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WO2008146270A1 - Content providing site loyalty - Google Patents

Content providing site loyalty Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008146270A1
WO2008146270A1 PCT/IL2007/000647 IL2007000647W WO2008146270A1 WO 2008146270 A1 WO2008146270 A1 WO 2008146270A1 IL 2007000647 W IL2007000647 W IL 2007000647W WO 2008146270 A1 WO2008146270 A1 WO 2008146270A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
content providing
providing site
viewer
channel
current content
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IL2007/000647
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Yonatan Silver
Arnold Zucker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Synamedia Ltd
Original Assignee
NDS Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by NDS Ltd filed Critical NDS Ltd
Priority to PCT/IL2007/000647 priority Critical patent/WO2008146270A1/en
Publication of WO2008146270A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008146270A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/442—Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk
    • H04N21/44213—Monitoring of end-user related data
    • H04N21/44222—Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity
    • H04N21/44224—Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/258—Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
    • H04N21/25866—Management of end-user data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/266—Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
    • H04N21/2668—Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/438—Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving encoded video stream packets from an IP network
    • H04N21/4383—Accessing a communication channel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4784—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application receiving rewards
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/488—Data services, e.g. news ticker
    • H04N21/4882—Data services, e.g. news ticker for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/812—Monomedia components thereof involving advertisement data

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to content providing site loyalty, and in particular, but not exclusively, relates to encouraging a viewer to continue viewing a current content providing site or another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
  • the present invention seeks to provide an improved content providing site loyalty system and method for encouraging a viewer to continue viewing a current content providing site or another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
  • a system for encouraging a viewer to continue viewing a current content providing site shown on a display device or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site including a receive module to receive an indication that the viewer wants to leave the current content providing site, and a channel loyalty module to perform an action, on receipt of the indication, to encourage the viewer to continue viewing the current content providing site, or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
  • the action includes displaying an on-screen display on the display device, the on-screen display listing at least one program in the future program schedule of the current content providing site, or the other content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
  • the action includes displaying an on-screen display on the display device, the on-screen display requesting the viewer not to leave the current content providing site, or to move to the other content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the action includes displaying a different camera view for a program currently being viewed by the viewer.
  • the action includes replacing a currently playing advertisement by another advertisement. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the action includes offering the viewer a financial incentive to continue viewing the current content providing site until a certain time.
  • the certain time is an end of a program currently being viewed by the viewer.
  • the action includes opening a dialogue between the viewer and an owner of the channel to negotiate a price for the continued viewing by the viewer of the current content providing site or the other content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
  • the action includes skipping ahead or fast forwarding within a program.
  • the action includes summarizing at least part of a content item.
  • the indication that the viewer wants to leave the current content providing site is receipt of a part of a remote control channel-change command signal.
  • the system includes a remote control device wirelessly connected to the receive module, the remote control device having a partially depressible button, the remote control device being operative such that partially depressing the partially depressible button sends the part of the remote control channel change command signal to the receive module.
  • the remote control device is operative such that fully depressing the partially depressible button sends another part of the remote control channel change command signal to the receive module, thereby effecting a channel change to be displayed on the display device.
  • the remote control device is operative such that releasing the partially depressible button from being partially depressed results in the display device continuing to display the current content providing site on the display device.
  • the current content providing site is one of a TV channel and a website, and the other content providing site is one of another TV channel and another website.
  • a method for encouraging a viewer to continue viewing a current content providing site shown on a display device or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site including receiving an indication that the viewer wants to leave the current content providing site, and performing an action, on receipt of the indication, to encourage the viewer to continue viewing the current content providing site, or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
  • the current content providing site is one of a TV channel and a website
  • the other content providing site is one of another TV channel and another website.
  • Fig. 1 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of a channel loyalty system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 displaying an on-screen display of future programs
  • Fig. 3 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 displaying an on-screen display requesting a viewer not to leave a current channel;
  • Fig. 4 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 displaying a different camera view for a program currently being viewed by the viewer;
  • Fig. 5 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 offering the viewer a financial incentive to continue viewing the current channel until a certain time;
  • Fig. 6 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 opening a dialogue between the viewer and an owner of the channel to negotiate a price for the continued viewing by the viewer of the current channel;
  • Fig. 7 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 showing the viewer releasing a partially depressible button of a remote control
  • Fig. 8 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 showing the viewer fully depressing the partially depressible button of the remote control.
