(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 21, 2005
`Baumgartner
`
`US 20050160458A1
`
`(54)
`
`INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEM WITH
`CUSTOM VIDEO-ON-DEMAND MENUS
`BASED ON PERSONAL PROFILES
`
`(51)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Joseph P. Baumgartner, Tulsa, OK
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`FISH & NEAVE IP GROUP
`ROPES & GRAY LLP
`1251 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS FL C3
`NEW YORK, NY 10020-1105 (US)
`
`VIDEO
`Assignee: UNITED
`INC., Tulsa, OK
`
`PROPERTIES,
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/762,958
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 21, 2004
`
`Int. Cl.7 ............................ H04N 5/445; G06F 3/00;
`llO4N 7/10; 1104N 7/025;
`H04H 9/00; H04N 7/16; G06F 13/00
`................... 725/46; 725/45; 725/9; 725/35;
`725/58
`
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An interactive television system is provided in Which a user
`can use an interactive television application to access and
`request media-on-demand programming. The interactive
`television application may display customized interface dis-
`play screens that include video-on-demand programs and
`categories that may be of particular interest to the user.
`These programs and categories of interest may be based on
`the user’s personal profile. Once a list of programs and
`categories based on a user’s personal profile is generated,
`one or more of these programs may be incorporated in a
`menu interface template to generate a video-on—demand
`menu customized for the user.
`
`
`
`318
`
`320
`
`322'
`
`324
`
`326
`
`328
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 1
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 1
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 1 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`50
`
`PROGRAMMING
`SOURCES
`
`
`
`
`SERVER
`
`
`
`TELEVISION
`DISTRIBUTION
`
`
`FACILITY
`
`
`14
`
`56
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`NETWORK
`
`
`
`
`
`USER
`USER
`
`
`COMPUTER
`TELEVISION
`
`EQUIPMENT
`EQUIPMENT
`
`
`
`
`48
`20
`
`USER
`EQUIPMENT
`
`FIG. 1
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 2
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 2
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 2 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`
`
`20
`
`\
`
`58
`
`
`
`SET-TOP BOX
`
`
`RECORDING DEVICE
`(E.G., PERSONAL
`VIDEO RECORDER)
`
`60
`
`62
`
`
`
`
`
`TELEVISION
`
`FIG. 2
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 3
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 3
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-O1281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 3 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`RECORDING DEVICE
`(E.G., PERSONAL
`VIDEO RECORDER)
`
`
`
`TELEVISION
`
`
`
`FIG. 3
`
`66
`
`
` 68
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 4
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 4
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 4 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 5
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 5
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 5 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`PERSONAL
`COMPUTER
`UN”
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MONITOR
`
`
`
`102
`
`FIG. 5
`
`KEYBOARD
`
` 100
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 6
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 6
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 6 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`i
`112 g
`
`: {
`
`
` I STORAGE
`
`5
`(E.G.. RAM, ROM, HARD DISK,
`:
`REMOVABLE DISC, ETC.)
`
`
`
`108
`
`“406
`
`
`
`USER INPUT
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`
`114
`
`FIG. 6
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 7
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 7
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 7 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`120
`
`M80
`LOGO
`
`I
`
`'
`
`137
`
`TV GUIDE MAIN MENU
`
`{ Q SEARCHFORPROGRAMS
`
`124
`
`MY FAVORITES
`
`LISTINGS BY TIME
`
`125
`
`TV GUIDE PICKS
`
`BY CHANNEL
`
`12?
`
`121
`
`SEARCH
`
`VIDEO ON DEMAND
`
`29
`
`31
`
`33
`
`35
`
`
`
`MY RECORDINGS
`
`PAY PER VIEW
`
`SCHEDULED RECORDINGS
`
`HOME SHOPPING
`
`SETUP
`
`BANKING
`
`ITV SERVICES
`
`INTERNET
`
`137
`
`137
`
`FIG. 7
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 8
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 8
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 8 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`139
`
`33%?)
