U.S. patent application number 12/880965 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-17 for system and method for providing information of selectable objects in a television program.
Invention is credited to Jeyhan Karaoguz, Nambirajan Seshadri.
Application Number | 20110067062 12/880965 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43730008 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110067062 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Karaoguz; Jeyhan ; et
al. |
March 17, 2011 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION OF SELECTABLE OBJECTS
IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM
Abstract
A system and method for providing information of selectable
objects in a television program as shown in and/or described in
connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more
completely in the claims.
Inventors: |
Karaoguz; Jeyhan; (Irvine,
CA) ; Seshadri; Nambirajan; (Irvine, CA) |
Family ID: |
43730008 |
Appl. No.: |
12/880965 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61242234 |
Sep 14, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/445 20130101;
H04N 21/23892 20130101; H04N 21/4325 20130101; H04N 21/4524
20130101; H04N 21/4782 20130101; H04N 9/8205 20130101; H04N
21/42204 20130101; H04N 21/8545 20130101; H04N 21/4622 20130101;
G06F 3/0386 20130101; H04N 21/4728 20130101; H04N 21/47805
20130101; H04N 21/858 20130101; G06F 3/0304 20130101; H04N 21/2408
20130101; H04N 21/47815 20130101; H04N 5/76 20130101; H04N 21/845
20130101; H04N 21/41265 20200801; H04N 21/812 20130101; H04N
21/44008 20130101; G06F 3/0325 20130101; H04N 21/4334 20130101;
H04N 21/8133 20130101; H04N 21/42206 20130101; H04N 21/4828
20130101; G06F 3/0346 20130101; H04N 21/438 20130101; H04N 21/472
20130101; H04N 21/42209 20130101; H04N 21/4722 20130101; H04N
21/482 20130101; G06F 3/0412 20130101; H04N 21/4725 20130101; H04N
21/8126 20130101; H04N 21/234318 20130101; H04N 21/2668 20130101;
H04N 21/436 20130101; G06F 3/0308 20130101; G06F 3/0428 20130101;
H04N 21/4826 20130101; H04N 21/8173 20130101; H04N 21/25841
20130101; H04N 21/42222 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/40 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/445 20060101
H04N005/445 |
Claims
1. A method for communicating television program information, the
method comprising: receiving moving picture information for a
television program; receiving user-selectable object information
corresponding to a user-selectable object in the television
program; and combining the received moving picture information and
the received user-selectable object information into a combined
data set.
2. The method of claim 1, comprising communicating the combined
data set in at least one serial data stream over a communication
network to at least one recipient, the at least one serial data
stream comprising a serial data stream that comprises moving
picture information and user-selectable object information.
3. The method of claim 1, comprising storing the combined data set
on a computer readable medium, the combined data set comprising
user-selectable object information interleaved with moving picture
information.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving moving picture
information for a television program comprises receiving a
completed moving picture data set for the television program, the
completed moving picture data set formatted for communicating the
television program without information describing user-selectable
objects in the television program.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said combining comprises
inserting the received user-selectable object information in the
received completed moving picture data set to create a combined
data set comprising the moving picture data set and the received
object information.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein: said received completed moving
picture data set, is formatted in accordance with a moving picture
standard; and said combining comprises inserting the received
user-selectable object information in data fields of the completed
moving picture data set that are not assigned by the moving picture
standard.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein: said received completed moving
picture data set is formatted in accordance with a moving picture
standard; and said combining comprises inserting the received
user-selectable object information in data fields of the completed
moving picture data set that are assigned by the moving picture
standard to contain information of user-selectable objects.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving moving picture
information for a television program comprises receiving moving
picture information for the television program prior to the moving
picture information being formatted into a completed moving picture
data set for communicating the television program.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein said combining comprises
combining the received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information into a completed moving picture
data set that is formatted for communicating the television program
with information describing user-selectable objects in the
television program.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein: said receiving moving picture
information for a television program comprises receiving an initial
combined television program data set comprising initial moving
picture information and initial user-selectable object information
corresponding to user-selectable objects in the television program;
and said combining comprises modifying the initial user-selectable
object information of the initial combined television program data
set in accordance with the received user-selectable object
information.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said modifying comprises
changing at least a portion of the initial object information in
accordance with the received user-selectable object
information.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the received user-selectable
object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the
television program comprises customized user-selectable object
information that is customized to a particular set of one or more
users.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the received user-selectable
object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the
television program comprises information describing location of the
user-selectable object in a frame of the television program.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the received user-selectable
object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the
television program comprises information identifying at least one
action to be performed upon user-selection of the user-selectable
object.
