Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    According to recent surveys, U.S. consumers may view, on average, around four hours and forty-nine minutes of television each day. Additionally, content has now become readily available on the Internet to provide consumers with more opportunities to view various types of content. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0002]      FIG. 1A  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment in which an exemplary embodiment of a content prediction system may be implemented; 
           [0003]      FIGS. 1B-1G  are diagrams illustrating an exemplary process associated with an exemplary embodiment of a content prediction system; 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a device that may correspond to one or more of the devices in the environment depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1G ; 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating exemplary components or logic of an exemplary embodiment of a content prediction system; 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical user interface pertaining to a content prediction system; and 
           [0007]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are flow diagrams illustrating an exemplary process associated with an exemplary embodiment of content prediction system for providing interactive, user-prediction of content. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0008]    The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. 
         [0009]    The term “content,” as used herein, is intended to be broadly interpreted to include, for example, visual data and audio data, and multi-media data. By way of example, content may include television content and Internet content. Television content may include local programming, national programming, free programming, and live-programming (e.g., a live broadcast, etc.), etc.). For example, television content may pertain to entertainment, politics, news, sports, television series, and/or other categories or genres of content. Internet content may include television content, user-created content, podcasts, and webcasts. 
         [0010]    According to exemplary embodiments described herein, a content prediction system may permit users to predict the outcome of events pertaining to content. Based on the successes and failures of the users&#39; predictions, users may be awarded scores (e.g., points) and/or other types of indicators (e.g., percentage of being correct, percentage of being incorrect, etc.) pertaining to the users&#39; successes and/or failures. The users&#39; scores and/or other indicators may be shared with other users or non-users. 
         [0011]    According to exemplary an embodiment, the content prediction system may receive data and information from data collection sources (e.g., STATS, etc.). Additionally, or alternatively, the content prediction system may include a data mining engine to collect data and/or information. The content prediction system may perform interpretative data and informational analysis on the received data and information to generate predictive options. The content prediction system may present the predictive options to the users to allow the users to select which of the predictive options is going to occur. After the outcomes are known, the content prediction system may score and/or provide other indicators that correspond to the successes and/or failures of the users&#39; predictions. 
         [0012]      FIG. 1A  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment  100  in which an exemplary embodiment of the content prediction system may be implemented. As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , environment  100  may include a service provider network (SPN)  105  that includes a content prediction system  110 , a network  115  that includes data/information sources  120 , and user devices  125 - 1  through  125 -X (referred to generally as user device  125  or user devices  125 ). 
         [0013]    The number of devices and networks, and the configuration in environment  100  is exemplary and provided for simplicity. In practice, according to other embodiments, environment  100  may include additional devices, fewer devices, different devices, and/or differently arranged devices, than those illustrated in  FIG. 1A . Additionally, or alternatively, in practice, environment  100  may include additional networks, fewer networks, and/or differently arranged networks, than those illustrated in  FIG. 1A . Also, according to other embodiments, one or more functions and/or processes described as being performed by a particular device or component may be performed by a different device or component, or some combination of devices or components. Additionally, or alternatively, according to other embodiments, one or more functions and/or processes described as being performed by multiple devices or multiple components may be performed by different devices or components, or a single device or component, etc. Environment  100  may include wired and/or wireless connections among the devices illustrated. 
         [0014]    SPN  105  may include a network that distributes or makes available services, such as, for example, television service, and/or Internet service. SPN  105  may correspond to a satellite-based network and/or a terrestrial-based network. According to an exemplary embodiment, SPN  105  may include a content prediction system  110 . Although not illustrated, SPN  105  may include, for example, content distribution devices, content storage devices, application servers, billing devices, security devices, and/or other devices pertaining to the distribution or making available of services. 
         [0015]    Content prediction system  110  may include one or multiple network devices that provide content predictive services to users. For example, content prediction system  110  may be implemented using server(s), computing device(s), data and/or informational collection system(s), data and/or informational repository system(s), data and/or informational analytic system(s), predictive option generator(s), predictive outcome analytic system(s), and/or other types of devices, components, etc. Content prediction system  110  will be described further below. 
