BR112018003106B1 - METHOD, SYSTEM, AND MACHINE-LEADABLE NON-TRANSITORY STORAGE MEDIA TO ALLOW A USER TO MANAGE ONE CONTENT ACCESS PLAN USING MULTIPLE CONTENT SERVICES - Google Patents

Abstract

SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO ALLOW A USER TO MANAGE A CONTENT ACCESS PLAN USING MULTIPLE CONTENT SERVICES. A system for facilitating access to content items presents recommendations to a user. Content items can include movies and television shows. Recommendations may include access plans that specify a plurality of digital media services, where each specified digital media service provides availability to content items included in a user-defined set. Additionally, recommendations can be based on one or more user-defined constraints. User-defined restrictions can include a user budget to access content items during a specific time period.

Description

FIELD OF TECHNIQUE

[001]The present disclosure relates to the field of interactive television and graphical user interfaces.

BACKGROUND

[002] Digital media playback capabilities can be incorporated into a wide range of devices, including digital televisions, including so-called "smart" televisions, set-top boxes, laptop or desktop computers, tablet computers, e-book readers , digital recording devices, digital media players, video game devices, digital cameras, cell phones, including so-called “smart” phones, and dedicated video streaming. Digital media content can originate from a variety of sources, including, for example, over-the-air television providers, satellite television providers, cable television providers and online media sharing services, including streaming and download services. of online media. In addition, devices with digital media playback capabilities may provide a user with interfaces, including graphical user interfaces (GUIs), that allow the user to select an item of content.

[003]Due to the wide range of content users can access devices with digital media playback capabilities, current traditional interfaces and techniques for organizing, sorting, and displaying available content items may be less than ideal. Traditional interfaces and current techniques may be less than ideal when a user wants to access a specific digital media content item from one of a multitude of potential sources.

SUMMARY

[004] The following brief summary is not intended to include all features and aspects of the present invention, nor does it imply that the invention should include all features and aspects discussed in this summary. The present disclosure relates to techniques for enabling users to access digital media content and, more specifically, describes techniques and tools for efficiently enabling a user to access items of content. It should be noted that, as used herein, the term content item can at least include individual items of digital content (eg video files, music files, digital images, etc.) and collections of individual items of content digital (for example, a television series, an album of music files, a digital picture album, etc.). In some instances, the techniques described in this document may be implemented on a device with digital media playback capabilities, including, for example, set-top boxes, televisions, laptop or desktop computers, game consoles, dedicated streaming devices, and and/or an associated companion device, including, for example, remote controllers, tablet computers and smart phones. It should be noted that, in some cases, the techniques described in this document may be generally applicable to devices capable of displaying graphical user interfaces and rendering digital content.

[005]According to an example of the disclosure, a method of facilitating access to content items comprises providing a graphical user interface that allows a user to establish restrictions regarding access to content items, providing a graphical user interface that allows a user to define a set of content items from a set of content items, receive one or more access plans based at least in part on the restrictions and set of content items, and present a user interface graphical user that allows the user to accept one or more access plans.

[006]According to another example of the disclosure, a device for facilitating access to content items comprises one or more processors configured to present a graphical user interface that allows a user to establish restrictions regarding access to content items, provide a graphical user interface that allows a user to define a set of content items from a set of content items, receive one or more access plans based at least in part on restrictions and the set of content items , and present a graphical user interface that allows the user to accept one or more access plans.

[007]According to another example of the disclosure, an apparatus for facilitating access to content items comprises means for presenting a graphical user interface that allows a user to establish restrictions regarding access to content items, means for providing a graphical user interface that allows a user to define a set of content items from a set of content items, means to receive one or more access plans based at least in part on restrictions and the set of content items , and means for presenting a graphical user interface that allows the user to accept one or more access plans.

[008]According to another example of the disclosure, a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium has instructions stored therein that upon execution cause one or more processors of a device to present a graphical user interface that allows a user to establish restrictions on access to content items, provide a graphical user interface that allows a user to define a set of content items from a set of content items, receive one or more access plans based on least in part on the restrictions and set of content items, and present a graphical user interface that allows the user to accept one or more access plans.

[009] Details of one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings and in the following description. Other features, purposes, and advantages will become apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[010] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system that can implement one or more techniques of this disclosure.

[011] Figure 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computing device that can implement one or more techniques of this disclosure.

[012] Figure 2B is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an input/output device that can implement one or more techniques of this disclosure.

[013] Figure 3 is a conceptual communication flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for allowing a user to access content items in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure.

[014] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical user interface that can implement one or more techniques of this disclosure.

[015] Figures 5A to 5B are conceptual diagrams illustrating an exemplary graphical user interface that can implement one or more techniques of this disclosure.

[016] Figure 6A to 6B are concept diagrams illustrating an exemplary graphical user interface that can implement one or more techniques of this disclosure.

[017] Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical user interface that can implement one or more techniques of this disclosure.

[018] Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical user interface that can implement one or more techniques of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[019]Systems and methods for allowing a user to access content items are described in this document. Some embodiments extend to a machine-readable medium that embodies instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to execute one or more of the methodologies described herein. Other features will become evident from the attached drawings and from the detailed description that follows. Examples merely typify possible variations. Except where explicitly stated otherwise, components and functions are optional and may be combined or subdivided, and operations may vary in sequence or may be combined or subdivided. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, several specific details are presented to provide a complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present subject can be practiced without these specific details.

[020] Devices with digital media playback capabilities may allow a user to access content items from multiple sources. For example, devices with digital media playback capabilities, including, for example, televisions, set-top boxes, laptop or desktop computers, tablet computers, video game devices, smart phones and dedicated video streaming devices may allow a user accesses digital media content through one or more digital media content services. Examples of digital media content services include streaming services, television services and combinations thereof. Current commercial examples of streaming services include streaming services available from Amazon.com®, Inc., Crackle®, Inc., Hulu®, LLC, Netflix®, Inc. and VUDU®, Inc. Examples of current commercial television and streaming service combinations include services available from Comcast® Corporation, DirecTV®, LLC and Home Box Office®, Inc. It should be noted that, as used herein, the term digital media content services can include services available free of charge (e.g. an advertising support service), services available for a recurring fee (e.g. a monthly subscription), services available on a pay-as-you-go basis (eg, a fee to access a specific content item), and/or combinations thereof. Additionally, as used herein, digital media services can refer to any service that provides users with access to digital media content, regardless of a specific delivery mechanism.

[021]The availability of specific content items and the cost to access specific content items vary for respective digital media services. For example, a cable television provider may provide a user access to a movie (eg, through a network of television providers and/or the Internet) over a 24-hour period for a cost of $5.99. , a streaming service can provide a user access to the same movie over a 24 hour period for a cost of $3.99, these examples can be called pay-per-use accessibility. In addition, a subscription-based streaming service may provide a user with unlimited access to the same movie as part of a monthly subscription fee (e.g., $9.99), an advertising-supported streaming service may provide a user with unlimited access to a lower quality version of the same film, including free commercial interruptions, and/or another service may not provide a user with access to the film. It should be noted that in some instances, a service provider may provide a user with streaming services on an à la carte basis. That is, for example, a service provider may allow a user to subscribe to one or more streaming services affiliated with a television network (i.e., "channel").

[022]Digital media services may include the respective search engines. That is, for example, digital media services may include a website that allows a user to search for content items available through that specific service. In order for a user to determine the availability and accessibility of a specific content item across multiple services, a user may perform searches on the specific content item using the respective search engines available on web sites maintained by service providers. Performing multiple searches in this way can be time consuming and inconvenient for a user. Additionally, the availability of specific content items varies on a frequent basis. That is, for example, a content item may be available through a service for a limited period of time. Thus, in some cases, in order for a user to accurately determine the availability and accessibility of a specific content item across multiple services, a user may need to perform multiple searches using a web browser on a monthly or daily basis.

[023] It should be noted that some websites may provide aggregated search results for multiple digital media services. That is, sites may display combined search results from multiple search engine services in response to a query for a content item. A commercial example of a website, including aggregated search results, includes the FlixsterTM website maintained by Flixster, Inc. While these websites can save the user time by allowing a user to avoid entering a search term across multiple websites, today's websites that aggregate search results are less than ideal. For example, in some cases, devices with digital media playback capabilities may allow a user to access services using their dedicated applications and may not support full web browsing capabilities. That is, a site with added search capabilities may not be fully accessible on a device that has digital media playback capabilities. Additionally, due to frequent changes in content availability as described above, in order for a user to accurately determine the availability and accessibility of a specific content item across multiple services, a user may still need to perform searches on a frequent basis.

