Meta channel based media system control technology

摘要

Meta-channels identify content entries and indicate an order with which to experience the content entries. The meta-channels may include a multi-source meta-channel that includes at least a first content entry that relates to first content broadcast by a first content provider at a specific time and a second content entry that relates to second content made available, over a network, by a second content provider in response to user requests. A selection of a meta-channel is received and the selection of the meta-channel is mapped to a content entry defined by the selected meta-channel. A media system is controlled to render content based on a content entry mapped to by the selected meta-channel.

主权项

1. A method of controlling a media system based on meta-channel information, the method comprising:
storing, in electronic storage, meta-channel information defining multiple meta-channels that identify content entries and that indicate an order with which to experience the content entries, the meta-channel information defining at least:
a first meta-channel that identifies content entries that include a first set of Internet videos and that indicates an order with which to experience the first set of Internet videos, the first set of Internet videos including Internet videos made available by multiple, different content providers, anda second meta-channel that identifies content entries that include a second set of Internet videos and that indicates an order with which to experience the second set of Internet videos, the second set of Internet videos including Internet videos made available by multiple, different content providers and being different from the first set of Internet videos; receiving a selection of the first meta-channel included in the multiple meta-channels defined by the meta-channel information; accessing, from the electronic storage, first meta-channel information corresponding to the first meta-channel; based on the first meta-channel information corresponding to the first meta-channel, mapping the selection of the first meta-channel to a first content entry that is defined by the first meta-channel and that corresponds to a first Internet video made available by a first content provider, the first Internet video being included in the first set of Internet videos; controlling a media device to play the first Internet video based on the mapping of the selection of the first meta-channel to the first content entry; detecting an end of the first Internet video; in response to detecting the end of the first Internet video, identifying, based on the order with which to experience the first set of Internet videos defined by the first meta-channel information corresponding to the first meta-channel, a second content entry that is defined by the first meta-channel and that corresponds to a second Internet video made available by a second content provider that is different from the first content provider, the second Internet video being included in the first set of Internet videos and following the first Internet video in the order with which to experience the first set of Internet videos; in response to identifying the second content entry, automatically, without user intervention, controlling the media device to play the second Internet video; during playing of the second Internet video, receiving a selection of the second meta-channel included in the multiple meta-channels defined by the meta-channel information; accessing, from the electronic storage, second meta-channel information corresponding to the second meta-channel; based on the second meta-channel information corresponding to the second meta-channel, mapping the selection of the second meta-channel to a third content entry that is defined by the second meta-channel and that corresponds to a third Internet video made available by a third content provider that is different from the second content provider, the third Internet video being included in the second set of Internet videos; controlling the media device to transition from playing the second Internet video to playing the third Internet video based on the mapping of the selection of the second meta-channel to the third content entry; detecting an end of the third Internet video; in response to detecting the end of the third Internet video, identifying, based on the order with which to experience the second set of Internet videos defined by the second meta-channel information corresponding to the second meta-channel, a fourth content entry that is defined by the second meta-channel and that corresponds to a fourth Internet video made available by a fourth content provider that is different from the third content provider, the fourth Internet video being included in the second set of Internet videos and following the third Internet video in the order with which to experience the second set of Internet videos; and in response to identifying the fourth content entry, automatically, without user intervention, controlling the media device to play the fourth Internet video.