Accessing television services

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/376,192 filed Apr. 29, 2002, titled “Accessing Television Services”.

[0002] This application relates to accessing television services.

[0003] Television systems today provide viewers with hundreds of channels for viewing. To provide access to the programming of these channels, cable and satellite television systems typically provide an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) that presents a menu-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) for viewers to scan the broadcasting schedule for all of the available channels or to group all programs listed in broadcasting schedule into categories. In systems that provide Video-on-Demand (VOD) programming the EPG typically also allows viewers to select programs to watch on demand. The EPG interface is typically arranged hierarchically, for example, allowing a viewer to select menus of groups of programming, such as groups by genre (e.g., children's programming) or groups by type of programming (e.g., VOD).

[0004] In a general aspect, the invention provides an approach for viewers of a television system to access groups of television services. A number of different groups, or “service aggregates,” can be available to a viewer at one time. A portal interface for each group provides a direct means for the viewer to navigate between the member services of an aggregate, without necessarily having to accesses a global program guide for the television system.

[0005] In one aspect, in general, the invention features a method for providing access to television content. The method includes forming one or more groups of television content. For each of the groups, a graphical interface is provided for navigating among items of television content of the group. When presenting any of multiple, but not necessarily all, members of a group to a viewer, a graphical representation of other members of the group is displayed to the viewer. In response to a selection of one of the other members by the viewer, the selected member is presented.

[0006] In another aspect, in general, the invention features a method for providing access to television content. A first entity forms a group of television content. Each of the members of the television content group correspond to a content provider. Each content provider has a commercial relationship with the first entity. The method includes providing a graphical interface to the viewer, including presenting a graphical representation of the group of television content, and accepting a selection of one of the group from the viewer.

[0007] In another aspect, in general, the invention features a method for providing a viewer access to members of a group of associated multimedia content. A data representation of the group of associated multimedia content available to the viewer is formed. When presenting a first member of the group to the viewer, a graphical representation of one or more of the members of the group is displayed according to the data representation of the group. A selection from the viewer of one of the members of the group is accepted; and the selected member of the group is presented to the viewer.

[0008] The approach can include one or more of the following features:

[0009] The television content that forms a group can include a television broadcast, a video-on-demand program, a subscription program, a subscription-on-demand program, an advertisement (including “info-mercials” and television-based sales), or another group of television content. The television content that forms a group can include forming the group according to a business rule.

[0010] The graphical representation displayed can include a selection menu. The graphical representation can be displayed while concurrently presenting a first member of the group. The graphical representation can be displayed without concurrently presenting a first member of the group.

[0011] When presenting the member, a request can be accepted from the viewer and the graphical representation of the members can be displayed in response to the viewer's request. The request can be generated by the viewer pressing a single button on a remote control.

[0012] The graphical interfaces for different groups can have different types of graphical representations for members of the group.

[0013] The graphical representation of other group members can vary based on time. The graphical representation of other group members can vary based on viewer demographics.

[0014] The first entity can be a television system operator. The first entity can be a third party. The first entity can be a content provider.

[0015] The associated multimedia content available to the viewer can form a group. The group of associated multimedia content can include a television broadcast program, a video-on-demand program, or an advertisement (including “info-mercials” and television-based sales). The advertisement can be based on viewer characteristics. The advertisement can be based on viewer demographics. The group of associated multimedia content can include an internet site. The group of associated multimedia content can include multi-user interactive content.

[0016] To display the graphical representation a script can be received and executed.

[0017] The approach may have one or more of the following advantages:

[0018] Viewers using an interactive interface for a service aggregate may be more likely to remain within the group of services that form the aggregate. This has the advantage that viewers remain focused on the programming content rather than leaving the service aggregate.

[0019] The service aggregate can provide navigation interfaces for niche markets, without adding complexity to a global program guide.

[0020] A television system operator can define service aggregates that provide a way for delivering local or customized advertising to viewers without modifying the television content that is selected by the viewer.

[0021] Scripts may be downloaded from the cable head-end by the set-top box to provide interfaces to the service aggregate. These scripts may also be created at the cable head-end or provided by other parties such as content providers.