[024] It may be desirable for a user of a device that has digital media playback capabilities to schedule and/or plan how to access specific content items during a certain period of time. For example, every Friday night for a month, a user might want to watch a movie selected from a pool of movies that a user is interested in (e.g., new releases, action/adventure, preferred director, nominees to the Oscars, etc.). For example, a user might want to watch four of the 17 Best Cinematography Oscar Nominees from 2014 and 2015 during a month (for example, one every Friday night). As described above, it can be difficult and time-consuming for a user to accurately determine the availability and accessibility of a specific content item across multiple services using current techniques. Furthermore, it can be even more difficult and time consuming for a user to determine the availability and accessibility of specific content items within a defined set of content items across multiple services using current techniques.

[025]In addition, a user may have one or more restrictions regarding access to specific content items within a defined set of content items. For example, a user may have a limited budget to access content items (eg, $9.99 per month), a user may have programming preferences (eg, wants to watch multiple movies over a long holiday), and/or a user may prioritize certain content items within the defined set of content items over others (eg, have a preference for the most recent Best Picture Oscar Nominees). The systems and techniques described in this document may allow a user to define a set of content items, set restrictions on access to content items, and receive one or more content access plans. The systems and techniques described herein can improve on current computer-implemented techniques for accessing content items by more efficiently presenting information to a user and/or more efficiently allowing a user to provide information to a computing system.

[026] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system that can implement one or more techniques described in this disclosure. System 100 may be configured to allow a user to access content items in accordance with techniques described herein. In the example illustrated in Figure 1, system 100 includes one or more computing devices 102A to 102N, communication network 104, television service provider site 110, one or more media service provider site 118A to 118N, site web page content delivery engine 120, application delivery site 122, search aggregator 124, and content assist engine 126. The system 100 may include software modules that operate on one or more servers. Software modules can be stored in memory and executed by a processor. Servers can include one or more processors and a plurality of internal and/or external memory devices. Examples of memory devices include file servers, file transfer protocol (FTP) servers, network attached storage (NAS) devices, local disk drives, or any other type of device or storage medium capable of storing data. . Storage media may include Blu-ray discs, DVDs, CD-ROM, flash memory or any other suitable digital storage medium. When the techniques described herein are partially implemented in software, a device may store instructions for the software on a suitable non-temporary computer-readable medium and execute the instructions in hardware using one or more processors.

[027] System 100 represents an example of a system that can be configured to allow digital content, such as music, videos, images, web pages, messages, voice communication and applications, to be distributed and accessed by a plurality of computing devices such as computing devices 102A to 102N. In the example illustrated in Figure 1, computing devices 102A to 102N can include any device configured to transmit data and/or receive data from communication network 104. For example, computing devices 102A to 102N can be equipped for wired communication and/or wireless and may include set-top boxes, digital video recordings, televisions, desktop, laptop, or tablet computers, game consoles, mobile devices, including, for example, “smart” phones, cell phones, and gaming devices personal. It should be noted that although the example system 100 is illustrated as having distinct sites, such illustration is for descriptive purposes and does not limit system 100 to a specific physical architecture. System 100 functions and sites included therein may be executed using any combination of hardware, firmware and/or software implementations.

[028] The communication network 104 may comprise any combination of wireless and/or wired communication means. Communication network 104 may include coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, twisted pair cables, wireless transmitters and receivers, routers, switches, repeaters, base stations, or any other equipment that may be useful in facilitating communication between various devices. and websites. Communication network 104 may operate under a combination of one or more telecommunication protocols. Telecommunications protocols may include proprietary aspects and/or may include standardized telecommunications protocols. Examples of standardized telecommunication protocols include Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) standards, Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standards, Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting (ISDB) standards, Data Service Interface Specification Cable (DOCSIS), Global System Mobile Communications (GSM) standards, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standards, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards, European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) standards ), Internet Protocol (IP) standards, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) standards, and IEEE standards, such as one or more standards included in the IEEE 802 family of standards.

[029] As illustrated in Figure 1, networks of different types can be defined within the communication network 104. The networks can be defined according to physical and/or logical aspects. For example, networks that share the same physical infrastructure (e.g. coaxial cables) can be distinguished on the basis of a primary service type (e.g. web page access or television service) or communication protocols (e.g. , IP/TCP or MPEG-TS). In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the communication network 104 includes the television provider network 106 and the public network 108. It should be noted that although the television provider network 106 and the public network 108 are illustrated as distinct, the television provider 106 and public network 108 may share physical and/or logical aspects.

[030] The television provider network 106 is an example of a network configured to provide a user with television services. For example, television provider network 106 may include public over-the-air television networks, public or subscription-based satellite television service provider networks, and public or subscription-based cable television provider networks. It should be noted that, although in some examples, the television provider network 106 may be used primarily to provide television services, the television provider network 106 may also provide other types of data and services according to any combination of the protocols. telecommunications described in this document.

[031] Public network 108 is an example of a packet-based network, such as a local area network, a wide area network, or a global network, such as the Internet, configured to provide a user with World Wide Web-based services. Public network 108 may be configured to operate in accordance with Internet Protocol (IP) standards. It should be noted that while in some instances public network 108 may be primarily used to provide access to hypertext web pages, public network 108 may also provide other types of media content in accordance with any combination of telecommunications protocol. described in this document.

[032] Referring again to Figure 1, the television service provider site 110 may be configured to provide computing devices 102A to 102N with television service. For example, television service provider site 110 may include a public broadcast station, a cable television provider, or a satellite television provider and may be configured to provide television services to analog and/or digital televisions. and signal decoders. In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the television service provider site 110 includes an on-air distribution mechanism 112 and an on-demand mechanism 114. The on-air distribution mechanism 112 may be configured to receive a plurality of on-air feeds and distribute feeds to computing devices 102A to 102N via television provider network 106. For example, on-air distribution mechanism 112 may be configured to receive one or more over-the-air television broadcasts via an uplink/downlink and distributing over-the-air television broadcasts to one or more users of a subscription-based cable television service.

[033] The on-demand mechanism 114 can be configured to access a library of multimedia content and distribute multimedia content to one or more computing devices 102A to 102N through the network of television providers 106. For example, the on-demand mechanism 114 can accessing multimedia content (e.g., music, movies and TV shows) stored in a multimedia database 116A and providing a subscriber to a cable television service with movies on a Pay Per View (PPV) basis. For example, a user may purchase access to an item of content for a limited period of time (for example, 24-hour access to a movie for $4.99). Multimedia database 116A may include storage devices configured to store multimedia content. It should be noted that multimedia content accessed through the on-demand mechanism 114 may also be located at various locations within the system 100 (eg, peer-to-peer distribution).

[034] Media service provider sites 118A to 118N represent examples of multimedia service providers. Media service provider sites 118A to 118N may be configured to access a library of multimedia content and distribute multimedia content to one or more computing devices 102A to 102N over public network 108. For example, service provider sites media 118A to 118N can access multimedia (eg, music, movies and TV shows) stored in multimedia databases 116B to 116N and provide multimedia to a user of a media service. Multimedia databases 116A to 116N may include storage devices configured to store multimedia content. In one example, a media service provider site may be configured to deliver content to one or more computing devices 102A to 102N using Packet Internet Protocol. In some examples, a media service might be called a streaming service. Commercial examples of streaming services are described above and may also include television network-based streaming services (eg, movies available from a Tuner website through a cable television subscription). As described above, the television provider network 106 and the public network 108 may share physical and logical aspects. In this way, content accessed by one or more computing devices 102A to 102N through a media service provider site 118A to 118N can be transmitted through physical network components of television provider 106. For example, a user of one of the computing devices 102A to 102N can access the Internet and multimedia content provided by a media service through a cable modem connected to a coaxial network maintained by a cable television provider. Furthermore, as described above, a media service can be associated with a search engine. Thus, in one example, media service provider websites 118A to 118N may include respective search engines allowing a user to search for available content items in multimedia databases 116B to 116N.

[035] The web page content delivery site 120 represents an example of a web page service provider. The web page content delivery site 120 may be configured to deliver hypertext-based content to one or more computing devices 102A to 102N over the public network 108. It should be noted that the hypertext-based content may include audio content and video. Hypertext content can be defined according to programming languages such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Dynamic HTML, and Extensible Markup Language (XML). Examples of web page content syndication sites include the US Patent and Trademark Office website. As described above, digital media services may be associated with a website that allows a user to search for content items accessible through that specific service. Web page content delivery site 120 may include a web site that includes a search engine associated with a digital media content service.

