WO2001099427A2

WO2001099427A2 - Automatic content viewing recommendation from among multiple programming sources

Info

Publication number: WO2001099427A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/019409
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olalekan Akinyanmi; John Hervey; Odutola Oduyoye
Original assignee: Encabler, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-06-22
Filing date: 2001-06-18
Publication date: 2001-12-27
Also published as: WO2001099427A3; AU2001266981A1

Abstract

Information from multiple channels is provided to users, wherein multiple channels of programming content are received at a service headend connection of user viewing, information about a viewing interests of a user at a display device are received from a user, a recommendation about a channel of interest of the user is determined, based on the received information, and the user is informed of the recommended channel at the display device. A user may designate an interface agent that is associated with received user information for display on a viewing device.

Description

AUTOMATIC CONTENT VIEWING RECOMMENDATION FROM AMONG

MULTIPLE PROGRAMMING SOURCES

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to network delivery of content and, more

particularly, to recommendation of content from among multiple program content

sources.

Background Art

A great number of viewing choices are available to consumers today through

television service providers. Television service providers deliver content through cable

television companies as well as through direct broadcast satellite receivers and through

the air broadcasts. The delivered information content can include television

programming, radio programming, Internet content such as pages of information from

the "World Wide Web", and databases from other networks, including proprietary

networks. In addition to traditional television programming, information content may

include alternative programming, originated by content providers, who may typically

offer specialized, niche programming. Each one of these types of information content

typically originates from a different source provider, who is also called a multi-service

operator (MSO). The television content, Internet content, and other visual or

graphically oriented content are typically viewed on a conventional television or video

display device.

Hundreds of television channels are currently available for viewing through

these service providers. As a result, consumers are faced with an increasing number of viewing options, so much so that consumers cannot effectively process information

available about all their viewing options to make optimal viewing choices. Thus,

consumers may be watching certain television programming without knowing that an

alternative choice, which would be preferred, is available on a different viewing

channel. In addition, consumers may ignore television viewing or recording

opportunities because they are unaware that programming of interest is available on a

viewing channel.

Some television service providers include a programming guide as one of their

viewing channels to customers. A customer may tune their television receiver to the

channel of the programming guide and view data generated by the television service

provider. Such programming guides typically cycle through all the available channels

in a continuous scrolling display. For each available channel, the programming guide

usually lists the currently showing programming and also the programming that will be

available in the succeeding one hour or two hour interval. While providing a

programming guide on one of the available channels offers some convenience for the

customer, such as, for example, not requiring the customer to subscribe to a

supplemental television programming guide, there are still deficiencies. For example, a

customer needs to tune their television to the programming guide channel rather than a

channel of interest. In addition, the customer must read through the programming guide

list of available channels, and as the number of channels available increases, it becomes

more cumbersome and time consuming for the customer to find a desired program

offering.

Furthermore, television service providers do not tailor the programming choices

available to customers based on any individual customer. Rather, television service providers make a vast array of channels available to customers based on general notions

of popularity. For example, in a cable television system virtually all customers receive

the same channels of programming from a cable headend connection or satellite receiver

dish to their television display device. Some differentiation in service may be available

through graduated levels of programming or through pay-per-view programming, but

these allow only modest levels of tailoring to individual customer preferences. For

example, a pay-per-view selection may be communicated from a customer to a service

provider through a set top box to receive a particular broadcast, such as a special event,

that other non-paying customers do not receive. Such choices, however, are usually

limited to such special events and do not extend to picking and choosing from among all

available channels. Moreover, if such selectivity were available to customers, it would

be extremely difficult for customers to be adequately informed so as to make intelligent

choices, as noted above.

The popularity of publications and television channels that provide supplemental

television programming information attests to the desire by customers to be informed of programming choices. In addition, customers would prefer to be directly informed

about programming choices that are relevant and important to them, individually,' rather

than simply on a collective basis. This is especially critical as there is a continual

increase in the number of channels that are available in the degree of specialization in

programming content of the channels.

Television programming is not the only type of information that would be

advantageously directed to individual customers. Information of importance to

individual customers may include advertising or other consumer information. For

example, a special sales promotion may be of interest to particular customers, who would take advantage of the promotion if they were aware of it. Because television

programming choices are made collectively, including advertising information, such

promotions cannot be delivered directly to those customers for whom the information

would be most relevant. This is especially true of local business establishments. Thus,

not only is relevant customer demographic information generally unavailable, but there

also is no way to individually direct programming choices to particular individuals to

the exclusion of others.

From the discussion above, it should be apparent that there is a need for a system

, that can provide programming content to individually identified customers based on the

particular interests of the identified customers. The present invention fulfills this need.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides information to individual users viewing a

display, wherein multiple sources of program content, or program signals, are received

at a service headend unit for user viewing. Information about viewing interests of a user

at a display device are received from the user, and a recommendation of a program of

possible interest to the user is determined, based on the received information and

available program content. The user is informed of the recommended program at the

display device.

In one aspect of the system, user preferences are automatically learned based on

observation of individual user viewing habits as to selection of program content, as well

as direct user input. The information about user content preferences is used to

determine the type of program content that would be of interest to individual users.

When an identified user is engaged in viewing, the system provides a recommendation of the available program content that was determined to be of interest. The

determination of program content likely to be of interest may be performed by the

headend unit through automatic observation of content viewing selections, or may be

implemented as a combination of automatic observation and user input of viewing

preferences. In this way, program content is recommended to individually identified

users based on the particular interests of the identified users.

In another aspect of the invention, a user can select a caricature or agent with

which the user will be associated through a user interface. Upon initiating a viewing

session thereafter, the user-selected agent will appear and can be selected by the user,

thereby associating user-entered data and collected viewing information relating to the

user. In this way, the user who is viewing the program content is easily and readily

identified. If desired, multiple users and their associated agents may be identified as

participants in any single viewing session.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the service headend unit periodically

receives collected information regarding user viewing of content, and determines a

recommended program signal with program content likely to be of interest to the user in

response to the received information relating to customer viewing.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the headend unit includes a service

delivery application that uses artificial intelligence techniques to make a determination

regarding the program content that might be of interest to the user.