         [0016]    Network  115  may include one or multiple networks of various types. By way of example, network  115  may include a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, an intranet, a data network, a wireless network, and/or a wired network. Network  115  may include data/information sources  120 . 
         [0017]    Data/information sources  120  may include devices that distribute data and information pertaining to various categories of content. For example, STATS distributes sports data and information. Data/information sources  120  may also include data and/or information sources that may be data-mined. For example, data/information sources  120  may include publically available data and/or information (e.g., web sites, Internet sites, etc.) and/or other types of data/information sources that may be accessed (e.g., based on monetary fees, business partnerships, etc.). Data/information sources  120  may also include content sources, such as, television content providers, Internet content providers, and/or other types of content providers. 
         [0018]    User device  125  may include one or multiples devices that allow users to receive services, such as, for example, television service and Internet service. For example, user device  125  may include a television, a combination of a television and an SPN television interface device (e.g., a client, a thin client, a set-top box, a converter box, a receiver, a server, a peer device, a tuner, and/or a digibox), a computer (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a netbook computer, etc.), a combination of a computer or a television and an SPN Internet interface device (e.g., a modem, a wireless router, a wired router, a gateway, etc.), a mobile or a portable communication device (e.g., a tablet device, an Internet access device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.), a combination of a gaming device and a display, and/or some other type of suitable device(s). According to an exemplary embodiment, user device  125  may include an application (e.g., a client application, a peer application, a widget, a plug-in to an Internet browser, etc.) to permit users to interact with content prediction system  110 . 
         [0019]      FIGS. 1B-1G  are diagrams illustrating an exemplary process associated with an exemplary embodiment of content prediction system  110 . In this example, it may be assumed that a user (not illustrated) is viewing content (e.g., a baseball game), provided by SPN  105 , via user device  125 - 1 . Referring to  FIG. 1B , as the content is being delivered to user device  125 - 1 , content prediction system  110  receives data and/or information from data/information sources  120  of network  115 . For example, the data and/or information include(s) real-time or near real-time data and/or information pertaining to the baseball game viewed by the user. 
         [0020]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 1B , content prediction system  110  applies interpretative analytics to the received data and/or information. For example, content prediction system  110  may identify a particular player that is batting, the count (e.g., the number of balls, the number of strikes), the number of outs, men on base, the score, the inning, and other information pertaining to the teams (e.g., players, their positions, etc.) and the current status of the baseball game. Based on the applied interpretive analytics, content prediction system  110  may generate predictive options. For example, the predictive options may correspond to possible events that may occur given the current state of the game, as interpreted by content prediction system  110 . 
         [0021]    According to an exemplary embodiment, content prediction system  110  may generate one or multiple sets of predictive options having different time granularities. As an example, content prediction system  110  may generate a set of predictive options having one time granularity, such as, (1) team A scores this inning; (2) team A does not score this inning, and another set of predictive options having another time granularity, such as, (1) team A wins the game; (2) team B wins the game. According to an exemplary embodiment, the time granularity pertaining to a set of predictive options may be a configurable parameter by the user and/or by the SP associated with content prediction system  110 . 
         [0022]    Additionally, according to an exemplary embodiment, content prediction system  110  may generate one or multiple sets of predictive options having different levels of specificity. For example, one set of predictive options may have a finer level of specificity, such as, (1) the next pitch the player hits the ball; (2) the next pitch the player swings and misses, (3) the next pitch the player does not swing and it is called a ball; and (4) the next pitch the player does not swing and it is called a strike, relative to another set of predictive options, which may have a coarser level of specificity, such as (1) the player gets a hit; (2) the player does not get a hit; (3) the player gets a hit and drives home a run; and (4) the player gets a hit and does not drive home a run. According to an exemplary embodiment, the level of specificity pertaining to the predictive options may be a configurable parameter by the user and/or by the SP associated with content prediction system  110 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 1C , when the predictive options are generated, they may be presented to the user. For example, an interactive, graphical user interface may be displayed with the content to permit the user to select one of the predictive options. For example, the graphical user interface may correspond to an overlay, an interactive bug, a border frame, or some other type of graphical user interface. Depending on the time granularity of the predictive options and the current time position in the baseball game (e.g., first inning versus ninth inning, etc.), content prediction system  110  may provide the predictive options to the user at different times. For example, content prediction system  110  may send predictive options (1) team A wins the game; (2) team B wins the game, at the beginning of the first inning, at the bottom of the fourth, at the top of the ninth inning, etc. Alternatively, for example, when the predictive options pertain to whether an at-bat player will hit a home run, hit a single, strike out, etc., the predictive options may present the predictive options to the user when the player steps-up to the plate. In this regard, the time at which a set of predictive options may be presented to the user may be different between predictive options, and the time window at which the user has an opportunity to select a predictive option may be different between predictive options. A set of predictive options may include one or multiple predictive options. 