[036] Application distribution site 122 represents an example of an application distribution service. Application distribution site 122 may be configured to distribute developed software applications to one or more computing devices 102A to 102N. In one example, software applications can include games and programs operable on computing devices. In other examples, software applications may be configured to allow a computing device to access content provided by a web page content delivery site in a manner specific to the computing device. For example, software applications can be configured to provide augmented or reduced functionality of a web page to a mobile device or set-top box. In one example, a software application might allow a user to access media services on a specific device. In one example, a software application might allow a user to access streaming services using a game console.

[037] Software applications can be developed using a programming language. Examples of programming languages include, JavaTM, JiniTM, C, C++, Perl, UNIX Shell®, Visual Basic® and Visual Basic® Script. In some examples, developers can write software applications using a software development kit (SDK) provided by a device manufacturer or service provider. In the example where one or more computing devices 102A to 102N are mobile devices, application distribution site 122 may be maintained by a mobile device manufacturer, a service provider, and/or a mobile device operating system provider. In the example where one or more computing devices 102A to 102N are set-top boxes, application distribution site 122 may be maintained by a set-top box manufacturer, a service provider, and/or an operating system provider. In some examples, an app distribution site might be called an app store. Examples of commercially available application distribution sites include sites maintained by Google®, Inc., Apple®, Inc., BlackBerry®, Inc., Microsoft®, Inc., and Amazon.com®, Inc.

[038] With reference again to Figure 1, the search aggregator 124 represents an example of a system configured to perform multiple queries and generate aggregated results. Content assist engine 126 represents an example of a system configured to receive user restrictions, receive a set of content items, and generate access plans. As described above, the functions of the system 100 and sites included therein may be performed using any combination of hardware, firmware and/or software implementations. In this way, elements of the techniques described herein can be distributed throughout system 100. For example, one or more functions respectively described as being performed by search aggregator 124 and content assist engine 126 can be performed using hardware , firmware, and/or software included as part of a computing device 102A to 102N and/or may be accomplished using hardware, firmware, and/or software included as part of a separate site. The deployment of elements of the techniques described in this document can be based on the capabilities of a computing device. For example, a computing device with relatively limited processing capabilities may perform fewer elements of a technique than a computing device with relatively limited processing capabilities.

[039] Figure 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computing device that can implement one or more techniques of this disclosure. Computing device 200 is an example of a computing device that can be configured to transmit data to and receive data from a communication network, allow a user to access multimedia content, and run one or more applications. Computing device 200 may include or form part of a stationary computing device (e.g., a desktop computer, a television, a set-top box, a game console, a dedicated multimedia streaming device, or a digital video recorder). ), a portable computing device (for example, a mobile phone, laptop, personal data assistant (PDA), or tablet device), or other type of computing device. In the example illustrated in Figure 2A, computing device 200 is configured to send and receive data over a television network, such as, for example, television network 106 described above, and to send and receive data over a public network, such as , for example, the public network 108. It should be noted that in other examples, the computing device 200 may be configured to send and receive data over a television network 106 or a public network 108. The techniques described herein may be used by devices configured to communicate using any and all combinations of communication networks.

[040] As illustrated in Figure 2A, the computing device 200 includes central processing unit(s) 202, system memory 204, system interface 210, modem 212, transport module 214, AV demultiplexer 216, network interface 218 , storage devices 220, I/O devices 222, audio decoder 224, audio processor 226, video decoder 228, graphics processing unit 230, and display processor 232. As illustrated in Figure 2A, system memory 204 includes operating system 206 and applications 208. Each processor(s) 202, system memory 204, system interface 210, modem 212, transport module 214, AV demultiplexer 216, network interface 218, storage devices 220, devices I/O 222, audio decoder 224, audio processor 226, video decoder 228, graphics processing unit 230 and display processor 232 may be interconnected (physically, communicatively and/or operationally) for communication between components and may be implemented as any of a variety of suitable circuitry, such as one or more microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), discrete logic, software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. It should be noted that although computing device 200 is illustrated as having distinct functional blocks, such illustration is for descriptive purposes and does not limit computing device 200 to a specific hardware architecture. Computing device functions 200 can be performed using any combination of hardware, firmware and/or software implementations.

[041] The CPU(s) 202 can be configured to implement functionality and/or process instructions for execution on the computing device 200. The CPU(s) 202 can ) be able to retrieve and process instructions, code and/or data structures to implement one or more techniques described in this document. The instructions may be stored on a computer-readable medium, such as system memory 204 or storage devices 220. The CPU(s) 202 may include multi-core central processing units.

[042] System memory 204 can be described as a non-temporary or tangible computer-readable storage medium. In some examples, system memory 204 may provide temporary and/or long-term storage. In some examples, system memory 204 or portions thereof may be described as non-volatile memory and in other examples, system memory portions 204 may be described as volatile memory. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), and static random access memories (SRAM). Examples of non-volatile memories include magnetic hard disks, optical disks, floppy disks, flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memory (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable memory (EEPROM).

[043] The memory system 204 can be configured to store information that can be used by the computing device 200 during operation. System memory 204 may be used to store program instructions for execution by CPU(s) 202 and may be used by software or applications running on computing device 200 to temporarily store information during program execution. For example, system memory 204 can store instructions associated with operating system 206 and applications 208. Applications 208 can include applications implemented within or executed by computing device 200 and can be implemented or contained within, operable by, executed by, and /or may be operationally/communicatively coupled to components of computing device 200. Applications 208 may include instructions that can cause the CPU(s) 202 of computing device 200 to perform functions specific. Applications 208 may include algorithms that are expressed in computer programming instructions, such as for-loops, while-loops, if-statements, do-loops, and the like. Applications 208 may be distributed to computing device 200 via an application distribution site, for example, application distribution site 122. In one example, applications 208 may cause computing device 200 to perform associated functions to the exemplary techniques described herein that allow a user to access content items. Applications 208 may provide one or more graphical user interfaces that allow a user to provide data for use by an application. In one example, applications 208 may include one or more dedicated applications that allow a user to access a digital media service. Furthermore, applications 208 may perform functions associated with any component of a search aggregator and/or any component of a content assist engine. In one example, applications 208 may include a content assist application.

[044] As further illustrated in Figure 2A, the applications 208 can operate in conjunction with the operating system 206. That is, the operating system 206 can be configured to facilitate the interaction of applications 208 with CPUs (s) 202, and other components of computing device hardware 200. It should be noted that in some examples, operating system components 206 and components that work in conjunction with operating system 206 may be called middleware. The techniques described in this document can be used by devices configured to communicate using any and all combinations of software architectures. Operating system 206 may be an operating system designed to be installed on laptops, desktops, smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, digital video recorders, televisions and/or gaming devices. In one example, operating system 206 may include one or more operating systems or middleware components developed by OpenTV® operating systems, Windows®, Linux operating systems, Mac OS®, Android® operating systems, and any and all combinations thereof. .

[045] The system interface 210 can be configured to allow communication between computing device components 200. In one example, the system interface 210 comprises structures that allow the transfer of data from a peer device to another peer device or to a storage medium. For example, system interface 210 may include a chipset that supports Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) based protocols, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus based protocols, such as the PCI ExpressTM bus specification (PCIe ), which is maintained by the Peripheral Interconnection Special Interest Group or any other form of structure that may be used to interconnect peer devices.

[046] Storage devices 220 represent computing device memory 200 that can be configured to store relatively larger amounts of information for relatively longer periods of time than system memory 204. For example, in the example where the device Computing device 200 is included as part of a digital video recorder, storage devices 220 can be configured to store multiple video files. Similar to system memory 204, storage device(s) 220 may also include one or more non-temporary or tangible computer-readable storage media. Storage device(s) 220 may include internal and/or external memory devices and, in some examples, may include both volatile and non-volatile storage elements.

[047] I/O devices 222 can be configured to receive input and provide output during operation of computing device 200. Input can be generated from an input device, such as a button remote control pressure switch, a motion-based remote control, a device including a touch screen, a device including a track editor, a mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, a video camera, a motion sensor, or any other type of device configured to receive user input. In one example, an input device may include a power user input device such as a smartphone or tablet computing device. For example, an input device can be a secondary computing device and can be configured to receive user input through touch gestures, buttons on the secondary computing device, and/or voice control. Additionally, in some examples, an input device may include a screen that is configured to display the graphical user interfaces described herein. For example, in the case where the computing device 200 includes a television, an input device may include a smartphone in communication with the television. In this example, a user can provide commands to a television by activating portions of a graphical user interface displayed on a smartphone. The graphical user interface displayed on the smartphone can be a replica or an extension of a graphical user interface displayed on the television. Output can be provided to output devices such as internal speakers, an integrated display device, and/or external components such as a secondary computing device. In some examples, I/O device(s) 222 may be operatively coupled to computing device 200 using a standardized communication protocol, such as, for example, Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, Bluetooth , ZigBee, or a proprietary communication protocol, such as a proprietary infrared communication protocol.

