System and method for personalization through intelligent remote application

The present disclosure relates to a method of providing media personalization for one or more users using an electronic device. The method comprises receiving, by an electronic device, a profile activation request from one or more user devices for activating a predefined profile associated with each of the one or more users. The method further comprises assigning an active operation status for one of the one or more user devices and a passive operation status for rest of the one or more user devices based on predefined policy information. The method further comprises activating a primary functionality of controlling the electronic device for the user device having the active operation status and one or more secondary functionalities for the rest of the one or more user devices. The method further comprises applying the predefined profile associated with the user device having the active operation status for the media personalization.

This application claims the benefit of Indian Patent Application Serial No. 466/CHE/2015 filed Sep. 3, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present subject matter is related, in general to a digital media management system using remote application configured in a user device and more particularly, but not exclusively to a method of providing media personalization for one or more users using an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Currently, most of the smart phones, tablets and other web platforms are equipped with a remote application which allows users to control the video viewing experience remotely. Generally, setting up the remote application is simple and they are configured to work with multiple Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) devices including Set-Top box (STB), Digital television (DTV) and Digital Video Recorder (DVR) within a home network. The usage of the remote applications has been increased with increase in the use of smartphones, web platform and other second screen platforms within the home network. Further, the remote applications provide better user experience as they have the ability to bring in new functionality in the remote control without the need for any hardware upgrades. Also, the universal remote application has the ability to add multiple remotes for different CPE devices such as DTV, DVR, STB, and Audio Systems with a single remote application being switched seamlessly between these devices to avoid the hassle of operating multiple remotes simultaneously.

At present, most of these remote applications are used for controlling the CPE devices. However, for such remote applications, identification and also knowledge of the actual “USER” using the remote application is minimal because CPE remote applications are not based on user profile. Further, it is not possible to track users' video consumption pattern at the remote application though these applications run on personal devices such as mobile phones. The other problems with the existing remote applications are that though there is only a single active remote control application controlling the CPE at any given point in time and is available with one viewer, other viewers within the room do not get to access other activities include, but are not limited to, schedule viewing, recording through their remote applications. This is because the CPE does not recognize multiple remote applications within the home concurrently.

Currently, a lot of effort and money is spent on performing analytics in the backend to interpret video consumption patterns of the user, since different users access the CPE devices using the same remote and specific user information is not available when the remote is being used by the user. Further, the analytics is currently performed on video consumption patterns without the actual knowledge of the specific user on home devices such as STB and mobile platforms. Hence, there is a possibility of high number of false positives in terms of assessing the user behavior. This results in generic recommendations rather than targeted recommendations and also leads in incorrect advertisement schemes rolled out for a user who has not actually consumed the specific content on which the advertisement was based.

One of the conventional methods discloses a technique for mobile content tracking. This technique offers a mechanism for channel surfing and program viewing using a mobile device. The technique also enables outsourcing the functions of a remote control or set-top box to a mobile device. As a result of which the mobile device is able to track video consumption pattern at the device level, but is unable to differentiate the video consumption patterns at the next level of granularity, which is user level.

The issues mainly faced in the existing systems are that, they do not account for multiple remote applications controlling the video viewing experience wherein the control is in active or passive mode and monitoring the video consumption pattern for every user thereby providing personalized video viewing suggestions.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a method of providing media personalization for one or more users using an electronic device. The method provides a remote application which allows the user to create a profile for personalizing the media. The method also monitors media consumption pattern of each user to differentiate between the consumption patterns of different users and perform analytics at user profile level.

Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to a method of providing media personalization for one or more users. The method comprises receiving, by an electronic device, a profile activation request from one or more user devices for activating a profile associated with each of the one or more users. Thereafter, the electronic device assigns an active operation status for one of the one or more user devices and a passive operation status for rest of the one or more user devices based on policy information. The method further comprises activating, by the electronic device, a primary functionality of controlling the electronic device for the user device having the active operation status and one or more secondary functionalities for the rest of the one or more user devices. Further, the electronic device applies the profile associated with the user device having the active operation status for the media personalization.

