KR101890448B1 - Usage data feedback loop - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention helps to track future user navigation, consumption and / or behavior and apply analysis to form future proposals (customized offers, purchase of high priced products, recommendations, etc.) to the user, and provides reporting data to service providers and studios . A method and system for providing a viewing recommendation to a user is described. Collecting usage data relating to a session of interaction by a user; Processing user data for the session; And providing feedback regarding the session. A session includes a plurality of stages for tracking user interaction. These include a query stage, a resultant stage, a detailed stage, a selection stage, and a stage such as an identification stage.

Description

Usage Data Feedback Loop {USAGE DATA FEEDBACK LOOP}

Cross-reference to related application

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 459,986, filed December 22, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to personalization features, and more particularly to collection of user data feedback to improve personalization.

Traditional usage tracking on media devices tends to focus on the resulting content selection from a limited number of sources. These systems do not track the process of how they have reached the selected content.

For example, the Nelson rating system only tracks what broadcast television shows are being watched. One limitation of this type of system is that it does not track or otherwise describe other types of media (DVR recordings, VOD selection, Internet content, etc.) that may be selected and / or viewed instead of broadcast television. Another limitation is that the system does not provide any insight into how or why particular content is selected and / or viewed.

The present invention helps track future user navigation, consumption and / or behavior and applies analysis to help form future proposals (customized offers, purchase of high priced products, recommendations, etc.) to the user and provides reporting data to service providers and studios It is about the idea to provide.

In one embodiment, a method of providing a viewing recommendation to a user is provided. The method includes collecting usage data regarding a session of interaction by a user, processing user data for the session, and providing feedback regarding the session. In some embodiments, the session includes a query stage, a resultant stage, a detailed stage, a selection stage, and an identification stage.

According to yet another embodiment, a system is provided for providing a user with a viewing recommendation. The system includes a front end and a back end. The front end is configured to collect usage data related to a session of interaction by a user. The back end is configured to process user data for the session and provide feedback regarding the session.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a system diagram illustrating a schematic for transmitting video and audio content to a home in accordance with one embodiment;
2 is a system diagram showing more detailed details of a typical set-top box receiver;
Figure 3 depicts a touch panel control device in accordance with one embodiment;
4 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary process in accordance with one embodiment;
5 is a system depiction of an aggregator system in accordance with one embodiment;
6 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary process in accordance with one embodiment;
7 is a system diagram illustrating an overview of interworking of a collection module in accordance with one embodiment;
8 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary process in accordance with one embodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of one embodiment of a system 100 for transferring content to a home or end user is shown. The content originates from a content source 102, such as a movie studio or a production studio. The content may be supplied in at least one of two forms. One form may be in the form of a broadcast content. The broadcast content is typically provided to the broadcast affiliate manager 104, which is a national broadcast service such as American Broadcasting Company (ABC), National Broadcasting Company (NBC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), and the like. The broadcast association manager can collect and store content and schedule the transmission of content over the transport network shown as delivery network 1 (106). Transmission network 1 106 may include satellite link transmissions from a national center to one or more local or regional centers. Transmission network 1 106 may also include local content transmission using local transmission systems, such as via public, satellite, or cable broadcasting. The locally transmitted content is provided to the in-home receiving device 108 of the user, in which case the content will be searched by the user. It should be appreciated that the receiving device 108 may take many forms and may be embodied as a set-top box / digital video recorder (DVR), gateway, modem, or the like. Moreover, the receiving device 108 may act as a gateway or an entry point for a home network system that includes additional devices configured as clients or peer devices in the home network.

The second type of content is referred to as special content. The special content may be premium viewing, pay-per-view, or other content that is not provided to the broadcast affiliate manager, such as content transmitted to a movie, video game or other video element. In many cases, the special content may be the content requested by the user. The special content may be sent to the content manager 110. Content manager 110 may be, for example, a service provider such as an Internet website, broadcast service, or transport network service associated with a content provider. Content manager 110 may also incorporate Internet content into the delivery system. The content manager 110 may transmit content to the receiving device 108 of the user via a separate transport network, Transmission Network 2 112 may be a high speed broadband Internet type communication system. Content from broadcast association manager 104 may also be transmitted using all or a portion of transport network 2 112 and content from content manager 110 may be transmitted using all or a portion of transport network 1 106 Lt; / RTI > In addition, the user may also obtain content directly from the Internet via the transport network 2 112 without necessarily having the content managed by the content manager 110.

