EP1044422A1 - Customized upgrading of internet-enabled devices based on user-profile - Google Patents
Customized upgrading of internet-enabled devices based on user-profileInfo
- Publication number
- EP1044422A1 EP1044422A1 EP99947338A EP99947338A EP1044422A1 EP 1044422 A1 EP1044422 A1 EP 1044422A1 EP 99947338 A EP99947338 A EP 99947338A EP 99947338 A EP99947338 A EP 99947338A EP 1044422 A1 EP1044422 A1 EP 1044422A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- user
- feature
- profile
- network
- equipment
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/10—Office automation; Time management
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- H04N21/42202—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F8/00—Arrangements for software engineering
- G06F8/60—Software deployment
- G06F8/61—Installation
- G06F8/64—Retargetable
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F8/00—Arrangements for software engineering
- G06F8/60—Software deployment
- G06F8/65—Updates
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
- G08C19/00—Electric signal transmission systems
- G08C19/16—Electric signal transmission systems in which transmission is by pulses
- G08C19/28—Electric signal transmission systems in which transmission is by pulses using pulse code
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
- G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
- G08C2201/20—Binding and programming of remote control devices
- G08C2201/21—Programming remote control devices via third means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
- G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
- G08C2201/30—User interface
- G08C2201/33—Remote control using macros, scripts
Definitions
- the invention relates to a method of providing an Internet service to an end- user, in particular to an end-user of consumer electronics equipment.
- the Internet has given rise to several key market trends. These include the phenomenal, continued growth rates in Internet usage, with 30% of the US population online in 1998, a 75% increase over the year before. As more users emerge, their profiles are changing significantly. Today's average user has lower income and education levels than the average user of 2 years ago. Access devices are also changing, with International Data Corporation (IDC) projecting that the number of non-PC Internet enabled devices are likely to outnumber PC's inside of 7 years. Dataquest also projects that the growth rates for every class of non-PC Internet enabled device will outstrip growth rates in PC sales between now and 2001. Further, Internet enabled devices have come to rely on networks for new and exciting services.
- IDC International Data Corporation
- the Philips Magnavox WebTV Plus Receiver offers a WebPIP (picture in picture) feature. Users can watch a television program simultaneously while maintaining a connection to the Web, even if their television set does not have PIP capability. This enables, for example, watching a TV show and being able to retrieve your E-mail at the same time without ever having to leave the living room couch.
- the receiver comes with an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) that allows users to receive text and video information about all the programs available on their TV system.
- the EPG is updated daily from the Web.
- the EPG is continuously available to the user while offline.
- the integrated WebTV Crossover Links feature provides instant access to Web sites when users click on embedded links in television programs or commercials. For example, one could watch a TV documentary on the space program and simultaneously link up to the NASA Web site for additional information on a specific topic. Or, consumers shopping for a new car could click on the Web site link in an advertiser's TV commercial and instantly get more information on availability, options, and local dealers. Flash memory storage permits on-touch field upgradability of the on-board software and the downloading of new applications from the Internet in order to ensure constant compatibility with the ever-evolving technology.
- the invention provides a method of enabling customizing a technical functionality of network- (e.g., Internet-) enabled equipment of an end-user.
- network- e.g., Internet-
- a profile of the end-user and information about a technical feature for use with the equipment are stored at a server system. Based on the user-profile it is determined whether or not the user should be notified about the availability of this feature.
- the end-user gets notified via the network of the option to obtain the feature for being added to his/her equipment.
- the feature relates to new software, it can be downloaded via the network for preferably automatic installation in the equipment.
- the feature comprises a hardware component, it can be shipped to the end-user upon acceptance of the offer.
- a helpdesk is preferably provided through the network to help the end-user install the feature. The invention is based on the insight that network-enabled equipment will become a flexible repository into which the end-user can place new and exciting features over time dependent on the user's needs or desires, context of use, advancement of technology, etc.
- a user-profile is established, either when the user registers his equipment with the notification service, or dynamically as a consequence of the user's interaction with the server system, or through a combination thereof.
- the profile is used to select technical features that are likely of interest to the user. In this manner, the user is kept abreast of the latest trends of interest to him/her.
- the invention implicitly supports virtual recycling as equipment needs to be designed for the purpose of being upgraded.
- the modular approach of adding or deleting technical software or hardware features as needed thus assists in slowing down the trend that products becoming obsolete fairly quickly, but without barring the manufacturer or aftermarket sales organizations from continuing doing business.
- the invention is specifically relevant to vertical markets.
