WO2007048222A1 - Procede, systeme et dispositif permettant de declencher une action-evenement en fonction des preferences du telespectateur - Google Patents

Procede, systeme et dispositif permettant de declencher une action-evenement en fonction des preferences du telespectateur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007048222A1
WO2007048222A1 PCT/CA2006/001623 CA2006001623W WO2007048222A1 WO 2007048222 A1 WO2007048222 A1 WO 2007048222A1 CA 2006001623 W CA2006001623 W CA 2006001623W WO 2007048222 A1 WO2007048222 A1 WO 2007048222A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
content
subscriber
content stream
event
interest
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2006/001623
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Peter Ratsch
Maarten Boudewijn Heilbron
Original Assignee
Bce Inc.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bce Inc. filed Critical Bce Inc.
Publication of WO2007048222A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007048222A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
    • H04N7/163—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing by receiver means only
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/35—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users
    • H04H60/37—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
    • H04H60/377—Scene
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/61—Arrangements for services using the result of monitoring, identification or recognition covered by groups H04H60/29-H04H60/54
    • H04H60/65—Arrangements for services using the result of monitoring, identification or recognition covered by groups H04H60/29-H04H60/54 for using the result on users' side
    • 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
    • H04N21/414—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
    • H04N21/4147—PVR [Personal Video Recorder]
    • 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
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/438—Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving MPEG packets from an IP network
    • H04N21/4383—Accessing a communication channel
    • 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
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/442—Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk
    • H04N21/44209—Monitoring of downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. bandwidth variations of a wireless network
    • 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
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/4508—Management of client data or end-user data
    • H04N21/4532—Management of client data or end-user data involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences
    • 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
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • 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
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H04N21/47214—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market
    • 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]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/84—Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/26—Arrangements for switching distribution systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/28—Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information

Definitions

  • the invention seeks to provide a system.
  • the system comprises a content distribution subsystem operable for distributing a plurality of content streams, at least a first content stream containing one or more content indicators indicative of event occurrence on corresponding ones of the plurality of content streams including at least one content stream other than the first content stream.
  • the system further comprises at least one subscriber device operable for obtaining at least one selection parameter, each of the at least one selection parameter being associated with a respective event of interest; receiving the first content stream from the content distribution subsystem and responsive to detecting presence of a particular one of the one or more content indicators in the first content stream, to effect a comparison of the particular one of the one or more content indicators with each of the at least one selection parameter to render a comparison outcome; and responsive to the comparison outcome being positive for a particular one of the at least one selection parameter, triggering an event action associated with the particular selection parameter.
  • the invention seeks to provide a subscriber device.
  • the subscriber device comprises a first interface operable for receiving a plurality of content streams from a content distribution subsystem; the plurality of content streams including a first content stream, at least the first control stream comprising one or more content indicators indicative of event occurrence on corresponding ones of the plurality of content streams including at least one content stream other than the first content stream.
  • the subscriber device further comprises a second interface operable for receiving at least one selection parameter, each of the at least one selection parameter being associated with a respective event of interest.
  • the method further comprises responsive to the comparison rendering a positive outcome for a particular one of the at least one selection parameter, causing recording of the content stream on which the respective event of interest occurs; and ceasing recording of the content stream on which the respective event of interest occurs upon detection of a terminating content indicator associated with the respective event of interest.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram depicting a system for triggering an event action, according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a logical diagram depicting a content provider and a particular subscriber premises device of the system of Figure 1, as well as several of a plurality of content indicators, according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGS. 3A - 3E are block diagrams schematically representing various Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for accepting a selection parameter according to various embodiments of the present invention
  • Figure 4 is a block diagram schematically depicting a method triggering an event action according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figures 5A and 5B are block diagrams schematically representing viewer announcement pages according to two embodiments of the present invention that can be used to perform certain steps of the method of Figure 4.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a system 100 for triggering an event action in accordance with viewer preferences.
  • the system 100 comprises a content provider 102.
  • the content provider 102 is operable to acquire, multiplex and distribute multimedia content, such as video and audio content.
  • the content provider 102 is coupled to a plurality of subscriber premises devices 104 via a distribution network 106.
