On-screen program guide with interactive programming recommendations

[0001] Customers (a/k/a “subscribers”) of modem cable or television (TV) satellite services are familiar with the concept of an on-screen programming guide or an interactive program guide (IPG). These program guides allow a subscriber to display, sort and search TV programming that is playing on the channels available to the subscriber. Typically, when a subscriber accesses the program guide, the programs on at that moment are displayed. The user can generally scroll forward in time to see what is playing later in the day, on the next day, and further ahead in time. A typical program guide allows a subscriber to display programming up to two weeks into the future.

[0002] Today's television services provide hundreds of channels to choose programming content from, including movies and pay-per-view events. In the future, it is expected there will be thousands of channels. In order to make selections when faced with such a multitude of options, a subscriber may go to a magazine, newspaper or website to see what TV programs and movies are recommended. Depending upon their preferences, subscribers may rely upon specific sources for recommendations which have established a level of credibility with subscribers, thus these sources become “trusted sources” to a subscriber. However, there presently is not a way to see what their trusted sources have recommended while a subscriber is perusing the on-screen program guide.

[0010] The preferred embodiments implemented according to the present invention now will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all possible embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0011] The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for a subscriber to make a selection from their on-screen program guide to see what recommendations are made by one or more reviewers. In many cases, the reviewer may be one of the subscriber's trusted sources. The reviewer's recommended programming may be displayed on the television as a simple list, or the recommendations may be incorporated into the program guide by highlighting or otherwise identifying the recommended shows in the program guide. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, reviews of the reviewer's recommendations may be accessed by the subscriber.

[0012] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the preferred embodiments may be implemented as a method, a data processing system, or a computer program product. Accordingly, preferred embodiments of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, implementations of the preferred embodiments may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions (e.g., computer software) embodied in the storage medium. More particularly, implementations of the preferred embodiments may take the form of web-implemented computer software. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

[0013] The preferred embodiments according to the present invention are described below with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatuses (i.e., systems) and computer program products according to an embodiment of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create a means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

[0014] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readable instructions for implementing the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

[0015] Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0016] In the preferred embodiments referenced herein, a “computer” or “computing device” may referenced. Such computer may be, for example, a mainframe, desktop, notebook or laptop, a hand held device such as a data acquisition and storage device, or it may be a processing device embodied within another apparatus such as, for example, a set top box for a television system or a wireless telephone. In some instances the computer may be a “dumb” terminal used to access data or processors over a network. Turning to FIG. 1a, one embodiment of a computing device is illustrated that can be used to practice aspects of the preferred embodiment. In FIG. 1a, a processor 1, such as a microprocessor, is used to execute software instructions for carrying out the defined steps. The processor receives power from a power supply 17 that also provides power to the other components as necessary. The processor 1 communicates using a data bus 5 that is typically 16 or 32 bits wide (e.g., in parallel). The data bus 5 is used to convey data and program instructions, typically, between the processor and memory. In the present embodiment, memory can be considered primary memory 2 that is RAM or other forms which retain the contents only during operation, or it may be non-volatile 3, such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, or other types of memory that retain the memory contents at all times. The memory could also be secondary memory 4, such as disk storage, that stores large amount of data. In some embodiments, the disk storage may communicate with the processor using an I/O bus 6 instead or a dedicated bus (not shown). The secondary memory may be a floppy disk, hard disk, compact disk, DVD, or any other type of mass storage type known to those skilled in the computer arts.

[0017] The processor 1 also communicates with various peripherals or external devices using an I/O bus 6. In the present embodiment, a peripheral I/O controller 7 is used to provide standard interfaces, such as RS-232, RS422, DIN, USB, or other interfaces as appropriate to interface various input/output devices. Typical input/output devices include local printers 18, a monitor 8, a keyboard 9, and a mouse 10 or other typical pointing devices (e.g., rollerball, trackpad, joystick, etc.).

[0018] The processor 1 typically also communicates using a communications I/O controller 11 with external communication networks, and may use a variety of interfaces such as data communication oriented protocols 12 such as X.25, ISDN, DSL, cable modems, etc. The communications controller 11 may also incorporate a modem (not shown) for interfacing and communicating with a standard telephone line 13. Finally, the communications I/O controller may incorporate an Ethernet interface 14 for communicating over a LAN. Any of these interfaces may be used to access a wide area network such as the Internet, intranets, LANs, or other data communication facilities.