[048] Figure 2B is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an input/output device that can implement one or more techniques of this disclosure. In the example illustrated in Figure 2B, the I/O device 222 is illustrated as a push-button remote control. It should be noted that I/O device 222 is illustrated as a push-button remote control in the example illustrated in Figure 2B, in other examples the functionality of I/O device 222 may be implemented using other types of I/O devices. , such as a secondary computing device communicating with a primary computing device. Furthermore, in other examples, the functions obtained by activating buttons on the I/O device 222 can be obtained through other types of user inputs. For example, in the case where an I/O device includes a touchscreen, gesture recognition, and/or voice recognition, virtual buttons can be presented on the touchscreen and functions performed by activating buttons on the device. I/O 222 can be performed through any and all combinations of virtual button activation, motion gestures and/or voice commands. In one example, an I/O device may have voice recognition capabilities and a function performed by activating content assist button 290 may be performed by a user saying "Help" or a similar phrase.

[049] In the example illustrated in Figure 2B, the I/O device 222 includes basic television controls 260, playback controls 270, navigation controls 280, and content assistant button 290. Basic television controls 260 can be configured to allow a user to perform basic tuning and volume control functions associated with viewing television programming. As illustrated in Figure 2B, the basic television controls 260 include the numeric keypad 261, the input button 262, the previous channel button 263, the channel change buttons 264, and the volume control buttons 265. The numeric keypad 261, input button 262, channel previous button 263 and channel change buttons 264 can be configured to allow a user to tune to a specific analogue and/or digital channel. When a user enters a sequence of numbers using the numeric keypad 261 and, optionally, further activating the "enter" key 262, a tuner can tune to a specified channel. Upon activation of previous channel button 263, a tuner can tune to a previously tuned channel. Activation of the channel “+” and “-” buttons 264 can respectively cause a tuner to tune to the respective next channel in a channel sequence. Activation of the “+” and “-” volume control buttons 265 can respectively cause the output of an audio system to be turned up or down. It should be noted that although basic television controls 260 can be configured to allow a user to perform basic tuning and volume control functions associated with a television, in some instances basic television controls 260 can be used to perform other functions. associated with a computing device.

[050]Playback controls 270 can be configured to allow a user to control playback and/or record multimedia content. For example, playback controls 270 may allow a user to control playback of a video sourced from a media service provider website, an on-demand engine, and/or a personal video recorder (PVR). As illustrated in Figure 2B, the playback controls 270 include the playback reverse button 271, the normal playback button 272, the forward playback button 273, the stop playback button 274, the pause playback button 275 and the of recording 276. The reverse playback button 271 may allow a user to navigate to a previous point in a multimedia sequence. Upon activation, the normal play button 272 can cause normal playback of a multimedia content item to start or resume. Play forward button 273 may allow a user to navigate to a future point in a multimedia sequence. Upon activation, the play stop button 274 may cause the playback of a multimedia content item to stop. Upon activation, the playback pause button 275 may cause the playback of a multimedia content item to be paused. Record button 276 may allow a user to cause an item of multimedia content to be stored on a storage device. In one example, record button 276 may allow a user to record content to a storage device. It should be noted that although playback controls 270 can be configured to allow a user to control playback and/or record multimedia content, in some instances, playback controls 270 can be used to perform other functions associated with a computing device. .

[051] As described above, devices with digital media playback capabilities, including, for example, televisions, signal decoders, and mobile devices, can be configured to provide users with graphical user interfaces that allow content selection. Navigation controls 280 can be configured to allow a user to navigate graphical user interfaces and select content using a graphical user interface. In one example, navigation controls 280 can be configured to allow a user to navigate graphical user interfaces and access items of content in accordance with techniques described herein.

[052] In the example illustrated in Figure 2B, the navigation controls 280 include navigation arrow buttons 281, selection button 282, information button 283, menu button 284, guide button 285, return button 286 and return button output 287. The navigation arrow buttons 281 can be configured to move the position of a cursor associated with a graphical user interface and/or change the selection of an item included in a graphical user interface. Selection button 282 may further allow a user to select an icon. In one example, consecutive selection button activations 282 may cause respective selection levels to occur. Information button 283 can be configured to cause additional information associated with a content item to be displayed. For example, when an icon representing an item of content is initially selected, activating the give info button 283 may cause information associated with the content (for example, cast and crew information) to be displayed.

[053] The menu button 284, the guide button 285, the return button 286 and the exit button 287 can be configured to allow a user to cause graphical user interfaces to be presented. Upon activation, menu button 284 can cause a graphical user interface including a high-level menu to be displayed. In one example, a top-level menu might include a menu that allows a user to change settings associated with operating a computing device. In one example, a top-level menu might include a menu that allows a user to select a user profile (for example, a graphical user interface record). Upon activation, tab button 285 can be configured to provide a graphical user interface that allows a user to select content. In one example, upon activation of guide button 285, a graphical user interface including a grid guide may be presented to a user. Back button 286 can be configured to allow a user to return to a previous graphical user interface. Exit button 287 can be configured to allow a user to return to full screen view mode. For example, when a graphical user interface is displayed, after activating exit button 287, the graphical user interface may “disappear” and a user may be presented with a full screen content view mode.

[054] As described above, applications 208 can cause the computing device 200 to perform functions associated with the exemplary techniques described in this document that allow a user to access content items. Content assist button 290 can cause computing device 200 to launch an application that causes computing device 200 to perform functions associated with the exemplary techniques described herein. That is, content assist button 290 can launch a content assist application. As described in detail below, a content assist application can cause one or more graphical user interfaces to be presented. Examples of graphical user interfaces are described in detail below in relation to Figures 4-6C.

[055] With reference again to Figure 2A, the computing device 200 is configured to send and receive data through a television network, such as, for example, the television network 106 described above and to send and receive data through a network public, such as, for example, public network 108. A communication network can be described based on a model that includes layers that define communication properties, such as, for example, physical signaling, addressing, channel access control, properties packet, and data processing in a communication system. In the example illustrated in Figure 2A, modem 212, transport module 214, and AV demultiplexer 216 can be configured to perform lower layer processing associated with television network 106 and network interface 218 can be configured to perform lower layer processing. lower layer associated with the public network 108.

[056] In an example, the modem 212 can be configured to perform physical signaling, addressing, and channel access control according to the physical and MAC layers used in a network of television providers, such as, for example, network from television providers 106. In one example, modem 212 may be configured to receive signals from a coaxial cable and/or an over-the-air signal and perform low-level signal processing (e.g., demodulation). In one example, modem 212 can be configured to extract transport streams of signals received from a coaxial cable. In one example, a transport stream can be based on a transport stream defined by the MPEG Moving Picture (MPEG) Expert Group. In one example, a transport stream may include a plurality of program streams, where each program stream corresponds, respectively, to a program available from a television network. Furthermore, a transport stream may include a plurality of data streams (e.g., Program Map Table and EPG data).

[057] The transport module 214 can be configured to receive data from the modem 212 and process the received data. For example, transport template 214 can be configured to receive a transport stream including a plurality of program streams and extract individual program streams from a received transport stream. In one example, a program stream might include a video stream, an audio stream, and a data stream. Demultiplexer 216 may be configured to receive data from transport module 214 and process the received data. For example, AV demultiplexer 216 can be configured to receive a program stream from transport module 214 and extract audio packets, video packets and data packets. That is, AV demultiplexer 216 can apply demultiplexing techniques to separate video streams, audio streams and data streams of a program stream. In one example, the AV demultiplexer 216 may be configured to de-encapsulate elementary video and audio streams into packets from a transport stream defined in accordance with MPEG-2 Part 1. It should be noted that although the modem 212, the transport module 214 and AV demultiplexer 216 are illustrated as distinct functional blocks, the functions performed by modem 212, transport module 214 and AV demultiplexer 216 can be highly integrated and realized using any combination of hardware, firmware and/or software implementations.