  • the content provider 102 is operable to deliver a plurality of content streams 210, 212 and 214 (depicted as logical streams in broken lines) to viewers who use the plurality of subscriber premises devices 104.
  • the content streams 210, 212 and 214 can contain content such as movies, news, sports events, adult entertainment, finance-related program and the like.
  • the content provider 102 can be a Direct to Home (DTH) satellite broadcaster of video and audio content.
  • DTH-based content provider 102 is operable to collect a variety of content from various content sources (such as a content source 111), multiplex various content streams, encode the multiplexed content streams for distribution and transmit the encoded content streams to a geostationary satellite (not depicted), which forms part of the distribution network 106.
  • the content provider 102 in such an embodiment can be further operable to deliver augmented services, such as pay-per-view, video-on-demand, etc., as well as perform conditional access and billing functions.
  • the distribution network 106 comprises a satellite uplink, a stationary orbit satellite and earth repeaters for receiving, amplifying and broadcasting the content streams (such as the content streams 210, 212 and 214) over the broadcasting footprint. All these components are known in the art and are omitted from Figure 1 for the sake of simplicity.
  • the subscriber premises device 104 can comprise a receiver device, such as combined receiver and decoder (commonly referred to as a set-top box) for receiving and decoding the broadcasted content stream from the geostationary satellite.
  • a non limiting example of the receiver device is manufactured by EchoStar of 9601 South Meridian Blvd., Englewood, CO, USA. These receiver devices are designed to provide for receiving of multiple broadcast television channels (for instance, television channels embedded into one or more content streams 210, 212 and 214) to service viewers within the footprint of the DTH satellite transponder coverage.
  • the content provider 102 can be a cable provider.
  • the distribution network 106 can be a coaxial cable distribution network and can comprise the required amplifiers, switches and hubs, also known to those skilled in the art.
  • the subscriber premises device 104 can comprise a cable receiver device.
  • the content provider 102 can be a video-over-IP content provider (herein below referred to as IPTV).
  • the subscriber premises device 104 can comprise an IPTV decoder operable to change into one or more channel streams distributed by the content provider 102 and the distribution network 106 can traverse a data network, such as the Internet.
  • the subscriber premises device 104 comprises various components and interfaces. Firstly, the subscriber premises device 104 comprises a content interface 104i for receiving the content streams 210, 212 and 214 from the content provider 102.
  • the content interface 104i can comprise a reception device (such as a satellite dish, an antenna or the like, typically installed outside the subscriber's premises, such as on the side of a house or on the roof), as well as outside/inside wiring between the reception device and the remainder of the subscriber premises device 104. All of these components are known to those of skill in the art and, as such, need not be discussed here.
  • the content interface 104i can comprises a coaxial cable interface.
  • the content interface 104i can comprise an Ethernet cable connection and can support various access technologies, such as DSL, cable, fiber-to-the-home, dial up and the like.
  • the subscriber premises device 104 can further comprise a processor 104 4 that can be used for controlling other components of the subscriber premises device 104 (such as the content interface 104i, the display interface 104 2 , the control port 104 3 as well as other components).
  • the processor 104 4 can further comprise memory for storing information (such as interactive applications and other information, as will be described in greater detail herein below).
  • the subscriber premises device 104 can comprises a number of other interfaces and components, all these interfaces are well known to those skilled in the art and, as such, need not be described here in any detail.
  • the computing apparatus 120 may be connected to a data network 121.
  • the data network 121 can be the same as the distribution network 106; for instance in case of an IPTV-based distribution network 106, both the data network 121 and the distribution network 106 may traverse the Internet.
  • the data network 121 can be distinct from the distribution network 106.
  • the distribution network 106 comprises a satellite broadcast network
  • the data network 121 may comprise a WAN (such as the Internet) or the like.
  • the content provider 102 may also be connected to the data network 121 and as such, the viewer can also access the content provider 102 using the computing apparatus 120 via the data network 121.
  • the content provider 102 may present various information (such as program listings, network maintenance information and the like) on a web site that can be accessed by the viewer via the data network 121 using the computing apparatus 120.
