Receiver and system using an electronic questionnaire for advanced services.

(54) Title: RECEIVER AND SYSTEM USING AN ELECTRONIC QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ADVANCED SERVICES. (54) Title: RECEIVER AND SYSTEM USING AN ELECTRONIC QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ADVANCED SERVICES.

(57) Summary

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a computer implemented method for a digital transmission system is described. The method involves an operation to receive an electronic questionnaire that includes a plurality of registered questions to avoid duplication of any of the group of questions. The electronic questionnaire, when processed at a receiver of a digital transmission system, generates to display a plurality of questions. The recipient obtains responses for the electronic questionnaire, where the responses are used to adjust the content subsequently downloaded to the recipient.

(57) Abstract

According to one embodiment oí the invention, a computer-implemented method for a digital broadcast system is described. The method involves an operation of receiving an electronic questionnaire that ineludes a plurality of questions registered to avoid duplication of any one of the plurality of questions. The electronic questionnaire, when processed by a receiver of the digital broadcast system, generates for display a plurality of questions. The receiver acquires answers to the electronic questionnaire, where the answers are used in adjusting content subsequently downloaded to the receiver.

Institute

Mexican Property

Industrial

PATENT TITLE NO. 337635

SE eCWTAR »» 1ÍÍCÍMOMU, S

Headlines):

Home:

Denomination:

Classification:

SONY CORPORATION> '

1-7-1 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0075, JAPAN

RECEIVER AND SYSTEM USING AN ELECTRONIC QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ADVANCED SERVICES. Int.CI.8: H04H60 / 33; H04N7 / 16

<td>Inventors): mark eyer</td><td></td><td></td>

<td></td><td>REQUEST</td><td></td>

<td>Number:</td><td colspan="2">International filing date:</td>

<td>MX / a / 2012 / 011J81</td><td>March 21, 2011</td><td></td>

<td>i í 1</td><td>PRIORITY</td><td></td>

<td>Country:</td><td>Date:</td><td>Number:</td>

<td>US</td><td>April 1, 2010</td><td> 61/319,873</td>

<td>US</td><td>June 14, 2010</td><td> 61/354,498</td>

<td>US</td><td>March 11, 2011? . *</td><td> 13/046,579</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Validity: Twenty years</td><td>• .i 7 »</td><td></td>

Expiration Date: March 21, 2031

The reference patent is granted based on article »1 *, infraction V. 6th useful section, and 59 of the Industrial Property Law ·

In accordance with article 23 of the Industrial Property Law, this patent will be valid for twenty years, which cannot be extended, counted from the date of filing of the international application and will be subject to the payment of the fee to keep the rights in force. .

Whoever suspreses the preser * title does so based on the provisions of articles 6 ° sureties III and 7 ° bis 2 of the Official Industrial Property Law (Dial) of the Federation (DOF) 06/27/1991, amended on 08/02/1994, 10/25/1996, 12/26/1997, 1T / 05/1999,

08/18/2019, 2 ^} 6 ^ ij; 27W / 29l2VWW / »12); arfieutts l ·, 3 »section v Subsection a), 4 and 12 sections I and III of the Regulation of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF 14/12/1999, amended on 07/01/2002, 07/15/19 2004, 07/28/2004 and 09/07/2007); Articles 1, 3, 4, 5, section V, Section a), 16 sections I and III and 30 of the Organic Statute of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF) 12/27/1999, amended on 10/10/2002, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007); 1, 3 and 5 subsection a) of the Agreement that delegates powers to the Deputy Directors General, Coordinator, Divisional Directors, Holders of the Regional Offices, Divisional Deputy Directors, Departmental Coordinators and other subordinates of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. (DOF 12/15/1999, amended on 02/04/2000, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007).