15. A television system comprising: at least one module operable
to, at least: receive moving picture information for a television
program; receive user-selectable object information corresponding
to a user-selectable object in the television program; and combine
the received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information into a combined data set.
16. The television system of claim 15, wherein the at least one
module is operable to communicate the combined data set in at least
one serial data stream over a communication network to at least one
recipient, the at least one serial data stream comprising a serial
data stream that comprises moving picture information and
user-selectable object information.
17. The television system of claim 15, wherein the at least one
module is operable to store the combined data set on a computer
readable medium, the combined data set comprising user-selectable
object information interleaved with moving picture information.
18. The television system of claim 15, wherein the at least one
module is operable to receive moving picture information for a
television program by, at least in part, operating to receive a
completed moving picture data set for the television program, the
completed moving picture data set formatted for communicating the
television program without information describing user-selectable
objects in the television program.
19. The television system of claim 18, wherein the at least one
module is operable to combine the received moving picture
information and the received user-selectable object information in
a combined data set by, at least in part, operating to insert the
received user-selectable object information in the received
completed moving picture data set to create a combined data set
comprising the moving picture data set and the received object
information.
20. The television system of claim 19, where: said received
completed moving picture data set, is formatted in accordance with
a moving picture standard; and said at least one module is operable
to combine the received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information in a combined data set by, at
least in part, operating to insert the received user-selectable
object information in data fields of the completed moving picture
data set that are not assigned by the moving picture standard.
21. The television system of claim 19, where: said received
completed moving picture data set is formatted in accordance with a
moving picture standard; and said at least one module is operable
to combine the received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information in a combined data set by, at
least in part, operating to insert the received user-selectable
object information in data fields of the completed moving picture
data set that are assigned by the moving picture standard to
contain information of user-selectable objects.
22. The television system of claim 15, wherein said at least one
module is operable to receive moving picture information for a
television program by, at least in part, operating to receive
moving picture information for the television program prior to the
moving picture information being formatted into a completed moving
picture data set for communicating the television program.
23. The television system of claim 22, wherein said at least one
module is operable to combine the received moving picture
information and the received user-selectable object information
into a combined data set by, at least in part, operating to combine
the received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information into a completed moving picture
data set that is formatted for communicating the television program
with information describing user-selectable objects in the
television program.
24. The television system of claim 15, wherein: the at least one
module is operable to receive moving picture information for a
television program by, at least in part, operating to receive an
initial combined television program data set comprising initial
moving picture information and initial user-selectable object
information corresponding to user-selectable objects in the
television program; and the at least one module is operable to
combine the received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information into a combined data set by, at
least in part, operating to modify the initial user-selectable
object information of the initial combined television program data
set in accordance with the received user-selectable object
information.
25. The television system of claim 24, wherein the at least one
module is operable to modify the initial user-selectable object
information of the initial combined television program data set in
accordance with the received user-selectable object information by,
at least in part, operating to change at least a portion of the
initial object information in accordance with the received
user-selectable object information.
26. The television system of claim 15, where the received
user-selectable object information corresponding to a
user-selectable object in the television program comprises
customized user-selectable object information that is customized to
a particular set of one or more users.
27. The television system of claim 15, where the received
user-selectable object information corresponding to a
user-selectable object in the television program comprises
information describing location of the user-selectable object in a
frame of the television program.
28. The television system of claim 15, where the received
user-selectable object information corresponding to a
user-selectable object in the television program comprises
information identifying at least one action to be performed upon
user-selection of the user-selectable object.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
[0001] This patent application is related to and claims priority
from provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/242,234 filed Sep.
14, 2009, and titled "TELEVISION SYSTEM," the contents of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This
patent application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD
FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION OF SELECTABLE OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION
PROGRAM IN AN INFORMATION STREAM INDEPENDENT OF THE TELEVISION
PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21043US02; and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled
"SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION OF SELECTABLE OBJECTS
IN A STILL IMAGE FILE AND/OR DATA STRAM", Attorney Docket No.