  • This web site may be hosted and/or controlled by the content provider 102.
  • the web site may be hosted by a third party.
  • this web site is referred to herein below as "content provider web site”.
  • the content provider 102 can comprise a conditional access and control module 108, a content acquiring module 110, a content processing module 112, a delay module 114A and a distribution module 116.
  • the conditional access and control module 108 can be responsible for controlling other components of the content provider 102, to maintain subscriber profiles, service subscriptions detail and to perform billing functions.
  • the conditional access and control module 108 may comprise one or more databases (not depicted) for storing subscriber profiles and service subscription details, and for maintaining billing schedules and the like. It will be appreciated that the one or more databases can be hosted locally on the conditional access and control module 108, another component of the content provider 102 or accessed remotely by the conditional access and control module 108 via a network (such as the data network 121).
  • the operator at the content processing module 112 can in fact generate multiple content indicators 21Oi indicative of occurrence of various events in the content stream 210.
  • a given content indicator 21Oi can convey one of a plurality of events occurring in the content stream 210, such as "goal”, “goal; Saku Koivu ⁇ "injury”, “injury; Saku Koivu” and the like.
  • the content indicator can be embodied in a text file, an XML file, an HTML file or other suitable file formats.
  • the generated content indicators 21Oi can carry plural quanta of information such as, in case of a hockey game, an event type, a player name, a team name, etc. separated by appropriate separators.
  • the content indicator 21Oi can be encoded in the following exemplary format:
  • Each content indicator 21Oi can further include information associated with the content stream 210 itself to enable the subscriber premises device 104 to change to the content stream 210.
  • the information associated with the content stream 210 can include the channel frequency associated with the content stream 210, a logical definition of the channel, a channel stream definition for requesting the appropriate channel stream from an IPTV server or the like.
  • any information associated with the content stream 210 that would enable the subscriber premises device 104 to identify and tune to the content stream 210 can be used.
  • generation of content indicators can be done automatically by the content processing module 112.
  • the techniques for automatic indexing of content (such as MPEG-7 based Video Annotation techniques and the like) are known in the art and as such need not be discussed in great detail.
  • the content indicators can be generated by the content sources (such as the content source 111) and already be incorporated into the content streams received by the content acquiring module 110.
  • the content indicators 21Oi can be generated by a video crew that was sent to the hockey game venue to capture the live video feed.
  • the content source 111 may be controlled by the content provider 102 or by another entity, such as another content provider, a dedicated sport programs content provider, a non-related third party that collects, aggregates and distributes statistical information relating to sporting and other events or the like.
  • a method for distributing content indicators will now be described.
  • the method can be performed in its entirety or in part by the distribution module 116, the content processing module 112, the content acquiring module 110 or other modules of the content provider 102.
  • the content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i are generated (whether by the content provider 102 or by the content source 111), the content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i are multiplexed and inserted into one or more of the content streams 210, 212 and 214.
  • the multiplexing of content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i can be performed in its entirety or in part by the content processing module 112, the distribution module 116 or another component of the content provider 102.
  • the content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i can also be broadcast in conjunction and in association with one or more content streams 210, 212 and 214.
  • the content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i can be also delivered using an out-of-band delivery means, for instance via a wireless network, a data network and the like.
  • the content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i can be delivered in-band (i.e. via the same medium the content of the content streams 210, 212 and 214 is delivered) or out-of-band (i.e. via a medium different from the one used to deliver content of the content streams 210, 212 and 214).
  • the content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i can be distributed on a dedicated channel (not depicted).
  • This dedicated channel can be a dedicated Interactive Television (iTV) channel. It is also contemplated that this dedicated channel can be virtually mapped to one or more of the content streams 210, 212 and 214 to allow receipt of the content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i on one or more the content streams 210, 212 and 214.
  • the process of virtual mapping is known to those of skill in the art and, as such, need to be discussed in great detail here.
  • content streams 210 and 212 are sport channels and that the content stream 214 is a news channel
  • the content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i are inserted into content streams 210 and 212, but are not inserted into the content stream 214.
