Interactive multi media user interface using affinity based categorization

Abstract

An affinity-based interface provides fictional and non-fictional characters that are enabled to interact with viewers. The fictional and non-fictional characters are each emblematic of a specific affinity group categorization, which a user personally identifies with and is drawn to. Selection of an affinity character also provides a filter for selecting internet and broadcast content associated with that character. Second level content is also associated with and mediated by each character. This provides e-commerce opportunities whereby sponsors can direct advertising content based upon factors such as the relative popularity of each character or the demographic group associated with each character.

1 . A method for selecting and presenting information to a viewer through an affinity-based interface with one or more interface characters, the method comprising: 
 providing a plurality of interface characters that are displayed to a viewer and that are each emblematic of a corresponding affinity based categorization;    receiving input corresponding to a viewer selection of an interface character from the plurality of displayed interface characters, each of the displayed interface characters being associated with a particular corresponding set of affinity-based characteristics;    identifying content from a plurality of content sources;    scanning and filtering the identified content to generate filtered content according to the affinity-based characteristics that are associated with the selected interface character; and    using the interface character to present the filtered content to the viewer in a format that is associated with the interface character.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the content comprises broadcast media.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the content comprises Internet data.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the interface characters is associated with a different format presentation style and such that the act of presenting the filtered content to the viewer includes presenting the filtered content to the viewer with the selected interface character in a unique format presentation style that is distinguished from presentation styles associated with other interface characters that were presented to the viewer for selection.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further includes scanning and filtering secondary content to generate filtered secondary content according to the affinity-based characteristics that are associated with the selected interface character.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the method further includes presenting the secondary content to the viewer during presentation of the identified content and in response to a request for additional information from the viewer.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the method further includes adorning the selected interface character with visual representations of products associated with the secondary content.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method includes reformatting the content in accordance with the format that is associated with the selected interface character.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selected interface character comprises an interactive interface character that responds to viewer input and that communicates with the viewer.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the selected interface character interacts with the viewer by using both pre-scripted transcript dialogs as well as real-time chat dialogue.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selected interface character automatically selects programming to be recorded for later playback based on the affinity-based characteristics that are associated with the selected interface character.  
   
   
       12 . A computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions for implementing a method for selecting and presenting information to a viewer through an affinity based interface with interface characters, the method comprising: 
 providing a plurality of interface characters that are displayed to a viewer and that are each emblematic of a corresponding affinity based categorization;    receiving input corresponding to a viewer selection of an interface character from the plurality of displayed interface characters, each of the displayed interface characters being associated with a particular corresponding set of affinity-based characteristics;    identifying content from a plurality of content sources;    scanning and filtering the identified content to generate filtered content according to the affinity-based characteristics that are associated with the selected interface character; and    using the interface character to present the filtered content to the viewer in a format that is associated with the interface character.    
   
   
       13 . A method for advertising secondary content to a viewer through one or more affinity-based interface characters at a media system, the method comprising: 
 displaying a plurality of affinity-based interface characters that are each associated with a different affinity-based categorization;    receiving input corresponding to a viewer selection of an interface character from the plurality of displayed interface characters;    identifying multimedia content comprising at least one of broadcast media and Internet content to be displayed at the media system;    identifying secondary content comprising advertising content to be displayed at the media system;    display the selected interface character to the viewer and use the selected interface character to present the secondary content.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the selected interface character presents the secondary content by being displayed with apparel that includes the secondary content.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the selected interface character presents the secondary content by being displayed with cosmetics that include the secondary content.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the selected interface character presents the secondary content by presenting information about the secondary content in a chat dialog the viewer.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the method further includes scanning and filtering the multimedia identified content to generate filtered multimedia content that is filtered according to affinity-based characteristics that are associated with the selected interface character.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the method further includes scanning and filtering the secondary content to generate filtered secondary content that is filtered according to affinity-based characteristics that are associated with the selected interface character.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the method further includes presenting the filtered multimedia content and the secondary content at the same time.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the selected interface character comprises an interactive interface character associated with unique presentation characteristics for interacting with the viewer and for engaging in dialog with the viewer.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the selected interface provides information about the secondary content to the viewer only after the viewer queries the selected interface character for information about the secondary content.