21044US02. This patent application is further related to U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/774,380, filed May 5, 2010, titled
"SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF
OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21037US02;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,832, filed Aug. 5, 2010,
titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING
USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket
No. 21038US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,866, filed
Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION RECEIVER
FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM",
Attorney Docket No. 21039US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/850,911, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A
TELEVISION CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A
TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21040US02; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/850,945, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM
AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION
OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21041US02;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/851,036, filed Aug. 5, 2010,
titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING
USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket
No. 21051US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/851,075, filed
Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A PARALLEL TELEVISION
SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION
PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21052US02. The contents of each of
the above-mentioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] [Not Applicable]
SEQUENCE LISTING
[0003] [Not Applicable]
MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
[0004] [Not Applicable]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Present television systems are incapable of providing for
and/or conveniently providing for user-selection of objects in a
television program. Further limitations and disadvantages of
conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one
of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the
present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present
application with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Various aspects of the present invention provide a system
and method for providing information of selectable objects in a
television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in
connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more
completely in the claims. These and other advantages, aspects and
novel features of the present invention, as well as details of
illustrative aspects thereof, will be more fully understood from
the following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television
system, in accordance with various aspects of the present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method
for providing embedded information of selectable objects in a
television program, in accordance with various aspects of the
present invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method
for providing embedded information of selectable objects in a
television program, in accordance with various aspects of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television
system, in accordance with various aspects of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating exemplary modules and/or
sub-modules for a television system, in accordance with various
aspects of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The following discussion will refer to various communication
modules, components or circuits. Such modules, components or
circuits may generally comprise hardware and/or a combination of
hardware and software (e.g., including firmware). Such modules may
also, for example, comprise a computer readable medium (e.g., a
non-transitory medium) comprising instructions (e.g., software
instructions) that, when executed by a processor, cause the
processor to perform various functional aspects of the present
invention. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present
invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular
hardware and/or software implementations of a module, component or
circuit unless explicitly claimed as such. For example and without
limitation, various aspects of the present invention may be
implemented by one or more processors (e.g., a microprocessor,
digital signal processor, baseband processor, microcontroller,
etc.) executing software instructions (e.g., stored in volatile
and/or non-volatile memory). Also for example, various aspects of
the present invention may be implemented by an application-specific
integrated circuit ("ASIC") and/or other hardware components.
[0013] Additionally, the following discussion will refer to various
television system modules (e.g., television modules, television
receiver modules, television controller modules, modules of a
user's local television system, modules of a geographically
distributed television system, etc.). It should be noted that the
following discussion of such various modules is segmented into such
modules for the sake of illustrative clarity. However, in actual
implementation, the boundaries between various modules may be
blurred. For example, any or all of the functional modules
discussed herein may share various hardware and/or software
components. For example, any or all of the functional modules
discussed herein may be implemented wholly or in-part by a shared
processor executing software instructions. Additionally, various
software sub-modules that may be executed by one or more processors
may be shared between various software modules. Accordingly, the
scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be
limited by arbitrary boundaries between various hardware and/or
software components, unless explicitly claimed.
[0014] The following discussion may also refer to communication
networks and various aspects thereof. For the following discussion,
a communication network is generally the communication
infrastructure through which a communication device (e.g., a
portable communication device, television, television control
device, television provider, television programming provider,
television receiver, video recording device, etc.) may communicate
with other systems. For example and without limitation, a
communication network may comprise a cable and/or satellite
television communication network, a cellular communication network,
a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), a wireless local area
network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a general
data communication network (e.g., the Internet), any home or
premises communication network, etc. A particular communication
network may, for example, generally have a corresponding
communication protocol according to which a communication device
may communicate with the communication network. Unless so claimed,
the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be
limited by characteristics of a particular type of communication
network.
[0015] The following discussion may at times refer to an on-screen
pointing location. Such a pointing location refers to a location on
the television screen (e.g., a primary television screen, a
secondary television screen, etc.) to which a user (either directly
or with a pointing device) is pointing. Such a pointing location is
to be distinguished from other types of on-screen location
identification, such as, for example, using arrow keys and/or a
mouse to move a cursor or to traverse blocks (e.g., on an on-screen
program guide) without pointing. Various aspects of the present
invention, while referring to on-screen pointing location, are also
readily extensible to such other forms of on-screen location
identification.