  • TV channel is used by way of example only, and that the present invention is not limited to a particular type of content providing site, but rather includes any suitable content providing site, for example, but not limited to a website.
  • Fig. 1 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of a channel loyalty system 10 constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the channel loyalty system 10 is preferably operative to encourage a viewer 12 to continue viewing a current TV channel shown on a display device 14 or view another TV channel owned by the owner of the current TV channel.
  • the display device 14 is typically a television or any suitable display device such as a computer monitor or a proj ector with a display screen.
  • the channel loyalty system 10 preferably includes a remote control device 18, a receive module 20 and a channel loyalty module 22.
  • the receive module 20 and the channel loyalty module 22 are typically implemented in a set- top box 16, by way of example only.
  • the set-top box 16 is used by way of example only, and that the present invention is not limited to a particular type of TV media rendering device, but rather includes any suitable device, such as a suitably adapted computer for playing TV programs.
  • the remote control device 18 is wirelessly connected to the receive module 20.
  • the remote control device 18 has a plurality of partially depressible buttons 24.
  • the partially depressible buttons 24 may include channel up/down buttons and/or numeric pad buttons.
  • the partially depressible buttons 24 typically have two modes of operation: one mode whereby partial depression of one of the partially depressible buttons 24 sends a first part of a remote control channel change command signal (block 21) to the receive module 20; and a second mode whereby Ml depression of the partially depressible button 24 sends a second part of the remote control channel-change command signal (shown in Fig. 8) to the receive module 20.
  • a remote control channel change command signal block 21
  • Ml depression of the partially depressible button 24 sends a second part of the remote control channel-change command signal (shown in Fig. 8) to the receive module 20.
  • Partial depression of one of the partially depressible buttons 24 is described below in more detail.
  • buttons 24 are described with reference to US Patent 6,400,303 to Armstrong and US Patent 6,636,273 to Weber. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that any suitable user interface may be used to replace the remote control device 18, for example, but not limited to, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch sensitive screen, a voice recognition system, or a movement recognition system.
  • a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch sensitive screen, a voice recognition system, or a movement recognition system.
  • the user interface may be remotely wirelessly connected to the set-top box 16, remotely wired to the set- top box 16, or even part of the set-top box 16 itself, for example, when the set-top box 16 is part of a portable or handheld device such as a mobile telephone, PDA or television or media player.
  • the receive module 20 is preferably operative to receive an indication that the viewer 12 wants to leave the current channel.
  • the indication that the viewer 12 wants to leave the current channel is typically receipt of the first part of the remote control channel-change command signal (block 21) by the receive module 20.
  • the channel loyalty module 22 is preferably operationally connected to the receive module 20.
  • the channel loyalty module 22 is generally operative to perform an action, on receipt of the first part of the remote control channel-change command signal (block 21) by the receive module 20, to encourage the viewer to: continue viewing the current TV channel; or view another TV channel owned by the owner of the current TV channel. Possible actions are described with reference to Figs. 2- 6. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that other suitable actions are also possible.
  • partial depression of one of the partially depressible buttons 24, sends the first part of the remote control channel-change command signal (block 21) to the receive module 20 triggering the channel loyalty module 22 to perform the action to encourage the viewer to continue viewing the current TV channel or view another TV channel owned by the owner of the current TV channel.
  • buttons 24 may be replaced any suitable replacement button or buttons, as long as the user can register a desire to change TV channels and then actually change TV channels, corresponding to the first and second part of the remote control channel-change command signal.
  • a channel change such as two or more numeric buttons, or a non-numeric channel change button followed by a numeric button or buttons
  • depression of the first button will result in the first part of the remote control channel-change command signal (block 21) being sent to the receive module 20 and depression of a subsequent button(s) will result in the second part of the remote control channel-change command signal being sent to the receive module 20.
  • the remote control device 18 may include a non-channel change button operative to send the first part of the remote control channel-change command signal (block 21) to the receive module 20 in order to trigger the channel loyalty module 22 to perform the action.
  • Fig. 2 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system 10 of Fig. 1 displaying an on-screen display 26 of a plurality of future programs 28.
  • the action performed by the channel loyalty module 22 on receipt of the first part of the remote control channel-change command signal (block 21 of Fig. 1) by the receive module 20 typically includes displaying the on-screen display 26 on the display device 14.
  • the on-screen display 26 preferably lists one or more programs 28 in the future program schedule of: the current channel; or another channel owned by the owner of the current channel.
