Systems and methods for providing a broadcast entertainment service and an on-demand entertainment service

• US 9,351,045 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2015
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Music Choice
• Original Assignee: Music Choice
• Inventors: Rosenberg, Jeremy C., McGonigal, Daniel L., Steinberg, Robert M., Yurman, Ronald M., Feras, John J. Jr., Del Beccaro, David J., Farber, Stuart H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Jungwon
• Application Number:
  US14/635,483
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/219, 709/217, 709/231, 725/95, 725/42, 725/134, 725/50, 725/87, 725/86, 725/105, 348/E5.008
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4387 by the use of playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/48 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/06 Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 for using the result on distributors' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/17372 the upstream transmission being initiated or timed by a signal from upstream of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/233 Processing of audio elementary streams monitoring, identification or recognition of audio in broadcast systems H04H60/58
• 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 21/26258 for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/437 Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. for transmitting client requests to a VOD server flow control in data networks H04L47/10; streaming protocols, e.g. RTP or RTCP, H04L65/65; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests in data packet switching networks H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/439 Processing of audio elementary streams
• 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 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• 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 21/4825 : using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 : Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home 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 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/816 : involving special video data, e.g 3D video
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8352 : involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 : Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for, in some cases, supplementing a broadcast media service with an on-demand and personalized media service.

Claims

1. A video-on-demand method, comprising:

creating a playlist, wherein the playlist comprises a set of media asset identifiers selected by a user of a client system, each media asset identifier included in the set of media asset identifiers identifying a media asset;

receiving information transmitted by the client system, the information indicating that a user of the client system desires to view a media asset identified by a media asset identifier included in the playlist;

in response to receiving the information, transmitting to the client system the media asset desired by the user;

transmitting to the client system a video identifier while transmitting to the client system the desired media asset, the video identifier identifying a video;

while the client system is playing the desired media asset enabling the user of the client system to indicate that the user desires to view the video identified by the video identifier, and then receiving from the client system a message comprising information indicating that the user desires to view the video identified by the video identifier, wherein the message is received while at least a portion of the media asset is being transmitted to the client system; and

in response to receiving the message from the client system, ceasing transmitting to the client system the media asset and transmitting to the client system video data corresponding to the video identified by the video identifier.

2. The video-on-demand method of claim 1, wherein the client system comprises a set-top-box and a television connected to the set-top-box.

3. The video-on-demand method of claim 1, wherein each said media asset identifier identifies a music video.

4. The video-on-demand method of claim 1, wherein the video is a music video.

5. The video-on-demand method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting a song for one of a plurality of music channels, the one of the plurality of music channels being associated with a genre of music;

transmitting simultaneously to a plurality of client systems audio data corresponding to the selected song, wherein each of the plurality of client systems is configured to use the audio data to play the song so that each user of each of the plurality of client systems can listen to the song, and the plurality of client systems comprises the first recited client system and a second client system;

while transmitting the audio data to the plurality of client systems, transmitting to the second client system a second video identifier identifying a second video;

while the second client system is playing the song enabling the user of the second client system to indicate that the user desires to view the second video identified by the second video identifier, and then receiving from the second client system a message comprising information indicating that the user desires to view the second video identified by the second video identifier, wherein the message is received while at least a portion of the audio data is being transmitted to the second client system; and

in response to receiving the message from the second client system, transmitting to the second client system video data corresponding to the second video identified by the second video identifier.

6. A video-on-demand system, the video on demand system comprising:

a transmitter;

a receiver; and

a computer system coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, wherein

the computer system is configured to perform a method comprising;

creating a playlist, wherein the playlist comprises a set of media asset identifiers selected by a user of a client system, each media asset identifier included in the set of media asset identifiers identifying a media asset;

in response to receiving from the client system information indicating that a user of the client system desires to view a media asset identified by a media asset identifier included in the playlist, transmitting to the client system the media asset desired by the user;

transmitting to the client system a video identifier while transmitting to the client system the desired media asset, the video identifier identifying a video;

while the client system is playing the desired media asset enabling the user of the client system to indicate that the user desires to view the video identified by the video identifier, and then in response to receiving from the client system a message comprising information indicating that the user desires to view the video identified by the video identifier, ceasing transmitting to the client system the media asset and transmitting to the client system video data corresponding to the video identified by the video identifier.