[0022] Various types of services may be contained in a service aggregate. For example, a service member can be a broadcast channel, on-demand content, an advertisement, or the service may itself be another service aggregate.

[0023] Business rules can be used to organize access to programming so that a viewer's interest is driven to targeted advertising or other types of services or service aggregates. Once a viewer has selected a program for viewing, the viewer has implicitly identified themselves as a target for a particular service (e.g., advertisement) related to the program being viewed. Thus, business rules, and not necessarily program genre, can govern which services are accessible to the viewer and control delivery of these appropriate services.

[0037] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

1 System Overview

[0038] A television system provides viewers with access to a variety of television services. For example, a viewer can access particular television channels that are provided by the television system. In addition, the television system provides viewers with access to a number of service aggregates, also referred to as portals, each of which includes a group of television services. These groups of television services can include a number of broadcast television channels, prior (recorded) television programming, video-on-demand programming, targeted advertisements, etc. Associated with each service aggregate is a user interface that allows a viewer to navigate among the various members of the service aggregate when viewing an originally selected program. Each interface for a service aggregate may be unique without necessarily sharing characteristics with interfaces for other service aggregates.

[0039] A viewer enters a service aggregate by tuning to a particular channel that is a member of the service aggregate. Alternatively, the viewer enters an aggregate by explicitly “tuning” to a service aggregate for example, by tuning to a predetermined channel or using an EPG or other similar program guide.

[0040] After accessing the service aggregate, the viewer can choose to view that aggregate by entering a command on a remote control used for controlling the set-top box. In one example, a dedicated “MENU” key on the remote control is used to access the interface. The interface can optionally be displayed on the entire television screen, on a portion of the screen overlaying the currently viewed program (e.g., picture-in-picture), or in a non-overlaying portion of the screen while a scaled version of the currently viewed program is viewable on the remaining portion of the screen.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, a television 10 displays a menu 20 as an interface for a service aggregate entered by the viewer. As described further below, a service aggregate may be formed by any of a number of different parties, including content provides, television system operators, and/or other third parties. The menu 20, along with the service aggregate, may vary dependent upon the channel, affiliation with the channel, or the program being viewed on the television. By tailoring the menu to the program currently viewed on the television, a viewer is provided with a pre-selected group of services from which to choose. By pre-selecting the services, the viewer may be predisposed to remain within the service aggregate and navigate among the services of that service aggregate. Thus, the aggregate provides a way for providers of television content to organize specific content as an aggregate and focus the viewers attention on the items contained in the aggregate.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 2 a schematic representation for a typical menu 20 displays the graphical layout of a service aggregate. In this example, top and bottom regions 40a, 40b of the menu 20 contain a company logo or other brand information. Central regions 50a-c may contain buttons that refer, for example, to an individual program, broadcast channel, or another service aggregate related to the company of the displayed logo and/or brand name 40a, 40b. After activating the menu 20, the viewer selects one of the buttons 50a-c in order to view one of the labeled services 50a-c or the viewer may select an exit button 60 to deactivate the menu 20. Services 50a-c may include a broadcast channel related to the currently viewed program or channel, or an on-demand program again related to the currently viewed program or channel, or a web site, a video game, an advertisement, or another service aggregate.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 3, by selecting among the various services 50a-c, the viewer can navigate into sub-menus 70a-c. For example, if the viewer accesses a menu from a how-to repair show, the viewer can drill down, and further qualify his interests, to a show on re-caulking a bathtub. After navigating through sub-menus the viewer can select another channel to view a related show or select an on-demand video for viewing. The viewer can also return to a parent menu by selecting the exit button 60 on the various menus.

[0044] By tailoring the menu for a particular channel a viewer will tend to navigate within the service aggregate associated with the selected channel. For example, referring still to FIG. 3, an example is a service aggregate created by the content provider of various programming offered by the Discovery Network. If a viewer activates the menu 20, while viewing the “Wild Disovery” channel, which is one channel in the Discovery service aggregate, a group of services relating to the “Wild Discovery” channel are displayed. As the viewer navigates throughout the submenus, services which may be accessed by the viewer are pre-selected by the creator of the aggregate, here the content provider. Also, since this service aggregate, menu, and sub-menus were predetermined by the content provider, the viewer is not necessarily aware that his service navigation has been restricted to content provided by the Discovery Network.