`
`NBABASKETBALL
`11:30AM-1:00 PM THUR
`
`138
`
`CHICAGOfiliéL—s@DETROITPISTONS
`
`THURSDAY_-m
`
`22 ESPN-_:_BABASKETBALL
`
`__TNN _IAMIVICE
`
`66_—OG
`
`25KOK—-—mxFILES—:14
`
`
`
`29NICKa_OUBLEMcGUFFIN GANG
`
`35KTUL_RIENDSFRIENDS
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 9
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 9
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 9 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`VIDEO FOR CHANNEL 2
`
`158
`VIDEO FOR CHANNEL 2
`
`170 M30 LOGO
`
`160
`164
`
`MAD ABOUTMYOU
`8:00-8:30 PM
`'YOKO SAID' (RERUN)
`
`168
`
`162
`
`FIG. 10
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 10
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 10
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 10 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`171
`
`NBA BASKETBALL
`
`11:30AM-1:00 PM THURSDAY
`2 ESPN
`
`DETROIT PISTONS AT CHICAGO BULLS, NBA
`
`SEASON OPENER. THE BULLS WON BOTH
`
`(2002) BASKETBALL. 90 MINUTES, CC. STEREO
`
`GAMES AGAINST DETROIT LAST SEASON
`
`BY AN AVERAGE MARGIN OF 5 POINTS.
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 11
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 11
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 11 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`100
`
`MAD ABOUT YOU
`8:00 - 8:30 PM TUE
`
`.
`
`13 KJRH
`
`[132
`
`
`
`181
`
`WOULD YOU LIKE TOSETAREMINDER?
`
`[190
`
`PROGRAM
`DESCRIPTION
`
`FIG. 12
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 12
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 12
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 12 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`194
`
`PRESS OK TO WATCH
`
`VIDEO FOR CHANNEL3
`
`REMINDER LIST
`
`HIDE REMINDER
`
`ON THE RIVERIA
`
`7:00-8:30 PM
`
`V
`
`FIG. 13
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 13
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 13
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-O1281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`
`
`MOVIES A-Z
`
`SITCOMS
`
`TV DRAMA
`
`STAND-UP
`
`.
`
`GAME SHOWS
`
`SOAP OPERAS
`
`212
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 13 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`202
`
`M80
`LOGO
`
`204
`
`206
`
`VIDEO ON DEMAND
`
`210
`
`206
`
`212
`
`a
`
`FIG. 14
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 14
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 14
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 14 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`214
`
`VIDEO ON DEMAND
`
`MOVIES... \216
`
`213
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`AD
`
`220
`
`ACTION
`
`COMEDY
`
`DRAMA
`
`
`
`ROMANCE
`
`SCIENCE FICTION
`
`
`III-lfiflfl
`
`FIG. 15
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 15
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 15
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 15 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`222
`
`VIDEO ON DEMAND
`
`MOVIES
`
`ACTION .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`\224
`
`
`
`TITLE
`
`TITLE
`
`TITLE
`
`TITLE
`
`IE
`
`FIG. 16
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 16
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 16
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 16 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`232
`
`VIDEO
`WINDOW
`
`A.l. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
`
`180 MINUTES
`$3.99+FEESITAXES
`
`P643
`
`GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS SCREEN
`
`FRANCIS O'CONNOR, SAM ROBARDS.
`
`THE AMBITIOUS AND METAPHYSICAL
`
`FAIRY TALE IS A FUTURISTIC
`
`"PINOCCHIO" STARRING HALEY JOEL
`
`OSMENT AS A ROBOT CHILD.
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 17
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 17
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 17 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`239
`
`Al. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
`
`180 MINUTES
`
`$3.99 + FEES/TAXES
`
`FRANCIS O'CONNOR, SAM ROBARDS.
`
`THE AMBITIOUS AND METAPHYSICAL
`
`OSMENT AS A ROBOT CHILD.