[058] The network interface 218 can be configured to allow the computing device 200 to send and receive data over a public network. As described above, data sent or received over a public network may include digital content associated with data, such as music, videos, images, web pages, messages, voice communication and applications. Network interface 218 may include a network interface card, such as an Ethernet card, an optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, or any other type of device configured to send and receive information. Network interface 218 may be configured to perform physical signaling, addressing, and channel access control in accordance with the physical and MAC layers used in a public network, such as, for example, public network 108. Similar to that described above with respect to transport module 214 and AV demultiplexer 216, network interface 218 can be configured to extract audio packets, video packets, and data packets from a data stream. For example, network interface 218 can be configured to extract video packets, audio packets and data packets according to one or more of Internet protocol (IP), transport control protocol (TCP), streaming protocol real-time protocol (RTSP), user datagram protocol (UDP), real-time protocol (RTP), MPEG transport stream protocols, and IPTV protocols. It should be noted that the techniques described in this document are generally applicable to any and all methods of distributing digital content and are not limited to specific communication network implementations. For example, the techniques described in this document may be applicable to digital content originating from one or more of a broadcast, a multicast, a unicast, an over-the-top content source, a personal video recorder (PVR) and a point to point source of point-to-point content.

[059] With reference again to Figure 2A, data associated with digital content, such as, for example, music, videos, images, web pages, messages, voice communication and applications can be stored in a computer-readable medium, such as , for example, system memory 204 and storage devices 220. Data stored on a memory device may be retrieved and processed by CPU(s) 202, audio decoder 224, audio processor 226, video decoder 228, drive user graphics 230 and display processor 232. As described above, CPU(s) 202 may be capable of retrieving and processing instructions, code, and/or data structures to implement one or more techniques described in this document. Each of the 224 audio decoder, 226 audio processor, 228 video decoder, 230 graphics processing unit, and 232 display processor may also be capable of retrieving and processing instructions, code, and/or data structures to implement one or more more of the techniques described in this document.

[060] The 224 audio decoder can be configured to retrieve and process encoded audio data. For example, audio decoder 224 may be a combination of hardware and software used to implement audio codec aspects. Audio data can be encoded using multi-channel formats such as those developed by Dolby and Digital Theater Systems. Audio data can be encoded using either a compressed or uncompressed format. Examples of compressed audio formats include MPEG-1, Audio Layer 2 II and III, AC-3, AAC, and Ogg Vorbis. An example of an uncompressed audio format includes pulse code modulation (PCM) audio format. Audio processor 226 can be configured to retrieve captured audio samples and can process audio data for output to an audio system (not shown). In some examples, audio processor 226 may include an analog-to-digital converter. An audio system can comprise any one of a variety of audio output devices, such as headphones, a single speaker system, a multi-speaker system, or a surround system.

[061] The video decoder 228 can be configured to retrieve and process encoded video data. For example, video decoder 228 may be a combination of hardware and software used to implement video codec aspects. In one example, video decoder 228 can be configured to decode video data encoded in accordance with any number of video compression standards, such as ITU-T H.261, ISO/IEC MPEG-1 Visual, ITU-T H.262 or ISO/IEC MPEG-2 Visual, ITU-T H.263, ISO/IEC MPEG-4 Visual, ITU-T H.264 (also known as ISO/IEC MPEG-4 AVC), VP8, and Encoding d High Efficiency Video (HEVC).

[062]As described above, a device with media playback capabilities can provide a graphical user interface that allows a user to access content items. A graphical user interface can include images and graphics displayed alongside video content (for example, play icons overlaid on a video). Graphics processing unit 230 is an example of a dedicated processing unit that can be configured to generate graphical user interfaces, including the graphical user interfaces described herein. That is, the graphics processing unit 230 can be configured to receive commands and content data and output pixel data. The graphics processing unit 230 may operate in accordance with a graphics pipeline process (eg, input collation, vertex shader, geometry shader, rasterizer, pixel shader, and output merger). The graphics processing unit 230 can include multiple processing cores and can be configured to operate in accordance with OpenGL (Open Graphic Library, operated by the Khronos group) and/or Direct3D (managed by Microsoft, Inc.).

[063] The display processor 232 can be configured to retrieve and process pixel data for display. For example, display processor 232 may receive pixel data from video decoder 228 and/or graphics processing unit 230 and output data for display. Display processor 232 can be coupled to a screen, such as screen 250 (not shown in Figure 2A) using a standardized communication protocol (e.g., HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, component video, composite video, and/or VGA). ). The screen 250 may comprise one of a number of display devices, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or another type of display device capable of displaying data. video for a user. Screen 250 may include a standard definition television, a high definition television, or an ultra-resolution screen as described above. In addition, screen 250 may include an integrated screen of a portable computing device (eg, a cell phone, laptop, personal data assistant (PDA) or tablet device). As described above, in some examples, a portable computing device can operate as an I/O device for a stationary computing device.

[064]As described above, using current techniques, it may be difficult for a user of a device having digital media playback capabilities to determine the availability and accessibility of a specific content item. Furthermore, it can be even more difficult and time consuming for a user to determine the availability and accessibility of specific content items within a defined set of content items across multiple services using current techniques. Computing device 200 represents an example of a device that can be configured to present a graphical user interface that allows a user to set restrictions regarding access to content items, provide a graphical user interface that allows a user to define a set of content items from a set of content items, generate one or more access plans based at least in part on the constraints and the set of content items, and present a graphical user interface that allows the user accepts one or more access plans.

[065] Figure 3 is a conceptual communication flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for allowing a user to access content items in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. It should be noted that although in the example illustrated in Figure 3 communications are illustrated as occurring between distinct locations and functions are illustrated as occurring at specific locations, such illustration is for descriptive purposes and does not limit the techniques described herein to a specific physical architecture. For example, content engine 126 and/or search aggregator 124 may be implemented as a combination of hardware, firmware and/or software included as part of computing device 200.

[066] As described above, the computing device 200 can cause one or more graphical user interfaces to be presented, for example, through a user launching a content assist application. Referring to Figure 3, computing device 200 can be configured to receive information from a user through a graphical user interface and provide the information to content assist engine 126. Furthermore, computing device 200 can be configured to receive information from content assist engine 126 and provide the information to a user through a graphical user interface. As illustrated in Figure 3, computing device 200 provides user restrictions to content assist engine 126 (302). In one example, computing device 200 can be configured to provide a graphical user interface that allows a user to provide user restrictions. Figure 4 illustrates an example of a graphical user interface that might be presented to a user that allows a user to provide user restrictions.

[067] In one example, the graphical user interface 400 may be presented to a user at the start of a viewing period, for example on a monthly basis or other subscription period. As such, the types of constraints included in graphical user interface 400 may correspond to constraints that are likely to change on a monthly basis. For example, if a user plans to travel in a certain month, the user's budget and/or schedule may change. In the example illustrated in Figure 4, the graphical user interface 400 includes the 402 service restriction panel, the 404 budget restriction panel, and the 406 schedule restriction panel. Budget Constraint 404 and Schedule Constraint Panel 406 may be selected by a user (e.g., using navigation control 280) and, after being selected, a user may specify specific restrictions within the panel. In the example illustrated in Figure 4, service restriction panel 402 is selected and a user can select icons representing potential services and select services to which a user wants access to content items. This may include services that are supported by a device and/or services that a user currently has access to or subscription to. In the example illustrated in Figure 4, all services except VUDU are selected. Similarly, a user can select a budget (eg $19.99) and schedule, ie a preferred time to access content items (eg weekends). In one example, a user may initially provide device information (for example, identifying information for a digital television), credentials for current subscriptions (for example, user names and passwords), and/or billing information (for example, credit card). In this way, the graphical user interface 400 can be customized based on information initially provided by a user. For example, if the user's device does not support a specific service, the service may not be included in the 402 service restriction panel.

[068] It should be noted that although three types of panels are illustrated in the example in Figure 4, in other examples, fewer or more types of restrictions can be provided. For example, a user can provide restrictions on content item ratings (for example, specifying that the user only wants access to content for all ages). Furthermore, additional graphical user interfaces that allow a user to set additional restrictions may be provided by computing device 200. Figure 7 illustrates an example of a graphical user interface that may be presented to a user that allows a user to provide user restrictions. In the example illustrated in Figure 7, the graphical user interface 700 may present a user with types of restrictions that are likely to change less frequently than those included in Figure 4. For example, a family with children will likely want to limit access to adult content during a long period of time.