Further, the present disclosure relates to an electronic device for providing media personalization for one or more users. The electronic device comprises at least one processor; and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores processor-executable instructions, which, on execution, cause the processor to receive a profile activation request from one or more user devices for activating a profile associated with each of the one or more user devices. Upon receiving the profile activation request, the processor assigns an active operation status for one of the one or more user devices and a passive operation status for rest of the one or more user devices based on policy information. Further, the processor activates a primary functionality of controlling the electronic device for the user device having the active operation status and one or more secondary functionalities for the rest of the one or more user devices. Thereafter, the processor applies the profile associated with the user device having the active operation status for the media personalization.

Further, the present disclosure comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions stored thereon that when processed by at least one processor cause an electronic device to perform one or more operations comprising receiving a profile activation request from one or more user devices for activating a profile associated with each of the one or more users. The instruction further cause the processor to assign an active operation status for one of the one or more user devices and a passive operation status for rest of the one or more user devices based on policy information. Thereafter, the instructions cause the processor for activating a primary functionality of controlling the electronic device for the user device having the active operation status and one or more secondary functionalities for the rest of the one or more user devices. Further, the instructions cause the processor to apply the profile associated with the user having the active operation status for the media personalization.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a method of providing media personalization for one or more users using an electronic device. In the present disclosure the media is a digital media, which includes, but not limited to, Video and Audio. Each user is associated with one or more user devices, wherein each user device is configured with a remote application for creating the profile and operating the electronic device. The user device sends a request to the electronic device to manage the user profiles. A profile activation request is sent to the electronic device using one or more user devices for activating a profile associated with each of the one or more users. In an embodiment, the profile is at least one of predefined by each of the one or more users and dynamically generated based on user interaction with the electronic device. Also the profile associated with each user is configurable in the one or more user devices. The electronic device assigns an operation status to each of the one or more user devices used by the one or more users. Active operation status is assigned to one of the one or more user devices and a passive operation status for rest of the one or more user devices based on policy information. In an embodiment, the policy information is at least one of predefined and dynamically generated by a service provider of the electronic device. The method further provides a primary functionality of controlling the electronic device for the user device having the active operation status and one or more secondary functionalities for the rest of the one or more user devices. Further, the electronic device applies the predefined profile associated with the user device having the active operation status for the media personalization and monitors the media consumption pattern of the user.

FIG. 1shows an exemplary architecture illustrating a method of providing media personalization for one or more users using an electronic device with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The architecture100comprises of one or more user devices, user device11011to user device n101n(collectively referred to as user device101), a communication network103, and an electronic device105. As an example, the one or more user devices101, may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet phone, a personal computer and a laptop. As an example, the electronic device105, may include, but not limited to a set top box (STB), Digital video recorder (DVR) and Media gateway box. The communication network103may include, but not limited to, a wireless communication network.

One or more users interact with the electronic device105through the user devices101. Each of the user devices101is configured with a remote application. The remote application allows the user to create a user profile. The user profile includes, but not limited to, profile information of the one or more users, login details related to the profile of the one or more users, operation status of the profile such as active or passive, list of device identification numbers with which the user was associated, preferences of the user such as brightness settings, contrast settings etc. list of the last few programs watched by the users, history related to the purchases made by the one or more users and list of favorite programs of the one or more users. In an embodiment, each user device101sends a profile activation request to the electronic device105through the communication network103. The electronic device105provides an active operation status to one of the one or more user devices101and passive operation status to rest of the one or more user devices101. The active operation status is associated with a primary functionality of controlling the electronic device105. The primary functionality may include, but not limited to, changing channels, increasing or decreasing the volume and resolution settings. The passive operation status is associated with one or more secondary functionalities. The secondary functionalities may include but not limited to, video recording and browsing. Upon assigning the operation status, the electronic device105activates the one or more user devices101with their respective functionalities. The electronic device105applies the profile associated with the user device101having the active operation status for personalizing the media. Further, the electronic device105monitors the media consumption pattern of the user associated with the active operation status. The monitored media consumption pattern is provided to an aggregator associated with the electronic device105for performing analytics for providing one or more recommendations for advertising.

FIG. 2ashows a block diagram illustrating a user device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The user device101comprises a user interface106, a memory unit107and a processing unit109. The user interface106is configured to receive inputs from the user for the creation of the profile. Based on the inputs, the profile is created for each user. The created profiles for each user are stored in the memory unit107. The processing unit109is configured to send activation request to the electronic device105to activate the profile associated with each of the one or more users of the user device101. The processing unit109further receives the operation status of the one or more user devices from the electronic device105. Upon receiving the operation status, the processing unit109activates the user profile with active operation status and monitors the media consumption pattern of the active user.

FIG. 2bshows a detailed block diagram illustrating a user device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In one implementation, the user interface106is configured in the user device101to receive inputs from the user based on which a profile is created for each user. The user device101stores the data related to the one or more users in a memory unit107. In an embodiment, the data includes user profile data111. The user device101also includes remote profile database113and other data115.

In one embodiment, the data may be stored in the memory unit107in the form of various data structures. Additionally, the aforementioned data can be organized using data models, such as relational or hierarchical data models. The other data115may store data, including temporary data and temporary files, generated by modules for performing the various functions of the user device101.

In an embodiment, the user profile data111is provided by the one or more users of the user device101. The user profile data111includes, but not limited to, profile information of the one or more users, login details related to the profile of the one or more users, operation status of the profile such as active or passive, list of device identifications numbers with which the user was associated, preferences of the user such as brightness settings, contrast settings etc. list of the last few programs watched by the users, history related to the purchases made by the one or more users and list of favorite programs of the one or more users. The user profile data111is stored in the remote profile database113configured in the user device101.

In an embodiment, the data stored in the memory unit107is processed by the modules of the user device101. The modules may be stored within the memory unit107as shown in theFIG. 2b. In an example, the modules, communicatively coupled to the processing unit109, may also be outside the memory unit107.

In an embodiment, the modules may include, for example, a user profile module117, a media consumption monitoring module119, a controller status module121, and other modules123. The other modules123may be used to perform various miscellaneous functionalities of the user device101. It will be appreciated that such aforementioned modules may be represented as a single module or a combination of different modules.

In an embodiment, the user profile module117is configured for creating the profile for each user of the user device. The user may even add the profiles, delete the profiles or update the profiles. In an embodiment, the user profile module117is configured to download new profiles for creation from the electronic device105. Further the user profile module117is configured for loading the user specific profile when the user is assigned with active operation status of the electronic device105. Also the user profile module117is configured to unload the user profile data111of the user with the active status when the user with the active operation status logs out of the remote application.

In an embodiment, the controller status module121is configured to send profile activation request to the electronic device105. As an example, the profile activation request may be provided using HTTP RESTFUL request. The controller status module121configures the remote application or the profile of the user to have either active operation status or the passive operation status upon receiving the status information from the electronic device105. The active operation status is associated with primary functionality of controlling the electronic device105. In an embodiment, the primary functionality may include, but not limited to, changing channels, increasing or decreasing the volume and resolution settings. The passive operation status is associated with one or more secondary functionalities. In an embodiment, the one or more secondary functionalities may include, but not limited to, video recording and browsing. The default configuration assigned to the one or more user devices101is passive operation status. At any given point of time, there is only one active user of the electronic device105activated with a primary functionality of controlling the electronic device105. The rest of the one or more users are passive users and are activated with one or more secondary functionalities. The controller status module121updates the operation status of the one or more users to the user device101. Further, the controller status module121triggers the user profile module117to load the preference of the active user of the electronic device105and personalize the media with respect to the current active user.

In an embodiment, the media consumption monitoring module119is configured to monitor the media consumption pattern of the user device101with the active operation status. The media consumption information of the user with the active operation status may include, but not limited to, channels watched, amount of time spent on a certain service by the user, history related to purchases, list of advertisements watched by the user, duration up to which an advertisement is watched by the user, favorite programs of the user and browse history of the user. Upon monitoring, the media consumption information of the user with active operation status is provided to the user profile module117to store the media consumption information in the remote profile database113. The media consumption monitoring module119also provides the media consumption information to a user profile service module139configured in the electronic device105to perform light weight analytics. Light weight analytics is the basic analytics performed by the user profile service module139to personalize the media with respect to user's choice. As an example, light weight analytics performed by the user profile service module139includes, creating a view catalogue for the user with the active operation status. The view catalogue is created using the list of on demand channels and programs. Further, the view catalogue is recommended for the user with active operation status, when the user wants to discover the media content using but not limited to, guide listing, catalogue and search views.

FIG. 3ashows a block diagram illustrating an electronic device for providing media personalization for one or more users in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The electronic device105comprises an I/O interface125, a processor129, and a memory127. The I/O interface125is configured to receive data from the user devices101. In an embodiment, each user device101is associated with one or more users. The data is related to the profile information corresponding to the one or more users and also the monitored media consumption pattern of the one or more users. The received data is stored in the memory127. The memory127is communicatively coupled to the processor129. The processor129performs one or more instructions stored in the memory127to assign the operation status to one or more users and also to provide the analytics related to the media consumption pattern of each of the one or more users.

FIG. 3bshows a detailed block diagram illustrating an electronic device for providing media personalization for one or more users in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In one implementation, the I/O interface configured in the electronic device105receives data from the user devices101associated with the one or more users. As an example, the electronic device105, may include, but not limited to, a set-top box (STB), a media gateway box and a digital video recorder (DVR). The electronic device105stores the data received in a memory127. In an embodiment, the data includes user profile data131, predefined policy data133and other data. The memory also stores a user profile database135.

In one embodiment, the data may be stored in the memory127in the form of various data structures. Additionally, the aforementioned data can be organized using data models, such as relational or hierarchical data models. The other data137may store data, including temporary data and temporary files, generated by modules for performing the various functions of the electronic device105.

In another embodiment, the user profile data131is received from each of the one or more user devices101associated with the one or more users. The user profile data131includes, but not limited to, profile information of the one or more users, login details related to the profile of the one or more users, operation status of the profile such as active or passive, list of device identification numbers with which the user was associated, preferences of the user such as brightness settings, contrast settings etc. list of the programs watched, history related to the purchases made by the one or more users and list of favorite programs of the one or more users. The user profile data131is stored in the user profile database135configured in the electronic device105.

In an embodiment, the predefined policy data133is related to the rules set by the one or more users of the electronic device105. As an example, the predefined policy information133may include, but not limited to, set of rule for setting the active operation status for the users, media usage limit etc. As an example, if there are four users for the electronic device105then the priority for each user to obtain the active operation status is based on the predefined policy information133.

In an embodiment, the data stored in the memory127are processed by the modules of the electronic device105. The modules may be stored within the memory127as shown in theFIG. 3b. In an example, the modules, communicatively coupled to the processor129, may also be outside the memory127.

In an embodiment, the modules may include, for example, a user profile service module139, a controller status service module141and other modules143. The other modules143may be used to perform various miscellaneous functionalities of the electronic device105. It will be appreciated that such aforementioned modules may be represented as a single module or a combination of different modules.

In an embodiment, the user profile service module139is configured to receive request to manage the profile operations, from the user profile module117configured in each of the user device101. The user profile service module139manages profile operations for example, creation of profiles for each of the one or more users, addition of profiles for each of the one or more users, modification of profiles for each of the one or more users and updating of profiles for each of the one or more users. The relationship between the user profiles, the user device101and the electronic device105can be at least one of one to one, one to many, many to one and many to many. As an example, one user device101interacts with one electronic device105, one user device101interacts with N number of electronic devices105such as STB, N number of user devices101interact with one electronic device105and N number of user devices101interact with N number of electronic devices105such as STB. Further, the user profile service module139receives the monitored media consumption pattern of the one or more users from a media consumption monitoring module119configured in the user device101. Further, the user profile service module139performs the light weight analytics of the monitored media consumption information of the user with active operation status to provide only the targeted recommendations. Also, the user profile service module139provides the monitored media consumption information of the user with active operation status to a data collector associated with the electronic device105.

In an embodiment, the controller status service module141is configured to receive profile activation requests from a controller status module121configured in the user device101to activate a predefined profile associated with the one or more users. Upon receiving the profile activation requests, the controller status service module141assigns active operation status to one of the one or more users of the user device101and a passive operation status to rest of the one or more users of the user device101. The user device101having the active operation status is activated with a primary functionality of controlling the electronic device105and one or more secondary functionalities are activated for the rest of the one or more users having the passive operation status. In an embodiment, the primary functionality may include, but not limited to, changing channels, increasing or decreasing the volume and resolution settings and the one or more secondary functionalities may include, but not limited to, video recording and browsing. Further the controller status service module141maintains a record of the operation status assigned to each of the one or more users and provides the information to the controller status module141. Based on the information, the controller status module141retrieves the profile of the user device101which has been assigned the active operation status and the profile is activated. When the active user logs out of the profile or wants to relinquish the active operation status, the controller status service module141enables switching of the operation status from one user to another based on the priority information stored in the predefined policy information133.

FIG. 4aillustrates one exemplary method for assigning operation status to one or more users in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As an example, user1logs into the remote application through user device11011, wherein user device11011is a mobile phone. User2logs into the remote application through user device1012, wherein user device1012is a tablet phone. User3logs into the remote application through user device31013, wherein user device31013is a laptop. User1, user2and user3log into the remote application simultaneously for operating the electronic device i.e STB. A profile activation request is sent from the respective controller status module121configured in the mobile, the tablet and the laptop to a controller status service module141configured in an electronic device105. The controller status service module141provides the active operation status to one of the three users based on the priority set in the predefined policy information133as the log in time is same for all the three users. The user1has the highest priority as per the predefined policy information133. Hence user1is assigned with the active operation status and the user2and user3are assigned with passive operation status. If the user of the electronic device105with active operation status relinquishes the control, then the user of the electronic device105with the next priority set in the predefined policy information133is provided with the active operation status. As an example, a family comprises father, mother and two kids. Father uses mobile phone as the user device101, mother uses a tablet phone as the user device101and kids use mobile phones as their user devices101. Father's mobile phone has the current active operation status but wants to relinquish the active control. Immediately a notification related to the inactive status of the father is provided to each of the one or more other users using their respective user devices101. The active operation status is now provided to the mother's tablet phone, who has the next priority according to the predefined policy information133.

FIG. 4billustrates another exemplary method for assigning operation status to one or more users in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As an example, user1logs into the remote application through user device11011, wherein user device1011is a mobile phone. User2logs into the remote application through user device21012, wherein user device21012is a tablet phone. User3logs into the remote application through user device31013, wherein user device1013is a laptop. User1logs in for operating the electronic device105i.e STB and sends a profile activation request from a controller status module121configured in the mobile to a controller status service module141at 10:00 AM. The controller status service module141is configured in an electronic device105. User2logs in for operating the electronic device105i.e STB and sends a profile activation request from the controller status module121configured in the tablet to the controller status service module141at 10:30 AM. User3logs in for operating the electronic device105i.e STB and sends a profile activation request to from the controller status module121configured in the laptop to the controller status service module141at 11:30 AM. All three users logged in at different time. Hence, the user1is assigned with the active operation status since the log in time of the first user is earliest.

FIG. 5shows an exemplary method for creation of a user profile implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure.

At block503, the user logs into a remote application in the user device101by providing login information. The login information may include but not limited to name of the user and the password set by the user.

At block505, the profile information of the user is loaded from a remote profile database113configured in the user device101.

At block507, the condition is checked to see if the profile of the user already exists. If the profile of the user exists, then the method proceeds to block509via “Existing”. If the profile of the user exists but the user wants to delete the profile, then the method proceeds to block513via “Existing/delete”. If the profile does not exist, then the method proceeds to block511via “New”. At block509, of the user may either edit or update the profile already created by the user. At block513, the user may delete the profile. At block511, the user may create a new profile

At block515, the user device101stores the updated, edited and the new profile information of the user in the remote profile database113.

At block517, a connection is established between the user device101and electronic device105. The monitored media consumption information of the user with active operation status is provided to the user profile service module139by the media consumption monitoring module119in the user device101.

At block519, the condition is checked to see if controller status service module141accepts the profile activation request sent by the controller status module121from each of the user devices. If the controller status service module141accepts the profile activation request, then the method proceeds to block521via “yes”. If the controller status service module141does not accept the profile activation request, then the method proceeds to block523via “No”.

At block521, the controller status service module141accepts the profile activation request sent by the controller status module121based on the predefined policy information133and the user of the user device101is provided with the active operation status.

At block523, the controller status service module141does not accept the profile activation request sent by the controller status module121based on the predefined policy information133and the user of the user device101is provided with the passive operation status.

FIG. 6illustrates a method of providing media personalization for one or more users with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the method600comprises one or more blocks illustrating a method of providing media personalization for one or more users. The method600may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.

At block603, a profile activation request is received by the electronic device105. In an embodiment, the profile activation request is received by the electronic device105from one or more user devices101for activation of user profile. As an example, the one or more user devices101may be a mobile phone, a tablet phone, a laptop and a personal computer. Each user profile is associated with a user device101. Also the user profile may include as an example, profile information of the one or more users, login details related to the profile of the one or more users, operation status of the profile such as active or passive, list of device identification numbers with which the user was associated, preferences of the user such as brightness settings, contrast settings etc. list of the last few programs watched by the users, history related to the purchases made by the one or more users and list of favorite programs of the one or more users.

At block605, operation status is assigned by the electronic device105. In an embodiment, the active operation status is assigned to one of the one or more users using the user device101and passive operation status is assigned to rest of the one or more users using the user device101based on predefined policy information133. The predefined policy information133is stored in a memory127configured in the electronic device105.

At block607, functionalities are activated by the electronic device105. In an embodiment, primary functionality of controlling the electronic device105is associated with the user device101having active operation status. The primary functionality may include, but not limited to, changing channels, increasing or decreasing the volume and resolution settings. In another embodiment, one or more secondary functionalities are associated with the one or more users using the user device101having passive operation status. The one or more secondary functionalities may include, but not limited to, video recording and browsing.

At block609, predefined profile is applied. In an embodiment, the predefined profile associated with the user device101having active operation status is applied and monitored.

Advantages of the Embodiment of the Present Disclosure are Illustrated Herein

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for media personalization for one or more users using an electronic device.

The present disclosure provides a feature wherein, a remote application is used to create multiple user profiles to control the electronic device from multiple profiles on one user device or multiple user devices simultaneously.

The present disclosure also monitors various parameters at a user profile level, storing media consumption pattern of each user profile to provide media personalization to the one or more users and to perform analytics in the backend.

Furthermore, computer readable storage media may be utilized in implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. A computer readable storage medium refers to any type of physical memory on which information or data readable by a processor may be stored. Thus, a computer readable storage medium may store instructions for execution by one or more processors, including instructions for causing the processor(s) to perform steps or stages consistent with the embodiments described herein. The term “computer readable storage medium” should be understood to include tangible items and exclude carrier waves and transient signals, i.e., are non-transitory. Examples include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, hard drives, CD ROMs, DVDs, flash drives, disks, and any other known physical storage media.

REFERRAL NUMERALS