`
`FAIRY TALE IS A FUTURISTIC
`
`“PINOCCHIO” STARRING HALEY JOEL
`
`FIG. 17b
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 18
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 18
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 18 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`246
`
`VIDEO 0F SELECTED
`
`VOD PROGRAM
`
`FIG. 18
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 19
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 19
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 19 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`250
`
`252
`
`
`
`
`
`251
`
`SCHEDULED RECORDINGS
`
`NBA BASKETBALL: CHICAGO@ DETROIT
`
`V {ZHUEERBBPM
`
`
`
`
`
`M50
`LOGO
`
`
`
` WORLD cup SOCCER mag/$930 PM
`FRI, 1014 11:45PM
`
`
`23m"
`WHATABOUT BOB
`
`
`FRIENDS (RECURRING)
`yfioggévscgam
`
`
`HAPPY GILMORE
`
`1115, we a PM
`23 TN”
`
`
`
`ZORRO
`
`32%}?!8 11 PM
`
`III-ME
`
`FIG. 193
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 20
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 20
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 20 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`253
`
`NBA BASKETBALL
`
`TO BE RECORDED ON:
`
`DATE
`TIME
`
`10/3/2002
`
`
`
`LEE!
`CHANNEL
`PARENTAL LOCK Ill!
`DEVICE
`[WEI-
`
`
`
`255
`
`255
`
`FIG. 19b
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 21
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 21
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 21 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`260
`
`MSO
`LOGO
`
`
`
`
`RECORDINGS
`
`ACE VENTURA
`
`262
`
`I LOVE LUCY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`_PORTSCENTER
`
`
`
` 261
`
`
`MTVAFTERHOURS_Q/m_IITLE
`
`_TAR
`
`
`
`_IR_ORCEONE
`
`
`
`FIG. 20a
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 22
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 22
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 22 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`I LOVE LUCY
`
`RECORDED 0N:
`
`DEVICE
`
`DATE
`TIME
`CHANNEL
`PARENTAL LOCK
`
`266
`
`267
`
`268
`
`269
`
`259
`
`FIG. 20b
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 23
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 23
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 23 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`270
`
`VIDEO 0F
`
`SELECTED VIDEO RECORDER
`
`ITEM
`
`FIG. 21
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 24
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 24
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 24 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`272
`
`L060
`
`MAD ABOUTYOU
`
`8.00-8.30 PM TUE
`13 KJRH
`
`
`MSO
`_
`_
`LEE [273
`
`
`
`WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECORD THIS PROGRAM?
`
` PROGRAM
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`
`Ell-
`
`FIG. 22
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 25
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 25
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 25 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`278
`
`279
`
`D 2
`
`80
`
`D 2
`
`81
`
`D 2
`
`82
`
`D 2
`
`83
`
`D 2
`
`84
`
`TITLE
`
`<1
`
`JERRY SPRINGER
`
`TV RATING
`
`MOVIE RATING
`
`CHANNEL
`
`<1
`
`98 WLIW
`
`TIME BLOCK
`
`YES
`
`ADULT TITLES
`
`4
`
`SHOW
`
` PARENTAL CONTROL SETUP
`
`
`HEEEQEEE
`
`FIG. 23a
`
`PARENTAL CONTROLS
`TIME BLOCK SETUP
`
`BLOCKALL PROGRAMS
`
`FROM
`
`T0
`
`0N
`
`<1
`
`<1
`
`<1
`
`11:00AM 9/288
`
`11:30AM 9/290
`
`ALL DAYS
`
`D ~/292
`
`USE CURSORS T0 TOGGLE
`PRESS OK TO ACCEPT
`
`HEEEEE
`
`FIG. 23b
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 26
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 26
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 26 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 27
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 27
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 27 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`334
`
`VIDEO
`WINDOW
`
`VIDEOON-DEMAND
`
`352
`
`RECOMMENDED TITLES...
`
`aEEEEH
`
`336
`
`338
`
`TITLE 1
`
`TITLE 2
`
`ACTION
`
`COMEDY
`
`mm WORLD WAR H
`342“ JOHN WAYNE
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 28
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 28
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 28 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`356
`
`WINDOW
`
`-
`
`VIDEO-ON-DEMAND
`
`ACTION MOVIES...
`
`.362
`
`ACTION MOVIE 1
`
`CUSTOM ACTION MOVIE 1
`
`360
`
`ACTION MOVIE 2
`
`ACTION MOVIE 3
`
`FIG. 26
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 29
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 29
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`VIDE0
`WINDOW
`
`Am
`
`MOVIES...