[069] In the example illustrated in Figure 7, the graphical user interface 700 includes a maximum content rating slider 702, maximum number of recommended plane slider 704, and minimum number of movies in a recommended plane slider 706. The 702 maximum content rating slider allows a user to set the maximum rating of content items that will be available on a recommended plan. As described in further detail below, this can cause a list of content items available for selection to be filtered. The maximum number of recommended plane sliders 704 may allow a user to define the number of planes that are presented to a user (eg, presented in the graphical user interface 600). For example, there may be dozens (or potentially more) of plans that satisfy the user's criteria and a user may prefer to review and select a plan from a limited number of plans, for example 2 to 6. planes satisfying a user's constraints increases as a user's constraints are eased. For example, more potential plans can satisfy user restrictions if user budget is unlimited. As described in more detail below, content assist engine 126 can sort plans according to one or more criteria (eg, total number of content items in the plan, user preferences for content types, etc.). That way, when multiple plans satisfy a user's constraints, a limited number of the highest ranked plans can be presented.

[070]The minimum number of content items in a recommended plan slider 706 may allow a user to define the number of content items required to be included in a plan for a plan to be available for selection (e.g., featured in the graphical user interface 600). For example, a user might want to consider plans with a threshold number of content items. For example, a user might want to subscribe to a service if the service includes at least two or more content items. Accordingly, additionally or alternatively, graphical user interface 700 may include an option to define a minimum number of content items included in a subscription service slider. In this way, graphical user interface 700 allows a user to place restrictions on the content items that may be included in a plan, place restrictions on the number of potential plans that are presented to the user for selection, and/or set restrictions regarding the minimum criteria that are met for a plan to be submitted for potential selection.

[071] Referring back to Figure 4, the graphical user interface 400 includes a build watchlist icon 408. A user may activate the build watchlist icon 408 after a user provides restriction information. Upon activation, the build watchlist icon 408 may cause the graphical user interface 500 illustrated in Figure 5 to be displayed. Furthermore, referring again to Figure 3, upon activation by a user of the build watchlist icon 408 of the build watchlist, the computing device 200 can provide user restrictions to the content assist mechanism 126 (302). In the example illustrated in Figure 3, after receiving restrictions from users, content assist engine 126 provides a list of available content items to computing device 200 (304). A list of pre-selected available content items can be generated based on incoming user restrictions. For example, content assist engine 126 may preview a complete list of available content items into a smaller list based on services selected by a user, maximum content ratings, or the like. It should be noted that in other examples, a complete list of available content items may be provided.

[072] As illustrated in Figure 3, the computing device 200 provides a set of content items to the content assist engine 126 (306). In one example, computing device 200 can be configured to provide a graphical user interface that allows a user to provide a set of content items. Figures 5A to 5B illustrate an example of a graphical user interface that can be presented to allow a user to provide a set of content items. In the example illustrated in Figure 5A, the graphical user interface 500 may be similar to the graphical user interfaces described in U.S. Patent Application No. 14/336,758, currently pending, currently pending, commonly assigned to the same assignee, filed at 21 July 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In another example, a graphical user interface that may be presented to a user to allow a user to provide a set of content items may include a graphical user interface similar to the graphical user interfaces described in U.S. Patent Application No. 14/577,269, currently pending, commonly assigned to the same assignee filed on December 19, 2014. It should be noted that a graphical user interface that allows a user to provide a set of content items can be optimized to allow a user efficiently selects dozens of content items from a set of content items from hundreds of content items, and may differ from a graphical user interface designed to allow a user to select a single content item for viewing from a set of content items. dozens of content items. For example, graphical user interface 500 can present hundreds of content items in a single view.

[073] As illustrated in Figure 5A, the graphical user interface 500 includes a plurality of icons representing content items (for example, movie posters) organized in respective stack structures 502 and stack structures 504A to 504B. Each stack structure can represent subcategories of content (for example, movies with titles A D, movies with titles E through F, and movies with titles G through L). As illustrated in Figure 5A, a user can scroll to the right to view additional stack structures that represent additional content subcategories. In the example illustrated in Figure 5A, stack structure 502 is selected and as such may be available for additional levels of selection. In one example, a user may activate one or more controls on an I/O device (e.g., single-tap or double-tap on a touchscreen and/or activation of select button 282) to indicate an additional selection. of stack structure 502. Figure 5B is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a graphical user interface that may be presented when a user indicates an additional selection for stack structure 502. As illustrated in Figure 5B, the graphical user interface User interface 500 includes a plurality of icons representing movies with titles E through F. A user can select each item of content included in the graphical user interface illustrated in Figure 5B (e.g., using navigation controls 280) and indicate a view priority for a selected content item (for example, through sequential activations of the 282 selection button, which causes a corresponding number of star outlines to be populated). In this way, graphical user interface 500 may allow a user to indicate a viewing priority for each of a plurality of content items. In the example illustrated in Figure 5B, the display priorities include high, medium, low, and none. Content items including at least a low view priority can be included in a user watchlist, that is, within a set of content items. It should be noted that, in some instances, the number of items that can be included in a set may be limited. For example, in one example, a user may be limited to selecting 10-20 content items and a message may be provided to the user indicating that the watchlist is full (ie, a maximum number of content items have been selected).

[074]As described in detail below, the content assist engine 126 can use user view priority values to generate recommended plans (for example, rank a plan based on the view priority of each item of content included in the plan ). Furthermore, in some examples, content assist engine 126 may derive more general user preferences from view priority information. For example, if most of the content items included as having a high viewing priority are classified as Action/Adventure genre, the content assist engine 126 may determine that a user generally prefers Action movies. Additionally, in some examples, graphical user interfaces may be presented to a user that allow a user to implicitly and/or explicitly provide preference information. Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example graphical user interface that might allow a user to enter preference information.

[075] In the example illustrated in Figure 8, the graphical user interface 800 includes category comparison sliders 802A to 802C. It should be noted that although in the example illustrated in Figure 8 the comparison categories correspond to gender, in other examples the comparison categories may correspond to other information that can be used to determine a user's preferences. For example, category comparison sliders can include any combination of actors, directors, genres, and/or release date. In the example illustrated in Figure 8, a user can set a slider value to one of Strongly Disagree (SD), Disagree (D), No Preference (N), Agree (A), Strongly Agree (SA). Also, in one example, the graphical user interface may include binary preference options (ie, Disagree or Agree). In another example, a user might provide binary preferences for one of two selected images representing a content item. For example, two movie poster icons (or actor icons, director icons or the like) could be presented on screen 250 with a message “Which do you prefer?” and a user can select the icon according to their personal preference.

[076] Referring again to Figure 3, the computing device 200 provides the set of content items to the content assist engine 126 (306) and provides user preference information to the content assist engine 126, which may include viewing priorities and, optionally, general user preference information. Upon receipt of a set of content items, the content assist engine 126 may convert the set of content items into a set of queries (308). That is, in one example, computing device 200 may provide a set of content items to content assist engine 126 in one metadata format, and content assist engine 126 may convert the metadata format to another. metadata format for research purposes. For example, the content assist engine 126 may receive a list of titles for each content item in the set and may convert each title in the list into one or more keywords (e.g., a director and a title keyword). ) that may more uniquely identify each item of content or a unique identifier for querying purposes. It should be noted that in some examples, a conversion may be unnecessary. That is, computing device 200 can be configured to provide metadata in a format that can be used for search queries.

[077] As illustrated in Figure 3, the content assist engine 126 provides a set of queries to the search aggregator 124 (310). As described above, search aggregator 124 can be configured to perform a plurality of queries and generate aggregated results. Upon receipt of a set of queries, search aggregator 124 queries media service sites 118A to 118N for each of items A to item N included in a set of content items, and media service sites 118A to 118N provide a search result for each content item (312). In one example, a result might include availability information associated with a content item (for example, an indication whether the content item is available through the media service) and accessibility information associated with a content item (for example, example, the price to access the content item). It should be noted that in the example illustrated in Figure 3, although the search aggregator is illustrated as sequentially querying media service site 118A for each content item and then sequentially querying each subsequent media service site for each content item, content, such illustration does not limit search aggregator 124 to a specific search methodology. That is, the techniques described in this document may be generally applicable, regardless of specific search algorithms. Furthermore, it should be noted that, in some examples, search aggregator 124 may maintain a database indicating the availability and accessibility of content items and may not need to query each media service site after receiving a set of queries. That is, recent query results can be stored in a search aggregator 124.