  • Fig. 3 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system 10 of Fig. 1 displaying an on-screen display 30 requesting the viewer 12 not to leave the current channel or to move to another channel owned by the owner of the current channel.
  • the action performed by the channel loyalty module 22 includes displaying the on-screen display 30 on the display device 14.
  • the on-screen display 30 may be displayed alone or with the on-screen display 26 of Fig. 2 and/or with any suitable combination of the actions described herein with respect to Figs . 4-6.
  • Fig. 4 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system 10 of Fig. 1 displaying a different camera view 32 for a program currently being viewed by the viewer 12.
  • the channel loyalty module 22 may perform an action including displaying the different camera view 32.
  • Methods of providing different camera views are known to those ordinarily skilled in the art, such as the method described in PCT Published Patent Application WO 2004/040896 of NDS Limited.
  • the action may include replacing a currently playing advertisement by another advertisement in order to encourage continued viewing of the current channel.
  • Fig. 5 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system 10 of Fig. 1 offering the viewer a financial incentive to continue viewing the current channel until a certain time.
  • the action performed by the channel loyalty module 22 may include offering the viewer a financial incentive, via an on-screen display 34, to continue viewing the current channel until a certain time, for example, but not limited to, the end of the program currently being viewed by the viewer 12.
  • the financial incentive may include: a credit to the account of the viewer 12; a free pay-per- view program; a discount for a pay-per-view program; a discount for a product sold via the TV system or elsewhere; or a free gift when purchasing a certain product, by way of example only.
  • FIG. 6 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system 10 of Fig. 1 opening a dialogue 36 between the viewer 12 and an owner of the channel to negotiate a price for the continued viewing by the viewer 12 of the current channel.
  • the action performed by the channel loyalty module 22 may include opening the dialogue 36 between the viewer 12 and an owner of the channel to negotiate a price for the continued viewing by the viewer 12 of the current channel or another channel owned by the owner of the current channel.
  • the dialogue between the viewer 12 and a representative 40 of the owner of the current channel is typically implemented via an Internet link 38 from the set-top box 16 to the representative 40.
  • the Internet link 38 may be replaced by any suitable communication link, for example, but not limited to, cable, wireless, or telephone connection.
  • the action performed by the channel loyalty module 22 may include skipping ahead or fast forwarding within a program, for example, but not limited to, skipping to a subsequent, previously recorded, news item or scene in a soap opera or film.
  • the action performed by the channel loyalty module 22 may include
  • the channel loyalty module 22 may always select the same action or combination of actions by default, independently of any other factor such as the channel, program, user or time. Alternatively, the channel loyalty module 22 may select any appropriate action or combination of actions based on one or more of the following factors: the selected channel, the program being viewed, the scene or part of a program being viewed, the current time, the viewer's user profile and the viewing history of the viewer.
  • the appropriate action(s) may be signaled by the content provider to the channel loyalty module 22 using signaling methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, but not limited to, including signaling data within Entitlement Control Messages (ECMs), Event Information data, or metadata broadcast via the content provider or received by other methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, but not limited to, via an Internet connection or via a return channel.
  • ECMs Entitlement Control Messages
  • Event Information data or metadata broadcast via the content provider or received by other methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, but not limited to, via an Internet connection or via a return channel.
  • the type of the current content providing site may be different from the type of the other content providing site.
  • the current content providing site may be a TV channel and the other content providing site may be a website or vice-versa.
  • FIG. 7 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 showing the viewer 12 releasing the partially depressible button 24 of the remote control 18.
  • the remote control device 18 is preferably operative such that releasing the partially depressible button 24 from being partially depressed results in the display device 14 continuing to display the current channel on the display device 14. If the remote control device 18 does not include the partially depressible buttons 24 for channel changing functions, in order to continue viewing the current channel, the viewer 12 does not continue pressing the remote control key combinations) associated with channel changing.
  • Fig. 8 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system 10 of Fig. 1 showing the viewer 12 fully depressing the partially depressible button 24 of the remote control 18 thereby causing the remote control device 18 to send the second part of the remote control channel change command signal (block 42) to the receive module 20, thereby effecting a channel change to be displayed on the display device 14.
  • the remote control device 18 does not include the partially depressible buttons 24 for channel changing functions, in order to effect a channel change, the viewer 12 continues pressing the remaining remote control key combination(s) associated with channel changing.