         [0024]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1D , it may be assumed that the user selects a predictive option. In this example, the set of predictive options may include (1) the player gets a hit; (2) the player does not get a hit; (3) the player gets a hit and drives home a run; and (4) the player gets a hit and does not drive home a run. The user selects predictive option (1) and his/her prediction selection is sent from user device  125 - 1  to content prediction selection  110 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 1E , content prediction system  110  may continue to receive real-time or near real-time data and/or information pertaining to the baseball game viewed by the user. Content prediction system  110  may identify a predictive outcome pertaining to the predictive option selected by the user and/or a predictive outcome(s) pertaining to the set of predictive options presented to the user. Based on the identified predictive outcome(s), content prediction system  110  may assign a predictive score to the user. As previously described, the predictive score may correspond to the success or the failure of the user&#39;s prediction(s). For example, the predictive score may include an aggregated score pertaining to this baseball game, an aggregated score pertaining to the entire baseball season, an aggregated score pertaining to a particular baseball player, an aggregated score pertaining to a particular baseball team, for the game, for the entire season, etc., a score for this particular predictive outcome, etc. 
         [0026]    According to an exemplary embodiment, content prediction system  110  may assign a score based on scoring rules. The scoring rules may assign values corresponding to the success or the failure of a predictive option selected by the user. According to an exemplary embodiment, the scoring rules may include an assignment of weights for calculating a score. For example, when the score includes an assignment of points versus, for example, percentages and/or other indicators of success, failure, etc., the number of points awarded (or deducted) may be based on factors, such as, when relative to the outcome of an event, did the user make his/her prediction. For example, if the user predicts the outcome of the baseball game (e.g., team A wins) in the first inning compared to the ninth inning (e.g., when team A is ahead by 9 runs), the user may be awarded a different number of points if team A should win the baseball game. According to such an example, content prediction system  110  may use probability analytics to account for the differences in possible success between the user selecting a predictive option that team A is to win when both teams have the same score in a first inning compared to when team A is ahead by 9 runs in the top of the ninth inning. 
         [0027]    Additionally, or alternatively, according to an exemplary embodiment, the level of specificity of the predictive options selected by the user may impact the number of points awarded (or deducted). For example, if the user successfully predicts that the baseball player will get a hit versus hitting a triple, content prediction system  110  may award a different number of points. 
         [0028]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1F , after content prediction system  110  assigns a score, the score may be sent to user via user device  125 - 1 . In this example, the score may include an aggregated point score and a percentage of success for this baseball game. Referring to  FIG. 1G , the user may view the score and percentage of success and post his/her score on a social network site (e.g., Facebook, etc.), share it with other users, etc. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a device  200  that may correspond to one or more of the devices in environment  100 . For example, device  200  may correspond to devices in SPN  105  (e.g., content prediction system  110 ), devices in network  115  (e.g., data/information sources  120 ), and user devices  125 . As illustrated, according to an exemplary embodiment, device  200  may include a processing system  205 , memory/storage  210  including an application  215 , a communication interface  220 , an input  225 , and an output  230 . According to other embodiments, device  200  may include fewer components, additional components, different components, and/or a different arrangement of components than those illustrated in  FIG. 2  and described herein. 
         [0030]    Processing system  205  may include one or multiple processors, microprocessors, data processors, co-processors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), controllers, programmable logic devices, chipsets, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs), system-on-chips (SOCs), and/or some other component that may interpret and/or execute instructions and/or data. Processing system  205  may control the overall operation or a portion of operation(s) performed by device  200 . Processing system  205  may perform one or multiple operations based on an operating system and/or various applications (e.g., application  215 ). Processing system  205  may access instructions from memory/storage  210 , from other components of device  200 , and/or from a source external to device  200  (e.g., a network, another device, etc.). 