  • content indicator 214i denoting an event occurring in the content stream 214 may nevertheless be inserted into the content streams 210 and 212 to allow sports viewers to be alerted to news events.
  • the delay module 114B is activated to introduce a delay into the received content streams 210 and 212 locally at the subscriber premises device 104, it is envisaged that the content of the content streams 210 and 212 is displayed after the delay period expires, while the content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i are received and processed without undergoing the delay.
  • this approach allows for processing content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i at the subscriber premises device 104 prior to the event of interest being viewed.
  • This allows for the subscriber premises device 104 to provide one or more event announcements based on one or more of the received content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i prior to displaying occurrence of the event of interest.
  • the viewers using the subscriber using the subscriber premises device 104 can decide as to how they wish to respond to the announcement of the event of interest, as will be described in greater detail herein below.
  • FIGS 3A - 3E depict various Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for accepting a so-called 'Viewer choice" which provides an indication of the types of events and other information quanta that are of interest to the viewer which can be used for generating a so-called “selection parameter".
  • GUIs Graphical User Interfaces
  • viewer and “subscriber” are used interchangeably for the purposes of this description.
  • subscriber should be construed broadly and not narrowly to depict a person who has entered into a business relationship with the content provider 102. As such, anyone living in or visiting the customer premises 113 may be considered a subscriber for the purposes of this invention.
  • the subscriber can access GUI similar to those schematically presented in Figures 3A-C by accessing the aforementioned content provider web site using the computing apparatus 120 via the data network 121.
  • the subscriber can access the content provider web site in a conventional manner, by clicking a link, entering an URL or the like.
  • the subscriber may be required to log into a dedicated portion of the content provider web site before being presented the GUI, for example by providing a user name and password combination that was assigned to or created by her or him. Any other suitable means for logging in can be used.
  • the GUI can be presented to the subscriber on a screen of a wireless communication device (such as cellular phone, a wireless e-mail device, a Personal Digital Assistant or the like), a selection kiosk screen or any other suitable means.
  • the subscriber is first presented with a selection parameter screen 202 which is aimed at soliciting a "high level" viewer choice from the subscriber by inviting him or her to select a category of interest 204.
  • a selection parameter screen 202 which is aimed at soliciting a "high level" viewer choice from the subscriber by inviting him or her to select a category of interest 204.
  • Various choices in multiple categories can be provided to the subscriber, such as ''sports' ' , "current affairs", “Other” and the like. Under these broad categories, various sub-categories can be provided.
  • the selection parameter can be received by means of the subscriber clicking a mouse on a check button associated with the category/sub-category of the event of interest in a manner well known in the art. It should be understood that any other method for ascertaining the viewer choice can be used, such as receiving the viewer choice by means of a remote control, keyboard, joystick, touchpad, touch screen, voice controlled device and the like. Furthermore, it should be understood that even though the selection parameter screen 202 is depicted using check buttons, other types of interfaces can be used, such as radio buttons, drop down menus and the like. In one specific non-limiting example, the check button beside the "hockey" category 208 is selected, and as such is blacked out, and the check button beside "soccer" category 206 is not selected.
  • the subscriber Upon the subscriber confirming the viewer choice (either by clicking the "enter” button 207 or selecting one or more of the categories or sub-categories (such as "hockey” category 208), the subscriber can be presented with further selection parameter screens 210 and 212 as depicted in Figures 3B and 3C. These further selection parameter screens 210 and 212 can be used to specify more detailed viewer choice than the viewer choice specified via the selection parameter screen 202.
  • the information presented on the selection parameter screens 210 and 212 can be customized on the basis of the viewer choice made on the selection parameter screen 202. However, this should not be construed as a limiting feature and information presented on selection parameter screens 210 and 212 may be independent of the information solicited and received via the selection parameter screen 202.
  • the selection parameter screen 212 can be provided to ascertain yet further information about the viewer choice associated with a particular event of interest.
  • the subscriber can be presented the selection parameter screen 212 containing several choices for players, such as "Saku Koivu” 218, “Joe Sakic” 220, "Sidney Crosby” 222 and the like.
  • the variety of choices presented on the selection parameter screen 212 is not particularly limited.