Other features and advantages of the present invention should be apparent from

the following description of the preferred embodiment, which illustrates, by way of

example, the principles of the invention. Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is a block diagram that shows the components at the headend location

and at the user location.

Figure 2 is a block diagram that shows the interface between the headend unit

and the interface to content providers.^'

Figure 3 is a block diagram that shows components of the headend unit in

greater detail.

Figure 4 is a block diagram that shows components of the user system set top

box in greater detail.

Figure 5 is a block diagram that shows data flow between the headend unit and

the set top box.

Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating the relative arrangement of system

functions and information flow.

Figure 7 illustrates a screen display of the display device in the system of Figure

1, showing the on-screen system activation indication.

Figure 8 illustrates the initial display device "Menu" screen that is shown to a

user after the user begins a session with the system of Figure 1.

Figure 9 shows a set-up screen for providing user data after choosing a caricature

or agent icon through the Figure 5 display screen.

Figure 10 shows a menu option display of the system, shown following user

identification.

Figure 11 shows a "Recommended" display screen in which interests for the

currently viewing user have been determined by the SDA server and are displayed on

the display device. Figure 12 shows a "Search" display of the display device.

Figure 13 shows a "Find It" display screen in which additional information about

any show that is located through the "Search" display screen of Figure 9.

Figure 14 is a block diagram representation of one of the computers in the

system of Figure 2.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a content delivery system 100 illustrating some

aspects of the present invention. The system includes a service, or cable, headend unit

102 that receives programming content from a variety of program content sources 104.

The program content sources 104 may include, for example, broadcast television and

radio, cable and direct broadcast satellite services, and Internet service providers. The

program content sources will be collectively referred to as multidisciplinary service

operators (MSOs).

The headend unit 102 communicates with a set top box 106. Li one

embodiment, the set top box 106 is activated by a remote control 107, In another

embodiment, the set top box 106 is activated manually by a user.

Communication between the headend unit 102 and the set top box 106 is bi¬

directional, with information flowing in both directions between the headend unit 102 ,

and the set top box 106. In one embodiment, communication between the headend unit

102 and the set top box 106 is via a broadband network, such as, for example, a Hybrid

Fibre-Coax (HFC) network, or other broadband networks currently being developed by

major cable and telecommunication companies. Typically, the set top box 106 receives multiple program signals of program

content from the headend unit 102. The set top box 106 processes the program content

and produces an output to a display device 108, where the program content is viewed by

the user. In one embodiment, the display device comprises a device that can receive and

display a television signal. In other embodiments, the display device 108 may be other

types of devices, such as, for example, a conventional television monitor, a flat panel

display, a Web-enabled device, a computer display screen, a portable hand-held device,

a web viewing device using the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Short Messaging

System (SMS), I-mode, or any other communications device with a display or other component that may receive digital or analog information and present it for human

reception. The display device 108 may also be a Bluetooth supported device. Thus, the display device may receive the set top box output from a hard-wired or cable

connection, or may receive the output from a wireless connection.

In one embodiment, a first headend connection 110 of the headend unit 102 is

connected to the program content sources 104. A second headend connection 111 of

the headend unit 102 is connected to the set top box 106. Multiple program signals of

program content are received at the first headend connection 110 and are combined into

an appropriate signal format in a headend interface 103 for retransmission to

subscribers, or users. The signal is provided to users for viewing through the set top box

106 via the second headend connection 111. Information about viewing interests, and

viewing habits, of the user may be communicated from the set top box 106 back to the

headend interface 103 of the headend unit 102 via the second headend connection 111.

In one embodiment, the information relating to user viewing habits includes

attributes and characteristics of the user such as, for example: attributes describing the viewer, including postal address and zip code; gender, general interests and the like; and

attributes describing the viewing environment, for example: time of day, day of week,

month, etc.; and attributes describing the viewing content, for example actors, program

content, theme, genres etc.

The information relating to user viewing habits may be communicated from the

set top box 106 to the headend 102 in various formats. For example, the data may be

transmitted at a speed of 25.6Mbps when the system uses the ATM-25 interface.

A service delivery application (SDA) server 112 of the headend unit 102

receives the information relating to user viewing, communicated by the set top box 106,

from the headend interface 103. In one embodiment, the set top box 106 monitors and

collects information relating to user viewing habits of program content from among the multiple program signals. In another embodiment, the user directly provides

information about types of content desired.

The SDA server 112 at the headend unit 102 makes a recommendation about a

program signal of interest to the user, based on the received user viewing information

and the available program content. The recommendation can be generated using a

variety of artificial intelligence techniques that will be known to those skilled in the art,

including techniques such as fuzzy logic, neural networks and associative memories.

In one embodiment, the SDA server 112 may determine what program content to

recommend by examining the attributes and characteristics of the user that have been

communicated to the SDA server 112. In addition, the SDA seryer 112 may monitor the

interactivities between users and the system, and produce a recommendation

accordingly. Interactivities between a user and the system that may be monitored may

include, for example, what general type of program content the user has searched for in the past, or any specific program content searched for in the past, as well as past

viewing habits. Evaluation of attributes and characteristics of the user, as well as

interactivities between a user and the system, may provide a basis for the SDA server

112 to develop an image of the preferences of a user.

The program signal recommendations are communicated from the SDA server

112 to the set top box 106 via the headend interface 103 and second headend connection

111. Recommendations are communicated from the set top box 106 to the display

device 108, where the recommendations are presented to the user in an unobtrusive

manner. In one embodiment, the recommendations are presented in only a portion of

the display such that the user may continue to watch alternative programming as the

user is informed of the recommendations. The system 100 can thereby provide program

content recommendations to individually identified users based on the particular

interests of the identified users so that these users will be aware of programming of

interest while viewing other program channels and so that these users may make optimal

viewing choices.