Several adaptations may be possible to utilize the separately transmitted content. In one possible approach, the special content is provided as an enhancement to the shipping content, providing alternative displays, purchase and sale options, reinforcement materials, and the like. In yet another embodiment, the special content may completely replace any programming content provided in the broadcast content. Finally, the special content may be completely separate from the broadcast content and may simply be a media alternative that the user may choose to utilize. For example, the special content may be a library of movies that are not yet available as broadcast content.

The receiving device 108 may receive various types of content from one or both of the transport network 1 and the transport network 2. The receiving device 108 processes the content and provides separation of the content based on user preferences and commands. The receiving device 108 may also include a storage device, such as a hard drive or an optical disc drive, for recording and playing back audio and video content. More specific details and features of the operation of the receiving device 108 associated with the playback of the stored content will be described below with respect to FIG. The processed content is provided to the display device 114. The display device 114 may be a conventional 2-D type display or alternatively may be an improved 3-D display.

The receiving device 108 may also be interfaced to a second screen, such as the touch screen control device 116. The touch screen control device 116 may be adapted to provide user control to the receiving device 108 and / or the display device 114. The touch screen device 116 may also display video content. The video content may be a graphical entry, such as a user interface entry, or it may be part of the video content transmitted to the display device 114. The touch screen control device 116 may be interfaced to the receiving device 108 using any known signal transmission system such as infrared (infra-red) or radio frequency (RF) Standard protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or any other proprietary protocol. The operation of the touch screen control device 116 will be described in more detail below. The receiving device 108 and the touch screen control device 116 constitute the front end.

In the example of FIG. 1, the system 100 also includes a back end that includes a server 118 and a usage database 120. The back-end server 118 includes a personalization engine that analyzes the user's usage habits and recommends based on their usage habits. The usage database 120 is where the usage habits for a user are stored. In some cases, the usage database 120 may be part of the back-end server 118. In this example, the back-end server 118 (as well as the usage database 120) is connected to the system 100 and accessed via the transport network 2 (112).

Turning now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of one embodiment of a receiving device 200 is shown. The receiving device 200 may operate similarly to the receiving device illustrated in FIG. 1 and may be included as part of a gateway device, modem, set-top box, or other similar communication device. The depicted device 200 may also be incorporated into other systems, including audio devices or display devices. In any case, the several components required for the complete operation of the system are not shown for brevity, and they are well known to those skilled in the art.

In the device 200 shown in FIG. 2, the content is received by the input signal receiver 202. The input signal receiver 202 may be one of several known receiver circuits used to receive, demodulate, and decode signals provided via one of several possible networks, including through the public, cable, satellite, Ethernet, Lt; / RTI > The desired input signal may be selected and retrieved by the input signal receiver 202 based on the user input provided via the control interface or touch panel interface 222. The touch panel interface 222 may include an interface for a touch screen device. The touch panel interface 222 may also be adapted to interface with a cellular phone, tablet, mouse, high end remote,

The decoded output signal is provided to an input stream processor 204. The input stream processor 204 performs final signal selection and processing and includes the separation of video content from the audio content with respect to the content stream. The audio content is provided to the audio processor 206 for conversion from a received format such as a compressed digital signal to an analog waveform signal. The analog waveform signal is provided to the audio interface 208 and is further provided to the display device or audio amplifier. Alternatively, the audio interface 208 may provide a digital signal to an audio output device or display device using an alternative audio interface, such as a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable or a Sony / Philips Digital Interconnect Format (SPDIF) You may. The audio interface may also include amplifiers for driving one or more sets of speakers. The audio processor 206 also performs any conversion needed to store the audio signal.