- a vertical market is a particular branch of commercial activity for which similar products or similar services are relevant. Examples of vertical markets are education, offices, hotels, consumers, hospitals, etc. Each of these segments have unique requirements for hardware devices and their functionality. Hardware manufacturers can make their devices more relevant to a specific vertical market segment by combining a relevant set of applications and services. For completeness, reference is made to U.S. patent application Serial No. 08/785,459
- Fig. l is a diagram of a system in the invention
- Fig.2 is a flow diagram of a method in the invention.
- same reference numerals indicate similar or corresponding features.
- Fig.l is a block diagram of an information processing system 100 of the invention.
- System 100 comprises multiple CE devices of an end-user, such as a set-top box 102 (e.g., the WebTV of Philips Electronics), a TV receiver 104, a home entertainment subsystem 106 (e.g., the DVX8000 of Philips Electronics), and a PDA 108 (e.g., the Nino of Philips Electronics that has a wireless transceiver).
- Set-top box 102 comprises a device that enables television set 104 to become a user interface to the Internet.
- Set-top box 102 contains a Web browser (i.e., a Hypertext Transfer Protocol client) and the Internet's main program, TCP/IP.
- Web browser i.e., a Hypertext Transfer Protocol client
- TCP/IP main program
- Set-top box 102 is connected to a service 110, e.g., through a telephone line as, for example, with WebTV.
- TV receiver 104 is connected to a data and video delivery service 112 such as contemplated by, e.g., the company TiVo.
- This start-up company has developed a data and video delivery service for a VCR that allows digital recording from TV scan for programs based on user preferences and enables customized ad delivery.
- the DNX8000 sub-system 106 is connected to an ISP or ISDN network 114.
- PDA 108 communicates via a wireless network 1 16 with other PDA's (not shown), with laptops (not shown), etc.
- Each of devices 102-108 is enabled to communicate via the Internet 118.
- System 100 further comprises as a back-end architecture a registration server
- Server 120 registers user preferences of devices 102-108. Preferences may be explicitly supplied by the end-user in order to be registered at server 120 and/or implicitly derived from, e.g., a user-profile gradually built-up through relations with the hardware and/or service provider. User-preferences relate to, for example, context of use (e.g., profession, hobbies, home, office, hotel, school, college, airport, shopping mall), device characteristics, user-needs.
- Registration server 120 passes on to user-profile data base 122 the information about each particular end-user registered.
- Feature data base 124 contains information about new features, services and devices and is being kept up-to-date by the service provider, e.g., the manufacturer(s) of devices 102-108.
- feature management server 126 associates the user-profile as stored in data base 122 with features, devices and services, information about which is made available through feature data base 124 in order to notify the end-user of new features, devices or services, items on-sale, etc., that are likely to be of interest to the end-user given his/her profile.
- server 126 notifies the end-user of new releases of software included in one of more of devices 102-108 in order to have these devices upgraded if and when desired and via, e.g., the Internet.
- server 126 notifies the end-user of new functionalities in terms of software applications and/or hardware components that can be added to one or more of devices 102-108 by way of upgrade. For example, assume that a new voice recognition software program and a voice input/output module have become available for one or more of devices 102-108. Since this end-user has been registered as owning devices 102-108, server 126 notifies this end-user of the possibility to have his/her equipment upgraded. The user may order the software and hardware modules through the Internet. He/she gets the software downloaded automatically if and when desired via the Internet.
- server 126 also provides an online help desk for assisting the end-user with installing the new components.
- an end-user's device has become a flexible repository into which the consumer/end-user can place new and exciting features over time. Since the notification is user-profile controlled, the end- user is enabled to customize his/her equipment in a guided manner.
- the end-user has specified a certain log-in shield when turning on a particular device or service, e.g., PDA 108. See for example, U.S. application Serial No.
- FIG. 09/151,578 (Attorney docket PHA 23,496) "CONTEXT SENSITIVE LOG-IN SHIELD" of Bart de Greef, filed 09/11/98, and incorporated herein by reference.
- This reference relates to a login shield that controls access to a computer, a network system or another information processing system.
- the login shield provides for the selection of context and application options.
- the user has the option to identify a context, from which the login shield identifies an initial workspace or set of workspaces.
- the login shield prompts the user for identification information and compares the identification information to a set of authorized users. If a match is found, the login shield establishes the initial workspace and launches the selected applications.
- the user is also provided a means to create and define alternative contexts for selection at login.
- the overhead associated with the login process can be minimized to that required for each particular user context.