The SDA server 112 determines a recommended program content likely to be of

interest to the user in response to the received information relating to user viewing and

the program content available. The headend unit 102 receives program content from

various types of MSOs 104 and processes the program content- for retransmission to the

set top box 106. Thus, a single headend unit 102 can receive multiple types of program

signals, including cable television, Internet pages, and broadcast radio, and can

retransmit the signals to the set top box 106 for viewing by the user.

The headend unit 102 can be modified as needed to accommodate new

technologies and new or different program signal sources. To receive signals from an MSO with a new program signal, the interface in the headend unit 102 that receives the

program signal would need to be modified. However, there would be no need for new

devices or components in the headend unit 102, or modification to existing devices, to

pass along program content to the set top box 106. Thus, the system 100 can provide

new program content delivery to users with a simplified delivery model, with reduced

costs.

It should be understood that the set top box 106 and display device 108 may

process the program content for multimedia presentation, so that "viewing" the content

may comprise audio reproduction, visual reproduction, video programming, and any

other reproduction of content, processing it into a format that is perceivable by humans.

The system 100 preferably includes a data management unit 114 that receives

information about the user from the SDA server 112. The data management unit 114

can also provide the SDA server 112 with programming information, advertising

content, general system information, and the like. For example, the data management

unit 114 can provide advertising and information that is tailored to a particular user's

viewing habits and apparent interests to be viewed at the display device 108. The data

management unit 114 is preferably independent of the headend unit 102. Alternatively,

the data management functionality can be incorporated into the headend unit 102, or the

headend functionality can be incorporated into the data management unit 114.

Typical data collected in the data management unit 114 includes a unique set-top

box number to identify each set top box 106, a channel ID identifying the program

content being viewed by the user, and a duration value that indicates the time that the

user views a particular program content. The data may be reported to the SDA server

and the data management unit at predetermined intervals. For example, anytime a specific program content is viewed by the user for a duration longer than 15 minutes,

then that information may be sent to the SDA server 112 for storage and then to the data

management unit. The interval at which information is sent from the set top box and

stored is adjustable by either a system developer or a system administrator.

Figure 2 is a block diagram that shows examples of components of the program

content sources.104 received at the first headend connection 110 in greater detail.

Figure 2 shows that in one embodiment, the first headend connection 110 receives

program signals from multiple content sources 104 that may include, for example, both

conventional program content sources 202 and data network information 204. The

conventional program content sources 202 may include analog signal sources 206 such

as, for example, analog video, or analog audio. The conventional program content

sources 202 may also include digital signal sources 208 such as, for example, digital

video, or digital audio. In addition, the conventional program content sources 202 may

also include content from direct broadcast satellite systems 210. If desired, any analog

sources, such as analog video or audio, may be converted from analog to digital before

transmission to the first headend connection 110 using conventional analog-to-digital

converters 212.

Figure 2 shows that the data networking services 204 may be provided to the

first headend connection 110. The data networking services may include, for example,

high speed Internet services 220 such as from a cable television system, digital

subscriber line (DSL), or standard analog telecommunication sources 222 such as the

public switched telephone network (PSTN) 222._. If necessary, the analog information

received over the PSTN may be converted to a digital representation by a conventional

AID converter 224 prior to delivery to the first headend connection 110. In addition, data networking services may include proprietary networks 226, such as, for example,

company intranets.

Figure 3 is a block diagram that shows components of the headend unit 102 in

greater detail. As discussed in connection with Figure 1, the headend unit comprises a

headend interface 103, and an application server.112 and an optional data management

unit 114. The headend interface 103 further comprises a content provider interface 302

in communication with program content providers, or MSOs, 104 as shown in Figure 1.

The content provider interface 302 receives program signals from the various MSOs at

the first headend connection 110.

The headend interface 103 further comprises a user interface 304. The user

interface 304 is configured to provide program signals to the set top box 106 via the

second headend connection 111. The cable interface is also configured to send and

receive data and control signals between the headend unit 102 and the set top box 106.

In addition the headend interface comprises a server delivery application (SDA)

interface 306. The SDA- interface 306 is in commumcation with the user interface 304

and the SDA server 112. The SDA interface 306 is configured to receive data and

control information originating at the set top box 106 via the user interface 304 and to

transmit the data and control information to the SDA server 112. Also, the SDA

interface 306 is configured to receive data and control information from the SDA server

112 and to transmit it to the user interface 304 for communication to the set top box

106.

The SDA server 112 further comprises agents 320, data 322, and an operating

system 324. The agents 320 perform services for the users and the data 322 stores

information about the users for use by the agents 320. Both the agents 320 and data 322 are more fully explained in connection with Figure 6 below. The operating system 324

provides the operation platform for the agents 320.

As discussed in connection with Figure 1, the headend unit 102 may include a

data management unit 114. The data management unit 114 provides additional data

storage for use by the SDA application 112 and may be external to the head end unit

102, as shown in Figure 1, or may be integrated as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 4 is a block diagram that shows components of the user system set top

box 106 that receives signals from the headend unit 102 at the second connection 111.

As noted above, the signals may comprise a combination of analog and digital signals.

To interface with digital information over a conventional cable television connection,

the set top box 106 may include a so-called "cable modem" 402. The cable modem 402

provides an interface to high-speed Internet access provided by many cable television

system providers. In addition, the set top box may include a cable interface 404 for ^'

analog, or digital, video cable signal information. The cable interface 404 receives

television programming and other cable-originated data for display on the system

display device 108. As noted above, the display device may comprise a conventional

television monitor, a flat panel display, a Web-enabled device, a computer display

screen, or any other communications device with a display or other component that may

receive digital or analog information and present it for human reception.

