Method and System for Delivery of Content Over Communication Networks

Abstract

Computer-implemented systems and methods for determining second content which was not selected by the user but which is related to first content which was selected by the user. For example, a system and method can be configured to receive, using one or more processors, first and second content where the first and second content are rich media (e.g., content containing audio or video elements). Systems and methods may be further configured where the relationship between the first content and second content are determined based on data or metadata of the first content (e.g., the title of the content or an episode number). Systems and methods may be further configured where the relationship between the first content and second content are determined based on scheduling data of the first content (e.g., the time and channel when the first content is transmitted).

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method of providing second content to a user via retrieval from a content repository over a plurality of networks, comprising:
 determining second content which was not selected by the user but which is related to first content which was selected by a user;   retrieving second content from the content repository;   reporting the availability of content to the user;   presenting the content to the user once a selection of content by the user is recorded.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second content are different versions of content that is otherwise the same. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second content are rich media content items. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the attributes of the first content are determined based on data or metadata related to the content. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determination of second content occurs at the time that the first content is selected for storage by the user. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determination of second content occurs at the time that the first content is selected for playback by the user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determination of second content occurs asynchronously from user selection events. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein second content is retrieved from a separate content repository from the first content. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein second content is retrieved from the same content repository as the first content. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the protocol used to retrieve content from the content repository includes request data that identifies attributes of the user. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second content supersedes the first content. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein both the first content and second content are selectable by the user. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein both the first content and second content are combined into a derivative content;
 and the derivative content is selectable by the user.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second content contains advertising components. 
     
     
         15 . A computer-implemented system of providing content to a user via communications between a content provider and a user over a plurality of disparate transmission channels, comprising:
 one or more processors;   a computer-readable memory encoded with instructions for the one or more processors to execute steps that include:   determining second content which was not selected by the user but which is related to first content which was selected by a user;   retrieving second content from the content repository;   reporting the availability of content to the user;   presenting the content to the user once a selection of content by the user is recorded.