- this login shield has been specified for device 108, the user can specify that other devices 104-106 be set via server 126 to also provide a similar login shield.
- user-preferences can be transferred to other network-enabled devices of the end-user, and to future network-enabled devices when the user has connected them to the network.
- devices 102-108 enable the user to contact the back-end architecture (servers 120 and 126) through a consistent UI, e.g., a standardized GUI on a display of one or more devices 102-108 or on a remote control, e.g., the programmable universal remote controller "Pronto" of Philips Electronics, which has an LCD with a resolution high enough for this purpose.
- the UI provides a standardized single key to start with a single touch communication with the back-end architecture in order to simplify user-interaction and to motivate users to enquire about what is new and available to them. If there is more than one user for equipment 102-108 further information processing may be necessary for selective personalization.
- Fig.2 is a flow diagram 200 illustrating various aspects of the method according to the invention.
- the user-profile, or its update as the case may be, is registered with registration server 120.
- registration is done explicitly by the user by providing information about context of use, device characteristics, personal interests, etc.
- the registration is accomplished automatically upon the user connecting the equipment to network 1 18 for the first time or since a particular time interval has elapsed. In the latter case, registration is limited to device characteristics and possibly the site through a device identifier and site identifier.
- server 120 stores the profile or its update in data base 122.
- step 206 feature server 126 queries feature data base 124 in order to determine if the user as registered should be notified of a new feature that fits in with his/her registered equipment given his/her profile. Upon finding such a match in step 208, feature server 126 notifies the user of this feature in step 212 when the user has logged in on server system 120-126, e.g., through a specific one-button action at his/her equipment 102-108 in step 210. If the user decides in step 214 not to take advantage of this offer, the process returns to step 202 to update the user's profile in data base 122 with the information that this specific user is not interested in the feature found.
- step 216 the feature downloaded via network 118 if the feature is a software-controlled functionality or gets a notification that the feature will be shipped in case it comprises hardware.
- the process returns to step 202 for updating this user's profile with the information that he/she is interested in the feature found.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Software Systems (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Strategic Management (AREA)
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- Economics (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Finance (AREA)
- Development Economics (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
- Operations Research (AREA)
- Quality & Reliability (AREA)
- Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
- Data Mining & Analysis (AREA)
- Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Ecology (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
- Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10082698P | 1998-09-17 | 1998-09-17 | |
US100826P | 1998-09-17 | ||
US09/160,490 US20030191650A1 (en) | 1998-09-25 | 1998-09-25 | Customized upgrading of internet-enabled devices based on user-profile |
US160490 | 1998-09-25 | ||
PCT/EP1999/006782 WO2000017789A1 (en) | 1998-09-17 | 1999-09-14 | Customized upgrading of internet-enabled devices based on user-profile |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1044422A1 true EP1044422A1 (en) | 2000-10-18 |
Family
ID=26797589
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99947338A Withdrawn EP1044422A1 (en) | 1998-09-17 | 1999-09-14 | Customized upgrading of internet-enabled devices based on user-profile |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1044422A1 (ko) |
JP (1) | JP2002525756A (ko) |
KR (1) | KR20010040272A (ko) |
WO (1) | WO2000017789A1 (ko) |
Families Citing this family (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7218243B2 (en) | 1998-07-23 | 2007-05-15 | Universal Electronics Inc. | System and method for automatically setting up a universal remote control |
DE69934577T2 (de) | 1999-01-16 | 2007-10-04 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Funkkommunikationssystem |
US7562128B1 (en) | 2000-03-06 | 2009-07-14 | Philips Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | STB connects remote to web site for customized code downloads |
US6934697B1 (en) * | 2000-08-04 | 2005-08-23 | Netzero, Inc. | Creating customized internet access client user interface |
US8132105B1 (en) * | 2000-10-10 | 2012-03-06 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V. | Control codes for programmable remote supplied in XML format |