[0019] Finally, the processor 1 may communicate with a wireless interface 16 that is operatively connected to an antenna 15 for communicating wirelessly with another device, using for example, one of the IEEE 802.11 protocols, 802.15.4 protocol, or a standard 3G wireless telecommunications protocols, such as CDMA2000 1× EV-DO, GPRS, W-CDMA, or other protocol.

[0020] An alternative embodiment of a processing system that may be used is shown in FIG. 1b. In this embodiment, a distributed communication and processing architecture is shown involving a server 20 communicating with either a local client computer 26a or a remote client computer 26b. The server 20 typically comprises a processor 21 that communicates with a database 22, which can be viewed as a form of secondary memory, as well as primary memory 24. The processor also communicates with external devices using an I/O controller 23 that typically interfaces with a LAN 25. The LAN may provide local connectivity to a networked printer 28 and the local client computer 26a. These may be located in the same facility as the server, though not necessarily in the same room. Communication with remote devices typically is accomplished by routing data from the LAN 25 over a communications facility to a wide area network 27, such as the Internet. A remote client computer 26b may execute a web browser, so that the remote client 26b may interact with the server as required by transmitted data through the Internet 27, over the LAN 25, and to the server 20.

[0021] Those skilled in the art of data networking will realize that many other alternatives and architectures are possible and can be used to practice the preferred embodiments. The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b can be modified in different ways and be within the scope of the present invention as claimed.

[0022] The preferred embodiments provide for trusted sources to store their recommended programming, which are updated on a periodic basis (e.g., daily, weekly, etc.) depending upon the frequency of new episodes of the recommended programming. An interface is provided that allows the trusted sources to submit their recommendations and reviews, though in other embodiments the system may access commercially-available network sites to obtain the trusted sources' recommendations and reviews. When a customer selects a particular trusted source on their computing device user interface, a request is made to a server or other source that stores recommendation information (such as recommendation indications (ratings, codes, etc.) and reviews) or that is able to access recommendation information from other network sites, and the recommendation information is downloaded to the customer's computing device.

[0023] An embodiment of network architecture that may be associated with an on-screen program guide with programming recommendations is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, a user, customer or subscriber 224 to a service provider 222 comprises a computing device such as, for example, a set top box 206, a monitor or other display device such as, for example, a television 204, and an input device such as, for example, a remote controller (remote) 200. The remote 200 is used to provide selection input, which is received by the set top box 206. Alternatively, the input could be provided to the set top box 206 in other manners, such as by depressing keys incorporated into the set top box 206, or by other means as known in the art. The set top box 206 includes an output interface facility that provides video signals to television 204 (in known formats). The set top box 206 also includes a network interface facility that is configured to communicate with the service provider over an access network 212. The set top box 206 recognizes multiple types of communications channels from the service provider, such as bidirectional data communications, which may be implemented as an Internet Protocol (IP) channel 218, and multicast/broadcast video communications, which may be implemented as one or more quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) video channels 214. The service provider 222 may include one or more video source systems 216 (e.g., a headend) as well as other network elements which provide video content to access network 212. Service provider 222 may also include a recommended programming system 221, as further described below

[0024] Although FIG. 2 illustrates a single video source system 216 and a single subscriber 224, there are typically numerous subscribers and/or network elements within a system. Thus, although the QAM channel 214 is illustrated as point-to-point, it may actually be a broadcast channel in a point-to-multipoint configuration. The IP channel, however, can be viewed as a point-to-point configuration. The other subscribers and network elements are not shown in FIG. 2 for clarity reasons.

[0025] The IP channel 218 provides a separate channel for bi-directional communication between the set top box 206 and the service provider. Specifically, the IP channel 218 in this embodiment provides access to the recommended programming system 221, which is able to provide recommendation information to the set top box 206. In one embodiment, the set top box 206 overlays the recommendation window on the video data when presenting the video signal to the television, though in other embodiments the recommendation window is combined with the video signal provided by the service provider. Techniques for overlaying or combining windows are known in the art.