         [0031]    Memory/storage  210  may include one or multiple memories and/or one or multiple other types of storage devices. For example, memory/storage  210  may include a random access memory (RAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a read only memory (ROM), a programmable read only memory (PROM), a flash memory, a phase-change memory (PCM), and/or some other type of storing medium (a computer-readable medium, a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), etc.). Memory/storage  210  may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optic disk, a solid state disk, etc.) or some other type of storing medium, along with a corresponding drive. Memory/storage  210  may be external to and/or removable from device  200 , such as, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, a dongle, a hard disk, mass storage, off-line storage, etc. 
         [0032]    The term “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, is intended to be broadly interpreted to include, for example, a memory, a storage medium, a CD, a DVD, a Blu-ray disc, or another type of tangible storing medium. Memory/storage  210  may store data, application(s), and/or instructions related to the operation of device  200 . 
         [0033]    Applications  215  may include software that provides various services and/or functions. For example, with reference to content prediction system  110  and according to an exemplary embodiment, application  215  may include one or multiple applications for performing interpretative analysis, generating predictive options, identifying predictive outcomes, assign scores, etc. 
         [0034]    Communication interface  220  may permit device  200  to communicate with other devices, networks, systems, etc. Communication interface  220  may include one or multiple wireless interfaces and/or wired interfaces. Communication interface  220  may include one or multiple transmitters, receivers, and/or transceivers. Communication interface  220  may operate according to one or multiple protocols, standards, and/or the like. 
         [0035]    Input  225  may permit an input into device  200 . For example, input  225  may include a keyboard, a mouse, a camera, a scanner, a microphone, a display, a touchpad, a button, a switch, an input port, voice recognition logic, fingerprint recognition logic, a web cam, and/or some other type of visual, auditory, tactile, etc., input component. Output  230  may permit an output from device  200 . For example, output  230  may include a speaker, a display, a light, an output port, and/or some other type of visual, auditory, tactile, etc., output component. 
         [0036]    As described herein, device  200  may perform processes in response to processing system  205  executing software instructions (e.g., application  215 ) stored by memory/storage  210 . By way of example, the software instructions may be read into memory/storage  210  from another memory/storage  210  or from another device via communication interface  220 . The software instructions stored by memory/storage  210  may cause processing system  205  to perform one or more processes described herein. Alternatively, for example, according to other implementations, device  200  may perform one or more processes described herein based on the execution of hardware (processing system  205 , etc.), the execution of hardware and firmware, or the execution of hardware, software, and firmware. 
         [0037]    As previously described, content prediction system  110  may permit users to predict the outcome of events pertaining to content. For example, the content may pertain to entertainment, politics, news, sports, and/or other categories or genres of content. For example, reality television shows (e.g., talent search (e.g., Just Dance, etc.), docu-soaps (e.g., Jersey Shore, etc.), lifestyle change (e.g., Biggest Loser, etc.), dating (e.g., The Bachelorette, etc.), etc.), sporting events or tournaments (e.g., baseball, basketball, boxing, golf, hockey, football, the Olympics, soccer, billiards, poker, etc.), television series (e.g., Lost, Mad Men, Glee, etc.), award shows, such as, for example, music awards (e.g., Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music awards, American Music awards, etc.), motion picture or television-related awards (e.g., Emmy awards, Academy awards, People&#39;s Choice awards, Critics&#39; Choice Movie awards, TV Land awards, etc.), etc.), court or court-related shows (e.g., Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown, The People&#39;s Court, Nancy Grace, etc.), game shows (e.g., Deal or No Deal, Minute To Win It, Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right, etc.), political commentaries or debates (e.g., Meet The Press, Chris Mathews, etc.), and/or news (e.g., local, national, etc., such as MSNBC, CNN, etc.). 
