Systems and processes for delivering digital video content based upon excitement data

Abstract

Processes, systems and devices are described to enhance the television or other media viewing experience based upon excitement data that is associated with the program. Excitement data can be used to identify the most exciting portions of media programs, therefore allowing for improved identification of programs or portions of programs for viewing, streaming, recording or other purposes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process executable by a consumer media device, the process comprising:
 receiving a media program comprising video content at the consumer media device;   receiving excitement data at the consumer media device, the excitement data indicating a then-current level of excitement of the video content;   determining whether the video content is of interest to a viewer based upon the excitement data; and   if the video content is of interest to the viewer, selecting the video content for presentation to the viewer by the consumer media device, and otherwise not selecting the video content for presentation to the viewer.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a selection from the viewer to provide the entire media program or to provide only a portion of the media program, wherein the selected portion of the media program comprises only those portions of the media program during which the then-current excitement data is greater than a threshold value. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , further comprising deleting the complete program in response to the viewer not selecting the option to view the complete exciting portion of the program. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3  in which the selecting comprises assembling a highlight reel that comprises only those portions of the media program during which the then-current excitement data is greater than a threshold value. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4  further comprising storing the highlight reel in a digital video recorder for subsequent viewing by the viewer. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 4  further comprising providing a media stream of the highlight reel to a media player for viewing of the highlight reel on the media player by the viewer. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the selecting further considers user preference data in determining whether the media program is of interest to the viewer. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the selecting comprises comparing the then-current excitement data for a plurality of programs to thereby identify the most exciting one of the plurality of programs at a particular point in time. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the selecting comprises determining if the media program has continued past a predicted timeslot based upon the excitement data. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 9  wherein the selecting further comprises determining if the excitement data remains above a predetermined threshold after the predicted timeslot has ended. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1  further comprising generating an electronic program guide image by the consumer media device, the electronic program guide image having a plurality of cells each associated with one of a plurality of media programs, wherein at least some of the cells are presented in a manner that indicates the then-current excitement data for the media programs that are associated with the cells. 
     
     
         12 . The process of claim ii further comprising updating the electronic program guide image in real time as the excitement data changes for one or more of the plurality of media programs. 
     
     
         13 . The process of claim ii further comprising generating, by the consumer media device, a timeline that represents the excitement data of the media program throughout the duration of the media program, wherein the timeline is displayed in a manner such that viewer is able to identify portions of the media program on the timeline that are more exciting than other portions of the media program. 
     
     
         14 . A consumer media device for processing digital video content, the device comprising:
 a digital video recorder;   an interface to receive media programs; and   a processor configured to direct the interface to:
 receive a media program comprising video content at the consumer media device; 
 receive excitement data at the consumer media device, the excitement data indicating a then-current level of excitement of the video content; 
 determine whether the video content is of interest to a viewer based upon the excitement data; and 
 if the video content is of interest to the viewer, select the video content for presentation to the viewer by the consumer media device, and otherwise not selecting the video content for presentation to the viewer. 
   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the processor is further configured to assemble a highlight reel of received programs that comprises only those portions of the received media programs during which the then-current excitement data is greater than a threshold value. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the processor is further configured to store the highlight reel in a digital video recorder for subsequent viewing by the viewer. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the processor is further configured to provide a media stream of the highlight reel to a remotely-located media player for viewing of the highlight reel on the media player by the viewer. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the processor is further configured to create the highlight real by analyzing the excitement data for a plurality of programs to thereby identify the most exciting parts of each the plurality of programs and combining the most exciting parts of each of the plurality of programs into a common highlight reel. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the processor is further configured to compare the then-current excitement data for a plurality of programs to thereby identify the most exciting one of the plurality of programs at a particular point in time.