`
`TITLE 1
`
`TETLE2
`
`372
`
`376
`
`374
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 29 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`370
`
`VIDEO-ON-DEMAND
`
`CUSTOM TITLE 1
`
`CUSTOM TITLEZ
`
`380
`
`382
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 30
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 30
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 21, 2005 Sheet 30 0f 30
`
`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`GENERATE USER PERSONAL PROFILE BASED ON
`INFORMATION AND DATA GATHERED ABOUT
`USER (E.G., SURVEY, ACTIONS, RECORDS,
`DEMOGRAPHICS, INTERESTS, ETC.)
`
`
`
`
`
`400
`
`
`
`. DETERMINE VIDEO-ON-DEMAND TITLES AND
`CATEGORIES OF INTEREST TO USER BASED ON
`USER'S PERSONAL PROFILE.
`
`
`
`410
`
`
`
`GENERATE A CUSTOMIZED VIDEO-ON-DEMAND
`MENU BY INCORPORATING ONE OR MORE TITLES
`
`
`OR CATEGORIES OF INTEREST TO THE USER IN A
`,
`VlDEO-ON-DEMAND MENU INTERFACE TEMPLATE.
`
`
`
`420
`
`
`
`DISPLAY CUSTOMIZED VIDEO-ON-DEMAND MENU
`IN INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE ON
`USER EQUIPMENT.
`
`
`43"
`
`FIG. 28
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 31
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 31
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`IPR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`Jul. 21, 2005
`
`INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEM WITH
`CUSTOM VIDEO-ON-DEMAND MENUS BASED
`ON PERSONAL PROFILES
`
`BACKGROUND Ol" THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] This invention relates to television systems, and
`more particularly,
`to interactive television systems with
`video-on-demand capabilities.
`
`Interactive television systems are known to provide
`[0002]
`interactive television program guide applications. An inter-
`active television program guide application may be config—
`ured to provide a number of interactive features such as
`television program listings, video-on-demand services, web-
`browsing services, games, home shopping, and other inter—
`active features, to the user.
`
`In a typical interactive television system, the inter-
`[0003]
`active television program guide application is implemented
`on a set-top box. The user interacts with the interactive
`television program guide application, for example, to access
`video-on-demand programming and associated content,
`using a remote control.
`
`In a computer environment, the user accesses an
`[0004]
`online interactive television program guide application to
`obtain desired information such as information associated
`with video-on-demand programming.
`
`[0005] Video-on-demand programs generally consist of a
`library or database of programs that are available at any time
`for viewing. Given the potentially large number of available
`video-on-demand programs, it is difficult to organize these
`programs in such a manner that a user will easily locate a
`video—on—demand program of interest.
`
`[0006] The majority of current interactive television pro—
`gram guide applications, however, do not generate or display
`video-on-demand menus that are based on a user’s interests.
`Most current interactive television program guide applica-
`tions also do not provide an effective way for providing
`customized video-on-demand menus for Video-on-demand
`programming.
`
`It would therefore be desirable for an interactive
`[0007]
`television program guide to provide customized menus to a
`user that list available Video-on-demand or audio-on-de-
`mand content. For example, it would be desirable to provide
`a user with video—on—demand menus that list titles, genres or
`categories of particular interest to the user. It would also be
`desirable if these customized menus and the titles, genres
`and categories listed are reflective of the user’s interests and
`likes.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with the present invention, interac-
`[0008]
`tive television systems such as interactive television pro—
`gram guide systems may be used to display listings of
`available video-on-demand (VOD) content olIerings. For
`example, an interactive television program guide may be
`used to display a list of video-on-demand movies or other
`programs in the form of a VOD listings screen. The VOD
`screen may be made up of multiple pages or portions that are
`accessed by paging or scrolling if desired. Auser may access
`the VOD listings screen by selecting an on-screen menu
`option on a suitable program guide menu, by pressing a
`
`dedicated button on a remote control, or by using other
`suitable user interface arrangements.
`
`[0009] The video-on-demand listings screen may include
`video-on-demand programs (e.g., movies, television pro-
`grams, etc.) and categories (e.g., genres, actors, etc.). Given
`the potentially large number of available programs and
`categories, some of the listed video-on-demand programs
`and categories that appear on the menu screen may be drawn
`from a subset of available programs. In particular, some of
`the programs and categories may be selected such that they
`reflect and are based on the user’s interest and preferences.