[0045] While the menus and sub-menus control the content through which the viewer may navigate, the viewer can optionally exit the service aggregate. For example, if the viewer tunes to a different television channel, the viewer may exit one service aggregate and may enter a completely different service aggregate associated with the newly selected channel. Referring briefly back to FIG. 1-3, if while viewing the Wild Discovery channel the viewer tunes the television to the Home Improvement channel, and activates the menu button, the displayed menus and submenus are associated with a service aggregate relating to the Home Network rather than the Discovery Network. Alternatively, exiting an aggregate may not lead to another aggregate but may allow the user simply to navigate through channels in a more conventional way.

2 Service Aggregates

[0046] Within the framework described above, various grouping techniques can be used to form the service aggregates. For example, a service aggregate can be formed of programs associated with a particular television network. A service aggregate may be also be formed of programs within a particular genre, for example, game shows or children's programs.

[0047] Another basis for grouping content to form a service aggregate is according to business rules. For example, the service aggregate can include the broadcast channels owned by a particular business entity. For instance, all of the channels owned by Discovery Communications, Inc (e.g., Discovery Health, Wild Discovery, etc.) may be members of, and accessed as a single service aggregate with a unique portal interface. In addition to the broadcast content, such a service aggregate can include video-on-demand, such as previous episodes of programs on the Discovery channels.

[0048] A service aggregate can include a combination of different types of services, such as a group of related channels (e.g., the Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health, etc.) along with on-demand video of particularly related shows (e.g., episode 15 of Kids Health Works). A service aggregate can include episodes (e.g., all the episodes of “Wild Discovery”), or possibly a subset of past episodes of a program. The aggregate may also be based on program characteristics, for example, the most popular shows, the least popular shows, or the newest network programs. Types of services that can be included in the service aggregates include broadcast channels, on-demands programming, targeted advertisements, Web sites, and other types of information, such as, stock tickers, news, sports scores, interactive games, or aggregates containing other content.

[0049] Membership in a service aggregate can be based on business affiliations or relationships between parties that are related to the services in the aggregate. These affiliations can include ownership, common ownership, strategic partnership, advertising, or co-marketing.

[0050] Services aggregates can include on-demand versions of programs that are broadcast on a particular channel, or on-demand episodes of a broadcast program. The services of an aggregate that are accessible to a viewer may also be based on the time of day. For example, a content provider may restrict access to on-demand content at certain times of the day or the content provider may want to restrict access to previous episodes of a television series according to when the current episode is playing on a broadcast channel.

[0051] Services within the service aggregate can be based on other parameters, such as, a content provider promoting a new program by placing an advertisement of the program, a preview of the program, or the program itself within the service aggregate. A service aggregate can also be defined by the genre of the current program or some other attribute or category associated with the current program.

[0052] Advertisement services within a service aggregate can be targeted to a particular program. For example, if a particular product can be seen in a program, an advertisement targeted to the product may be entered into the service aggregate. In another example, advertisement services can be targeted to a program, such as a video-on-demand, which is accessed from a service aggregate. Also, if another channel is logically related to the current program being viewed, the related channel may be included in the service aggregate. In still another example, if a program or channel is affiliated with the owner of the currently viewed channel or program, the affiliated channel or program may be entered as a service in the aggregate. Again, by controlling the relationship between the currently viewed material and the services placed within the service aggregate, a viewer's navigating ability is controlled by the creator of the service aggregate. By controlling navigation abilities of a viewer an aggregate creator can target brand name associations with viewers.

3 System Implementation

[0053] Referring to FIG. 4, television content as well as information related to the user interfaces for various service aggregates available to viewers of the television system is delivered from a cable head end 80 to viewer premises 105 over a broadband RF network 100. At each of the viewer premises, a “set-top box” (STB) 110 communicates with cable head end 80, and supports functions such as tuning to particular broadcast channels or receiving on-demand programs provided by cable head end 80. STB 110 generates video signals that are displayed on a viewer's television 90, and receives viewer's commands from a remote control 120, or optionally through controls on the STB itself. Television 90 presents both programs as well as graphical interfaces used by the viewer to navigate between different services of the system.