  • the "enter" button 207 may also be provided. The viewer choice may be received from the subscriber in substantially the same manner as was described above with reference to Figure 3A or in any other manner.
  • the depth of available choices presented to the subscriber via one or more of the selection parameter screens 202, 210 and 212 depends on the content provider's 102 ability and/or desire to produce the corresponding depth of the content indicators (such as content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i). As an example, if the content provider is only able and/or desirous of providing only content identifiers indicative of "high level” events, such as "hockey” or "baseball", then only the selection parameter screen 202 comprising corresponding "high level” viewer choices will be provided.
  • the content provider 102 is able and/or desirous of providing more detailed content identifiers providing more detailed information about the event, such as "hockey; Toronto at Montreal; goal" then one or more selection parameter screens similar to 210 and 212 can be provided to the subscriber to determine the viewer choice with corresponding depth of details.
  • the content provider web site Once the subscriber confirms his or her choices using one or more of the selection parameter screens 202, 210 and 212, the content provider web site generates a selection parameter that represents the viewer's choice(s). To illustrate, assume that the subscriber has selected "hockey” using the selection parameter screen 202 and "power play” using the selection parameter screen 210. Once the subscriber confirms his or her choices, for instance by clicking on the "enter” button 207, the content provider web site is operable to generate the selection parameter comprising "Hockey; Goal" . It should be appreciated that a different format can be used, for instance sub-categories can be separated by a comma or alternatively, the selection parameter can comprise a table, each of the table entries comprising a separate sub-category.
  • the selection parameter can be created as a text file, an XML file, a HTML file or using any other suitable file format.
  • the content provider web site stores and transmits the so-generated file containing the selection parameter to the service provider 102 via the data network 121 using one of the known techniques (such as web form, web form to e-mail, web form to database, JAVA scripts or the like).
  • the content provider web site is further operable to insert an identifier associated with the subscriber (such as a user ID, a user log-in name or the like) into the file containing the selection parameter.
  • the content provider 102 determines an identifier of the subscriber premises device 104 associated with the subscriber to whom the selection parameter pertains (for example, by accessing the database stored on the conditional access and control module 108 and performing a look-up function).
  • the distribution module 116 of the content provider 102 transmits the obtained file containing the selection parameter to the subscriber premises device 104 associated with the subscriber to whom the selection parameter pertains using the determined identifier of the subscriber premises device 104.
  • the transmission can be implemented in any suitable manner, which depends on the type of the distribution network 106 used.
  • the distribution network 106 comprising a Direct to Home satellite distribution network
  • the file containing the selection parameter can be encapsulated into a token and the token can be broadcast to all the available subscriber premises devices 104.
  • the token can further comprise an identifier of the subscriber premises device 104 to which the selection parameter pertains.
  • the subscriber premises device 104 that has the same identifier as the one encapsulated into the broadcast token is operable to recognize its identifier and to retrieve the selection parameter from the received file containing the selection parameter and store the so-extracted selection parameter on the processor 104 4 .
  • the subscriber premises device 104 becomes aware of the selection parameter provisioned by the subscriber via a computing device connected to a data network.
  • Analogous methods to transmit the selection parameter to the subscriber premises device 104 via other types of distribution networks 106 will be apparent to those skilled in the art and, as such, need not be described in great detail here.
  • the selection parameter can be determined in substantially the same manner as previously described with reference to Figures 3A-C.
  • the selection parameter can be derived from viewer choices obtained via one or more of the selection parameter screens 202, 210, 112 conveyed by the content provider web site with which the subscriber interacts using the computing device 120 connected to the data network 121.
  • the computing device 120 can generate a "hash code" representing the selection parameter.
  • the "hash code” can be generated in a known manner and can comprise a unique combination of digits or alphanumeric symbols, such as 8 symbols, 16 symbols, 24 symbols or the like.
  • the content provider web site outputs the "hash code" to the subscriber, for instance using the computing apparatus 120.
  • the subscriber can submit the selection parameter to the subscriber premises device 104 by entering the "hash code” via a selection parameter screen such as the selection parameter screen 216 depicted in Figure 3E.