<img file="MX337635B_D0001.tif" />

Arenal No. 550, Floor 1,

Col. Pueblo Santa Marta Tepepsn, Xoohtmilco. CP 16020,

Mexico City

Tel (56) 53 34 07 00 yvww impi gc-b mx

Issue Date: March 14, 2016

THE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF PATENTS

<img file="MX337635B_D0002.tif" />

NAHANNY CANAL REYES

<img file="MX337635B_D0003.tif" />

<img file="MX337635B_D0004.tif" />

MX / 2016/21351. and RECEIVER AND SYSTEM USING A QUESTIONNAIRE

ELECTRONIC FOR ADVANCED SERVICES — CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS

This application is based on and claims the priority benefit before the Provisional Patent Application of the United States of America No. 61 / 319,873 filed on April 1, 2010 and the Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 354,498 filed on 14 June 2010, all content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention refer to the field of communications technique, and in particular to an advanced digital television receiver and a corresponding method for distributing and responding to a questionnaire of preferences, demographic and / or interest data (PDI ).

BACKGROUND

Traditional media distribution systems such as streaming lack the ability to effectively determine and respond to consumer preferences in order to provide content for

<img file="MX337635B_D0005.tif" />

L ...

custom media, namely content that includes ad material or advertising targeting the interests of a particular user. In other words, the conventional broadcast does not take into account situations where viewers have different interests, and therefore their preferences regarding programming and information are very different. For example, some viewers may want to watch broadcasts of sports programs, while other viewers may prefer a different genre (eg, home improvement, live events, etc.).

Also, due to geographic location, some viewers may not be interested in certain media content. For example, a particular advertisement for local services may be suitable for viewers living in the geographic area served by the advertiser, but may not be suitable for viewers living in a different area.

Currently, there are no standard methods for specifying how viewers can customize their presentation preferences regarding the content and services they receive. Existing systems can typically filter the content of the

<img file="MX337635B_D0006.tif" />

<img file="MX337635B_D0007.tif" />

<td>Program</td><td>with</td><td>base</td><td>the</td>

<td>viewer</td><td colspan="3">established</td>

<td>receiver,</td><td>without</td><td>option</td><td>of</td>

<td>services</td><td>in</td><td>how much</td><td>to</td>

<td>filtration</td><td>than</td><td>they can</td><td>to be</td>

particular.

Preference adjustment by the manufacturer in the input by the provider of the types of criteria suitable for the service in

Furthermore, service providers do not have access to preference settings, and therefore are unable to directly design the service user experience based on these settings. Still, if service providers had access to viewer preferences, there is no mechanism in place to avoid redundant queries to learn about viewer preferences, as different service providers may request the same information through research. different but very similar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawing figures and wherein:

<img file="MX337635B_D0008.tif" />

FIGURE 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a digital transmission system.

FIGURE 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a digital receiver implemented within an electronic device of the digital transmission system.

FIGURE 3A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a receiver receiving a powered declarative object (TDO).

FIGURE 3B is a block diagram showing a mode of a receiver that receives non-real-time triggered declarative objects (DTOs) (NRTs).

<td>The figure</td><td> 4</td><td>is</td><td>a</td><td>block diagram</td><td>than</td><td>shows</td><td>other</td>

<td>modality</td><td>of</td><td>a</td><td colspan="3">receiver which is adapted</td><td colspan="2">to receive</td>

<td>content</td><td>in</td><td colspan="2">weather</td><td>not real (NRT).</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>The figure</td><td> 5</td><td>is</td><td>a</td><td>block diagram</td><td>than</td><td>illustrates</td><td>a</td>

<td>modality</td><td>of</td><td>a</td><td colspan="2">storage system</td><td>and</td><td colspan="2">manipulate a</td>

<td colspan="2">questionnaire</td><td>PDI</td><td>in</td><td>a receiver.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>The figure</td><td> 6</td><td>is</td><td>a</td><td>block diagram</td><td>than</td><td>illustrates</td><td>a</td>

<td>modality</td><td>of</td><td>a</td><td colspan="4">system to modify content with</td><td>base</td>

in responses to a PDI questionnaire at a receiver.

<img file="MX337635B_D0009.tif" />

FIGURE 7A is an exemplary diagram illustrating a first modality for recording questions within a PDI questionnaire.

FIGURE 7B is an exemplary diagram illustrating a second modality for recording questions within a PDI questionnaire.