The video output from the input stream processor 204 is provided to the video processor 210. The video signal may be in one of several formats. The video processor 210 provides conversion of video content as needed based on the input signal format. The video processor 210 also performs any conversion needed to store the video signal.

The storage device 212 stores the audio and video content received at the input. The storage device 212 is based on navigation commands such as commands received from the user interface 216 and / or the touch panel interface 222 under the control of the controller 214, such as fast forward (FF) and rewind (Rew) Thereby enabling later retrieval and playback of the content. The storage device 212 may be one or more high capacity integrated electronic memory such as a hard disk drive, static RAM (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and may be a replaceable Or an optical disk storage system.

The converted video signal from the input or from the video processor 210 originating from the storage device 212 is provided to the display interface 218. The display interface 218 further provides a display signal to the type of display device. The display interface 218 may be an analog signal interface such as red-green-blue (RGB) or a digital interface such as HDMI. It should be appreciated that the display interface 218 will generate various screens to present search results in a three-dimensional grid as will be described in more detail below.

The controller 214 is connected to a number of components of the device 200, including an input stream processor 202, an audio processor 206, a video processor 210, a storage device 212 and a user interface 216, . The controller 214 manages the conversion process to convert the input stream signal to a signal for storage on a storage device or for display. The controller 214 also manages the retrieval and playback of stored content. Furthermore, as will be described below, the controller 214 performs the creation and adjustment of a grid display that represents the search and content of the content, whether stored as described above or transmitted over the transport network.

Controller 214 may include control memory 220 (e.g., RAM, SRAM, DRAM, ROM, programmable ROM (ROM), flash memory, electronically programmable ROM (EPROM) A volatile or non-volatile memory including an electronically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), etc.). The control memory 220 may store instructions for the controller 214. The control memory may also store a database of elements such as graphical elements containing content. The database can be stored as a pattern of graphic elements. Alternatively, the memory may store the graphic elements in an identified or grouped memory location and use an access or location table to identify memory locations for various portions of information related to the graphic element. Additional details related to storage of graphical elements will be described below. Moreover, implementations of control memory 220 may include several possible embodiments, such as more than one memory circuit coupled together or communicatively coupled to form a single memory device or alternatively a shared or common memory. Furthermore, the memory may be included with other circuits, such as part of a bus communication circuit in a larger circuit.

The user interface process of the present invention employs an input device that can be used to express functions such as fast forward, rewind, and the like. To illustrate this, the touch panel device 300 may be interfaced via the touch panel interface 222 and / or the user interface 216 of the receiving device 200 as shown in FIG. The touch panel device 300 enables operation of a receiving device or set top box based on actions translated through the panel with commands for a set-top box or other control device, and gestures or hand movements. In one embodiment, the touch panel 300 may simply serve as a navigation tool for navigating the grid display. In another embodiment, in addition, the touch panel 300 will serve as a display device that allows the user to interact more directly with the navigation through the grid display of content. The touch panel device may be included as part of a remote control device that contains more conventional control functions such as an activator button. The touch panel 300 may also include at least one camera element.

Figure 4 depicts a flow diagram 400 of a process involved in providing user data feedback as described in the present invention. The process includes collecting or acquiring usage data (step 410), processing usage data (step 420) and providing feedback (step 430). Each of these steps will be discussed in more detail below.

According to the first step of Fig. 4, data on the usage habits of the user is collected. The usage information may include information collected at the front end from the touch screen control device 116 and the receiving device 108. The type of information collected may include information such as the channel viewed on the display device 114, the time the channel was viewed, how long the channel was viewed, the type of program on the channel, information about the viewed program (e.g., genre, (E.g., program guide, additional program information, website, application, etc.), what time the content was viewed on the touch screen control device 116, how long the content was viewed on the touch screen control device 116 Information about the viewed content (type of content, genre, etc.).

There are also other types of behavior and data that can be tracked. For example, the migration behavior of the subscriber may be tracked from the media source to the media source and from the media to the media. Consider an example in which a user is watching a television program transmitted from a network service provider such as Comcast. The user then changes the media selection to the over the top media service provider (such as Netflix). The described system can track the time spent using two media selections (television shows, movies), the source of such media selections (Comcast, Netflix, etc.), and each media selection.

