IP Library Granted Patent US 10,448,102
Granted Patent B2
US 10,448,102 · App. 15/918,458 · Granted Oct 15, 2019

Systems and methods for allowing access to a different version of the media asset

Inventors: Shane A. Martin (Tulsa, OK); Walter R. Klappert (North Hollywood, CA)
Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
H04N21/454H04N21/4516H04N21/482H04N21/4821H04N21/84H04N21/23439H04N21/2543
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,448,102
App. No.
15/918,458
Granted
Oct 15, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for allowing a user to access a different version of a blocked media asset. These systems and methods allow a first user to request access to the blocked media asset from a second user who has authority to approve access to the blocked media asset. These systems and methods determine different versions of the media asset available from different sources. These systems and methods notify the second user that the first user has requested access to the blocked media asset and include, in the notification, an option to unblock any one of the different versions of the media asset available from the different sources. This allows the second user to determine if there is a version of the media asset that the second user deems suitable for unblocking.

Claims (102)

1. A method for allowing a user to access a different version of a blocked media asset, the method comprising:

receiving, from a first user on a first user equipment device, a request to access a first version of a media asset, wherein the first version of the media asset is available from a first source;

determining that the media asset is blocked from the first user;

transmitting, to a second user equipment device for display to a second user, information relating to a list of a plurality of different versions of the media asset, wherein each version of the media asset is available from a respective media source different from the first source;

upon receiving a selection of a second version of the media asset from the list of the plurality of different versions of the media asset, to view additional information relating to the second version of the media asset, transmitting, for display on the second user equipment device, an indicator of a second source of the respective media sources for accessing the second version and a preview of objectionable content contained in the second version of the media asset; and

upon receiving, from the second user equipment device, a selection to unblock the second version of the media asset from the list of the plurality of different versions of the media asset, unblocking the second version of the media asset from the second source for the first user.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

in response to receiving the request to access the first version of the media asset:

determining the plurality of different versions of the media asset available from the respective media sources by:

querying the first source and the respective media sources for available versions of the media asset;

retrieving metadata associated with each of the available versions of the media asset;

extracting one or more factors from the metadata associated with each of the available versions of the media asset;

determining a ranking of the available versions of the media asset based on the one or more factors; and

generating for display the available versions of the media asset organized in accordance with the ranking.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the one or more factors includes a cost of each of the available versions of the media asset, and wherein determining the ranking of the available versions of the media asset based on the one or more factors comprises:

ranking the second version of the media asset with a lower cost higher than the first version of the media asset with a higher cost.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the one or more factors includes a duration of content corresponding to a content code for each of the available versions of the media asset, and wherein, determining the ranking of the available versions of the media asset based on the one or more factors further comprises:

ranking the second version of the media asset with a shorter duration of content corresponding to the content code higher than the first version of the media asset with a longer duration of content corresponding to the content code.

5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

generating for display the one or more factors for determining the ranking of the available versions of the media asset;

generating for display an option to assign one or more priority metrics to the one or more factors; and

upon receiving an assignment of the one or more priority metrics to the ones or more factors, determining the ranking of the available versions of the media asset based on the assignment of the one or more priority metrics to the ones or more factors.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

upon receiving the request to unblock the second version of the media asset:

querying available devices to determine one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset;

generating for display an option to select a device from the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset; and

upon receiving a selection of the device, unblocking the second version of the media asset on the selected device.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein determining the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset further comprises:

retrieving metadata associated with the second version of the media asset;

extracting a property associated with the second version of the media asset from the metadata;

comparing the property associated with the second version of the media asset and a primary function of a device of the available devices; and

excluding the device from the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset if the property violates the primary function of the device.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein determining the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset further comprises:

determining if a third user, for whom the second version of the media asset is to remain blocked, has access to a device of the available devices; and

excluding the device from the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset if the third user has access to the device.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein determining the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset further comprises:

determining if a device of the available devices is currently being used by a third user; and

excluding the device from the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset if the device is currently being used by the third user.

10. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

in response to receiving the selection of the device:

generating for display an option to communicate with the first user;

upon receiving a selection to communicate with the first user, generating for display a message based on a template, wherein the message includes an option to make modifications to the message;

upon receiving modifications to the message, updating the message according to the modifications; and

transmitting the message to the first user on the first user equipment device, wherein transmitting the message may further comprise:

determining whether a pre-set period of time has elapsed;

transmitting the message to the first user only after the pre-set period of time; and

during the pre-set period of time, generating for display an option to allow the user to perform at least one of:

choose a version of the media asset different than the second version of the media asset for unblocking;

change the selection of the device on which the second version of the media asset will be unblocked; and

cancel unblocking the second version of the media asset.