<td>The figure</td><td>8A</td><td>is</td><td>a diagram</td><td>copy</td><td>than</td><td>illustrates</td><td>a</td>

<td>modality</td><td>of</td><td>a</td><td>system and</td><td>method</td><td>for</td><td>to receive</td><td>a</td>

<td colspan="3">PDI questionnaire.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>The figure</td><td>8B</td><td>is</td><td>a diagram</td><td>copy</td><td>than</td><td>illustrates</td><td>a</td>

modality of a system and method to interact with the viewer to receive answers for the PDI questionnaire in a receiver.

FIGURE 9 is an illustration of an example of a data structure in XML format for representing PDI questions. As mentioned, the normalization of preferences, demographics and interests (POIs) involves the definition of a standard format for a downloadable representation of the questionnaire.

yr

FIGURE 10 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a PDI container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the invention relates to a digital receiver that supports advanced services as described herein. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the digital receiver comprises a storage device and a logical device. The storage device is configured to store (i) questions received from at least one service provider of a digital transmission system and (ii) answers to questions from one or more users. The logical device is configured to process the data received from at least one service provider based on the responses provided by the user (s).

Herein, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, questions and answers are stored locally. As an example, a first extensible markup language (XML) schema can be configured to represent a first set of associated question and answer formats registered and accessible to all service providers. So

<img file="MX337635B_D0010.tif" />

Similarly, a second XML schema can be configured for the answers to the first set of questions for at least one user of the digital receiver. The questions set in the first XML schema are considered to be subject to public distribution to avoid duplicate questions being posed to the user during tuning, immediately after power-up, or at another point in time while the receiver is operating.

Alternatively, it is contemplated that the first XML schema can represent (i) the first set of registered questions that are accessible to all service providers, (ii) a second set of registered questions that are specific to the service provider and have access (for example, can only be accessed by the specific service provider), and (iii) response formats for both sets of questions.

Herein, certain terminology is used to describe the features of the invention. For example, the term logical device is generally defined as hardware and / or software. As hardware, the logical device can include η circuits

inst; processing (eg, a microprocessor, a programmable gate array, a controller, a specific application integrated circuit, etc.), semiconductor memory, combinatorial logic device, or the like. As software, the logical device may be one or more software modules, such as executable code in the form of an application, an application programming interface (API), an applet, a routine, or one or more instructions. These software modules may be stored on any suitable type of non-transient storage medium such as a programmable circuit, semiconductor memory such as volatile memory (for example, random access memory (RAM), etc.) or non-memory. volatile (for example, read-only memory, power-backed RAM, flash memory, etc.), a hard disk device, an optical disk device, a portable memory device (for example, a USB Universal Serial Bus flash device, optical discs, etc.) or the like.

An electronic device generally represents electronic circuits with information processing capabilities such as a digital receiver for example. As optional features, the electronic device may include a display (for example, liquid crystal diode (LCD), organic LCD (OLCD), plasma, etc.) and speakers to support video / audio playback.

<img file="MX337635B_D0011.tif" />

An interconnection is generally defined as a communication channel established on an information-carrying medium. This information-carrying medium may be a physical medium (for example, electrical wire, fiber optics, cable, bus traces, etc.), a wireless medium (for example, air in combination with wireless signaling technology), or a combination thereof.

A service provider generally represents a content source and / or distributor. Examples of a service provider may include, but are not limited to or restrict a television network operator (for

<td>example a station</td><td>of</td><td>television of</td><td>the</td><td>net</td><td>local,</td>

<td>subsidiary, supplier of</td><td colspan="2">television by</td><td colspan="2">cable,</td><td>telco,</td>

<td>land provider</td><td>of</td><td>television</td><td>by</td><td colspan="2">satelite,</td>

<td>Service provider</td><td>of</td><td>internet etc.</td><td> • ) ,</td><td>a</td><td>entity</td>

providing access to stored content (for example, Netflix®, etc.) or the like.

