Patent ID: 7383314
Filing Date: 2008-06-03
Classification: G06F,H04N,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method implemented by an apparatus for processing multimedia content and user preferences related to multimedia content consumption, the method comprising: storing, in a multiple hierarchical data structure, personal information to identify a user; storing, in the hierarchical data structure, a user preference description to describe the user's preferences for filtering and searching for multimedia content, the hierarchical data structure including a first parent preference element and a second parent preference element at the same level of the hierarchical data structure, the first parent preference element having one or more first child preference elements and including a first content description element and a first preference value that characterizes the user's preference for multimedia content corresponding to the first content description element, wherein the first parent preference element in the hierarchical data structure includes a first preference condition that specifies a first place to which the first parent and first child preference elements apply, and wherein the second parent preference element includes a second content description element, a second preference value, and a second preference condition that specifies a second place to which the second parent preference element applies; in accordance with the first preference condition, using the first content description element and the first preference value in the first parent preference element for a search and recommendation of selected multimedia content preferred by the user at the first place from multimedia content available in a television broadcast environment from an information provider; and at the first place, receiving at least a portion of the selected multimedia content based on a result of the search and recommendation in accordance with the first preference condition.