Method and apparatus for channel prioritization

• US 9,288,547 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2014
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roku, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Roku, Inc.
• Inventors: Wood, Anthony, Goodwin, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): HANCE, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US14/148,564
• Publication Number:
  US 20140123188A1
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4384 involving operations to reduce the access time, e.g. fast-tuning for reducing channel switching latency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4826 using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score

Abstract

A method includes detecting a client device, determining a maximum number of channels based on the client device and selecting different targeted channels from a set of available channels. At least one of the different targeted channels is selected to form a preloaded channel.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a platform server configured for coupling to a client device via a network, wherein the platform server is configured to;

determine a maximum number of applications based on the client device, wherein each application allows content associated with a corresponding channel to be streamed through the client device;

select a plurality of targeted channels up to the maximum number of applications from a plurality of available channels; and

designate at least one of the plurality of targeted channels to form a preloaded application, wherein the preloaded application is configured to run as a background process on the client device prior to content associated with the at least one designated channel being streamed through the client device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform server identifies most used channels by the client device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform server identifies most popular channels.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform server identifies client device subscribed channels.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform server detects channel browsing by the client device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the platform server identifies channels based on the channel browsing.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform server detects selection of content associated with the preloaded application.

8. The system of claim 7, utilizing the platform server to directly launch the content with through the preloaded application on the client device.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the platform server is configured to determine the maximum number of applications based on the capabilities of the client device.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the platform server is configured to determine the maximum number of applications based on the capabilities of the client device by identifying the model number of the client device.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the platform server is configured to determine the maximum number of applications based on the capabilities of the client device by identifying the base memory configuration of the client device.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the platform server is configured to determine the maximum number of applications based on the capabilities of the client device established by testing the client device.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the platform server is configured to re-rank the available channels.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one designated channel is a paid placement.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the preloaded application is configured to run as the background process on the client device prior to content associated with the at least one designated channel being utilized by the client device.

16. A method, comprising:

determining, by at least one computing device, a maximum number of applications based on a client device, wherein each application allows content associated with a corresponding channel to be streamed through the client device;

selecting, by the at least one computing device, a plurality of targeted channels up to the maximum number of applications from a plurality of available channels; and

designating, by the at least one computing device, at least one of the plurality of targeted channels to form a preloaded application, wherein the preloaded application channel is configured to run as a background process on the client device prior to content associated with the at least one designated channel being received by the client device.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

detecting, by the at least one computing device, selection of content associated with the preloaded application.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

utilizing the at least one computing device to directly launch the content through the preloaded application on the client device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the preloaded application is configured to run as the background process on the client device prior to content associated with the at least one designated channel being utilized by the client device.

20. A non-transitory, computer-readable device having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one computing device, causes the at least one computing device to perform operations comprising:

determining a maximum number of applications based on a client device, wherein each application allows content associated with a corresponding channel to be streamed through the client device;

selecting a plurality of targeted channels up to the maximum number of applications from a plurality of available channels; and

designating at least one of the plurality of targeted channels to form a preloaded application, wherein the preloaded application is configured to run as a background process on the client device prior to content associated with the at least one designated channel being received by the client device.