  • software components of the present invention may, if desired, be implemented in ROM (read only memory) form.
  • the software components may, generally, be implemented in hardware, if desired, using conventional techniques.

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Abstract

A system for encouraging a viewer to continue viewing a current content providing site shown on a display device or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site, including a receive module to receive an indication that the viewer wants to leave the current content providing site, and a channel loyalty module to perform an action, on receipt of the indication, to encourage the viewer to continue viewing the current content providing site, or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Description

CONTENT PROVIDING SITE LOYALTY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to content providing site loyalty, and in particular, but not exclusively, relates to encouraging a viewer to continue viewing a current content providing site or another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following references are believed to represent the state of the art: US Patent 6,400,303 to Armstrong; and
US Patent 6,636,273 to Weber.
The disclosures of all references mentioned above and throughout the present specification, as well as the disclosures of all references mentioned in those references, are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide an improved content providing site loyalty system and method for encouraging a viewer to continue viewing a current content providing site or another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a system for encouraging a viewer to continue viewing a current content providing site shown on a display device or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site, including a receive module to receive an indication that the viewer wants to leave the current content providing site, and a channel loyalty module to perform an action, on receipt of the indication, to encourage the viewer to continue viewing the current content providing site, or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the action includes displaying an on-screen display on the display device, the on-screen display listing at least one program in the future program schedule of the current content providing site, or the other content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site. Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the action includes displaying an on-screen display on the display device, the on-screen display requesting the viewer not to leave the current content providing site, or to move to the other content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the action includes displaying a different camera view for a program currently being viewed by the viewer.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the action includes replacing a currently playing advertisement by another advertisement. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the action includes offering the viewer a financial incentive to continue viewing the current content providing site until a certain time.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the certain time is an end of a program currently being viewed by the viewer.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the action includes opening a dialogue between the viewer and an owner of the channel to negotiate a price for the continued viewing by the viewer of the current content providing site or the other content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the action includes skipping ahead or fast forwarding within a program.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the action includes summarizing at least part of a content item.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the indication that the viewer wants to leave the current content providing site is receipt of a part of a remote control channel-change command signal. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a remote control device wirelessly connected to the receive module, the remote control device having a partially depressible button, the remote control device being operative such that partially depressing the partially depressible button sends the part of the remote control channel change command signal to the receive module.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the remote control device is operative such that fully depressing the partially depressible button sends another part of the remote control channel change command signal to the receive module, thereby effecting a channel change to be displayed on the display device. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the remote control device is operative such that releasing the partially depressible button from being partially depressed results in the display device continuing to display the current content providing site on the display device. Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the current content providing site is one of a TV channel and a website, and the other content providing site is one of another TV channel and another website. '
There is also provided in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for encouraging a viewer to continue viewing a current content providing site shown on a display device or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site, including receiving an indication that the viewer wants to leave the current content providing site, and performing an action, on receipt of the indication, to encourage the viewer to continue viewing the current content providing site, or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the current content providing site is one of a TV channel and a website, and the other content providing site is one of another TV channel and another website.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of a channel loyalty system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 displaying an on-screen display of future programs; Fig. 3 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 displaying an on-screen display requesting a viewer not to leave a current channel;
Fig. 4 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 displaying a different camera view for a program currently being viewed by the viewer;
Fig. 5 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 offering the viewer a financial incentive to continue viewing the current channel until a certain time;
Fig. 6 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 opening a dialogue between the viewer and an owner of the channel to negotiate a price for the continued viewing by the viewer of the current channel;
Fig. 7 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 showing the viewer releasing a partially depressible button of a remote control; and Fig. 8 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 showing the viewer fully depressing the partially depressible button of the remote control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that, throughout the present application, a TV channel is used by way of example only, and that the present invention is not limited to a particular type of content providing site, but rather includes any suitable content providing site, for example, but not limited to a website.
Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of a channel loyalty system 10 constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The channel loyalty system 10 is preferably operative to encourage a viewer 12 to continue viewing a current TV channel shown on a display device 14 or view another TV channel owned by the owner of the current TV channel.
The display device 14 is typically a television or any suitable display device such as a computer monitor or a proj ector with a display screen.