         [0038]    Depending on the content, the data and/or information pertaining to the content may be different, and in turn, the predictive options. For example, with reference to reality television shows or television series, the predictive options may be character-specific, episode-specific, event-specific (e.g., what will happen next, who will be kicked off this week, etc.), etc. For example, with reference to sporting events or tournaments, the predictive options may be team-specific, player-specific, play-specific, such as, will football team A win, will player A score X number of points, will the quarterback pass, etc., time period specific (e.g., innings, quarters, boxing rounds, holes, season, playoffs, etc.), as well as other predictive options pertaining to a sport, tournament, athletic competition, etc. For example, with reference to award shows, the predictive options may be actor/actress-specific, music-group specific, song-specific, movie-specific, award-specific, as well as other predictive options pertaining to award shows. For example, with reference to court or court-related shows, the predictive options may be party-specific (e.g. plaintiff, defendant), ruling-specific (e.g., verdict-specific (e.g., judgment for plaintiff, etc.), count specific (e.g., count I, count II, etc.), testimony-specific, etc.). For example, with reference to game shows, the predictive options may be contestant-specific, episode-specific, game-event specific, etc. 
         [0039]    For example, with reference to political commentary or debate, the predictive options may be host or guest-specific and/or other predictive options pertaining to the winner of the debate or commentary set forth. For example, with reference to news, the predictive options may be action-specific (e.g., what someone will say or do) or other particularities pertaining to the unfolding of intermediary circumstances, the outcome or finality of circumstances, etc. 
         [0040]    According to an exemplary embodiment, users may login to content prediction system  110  so that successes and/or failures pertaining to predictions may be tracked to an individual. As an example, user devices  125  may include an application that provides a GUI for users to login. The GUI may also permit users to interact with content prediction system  110 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating exemplary components or logic of an exemplary embodiment of content prediction system  110 . As illustrated, content prediction system  110  may include an interpretive analytics engine  305 , a predictive options generator  310 , a predictive selection manager  315 , and a predictive scorer  320 . 
         [0042]    Interpretive analytics engine  305  may interpret data and/or information pertaining to content. According to an exemplary embodiment, interpretive analytics engine  305  may include a quantitative data and/or informational analyzer. For example, with reference to data and/or information pertaining to sports content, numerical data and/or information may be included. Interpretive analytics engine  305  may interpret data and/or information pertaining to the sports content based on the quantitative analyzer. Additionally, according to an exemplary embodiment, content prediction system  110  may include a qualitative data and/or informational analyzer. The qualitative analyzer may interpret words and other forms of text. 
         [0043]    At least in some cases, the data and/or information received from data/information sources  120  may be in a particular data format, metadata format, and/or informational format. For example, certain fields of data and/or information may be known to represent particular information according to the structure of the format. Content prediction system  110  may use this knowledge to assist in interpreting the data and/or information received. 
         [0044]    According to an exemplary embodiment, interpretive analytics engine  305  may use closed-captioning for the hearing impaired data to interpret what is happening, what is being said, etc., during the content. For example, interpretive analytics  305  may include an artificial intelligence (AI) component or logic to understand the content in real-time or near-real time. 
         [0045]    Predictive options generator  310  may generate a set of predictive options pertaining to content. For example, predictive options generator  310  may generate sentences, phrases, or one or more words that correspond to or represent a predictive option. According to an exemplary embodiment, predictive options generator  310  may generate predictive options based on interpretive data and/or information output from interpretive analytics engine  305 . According to another exemplary embodiment, predictive options generator  310  may generate predictive options based on a program format pertaining to the content. For example, it is common for game shows, talk shows, court shows, etc., to have a predictable program format. For example, a portion of the content is dedicated to introducing the players, the guests, the plaintiff and the defendant, etc., another portion of the content is for playing the game, discussion, hearing the case, etc. Based on the program format, predictive options generator  310  may generate a set of predictive options pertaining to the content. 
         [0046]    Predictive selection manager  315  may identify predictive outcomes pertaining to the predictive options selected by users. For example, predictive selection manager  315  may compare data and/or information, which may be interpreted by interpretive analytics engine  305 , with the selected predictive options, to determine whether the predictive outcomes and the selected predictive options match. Predictive selection manager  315  may identify the success or the failure of the users&#39; prediction based on the comparison. 