The set top box 106 also includes a client delivery application (CD A) agent 406

that monitors user viewing, as described further below. The user can control the

information display through a user interface 408, which can be incorporated into the

CDA agent, if desired. Similarly to the way a plurality of SDA agents can be

supplemented to handle new devices and technology, mentioned above, a CDA agent and viewer interface can be supplemented or modified to accommodate new

technologies and new viewers that may be desired from time to time. As with the SDA,

the modularity of the CDA increases flexibility of the system and reduces the cost of

development and maintenance of the system 100. The CDA 406, cable modem 402 and

cable interface 404 operate on top of a set top box operating system 410. The

instructions for the operating system, as well as any other local storage requirements, are

stored in the memory 412. For example, the CDA may store caricatures for selection by

users, as described below, in the memory 412. CDA operation is described further

below.

Figure 5 illustrates data flow between the headend unit 102 and the set top box

106. As illustrated in Figure 5, in conjunction with the monitoring functions of the set

top box, the CDA agent 406 supports the transfer of information from the set top box

106 to the headend unit 102. The transfer of information comprises a reverse data

channel 502 that may be provided, for example, by a QPSK waveform in a 1 MHz

bandwidth signal. The set top box will use the reverse data channel 502 to send CDA

viewer information as well as control and status messages to the SDA server 112 at the

headend unit 102.

Program content is transmitted from the headend unit 102 to the set top box 106

via broadband channels 504. The broadband channels 504 connect the second headend

connection 111 to the set top box 106 and may support transmission of program content

from the headend unit 102 to the set top box 106. Program content transmitted over the

broadband channels may include analog or digital signals. For example, analog signals

such as Vestigial side band (NSB) signals with a 6 MHz bandwidth signal may be used

for transmission of conventional analog ΝTSC signals. Digital data, such as digital video, may be transmitted using a QAM waveform over a 6 MHz bandwidth signal to

transport an MPEG-1, MPEG-2 VIPEG-4, Indeo, Cinepak, JPEG, JBIG or other digital

data stream from the headend 102 to the set top box 106. Those skilled in the art will

understand that the broadband 6 MHz bandwidth signals described above are generally

referred to as in-band signals.

In addition to the broadband channels 504 for viewing program content, the

CDA agent 406 also supports the transfer of information from the headend unit 102 to

the set top box 106. The transfer of information comprises a forward data channel 506

used to transmit data from the headend 102 to the set top box 106. Typically, the

forward data channel 506 carries IMHz bandwidth QPSK data channel signals. The

forward data channel 506 is primarily used for transmitting application data and control

messages for the operating system of the set top box 106. Those skilled in the art will

understand that the IMHz bandwidth signals described for the forward data channel 506

and for the reverse data channel 502 are generally referred to as out-of-band signals.

While the above discussion only describes a single forward data channel 506 and

a single reverse data channel 502, it is contemplated that there may be multiple forward

data channels 506 and reverse data channels 502.

In one embodiment, the full 6 MHz bandwidth signals are preferably used to

transmit television video programming, advertising video content, Internet data, and the

like, whereas the 1 MHz signals are preferably used for transmitting data and control

information, event timing information, user viewing information uploads, pay-per-view

programming orders, and the like.

The set top box 106 operates according to a set top box operating system (OS)

410 that may comprise, for example, a conventional set top box OS such as the "PowerTN" OS available from PowerTN, Inc. of Cupertino, California, USA, the "Liberate" OS available from Liberate Technologies of San Carlos, California, USA, or other commercially available set top box operating systems known to those skilled in the art. 1 nose skilled in the art will -understand that such operating systems do not typically have the full pull power and sophistication of computer operating systems such as "Windows 98" or "Windows 2000" by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington, USA, but are conventionally used for set top box application. Nevertheless, the operating system for the set top box could, if preferred, comprise a computer operating system such as the personal computer OS alternatives. Other possible operating systems for the set top box 106 may include, for example, the "Palm" operating system from Palm, Inc. of Santa Clara, California.

System Diagram

Figure 6 is a functional block diagram that illustrates me rel ative arrangement of system functions and information flow. Figure 6 shows that an Agent Layer 602, located at die headend unit 102 of the system, includes SDA server application Delivery Agents 604 The SDA Delivery Agents 604 provide the necessary functions to interface between the headend unit 102 and the set top box 106, For example, when an SDA Delivery Agent 504 gets data from the set top box 106, the SDA Delivery Agent 604 checks the persistent data layer 620 to get a full description of the program content channel being observed by the user. The full description of the channel being observed may include, for example, the television broadcast network affiliation corresponding to the selection on the set top box. For example, if a television program is being viewed by a user, the "Channel" selected by the user for a particular broadcast network (such as

ABC, NBC, CBS, WB, or FOX) may be different in different geographic locations. The

SDA Delivery Agent 604 receives the "channel" number from the set top box, and using

the "channel" number associates the corresponding network affiliation with the data

gathered. The SDA Delivery Agent 604 then stores the data into the persistent data

layer 620 for a user agent 606 to observe them. In addition, the SDA Delivery Agents

604 update the user data to reflect the user that-is viewing the program content.

The Agent Layer 602 also includes at least one User Agent 606. Typically,

there is a different User Agent 606 that exists for each different user who has been

identified to the system, as described further below. Seeker Agents 608 are provided to

perform protocol interface and communications, for example to facilitate interface to

products and services, such as the products and services provided by the MSOs 104

described above. These products and services include, such as, for example, wireless

application protocol (WAP) portals 610, cable television service providers 612, and

Internet portals for the "World Wide Web" 614. The seeker agents also perform

subscriber checking and authorization.

Figure 6 also shows a Persistent Data Layer 620. The Persistent Data Layer 620

provides storage for all persistent data used by the system, and will also correspond to

the Data Management unit 114 described above. The information stored in the Persistent

Data Layer 620 includes agent data 622, product and service data 624, content and

device data 626, and user data 628.

