WO2017020955A1 - Image display device with automatic alternative program content detection function - Google Patents

Image display device with automatic alternative program content detection function Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017020955A1
WO2017020955A1 PCT/EP2015/068141 EP2015068141W WO2017020955A1 WO 2017020955 A1 WO2017020955 A1 WO 2017020955A1 EP 2015068141 W EP2015068141 W EP 2015068141W WO 2017020955 A1 WO2017020955 A1 WO 2017020955A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
display device
image display
alternative
program
alternative program
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2015/068141
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Dogan BAHAROZU
Tevfik Orkun
Ozgur OZEN
Alkim Onur BETTEMIR
Ahmet ARAS
Original Assignee
Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
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Application filed by Arcelik Anonim Sirketi filed Critical Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority to PCT/EP2015/068141 priority Critical patent/WO2017020955A1/en
Publication of WO2017020955A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017020955A1/en

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Classifications

    • 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
    • H04N21/43—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
    • H04N21/44213—Monitoring of end-user related data
    • H04N21/44222—Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity
    • 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
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H04N21/4316—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
    • 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
    • H04N21/466—Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/4667—Processing of monitored end-user data, e.g. trend analysis based on the log file of viewer selections
    • 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
    • H04N21/466—Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/4668—Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies for recommending content, e.g. movies
    • 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
    • H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
    • H04N21/4826—End-user interface for program selection using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
    • 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
    • H04N21/488—Data services, e.g. news ticker
    • H04N21/4882—Data services, e.g. news ticker for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an image display device having an automatic broadcast program offering function such that the users are automatically offered a certain number of alternative programs.
  • Digital and interactive TV systems provide a significant amount of TV channels and programs leading to the general outcome that conventional methods for reaching a program content corresponding to the personal viewing preferences of a user from among a plurality of alternatives may become inefficient to the extent it is unperformable in a time-saving manner. Assuming that a TV service may have hundreds of channels, channel surfing might take one hour before every single channel is glanced at least once. It is to be noted that a plurality of channels from different countries may be broadcasted in a multitude of categories and an electronic program guide, although proving in this respect more efficient, still involves the evident disadvantage of processing time inefficiency for a user in order for examining all the electronic program guide pages.
  • WO2009145507 relates to a method for outputting an EPG and a broadcasting receiver employing the method. More particularly, a method for outputting an EPG and a broadcasting receiver employing the method are disclosed, in which the EPG output from the broadcasting receiver includes RSS information to allow a user to easily identify the RSS information from the EPG.
  • the present invention provides a system and a method by which an image display device is operated such that users are automatically offered an alternative list of program contents preferably in the form of progressively changing channel previews.
  • the present invention therefore provides a system and method by which an image display device is operable to automatically offer alternative program contents as provided by the characterizing features defined in Claim 1 and subsequent Clams.
  • Primary object of the present invention is to provide a system and method by which an image display device automatically proposes a certain number of program contents.
  • the present invention proposes an image display device which automatically monitors the user’s watching activity and offers on a real-time basis an automatic list of alternative programs. This is accomplished by way of obtaining information tags via the electronic program guide.
  • the full content of the information tags directly provided by the service provider in relation with the program content is stored in association with total watching durations so that a look-up table in the form of information tags and total watching durations is obtained.
  • Information tags can be program categories, actor names or any other information as provided by the broadcast service provider.
  • the image display device When the user views a program on a given channel, the image display device, based on the available information tags saved in the user profile, analyzes alternative program contents and if an alternative program content having information tags matching with the information tags in the user profile is detected, it adds the detected program content to a list of alternative program contents.
  • Alternative program contents in the list of alternative programs are updated on a real-time basis and the user is dynamically notified of new programs added to the list of alternative programs by means of a visual or audio indication so that he can initiate automatic previewing of alternative program contents in the list of alternative programs from the remote control.
  • Fig. 1 demonstrates a general diagram according to which the image display device of the invention executes the automatic alternative program offering function according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 demonstrates different tasks associated with the automatic alternative program offering function according to the present invention.