Certain details are set forth below for the purpose of providing a full understanding of

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<img file="MX337635B_D0012.tif" />

various embodiments of the invention, however the invention can be practiced through many different embodiments than those mentioned. Well-known logical devices and functions are not set forth in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring this description.

FIGURE 1 is an exemplary block diagram showing one embodiment of a digital television service system 100. A transmission system 110 receives content from one or more service providers 12 0, and then transmits that content to an electronic device 130 through the interconnection 140.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the transmitted content includes one or more of the following: non-real-time content (NRT), real-time or linear content, metadata associated with content, a questionnaire, and a powered Declarative Object ( TDO).

In this case, the NRT content comprises content that can be delivered faster or slower than in real time or that can be delivered on demand. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the ίλ

INSTITUTE /.,

OF THE ι Γ ¹ OR

INDUSTRIAL

<img file="MX337635B_D0013.tif" />

NRT content may include video and / or audio, images, text (for example, video and / or audio descriptions available for download), and / or hyperlinks to websites that can be displayed by a web browser run by an electronic device 130.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a user may select NRT content from a list of NRT content stored in service provider 120 for later download. The user can also browse and select NRT content from the previously downloaded content or the content download, can be done in accordance with advanced services.

Pursuant to one embodiment of the invention, advanced services may include user-controlled downloading of non-real-time content, user interactivity with downloaded content, or any user-controlled features supported by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) or other specifications developed for the transmission of digital television over terrestrial, cable and satellite networks. Of course, the invention can be applied to advanced services in compliance with other standards.

<img file="MX337635B_D0014.tif" />

data transport, including television on

Internet Protocol (IPTV).

Herein, the advanced services associated with NRT content may be request-based or automated where the electronic device 130, at least including a digital receiver, updates the content associated with a service. For automated services, the receiver caches content related to the services and automatically updates files as new available versions. For the request-based push service, content that has been preloaded is presented.

The electronic questionnaire is tailored to allow users to specify various items of information about themselves, allowing the electronic device 130 to design advanced services based on each of the user's interests and preferences. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the questionnaire includes a data structure that has a standardized format of preferences, demographic data and / or interests (PDIs) common to one or more service providers. For example, the PDI questionnaire format includes questions, each with an institute: τ. · _:

FROM! TO τ ... _; iNT'.b; - - · reply in a predefined format. Possible response formats could include yes / no or true / false, text string (with a maximum length), multiple response, integers (with interval limits), checklist, among others. FIGURE 9 shows an example of a format and data structure of an example PDI questionnaire.

A TDO is a downloadable object created by one of the service providers 120 in a content delivery chain, ranging from an original creator or source of the content to the manufacturer of the electronic device adapted to receive the content. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a TDO comprises declarative content (eg, script, text, descriptive markup, graphics, etc. ) whose function and behavior are linked in some way with the television programming they accompany. For example, a TDO can be adapted with multiple functions such as gathering user response data such as voting in a game or contest program, television or commercial program feedback, feedback on future events anticipated by the user (for example, activities, upcoming purchases, etc.) or similar.

I

Still referring to FIGURE 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the electronic device

130 It can be implemented as a decoder or a presentation device (for example television) that

<td>comprises a</td><td>digital receiver 150</td><td>. The</td><td colspan="2">digital receiver</td>

<td>150 includes</td><td>a logical device</td><td> 160</td><td>configured</td><td>for</td>

<td>process the</td><td>content received</td><td>of</td><td>a system</td><td>of</td>

<td>transmission</td><td>110 as described</td><td>plus</td><td>ahead. In</td><td>a</td>

<td>modality,</td><td colspan="2">the logical device</td><td>160 includes</td><td>a</td>

processor capable of handling transmission services in accordance with the standards of the Systems Committee

Advanced Television (ATSC).

FIGURE 2 is a block diagram showing a digital receiver mode 150 implemented within electronic device 130. Digital receiver 150 is adapted to receive television broadcasts of content in real time and in NRT. Receiver 150 includes a tuner / demodulator 200, a demultiplexer 210, an audio / video decoder 220, a logic processing device 230, and a storage device 240.