[0016] Additionally, the following discussion will at times refer
to television programming. Such television programming generally
includes various types of television programming (e.g., television
programs, news programs, sports programs, music television, movies,
television series programs and/or associated advertisements,
educational programs, live or recorded television programming,
broadcast/multicast/unicast television programming, etc.). Such
television programming may, for example, comprise real-time
television broadcast programming (or multicast or unicast
television programming) and/or user-stored television programming
that is stored in a user device (e.g., a VCR, PVR, etc.). Such
television programming video content is to be distinguished from
other non-programming video content that may be displayed on a
television screen (e.g., an electronic program guide, user
interface menu, a television set-up menu, a typical web page, a
document, a graphical video game, etc.). Various aspects of the
present invention may, for example in a television program source
system and/or television program distribution system, comprise
embedding information in a television program, where such
information describes various aspects of user-selectable objects in
the television program. Various aspects of the present invention
may also, for example in a television, comprise receiving
television programming, presenting such received television
programming to a user, determining an on-screen pointing location
pointed to by the user and processing information of
user-selectable objects embedded in the received television
programming to identify a user-selected object in the television
programming and/or associated actions.
[0017] Also, the following discussion will at times refer to
user-selectable objects in television programming. Such
user-selectable objects includes both animate (i.e., living) and
inanimate (i.e., non-living) objects, both still and moving. Such
objects may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a
variety of objects present in television programming. Such objects
may, for example and without limitation, comprise inanimate
objects, such as consumer good objects (e.g., clothing,
automobiles, shoes, jewelry, furniture, food, beverages,
appliances, electronics, toys, artwork, cosmetics, recreational
vehicles, sports equipment, safety equipment, computer equipment,
communication devices, books, etc.), premises objects (e.g.,
business locations, stores, hotels, signs, doors, buildings,
landmarks, historical sites, entertainment venues, hospitals,
government buildings, etc.), objects related to services (e.g.,
objects related to transportation, objects related to emergency
services, objects related to general government services, objects
related to entertainment services, objects related to food and/or
drink services, etc.), objects related to location (e.g., parks,
landmarks, streets, signs, road signs, etc.), etc. Such objects
may, for example, comprise animate objects, such as people (e.g.,
actors/actresses, athletes, musicians, salespeople, commentators,
reports, analysts, hosts/hostesses, entertainers, etc.), animals
(e.g., pets, zoo animals, wild animals, etc.) and plants (e.g.,
flowers, trees, shrubs, fruits, vegetables, cacti, etc.).
[0018] Turning first to FIG. 1, such figure is a diagram
illustrating a non-limiting exemplary television system 100 in
accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The
exemplary system 100 includes a television provider 110. The
television provider 110 may, for example, comprise a television
network company, a cable company, a movie-providing company, a news
company, an educational institution, etc. The television provider
110 may, for example, be an original source of television
programming (or related information). Also for example, the
television provider 110 may be a communication company that
provides television programming distribution services (e.g., a
cable television company, a satellite television company, a
telecommunication company, a data network provider, etc.). The
television provider 110 may, for example, provide television
programming and non-programming information and/or video content.
The television provider 110 may, for example, provide information
related to a television program (e.g., information describing or
otherwise related to selectable objects in programming, etc.). As
will be discussed below in more detail, the television provider 110
may operate to create a television program (or television program
data set, television program data stream, etc.) that includes
embedded information of user-selectable objects in the television
program. For example and without limitation, such a television
provider 110 may operate to receive a completed television program
(e.g., a data file, a data stream, etc.), for example via a
communication network and/or on a physical media, and embed
information of user-selectable objects in the completed television
program. Also for example, such a television provider 110 may
operate to form the original television program and embed
information of user-selectable objects in the original television
program during such formation (e.g., in the studio).
[0019] The exemplary television system 100 may also include a third
party program information provider 120. Such a provider may, for
example, provide information related to a television program. Such
information may, for example, comprise information describing
user-selectable objects in programming, program guide information,
etc. As will be discussed below in more detail, such a third party
program information provider (e.g., a party independent of a
television program source, television program network operator,
etc.) may operate to create a television program (or television
program data set, television program data stream, etc.) that
includes embedded information of user-selectable objects in the
television program. For example and without limitation, such a
third party program information provider 120 may operate to receive
a completed television program (e.g., a data file, a data stream,
etc.), for example via a communication network and/or on a physical
media, and embed information of user-selectable objects in the
completed television program.
[0020] The exemplary television system 100 may include one or more
communication networks (e.g., the communication network(s) 130).