  • an alternative channel list is generated in a dynamically updated manner so that the user can view alternative channels in a subsequently displayed manner and optionally without leaving the currently viewed channel.
  • the present invention proposes an image display device enabling a user to reach a TV program according to his personal preferences without having to manually process a significant amount of channel and program type information. It is known that digital broadcasting services provide information in regards to the genre of the programs being watched. The genre information may typically define a certain number of categories characterizing the content of a program. A content identifier therefore describes the contextual category of the digital program so as to let the users obtain information as to the classification of an event or a program.
  • Metadata information containing a multitude of attribute names, types and parameter descriptions is also receivable from the broadcast service provider by way of using the electronic program guide.
  • These information tags comprise a plurality of titles directly obtainable from the broadcaster.
  • Information tags obtained by means of the electronic program guide in association with a given program content are processed in a dynamic manner.
  • a plurality of programs are assigned to various program genres and the image display device stores a database of various programs categorized in the form of a plurality of program genres indicative of the contextual character of the given program. Additional information provided by the electronic program guide in the form of information tags along with the program category information is processed as explained below.
  • the image display device of the present invention is fitted with an internal memory so as to store the information tags of viewed programs, including total watching time of each program for a respective category and information tag. More precisely, total watching time is known for each information tag including the genre information and a list of channels that currently broadcast a program associated with a certain information tag is accordingly definable.
  • the user’s viewing experience is improved by enabling accessibility to a more or equally preferable program content as delineated below.
  • the present invention proposes an image display device enabling a user to reach preferred program contents according to his personal preferences in a more practical and accurate manner. More particularly, the present invention provides that an image display device automatically retrieves information in association with alternative program contents being actually not viewed so as to offer alternative program contents to the user.
  • the name of the city and the genre of the program can be retrieved from the electronic program guide as the available information tags to be associated with the user’s profile to automatically notify later on real-time alternative programs containing matching information tags, thereby corresponding to the specific interests of the user.
  • information tags are added to the user profile only for the programs being watched during at least a predetermined time duration. While these information tags are added to the user profile, information tags of alternative programs being currently not viewed are analyzed to identify matching titles.
  • the information tags may therefore include all information as provided by the electronic program guide pages, such as for instance actor names along with movie categories.
  • the present invention provides that information tags are used as an input to search for alternative program contents on a real-time basis.
  • a second tuner of the image display device is used in this function.
  • an automatic program notification function can be performed such that for instance upon confirmation by the user, the image display device automatically previews the channels progressively in a time-limited manner starting from a channel that has the highest priority.
  • a hierarchical list of channels with the highest priority can be viewable, the hierarchical list being generated based on the number of matching information tags.
  • a channel having the highest priority is determined by comparing information tags based on earlier watching records of all the TV channels/programs.
  • the image display device generates a hierarchical list of all of the real-time programs based on the total number of matching information tags.
  • this program when a documentary program starts on a channel being currently not viewed, this program will be added to the list of alternative programs if there exists at least one common information tag and the program will be hierarchically included in the list based on the number of information tags common with those tags in the user profile.
  • the image display device then automatically previews the channels in the hierarchical list until the user interrupts the process upon showing interest in one of the channels being previewed.
  • channels with the highest priority and/or within a predetermined list of favorite channels can be viewable. Therefore, the best channel options that are currently airing program contents of high interest are offerable.
  • time durations spent in channel surfing are ignored.
  • the alternative channel list is dynamically updated and whenever the user initiates reviewing of the alternative channels, preferably via a dedicated remote control button, the alternative channels are subsequently displayed on the screen in a time-limited manner.
  • an indication in this respect is generated to invite the user to review added content.
  • a non-intrusive visual indicator in the form of a certain figure such as a flashing circle is generated on the screen.
  • the dedicated button for changing channels -often referred to as channel zapping- lights up or provides a flashing indication on the remote control.
  • the user can decide on whether to review recently added program contents on other channels by pressing the dedicated automatic channel zapping button. If pressed, each alternative program content on different channels is displayed for a certain predetermined time duration until the user interrupts the process showing interest in one of the alternative channels.