Tuner 200 receives a modulated input signal, tunes and demodulates the signal to produce a current and 7 ρ fc? V'í. ,one.

ιν.; 'ί outbound transport. The demultiplexer 210 demultiplexes the stream to produce data for the logical processing device 230. In the case of conventional (linear) real-time TV content, the audio and video packets are supplied from the tuner / demodulator 200 by a demultiplexer 210 , to an A / V decoder 200 to decode. The A / V Decoder 220 supplies an audio output signal and a video output signal to the audio and video circuits of the display device (not shown).

Content including audio / video, PDI questionnaires, NRT files, metadata, and TDOs received at demultiplexer 210 is sent by logical processing device 230 to storage device 240. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the storage device 240 stores one or more PDI 250 questionnaires, 260 responses to PDI 250 questionnaire (s), as well as 270 content and metadata. Herein, a PDI 250 questionnaire is a downloadable list of questions that is generated by at least one service provider and has a standardized structure. These questions can be presented to the user as selective visualization images or as audio.

IIV! NS7! i '^;. Say. Ί

Storage device 240 may include a disk drive, nonvolatile memory, or any other type of data storage device. When a user instructs the system to play a selected piece of NRT content, that content is then processed by logical processing device 230 and the processed content is demultiplexed by demultiplexer 210 to provide audio and video packets to the A / decoder. V 220. These audio and video packages are eventually presented to the user.

FIGURE 3A is an example block diagram illustrating an embodiment of receiver 150 receiving powered declarative objects (TDOs). As previously discussed, TDOs are downloadable objects configured to interact with a user to enhance their viewing experience. A user can be notified that enhanced (interactive) experience is being offered and accompanies a given program.

For example, according to an illustrative example, a user viewing an advertisement is offered the option of visiting a website regarding the product or service being advertised. If the questionnaire includes an entry for κ institute:

OF THE rt!

INDU what is your zip code, a Detailed Product Information TDO may condition the response to the user's interest in the product or service in that physical location of the viewer. Thus, if the user lives on the west side of the city, the link could take him to the merchant located on the west side of the city, or if he lives somewhere else, to a different web page.

In another example, the reproduction of NRT content may be conditioned on responses to the PDI questionnaire. Again using the ZIP code as a personal information item known to the system, when the user plays NRT content, specific content items can be selected based on the viewer's physical location. In this way, an ad from a car dealer located in the viewer's neighborhood can be placed within the outlet stream for that viewer, while other viewers living in different locations can obtain alternative ads as appropriate.

TDO 300 (eg, scripts and data associated with those graphics, text, audio videos, HTML, etc.) may be stored on a storage device 240. The logical device of

<img file="MX337635B_D0015.tif" />

Lí '.' ü Processing 230 executes a TDO 300 operation with a TDO 310 engine. For example, the processing logical device 230 executes a script of the Detailed Product Information TDO to present the option to visit the websites at where you can find more information about the product or service.

Storage device 240 also includes one or more PDI 250 questionnaires and PDI 260 responses. PDI 260 responses contain responses to questions in a POI 250 questionnaire (s) such as, for this example, the viewer's ZIP code. . The PDI questionnaire (s) 250 and responses 260 may be in a format with a standardized data structure common to various service providers.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, when a TDO 310 engine is run, TDO 300 accesses PDI 260 responses through an Application Programming Interface (API) and exhibits actions and behaviors conditionally based on responses recorded in the responses POI 260. A script in TDO 300 can, for example, create a user-specific experience if the age of the oldest family member watching television is

<img file="MX337635B_D0016.tif" />

IN [?:; l.

35 years or younger and a different experience otherwise. Different user experiences may include presenting different text or graphics, diversification to different audio / video content, and including different options in a list.

In another embodiment of the invention, the selected content 320 of the TDO 300 in response to the PDI responses 260 may be stored within the storage device 240.

