IP Library Granted Patent US 9,877,079
Granted Patent B2
US 9,877,079 · App. 15/334,752 · Granted Jan 23, 2018

Interactive programming guide

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,877,079
App. No.
15/334,752
Granted
Jan 23, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

Techniques of providing an interactive programming guide with a personalized lineup are disclosed. In some embodiments, a profile is accessed, and a personalized lineup is determined based on the profile. The personalized lineup may comprise a corresponding media content identification assigned to each one of a plurality of sequential time slots, where each media content identification identifies media content for the corresponding time slot. A first interactive programming guide may be caused to be displayed on a first media content device associated with the profile, where the first interactive programming guide comprises the personalized lineup.

Claims (69)

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

causing a first interactive programming guide to be displayed on a first media content device, the first interactive programming guide comprising a personalized lineup, the personalized lineup comprising a corresponding media content identification assigned to each one of a plurality of sequential time slots, each media content identification identifying media content for the corresponding time slot;

receiving, via the first interactive programming guide, a request to assign a first different media content identification to a first one of the time slots, the receiving the request to assign the first different media content identification to the first one of the time slots comprising:

receiving a user selection of the first one of the time slots of the personalized lineup;

in response to the received user selection of the first one of the time slots, causing a plurality of media content category options to be displayed on the first media content device while maintaining the display of the first interactive programming guide on the first media content device, each one of the plurality of media content category options identifying a different category of media content;

receiving a user selection of one of the media content category options;

in response to the received user selection of the one of the media content category options, determining a plurality of media content options;

causing the plurality of media content options to be displayed on the first media content device while maintaining the display of the first interactive programming guide and the plurality of media content category options on the first media content device; and

receiving a user selection of one of the media content options, the one of the media content options corresponding to the first different media content identification; and

modifying the first one of the time slots of the personalized lineup in response to the request to assign the first different media content identification to the first one of the time slots.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

accessing a profile; and

determining the personalized lineup based on the accessed profile.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, via the first interactive programming guide, a request to assign a first different media content identification to a first one of the time slots;

modifying the personalized lineup in response to the request to assign the first different media content identification to the first one of the time slots, wherein modifying the personalized lineup comprises:

assigning the first different media content identification to the first one of the time slots;

determining a second different media content identification to assign to a second one of the time slots based on the assigning of the first different media content identification to the first one of the time slots; and

assigning the second different media content identification to the second one of the time slots; and

causing the modified personalized lineup to be displayed on the first media content device.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first media content device comprises one of a television, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, and a smartphone.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the media content comprises video content scheduled for broadcast.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein determining the personalized lineup based on the accessed profile comprises determining the plurality of media content category options based on the accessed profile.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein the determining the personalized lineup based on the accessed profile comprises determining the plurality of media content options based on the accessed profile.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein the profile is associated with a user.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein the profile is associated with the first media content device.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , further comprising:

determining, based on the profile, a plurality of relevant media content for a first period of time from a plurality of available media content that are available to be viewed during the first period of time; and

causing a second interactive programming guide to be displayed on a second media content device, wherein the second interactive programming guide comprises identifications of the relevant media content for the first period of time.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein the video content comprises at least one of an episode of a television program and a non-episodic movie.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the profile comprises a history of media content viewed by a user associated with the profile, and determining the plurality of media content category options comprises determining the plurality of media content category options based on the history of media content viewed by the user.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , further comprising:

receiving an indication of the user viewing additional media content;

updating the profile of the user based on the indication of the user viewing the additional media content;

modifying the personalized lineup based on the updated profile; and

causing the modified personalized lineup to be displayed on the first media content device.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , further comprising:

receiving, via the second interactive programming guide on the second media content device, a user selection of one of the identifications of relevant media content; and

causing media content corresponding to the selected identification of relevant media content to be displayed on the first media content device in response to receiving the user selection of the identification of relevant media content.