The exemplary communication network 130 may comprise
characteristics of any of a variety of types of communication
networks over which television programming and/or information
related to television programming may be communicated. For example
and without limitation, the communication network 130 may comprise
characteristics of any one or more of: a cable television network,
a satellite television network, a telecommunication network, the
Internet, a local area network (LAN), a personal area network
(PAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), any of a variety of
different types of home networks, etc.
[0021] The exemplary television system 100 may include a first
television 140. Such a first television 140 may, for example,
comprise networking capability enabling such television 140 to
communicate directly with the communication network 130. For
example, the first television 140 may comprise one or more embedded
television receivers or transceivers (e.g., a cable television
receiver, satellite television transceiver, Internet modem, etc.).
Also for example, the first television 140 may comprise one or more
recording devices (e.g., for recording and/or playing back video
content, television programming, etc.). The first television 140
may, for example, operate to (which includes "operate when enabled
to") perform any or all of the functionality discussed herein. The
first television 140 may, for example, operate to receive and
process television program information (e.g., via a communication
network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium,
etc.), where such television program information comprises embedded
information of user-selectable objects.
[0022] The exemplary television system 100 may include a first
television controller 160. Such a first television controller 160
may, for example, operate to (e.g., which may include "operate when
enabled to") control operation of the first television 140. The
first television controller 160 may comprise characteristics of any
of a variety of television controlling devices. For example and
without limitation, the first television controller 160 may
comprise characteristics of a dedicated television control device,
a universal remote control, a cellular telephone or personal
computing device with television control capability, etc.
[0023] The first television controller 160 (or television control
device) may, for example, transmit signals directly to the first
television 140 to control operation of the first television 140.
The first television controller 160 may also, for example, operate
to transmit signals (e.g., via the communication network 130) to
the television provider 110 to control television programming (or
related information) being provided to the first television 140, or
to conduct other transactions (e.g., business transactions,
etc.).
[0024] As will be discussed in more detail later, the first
television controller 160 may operate to communicate screen
pointing information with the first television 140 and/or other
devices. Also, as will be discussed in more detail later, various
aspects of the present invention include a user pointing to a
location on a television screen (e.g., pointing to an animate or
inanimate object presented in television programming). In such a
scenario, the user may perform such pointing in any of a variety of
manners. One of such exemplary manners includes pointing with a
television control device. The first television controller 160
provides a non-limiting example of a device that a user may utilize
to point to an on-screen location.
[0025] Additionally, for example in a scenario in which the first
television controller 160 comprises an on-board display, the first
television controller 160 may operate to receive and process
television program information (e.g., via a communication network,
stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium, etc.),
where such television program information comprises embedded
information of user-selectable objects.
[0026] As will be mentioned throughout the following discussion,
various aspects of the invention will be performed by one or more
devices, components and/or modules of a user's local television
system. The first television 140 and first television controller
160 provide a non-limiting example of a user's local television
system. Such a user's local television system, for example,
generally refers to the television-related devices that are local
to the television system currently being utilized by the user. For
example, when a user is utilizing a television system located at
the user's home, the user's local television system generally
refers to the television-related devices that make up the user's
home television system. Also for example, when a user is utilizing
a television system at a premises away from the user's home (e.g.,
at another home, at a hotel, at an office, etc.), the user's local
television system generally refers to the television-related
devices that make up the premises television system Such a user's
local television system does not, for example, comprise television
network infrastructure devices that are generally outside of the
user's current premises (e.g., cable and/or satellite head-end
apparatus, cable and/or satellite communication intermediate
communication network nodes) and/or programming source devices that
are generally managed by television enterprises and generally exist
outside of the user's home. Such entities, which may be
communicatively coupled to the user's local television system, may
be considered to be entities remote from the user's local
television system (or "remote entities").
[0027] The exemplary television system 100 may also include a
television receiver 151. The television receiver 151 may, for
example, operate to (e.g., which may include "operate when enabled
to") provide a communication link between a television and/or
television controller and a communication network and/or
information provider. For example, the television receiver 151 may
operate to provide a communication link between the second
television 141 and the communication network 130, or between the
second television 141 and the television provider 110 (and/or third
party program information provider 120) via the communication
network 130.
[0028] The television receiver 151 may comprise characteristics of
any of a variety of types of television receivers. For example and
without limitation, the television receiver 151 may comprise
characteristics of a cable television receiver, a satellite
television receiver, etc. Also for example, the television receiver
151 may comprise a data communication network modem for data
network communications (e.g., with the Internet, a LAN, PAN, MAN,
telecommunication network, etc.). The television receiver 151 may
also, for example, comprise recording capability (e.g., programming
recording and playback, etc.).