`
`[0010] To select programs and categories that may be of
`interest to a user, a personal profile for the user may be
`generated based on information related to the user. This
`personal profile may include information such as the user’s
`demographic characteristics and likes and dislikes (i.e., the
`user’s interests or preferences). The personal profile infor-
`mation may be collected or gathered from public and private
`records, survey results, etc. The profile may also include
`information collected or gathered by monitoring the user’s
`interactions with their user equipment and particularly with
`the user’s interactive television program guide. The profile
`may also be based on information entered directly into the
`interactive application by the user, such as the user’s pref—
`erences. These are merely illustrative examples. Any infor-
`mation that may be indicative of the user’s interests may be
`used for creating the user profile. The profile information
`need not be limited to user attributes that are directly linked
`to the user’s interests. Information may be collected or
`gathered from multiple sources and combined. For example,
`information on a user’s interests may be collected or gath—
`ered indirectly or inferred by making correlations to identify
`those users with similar profiles and therefore similar inter-
`ests.
`
`[0011] Once a user’s personal profile has been generated
`or otherwise obtained, it may be used to identify media
`programs and categories that have attributes that match
`(positively or negatively) the user’s profile.
`In general,
`programs and categories that positively correlate to the
`user’s profile may be selected as being of possible interest to
`the user, and vice versa. In addition, correlations may be
`made between profiles of different users (to identify com-
`mon programs and categories of interest), as well as between
`different programs and categories (to identify programs and
`categories that are similar to those already of interest to the
`user). This general selecting or filtering may be performed
`periodically to ensure that the selected programs and cat—
`egories reflect the current personal profile, as well as cur-
`rently available video-on-demand programs and categories.
`
`[0012] When a list of programs and categories that may be
`of interest to a user is determined, one or more of these
`programs and categories may be incorporated into a video-
`on—demand menu interface template and used to generate a
`video-on-demand menu that
`is customized for the user.
`Because this customization results from the inclusion of
`programs and categories based on the user’s personal pro-
`file, when the program guide or other interactive application
`on the user’s equipment displays this menu for the user, the
`user is more likely to see one or more programs and
`categories of interest to them, and therefore the user may be
`more likely to select and order the video-on-demand pro-
`gram.
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 32
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 32
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`Jul. 21, 2005
`
`[0013] Multiple users and multiple personal profiles may
`be accommodated on a single set—top box or other suitable
`user device. With this type of shared arrangement, each user
`may identify themselves to the interactive application using
`a login procedure and personal identification number. After
`a successful login, the user’s personal profile may be used to
`present the customized video-on-demand menus to the user
`who has logged in. Alternatively, profiles of multiple users
`in a household may be combined to identify programs and
`categories that may be of interest to any or all of combined
`users, or a single profile may be maintained to reflect the
`interests of the entire household.
`
`[0014] Further features of the invention, its nature and
`various advantages will be more apparent from the accom-
`panying drawings and the following detailed description of
`the preferred embodiments.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an illustrative interactive
`television system in accordance with various embodiments
`of the present invention.
`
`[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram of illustrative user television
`equipment in accordance with various embodiments of the
`present invention.
`
`[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram of additional illustrative user
`television equipment in accordance with various embodi-
`ments of the present invention.
`
`[0018] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an illustrative remote
`control in accordance with various embodiments of the
`present invention.
`
`[0019] FIG. 5 is a diagram of illustrative user computer
`equipment in accordance with various embodiments of the
`present invention.
`
`[0020] FIG. 6 is a generalized diagram of illustrative user
`equipment in accordance with various embodiments of the
`present invention.
`
`[0021] FIG. 7 shows an illustrative menu screen in accor—
`dance with various embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0022] FIG. 8 shows an illustrative program guide screen
`in accordance with various embodiments of the present
`invention.
`
`[0023] FIG. 9 is an illustrative display screen showing
`how a flip banner that contains program listings information
`for the current channel may be displayed as an overlay over
`video of the current channel in accordance with various
`embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0024] FIG. 10 is an illustrative display screen showing
`how a browse banner that contains program listings infor—
`mation for a channel that may differ from the current channel
`may be displayed as an overlay over video of the current
`channel
`in accordance with various embodiments of the
`present invention.