These current examples include an online source that provides a number of network service providers, over the top services, personal media servers, broadcast sources, cable sources, satellite sources, IPTV sources, Web sites (such as Amazon, Emusic, ITunes, Provide meaningful information in the presence of the following values for tracking in and.

a. What sources exist for a particular media selection

b. Tracking where the media selection comes from

c. Tracking whether the media source being accessed has been suggested by the system

d. Tracking users to buy media selections from specific sources (click through)

e. Tracking whether a user has gone to a specific source to see a media selection that was selected but not purchased

f. Tracking the amount of time a user accesses / views media selections from a particular source

g. Tracking whether a user is responsive to a particular ad and the source of such ad (e.g., area / network operator / over the top service / broadcaster)

h. Track which version of a particular media asset was selected and its source

a. Low Resolution vs. High Resolution / SD / HD

b. Bitrate of media assets

c. Regular Versus Special Features

d. How long a "special feature" has been accessed

e. Are ads embedded or embedded in media assets selected?

i. Tracking which applications were used to select media assets, tracking how long it took to reach a particular media asset

a. Search engine

b. EPG (Electronic Program Guide)

c. Advertising

d. Recommend social networking from a friend

It is also anticipated that other attributes may also be tracked and transmitted to the report, in which case such attributes may be grouped together. Such information may be collected and collected by an aggregator system as shown in FIG.

The collection EAR file 500 contains a SpectrumCommon JAR module 510 and a collection WAR module 520. The SpectrumCommon module JAR 510 is a shared module for obtaining error codes, error messages, and logging services. The aggregation module 520 is an internal API that aggregates customer usage data collected on the device and subsequently the collected logs are used for reporting. The collected user data is then sent to database 120 for storage and use for report generation.

Examples of attributes recorded for user activity logging include time stamps, house hold IDs, user IDs, device IDs, session IDs, application IDs, action types as well as other parameters associated with action types. This information is provided in a log message having the following format.

From here,

<Timestamp> 포맷은 "yyyy-mm-dd hh:mi:ss.millis"이다.

The <Timestamp> format is "yyyy-mm-dd hh: mi: ss.millis".

<ActionType>은 RP_ACTION_TYPE 테이블 내 값 중 하나이다(값에 대한 데이터베이스 스키마 설계 섹션을 참조).

<ActionType> is one of the values in the RP_ACTION_TYPE table (see the section Database schema design for values).

<MsgParams>는 문자 ";"에 의해 구분되는 메시지 특정 키 값 페어이다. 키 값 페어는 문자 ":"에 의해 구분된다.

<MsgParams> is a message-specific key value pair delimited by the character ";". The key value pairs are separated by the letter ":".

An example of such a log message for an acquisition action would look like this:

The aggregation module provides a log message in response to the following request:

CollectUserData

CollectUserData

Request: List of log messages

Answer: Boolean true value (even if Web service processing fails)

Web service requests are parsed to extract individual log messages. Each individual log message is parsed to extract a key value pair of user information, device information, activity type, and activity type specific data. Each key value pair of data is stored in a database table. The current implementation processes and parses all log record data in each web service request before the web service response returns.

Database Schema Design

The reporting database schema design will be based on a modified Entity-Attribute-Value (EAV) model, also known as a "sparse matrix ". This model will store each log message attribute value pair as a separate row in another table. This approach involves minor changes to the existing reporting database schema, such as removing the OFFER_ID and CONTENT_ID columns from the RP_LOG table.

The OFFER_ID and CONTENT_ID columns have been removed because they are only used for ACQUIRE messages. These attributes will be appended to the RP_INFORMATION table.

These tables must contain records for all key parameters (ID and NAME).

These tables should contain records for all activity names such as ACQUIRE, SEARCH, VIEWCHANNEL, PLAY, FASTFORWARD, REVERSE, and PAUSE. The additional action name is TBD.