  • the subscriber can enter the "hash code” using the remote control device and can confirm the selection using the "select" key of the remote control device or any other suitable key.
  • the subscriber premises device 104 is operable to translate the received hash code into the selection parameter(s) and to store the selection parameter(s), for instance using the processor 104 4 . As such, the subscriber premises device 104 becomes aware of the selection parameter.
  • the selection parameter screens 210, 210, 212 can be presented to the subscriber by the content provider web site accessed by the subscriber using the computing apparatus 120 or by an application running locally on the computing apparatus 120. It will be appreciated that such an application can be downloaded from the content provider web site via the data network 121 and can be installed locally on the computing apparatus 120. Alternatively, the application can be installed onto the computing apparatus 120 using a CD-ROM, a dynamic wireless network, an USB/memory key or any other suitable means. Alternatively, the subscriber may call the content provider 102 and provide his or her selection parameter over the phone to a customer service representative. Other alternatives for converting the viewer choice into the "hash code" will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • the subscriber can make viewer choices using the subscriber premises device 104.
  • the GUI for soliciting viewer choices can be presented by an application running on the processor 104 4 which can be an Interactive Television (iTV) application.
  • iTV Interactive Television
  • This iTV application can be downloaded on demand (such as by the viewer tuning into a dedicated channel) or can be stored by the processor 104 4 and activated when required.
  • a selection parameter screen 214 can be conveyed by the subscriber premises device 104 onto the display coupled to the subscriber premises device 104 via the display interface 104 2 .
  • the subscriber can provide his or her viewer choices using the keys of the remote control.
  • each sub-category can be provided with a numerical code, such as (1) for "soccer' ' ' , (3) for "swimming", (*1) for "music " and so on.
  • the subscriber can enter one or more of his or her choices by entering the appropriate digits using the keys of the remote control.
  • the subscriber may be invited to confirm his or her selection by clicking the "select" key or any other appropriate key of the remote control ("Click SELECT to confirm" 224).
  • selection parameter screens similar to the previously described selection parameter screens 210 and 212 can be presented to the subscriber for obtaining more detailed viewer choices. Once the viewer choices have been made, they are converted into a selection parameter and can be stored at the subscriber premises device 104, for instance using the processor 104 4 of the subscriber premises device 104.
  • additional selection parameter screens can be presented to the subscriber to ascertain further information in respect of the selection parameter.
  • viewer choices in respect to a number of additional event announcement options can be solicited.
  • These additional event announcement options can comprise but is not limited to: "type" of event of interest announcement (e.g. "automatic” or “'semi-automatic”) used to determine how to handle a particular event of interest announcement, "priority" of a particular selection parameter used to resolve conflicts between concurrently occurring events, and so on.
  • the selection parameter can be provisioned with an appropriate trigger.
  • the selection parameter can be augmented with an '"A" trigger for the type of event of interest announcement.
  • the selection parameter can be augmented with a priority indication, such as in one non-limiting example, a numeric value from 1 to 5 (1 denoting lowest priority and 5 denoting
  • any one of the subscribers may provide more than one selection parameter indicative of more than one event of interest.
  • a particular subscriber may be interested to watch goals in all soccer games, but may only be interested in watching penalties incurred by a specific player.
  • two selection parameters each denoting a respective event of interest can be generated, and ultimately stored by the processor 104 4 .
  • the method for triggering an event action can be executed by an application running on the processor 104 4 which can be an Interactive Television (iTV) application.
  • iTV Interactive Television
  • This iTV application can be downloaded on demand (such as by the viewer tuning into a dedicated channel) or can be stored by the processor 104 4 and activated when required.
  • the subscriber premises device 104 can be a satellite receiver/decoder, a cable receiver device or an IPTV receiver device.
  • the subscriber premises device 104 is operable to receive a plurality of content streams, such as content streams 210, 212 and 214 depicted in Figures 1 and 2. It will be further recalled that some or all of the content streams 210, 212 and 214 may contain a plurality of content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i indicative of event occurrence on corresponding content streams 210, 212 and 214.
  • the processor 1044 determines if at least one content indicator has been received within the first content stream 210.