         [0047]    Predictive scorer  320  may assign scores and/or other identifiers indicative of the successes or the failures of the users. As previously described, according to an exemplary embodiment, predictive scorer  320  may assign scores based on weights. For example, the value of the weights may be based on when the users make his/her selection of the prediction selection relative to the event, the level of specificity of the predictive option, and/or other probabilistic-related factors. According to other exemplary embodiments, the scores may not be based on weights. For example, the scores may be a fixed number of points (e.g., correct prediction or incorrect prediction). 
         [0048]    Although  FIG. 3  illustrates exemplary components or logic of an exemplary embodiment of content prediction system  110 , according to other exemplary embodiments, content prediction system  110  may include additional components or logic, fewer components or logic, and/or different components or logic. For example, content prediction system  110  may include a data mining engine to collect data and/or information pertaining to content and/or subject matter being discussed, covered, and/or related to the content. The data mining engine may provide the data and/or information to interpretive analytics engine  305 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical user interface pertaining to content prediction system  110 . According to other embodiments, the graphical user interface may include additional, fewer, and/or different interfaces. As illustrated, the graphical user interface may include a score  405 , a community standing  410 , a settings  415 , predictive options  420 , other user predictions  425 , and share results  430 . 
         [0050]    Score  405  may provide information pertaining to a user&#39;s score. For example, as previously described, the score may correspond to a point system and/or other indicators pertaining to the success and/or failure of predictions (e.g., percentages, etc.). Community standing  410  may include a ranking of the user relative to other users. For example, the ranking may indicate the user&#39;s rank for predictions made pertaining to the football game content, sports content in general, all content, etc. 
         [0051]    Settings  415  may permit the user to configure preferences pertaining to the graphical user interface and/or content prediction system  110 . For example, with reference to preferences pertaining to the graphical user interface, the user may select what menus, icons, etc., are visible or hidden, themes or skins (e.g., football theme or skin (e.g., a Dallas Cowboys theme or skin, etc.), a court show theme or skin (e.g., a Judge Judy theme, etc.), etc.) for the graphical user interface, etc. Additionally, for example, with reference to preferences pertaining to content prediction system  110 , the user may select the specificity of predictive options (e.g., high, medium, low, fine, coarse, etc.), the target of predictive options (e.g., a person, overall outcome, play in sport, etc.), defaults for sharing results, participation in user communities, etc. 
         [0052]    Predictive options  420  may display to the user predictive options. For example, with reference to the football game, the predictive options may include predictive options for both the offense and the defense. For example, predictive options for the defensive team pertaining to a next play may include (1) interception; (2) quarterback sack; (3) fumble; (4) field goal block; and (5) flag; and predictive options for the offensive team pertaining to the next play may include (1) pass; (2) run; (3) touchdown; (4) field goal; and (5) flag. According to an exemplary embodiment, each predictive option may indicate the number of points that will be awarded to the user, if the user selects a particular predictive option and is correct. For example, (1) interception (10 points); touchdown (20 points), etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, points may be awarded based on how close the predictive option is to the actual outcome. For example, if the user predicts a 6-yard run and the actual play results in a 5-yard run, the user may be awarded a certain number of points for being very close to the actual outcome. 
         [0053]    Other user predictions  425  may display other users&#39; predictions. According to an exemplary embodiment, the user may be able to filter or select the other users&#39; the user is interested in via settings  415 . For example, the user may be interested in what his/her friend selects for the upcoming set of prediction options. 
         [0054]    Share results  430  may permit the user to share his/her scores with other users and/or non-users. For example, the user may share his/her scores on social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc) and/or have his/her scores posted on a local or national community prediction board. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are flow diagrams illustrating an exemplary process associated with an exemplary embodiment of content prediction system  110  for providing interactive, user-prediction of content. 
         [0056]    Process  500  may include providing content to a user (block  505 ). For example, as previously described, a service provider network  105  may provide content to users. For example, the content may include television content and Internet content. 
         [0057]    The user may be identified (block  510 ). For example, as previously described, the user may manually identify himself/herself (e.g., based on a log-in) or may be automatically identified based on device identifiers (e.g., telephone number, network address (e.g., Internet Protocol address, a Media Access Control address, etc.), customer equipment identifier, a set top box identifier, a mobile device identifier, etc.). 