[0026] The QAM channel 214 carries video information which originates from video source system 216. Although the QAM channel is illustrated as a single channel, there are typically multiple channels provided over an access network. Typically, additional equipment is required to multiplex and otherwise process a variety of video channels onto the access network (e.g., modulators, amplifiers) and FIG. 2 illustrates only a single video source system for purposes of clarity.

[0027] The recommended programming system 221 may be implemented using a recommended programming server 220, a program data store 230, and a recommendation processor 228. The recommended programming server 220 may be implemented to include, for example, a web (HTTP) server or other communications protocol that allows for communications between server 220 and subscribers 224 over access network 212. The recommended programming server 220 has access to program data storage system 230, which stores program data, such as program guide information associated with the various programs available over the access network. For example, the system 230 contains information regarding what programs are currently being provided by the video source 216 and at what times. It is presumed that infrastructure is in place (not shown) for automatically updating the system 230 with the appropriate information. Thus, the server 220 can query (or otherwise obtain) information about which specific programs are being provided on the access network. This may include which programs are currently available on which channels. The server 220 may also have an interface 231 to allow a trusted source 232 to enter recommendation information associated with a particular show. In other embodiments, the recommended programming server may be programmed to search or reach out to specified network sites (e.g., websites) to obtain recommendation information from a trusted source. The server 220 may also be connected to recommendation processor 228, which may be a computer configured to store and process recommendation information from trusted sources. It is to be appreciated that one or more of the recommended programming server 220, the recommendation processor 228 and the program data storage system 230 may be implemented in the same computer (e.g., as separate processes) or separate computers. The recommendation information associated with programming content can be stored on the recommendation processor 228 and integrated into the data communicated over access network 212 so that viewers or potential viewers of the program would be able to see the trusted sources' review. In such a case, the system 228 provides the review data back to the server 220 which transmits it to the set top box 206 and the set top box displays it onto the video data on the television screen.

[0028] An embodiment of the typical information flow for processing a request for recommendation information of a trusted source is now described in the context of FIG. 2. A user has made a selection that allows the user to view an on-screen program guide as such are known in the art to determine programming content that is currently available to the user over access network 212 (and may be available in the future). The user may also make a selection to view recommended programming from one or more trusted sources. This may be accomplished by selecting an icon on the on-screen program guide, by making a selection on the set top box separate from the on-screen program guide, or by indicating in some manner by a user action that the user wishes to see the recommendation information for programming content. The user's action, which may be performed by a function key (or some other keypad indication) on the remote 200, indicates a request for recommended programming to the set top box 206. The set top box ascertains the currently available programming content (and possibly programming content that will be available in the future) and sends a message 210 to the recommended programming server 220 over the IP channel 218 indicating the recommended programming request. The request may include various information, such as a set top box identifier and selection criteria (further described below).

[0029] The server 220 accesses the program data in system 230 to ascertain the available programs (current and in the immediate future). (Alternatively, the data could have been previously stored in the recommended programming server.) The server 220 provides a transmission 208 to the set top box indicating program guide information for the available and upcoming programming content (alternatively, such information could have been provided to set top box 206 previously and stored, such as on a daily basis). The set top box 206 sends message 210 to the server 220, where message 210 may include selection criteria for the recommendation information (further described below). Server 220 may then send the selection criteria in a request 226 to recommendation processor 228, which retrieves recommendation information—which may include recommendations as well as reviews from various trusted sources—that are associated with the programming content, for example, using the selection criteria. Alternatively, the message 210 could be sent directly from the set top box 206 to the system 228 where recommendations associated with the programming content can be retrieved. Also alternatively, the recommended programming information could be sent directly from the server 220 to the system 228 without receiving message 210, where recommendations associated with the programming content can be retrieved.