The channel loyalty system 10 preferably includes a remote control device 18, a receive module 20 and a channel loyalty module 22. The receive module 20 and the channel loyalty module 22 are typically implemented in a set- top box 16, by way of example only. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that, throughout the present application, the set-top box 16 is used by way of example only, and that the present invention is not limited to a particular type of TV media rendering device, but rather includes any suitable device, such as a suitably adapted computer for playing TV programs.
The remote control device 18 is wirelessly connected to the receive module 20. The remote control device 18 has a plurality of partially depressible buttons 24. The partially depressible buttons 24 may include channel up/down buttons and/or numeric pad buttons. The partially depressible buttons 24 typically have two modes of operation: one mode whereby partial depression of one of the partially depressible buttons 24 sends a first part of a remote control channel change command signal (block 21) to the receive module 20; and a second mode whereby Ml depression of the partially depressible button 24 sends a second part of the remote control channel-change command signal (shown in Fig. 8) to the receive module 20. To effect a change of channel one of the partially depressible buttons 24 needs to be depressed fully. Partial depression of one of the partially depressible buttons 24 is described below in more detail.
Those ordinarily skilled in the art of remote controls know how to implement the partially depressible buttons 24. Examples of partially depressible buttons are described with reference to US Patent 6,400,303 to Armstrong and US Patent 6,636,273 to Weber. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that any suitable user interface may be used to replace the remote control device 18, for example, but not limited to, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch sensitive screen, a voice recognition system, or a movement recognition system. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the user interface may be remotely wirelessly connected to the set-top box 16, remotely wired to the set- top box 16, or even part of the set-top box 16 itself, for example, when the set-top box 16 is part of a portable or handheld device such as a mobile telephone, PDA or television or media player.
The receive module 20 is preferably operative to receive an indication that the viewer 12 wants to leave the current channel. The indication that the viewer 12 wants to leave the current channel is typically receipt of the first part of the remote control channel-change command signal (block 21) by the receive module 20.
The channel loyalty module 22 is preferably operationally connected to the receive module 20.
The channel loyalty module 22 is generally operative to perform an action, on receipt of the first part of the remote control channel-change command signal (block 21) by the receive module 20, to encourage the viewer to: continue viewing the current TV channel; or view another TV channel owned by the owner of the current TV channel. Possible actions are described with reference to Figs. 2- 6. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that other suitable actions are also possible.
Therefore, in summary, partial depression of one of the partially depressible buttons 24, sends the first part of the remote control channel-change command signal (block 21) to the receive module 20 triggering the channel loyalty module 22 to perform the action to encourage the viewer to continue viewing the current TV channel or view another TV channel owned by the owner of the current TV channel.
It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the partially depressible buttons 24 may be replaced any suitable replacement button or buttons, as long as the user can register a desire to change TV channels and then actually change TV channels, corresponding to the first and second part of the remote control channel-change command signal. For example, if the user always has to depress two or more buttons to register a channel change (such as two or more numeric buttons, or a non-numeric channel change button followed by a numeric button or buttons), then depression of the first button will result in the first part of the remote control channel-change command signal (block 21) being sent to the receive module 20 and depression of a subsequent button(s) will result in the second part of the remote control channel-change command signal being sent to the receive module 20.
Alternatively or additionally, the remote control device 18 may include a non-channel change button operative to send the first part of the remote control channel-change command signal (block 21) to the receive module 20 in order to trigger the channel loyalty module 22 to perform the action. Reference is now made to Fig. 2, which is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system 10 of Fig. 1 displaying an on-screen display 26 of a plurality of future programs 28.
The action performed by the channel loyalty module 22 on receipt of the first part of the remote control channel-change command signal (block 21 of Fig. 1) by the receive module 20 typically includes displaying the on-screen display 26 on the display device 14. The on-screen display 26 preferably lists one or more programs 28 in the future program schedule of: the current channel; or another channel owned by the owner of the current channel.
Reference is now made to Fig. 3, which is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system 10 of Fig. 1 displaying an on-screen display 30 requesting the viewer 12 not to leave the current channel or to move to another channel owned by the owner of the current channel. The action performed by the channel loyalty module 22 includes displaying the on-screen display 30 on the display device 14. The on-screen display 30 may be displayed alone or with the on-screen display 26 of Fig. 2 and/or with any suitable combination of the actions described herein with respect to Figs . 4-6.