[078] The search aggregator 124 aggregates the results for each query (314) and provides the aggregated query results to the content assist engine (316). Upon receipt of query results, content assist engine 126 may process a set of user constraints, a user defined set of content items, user preferences (e.g., each content item in the set may be associated with a viewing priority and/or general preferences can be processed), availability and accessibility information associated with content items within the set (318). In one example, content assist engine 126 can generate recommendations for accessing content items based on a set of user restrictions, a user-defined set of content items, availability and accessibility information associated with the content item, and /or user preference information. In one example, a recommendation might be called an access plan. An access plan can be described as one or more services that allow a user access to content items within a set of content items, given the user's restrictions and preferences.

[079] In one example, the content assist engine 126 can generate access plans based on a hierarchical approach. For example, content assist engine 126 may first determine which subscription-based streaming services (e.g., services that provide unlimited access to content items for a monthly fee) are within a user's budget and/or include a minimum number of content items (for example, as specified according to a global settings graphical user interface). For each subscription-based streaming service within a user's budget and/or including a minimum number of content items, the content assist engine 126 may rank each service based on the number of content items available through the service that is included in a set of defined content items. For example, one service might provide access to 6 out of 20 content items, and another service might provide access to 5 out of 20 content items. Further, in one example, content assist engine 126 can rank each subscription-based streaming service by weighing available content items based on a viewing priority associated with each content item. For example, content items can be given the following weights based on viewing priority: 3 for high, 2 for medium, and 1 for low. In this example, four high priority content items can rank more than six low priority content items (ie 12 vs. 6). Also, in one example, each content item can be given additional weight based on whether the content item matches an overall user preference. For example, in the case where a user prefers action movies, a value of 1 can be added to a viewing priority weight. In one example, content assist engine 126 may further rank each subscription-based streaming service based on accessibility, e.g., price. For example, a $7.99 monthly service may carry a higher weight than a $9.99 monthly service. In one example, the price could be divided by the total budget and multiplied by the weighted sum of content items. Equation 1 below provides an example of how a subscription service might be rated: Ratings = (Budget/Price)*((Wvp+ WGP)I + ... + (WVP+ WGP)Π)(1)

[080] in which

[081]Price includes the price to access the subscription service;

[082] Budget includes the budget set by the user. It should be noted that when Budget is set to unlimited or where Price equals zero (ie free access), the value of (Price/Budget) can be adjusted to equal a default maximum value;

[083] WVP includes a viewing priority weight and WGP includes a general preference weight for each of the content items 1 through n available through the subscription service.

[084] In one example, after ranking each subscription-based streaming service, the content assistant engine 126 can select a subscription-based streaming service for inclusion in an access plan and continue to optimize a user's budget by ranking content items accessible on a pay-as-you-go basis. For example, content assist engine 126 can determine the remaining budget available after subtracting a monthly subscription fee to a streaming service and optimize any remaining budget by ranking content items based on price, viewing priority and/or preferences. general. The content assist engine 126 can determine each available item of content that can be accessed with the remaining budget and rank each item of content. Equation 2 below provides an example of how individual content items can be ranked: RankC = (Budget Remaining/Price)*(WVP + WGP)(2)

[085] in which

[086]Price includes the price to access an individual content item;

[087] Remaining Budget is equal to the budget established by a user minus the budget of a subscription service included in an access plan, it should be noted that, if the Budget is established as unlimited or where the Price is equal to zero, the value of (Price/Budget Remaining) can be set equal to a default maximum value;

[088] WVP includes a viewing priority weight for the content item and WGP includes a general preference weight for a content item.

[089]An example case of ranking content items might include a case where, if a remaining budget is $9.99, content engine 126 might include the option to rent two high viewing priority movies for $4, 99 each or alternatively rent three medium viewing priority movies for $2.99 each based on viewing priority values and/or general preference values. So, in one example, the sum of Ratings (or an alternate rating value) for a subscription-based streaming service and the C-Rating of each content item can be used to rate an access plan.

[090] As illustrated in Figure 3, access plans can be provided to the computing device 200 (320). Upon receipt of recommendations, computing device 200 can be configured to generate a graphical user interface presenting access plans to the user and allowing a user to access content items through services included in an access plan. As described above, the number of recommended access plans presented to a user can be limited based on a global setting. For example, a user may just want to select between two access plans. In that case, the highest ranked access plans can be presented to a user. Figures 6A through 6C are concept diagrams illustrating exemplary graphical user interfaces that may allow a user to access content items based on recommendations provided by content assist engine 126. As illustrated in Figure 6A, graphical user interface 600 includes advisory panels 602A to 602B. In the example illustrated in Figure 6A, a user can select a panel of recommendations (eg using navigation arrows 280). As further illustrated in Figure 6A, a user can scroll to the right to view and select additional recommendation panels (if available). In this way, any number of recommendations can be presented to a user.

[091]As illustrated in Figure 6A, a recommendation panel includes a summary of an access plan (for example, “Plan One: 8 movies for $19.97”) and a summary of each service included in the recommendation (for example, “Subscribe to Netflix to watch 5 of their movies for $9.99”, “Rent 2 of their movies on VUDU for $9.98”, and “Watch 1 of their Crackle movies for Free”) Each recommendation panel includes an acceptance link 604 and details link 606. Upon activation, the details link 606 may cause a graphical user interface including more detailed information of an access plan to be displayed Figure 6B illustrates an example of a graphical user interface including more detailed information of an access plan.

[092] As illustrated in Figure 6B, the recommendation panel 602A displays content item titles, specific pricing information, and an indication of viewing priority for each content item. A view priority indication for each content item can be illustrated using one or more techniques (eg font types, color coding, etc.). Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 6B, the recommendations panel 602A includes an opt-in link 604. Upon activation of the opt-in link 604, the computing device 200 can perform actions that facilitate access to content items by a user. For example, computing device 200 can cause a user to subscribe to services (e.g., using user-supplied billing information), cancel existing services, and/or queue up content items (e.g., add content items to a queue provided by a service). It should be noted that the level of facilitation may depend on information provided by a user, preferences provided by a user and/or the level of facilitation supported by a service. For example, upon acceptance of a recommended access plan, a user may or may not wish to confirm the purchase of a subscription. In this way, one or more intermediate graphical user interfaces can be presented to a user upon acceptance of a recommendation by a user. Figure 6C illustrates an example of a graphical user interface that may be presented upon a user's acceptance of a recommended access plan. As illustrated in Figure 6C, the graphical user interface 600 includes an accepted recommendation panel 608 that includes icons that upon activation, allow a user to access content items through a specific service. Accordingly, computing device 200 represents an example of a computing device configured to facilitate access to content items.

[093] In one example, in addition to generating access plans, the content assistant engine 126 can manage subscription services on behalf of a user. For example, content assist engine 126 may include servers that store information associated with a user's account. In one example, a user might allow adding a credit match to their account. In one example, content assist engine 126 may communicate with media service providers 118A through 118N to allow computing device 200 to access services. Furthermore, content assist 126 can communicate with media service providers 118A to 118N to allow computing device 200 to opt out and, for example, not be charged for access to a service. In this way, the content assist mechanism 126 can act as an agent for a user and resume service management. Furthermore, in one example, the content assist mechanism 126 may cause content items included in accepted access plans to be queued (eg, added to a watchlist) for the respective services.

[094] As described in this document, in an example, a method to facilitate access to content items comprises presenting a graphical user interface that allows a user to establish restrictions regarding access to content items, providing a graphical interface that allows a user to define a set of content items from a set of content items, receive one or more access plans based at least in part on the restrictions and set of content items, and submit a graphical user interface that allows the user to accept one or more access plans. In one example, allowing a user to set restrictions includes allowing a user to set a monthly budget restriction. In one example allowing a user to set restrictions includes allowing a user to set a maximum maturity rating of for content items. In one example, the set of content items includes a set of pre-selected content items based at least in part on constraints. In one example, the method further comprises allowing a user to associate a viewing priority for each content item in the set of content items, and generating one or more access plans further based at least in part on an associated viewing priority. . In one example, an access plan specifies one or more digital media services that provide availability for at least one content item included in the set of content items. In one example, an access plan specifies at least one digital media service to provide access to at least one content item included in the set of accessible content items based on a monthly subscription fee and at least one other digital media service to provide access to at least one content item included in the set of content items on a pay-per-use basis. In one example, the graphical user interface presentation that allows a user to accept one of one or more access plans presents several recommended access plans based on a user restriction.