[0030] This retrieved recommendation information is then provided to the set top box 206 in a transmission 234, where it may be displayed, for example, as an overlay of a video image generated by the video signal. The retrieved recommendation information may include, for example, identifiers of trusted sources providing recommendations, information describing the programming, recommendation indicators (e.g., ratings, codes, etc.), and reviews by the trusted sources. The retrieved recommendation information may be displayed in various ways, depending on the user interface from which the request was made and/or the selection criteria used. For example, information retrieved from a request for recommendation information for all currently available programming may be displayed as a list of identifiers of trusted sources, and the user may select one or more of the trusted sources to see their associated recommendation information. In another example, where the request is associated with a specific program (for example, selected from the program guide), the retrieved recommendation information may be displayed as a list of identifiers of trusted sources and their associated recommendation information for the specific program. When the recommendation information is displayed, the user may be provided an icon to allow the user to tune the set top box 206 to the recommended programming, or (if equipped with the proper recording equipment, such as a digital video recorder), the user may be provided with an option to record the recommended program at the set top box 206 for playback at the user's convenience.

[0031] Alternative embodiments to the system described above are possible. For example, in FIG. 2, the trusted source recommendation information was provided via the IP channel to the set top box. In other embodiments, the server 220 may provide the information to the video source system 216 which distributes the information in video form (e.g., as a recommendation “window” displaying the recommendation information) as a separate channel on the access network. (This additional channel is not shown in FIG. 2). The user views the recommendation window by having the set top box select the recommendation channel and displaying the results to the user using, for example, picture-in-picture techniques. This allows the recommendation information to be processed as a separate video feed and displayed using the picture-in-picture capabilities in the television or other display device 204.

[0032] The set top box 206 may record the user's request for trusted sources' recommendations, and keep a history of the viewer's actions. This information may be automatically conveyed to the server 220, or retained in the set top box 206 for future downloading to the server 220. The usage information in the server may be periodically ‘pulled’ or ‘pushed’ to another computer system that generates periodic bills, in order to properly bill the viewer for such services, if billing is desired. Such information may also be used to determine the preferences of a user so that the recommendations of a trusted source most often selected by a user may be displayed first, or a user may be proactively notified of a preferred trusted source's recommendations without having to request them.

[0033] Selection criteria may be any information that may be used to select a subset of recommended programming information to provide to a subscriber. For example, in the preferred system, a user may be able to: select one or more particular programs and view any recommendation information for just the selected programs; select a program type (e.g., a genre, such as sitcoms) and view recommendation information for all programs having the program type; select a video channel and view recommendation information for shows on that channel; select a date range and/or time range and view recommendation information for shows within that range; or any combination of the foregoing. The selection criteria may also give an option to provide recommendation information for currently available programs (or programs to be available within a set time frame, such as a day or a week). The selection criteria may be included in the message from set top box 206 to server 220 requesting recommendation information, or may be default or predefined selection criteria (e.g., recommendations for shows available today over access network) that may be stored or used automatically by server 220.

[0034] FIGS. 3A-3E are exemplary screenshots of a television or other display device showing the process of obtaining programming recommendations from one or more trusted sources in embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 3A an action by the user such as, for example, pressing a function key on the remote 200 has caused a selection screen 300 comprised of a selection for a channel guide 302 and a selection for recommended programming 304 to be displayed on the screen 300. The user then chooses the channel guide 302 or the recommended programming 304 (for example, using the remote 200). If the channel guide 302 is selected, then the user is provided a screen similar to the exemplary one shown in FIG. 3B, where the user is provided with information about available channels 306, available programming 308, and the time the programming is shown 310. If the user selects the recommended programming 304 option from FIG. 3A, a message is sent from the set top box 206 to the server 220 (for example, message 210) requesting recommended programming information. The recommended programming server 220 then accesses the system 228 to obtain the recommended programming information using the selection criteria—in this example, the current recommendations for programming available over the access network. The recommended programming information is then transferred from the system 228 to the server 220 and downloaded to the set top box 206, where it is displayed to the user on the user's display device 204 (e.g., a television), using a screen similar to the exemplary one shown in FIG. 3C.