US8909739B2 (en) | 2001-01-29 | 2014-12-09 | Universal Electronics Inc. | System and method for upgrading the remote control functionality of a device |
US7093003B2 (en) | 2001-01-29 | 2006-08-15 | Universal Electronics Inc. | System and method for upgrading the remote control functionality of a device |
US7363384B2 (en) * | 2001-07-11 | 2008-04-22 | Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. | Selection of content in response to communication environment |
JP2003076621A (ja) * | 2001-08-31 | 2003-03-14 | Fujitsu Ltd | 情報家電サーバ装置、情報家電端末環境情報管理方法及び情報家電端末環境情報管理プログラム |
US7689446B2 (en) * | 2001-09-27 | 2010-03-30 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Automated reservation system with transfer of user-preferences from home to guest accommodations |
US20030066084A1 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2003-04-03 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N. V. | Apparatus and method for transcoding data received by a recording device |
US7143118B2 (en) | 2003-06-13 | 2006-11-28 | Yahoo! Inc. | Method and system for alert delivery architecture |
KR100541942B1 (ko) * | 2003-08-11 | 2006-01-10 | 삼성전자주식회사 | 홈네트워크의 홈디바이스원격관리장치 및 그 방법 |
CN1294742C (zh) * | 2004-01-20 | 2007-01-10 | 大唐微电子技术有限公司 | 对机顶盒设备资源进行个性化定制的系统及方法 |
EP1851904B1 (en) * | 2005-02-22 | 2011-05-18 | Nextair Corporation | Facilitating mobile device awareness of the availability of new or updated server-side applications |
US20090300523A1 (en) * | 2008-05-29 | 2009-12-03 | Sony Corporation And Sony Electronics Inc. | System and method for embedding information in an electronic device |
US9218180B2 (en) | 2011-07-15 | 2015-12-22 | Integware, Inc. | Accelerated software services delivery system |
US20160014233A1 (en) * | 2014-07-08 | 2016-01-14 | Google Inc. | Computer-implemented agent transfer |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6151643A (en) * | 1996-06-07 | 2000-11-21 | Networks Associates, Inc. | Automatic updating of diverse software products on multiple client computer systems by downloading scanning application to client computer and generating software list on client computer |
WO1998021713A2 (en) * | 1996-11-15 | 1998-05-22 | 1.2.1. Precise Information Llc | Merchandizing system |
WO1999045465A1 (en) * | 1998-03-03 | 1999-09-10 | Siebel Systems, Inc. | Method, system, apparatus and program product for distribution and instantiation of software upgrades |
-
1999
- 1999-09-14 WO PCT/EP1999/006782 patent/WO2000017789A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-09-14 EP EP99947338A patent/EP1044422A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-09-14 KR KR1020007005377A patent/KR20010040272A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-09-14 JP JP2000571379A patent/JP2002525756A/ja not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO0017789A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20010040272A (ko) | 2001-05-15 |
JP2002525756A (ja) | 2002-08-13 |
WO2000017789A1 (en) | 2000-03-30 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20030191650A1 (en) | Customized upgrading of internet-enabled devices based on user-profile | |
WO2000028436A1 (en) | Upgrading of synergetic aspects of home networks | |
WO2000017789A1 (en) | Customized upgrading of internet-enabled devices based on user-profile | |
EP1815659B1 (en) | Method, device, and software for keeping track of content | |
US9357256B2 (en) | Third party media channel access in a media exchange network | |
US20020078453A1 (en) | Hub pages for set top box startup screen | |
US20020144282A1 (en) | Personalizing CE equipment configuration at server via web-enabled device | |
US20020046083A1 (en) | After-sales customization specified by retailer acts as incentive | |
US20040025179A1 (en) | Locally-updated interactive program guide | |
US20020059387A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for identifying user characteristics and device characteristics using a communication network | |
US20010046366A1 (en) | System for controlling a remotely located video recording device | |
US20060179138A1 (en) | User-specific interaction with content sotred on upnp network | |
KR20040030156A (ko) | 컨텐트 분배 모델 | |
JP2012055020A (ja) | 一世帯内に複数のデバイスを備える双方向テレビ番組ガイドシステム | |
KR20100020246A (ko) | 홈 네트워크 내에서 다른 사용자와 북마크를 공유하는 장치및 방법 | |
EP2271008A1 (en) | Automatic configuration in a broadcast application apparatus | |
EP1400107A1 (en) | Remote control apparatus with one-touch url or program selection | |
WO1999035845A1 (en) | Associating web sites to television programs | |
JP2004134967A (ja) | ルータパラメータ設定システム及びその方法 | |
JP2015043211A (ja) | 大型ceデバイス実装のための階層化ネットワーク構造 | |
JP5009536B2 (ja) | 情報処理システムおよび情報処理方法 | |
US20070180473A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for recording broadcast programs by tracking change of broadcasting time | |
CN103354564A (zh) | 基于计算机定制epg界面的方法和装置 | |
JP2001346187A (ja) | 電子サービスガイドのためのシステムおよび方法 | |
KR20040091737A (ko) | 웹 서비스들의 자동 발견 |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20001002 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN |
|
18W | Application withdrawn |
Effective date: 20040315 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT |