Patent ID: 8151300
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: G10L,H04H,H04N

Abstract:
1. A smart audio guide system for use in conjunction with a content distribution network of a content distributor that includes a distribution head-end to distribute programming available for viewing on a video display device at a viewer subsystem, the viewer subsystem including an audio unit to provide audio for the video display unit, the smart audio guide system comprising: a recommendation system, coupled to the head-end and the viewer subsystem by a communications network, the recommendations system comprising: an audio generating system, disposed at and coupled to the head-end, the audio generating system comprising: an interface device coupled to the viewer subsystem, the interface device implementing an electronic program guide smart audio guide system functions, wherein said interface device is configured and operative to cause the electronic program guide to display a recommended program listing at the viewer subsystem based upon the customized viewing-recommendations list, the interface device further configured to retrieve, from the audio generating system, smart audio guide audio clips corresponding to the programs in the recommended program listing, wherein the retrieved smart audio guide audio clips are uttered in a predetermined mode at the viewer subsystem via the audio unit when activated to identify the programs in the recommended program listing for viewing at the viewer subsystem based upon the customized viewing-recommendations list, and wherein the plurality of smart audio guide audio clips are uttered and a corresponding visual presentation of the information is modified respectively to synchronize the uttering of each of the plurality of smart audio guide audio clips with a corresponding visual presentation of a matching program in the recommended programming list.