15. A system comprising:

at least one processor; and

a computer-readable medium storing executable instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

causing a first interactive programming guide to be displayed on a first media content device, the first interactive programming guide comprising a personalized lineup, the personalized lineup comprising a corresponding media content identification assigned to each one of a plurality of sequential time slots, each media content identification identifying media content for the corresponding time slot;

receiving, via the first interactive programming guide, a request to assign a first different media content identification to a first one of the time slots, the receiving the request to assign the first different media content identification to the first one of the time slots comprising:

receiving a user selection of the first one of the time slots of the personalized lineup;

in response to the received user selection of the first one of the time slots, causing a plurality of media content category options to be displayed on the first media content device while maintaining the display of the first interactive programming guide on the first media content device, each one of the plurality of media content category options identifying a different category of media content;

receiving a user selection of one of the media content category options;

in response to the received user selection of the one of the media content category options, determining a plurality of media content options;

causing the plurality of media content options to be displayed on the first media content device while maintaining the display of the first interactive programming guide and the plurality of media content category options on the first media content device; and

receiving a user selection of one of the media content options, the one of the media content options corresponding to the first different media content identification; and

modifying the first one of the time slots of the personalized lineup in response to the request to assign the first different media content identification to the first one of the time slots.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise:

accessing a profile; and

determining the personalized lineup based on the accessed profile.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein determining the personalized lineup based on the accessed profile comprises determining the plurality of media content category options based on the accessed profile.

18. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, tangibly embodying a set of instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform a set of operations comprising:

causing a first interactive programming guide to be displayed on a first media content device, the first interactive programming guide comprising a personalized lineup, the personalized lineup comprising a corresponding media content identification assigned to each one of a plurality of sequential time slots, each media content identification identifying media content for the corresponding time slot;

receiving, via the first interactive programming guide, a request to assign a first different media content identification to a first one of the time slots, the receiving the request to assign the first different media content identification to the first one of the time slots comprising:

receiving a user selection of the first one of the time slots of the personalized lineup;

in response to the received user selection of the first one of the time slots, causing a plurality of media content category options to be displayed on the first media content device while maintaining the display of the first interactive programming guide on the first media content device, each one of the plurality of media content category options identifying a different category of media content;

receiving a user selection of one of the media content category options;

in response to the received user selection of the one of the media content category options, determining a plurality of media content options;

causing the plurality of media content options to be displayed on the first media content device while maintaining the display of the first interactive programming guide and the plurality of media content category options on the first media content device; and

receiving a user selection of one of the media content options, the one of the media content options corresponding to the first different media content identification; and

modifying the first one of the time slots of the personalized lineup in response to the request to assign the first different media content identification to the first one of the time slots.

19. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the operations further comprise:

accessing a profile; and

determining the personalized lineup based on the accessed profile.

20. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 19 , wherein determining the personalized lineup based on the accessed profile comprises determining the plurality of media content category options based on the accessed profile.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE (REEL 054066 / FRAME 0064) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.; A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063605/0001 →
RELEASE (REEL 053473 / FRAME 0001) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063603/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063574/0632 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063561/0381 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063560/0547 →
RELEASE (REEL 042262 / FRAME 0601) Recorded Oct 13, 2022
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 061748/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE 1 RECORDED ON 6-9-2020 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 053473 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPPLEMENTAL IP SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Oct 7, 2020
From: A.C. NIELSEN (ARGENTINA) S.A.; A.C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A
Reel/Frame 054066/0064 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 9, 2020
From: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NIELSEN UK FINANCE I, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053473/0001 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 13, 2017
From: GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 042262/0601 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Feb 8, 2017
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.; CASTTV INC.; TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; TRIBUNE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 041656/0804 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 14, 2016
From: GRACENOTE, INC.; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040306/0814 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2016
From: HARRON, WILSON; HERRADA, OSCAR CELMA; ZHU, IRENE; CREMER, MARKUS K.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.
Reel/Frame 040139/0533 →