Figure 6 depicts a collection of user activity data by the aggregation system using the CollectUserData operation (600). Here, the request 610 is made by an external web service client 620, which may be located in the back-end server 118. [ The request is received by the aggregation skeleton 620 of the aggregation module located on the second screen 116 or the receiving device 108. The aggregation interval 630 responds with a null value 640. An example of interworking of the aggregation module can be seen in Fig.

FIG. 7 shows a system 700 showing intercommunication by a SpectrumCommon JAR 510 and an aggregation WAR 520. The SpectrumCommon module 510 provides logging services, error codes, and error messages to the aggregation module 520. The aggregation interval 620 using the aggregation interface 710 receives the CollectUserData request 610 and parses it via LocalLog 730 and LocalLogList 720 for LogType 750 and LogListType 740. The response 640 to the CollectUserData request is then returned.

The following user activity may be logged in a Flash / Flex application.

DVR activity can also be logged. This includes:

● Pressing the key on the remote control

● DVR recording management

An example of a transaction using the CollectUserData JSON request is shown below.

An example of a CollectUserData JSON response is:

One concept used in the collection of user data is "session ". A "session" is a collection of actions by a user having a particular interaction between a user and a device. For example, a session may include all actions taken by a user to view a particular piece of media. FIG. 8 provides a flowchart 800 of an example of a process that a session may include. In FIG. 8, there are five stages or steps for session 800. These stages are query 810, result 820, detail 830, select 840, and verify 850. Each of these stages will be discussed in more detail below.

The query stage 810 initiates a session. The query stage can be thought of as analogous to the beginning of user interaction with a device that answers the question "what can I watch?". For example, the query may be a search on a particular topic, a request for a listing of VOD offers, a request for an EPG, or a request for a listing of a previously recorded program. Any such activity is initiated and logged as part of the session.

In response to the query of the query step (step 810), a result is provided to the user for review (step 820). The result may be a result of the search performed, a listing of available VOD suggestions, an EPG, or a listing of previously recorded programs. The results may also include recommendations based on user or device. In another embodiment, the results provided may be filtered based on the user or device. The results provided to the user are logged as part of the session. Based on the results provided, the user may perform a new query (step 810) to start a new session or obtain additional details about the results provided (step 830).

The detailed step (step 830) includes providing and reviewing additional information about the provided result (step 820) by the user. Additional information may be plot outline, cast and crew listing, rating, and so on. Additional information may also include trailers, video clips, and special promotional listings and offers. Additional information viewed by the user is also logged as part of the session. After reviewing the additional information for the result, the user can then make a new query (step 810), review other results (step 820), and make a selection (step 840).

The selection step (step 840) includes selection of the content to be watched by the user. This can be a program currently being played, a VOD suggestion, downloadable content, a previously recorded program, and the like. When the content is selected, the user is then notified of what is needed to view the content, such as any pricing / purchase information, as well as tuning a particular channel, starting a stream, starting a download, or playing back from a recording. This selection is logged as part of the session. The user also has the option of new query (step 810), return to result (step 820), or confirmation of content selection (step 850).

Identification (step 850) includes the actual acquisition of content, including purchases, tuning to channels, downloads, and the like. This is also the case where the user agrees to the terms for viewing the selected content. Any consent to the Acquisition and the Terms will be logged as part of the Session and will also terminate the Session.

Once the usage data is collected (step 410), the usage data is provided to the back end that can be processed (step 420) to build a user profile. The use of a session takes into account not only the content selection but also the tracking of the path that followed the content selection. Thus, it can be determined which query results, details and acquisition requirements prevented the selection and consumption of content, as well as which queries, results, details and acquisition requirements result in content selection and consumption. By knowing what the user has chosen to view and how the user has reached the selection, feedback is provided to evaluate the effectiveness of the search, recommendation, additional information, and pricing in the selection of content by the user (Step 430).

For example, acquisition requirements such as results and recommendations, additional information, and cost or rental terms may be adjusted in future sessions to improve the "purchase" selection by the user. Likewise, this information can be used to enhance / enhance targeted advertisements containing special offers. Other possible uses for the techniques discussed herein include the following.