[0029] Additionally, for example in a scenario in which the
television receiver 151 comprises an on-board display and/or
provides audio/video information to a television communicatively
coupled thereto, the television receiver 151 may operate to receive
and process television program information (e.g., via a
communication network, stored on a physical medium or computer
readable medium, etc.), where such television program information
comprises embedded information of user-selectable objects.
[0030] The exemplary television system 100 may include a second
television controller 161. Such a second television controller 161
may, for example, operate to (e.g., which may include "operate when
enabled to") control operation of the second television 141 and the
television receiver 151. The second television controller 161 may
comprise characteristics of any of a variety of television
controlling devices. For example and without limitation, the second
television controller 161 may comprise characteristics of a
dedicated television control device, a dedicated television
receiver control device, a universal remote control, a cellular
telephone or personal computing device with television control
capability, etc.
[0031] The second television controller 161 may, for example,
operate to transmit signals directly to the second television 141
to control operation of the second television 141. The second
television controller 161 may, for example, operate to transmit
signals directly to the television receiver 151 to control
operation of the television receiver 151. The second television
controller 161 may additionally, for example, operate to transmit
signals (e.g., via the television receiver 151 and the
communication network 130) to the television provider 110 to
control television programming (or related information) being
provided to the television receiver 151, or to conduct other
transactions (e.g., business transactions, etc.).
[0032] As will be discussed in more detail later, various aspects
of the present invention include a user selecting a user-selectable
object in programming. Such selection may, for example, comprise
the user pointing to a location on a television screen (e.g.,
pointing to an animate or inanimate object presented in television
programming). In such a scenario, the user may perform such
pointing in any of a variety of manners. One of such exemplary
manners includes pointing with a television control device. The
second television controller 161 provides one non-limiting example
of a device that a user may utilize to point to an on-screen
location. Also, in a scenario in which the second television
controller 161 comprises a touch screen, a user may touch a
location of such touch screen to point to an on-screen location
(e.g., to select a user-selectable object).
[0033] As will be mentioned throughout the following discussion,
and as mentioned previously in the discussion of the first
television 140 and television controller 160, various aspects of
the invention will be performed by one or more devices, components
and/or modules of a user's local television system. The second
television 141, television receiver 151 and second television
controller 161 provide another non-limiting example of a user's
local television system.
[0034] Additionally, for example in a scenario in which the second
television controller 161 comprises an on-board display, the second
television controller 161 may operate to receive and process
television program information (e.g., via a communication network,
stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium, etc.),
where such television program information comprises embedded
information of user-selectable objects.
[0035] The exemplary television system 100 was provided to provide
a non-limiting illustrative foundation for discussion of various
aspects of the present invention. Thus, the scope of various
aspects of the present invention should not be limited by any
characteristics of the exemplary television system 100 unless
explicitly claimed.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method
200 for providing embedded information of selectable objects in a
television program, in accordance with various aspects of the
present invention. Any or all aspects of the exemplary method 200
may, for example, be implemented in a television system component
(e.g., the television provider 110, third party program information
provider 120, a component of a communication network 130, first
television 140, first television controller 160, second television
141, television receiver 151, second television controller 161,
shown in FIG. 1 and discussed previously) and/or a plurality of
such television system components operating in conjunction. For
example, any or all aspects of the exemplary method 200 may be
implemented in one or more television system components remote from
the user's local television system. Also for example, any or all
aspects of the exemplary method 200 may be implemented in one or
more components of the user's local television system.
[0037] The exemplary method 200 may, for example, begin executing
at step 205. The exemplary method 200 may begin executing in
response to any of a variety of causes and/or conditions,
non-limiting examples of which will now be provided. For example,
the exemplary method 200 may begin executing in response to a user
command to begin (e.g., a user at a television program source, a
user at a television production studio, a user at a television
distribution enterprise, etc.), in response to television program
information and/or information of user-selectable objects in a
television program arriving at a system entity implementing the
method 200, in response to an electronic request communicated from
the external entity to a system entity implementing the method 200,
in response to a timer, in response to a request from an end user
and/or a component of a user's local television system for a
television program including information of user-selectable
objects, in response to a request from a user for a television
program where such user is associated in a database with television
programming comprising user-selectable objects, upon reset and/or
power-up of a system component implementing the exemplary method
200, in response to identification of a user and/or user equipment
for which object selection capability is to be provided, in
response to user payment of a fee, etc.