         [0058]    Predictive options pertaining to the content may be generated (block  515 ). For example, as previously described, interpretive analytics engine  305  may receive data, information, and/or content from data/information sources  120 . Interpretive analytics engine  305  may use a quantitative data and/or informational analyzer, a qualitative data and/or informational analyzer, and/or an AI component or logic to interpret data and/or information pertaining to the content and/or to interpret the content. Predictive options generator  310  may generate predictive options based on interpretive data and/or information received from interpretive analytics engine  305 . 
         [0059]    A selection of one of the predictive options may be received (block  520 ). For example, as previously described, the user may select a predictive option from a set of predictive options generated by predictive options generator  310 . 
         [0060]    A predictive outcome pertaining to the content may be identified (block  525 ). For example, as previously described, predictive selection manager  315  may compare data and/or information, which may be interpreted by interpretive analytics engine  305 , with the selected predictive options, 
         [0061]    It may be determined whether the selected prediction option matches the predictive outcome (block  530 ). For example, as previously described, predictive selection manager  315  may determine whether the selected predictive option corresponds to the identified predictive outcome. For example, predictive selection manager  315  may compare data and/or information, which may be interpreted by interpretive analytics engine  305 , with the selected predictive options, to determine whether the predictive outcomes and the selected predictive options match. 
         [0062]    A score may be assigned to the user (block  535 ). For example, as previously described, predictive scorer  320  may assign a score to the user based on the success or failure of his/her selected predictive option. The score may include a point system and/or other indicators of success or failure (e.g., percentages, etc.). 
         [0063]    The score may be provided to the user (block  540 ). For example, as previously described, content prediction system  110  may provide the score to the user via user device  125 . The user may have the option to post his/her score to social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.), local or national prediction boards, web sites, etc. 
         [0064]    Although  FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate an exemplary process  500  for providing interactive user-prediction of content, process  500  may include additional operations, fewer operations, and/or different operations than those illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  and described herein. Additionally, while process  500  is described with reference to exemplary components or logic of an exemplary embodiment of content prediction system  110 , according to other embodiments, block(s) described in process  500  may be performed by a device or a component or combination of devices or components other than those specifically mentioned. 
         [0065]    The foregoing description of embodiments provides illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Accordingly, modifications to the embodiments described herein may be possible. For example, content prediction system  110  may present to users trivia questions pertaining to the content. Users that correctly answer the trivia questions may be awarded bonus points or other positive indicators. As an example, with respect to the airing of a Super Bowl game, content prediction system  110  may present questions related to previous Super Bowls (e.g., teams played, particular players, etc.). 
         [0066]    According to an exemplary embodiment, a user may view a sporting event (e.g., a baseball game, a football game, etc.) on-line based on text-only. For example, with reference to a baseball game, some web sites provide pitch-by-pitch and play-by-play data. Under such circumstances, content prediction system  110  may be used to allow the user to select predictive options and receive scores. 
         [0067]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the content may correspond to a first-airing or live broadcast. According to other embodiments, the content may not be a first-airing or live broadcast. 
         [0068]    The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to be interpreted to include one or more items. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to be interpreted as “based, at least in part, on,” unless explicitly stated otherwise. The term “and/or” is intended to be interpreted to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated items. 
         [0069]    In addition, while a series of blocks has been described with regard to the process illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the order of the blocks may be modified according to other embodiments. Further, non-dependent blocks may be performed in parallel. Additionally, other processes described in this description may be modified and/or non-dependent operations may be performed in parallel. 
         [0070]    The embodiments described herein may be implemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and/or hardware. For example, a process or a function may be implemented as “logic” or as a “component.” This logic or this component may include hardware (e.g., processing system  205 , etc.), a combination of hardware and software (e.g., application  215 ), a combination of hardware and firmware, or a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. The embodiments have been described without reference to the specific software code since software can be designed to implement the embodiments based on the description herein. 
         [0071]    In the preceding specification, various embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. 
         [0072]    No element, act, or instruction described in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the embodiments described herein unless explicitly described as such.

Technology Category: h