Abstract:
Methods and systems for capturing, transmitting and processing data for generating ratings relating to multimedia programming based on passively obtained user cues are disclosed herein.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to providing multimedia content over a communications network, and more particularly, to an automated system for rating such multimedia content based on cues that are passively gathered from the user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The delivery of multimedia and other content over communications networks is well known in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to, web browsing, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Internet Protocol (IP) services such as Voice-over-IP (VoIP), and even conventional Cable Television (CATV) over Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC). 
     In the context of television programming, delivered either via HFC, IP or the like, current technology enables users to provide ratings for such programming (or other dynamic media such as radio, CD, audio books, etc.). However, the current state of the art requires that the users actively provide such feedback. This is often accomplished by the user manipulating a remote control or keyboard. For example, the well known TiVo® remote has data input controls for accepting such user input. However, the need for active user participation decreases the likelihood for the typical TV audience to provide any feedback. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide a system and methodology whereby a viewer of multimedia content can provide feedback to a service provider or other entity in a transparent, non-invasive way that obviates the need for explicit viewer participation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with aspects of the invention(s), methods and systems for capturing, transmitting and processing data for generating ratings relating to multimedia programming based on passively obtained user cues are disclosed herein. 
     An exemplary method, in the broadest sense, generally comprises the step of: receiving data over the communications network, the data comprising cues providing feedback regarding the multimedia content from at least one of the end users in a manner transparent to the user. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a system for gathering user feedback, that can be used for example, to rate multimedia content that is distributed to end users over a communications network, comprises: a network element adapted for receiving data over the communications network, the data comprising cues providing feedback regarding the multimedia content from at least one of the end users in a manner transparent to the user. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a memory medium containing programmable machine readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, enable a network element to obtain rating data regarding multimedia content that is communicated to end users over a communications network, enable a system, device, network or other entity or apparatus to receive data over the communications network, where the data comprises cues providing feedback regarding the multimedia content from at least one of the end users in a manner transparent to the user. 
     These and further advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the present invention is described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of an illustrative network architecture embodying a Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) network serving a plurality of users; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic of a user site that provides for multimedia content distribution to a user and a remote node communicating with the user site; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart describing a Ratings Method. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing figures wherein like numbers represent like elements throughout. Before embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the examples set forth in the following description or illustrated in the figures. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of applications and in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a method and system for rating multimedia content is disclosed. With reference to  FIG. 1 , an illustrative network architecture in the form a Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) delivery system is shown, which generally comprises an access network  100  that delivers communications services to a plurality of end users  102   1 ,  102   2 , . . . ,  102   N . The access network may comprise, in an exemplary expedient (shown here as an optical network) a Remote Node (RN)  104  coupled to a Central Office (CO)  106  or other entity. The RN  104  may be adapted to communicate with the end users  102   1 ,  102   2 , . . . ,  102   N  via optical, electrical, electro-optical, or any other hereinafter developed network technology. The CO  106  and RN  104  communicate with each other in a conventional fashion and such communications and system architectures are not relevant to the present invention. In the context of multimedia content delivery, a content server  108  that generates or stores multimedia content is coupled to the access network via another network shown generally at  110 . 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic of a RN  204  coupled to an exemplary end user site  202   N  (e.g., a residence or business). End user site  202   N  may include a plurality of network access devices, such as, for example, a TV  206 , personal computer  208 , telephone  210  and/or the like. Multimedia content  212  is presented to an end user  214  in a conventional manner via the network access device. In accordance with the present invention, a passive feedback device  216 , which is either part of the network access device or a standalone apparatus, enables data comprising “user cues” to be transparently “received” from the viewer of the multimedia content. The “data” may be in the form of audio, visual or audio-visual “cues.” In this regard, the passive feedback device  216  may be a microphone, video camera or some like apparatus that is adapted to be coupled to the network. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , a method in accordance with an aspect of the invention for rating multimedia content is disclosed. The method generally comprises the step  300  of receiving data over a communications network from an end user, where such data comprises cues that provide real-time (or almost real-time) user feedback concerning the multimedia content. In step  302 , a “system” (architecture is not relevant at this point) processes the data and extracts the user “feedback”, which may be in the form of a viewer laughing or otherwise reacting to something seen in the programming. 
     The cues, as previously discussed, may be aural, visual or audio-visual in nature and can be measured in terms of intensity and/or duration. Such cues may further be processed with specific regard to the multimedia content stream i to enable a service provider or other entity to generate “ratings” for the programming in step  304 . In this context, the cues may be temporally mapped against the content which could then be distributed in step  306  for multiple purposes, including but not limited to virtual audiences  308 , providing show recommendations  310 , enabling producers to understand which content is most likely to generate the best revenue  312 , advertisers  314  and service providers (e.g., TV networks)  316 . 
     For example, a particular “comedy” might cause a viewer to laugh, an interesting documentary might elicit a thought provoking discussion, or a horror “flick” might cause shock or fear. These aural, visual or audio-visual cues may be identified, captured and processed by the network access device in real or quasi real-time. A variety of acoustic models can be created to monitor different aural cues, such as a scream which, obviously, has different properties than laughter. In the case of conversation, the inventive method can identify dialog without the need for complicated speech recognition technology, or the need to even understand the content at all. Such mapping of user&#39;s audio or visual expressions for the purpose of authentication is known in the art. 
     In addition to monitoring the frequency and duration of such cues, in accordance with aspects of the invention, an interested entity or device can record when such viewer feedback is generated. For example, a set-top box (in the HFC context) knows what multimedia content (i.e., TV show) is being shown and the points in the show if and when, the viewer has which type of reactions thereto. This data, as described above, can be temporally correlated with the media content, thereby enabling the generation of a continuous ratings profile. 
     Another aspect of the invention comprises a memory medium storing machine readable instructions which, when executed by a processor enable a system, device or other entity/apparatus to generate the above-described ratings from passively obtained user cues. The memory medium may be part of the network access device described above, or disposed anywhere within the network or a separate entity responsible for generating ratings for multimedia programming. The memory medium and instructions may be embodied in software, hardware or firmware, as is well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The foregoing detailed description is to be understood as being in every respect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scope of the invention disclosed herein is not to be determined from the description of the invention, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that various modifications will be implemented by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.