11. A system for allowing a user to access a different version of a blocked media asset, the system comprising:

communication circuitry;

user interface circuitry; and

control circuitry configured to:

receive, via the user interface circuitry, from a first user on a first user equipment device, a request to access a first version of a media asset, wherein the first version of the media asset is available from a first source;

determine that the media asset is blocked from the first user;

transmit, via the communication circuitry, to a second user equipment device for display to a second user, information relating to a list of a plurality of different versions of the media asset, wherein each version of the media asset is available from a respective media source different from the first source;

upon receiving a selection of a second version of the media asset, from the list of the plurality of different versions of the media asset, to view additional information relating to the second version of the media asset, transmit, via the communication circuitry, for display on the second user equipment device, an indicator of a second source of the respective media sources for accessing the second version and a preview of objectionable content contained in the second version of the media asset; and

upon receiving, from the second user equipment device, a selection to unblock the second version of the media asset from the list of the plurality of different versions of the media asset, unblock the second version of the media asset from the second source for the first user.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

determine the plurality of different versions of the media asset available from the respective media sources by:

querying the first source and the respective media sources for available versions of the media asset;

retrieving metadata associated with each of the available versions of the media asset;

extracting one or more factors from the metadata associated with each of the available versions of the media asset;

determining a ranking of the available versions of the media asset based on the one or more factors; and

generating for display the available versions of the media asset organized in accordance with the ranking.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the one or more factors includes a cost of each of the available versions of the media asset, and wherein the control circuitry configured to determine the ranking of the available versions of the media asset based on the one or more factors comprises the control circuitry further configured to:

rank the second version of the media asset with a lower cost higher than the first version of the media asset with a higher cost.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the one or more factors includes a duration of content corresponding to a content code for each of the available versions of the media asset, and wherein the control circuitry configured to determine the ranking of the available versions of the media asset based on the one or more factors comprises the control circuitry further configured to:

rank the second version of the media asset with a shorter duration of content corresponding to the content code higher than the first version of the media asset with a longer duration of content corresponding to the content code.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

generate for display the one or more factors for determining the ranking of the available versions of the media asset;

generate for display an option to assign one or more priority metrics to the one or more factors; and

upon receiving an assignment of the one or more priority metrics to the ones or more factors, determine the ranking of the available versions of the media asset based on the assignment of the one or more priority metrics to the ones or more factors.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

upon receiving the request to unblock the second version of the media asset:

query available devices to determine one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset;

generate for display an option to select a device from the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset; and

upon receiving a selection of the device, unblock the second version of the media asset on the selected device.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the control circuitry configured to determine the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset comprises the control circuitry further configured to:

retrieve metadata associated with the second version of the media asset;

extract a property associated with the second version of the media asset from the metadata;

compare the property associated with the second version of the media asset and a primary function of a device of the available devices; and

exclude the device from the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset if the property violates the primary function of the device.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the control circuitry configured to determine the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset comprises the control circuitry further configured to:

determine if a third user, for whom the different version of the media asset is to remain blocked, has access to a device of the available devices; and

exclude the device from the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset if the third user has access to the device.

19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the control circuitry configured to determine the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset comprises the control circuitry further configured to:

determine if a device of the available devices is currently being used by a third user; and

exclude the device from the one or more devices that may be used to view the second version of the media asset if the device is currently being used by the third user.

20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

in response to receiving the selection of the device:

generate for display an option to communicate with the first user;

upon receiving a selection to communicate with the first user, generate for display a message based on a template, wherein the message includes an option to make modifications to the message;

upon receiving modifications to the message, update the message according to the modifications; and

transmit the message to the first user on the first user equipment device, wherein transmitting the message may comprise the communication circuitry and the control circuitry further configured to:

determine whether a pre-set period of time has elapsed;

transmit the message to the first user only after the pre-set period of time; and

during the pre-set period of time, generate for display an option to allow the user to perform at least one of:

choose a version of the media asset different than the second version of the media asset for unblocking;

change the selection of the device on which the second version of the media asset will be unblocked; and

cancel unblocking the second version of the media asset.

Assignments (10)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 2, 2024
From: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
To: ADEIA GUIDES INC.
Reel/Frame 069085/0755 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
Reel/Frame 053481/0790 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
To: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
Reel/Frame 053458/0749 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 1, 2020
From: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS INC.; VEVEO, INC.; INVENSAS CORPORATION; INVENSAS BONDING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TESSERA, INC.; TESSERA ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DTS, INC.; PHORUS, INC.; IBIQUITY DIGITAL CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053468/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 25, 2019
From: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051110/0006 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2019
From: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
To: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051143/0468 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2018
From: ROVI CORPORATION
To: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
Reel/Frame 046957/0802 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 25, 2018
From: MACROVISION SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
To: ROVI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 047140/0509 →
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 25, 2018
From: KLAPPERT, WALTER
To: MACROVISION SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 047139/0940 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2018
From: MARTIN, SHANE A.
To: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
Reel/Frame 046957/0842 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 15087375 · Mar 31, 2016
Related Publication 20180205991A1 · Jul 19, 2018