[0038] The exemplary method 200 may, for example at step 210,
comprise receiving moving picture information for a television
program. Many non-limiting examples of such television programs
were provided above. Note that, depending on the particular
implementation, such moving picture information may also, for
example, be received with corresponding audio information.
[0039] Step 210 may comprise receiving the moving picture
information from any of a variety of sources, non-limiting examples
of which will now be provided. For example and without limitation,
step 210 may comprise receiving the moving picture information from
a television broadcasting company, from a movie streaming company,
from a television studio, from a television program database or
server, from a video camera or other video recording device, an
Internet television programming provider, etc.
[0040] Step 210 may comprise receiving the moving picture
information via any of a variety of types of communication
networks. Such networks may, for example, comprise a wireless
television network (e.g., terrestrial and/or satellite) and/or
cable television network. Such networks may, for example, comprise
any of variety of general data communication networks (e.g., the
Internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a
metropolitan area network, etc.).
[0041] Step 210 may comprise receiving the moving picture
information from any of a variety of types of hard media (e.g.,
optical storage media, magnetic storage media, etc.). Such hard
media may, for example, comprise characteristics of optical storage
media (e.g., compact disc, digital versatile disc, Blueray.RTM.,
laser disc, etc.), magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disc,
diskette, magnetic tape, etc.), computer memory device (e.g., flash
memory, one-time-programmable memory, read-only memory, random
access memory, thumb drive, etc.). Such memory may, for example, be
a temporary and/or permanent component of the system entity
implementing the method 200. For example, in a scenario including
the utilization of such hard media, step 210 may comprise receiving
the moving picture information from such a device and/or from a
reader of such a device (e.g., directly via an end-to-end conductor
or via a communication network).
[0042] In an exemplary scenario, step 210 may comprise receiving a
completed moving picture data set for the television program, the
completed moving picture data set formatted for communicating the
television program without information describing user-selectable
objects in the television program. For example, the received
completed moving picture data set may be in conformance with a
moving picture standard (e.g., MPEG, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-4 AVC,
DVD, way, etc.). For example, such a data set may be a data file
(or set of logically linked data files) formatted in an MPEG or DVD
format for normal presentation on a user's local television system.
Such a data set of a television program, when received at step 210,
might not have information of user-selectable objects in the
television program. Such information of user-selectable objects may
then, for example, be added, as will be explained below.
[0043] In another exemplary scenario, step 210 may comprise
receiving moving picture information for the television program
prior to the moving picture information being formatted into a
completed moving picture data set for communicating the television
program. In an exemplary implementation, step 210 may comprise
receiving moving picture information (e.g., frame-by-frame bitmaps,
partially encoded moving picture information, etc.) that will be
formatted in accordance with a moving picture standard, but which
has not yet been so formatted. Such a data set of a television
program, when received at step 210, might not have information of
user-selectable objects in the television program. Such information
of user-selectable objects may then, for example, be added, as will
be explained below.
[0044] In yet another exemplary scenario, step 210 may comprise
receiving a completed moving picture data set for the television
program, the completed moving picture data set formatted for
communicating the television program with information describing
user-selectable objects in the television program. For example, the
received completed moving picture data set may be in conformance
with a moving picture standard (e.g., MPEG, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-4
AVC, DVD, way, etc.), or a variant thereof, that specifically
accommodates information of user-selectable objects in the
television program. Also for example, the received completed moving
picture data set may be in conformance with a moving picture
standard (e.g., MPEG, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-4 AVC, DVD, way, etc.),
or a variant thereof, that while not specifically accommodating
information of user-selectable objects in the television program,
allows for the incorporation of such information in unassigned data
fields. For example, such a data set may be a data file (or set of
logically linked data files) formatted in an MPEG or DVD format for
normal presentation on a user's local television system. Such a
data set of a television program, when received at step 210, might
comprise information of user-selectable objects in the television
program. Such information of user-selectable objects may then, for
example, be deleted, modified and/or appended, as will be explained
below.
[0045] Step 210 may, for example, comprise receiving the moving
picture information in digital and/or analog signals. Though the
examples provided above generally concerned the receipt of digital
data, such examples are readily extendible to the receipt of analog
moving picture information (e.g., the receipt of composite and/or
component video signals, etc.).