Reference is now made to Fig. 4, which is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system 10 of Fig. 1 displaying a different camera view 32 for a program currently being viewed by the viewer 12. In order to encourage the viewer to continue viewing the current channel the channel loyalty module 22 may perform an action including displaying the different camera view 32. Methods of providing different camera views are known to those ordinarily skilled in the art, such as the method described in PCT Published Patent Application WO 2004/040896 of NDS Limited.
Alternatively or additionally, the action may include replacing a currently playing advertisement by another advertisement in order to encourage continued viewing of the current channel.
Reference is now made to Fig. 5, which is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system 10 of Fig. 1 offering the viewer a financial incentive to continue viewing the current channel until a certain time. The action performed by the channel loyalty module 22 may include offering the viewer a financial incentive, via an on-screen display 34, to continue viewing the current channel until a certain time, for example, but not limited to, the end of the program currently being viewed by the viewer 12. The financial incentive may include: a credit to the account of the viewer 12; a free pay-per- view program; a discount for a pay-per-view program; a discount for a product sold via the TV system or elsewhere; or a free gift when purchasing a certain product, by way of example only.
Reference is now made to Fig. 6, which is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system 10 of Fig. 1 opening a dialogue 36 between the viewer 12 and an owner of the channel to negotiate a price for the continued viewing by the viewer 12 of the current channel.
The action performed by the channel loyalty module 22 may include opening the dialogue 36 between the viewer 12 and an owner of the channel to negotiate a price for the continued viewing by the viewer 12 of the current channel or another channel owned by the owner of the current channel. The dialogue between the viewer 12 and a representative 40 of the owner of the current channel is typically implemented via an Internet link 38 from the set-top box 16 to the representative 40. The Internet link 38 may be replaced by any suitable communication link, for example, but not limited to, cable, wireless, or telephone connection.
The action performed by the channel loyalty module 22 may include skipping ahead or fast forwarding within a program, for example, but not limited to, skipping to a subsequent, previously recorded, news item or scene in a soap opera or film. The action performed by the channel loyalty module 22 may include
"getting to the point" by summarizing at least part of a content item (e.g.: a program or web-page) using visual and/or audio means, for example, but not limited to, summarizing an advertisement or a scene in a soap opera or film or an item in a news broadcast. The channel loyalty module 22 may always select the same action or combination of actions by default, independently of any other factor such as the channel, program, user or time. Alternatively, the channel loyalty module 22 may select any appropriate action or combination of actions based on one or more of the following factors: the selected channel, the program being viewed, the scene or part of a program being viewed, the current time, the viewer's user profile and the viewing history of the viewer. The appropriate action(s) may be signaled by the content provider to the channel loyalty module 22 using signaling methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, but not limited to, including signaling data within Entitlement Control Messages (ECMs), Event Information data, or metadata broadcast via the content provider or received by other methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, but not limited to, via an Internet connection or via a return channel.
It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that while the above actions described with reference to Figs 2-6 are generally relevant to a TV channel, the actions may be appropriate for all types of content providing sites, for example, but not limited to, a website having web pages.
It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the type of the current content providing site may be different from the type of the other content providing site. By way of a non-limiting example, the current content providing site may be a TV channel and the other content providing site may be a website or vice-versa.
Reference is now made to Fig. 7, which is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system of Fig. 1 showing the viewer 12 releasing the partially depressible button 24 of the remote control 18.
If the viewer 12 decides to continue viewing of the current channel, the viewer releases the partially depressible button 24 of the remote control device 18. Therefore, the remote control device 18 is preferably operative such that releasing the partially depressible button 24 from being partially depressed results in the display device 14 continuing to display the current channel on the display device 14. If the remote control device 18 does not include the partially depressible buttons 24 for channel changing functions, in order to continue viewing the current channel, the viewer 12 does not continue pressing the remote control key combinations) associated with channel changing.
Reference is now made to Fig. 8, which is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of the system 10 of Fig. 1 showing the viewer 12 fully depressing the partially depressible button 24 of the remote control 18 thereby causing the remote control device 18 to send the second part of the remote control channel change command signal (block 42) to the receive module 20, thereby effecting a channel change to be displayed on the display device 14.
If the remote control device 18 does not include the partially depressible buttons 24 for channel changing functions, in order to effect a channel change, the viewer 12 continues pressing the remaining remote control key combination(s) associated with channel changing.
It is appreciated that software components of the present invention may, if desired, be implemented in ROM (read only memory) form. The software components may, generally, be implemented in hardware, if desired, using conventional techniques.