`
`[0025] FIG. 11 shows an illustrative program guide screen
`in accordance with various embodiments of the present
`invention.
`
`with an opportunity to set a program reminder in accordance
`with various embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0027] FIG. 13 is an illustrative display screen showing
`how a reminder may be provided for a user in accordance
`with various embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0028] FIG. 14 is a display screen showing an illustrative
`video—on—demand menu that may be used to select a cat—
`egory of video-on-demand content in accordance with vari-
`ous embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0029] FIG. 15 is a display screen showing an illustrative
`video—on—demand menu screen that may be used to locate a
`desired type of movie in accordance with various embodi-
`ments of the present invention.
`
`[0030] FIG. 16 shows an illustrative title menu that may
`be used to select a Video—on—demand title of interest in
`accordance with various embodiments of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`[0031] FIGS. 17a and 171) are illustrative video-on-de-
`mand information screens that may be used to access
`video-on-demand content
`in accordance with various
`embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0032] FIG. 18 is an illustrative display screen showing
`how video—on—demand playback controls may be displayed
`while Video-on-demand content is being displayed for the
`user in accordance with various embodiments of the present
`invention.
`
`[0033] FIGS. 19a and 19b are illustrative display screens
`showing how a user’s scheduled recordings may be pre-
`sented and selected in an interactive list in accordance with
`various embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0034] FIGS. 20a and 20b are illustrative display screens
`showing how a user’s recordings may be presented and
`selected from an interactive list in accordance with various
`embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0035] FIG. 21 is an illustrative display screen showing
`how Video for a recording selected from the list of FIG. 20b
`may be displayed for the user in accordance with various
`embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0036] FIG. 22 is an illustrative display screen showing
`how the user may be provided with options that allow the
`user to schedule a recording of a desired program in accor-
`dance with various embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0037] FIG. 23a is an illustrative display screen showing
`how a user may set parental controls for a given program in
`accordance with various embodiments of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`[0038] FIG. 23b is an illustrative display screen showing
`how a user may block content by creating a time-based
`parental control setting in accordance with various embodi-
`ments of the present invention.
`
`[0039] FIG. 24 is an illustrative display screen of a
`customized video-on-demand main menu including video-
`on-demand program and category options that are based on
`a user’s personal profile in accordance with various embodi—
`ments of the present invention.
`
`[0026] FIG. 12 is an illustrative display screen showing
`how an interactive television application may provide a user
`
`[0040] FIG. 25 is an illustrative display screen of a
`customized video-on-demand menu with customized Video-
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 33
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 33
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`Jul. 21, 2005
`
`on-demand program and category options that are based on
`a user’s personal profile in accordance with various embodi—
`ments of the present invention.
`
`[0041] FIG. 26 is an illustrative display screen of a
`customized video-on-demand subcategory menu including
`customized video—on—demand program options that are
`based on a user’s personal profile in accordance with various
`embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0042] FIG. 27 is an illustrative video-on-demand menu
`template that may be used to generate a customized video-
`on—demand menu screen in accordance with various embodi—
`ments of the present invention.
`
`[0043] FIG. 28 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved
`in generating and displaying a customized video-on-demand
`menu based on a user’s personal profile and interests in
`accordance with various embodiments of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0044] An illustrative interactive television system 10 in
`accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.
`Content such as television programming and other media,
`such as digital music may be provided from programming
`sources 12 to television distribution facilities such as tele—
`vision distribution facility 14 using communications path
`16. Programming sources 12 may be any suitable sources of
`television and music programming, such as television and
`music production studios, etc.
`
`[0045] Television distribution facility 14 may be a cable
`system headend, a satellite television distribution facility, a
`television broadcast facility, or any other suitable facility for
`distributing television and music programming to users.
`There are typically numerous television distribution facili-
`ties 14 in system 10, but only one is shown in FIG. 1 to
`avoid overcomplicating the drawings.
`
`[0046] Communications path 16 may be a satellite path, a
`fiber-optic path, a cable path, or any other suitable wired or
`wireless communications paths or a combination of such
`paths.
`
`[0047] Television distribution facility 14 may be con-
`nected to various user equipment devices 18. Such user
`equipment 18 may, for example, be located in the homes of
`users. User equipment 18 may include user television equip-
`ment 20 or user computer equipment 22.