1. Determine where the selection should be presented to the user, that is, if there is a suggestion made by the personalization engine instead of the media asset being advertised at the bottom of the EPG banner ad, then the user may be more likely to purchase VOD programming eventually do.

2. Change the order in which the results of the search are made, based on the tracking information. For example, search results from IMDB may be more frequently affected by users than Amazon. Also, what is shown in the search results (based on the user's preference, the movie title is first displayed for the first user, then the actor is shown next, the second user is acted first, and then the movie title is shown).

3. The level of relevance in content suggestions and the type of content that users seem to be attracted to provide purchase inducement services for premium products ranging from premium programming (air channels) to types of merchandise (Ferrari F-40 model cars) Such as an action movie with a car or airplane, or travel programming with a beach, etc.).

4. Trend the purchase history of the content for the user and compare the other users in the peer group, e.g., track responses of both the user and the peer group to the marketing strategy. For example, a group of peers in Beverly Hills could respond favorably to the $ 29.99 Platinum Tier programming package, while the rest of the group could be more interested in the same or a slightly modified package of $ 12.99. The pricing effectiveness of a marketing strategy can also be measured on an individual basis.

A. The user searches for Iron Man. Although not currently available, users can purchase the latest Spiderman movies for $ 30, rent a Hulk (around 2008) for $ 6, rent a Hulk (around 2003) for $ 4 It is revealed that the proposal has been received. The user chooses to borrow the Hulk (circa 2008). Purchasing data (along with other tracked data) is stored that can indicate the user's preference to watch a movie associated with Billy and / and upcoming Avengers movies (around 2012) rather than purchasing.

B. You can track when users are more likely to borrow or buy. For example, a user's consumption habits may indicate that a user is more likely to borrow 80% of a movie, and a TV episode is more likely to purchase 75%. This information can be used to form future proposals for the user.

C. Track and analyze price resistance. Aids the content provider in understanding the user's decision (i.e., whether it was movie price or time). Suggest the same movie at different prices and different times to help content providers in setting prices for movies and understanding what caused the purchase.

5. Provides portals bridging broadcast, VOD, over the top, and user generated programming. As a result, it can provide the industry's best programmable measurement capabilities and validity across multiple sources of available content. In other words, the research and affinity engine will typically go between unmonitored services and applications (ie, users see 20% of their time on TNT, 30% on Yahoo.com, 50% on Hulu.com) .

6. Push users to other sources of the same content based on user subscription. For example, user A may have a premium subscription ($ 150 / month) and user B may only have a base subscription ($ 45 / month). If the desired content (e.g., a recent movie) is available on both the premium movie channel and the VOD, Spectrum will direct user A to the premium movie channel, user B, to the VOD. This will at least reduce User A's risk of quitting the premium subscription because the user will be repeatedly directed to the VOD offer.

8. The methodology behind reminding the user periodically which movie and television shows are stored on the digital locker.

A. Consider the possibility that there may be a reminder that the content is available in the digital locker of the second person (my wife has her own digital locker and I want to access the content in the locker).

B. Make freely distributable content (such as self-produced movies, YouTube content, etc.) available to other people's lockers.

9. Track when users repeatedly borrow a movie and offer users the option to purchase the same movie or related movie.

A. Renting a movie is a less costly model until the user has borrowed more movies, and the user has paid for it a sufficient number of times to be uploaded to their digital lockers for free. .

B. Also, if you borrow a movie series, consider borrowing the first movie (Godfather I) 5.00, (Godfather II) 3.00, (Godfather III) 1.00. These options can also be applied to purchasing a program as a series (the first episode is 3.00, the second episode is 2.00, and the third episode is 1.00).

10. Track users' use of recommendations. For example, user A may be more likely to follow a 35% recommendation of a friend than a recommendation from a recommendation engine, and user B may be more likely to follow 40% of recommendations from a recommendation engine, unlike a friend's recommendation. The spectrum can track this behavior and use it to prioritize recommendations made to different users.