It will be appreciated that various features of the invention which are, for clarity, described in the contexts of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. It will also be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the invention is defined only by the claims which follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:CLAIMS
' 1. A system for encouraging a viewer to continue viewing a current content providing site shown on a display device or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site, comprising: a receive module to receive an indication that the viewer wants to leave the current content providing site; and a channel loyalty module to perform an action, on receipt of the indication, to encourage the viewer to: continue viewing the current content providing site; or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the action includes displaying an on-screen display on the display device, the on-screen display listing at least one program in the future program schedule of: the current content providing site; or the other content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
3. The system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the action includes displaying an on-screen display on the display device, the on-screen display requesting the viewer: not to leave the current content providing site; or to move to the other content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
4. The system according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the action includes displaying a different camera view for a program currently being viewed by. the viewer.
5. The system according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the action includes replacing a currently playing advertisement by another advertisement.
6. The system according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the action includes offering the viewer a financial incentive to continue viewing the current content providing site until a certain time.
7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the certain time is an end of a program currently being viewed by the viewer.
8. The system according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the action includes opening a dialogue between- the viewer and an owner of the channel to negotiate a price for the continued viewing by the viewer of the current content providing site or the other content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
9. The system according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the action includes skipping ahead or fast forwarding within a program.
10. The system according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the action includes summarizing at least part of a content item.
11. The system according to any of claims 1- 10, wherein the indication that the viewer wants to leave the current content providing site is receipt of a part of a remote control channel-change command signal.
12. The system according to claim 11, further comprising a remote control device wirelessly connected to the receive module, the remote control device having a partially depressible button, the remote control device being operative such that partially depressing the partially depressible button sends the part of the remote control channel change command signal to the receive module.
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the remote control device is operative such that fully depressing the partially depressible button sends another part of the remote control channel change command signal to the receive module, thereby effecting a channel change to be displayed on the display device.
14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the remote control device is operative such that releasing the partially depressible button from being partially depressed results in the display device continuing to display the current' content providing site on the display device.
15. The system according to any of claims 1- 14, wherein: the current content providing site is one of a TV channel and a website; and the other content providing site is one of another TV channel and another website.
16. A method for encouraging a viewer to continue viewing a current content providing site shown on a display device or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site, comprising: receiving an indication that the viewer wants to leave the current content providing site; and performing an action, on receipt of the indication, to encourage the viewer to: continue viewing the current content providing site; or view another content providing site owned by the owner of the current content providing site.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: the current content providing site is one of a TV channel and a website; and the other content providing site is one of another TV channel and another website.
PCT/IL2007/000647 2007-05-29 2007-05-29 Content providing site loyalty Ceased WO2008146270A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IL2007/000647 WO2008146270A1 (en) 2007-05-29 2007-05-29 Content providing site loyalty

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IL2007/000647 WO2008146270A1 (en) 2007-05-29 2007-05-29 Content providing site loyalty

Publications (1)

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WO2008146270A1 true WO2008146270A1 (en) 2008-12-04

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6208271B1 (en) * 1998-09-04 2001-03-27 Brad A. Armstrong Remote controller with analog button(s)
US6636273B1 (en) * 2001-02-01 2003-10-21 Savvy Frontiers Patent Trust Remote control dedicated keybutton for confirming tuner setting of a TV set to a specific channel setting
US20040030599A1 (en) * 2002-06-25 2004-02-12 Svod Llc Video advertising
WO2004040896A2 (en) * 2002-10-30 2004-05-13 Nds Limited Interactive broadcast system
US20040133909A1 (en) * 2003-01-06 2004-07-08 Yue Ma System and method for re-assuring delivery of television advertisements non-intrusively in real-time broadcast and time shift recording

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6208271B1 (en) * 1998-09-04 2001-03-27 Brad A. Armstrong Remote controller with analog button(s)
US6636273B1 (en) * 2001-02-01 2003-10-21 Savvy Frontiers Patent Trust Remote control dedicated keybutton for confirming tuner setting of a TV set to a specific channel setting
US20040030599A1 (en) * 2002-06-25 2004-02-12 Svod Llc Video advertising
WO2004040896A2 (en) * 2002-10-30 2004-05-13 Nds Limited Interactive broadcast system
US20040133909A1 (en) * 2003-01-06 2004-07-08 Yue Ma System and method for re-assuring delivery of television advertisements non-intrusively in real-time broadcast and time shift recording

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