FIGURE 3B is an example block diagram illustrating an embodiment of receiver 150 receiving non-real-time triggered declarative objects (TDO) (NRT). Similarly, logical processing device 230 executes a script from TDO NRT 350 with a TDO NRT 360 engine. For example, TDO NRT 350 includes all the functionality of a regular TDO 300 of FIGURE 3A, and may also include references to NRT content and control script objects that, if activated, cause receiver 150 to configure a future downloading an article of NRT content, and / or making a hyperlink that allows the reproduction of previously downloaded content.

<img file="MX337635B_D0017.tif" />

In one mode, when run on the 360 ​​engine, the script in TDO NRT 350 accesses the PDI 250 questionnaire and PDI 260 responses through an API and behaves based on PDI 260 responses. For example, a script on a TDO NRT 350 may provide the user with an option to select and purchase a baseball game program for a particular team based on the user's baseball and sports interests as captured in the PDI 260 answers (assuming that the questions in these categories are included in the questionnaire).

FIGURE 4 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of receiver 150 that is adapted to receive non-real-time content (NRT). The logical processing device 230 filters the content according to the PDI 260 responses to the PDI questionnaire 250 using a content filter / match engine 400 instead of TDO. For example, logical processing device 230 matches a local advertisement based on a geographic region of the user as specified in its PDI 260 responses. The metadata received at logical processing device 230 is linked to questions within PDI questionnaire 250 that are assigned an ID value. As said filter engine 400 is able to know which PDI response is related to each PDI question directed to the user's geographical location.

In one embodiment, logical processing device 230 filters and stores NRT content of interest 410 based on the interests of the user. For example, movie or trailer previews that match the user's preference (eg, action, drama, comedy, etc.) as set forth in the POI 260 responses stored on the storage device

240.

FIGURE 5 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system for storing and handling PDI questionnaires in a receiver. A service provider 120 generates a PDI questionnaire 250 that is transmitted to a digital receiver 150. A PDI manipulation API 500 allows receiver 150 to store PDI questionnaire 250 on storage device 240. A user (eg, a viewer) is able to generate, update, and delete PDI 260 responses to questions within the PDI 250 questionnaire using the PDI 510 tamper application. In one example, the PDI 510 tamper application

<img file="MX337635B_D0018.tif" />

it takes the form of a configuration screen on a display device coupled to receiver 150.

In another embodiment, a web browser 520 of receiver 150 includes a script 530 configured to write and generate PDI 260 responses to PDI questionnaire 250.

FIGURE 6 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system for modifying content based on responses to a PDI questionnaire at a receiver. In a block 600, the PDI questionnaire is presented by user interaction with one or more configuration screens to request responses pertaining to preferences, demographics, and interests of one or more users of the electronic device.

Thereafter, when in operation, the digital receiver within the electronic device receives the content from a service provider (block 610). The receiver captures, matches or filters said content based on the PDI responses (block 620). The content of interest (for example content that matches the user preferences specified in the

<img file="MX337635B_D0019.tif" />

PDI responses) can be stored in storage device 240 (block 630).

It is contemplated that these POI questions and corresponding responses can be accumulated as the user interacts with the receiver through a configuration menu, and can be stored in the receiver for use by provider-provided applications, including TDOs (block 640). This accumulation (and subsequent registration) of POI questions / answers provides a platform to avoid duplicating queries from multiple service provider queries.

One technique to prevent duplication of questions is to use a registration entity and registration process for questions (and the associated answer format). Once registered, a question is assigned to a question identifier. As a result, service providers can use the same question identifier to request the desired information instead of asking substantially similar questions. This eliminates the need for duplicate questions to be recognized and handled by the digital receiver, and eliminates the possibility of a user being asked multiple times essentially the same question in different ways (or in exactly the same way).

<img file="MX337635B_D0020.tif" />

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FIGURE 7A is an example diagram illustrating a first embodiment aimed at recording questions within a PDI questionnaire. Herein, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, in efforts to develop a query record 700, service provider 120 transmits a query query request 710 to a registry entity 720. The registration entity may be a government entity, a third party (eg ATSC Committee on Advanced Television Systems or other standards body, banks or credit institutions, etc.) or any entity that is responsible for receiving questions that are asked. They will use for a PDI questionnaire, verify for duplication, and (assuming the application is accepted) assign question identifiers for each of the questions.