Agent data 622, stored in the Persistent Data Layer 620, is configured to store

data to identify a particular user agent. In one embodiment, the Agent data 622

includes, for example, an agent ID, an agent name, and agent image or caricature. Product and service data 624, stored in the Persistent Data Layer 620, is configured to store information about program content available to the user. In one embodiment, the product and service data 624 includes, for example, program content ID, program content name, "channel" ID, "channel" name, and program content type. hi addition, the following types of information about the program content, if applicable, may he collected: start time end time; category; rating; year of release; country of release; duration; director, starring cast; and synopsis.

Context and device data 626, stored in the Persistent Data Layer 620, is configured to store information about the user's display device and program content viewed by the user. In one embodiment, the context and device data 626 includes, such as, for example, a unique identifying number of the display device 10S a user is viewing, a user ID, the program name and the category, the time of day when the user started to watch, the day of the week, and the date.

Usisr data 628, stored in the Persistent Data Layer 620, is configured to store information about the particular user, hi one embodiment, the user data 628 includes, for example, user personal data, including the user's name, gender, age, marital status, zip code, job title, ethnic origin, education status, religious background and the like. User data may be obtained when a user subscribes to the system service, or after the user's subscription has been accepted. In addition, user data may be updated at any time as a user's personal data changes.

Figure 6 shows a Delivery Layer 640 that is located in the set top box 106. The Delivery Layer 640 includes at least one CDA 406, Typically, there are multiple CDAs 406, one for each of the individual dsvices 644 of the user. For example, me devices 644 may include wireless application protocol (WAP) mόbilo devices, set top boxes for television interface, hand-held devices, and Internet devices for Web portals. The CDA

406 for the set top box will be described in further detail below.

System Operation

In accordance with the invention, a user at a display device 108, that is

connected to the set top box 106, begins viewing by activating the set top box 106.

Activation of set top box 106 causes the set top box operating system 410 to launch the

CDA 406. In one embodiment, the set top box is activated by remote control 107. The

CDA 406 is automatically configured and appropriate information is sent to the headend

unit 102 via the reverse data channel 502. Information sent via the reverse data channel

502 may include: box number; channel number; and viewing duration. Information will

be sent unless the show was watched for less than the data update interval, described

above as being 15 minutes. At the headend unit 102, the information is received and

cornmunicated to the SDA server 112. The SDA server 112 examines the information

and may store the user identification and user viewing information in the data

management unit 114.

Thereafter, for each program watched and each program signal (e.g., television

channel) selected by the user, the CDA 406 sends corresponding information to the

headend unit 102, and thereby the SDA server 112, over the reverse data channel 502.

Whenever the user initiates an action through the set top box 106, either through keypad

activation or use of a remote control, the CDA 406 determines if immediate action is

needed, such as, for example, channel changing or volume adjustment or the like. For most immediate actions, the CDA 406 implements the response locally. For other

actions, the CDA 406 sends a request to the SDA server 112.

For example, the user may request program information directly, either in a

program guide format or other suitable information interface. In the illustrated

embodiment, the SDA server 112 will respond to such requests from the user. When

information is directly requested by the user the SDA will retrieve the requested data

from the Persistent Data Layer 620.

The SDA server 112 will also periodically provide program information and

recommended viewing choices as a result of the artificial intelligence processing of the

SDA server 112, in response to SDA server analysis of user viewing habits. The

program information and recommended viewing choices will be sent to the CDA 406

over the forward data channel 506. The information will then be processed through the

set top box OS 410 for display on the viewing device 108.

When power is applied to the set top box 106, the CDA 406 will cause a system

activation indicator, such as a logo or other image, to appear on the display device. This

indicates that the system is active. Figure 7 shows an example of such a logo 702 in the

display device 108 screen representation. Thus, when a user begins a viewing session

with the CDA, the user should observe the system logo 702 on the display device 108

screen. The user may then press a "Menu" button, or other assigned button, on the set

top box 106 or an associated remote control 107 to call up an initial display to be shown

on the display device 108. If the user does not press the "Menu" button, or other

assigned button, the system will not activate but rather stay dormant, allowing the user

to view program signals with no interaction with the system. In one embodiment, after pressing the "Menu" button the initial display provided

by the CDA 406 upon beginning a viewing session will ask the user to select a

caricature or agent. A user selects a caricature or other image icon with which the user

is registered or will be associated with after registration. The caricature is shown on the

display device 108 and identifies the user to the system. Multiple users may be

identified to the CDA 406 by each user selecting a different caricature, or image icon, as

the user's identifier. Each user who is present during a viewing session may be

registered, or logged in, with the system and may be associated with a different

caricature, or icon. During a viewing session by the identified user, or group of users,

the caricature, or group caricature, may be displayed with any messages or other

information provided through the CDA 406 to give a more personalized viewing

experience.

Figure 8 shows a typical initial display. As shown in Figure 8, a system, called

"EnCabler" in the drawings, requests that the user select an agent. Figure 8 shows an

array of caricatures or agents 804 from which the user may choose. Menu options 810

are shown along the lower edge of the display device 108 screen, which shows that the

user may select from "PICK AGENT", "GROUP", "CANCEL", or "MORE AGENTS."

The "PICK AGENT" option permits the user to enter a selection after using a

cursor or other display control to designate one of the caricatures or images they wish to

be identified with. The "MORE AGENTS" option brings up additional caricatures or

images for selection. The "CANCEL" option permits clearing a user choice. The

system confirms that the caricature is available, not already associated with another

user. In one embodiment, only caricatures that are already associated with users are

shown in the initial display. If a new user wants to create an agent caricature, the user

selects "MORE AGENTS" to bring up additional agents that have not been assigned,

such that the user may select one. In addition, a service may be provided whereby the

user can upload their personal picture or other images through a website provided by the

service, or from another source available to the user, to be used as a representation of the

user agent. For example, a user may have an electronic image they wish to use as the

caricature associated with their agent. If so, the user could e-mail the image to a

selected website, where the image would be transmitted to the user's set top box, for

example via the forward data channel 506. The user set top box would receive the

transmitted image in the set top box memory 412 so that the user could select the

desired image.