`
`[0048] The user equipment may receive television and
`music programming and other information from television
`distribution facility 14 over communications paths such as
`communications paths 26, 27, and 28. The user equipment
`may also transmit signals to television distribution facility
`14 over paths 26, 27, and 28. Paths 26, 27, and 28 may be
`cables or other wired connections, or wireless connections
`for broadcast or other satellite links.
`
`[0049] Data source 30 may include a program listings
`database that is used to provide the user equipment with
`information for the interactive television program guide,
`such as scheduled broadcast times, titles, channels, ratings
`information (e.g., parental
`ratings and critic’s ratings),
`detailed title descriptions, genre or category information
`(e.g., sports, news, movies, etc.), information on actors and
`
`actresses, running times, etc. Data source 30 may also be
`used to provide advertisements (e.g., program guide adver—
`tisements and advertisements for other interactive television
`
`applications), real-time data such as sports scores, stock
`quotes, news, weather, etc. Although data source 30 is drawn
`as an individual box in FIG. 1, data source 30 and the other
`system components of FIG. 1 may be provided using
`equipment at one or more locations. Systems components
`are drawn as single boxes in FIG. 1 to avoid over-compli-
`cating the drawings.
`
`[0050] Data source 30 may provide program schedule
`information and other data to television distribution facility
`14 over communications path 32 for distribution to the
`associated user equipment over paths 26, 27, and 28. Com-
`munications path 32 may be any suitable communications
`path such as a satellite communications path or other wire—
`less path, a fiber-optic or other wired communications path,
`a path that supports Internet communications, a combination
`of such paths, etc. Data source 30 may provide program
`schedule information and other data to the user at user
`equipment 18 over path 38, communications network 34,
`and path 42. Path 42 may be a wired path such as a telephone
`line, a cable path, a fiber—optic path, a satellite path, a
`wireless path, a combination of such paths, or any other
`suitable path.
`
`[0051] User equipment devices such as user television
`equipment and personal computers may use the program
`schedule information to display program listings and infor-
`mation on digital music for the user. An interactive televi-
`sion program guide application or other suitable application
`may be used to display such information on the user’s
`display.
`
`[0052] An on-line program guide and other interactive
`television services may be provided using a server con-
`nected to communications network 34 such as server 36.
`Server 36 may receive program schedule information and
`other data from data source 30 via communications path 38,
`communications network 34, and communications path 40.
`Paths 38 and 40 may be satellite paths, fiber-optic paths,
`wired paths, etc. Communications network 34 may be any
`suitable communications network, such as the Internet, the
`public switched telephone network, a packet—based network,
`etc.
`
`[0053] User equipment 18 may access on-line program
`guide information and other information from server 36 via
`communications path 42. User equipment 18 may also
`access the on-line program guide and other services on
`server 36 via communications path 26, television distribu-
`tion facility 14, and communications path 44. For example,
`a cable modem or other suitable equipment may be used by
`user equipment 18 to communicate with television distribu-
`tion facility 14. Television distribution facility 14 may
`communicate with communications network 34 over any
`suitable path 44, such as a wired path, a cable path, a
`fiber-optic path, a satellite path, a wireless path, a combi-
`nation of such paths, etc.
`
`[0054] User equipment such as user television equipment
`20 and user computer equipment 22 may access the on-line
`program guide and server 36 using similar arrangements.
`User television equipment 20 may access the on—line pro—
`gram guide and server 36 using communications path 46 or
`using path 27, television distribution facility 14, and path 44.
`
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 34
`DISH Ex. 1125, p. 34
`DISH v. BBiTV
` DISH v. BBiTV
`|PR2020-01281
` IPR2020-01281
`
`

`

`US 2005/0160458 A1
`
`Jul. 21, 2005
`
`User computer equipment 22 may access the on-line pro-
`gram guide and server 36 using communications path 48 or
`using path 28, television distribution facility 14, and path 44.
`Paths 46 and 48 may be any suitable paths, such as wired
`paths, cable paths, fiber—optic paths, satellite paths, Wireless
`paths, a combination of such paths, etc.
`
`[0055] Prog