  • the alternative program contents can be viewed in a separate window in the case the interactive functions such as the picture-in-picture mode is supported. This will effectively allow reviewing of added channels/program contents without leaving the actually viewed channel.
  • the user can initiate automatic channel zapping within a predetermined list of favorite channels, in which case all channels in the favorite channels list will be subsequently displayed irrespective of the watching history in association with the information tags.
  • the present invention proposes an image display device receiving a plurality of broadcasting services and comprising a control unit effecting operation of the image display device.
  • the control unit is configured to receive at least one information tag directly obtainable from a broadcasting service provider to be associated with a program content being viewed.
  • control unit is further configured to generate a list of user profile information tags in the manner that information tags of all programs being viewed are associated with a user’s profile.
  • control unit is further configured to automatically analyze information tags of alternative program contents other than the program content being viewed on a real-time basis to generate an alternative program list.
  • control unit is further configured to generate a visual or audio indication each time a new program content is added to the list of alternative program contents.
  • control unit is further configured to preview alternative program contents in the alternative program list.
  • information tags includes at least one category information characterizing content of a program being viewed in the form of a content identifier describing contextual category of the program.
  • information tags of all programs being previously viewed are stored in a user profile file to automatically notify real-time alternative program contents, such alternative program contents containing information tags matching information tags being stored in the user profile.
  • total number of matching information tags is processed to obtain a hierarchical alternative program list of alternative program contents.
  • alternative program contents in the alternative program list are automatically progressively previewed in a time-limited manner.
  • information tags are saved in the user profile only for the program contents being watched at least during a predetermined time duration.
  • the alternative channel list is dynamically updated and a visual or audio indication is generated each time a new program content is added to the list of alternative program contents upon which the control unit effectuates automatic previewing of alternative program contents in the alternative program list.
  • automatic previewing of alternative program contents in the alternative program list is initiatable by means of a dedicated button of a remote control in association with the image display device.
  • visual or audio indication being generated is in the form of a flashing geometrical shape generated on the screen of the image display device.
  • visual or audio indication being generated is a flashing or illuminated button on the remote control.
  • flashing or illuminated button on the remote control is a button dedicated for automatic previewing of alternative program contents in the alternative program list.
  • the alternative program contents in the alternative program list are viewable in a separate window on the actual program content being viewed.
  • voice of the actual program being viewed is replaced by the voices of each of the alternative program contents being previewed.
  • the invention ensures that a user will not mine a significant amount of data by way of using the metadata information provided by the TV services and will instead have a chance of reviewing offered channel previews that are listed in a hierarchical manner according to his personal preferences. Therefore a user will reach the most relevant content automatically in the quickest way, without having to individually review a multitude of attribute names, types and parameter descriptions as in the case of the electronic program guide.

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image display device having an automatic broadcast program offering function such that the users are automatically offered a certain number of alternative programs. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image display device receiving a plurality of broadcasting services and comprising a control unit effecting operation of the image display device, the control unit being configured to automatically analyze information tags of alternative program contents other than the program content being viewed on a real-time basis to generate an alternative program list.

Description

IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM CONTENT DETECTION FUNCTION
The present invention relates to an image display device having an automatic broadcast program offering function such that the users are automatically offered a certain number of alternative programs.
Digital and interactive TV systems provide a significant amount of TV channels and programs leading to the general outcome that conventional methods for reaching a program content corresponding to the personal viewing preferences of a user from among a plurality of alternatives may become inefficient to the extent it is unperformable in a time-saving manner. Assuming that a TV service may have hundreds of channels, channel surfing might take one hour before every single channel is glanced at least once. It is to be noted that a plurality of channels from different countries may be broadcasted in a multitude of categories and an electronic program guide, although proving in this respect more efficient, still involves the evident disadvantage of processing time inefficiency for a user in order for examining all the electronic program guide pages.
Accordingly, individual viewing preferences of users can be better processed and more relevant program content can be instantaneously offered to the user without losing the processing time spent in hunting preferable program contents.