After a user selects an agent, that agent will automatically be associated, or

identified, with the user data entered through a set-up dialogue described further below.

Thus, the user can register a viewing presence by selecting the appropriate agent from

an initial display of a viewing session.

The "GROUP" option shown in Figure 8 permits multiple users to identify

themselves to the system for a group viewing session. Thus, two or more persons may

select "GROUP" and may pick their representative agents, in turn. The system will

automatically include the viewing inputs during the viewing session when processing

viewing information for each of the identified users. That is, when the system makes

viewing recommendations, it will process information for the current viewing session

and individually ascribe corresponding viewing information to each user who is

identified as being part of the current viewing session. In one embodiment, the system will combine the known viewing data of the

individual users who have been identified, and will produce and display a "group

recommendation" on programming or information content of likely interest to the whole

group, as described further below. In another embodiment, recommendations can be

made for each user of the group, so that multiple recommendations may be displayed for

a single viewing session in accordance with the number of users in attendance.

Identification of individual users, even during simultaneous viewing, provides an

increased level of information granularity for processing and collecting user viewing

information. In contrast, other systems collect viewing information on a household or

control box basis rather than on an individual user basis. Providing more refined data

collection enhances system operation, such as, for example, permitting tailoring of

recommendations for the specific user or group of users that are currently present,

resulting in an improved quality of recommendations. In addition, better demographic

data of user viewing habits may be collected, thereby allowing content providers a better

measure of viewer preferences.

To identify a user upon that user initially using the system, the SDA server 112

application will receive information from the CDA 406 in the set top box 106 and will

determine that the user is an initial user without stored information. This may be

implemented, for example, because the user indicates an initial sequence by creating, a

new agent, or because the headend unit 102 will check stored data and determine that no

data has been previously received from the set top box 106 or the selected caricature.

Therefore, the SDA server 112 will cause a "MENU" screen, as shown in Figure 8, to be

displayed. The user, following the process described above, will select a desired caricature or agent 804. After selecting a desired caricature or agent 804 the system

requests additional information about the user via a set-up screen.

Figure 9 shows an exemplary set-up screen, in which the new user is requested

to provide a name 902, optional password 904, and viewing interest data 906. The user

data is submitted from the CDA 406 to the SDA server 112 by clicking on the "SANE"

display button 908. If a user does not wish to submit the user data the "CANCEL"

display button 910 is selected. After the user data has been submitted, the user simply

watches the selected programming, while the CDA 406 application keeps track of

viewing information and periodically uploads the viewing data to the SDA server 112.

When desired, the user can end the current viewing session, such as by turning the set

top box off 106.^' The same user, or another user, can then initiate another viewing

session. To provide user identification in another viewing session, the user activates the

"MENU" display or otherwise inputs a viewer identification name or number, which

activates the information processing previously associated with the user.

When the user is identified to the system and begins a viewing session, the

system will determine if any programming of interest is available or imminent. The

determination will be made by the SDA server 112 application, which will communicate

the information to the CDA 406 in an appropriate display format. The CDA 406 will

then provide the display information to the display device 108, causing a display such as

shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10 shows that the system will provide menu options 1002 for selection by

the user, including "SEARCH", "SHOWING", "RECOM'D", and "AGENTS." The

"SHOWING" menu option is the default display screen that is shown to a user upon

initiating a viewing session. The "SHOWING" option lists viewing recommendations 1004 selected by the SDA server 112. The "SHOWING" recommendations are

generated by the SDA server based on the user's request for information about specific

shows or the user's past viewing habits.

The "AGENTS" menu option permits users to specify additional or replacement

agents for users participating in the current viewing session. The "RECOM'D", or

recommended, menu option can be selected by the user to display a list of one or more

recommended programming alternatives for the user, or group of users, for a specified

current time interval that may comprise, for example, the current calendar day or for an

upcoming hourly interval.

Figure 11 shows a "RECOM'D", or recommended, display screen. If a user

desires, they may select the "RECOM'D" option to receive additional viewing

recommendations 1102. The additional viewing recommendations 1102 are determined

by the SDA server 112 application based on the past viewing habits of the user, or group

of users, and the viewing options available and also the monitored attributes. In one

embodiment, the SDA server 112 may make recommendations based on a minimum of

forty attributes and characteristics of the user. In other embodiments the SDA server

112 may make recommendations based on a different number of attributes and

characteristics of the user. These additional recommendations are provided to the CDA

406 from the SDA server 112 application for display. -

The "SEARCH" feature permits the user to enter queries for searching the data

management unit 114. The search interface may be simplified or capable of relatively

great specificity, depending on the type of set top box 106, remote control interface, and

computing power available through the CDA 406. Figure 12 shows an example of a

search display, in which the user is provided with a menu of search options 1202 for searching through program information. Other search interfaces will occur to those

skilled in the art. A "SEARCH" display option called "FIND IT" 1204 permits

additional information to be provided.

Figure 13 shows an example of a "FIND IT" display screen in which additional

information about any show that is located through the "SEARCH" display screen. The

information is retrieved from the data management unit 114 for display through the

CDA 406. Thus, the system permits users to be automatically informed of

recommended viewing options. In addition, users can obtain more detailed information

about the recommended programs and about any programs located through a search

utility. All of this activity that occurs during a viewing session can be captured by the

SDA server 112, stored in the data management unit 114, and processed to determine

viewing habits of individual users. In this way, the system is better able to assist a user

in making intelligent viewing choices, based on preferences and inputs that are

automatically learned and are described by the individual users. In addition, the

information can be used by MSOs, program providers, and system developers to better

target programming, information, and advertising to the users who are best suited for the

information and who would most like to receive it.