  • the first content stream 210 may be a data stream related to the currently tuned channel.
  • the first content stream 210 can be an independent data stream in the content stream to which the processor 104 4 is currently tuned to.
  • step 412 NO
  • the viewer choices can be ascertained using one of the selection parameter screens 202, 210, 212, 214 or 216 described with reference to Figures 3A-E and based on the obtained viewer choice a selection parameter can be generated.
  • the selection parameter can eventually be stored in the memory of the processor 104 4 .
  • the at least one selection parameter can be generated before occurrence of the event of interest on one of the content streams 210, 212 or 214 and stored in the memory of the processor 104 4 for retrieval at a later time.
  • the processor 104 4 can obtain the at least one selection parameter by retrieving the stored at least one selection parameter from the memory of processor 104 4 .
  • the processor 104 4 can ascertain viewer choices and generate the respective selection parameters concurrently with receiving a particular content stream (such as the content streams 210, 212 or 214).
  • the at least one selection parameter can be obtained by generating the selection parameter from a viewer choice ascertained concurrently with receiving of the content stream (such as one of the content streams 210, 212 or 214) that contains on instance of the potential event of interest .
  • the subscriber is watching a hockey game that is running on the content stream 210.
  • the subscriber premises device 104 can solicit a viewer choice from the subscriber to indicate whether he or she would be interested in other similar events (such as all other goals or goals from the same team/player) occurring on other content streams being announced according to the teachings of this invention.
  • the viewer choice can be solicited using one or more selection parameter screens similar to those depicted in Figures 3A-D and an appropriate selection parameter can be generated based on the so-ascertained viewer choice.
  • the processor 104 4 then proceeds to step 416, where the processor 104 4 effects a comparison of the at least one received content indicator (such as content indicator 21Oi, 212i or 214i) with the at least one locally stored selection parameter. Effectively, the processor 104 4 compares each of the received content indicators (such as content indicators 21Oi, 212i or 214i) with each of the stored selection parameters to determine whether there is a match.
  • the processor 104 4 compares each of the received content indicators (such as content indicators 21Oi, 212i or 214i) with each of the stored selection parameters to determine whether there is a match.
  • the processor 104 4 determines whether comparison renders a positive outcome. For the benefit of the reader and with reference to Table 1, the following examples are provided of what comparison scenarios would render a "positive outcome” and what comparison scenarios would render a "negative outcome” within the meaning of this invention.
  • both the content indicators can have different levels of detail.
  • Table 1 describes different scenarios for comparing a specific one of content indicators and a specific one of the selection parameters and the rendered outcome of the comparison.
  • the stored selection parameter may contain "g ⁇ /" indicating that the subscriber is interested in all goals occurring on all content streams.
  • the received content indicator (such as the content indicator 21Oi) may be more or less detailed and contain, for example, three components "Toronto at Montreal; Goal; Saku Koivu". In this example, the comparison between the content indicator and the selection parameter would render a positive result.
  • the stored selection parameter may contain "Montreal at Toronto; Goal; Saku Koivu” indicating that the subscriber is only interested in goals by Saku Koivu occurring in a Montreal at Toronto game.
  • the received content indicator (such as the content indicator 21Oi) in this example may contain a "goaf indicating the nature of the event that is about to occur.
  • the comparison between the content indicator and the selection parameter would render a negative result. It should be appreciated that these two examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and other variations are within the scope of this invention.
  • the comparison between the stored selection parameter comprising "goal; Saku Koivu " and the received content identifier "goal” would render a negative result.
  • the comparison between the stored selection parameter comprising "New Jersey at Toronto; goal” and the received content identifier "Montreal at Toronto; goal” would likewise render a negative result.
  • the comparison between the stored selection parameter comprising "hockey” and the received content identifier "hockey; Toronto; Montreal” would render a positive result.
  • the first option is prioritization of various events of interest and the second option is the "automatic " vs. "semi-automatic " channel change. It should be appreciated that these options are described by way of an example and should not be used to limit the scope of this invention. It should be further understood that for any given selection parameter more than one additional event announcement option can be selected, or for that matter a particular selection parameter may have no associated additional even announcement options selected.