[0054] Information that defines the various service aggregates as well as the user interfaces for navigating among the members of those services is passed from cable head end 80 to STB's 110. Each STB includes a programmable processor that executes software that enables the interaction with the viewer when the viewer is using the graphical interface to view a service aggregate.

[0055] The information that defines the service aggregates and the user interfaces for those service aggregates comes from a variety of sources. Content providers 82, such as television networks, who may provide a number of different television channels to cable head end 80 can define service aggregates and provide the information for those services to the cable head end along with their content. Each content provider can define a number of different service aggregates, for example, catering to different types of viewers. Portal providers 84, who do not necessarily provide any of the program content that is available to the viewers, can also define service aggregates and provide information to the cable head end 80 for defining those service aggregates and their user interfaces. Some of the services that are grouped to form service aggregates are not necessarily provided by content providers 82 or portal providers 84. For example, access to computer network services, such as access to Internet-based web content, and access to electronic commerce systems can be provided by external service providers 86 that are also linked to cable head end 80.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 5, set-top-box 110 includes components for processing programming for display on the viewer's television. A video decoder 130 receives digital or analog television signals from cable head end 80 and generates viewable television signals that are passed to television 90. STB 110 includes an on screen display & optional video scaler (OSD) 140. Video decoder 130 and OSD 140 work together so that programming can be displayed on the user's television unaltered, or optionally, a graphical interface can be displayed on the television, possibly in conjunction with programming. For example, menus can be superimposed on programming, or the programming can be scaled to occupy less than all of the television display and the remaining portion is used for the graphical interface.

[0057] Information that defines operation of the user interfaces for various service aggregates is passed as data from a data subsystem 87 at cable head end 80 to a data communication subsystem 160 in STB 110. Alternative communication channels for transmitting the data are described below.

[0058] STB 110 includes a portal program 170 that manages the presentation of user interfaces for the service aggregates. Portal program 170 is initially downloaded from cable head end 80 when the STB is powered on. Portal program 170 coexists with other programs that are downloaded to the STB, for example, with a traditional Electronic Program Guide. Alternatively, portal program 170 is not downloaded initially, and is downloaded when the viewer first accesses a service of a service aggregate.

[0059] The data for service aggregates that is passed to a STB includes scripts that when executed in the STB display corresponding portal menus. A script that is sent to the STB is interpreted by portal program 170 and results in information being provided to OSD 140 for displaying the images of the user interface on the viewer's television. Under control of the downloaded script, a menu does not necessarily obstruct the underlying video program. Portal program 170 may control OSD 140 to scale the video into a portion of the display area so that the menu does not overlay any portion of the underlying program.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6, portal program 170 executes a procedure 200 that monitors inputs from the viewer. The procedure first checks whether a command indicating that the viewer has pressed the activation button (step 220) on the infrared remote control 120 (shown in FIG. 4) has been received. For example, the activation button is marked “MENU” on the remote control. When receiving the activation command, the portal program determines if there is a menu script for the program currently viewed (step 230), and if not, if there is a menu script for the television channel being viewed (step 240). If there is a menu script for the current program, or for the current channel, that script is executed by portal program 170 (steps 250, 260). If there is no menu for either the program being viewed or the channel being viewed then no menu for an service aggregate is displayed. Optionally, if there is no menu for an appropriate service aggregate, the command can initialize display of an overall program guide to the viewer.

[0061] Through execution of a menu script, a menu is displayed by OSD 140 (shown in FIG. 5) concurrently with the program being viewed on the television. The menu may not completely obstruct the underlying video program. Also, the OSD 140 may scale the currently viewed video into a portion of the television screen so that it is not overlaid by the menu. Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, a menu can overlay a portion of the video image displayed. Referring to FIGS. 10a and 10b, sub-menus, described above, may be variously positioned on the currently viewed images. FIG. 10a, in one example, positions the sub-menu adjacent to the selected menu option. Referring to FIG. 10b, in another example, the sub-menu is placed at the bottom of the television screen and overlays a different portion of the currently viewed video program. Referring to FIGS. 11a and 11b, in another example, the sub-menus can be placed within the primary menu structure which overlays a portion of the currently viewed video program.