The 710 Question Query Request is information that identifies a proposed question for registration and subsequent inclusion in the PDI questionnaire downloaded to (or stored by the manufacturer within) recipients. As an example, the request for consultation of

Τ Τ ·· '' · Τ ': ^τ

I. ΙΤλ, π: ν:, ν · questions 710 comprise (i) information 730 that identifies a format for answering the question (for example, Boolean, integer, single / multiple choice, variable text, etc.) and (ii) proposed question 735.

In response to question query request 710, service provider 120 receives a returned answer 740 that identifies whether question query request 710 has been granted or denied. In particular, in granting the request, response 740 includes (i) information 750 to identify whether the request has been granted, and (ii) a question identifier 755 that only identifies the recorded question. For example, a question identifier 755 may include a record number for question 735.

Alternatively, upon denying the request, response 740 includes (i) information 760 to identify whether the request has been denied, and (ii) information 765 to identify the reason (s) for the denial. For example, information 765 may be a code value indicating that the question has already been registered, and the unique question identifier of the pre-existing item may also be provided. Alternatively, the information 765 may be a code value indicating institute (·.

OF THE I'I'.O · '

INDUS that the question contains language or is an inappropriate topic and is a record denied for that reason.

It is contemplated that, as an optional feature, registration entity 720 may be adapted to receive an appeal query 770 that includes information within query request 710 (eg, answer format information 730 and proposed question 735), information 765 to identify the reason (s) for the denial, and information 775 provided by a service provider based on the errors associated with the denial. The information can be a code value (for example, wrong relation to the proposed question, etc.) or it can include a textual description of the registration error. The 770 appeal consultation can be evaluated separately (and in more detail) than the consultation requests.

Referring now to FIGURE 7B, an example diagram is shown illustrating a second embodiment directed to recording questions within the PDI questionnaire. Herein, registration of questions 700 similarly unfolds the operations set forth in FIGURE 7A. However, the 780 question inquiry request includes a format

DELA Prt * JPí¿f) A £) industrial

<img file="MX337635B_D0021.tif" />

different. More specifically, question query request 780 comprises (i) optional information 730 that identifies a format for answering the question (eg Boolean, integer, single / multiple choice, variable text, etc.) (ii) proposed question 735, and (iii) information 785 to identify details (for example, types and subtypes of questions) of question 735 such as: question type (for example, what preference, demographics or interests), or question subtype (for example, the question is directed at racial information regarding demographics, if the question is directed at financial media with respect to data demographics, if the question is directed to preferences such as sports you like to watch, etc.). These 785 details are used to classify inquiry requests for questions received from the recipient to assist in producing more timely (and accurate) responses to these requests.

Referring now to FIGURE 8A, an example diagram is shown illustrating an embodiment of a portion of a system and method for receiving a PDI questionnaire at a receiver. In decision block 810, the receiver checks to see if any POI questionnaires

<img file="MX337635B_D0022.tif" />

is present in the storage of the · receiving device. If not, the questionnaire is retrieved and the process is completed (block 820). If the PDI questionnaire was previously downloaded, the receiver checks to see if a new version is available (block 830). If not, the process is completed, otherwise the existing stored questionnaire is updated to be overwritten with the new version (block 840).

Referring now to FIGURE 8B, an example diagram is shown illustrating an embodiment of processing the PDI questionnaire at the receiver. In this, at block 850, a receiver accesses and sends a signal to present a configuration or preferences screen. The receiver determines if the PDI questionnaire is available in block 860. If the receiver does not currently have a PDI questionnaire stored, the receiver presents a screen indicating that personalization cannot occur until some time later, and the process ends.

At block 870, questions from the PDI questionnaire are displayed to the user. In block 880, the user enters the responses in response to the POI questions. At block 890, the PDI responses are stored in a storage device of the receiver.

τ ^r:.