Among others, one of the prior art disclosures in the technical field of the present invention can be referred to as WO2009145507, which relates to a method for outputting an EPG and a broadcasting receiver employing the method. More particularly, a method for outputting an EPG and a broadcasting receiver employing the method are disclosed, in which the EPG output from the broadcasting receiver includes RSS information to allow a user to easily identify the RSS information from the EPG.
The present invention, on the other hand, provides a system and a method by which an image display device is operated such that users are automatically offered an alternative list of program contents preferably in the form of progressively changing channel previews.
The present invention therefore provides a system and method by which an image display device is operable to automatically offer alternative program contents as provided by the characterizing features defined in Claim 1 and subsequent Clams.
Primary object of the present invention is to provide a system and method by which an image display device automatically proposes a certain number of program contents.
The present invention proposes an image display device which automatically monitors the user’s watching activity and offers on a real-time basis an automatic list of alternative programs. This is accomplished by way of obtaining information tags via the electronic program guide. The full content of the information tags directly provided by the service provider in relation with the program content is stored in association with total watching durations so that a look-up table in the form of information tags and total watching durations is obtained. Information tags can be program categories, actor names or any other information as provided by the broadcast service provider.
When the user views a program on a given channel, the image display device, based on the available information tags saved in the user profile, analyzes alternative program contents and if an alternative program content having information tags matching with the information tags in the user profile is detected, it adds the detected program content to a list of alternative program contents. Alternative program contents in the list of alternative programs are updated on a real-time basis and the user is dynamically notified of new programs added to the list of alternative programs by means of a visual or audio indication so that he can initiate automatic previewing of alternative program contents in the list of alternative programs from the remote control.
Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a system and method by which an image display device is operable, whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained hereinafter in brief.
The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in the claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.
Fig. 1 demonstrates a general diagram according to which the image display device of the invention executes the automatic alternative program offering function according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 demonstrates different tasks associated with the automatic alternative program offering function according to the present invention.
According to the present invention, an alternative channel list is generated in a dynamically updated manner so that the user can view alternative channels in a subsequently displayed manner and optionally without leaving the currently viewed channel.
The present invention proposes an image display device enabling a user to reach a TV program according to his personal preferences without having to manually process a significant amount of channel and program type information. It is known that digital broadcasting services provide information in regards to the genre of the programs being watched. The genre information may typically define a certain number of categories characterizing the content of a program. A content identifier therefore describes the contextual category of the digital program so as to let the users obtain information as to the classification of an event or a program.
A significant amount of data in the form of metadata information containing a multitude of attribute names, types and parameter descriptions is also receivable from the broadcast service provider by way of using the electronic program guide. These information tags comprise a plurality of titles directly obtainable from the broadcaster. Information tags obtained by means of the electronic program guide in association with a given program content are processed in a dynamic manner.
Therefore, a plurality of programs are assigned to various program genres and the image display device stores a database of various programs categorized in the form of a plurality of program genres indicative of the contextual character of the given program. Additional information provided by the electronic program guide in the form of information tags along with the program category information is processed as explained below.
To this end, the image display device of the present invention is fitted with an internal memory so as to store the information tags of viewed programs, including total watching time of each program for a respective category and information tag. More precisely, total watching time is known for each information tag including the genre information and a list of channels that currently broadcast a program associated with a certain information tag is accordingly definable.
According to the present invention, the user’s viewing experience is improved by enabling accessibility to a more or equally preferable program content as delineated below. The present invention proposes an image display device enabling a user to reach preferred program contents according to his personal preferences in a more practical and accurate manner. More particularly, the present invention provides that an image display device automatically retrieves information in association with alternative program contents being actually not viewed so as to offer alternative program contents to the user.
In a more specific manner, in a documentary program presenting architectural background of a city in a certain geographic region of a country, the name of the city and the genre of the program can be retrieved from the electronic program guide as the available information tags to be associated with the user’s profile to automatically notify later on real-time alternative programs containing matching information tags, thereby corresponding to the specific interests of the user. It is to be noted that information tags are added to the user profile only for the programs being watched during at least a predetermined time duration. While these information tags are added to the user profile, information tags of alternative programs being currently not viewed are analyzed to identify matching titles. In case a matching title is identified between the information tags in the user profile and the information tags of the alternative programs, the alternative program is automatically added to a special list of alternative programs as delineated hereinafter. The information tags may therefore include all information as provided by the electronic program guide pages, such as for instance actor names along with movie categories.