[0062] Through the control of the menu script, the choices of services presented to the user can vary depending on a number of factors, as can the visual presentation of the services. The factors that affect the interface can include, but are not limited to, a particular scene or time interval within a program, time of day, channel or program being viewed, demographics, and business rules.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 7, execution of a menu script can control a number of interactions with a user, in which the user enters commands by pressing buttons such as “up” and “down” or numeric buttons. For example, a menu script can implement a procedure 300 that allows the viewer to use remote control 120 to select from the menu options. A viewer's selection can correspond to a category of services (step 320). If a category is selected a category menu is displayed (step 330) on the television screen. If a particular service, such as a broadcast TV channel, on-demand video program, or other similar video content, is selected (step 350), the service is presented (step 360), for example, using standard functions of the STB to access that service. For example, if the selected content is a broadcast program, the script controls the STB to tune to the appropriate channel. For VOD content, the script causes the STB to send commands to the cable head end to provide the on-demand content to the STB for display. In the case of pay-per-view on-demand content, the selection can automatically purchase the content without further interaction with the viewer. If “exit” is selected (step 370), the script is exited and the menu is no longer displayed.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 12a and 12b, a control bar optionally overlays a video when the viewer selects a video-on-demand service. The video viewing can be controlled by the viewer using the control bar. For example, the viewer can terminate viewing the video being displayed and return to the previous video service or to the menu from which the video was selected. In another example, a service aggregate may be displayed while presenting the video.

[0065] The scripts are stored in a portal data storage 81 at the head-end 80 and retrieved as they are needed by portal program 170. A variety of mechanisms are available to deliver data to the program running on a set-top box. Two-way communication systems can be used to retrieve menu scripts as they are needed. On-demand delivery of menu scripts can use DOCSIS cable modems, telephone modems, and set-top box manufacturer propriety two-way RF communication systems. For Motorola DCT2000 series set-top boxes a two-way UDP/IP based transport can be used by the set-top box to request and accept delivery of the menu scripts. For the Scientific/Atlanta Explorer 3000 set-top boxes a TCP/IP based transport can be used.

[0066] In alternative versions of the system, the menu scripts that are processed by the portal program are “broadcast” out-of-band separately from the program content from head end 80 to the STBs and stored in the STB until they are accessed by portal program 170. Various broadcast channels are available in cable systems, including propriety RF communication systems. Once the portal program has received the menu data, it can cache the data for subsequent use.

[0067] Broadcast alternatives also include in-band delivery of menu information along with the program content. For example, in-band MPEG-2 transport stream can be used to deliver information for the service aggregate. The transport stream is used to deliver both a digital video program and its associated menu information. The benefits of the delivery mechanism include an implicit binding of video program and menu data, a high-bandwidth push data delivery mechanism, faster display of menus, and no upstream communications traffic. Because the menu data is pushed to the set-top box, no upstream traffic is necessary to request the delivery of the menu data. With in-band data delivery, the STB application begins buffering the menu data as soon as the channel is tuned.

[0068] In-band data can be added to transport streams at a video subsystem 85 at head end 80, or can be provided by content providers as part of the programming delivered to head end 80.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 13a-c, three examples of menu scripts are shown, which after down-loaded from the cable head end 80 (FIG. 4) and executed allow a viewer to navigate within a number of different service aggregates.

4 Alternatives

[0070] Besides activating a service aggregate menu by selecting a television channel, the service aggregate may be activated by a “menu” button on the user's remote control. By pressing one remote control button, a menu may overlay the currently viewed program. Similarly a remote control button may remove the service aggregate menu from the television screen. A service aggregate menu may also be selected from a EPG or other similar program guide.

[0071] A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a viewer demographics may be used to relate a service aggregate to a currently viewed program or channel. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.