System Devices

The computer that comprises the SDA server 112 application and data

management unit 114, or any other computer device of the system, may comprise any

conventional computer suitable for implementing the functionality described herein.

Figure 14 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer device 1400 such as might comprise any of the computing devices shown in Figure 1.. Each computer 1400

operates under control of a central processor unit (CPU) 1402, such as an application

specific integrated circuit (ASIC) from a number of vendors, or a "Pentiunϊ'-class

microprocessor and associated integrated circuit chips, available from Intel Corporation of

, Santa Clara, California, USA. Commands and data can be input from a user control panel,

remote control device, or a keyboard and mouse combination 1404 and inputs and output

can be viewed at a display 1406. The display is typically a video monitor or flat panel

display device.

If the computer device 1400 comprises a personal computer, then it preferably

includes a direct access storage device (DASD) 1407, such as a fixed hard disk drive. The

memory 1408 typically comprises volatile semiconductor random access memory (RAM)

in the case of a personal computer, but in the case of a set top box or other computer

device of more modest capability, the memory is likely limited to some form of

programmable read-only-memory (PROM). If the computer device 1400 is a personal

computer, it preferably includes a program product reader 1410 that accepts a program

product storage device 1412, from which the program product reader can read data (and to

which it can optionally write data). The program product reader can comprise, for

example, a disk drive, and the program product storage device can comprise removable

storage media such as a floppy disk, an optical CD-ROM disc, a CD-R disc, a CD-RW

disc, DND disk, or the like. Semiconductor memory devices for data storage may also be

used. If the computer device 1400 is part of a network, such as a group of computers

serving a data management unit function, then each computer 1400 can communicate with

the other connected computers over a network 1413 through a network interface 1414 that enables communication over a connection 1416 between the network and the computer

device.

The CPU 1402 operates under control of programming steps that are temporarily

stored in the memory 1408 of the computer 1400. When the programming steps are

5. executed, the pertinent system component performs its functions. Thus, the programming

steps implement the functionality of the system illustrated in Figure 1. The programming

steps can be received from the DASD 1407, through the program product 1412, or through

the network connection 1416, or can be incorporated into an ASIC as part of the

production process. If the computing device includes, a storage drive 1410, then it can

0 receive a program product, read programming steps recorded thereon, and transfer the

programming steps into the memory 1408 for execution by the CPU 1402. As noted

above, the program product storage device can comprise any one of multiple removable

media having recorded computer-readable instructions, including magnetic floppy disks,

CD-ROM, and DND storage discs. Other suitable program product storage devices can

include magnetic tape and semiconductor memory chips. In this way, the processing steps

necessary for operation in accordance with the invention can be embodied on a program

product.

Alternatively, the program steps can be received into the operating memory 1408

over the network 1413. In the network method, the computer receives data including

program steps into the memory 1408 through the network interface 1414 after network

communication has been established over the network connection 1416 by well-known

methods that will be understood by those skilled in the art without further explanation.

The program steps are then executed by the CPU 1402 to implement the processing of the

e-mail message tracking system. The present invention has been described above in terms of a presently preferred

embodiment so that an understanding of the present invention can be conveyed. There

are, however, many configurations for content delivery systems not specifically

described herein but with which the present invention is applicable. The present

invention should therefore not be seen as limited to the particular embodiments

described herein, but rather, it should be understood that the present invention has wide

applicability with respect to content delivery systems generally. All modifications,

variations, or equivalent arrangements and implementations that are within the scope of

the attached claims should therefore be considered within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. A method of content delivery to a user comprising:

receiving multiple program signals of content at a service headend unit for

viewing by the user;

collecting information relating to the user's viewing preferences;

receiving the collected information at the headend unit;

determining a recommendation for a program signal with content likely to be of

interest to the user based on the collected information; and

communicating the recommendation to the user at a display device.

2. The method of Claim 1 , wherein determining a recommendation for a

program signal further comprises applying fuzzy logic to the collected information.

3. The method of Claim 1 , where in the received program signals of content

at the service headend unit comprise analog video.

4. The method of Claim 1 , where in the received program signals of content

at the service headend unit comprise digital video.

5. The method of Claim 1 , where in the received program signals of content

at the service headend comprise analog audio.

6. The method of Claim 1 , where in the received program signals of content

at the service headend unit comprise digital audio.

7. The method of Claim 1 , where in the received program signals of content

at the service headend unit comprise World Wide Web portals.

8. The method of Claim 1 , where in the received program signals of content

at the service headend comprise wireless application protocol portals.

9. The method of Claim 1, wherein the service headend unit further

comprises an agent layer.

10. The method of Claim 9, wherein the agent layer further comprises :

a service delivery application;

at least one user agent; and

at least one seeker agent.

11. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the service headend unit further

comprises a persistent data layer.

12. The method of Claim 11, wherein the persistent data layer further

comprises:

an agent data;

a product and services data;

a user data; and

a context and device data.

13. A system that delivers program signals of content to a user, the system

comprising:

a client delivery application that monitors and collects information relating to

user viewing of content at a display device from among multiple program signals of

content; and

a network connection from which the client delivery application receives

multiple program signals of content, transmits the information regarding user viewing of

content, receives a recommended program signal of content likely to be of interest to the user in response to the received information relating to user viewing, and informs the.

user of the recommended program signal at the display device.

14. The system of Claim 13, wherein the monitored arid collected

information further comprises:

a unique identification number representing the client delivery application; and

a channel number representing program content that is being viewed by the user;

and

a duration value representing the time that user has viewed a particular signal of

program content.