  • more than one of the content indicators 21Oi, 212i and 214i that are received quasi-simultaneously can match at least one stored selection parameter at any given time. This is likely to occur where two potential events of interest are occurring almost simultaneously in two different content streams, say content stream 210 and content stream 212. In this scenario, two content indicators 21Oi and 212i will be generated and both content indicators 21Oi and 212i will match one or more of the stored selection parameters if the subscriber is interested in those particular events and has accordingly provisioned corresponding selection parameters. In order to enable the processor 1044 to effectively "prioritize" one event over the other, the processor 104 4 may consult the content of the selection parameter.
  • the subscriber may provision selection parameter priority to determine priority treatment of one event of interest over the other using one or more modified selection parameter screens 202, 210 or 212. For instance, a particular subscriber may "prioritize" goals over penalties sustained by a specific player over goals by another player.
  • the selection parameter pertaining to goals may have a priority indication with a higher value than the selection parameter pertaining to "penalties by specific player”.
  • an effective conflict resolution method is provided to "prioritize" certain events of interest over other events of interest based on a subscriber- specific selection parameter.
  • the prioritization criterion can be selected by the operator who generated the quasi-simultaneous content indicators (in this case the content indicators 21Oi and 212i) and, as such, the prioritization code may be part of the content indicators 21Oi and 212i.
  • the processor 104 4 may announce the events of interest in a "first-in-first-out" manner, i.e. announcing the events of interest in sequence that a positive comparison has been determined between the respective content indicator and at least one sorted selection parameter.
  • the processor 104 4 can also select between "automatic " ' and "semi-automatic” channel change options based on the additional event announcement options contained in the selection parameters.
  • the viewer can provide his or her preference in respect to "automatic” and “semi-automatic” channel change options when providing a particular viewer choice (for instance, a particular viewer may wish to select an
  • a default event announcement option may be pre-programmed into the subscriber premises device 104 (for all events are announced with an

Abstract

Des modes de réalisation de la présente invention concernent un procédé, un système et un dispositif permettant de déclencher une action-événement en fonction des préférences d'un abonné. Le procédé peut être mis en oeuvre de façon adaptée sur un dispositif d'abonné capable de recevoir une pluralité de trains de données de contenu provenant d'un sous-système de distribution de contenu. Le procédé consiste à surveiller un premier train de données de contenu transmis par le sous-système de distribution de contenu afin de détecter la présence d'un ou plusieurs indicateurs de contenu indiquant l'occurrence d'un événement sur des trains de données de contenu correspondants de la pluralité de trains de données de contenu, y compris au moins un train de données de contenu différent du premier train de données de contenu. Le procédé consiste également à recevoir au moins un paramètre de sélection fourni par l'abonné, ce paramètre de sélection étant associé à un événement d'intérêt respectif et appliquant une comparaison entre un ou plusieurs des indicateurs de contenu et au moins un paramètre de sélection. En réponse à la comparaison entre l'indicateur de contenu sélectionné parmi les indicateurs de contenu et un paramètre de sélection sélectionné parmi les paramètres de sélection, donnant un résultat positif, le procédé consiste à déclencher une action-événement associée au paramètre de sélection particulier.
PCT/CA2006/001623 2005-10-27 2006-10-02 Procede, systeme et dispositif permettant de declencher une action-evenement en fonction des preferences du telespectateur WO2007048222A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002524586A CA2524586A1 (fr) 2005-10-27 2005-10-27 Methode, systeme et appareil de declenchement d'un evenement selon les preferences de l'abonne
CA2,524,586 2005-10-27

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WO2007048222A1 true WO2007048222A1 (fr) 2007-05-03

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2064885A4 (fr) 2006-09-01 2011-12-07 Bce Inc Procédé, système et dispositif de communication d'un contenu personnalisé à un observateur
EP2563036A1 (fr) * 2011-08-24 2013-02-27 Research In Motion Limited Appareil et procédé associé pour faciliter la sélection de contenu
US8626940B2 (en) 2011-08-24 2014-01-07 Blackberry Limited Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating content selection

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