Therefore, the present invention provides that information tags are used as an input to search for alternative program contents on a real-time basis. A second tuner of the image display device is used in this function. In this way, an automatic program notification function can be performed such that for instance upon confirmation by the user, the image display device automatically previews the channels progressively in a time-limited manner starting from a channel that has the highest priority. A hierarchical list of channels with the highest priority can be viewable, the hierarchical list being generated based on the number of matching information tags.
Therefore, a channel having the highest priority is determined by comparing information tags based on earlier watching records of all the TV channels/programs. The image display device generates a hierarchical list of all of the real-time programs based on the total number of matching information tags.
For instance, when a documentary program starts on a channel being currently not viewed, this program will be added to the list of alternative programs if there exists at least one common information tag and the program will be hierarchically included in the list based on the number of information tags common with those tags in the user profile.
The image display device then automatically previews the channels in the hierarchical list until the user interrupts the process upon showing interest in one of the channels being previewed. Alternatively, channels with the highest priority and/or within a predetermined list of favorite channels can be viewable. Therefore, the best channel options that are currently airing program contents of high interest are offerable. When calculating watching durations, time durations spent in channel surfing are ignored.
According to the present invention, the alternative channel list is dynamically updated and whenever the user initiates reviewing of the alternative channels, preferably via a dedicated remote control button, the alternative channels are subsequently displayed on the screen in a time-limited manner. Each time new broadcast program content is detected, an indication in this respect is generated to invite the user to review added content. In other words, when a new program content having at least one information tag matching with a tag in the user profile is detected, a non-intrusive visual indicator in the form of a certain figure such as a flashing circle is generated on the screen. Alternatively, the dedicated button for changing channels -often referred to as channel zapping- lights up or provides a flashing indication on the remote control. Therefore, the user can decide on whether to review recently added program contents on other channels by pressing the dedicated automatic channel zapping button. If pressed, each alternative program content on different channels is displayed for a certain predetermined time duration until the user interrupts the process showing interest in one of the alternative channels.
According to the present invention, the alternative program contents can be viewed in a separate window in the case the interactive functions such as the picture-in-picture mode is supported. This will effectively allow reviewing of added channels/program contents without leaving the actually viewed channel.
Alternatively, the user can initiate automatic channel zapping within a predetermined list of favorite channels, in which case all channels in the favorite channels list will be subsequently displayed irrespective of the watching history in association with the information tags.
In summary, the present invention proposes an image display device receiving a plurality of broadcasting services and comprising a control unit effecting operation of the image display device. The control unit is configured to receive at least one information tag directly obtainable from a broadcasting service provider to be associated with a program content being viewed.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is further configured to generate a list of user profile information tags in the manner that information tags of all programs being viewed are associated with a user’s profile.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is further configured to automatically analyze information tags of alternative program contents other than the program content being viewed on a real-time basis to generate an alternative program list.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is further configured to generate a visual or audio indication each time a new program content is added to the list of alternative program contents.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is further configured to preview alternative program contents in the alternative program list.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, information tags includes at least one category information characterizing content of a program being viewed in the form of a content identifier describing contextual category of the program.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, information tags of all programs being previously viewed are stored in a user profile file to automatically notify real-time alternative program contents, such alternative program contents containing information tags matching information tags being stored in the user profile.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, total number of matching information tags is processed to obtain a hierarchical alternative program list of alternative program contents.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, alternative program contents in the alternative program list are automatically progressively previewed in a time-limited manner.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, information tags are saved in the user profile only for the program contents being watched at least during a predetermined time duration.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the alternative channel list is dynamically updated and a visual or audio indication is generated each time a new program content is added to the list of alternative program contents upon which the control unit effectuates automatic previewing of alternative program contents in the alternative program list.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, automatic previewing of alternative program contents in the alternative program list is initiatable by means of a dedicated button of a remote control in association with the image display device.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, visual or audio indication being generated is in the form of a flashing geometrical shape generated on the screen of the image display device.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, visual or audio indication being generated is a flashing or illuminated button on the remote control.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, flashing or illuminated button on the remote control is a button dedicated for automatic previewing of alternative program contents in the alternative program list.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the alternative program contents in the alternative program list are viewable in a separate window on the actual program content being viewed.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, voice of the actual program being viewed is replaced by the voices of each of the alternative program contents being previewed.
