Media content notification via communications network

#The present invention relates in general to media content notification and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for identifying content of potential interest to a given network user based on user information specific to the user and using a communication network to provide notification to the user regarding the identified media content.

#In recent years, the types and quantity of media content available to consumers has expanded dramatically. Not too long ago, the media content available to many consumers at a given time might have included live performances or athletic events at. perhaps a few venues, audio programming delivered via several radio stations and television programming delivered via a few channels. Today, live performances and athletic events have been increased in many areas and many choices are available via radio and television. In the latter regard, it is no longer uncommon to have access to hundreds of television channels. In addition, the internet increasingly competes for the attention of consumers with seemingly unlimited content options.

#Without question, this explosion in media content has been driven, to some extent, by consumer demand and consumers have benefited greatly from the increased entertainment and other information opportunities. However, the shear quantity of choices has also created some frustration. In particular, many consumers now find it difficult and unacceptably time consuming to keep track of the available choices and conventional guides are sometimes of little assistance. For example, conventional TV guides have been expanded in many cases to cover the many choices available via cable or a satellite dish. However, such guides can be difficult to use, especially when they attempt to cover cable choices that vary from area to area or when they attempt to cover all programming for hundreds of channels.

#For a more complete understanding of the present invention and further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communications network in which the present invention may be implemented;

#FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a process for utilizing the notification program of the present invention; and

#In the following description, the invention is set forth in the context of an Internet-based system for providing media content notifications via e-mail. However, it will be appreciated that program notifications may be provided in accordance with the present invention via other types of communications networks such as Web TV, data networks other than the Internet, wireless or wire-line telephone networks and other public or private networks.

#Referring to FIG. 1, a content notification system in accordance with the present invention is generally identified by the reference numeral 100. The system 100 includes a number of user nodes 102, 104 and 106 that communicate with a registration site 110 and a notification site 112 via the Internet 108. Although the registration site 110 and notification site 112 are illustrated as being independent World Wide Web sites in FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that the functionality of the sites 10 and 112 may be combined or may be fully or partially implemented by logic resident at the user nodes 102, 104 and 106. In addition, although only three user nodes are illustrated, it will be understood that substantially any number of user nodes may be serviced in accordance with the present invention.

#In the illustrated embodiment, the user nodes 102, 104 and 106 are illustrated as being data terminals that are accessible via the Internet 108. Such user nodes 102, 104 and 106 may be embodied as desktop or laptop computers, wireless or wire-line telephones incorporating data network terminals, televisions incorporating data network terminals or any other internet compatible devices. The user nodes 102, 104 and 106 are capable of receiving media content notifications via e-mail. Although not shown, such content notifications could alternatively be transmitted to a user via a telephone, a pager or other communications-network device or via fax or regular mail.