11. An explicit rating ("four stars" given by the user) and an implicit rating (the number of views, the number of times a given scene is viewed, the number of times a user views content, The number of times to perform the operation, etc.). For example, a user gives Rocky a rating of 5 stars, but he does not recommend Rocky to a friend at all. The same user gives Twilight a rating of two stars, but watches the entire movie three times, watches a particular scene nine times, and recommends it to ten friends. Based on this history, New Moon will be recommended to the user before recommending Rocky 2.

A. The concept considers the idea that people do not rate movies fairly, so five stars may not actually be five stars in everything. Therefore, the user must consider the actual interaction with the media asset separately from the explicit rating given to the asset.

B. Different algorithms can be developed to determine the rating by using both explicit (what the user rated media assets with) and implicit (how users interacted with media assets).

12. Track where and when a user watches a movie and use this contextual information to control what to suggest to the user from different rooms and at different points of view (for example, in the bedroom at 9 pm, Suggest many other recommendations to see in the city).

A. The user can specify which device is where.

B. I also define what device it is. Set-top boxes, cell phones, iPads, computers, and so on.

Although the example described above focuses on the system, the present invention is also embodied in a computer program product that includes all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which can perform these methods when loaded in a computer system . A computer program or application in this context is one in which a system having information processing capabilities is capable of: a) converting into another language, code or notation; b) any representation of any language, code or notation in a set of instructions intended to cause a particular function to be performed, either immediately or after any of the representations in another material form.

Additionally, the foregoing description is intended to be exemplary only, and is not intended to limit the invention in any way, except as set forth in the following claims.

Claims (23)

A method of providing a viewing recommendation to a user,
Collecting usage data related to a session of interaction by the user, the session comprising a listing of search performed by the user for a particular topic, a listing of Video on Demand offerings, A query stage that includes a request for an electronic program guide (EPG), or a request for listing of a previously recorded program, a result stage that provides results for the query, and provides additional information about the results Collecting the usage data comprising a detailed stage, a selection stage for selecting content, and an identification stage for obtaining the selected content;
Processing the usage data for the session; And
Providing feedback regarding the session, the feedback comprising adjusting additional information provided in the detail stage based on the usage data collected and the result displayed in the result stage, And providing the user with a viewing recommendation. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage data is associated with content viewed by the user. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the usage data associated with the content viewed by the user includes content viewed; The time at which the content was viewed; How long the content has been watched; The type of content viewed; Information on the viewed content; A source of the content; And on what device the content was viewed. &Lt; Desc / Clms Page number 19 &gt; The method of claim 1, wherein collecting usage data is performed using a collection module. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage data associated with the result stage comprises data returned based on user input during a query stage. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the resultant stage is a result of a search performed; Listing of VOD proposals, listing of previously recorded programs; And listing in an EPG. &Lt; Desc / Clms Page number 12 &gt; 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the results are filtered based on a user and / or device. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the detailed stage comprises: a plot summary; Performers and crew listings; Rating; trailer; Video clips; And providing at least one of a promotional listing and a suggestion. 2. The method of claim 1,
Receiving a user selection of content to be viewed; And
And providing information about a requirement to view the content. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the information about the requirement to view the content includes pricing information. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the usage data associated with the selection stage comprises content selected by the user. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the content comprises receiving a terms agreement by a user to obtain content. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the usage data associated with the confirmation stage comprises data relating to the acquisition of the content. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the feedback comprises generating a user profile. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying data in the session based on the feedback provided. A system for providing a recommendation to a user,
A front end configured to collect usage data related to a session of interaction by the user, the session comprising a search for a particular topic, a search performed by the user, a request for listing of a VOD proposal, A query stage that includes a request for a listing of a previously recorded program, a result stage that provides a result for the query, a detail stage that provides additional information about the result, a selection stage for selecting the content, A confirmation stage for obtaining the selected content; And
A back end configured to process the usage data for the session and provide feedback about the session, the feedback comprising additional information provided in the detail stage based on the usage data collected, And adjusting the result displayed on the back end to provide a viewing recommendation to the user. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the front end comprises a touch screen device. 17. The server of claim 16,
Personalization engine; And
A system that provides usage recommendations to a user, including a usage database. delete delete delete delete delete

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