15. The system of Claim 13 , wherein the network connection further

comprises:

at least one broadband channel adapted to communicate program signals content;

at least one forward data channel that communicates data from the service

delivery application to the client delivery application; and

at least one reverse data channel that communicates data from the client delivery

application to the service delivery application.

16. The system of Claim 13, wherein the client delivery application is

located in a set top box.

17. The system of Claim 13 , wherein the multiple program signals of content

comprise television channels.

18. A system that provides content delivery to a user, the system comprising:

a service headend unit that provides multiple program signals of content for

viewing by the user; a set top box configured to receive multiple program signals of content and

display a selected program signal of content on a display device;

a client delivery application at the set top box configured to monitor and collect

information relating to user selection of content from among the multiple program signals of content; and

a service delivery application at the service headend unit configured to receive

information relating to user selection of content wherein the service delivery application

determines a recommended program signal of content likely to be of interest to the user

in response to the received information relating to user selection of content and

communicates the recommended program signal to the client delivery application for

display on the display device.

19. The system of Claim 18, wherein the multiple program signals of content are television channels.

20. The system of Claim 18, further comprising:

a plurality of in-band signals to communicate the multiple program signals of

content to the user;

at least one out-of-band signal to communicate information relating to user

selection of content to the service delivery application; and

at least one out-of-band signal to communicate the recommended program signal

to the client delivery application.

21. , A system that provides information content delivery to a user, the system

comprising:

a set top box that receives information content from a service headend unit that

provides multiple channels of information content for viewing by the user on a viewing device; and

a client delivery application that executes at the set top box and collects

information relating to user viewing selections, wherein the client delivery application

monitors and collects information relating to user viewing of content from among the

multiple program signals of information content, and provides the user viewing

information to a service delivery application, wherein the service delivery application

determines a recommended program signal of information content likely to be of

provides the recommended program signal to the client delivery application, which

informs the user of the recommended program signal on the viewing device.

22. A system that provides information content delivery to a user, the system comprising:

a set top box that receives information content from a service headend that provides multiple program signals of information content for viewing by the user on a

viewing device; and

a client delivery application that executes at the set top box and provides a user

interface, wherein the client delivery application receives a user designation of a user interface agent and cornmumcates user information to a service delivery application,

which determines a recommended program signal of information content likely to be of

interest to the user and provides the recommended information content to the client

delivery application, such that the client delivery application associates previously

received user information with the designated agent for display of the agent and the

recommended program signal on the viewing device.

23. A system of providing content delivery to a user, the system comprising: at least one content provider configured to supply programming content;

a headend unit in commumcation with the content provider and

configured to receive a plurality of programming content and wherein a service delivery

application receives information relating to a user viewing of content and determines a

recommended programming content for the user;

a set top box in communication with the headend unit and configured to

receive content wherein a client delivery application monitors and collects the

information relating to the user viewing of content and communications the information

to the service delivery application and receives the recommended programming content

and displays the recommendation on a viewing device.

24. The system of Claim 23, wherein the headend unit further comprises:

an agent layer; and

a persistent data layer.

25. The system of Claim 24, wherein the agent layer further comprises:

at least one delivery agent configured to communicate with the client

delivery agent;

at least one user agent corresponding to each user identified to the

system; and

at least one seeker agent configured to communicate with the at least one

content provider.

26. The system of Claim 24, wherein the persistent data layer further

comprises:

agent data configured to store data to identify a particular agent; product service data configured to store information about program

content available to the user;

context and device data configured to store information about the user's

display device and program content viewed by the user; and

user data configured to store information about the particular user.

27. The system of Claim 23, wherein the set top box further comprises: ^•

a cable modem configured to receive digital information over a cable

television connection;

a cable interface configured to receive cable-originated data; and

a user interface configured to receive user inputs to control information

displayed on the viewing device.

28. A method of providing content delivery to a user, the method

comprising:

receiving at least one program signal by a set top box in commumcation

with a headend unit;

monitoring and collecting information relating to the user's viewing

habits of the at least one program signal content by a client delivery application

configured to monitor and collect information and communicate the information to a

headend unit; and

receiving viewing recommendations from the headend unit by the client

delivery application and communicating the recommendations to a display devise for

viewing by the user.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one program signal

comprise television programs.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein monitoring and collecting information

further comprises:

a unique identification number identifying each set top box;

a channel number representing the program content viewed by the user;

and

a duration value representing the time that a user views a particular

program content.

31. A method of providing content delivery to a user, the method

comprising:

communicating at least one program signal by a headend unit to a set top

box;

receiving information relating to the user's viewing habits of the at least

one program signal content;

determining a recommended program signal for the user based in part on

the information relating to the user's viewing habits and available program signal

content; and

communicating the recommended program signal from the headend unit

to the set top box for display to the user.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one program signal

comprise television programs.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein determining a recommended program

signal further comprises: configuring a user agent to examine the received information relating to

the user's viewing habits, and content and device data stored in a persistent data layer;

and

configuring a product agent to examine product and service data stored in

a persistent data layer, wherein the user agent and the product agent cooperate to

determine the recommended program signal.

34. A computer system method of associating a user with a particular system

agent, the method comprising:

providing a set of agent images for selection by the user;

selection of a desired image by a user;

receiving information about the user regarding user viewing interests;

and

associating the selected image and received information about the user

with the system agent, wherem the system agent identifies the user to a system delivery

agent that provides automatic content viewing recommendations from among multiple

programming sources.

35. The method of Claim 34, wherein the image is a caricature.

36. The method of Claim 34, wherein the image is an uploaded graphic

image.

37. The method of Claim 34, further comprising associating agents of

multiple users with a particular group agent, the method comprising: selecting a group option by multiple users;

selecting respective agents for each of the multiple users; and

associating the individual agents with a group agent, wherein the group

agent identifies each of the individual users to a system delivery agent that provides

automatic content viewing recommendations from among multiple programming

sources.