[095] As described in this document, an apparatus for facilitating access to content items comprises means for receiving a budget restriction regarding access to content items, means for receiving a set of content items, in which each item of content within the set is associated with a viewing priority, and means for generating an access plan based on the budget constraint, where the access plan specifies one or more digital media services to provide access to the content items based on a fee associated with accessing each item of content through the one or more digital media services, where the fee is a subscription fee or pay-as-you-go fee. In one example, the budget constraint includes a monthly budget constraint, an item-based budget constraint, or a profile-based budget constraint. In one example, access plan generation further comprises ranking the one or more digital media services based at least in part on a total number of items from the set of content items available through each of the one or more digital media services. more digital media services. In one example, ranking the one or more digital media services further includes assigning a weight value to each item of content available through the content digital media service within the set. In one example, the weight value is based at least in part on the view priority value, a general preference value, or the budget constraint.

[096] As described in this document, in an example, a system for facilitating access to content items comprises a content assistant mechanism comprising a processing device configured to receive one or more restrictions associated with access to content items , provide a preselected set of available content items based on the given constraint, receive a set of content items within the preselected set, receive query results specifying the content items within the set of content items that are available through one or more media services, and generate an access plan based on the restrictions received and the query results received. In one example, the constraint includes a maximum maturity rating for content items. In one example, the access plan specifies one or more digital media services to provide at least one piece of content included in the set of content items. In one example, the access plan specifies at least one digital media service to provide access to at least one item of content included in the set of content items, the at least one item of content being accessible based on a subscription fee monthly and at least one digital media service is capable of providing access to at least one additional content item included in the set of content items, the at least one additional content item is accessible on a pay-per-use basis. In one example, access plan generation includes selecting a digital media service based on a rating value, where the selected digital media service provides access to at least one content item included in the set of content items accessible to a monthly subscription fee. In one example, the rank value is based at least in part on a view priority associated with content items. In one example, the rank value is additionally based at least in part on a monthly subscription fee price.

[097] The disclosed and other embodiments, modules and functional operations described in this document can be implemented in a set of digital electronic circuits, or in computer software, firmware or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this document and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more thereof. The disclosed and other embodiments may be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more computer program instruction modules encoded on a computer-readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, an apparatus. of data processing. The computer-readable medium may be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition of matter that transmits a propagated machine-readable signal, or a combination of one or more thereof. The term “data processing apparatus” includes all apparatus, devices and machines for processing data, including, by way of example, a programmable processor, a computer or multiple processors or computers. The apparatus may include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, for example, code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, a operating system or a combination of one or more of them. A propagated signal is an artificially generated signal, for example a machine generated electrical, optical or electromagnetic signal, which is generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiving apparatus.

[098] A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) may be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and may be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file on a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that contains other programs or data (for example, one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files. (for example, files that store one or more modules, subprograms or pieces of code). A computer program can be deployed to run on one computer or on multiple computers that are located in one location or distributed in multiple locations and interconnected by a communication network.

[099] The processes and logic flows described in this document can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Logic processes and flows can also be realized, and the apparatus can also be implemented as special purpose logic circuitry, for example, an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). .

[0100] Processors suitable for running a computer program include, by way of example, general and special purpose microprocessors and any one or more processors of any type of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from either read-only memory or random-access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, for example magnetic, magneto-optical or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices. Computer-readable media for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, memory media, and memory devices, including by way of example, semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and memory devices. flash memory; magnetic disks, for example, internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical discs; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs. The processor and memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated into, a set of special purpose logic circuits.

[0101] Although this patent document contains many details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of an invention that is claimed or what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of specific features of specific embodiments. Certain features that are described in this document in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination within a single embodiment. In contrast, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features of a claimed combination may, in some cases, be excised from the combination and the claimed combination may be directed towards a subcombination or a variation of a subcombination. Similarly, while operations are shown in the drawings in a specific order, this is not to be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the specific order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to obtain desirable results. .

[0102]Only some examples and implementations are revealed. Variations, modifications and enhancements to the described examples and implementations and other implementations may be made based on what is disclosed.

Claims (20)

1. Method, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: receiving, from a computing device, first data specifying a set of content items selected by a user and second data specifying a priority for viewing each content item in the set of content items ; determining, by one or more hardware processors, a total number of content items from the set of content items that are accessible through each digital media service of a plurality of digital media services, each digital media service provided by one or more digital media service systems; determine, by the one or more hardware processors, a ranking of the plurality of digital media services based, at least in part, on the total number of content items from the pool of content items that are accessible through each service digital media from the plurality of digital media services and the priority to view each content item in the set of content items; generating, by the one or more hardware processors, a plan including at least one digital media service of the plurality of digital media services to provide access to at least a portion of the set of content items based on rating; and configuring, by the one or more hardware processors, access to the at least one digital media service on a plan basis to provide access to specific content on a plan basis. 2. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that identifying the total number of content items that are accessible through each digital media service of the plurality of digital media services, comprises: generating one or more queries based on the set of content items; transmit the one or more queries to the one or more digital media service systems; and aggregating one or more responses received from the one or more digital media service systems, each of the one or more responses corresponding to a query in the one or more queries. 3. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that identifying the total number of content items that are accessible through each digital media service of the plurality of digital media services, comprises: accessing a database which includes information indicating accessibility of content items provided by one or more digital media services of the plurality of media services. 4. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the determination of the classification of the plurality of digital media services is still based on one or more restrictions. 5. Method, according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the one or more restrictions include one or more of: a financial restriction or a content rating. 6. Method, according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the one or more restrictions comprise at least one restriction specified by the user. 7. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the at least one digital media service provides access to at least one content item from the set of content items based on a monthly subscription fee. 8. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the at least one digital media service provides access to at least one content item included in the set of content items on a pay-per-use basis. 9. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that determining the classification of the plurality of digital media services includes assigning a weight value to each content item from the set of content items that is accessible through of each digital media service across the plurality of media services based in part on priority for viewing each content item. 10. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the priority for viewing each content item includes one of: high, medium or low. 11. System, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises: one or more processors; and memory accessible to the one or more processors, the memory storing instructions which, upon execution by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: receiving, from a computing device, first data specifying a set of content items selected by a user and second data specifying a priority for viewing each content item in the set of content items; determining a total number of content items from the set of content items that are accessible through each digital media service of a plurality of digital media services, each digital media service provided by one or more media service systems digital; determine a ranking of the plurality of digital media services based at least in part on the total number of content items from the set of content items that are accessible through each digital media service of the plurality of digital media services, and the priority to view each content item in the set of content items; generating a plan including at least one digital media service of the plurality of digital media services to provide access to at least a portion of the set of content items based on rating; and configuring access to at least one digital media service on a plan basis to provide access to specific content on a plan basis. 12. System, according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that identifying the total number of content items that are accessible through each digital media service of the plurality of digital media services, comprises: generating one or more queries based on the set of content items; transmit the one or more queries to the one or more digital media service systems; and aggregating one or more responses received from the one or more digital media service systems, each of the one or more responses corresponding to a query in the one or more queries. 13. System, according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that identifying the total number of content items that are accessible through each digital media service of the plurality of digital media services, comprises: accessing a database which includes information indicating accessibility of content items provided by one or more digital media services of the plurality of media services. 14. System, according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that determination of the classification of the plurality of digital media services is still based on one or more restrictions. 15. System, according to claim 14, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the one or more restrictions include one or more of: a financial restriction or a content rating. 16. System, according to claim 14, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the one or more restrictions comprise at least one restriction specified by the user. 17. System, according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the plan specifies: a first digital media service to provide access to a first content item from a set of content items based on a fee of monthly signature; and a second digital media service for providing access to a second content item included in the set of content items on a pay-per-use basis. 18. System, according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that determining the classification of the plurality of digital media services includes assigning a weight value to each content item from the set of content items that are accessible through of each digital media service across the plurality of media services based in part on priority for viewing each content item. 19. System, according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the priority for viewing each content item includes one of: high, medium or low. 20. Machine-readable, non-transient storage media that stores instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the operations comprise: receive, from a computing device , first data specifying a set of content items selected by a user and second data specifying a priority for viewing each content item in the set of content items; determining a total number of content items from the set of content items that are accessible through each digital media service of a plurality of digital media services, each digital media service provided by one or more media service systems digital; determine a ranking of the plurality of digital media services based, at least in part, on the total number of content items from the set of content items that are accessible through each digital media service of the plurality of digital media services and the priority to view each content item in the set of content items; generating a plan including at least one digital media service of the plurality of digital media services to provide access to at least a portion of the set of content items based on rating; and configuring access to at least one digital media service on a plan basis to provide access to specific content on a plan basis.