7. The video-on-demand system of claim 6, wherein the client system comprises a set-top-box and a television connected to the set-top-box.

8. The video-on-demand system of claim 6, wherein each said media asset identifier identifies a music video.

9. The video-on-demand system of claim 6, wherein the video is a music video.

10. The video-on-demand system of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises:

selecting a song for one of a plurality of music channels, the one of the plurality of music channels being associated with a genre of music;

transmitting simultaneously to a plurality of client systems audio data corresponding to the selected song, wherein each of the plurality of client systems is configured to use the audio data to play the song so that each user of each of the plurality of client systems can listen to the song, and the plurality of client systems comprises the first recited client system and a second client system;

while transmitting the audio data to the plurality of client systems, transmitting to the second client system a second video identifier identifying a second video;

while the second client system is playing the song enabling the user of the second client system to indicate that the user desires to view the second video identified by the second video identifier, and then in response to receiving from the second client system a message comprising information indicating that the user desires to view the second video identified by the second video identifier, transmitting to the second client system video data corresponding to the second video identified by the second video identifier.

11. A video-on-demand method, comprising:

selecting a song for one of a plurality of music channels, the one of the plurality of music channels being associated with a genre of music;

transmitting simultaneously to a plurality of client systems audio data corresponding to the selected song, wherein each of the plurality of client systems is configured to use the audio data to play the song so that each user of each of the plurality of client systems can listen to the song, and the plurality of client systems includes a first client system and a second client system;

while transmitting the audio data to the plurality of client systems, transmitting to the first client system a video identifier identifying a video;

while the first client system is playing the song enabling the user of the first client system to indicate that the user desires to view the video identified by the video identifier, and then receiving from the first client system a message comprising information indicating that the user desires to view the video identified by the video identifier, wherein the message is received while at least a portion of the audio data is being transmitted to the first client system; and

in response to receiving the message from the first client system, transmitting to the first client system video data corresponding to the video identified by the video identifier.

12. The video-on-demand method of claim 11, wherein the first client system comprises a set-top-box and a television connected to the set-top-box.

13. The video-on-demand method of claim 11, wherein the video is a music video.

14. The video-on-demand method of claim 11, further comprising creating a playlist, wherein the playlist comprises a set of media asset identifiers selected by a user of the second client system, each media asset identifier included in the set of media asset identifiers identifying a media asset.

15. The video-on-demand method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving information transmitted by the second client system, the information indicating that a user of the second client system desires to view a media asset identified by a media asset identifier included in the playlist;

in response to receiving the information, transmitting to the second client system the media asset desired by the user.

16. A video-on-demand system, the video on demand system comprising:

a transmitter;

a receiver; and

a computer system coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, wherein

the computer system is configured to perform a method comprising;

selecting a song for one of a plurality of music channels, the one of the plurality of music channels being associated with a genre of music;

transmitting simultaneously to a plurality of client systems audio data corresponding to the selected song, wherein each of the plurality of client systems is configured to use the audio data to play the song so that each user of each of the plurality of client systems can listen to the song, and the plurality of client systems includes a first client system and a second client system;

while transmitting the audio data to the plurality of client systems, transmitting to the first client system a video identifier identifying a video;

while the first client system is playing the song enabling the user of the first client system to indicate that the user desires to view the video identified by the video identifier, and then in response to receiving from the first client system a message comprising information indicating that the user desires to view the video identified by the video identifier, transmitting to the first client system video data corresponding to the video identified by the video identifier.

17. The video-on-demand system of claim 16, wherein the first client system comprises a set-top-box and a television connected to the set-top-box.

18. The video-on-demand system of claim 16, wherein the video is a music video.

19. The video-on-demand system of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises creating a playlist, wherein the playlist comprises a set of media asset identifiers selected by a user of the second client system, each media asset identifier included in the set of media asset identifiers identifying a media asset.

20. The video-on-demand system of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises, in response to receiving from the second client system information indicating that a user of the second client system desires to view a media asset identified by a media asset identifier included in the playlist, transmitting to the second client system the media asset desired by the user.