In this regard, the invention ensures that a user will not mine a significant amount of data by way of using the metadata information provided by the TV services and will instead have a chance of reviewing offered channel previews that are listed in a hierarchical manner according to his personal preferences. Therefore a user will reach the most relevant content automatically in the quickest way, without having to individually review a multitude of attribute names, types and parameter descriptions as in the case of the electronic program guide.
Therefore, user-interaction is improved in the sense that the program content being viewed serves as a direct source of information for automatically generating a list of alternative program contents to be delivered to the users. Assuming that a TV service may have hundreds of channels, there might be many occasions where a user may be interested in watching a broadcast program relating to his interests but he is only able to use conventional methods to directly manually review presented contents on each channel. Dynamically updated and notified alternative programs provide an advantageous aspect that allows timely communication of the information to the user.

Claims (13)

  1. An image display device receiving a plurality of broadcasting services and comprising a control unit effecting operation of the image display device, characterized in that the control unit is configured:
    - to receive at least one information tag directly obtainable from a broadcasting service provider to be associated with a program content being viewed,
    - to generate a list of user profile information tags in the manner that information tags of all programs being viewed are associated with a user profile,
    - to automatically analyze information tags of alternative program contents other than the program content being viewed on a real-time basis to generate an alternative program list,
    - to generate a visual or audio indication each time a new program content is added to the list of alternative program contents and
    - to preview alternative program contents in the alternative program list.
  2. An image display device as in Claim 1, characterized in that information tags includes at least one category information characterizing content of a program being viewed in the form of a content identifier describing contextual category of the program.
  3. An image display device as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that information tags of all programs being previously viewed are stored in a user profile file to automatically notify real-time alternative program contents, such alternative program contents containing information tags matching information tags being stored in the user profile.
  4. An image display device as in Claim 3, characterized in that total number of matching information tags is processed to obtain a hierarchical alternative program list of alternative program contents.
  5. An image display device as in Claim 1 or 4, characterized in that alternative program contents in the alternative program list are automatically progressively previewed in a time-limited manner.
  6. An image display device as in Claim 3, characterized in that information tags are saved in the user profile only for the program contents being watched at least during a predetermined time duration.
  7. An image display device as in Claim 1, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the alternative channel list is dynamically updated and a visual or audio indication is generated each time a new program content is added to the list of alternative program contents upon which the control unit effectuates automatic previewing of alternative program contents in the alternative program list.
  8. An image display device as in Claim 7, characterized in that previewing of alternative program contents in the alternative program list is initiatable by means of a dedicated button of a remote control in association with the image display device.
  9. An image display device as in Claim 7, characterized in that visual or audio indication being generated is in the form of a flashing geometrical shape generated on the screen of the image display device.
  10. An image display device as in Claim 8, characterized in that visual or audio indication being generated is a flashing or illuminated button on the remote control.
  11. An image display device as in Claim 10, characterized in that flashing or illuminated button on the remote control is a button dedicated for automatic previewing of alternative program contents in the alternative program list.
  12. An image display device as in Claim 7, characterized in that the alternative program contents in the alternative program list are viewable in a separate window on the actual program content being viewed.
  13. An image display device as in Claim 12, characterized in that voice of the actual program being viewed is replaced by the voices of each of the alternative program contents being previewed.
PCT/EP2015/068141 2015-08-06 2015-08-06 Image display device with automatic alternative program content detection function WO2017020955A1 (en)

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