled for broadcast correspond to a plurality of different channels; and

a layout generator executed by the processor to generate a layout of the descriptors for display, the layout arranging the descriptors such that each descriptor is associated with a day based on a broadcast date and a day part based on a broadcast time, wherein;

the layout includes descriptors associated with the programs for a plurality of broadcast dates; and

for each of a plurality of day parts, a group of descriptors are listed in a non-temporal order and the group is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of day parts.

41. The system as recited in claim 40, further comprising a selector to select the descriptors to be displayed.

42. The system as recited in claim 40, further comprising an EPG grid generator to generate for subsequent display, additional information for a particular descriptor comprising a broadcast channel, a broadcast time, and a broadcast duration.

43. The system as recited in claim 40, further comprising a sorter that arranges the descriptors to be displayed according to a rank.

44. A media planning system, comprising:

a memory;

a processor;

storage means, implemented as part of the memory, for storing a plurality of descriptors associated with a plurality of programs, wherein the plurality of programs are associated with a plurality of broadcast dates and a plurality of broadcast channels; and

planner generation means, executed by the processor, for generating a layout of the descriptors, the layout arranging the descriptors such that each descriptor is associated with a day based on a broadcast date associated with the descriptor and a day part based on a broadcast time associated with the descriptor, wherein for each of a plurality of day parts associated with a particular day, a group of descriptors is listed in a non-temporal order and the group is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of day parts.

45. The media planning system as recited in claim 44, further comprising a filtering means for filtering the descriptors that are stored to select descriptors to be displayed.

46. The media planning system as recited in claim 44, further comprising a sorting means for sorting the descriptors to be displayed based on a rank.

47. One or more computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, configure a computing system to perform operations comprising:

receiving data describing programs scheduled for broadcast, wherein;

a first of the programs is scheduled for broadcast on a first date and a second of the programs is scheduled for broadcast on a second date; and

the first and second programs are broadcast on different channels;

filtering the data describing programs scheduled for broadcast to select descriptors to be displayed;

sorting the selected descriptors according to a rank, wherein the rank is based on an interest of a viewer in the programs scheduled for broadcast;

determining additional functionality that is available in association with each selected descriptor;

generating a display layout that arranges the selected descriptors associated with the programs such that each descriptor is associated with a day and a day part, wherein the day is based on a scheduled broadcast date associated with the descriptor and the day part is based on a scheduled broadcast start time associated with the descriptor, and wherein;

the display layout includes a descriptor associated with the first of the programs and a descriptor associated with the second of the programs;

the descriptor associated with the first of the programs and the descriptor associated with the second of the programs are not displayed in broadcast program slots corresponding directly to a starting time; and

the display layout is presented in association with a weekly media planner such that a viewer is presented, via a single display screen presenting the display layout, with the selected descriptors corresponding to each of seven days in a week;

displaying the display layout so that the selected descriptors associated with the first date are displayed in a first column, and the selected descriptors associated with the second date are displayed in a second column, wherein each column includes one or more schedule areas that each display a plurality of equal sized tiles corresponding to the selected descriptors, such that the size of the tiles does not correspond to a duration of a represented program;

receiving an indication from the viewer selecting a particular descriptor; and

in response to the indication, generating a subsequent display of information associated with a program associated with the particular selected descriptor.

48. The one or more computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 47, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, configure the computer system to:

determine an available display resolution; and

generate the display layout based on the available display resolution.

49. The one or more computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 47, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, configure the computer system to select the descriptors associated with the programs based on a rating.

50. The one or more computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 47, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, configure the computer system to select the descriptors associated with the programs based on a genre.

51. The one or more computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 47, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, configure the computer system to select the descriptors associated with the programs based on a viewer identity.

52. The one or more computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 47, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, configure the computer system to select the descriptors associated with the programs based on previously selected programs.

53. The one or more computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 47, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, configure the computer system to select the descriptors associated with the programs based on a viewer subscription.

54. One or more computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, configure a computing system to perform operations comprising:

generating a display layout that arranges descriptors in a plurality of columns, each column representing an associated date, wherein a first column represents a first date and a second column represents a different second date, the descriptors being associated with programs such that each descriptor is associated with a day and a day part, wherein the day is based on a scheduled broadcast date associated with the descriptor and the day part is based on a scheduled broadcast start time associated with the descriptor, wherein;

for each program associated with a descriptor that is displayed, the display layout does not indicate a specific start time of the program, a duration of the program, or a channel over which the program is scheduled to be available;

the programs generated for display have a plurality of broadcast dates and are broadcast on a plurality of different programming channels; and

for each of a plurality of day parts, a group of descriptors are listed in a non-temporal order and the group is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of day parts such that each descriptor does not directly correspond to an indicated actual broadcast start time;

receiving an indication of a selected descriptor; and

generating a subsequent display of information associated with a program associated with the selected descriptor, wherein the subsequent display of information comprises an actual broadcast start time and a broadcast channel.

55. One or more computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, configure a computing system to perform operations comprising:

generating a display layout that arranges descriptors associated with programs such that each descriptor is associated with a day and a day part, wherein the day is based on a scheduled broadcast date associated with the descriptor and the day part is based on a scheduled broadcast start time associated with the descriptor, wherein;

the programs displayed have a plurality of broadcast dates and are broadcast on a plurality of different programming channels; and

for each of a plurality of day parts corresponding to a particular day, a group of descriptors are listed in a non-temporal order and the group is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of day parts;

receiving an indication of a selected descriptor; and

scheduling a recording device to record a program associated with the selected descriptor.

56. A client device, comprising:

a memory;

a processor; and

a media planner application stored in memory and executed via the processor to generate a displayable layout of program descriptors presented via a graphical user interface according to a plurality of day parts arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of broadcast days arranged in a plurality of columns that each represent a different associated broadcast day, wherein;

the program descriptors correspond to programs broadcast on a plurality of different channels; and

for each of a plurality of days, a group of descriptors are listed in a non-temporal order and the group is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of day parts.

57. The client device as recited in claim 56, wherein the media planner application further comprises a sorting component that sorts a display order of the program descriptors based on a rank.

58. The client device as recited in claim 56, further comprising:

a program recommendation application stored in memory and executed on the processor to select one or more recommended broadcast programs for which to display an associated program descriptor in the layout of program descriptors.

59. The client device as recited in claim 56, further comprising a digital video recorder application stored in memory and executed on the processor to receive an indication of a selected program descriptor and storing a broadcast program associated with the selected descriptor in memory.

60. The client device as recited in claim 56, wherein the client device is a digital video recorder.

61. A digital video recorder comprising:

a program memory to store broadcast programs;

a processing unit to generate a displayable layout of program descriptors associated with programs scheduled to be broadcast on multiple dates and multiple channels, wherein;

the program descriptors are presented via a graphical user interface according to a plurality of day parts arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of broadcast days arranged in a plurality of columns;

for each of the plurality of day parts, a group of program descriptors are listed in a non-temporal order and the group is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of day parts; and

upon user selection of a particular program descriptor, the processing unit stores a broadcast program in the program memory.

62. The digital video recorder as recited in claim 61, wherein the processing unit sorts the program descriptors in the displayable layout based on a rank associated with the program descriptors.

63. The digital video recorder as recited in claim 61, wherein the processing unit selects program descriptors to be arranged in the layout that are associated with recommended broadcast programs.