[0035] FIG. 3C is an exemplary recommended programming screen, which provides a list of trusted sources 312 and each trusted source's recommended programming 314. The screen may be scrollable or displayed in more than one page so that a larger number of trusted sources may be displayed. In the embodiment of FIG. 3C, the user is able to select a particular trusted source's recommendation, which will cause the screen of FIG. 3D to be displayed. FIG. 3D is an exemplary screen which indicates which trusted source 316 has been selected along with the show 318 being recommended. This embodiment also allows the user to be informed that the chosen show is currently showing on television channel 2 and that it began at 7:30 p.m. The embodiment of FIG. 3D allows the user various options that may be selected using the remote 200, or by some other means of indicating a preference such as function keys on the set top box 206. In this embodiment, the user has the option to read the trusted source's review of the selected show 320, watch the selected show 322, or to see additional show times 324. If, in FIG. 3D, the user selects the option to see the review 320, then the user is taken to a screen as is shown in FIG. 3E. In FIG. 3E, the user is provided with a review 326 of the selected show by the chosen trusted sources. In this embodiment, the user is provided with an option 328 to go to the show for viewing purposes.

[0036] The embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3A-3E is but one example of many different ways that the preferred systems and processes can be implemented. It is to be appreciated that there are several ways that the channel guide may be displayed as well as various ways to make selections that are displayed on the screen and to be made aware of the review. For instance, in one embodiment voice commands rather than a remote may be used to make screen selections and information may be visually displayed on the screen(s) or it may be audible, or combinations thereof. Additionally, although the examples indicate “commercial” trusted sources (e.g., The New York Times), trusted sources may be non-commercial entities or even individuals that provide recommendation information or make such information available—for example, over interface 231, or over access network 212 (such from a subscriber computing device).

[0037] The preferred embodiments of the system described above may be used to provide a user with recommended programming information as a feature of an interactive program guide or other user interface, as further described in the processes described herein. FIG. 4 illustrates a process for providing a user with recommended programming information from one or more trusted sources while the user is interacting with an on-screen programming guide. In Step 402 of FIG. 4, a recommended programming system is provided where recommended programming information of one or more trusted sources is stored, processed and made available for retrieval. The recommended programming information may be entered by the one or more trusted sources through an interface such as a web interface, or the system may obtain the recommendation information from one or more of the trusted sources from other websites. At Step 404, the user is provided an interactive programming guide via the computing device and a display device connected thereto, which allows the user to be informed of one or more available programming options, at a request initiated by the user. At Step 406, the programming recommendation information from the one or more trusted sources is downloaded to the user's computing device, for example, when such information is selectively chosen by the user. In various embodiments, the recommended programming information may be overlaid over or combined with the video image included in the video signal from the computing device to the display device. The display device may be a television, a monitor, etc.

[0038] FIG. 5 describes a process for a user to access recommended programming information. At Step 502, a user selects access to recommendations from a user interface provided by a video-receiving computing device (e.g., a set top box) that is connected to a display device (e.g., television). At step 503, an interface is provided by the computing device that includes identifiers for one or more trusted sources and recommendation information associated with such trusted source. The interface may part of or incorporated into an interactive program guide. At Step 504, the user selects a desired trusted source from the one or more trusted sources that are made known to the user. At Step 506, the user is made aware of the recommendation information of the desired trusted source. In one embodiment, the recommendation information may include a review written by the selected trusted source. The user may also be able to make a selection to go directly to a showing of the recommended programming.

[0039] FIG. 6 is another embodiment of a process for providing a user with recommended programming information from one or more trusted sources. In Step 602 of FIG. 6, a recommended programming system is provided where recommended programming information of one or more trusted sources is stored, processed and made available to video-receiving computing devices (e.g. set top boxes) attached to the access network and also connected to display devices (e.g. televisions). The recommended programming information includes identifying information about the trusted sources, identifying information of the programming content that a particular trusted source recommends watching, and recommendation indicators (e.g., ratings, codes, etc.). The recommended programming information is updated on a periodic basis to reflect the changing programming content over time. At Step 604, program guide data about current and upcoming program content is stored on the recommended programming system. At Step 606, and based upon the program guide data, recommended programming information from the one or more trusted sources is downloaded to one of the video-receiving computing devices attached to the access network. At Step 608, a user selects to view an interactive programming guide from the computing device. At Step 610, the user selects a trusted source from the one or more trusted sources made available to the user as part of the interactive programming guide. And, at Step 612, the programming recommendations of the selected trusted source are displayed on the display device to the user.

[0040] Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions of the preferred embodiments. For instance, the trusted sources and their recommendations may be provided audibly rather than (or in addition to) visually. Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather to the appended claims, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in an inclusively descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.