Herein, in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the registration entity provides unique identifiers for each submitted question / answer format. For this embodiment of the invention, the registration entity is publicly accessible so that if another provider wishes to pose the same question, the question identifier associated with the desired question can be used as a reference. The registration process also allows service providers to use common text for a given question.

FIGURE 9 is an illustration of an example of a data structure in XML format for representation of PDI questions. As illustrated, standardization of preferences, demographics and interests (POIs) involves a definition of a standard format for a downloadable questionnaire. The format of the questionnaire may include, but is not limited to or restricted to question type identifier 900, question identifier 910, question 920, and possible answer (s) 930 for the question.

The identifier of the question type

900 identifies possible answer formats such as yes / no true / false (QBA - Boolean Answer to Question type), text string (with maximum length) (QTA Text Answer to Question type), multiple answer (QSA - Answer of Choice of Question type), integer (with interval limits) (QIA - Answer of Integers to Question type), checklist, etc. Furthermore, each question type identifier may also include an optional duration parameter to denote the duration of the answer to the question (or perhaps the question itself).

For example, as shown in FIGURE 9, QIA 940 belonging to the largest family member includes a duration attribute 950 that can be used to identify the number of time units (eg, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, etc.) before the applicability of the response expires. Of course, the · duration attribute 950 can alternatively be used to identify the duration of the question. Upon expiration of the question, the POI questionnaire can be updated to find alternate questions to use in post-filtering the content.

The checklist response format allows the user to provide a yes / no response to a number of different small items. For example, as shown in FIGURE 9, the query string might be which of the following sports are you interested in watching? The checklist may include baseball, basketball, soccer, and hockey. Each of the items on the list. Verification can be selected or not. As previously discussed, access by receiver and TDO applications to PDI responses is made available through an API.

Question identifier 910 allows the receiver to identify the question. For example, a question common to all service providers may have a predetermined interval (for example, the id value &lt;255). Furthermore, the question identifier 910 allows a question to be associated with a particular service provider. For example, a service provider may be interested to ask if the user has any ideas about making interactive TV services more valuable or attractive. Otherwise, the question identifier 910 (id value&gt; 256) only allows the service provider to identify and associate the service providers.

ask with one or more

<img file="MX337635B_D0023.tif" />

Question element q 920 includes the current question (for example, are you currently working?).

Possible responses 930 associated with question 920 are listed. For example, a multiple response format could allow the user to select from a fixed number of identified choices or a single choice. As an example, a query string could be Do you enjoy camping or outdoor activities? The corresponding multiple tentative answer may include Never, Occasionally, or

Frequently.

It is noted that, for questions that have checklist or multiple section formats, each answer can also be associated with an identifier. For example, sport hockey can be identified by an answer value of 413 while baseball can be identified by an value of 411. These values ​​can be used to produce a compilation of answers to the question. Alternatively, instead of specific responses by themselves, the collection of responses (for example, possible 930 responses) may be assigned a response value.

ins: '·. ·

FIGURE 10 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a PDI 1000 container structure. Generated and manipulated through an API implemented in the receiver, the PDI container 1000 comprises a plurality of PDI 1010i-1010 data structures._M (M&gt; 2). More specifically, in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, each PDI 1010i data structure (l &lt;i &lt;M) includes a defined scheme of syntax, representation and matching used by one or more service providers. For example, the PDI 1010 data structure_M comprises a value of question identifier 910_M which is used to identify the particular question registered with the registration entity 920 of FIGURE 9. It is further contemplated that the PDI data structure 1010_M it can also comprise at least one element q 920_M identify the question by itself, and the identifier of the question type 900_M that identifies possible response formats such as Boolean (QBA), text string (QTA), multiple choice (QSA), integers (QIA), checklist, etc. responses.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that the PDI container 1000 may be configured with a format for the storage of PDI responses. As an example, each of the

<img file="MX337635B_D0024.tif" />

Ι \ POI data structures (for example, 1010 data structure_M) can include but is not limited or restricted to question type identifier 900_M, question identifier 910_M and a response value (not shown).

The response value represents those articles selected by the user in the receiver.

It will be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many other modalities will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. The scope of the invention should therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims, together with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

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