[0046] In general, step 210 may comprise receiving moving picture
information for a television program. Accordingly, the scope of
various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by
characteristics of any particular type of moving picture
information or by any particular manner of receiving moving picture
information unless explicitly claimed.
[0047] The exemplary method 200 may, at step 220, comprise
receiving object information corresponding to a user-selectable
object in the television program. Many non-limiting examples of
receiving such object information will now be provided.
[0048] Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information from any of a variety of sources, non-limiting examples
of which will now be provided. For example and without limitation,
step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information from a television broadcasting company, from a movie
streaming company, from a television studio, from a television
program database or server, from an advertising company, from a
commercial enterprise associated with a user-selectable object in a
television program, from a person or organization associated with a
user-selectable object in a television program, from an Internet
television programming provider, from a third party television
program information source, etc.
[0049] Step 210 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information from a plurality of independent sources. For example,
in an exemplary scenario in which a television program includes
user-selectable objects corresponding to a plurality of respective
interested parties (e.g., respective product sponsors, respective
leagues or other associations, respective people, etc.), step 210
may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from
each of such respective interested parties. For example, step 210
may comprise receiving user-selectable object information
corresponding to a user-selectable consumer good in a television
program from a provider of such consumer good, receiving
user-selectable object information corresponding to an entertainer
in the television program from the entertainer's management
company, receiving user-selectable object information corresponding
to a user-selectable historical landmark in the television program
from a society associated with the historical landmark, receiving
user-selectable object information corresponding to a
user-selectable object in the television program associated with a
service from a provider of such service, etc. In such a
multiple-source scenario, step 210 may comprise aggregating the
user-selectable object information received from the plurality of
sources (e.g., into a single user-selectable object data set) for
ultimate combination of such user-selectable object information
with received moving picture information.
[0050] Step 220 may, for example, comprise receiving the
user-selectable object information from a same source as that from
which the moving picture information was received at step 210 or
may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from
a different source. For example and without limitation, step 220
may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from
an advertising company, while step 210 comprises receiving the
moving picture information from a television studio. In another
example, step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information from a commercial enterprise associated with a consumer
good object presented in the television program, while step 210
comprises receiving the moving picture information from a head-end
server of a sports network.
[0051] In yet another example, step 220 may comprise receiving the
user-selectable object information directly from a computer process
that generates such information. For example, an operator may play
a moving picture (e.g., at a normal rate, a slower-than-normal
rate, frame-by-frame, etc.) and utilize graphical tools (e.g.,
boxes or other polygons, edge detection routines, etc.) to define
and track movement of a user-selectable object in the moving
picture. Such a computer process may then output information
describing the object and/or movement thereof in the moving
picture. Step 220 may comprise receiving the information output
from such process.
[0052] Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information via any of a variety of types of communication
networks. Such networks may, for example, comprise a wireless
television network (e.g., terrestrial and/or satellite) and/or
cable television network. Such networks may, for example, comprise
any of variety of general data communication networks (e.g., the
Internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a
metropolitan area network, etc.).
[0053] Step 220 may, for example, comprise receiving the
user-selectable object information via a same communication network
as that via which the moving picture information was received at
step 210 or may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information from a different communication network. For example and
without limitation, step 220 may comprise receiving the
user-selectable object information via a general data communication
network (e.g., the Internet), while step 210 comprises receiving
the moving picture information via a television network. In another
example, step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information via a general data network, while step 210 comprises
receiving the moving picture information from a computer readable
medium.
[0054] Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information from any of a variety of types of hard media (e.g.,
optical storage media, magnetic storage media, etc.). Such hard
media may, for example, comprise characteristics of optical storage
media (e.g., compact disc, digital versatile disc, Blueray.RTM.,
laser disc, etc.), magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disc,
diskette, magnetic tape, etc.), computer memory device (e.g., flash
memory, one-time-programmable memory, read-only memory, random
access memory, thumb drive, etc.). Such memory may, for example, be
a temporary and/or permanent component of the system entity
implementing the method 200. For example, in a scenario including
the utilization of such hard media, step 220 may comprise receiving
the user-selectable object information from such a device and/or
from a reader of such a device (e.g., directly via an end-to-end
conductor or via a communication network).
[0055] The object information corresponding to one or more
user-selectable objects that is received at step 220 may comprise
any of a variety of characteristics, non-limiting examples of which
will now be provided.
[0056] For example, such user-selectable object information may
comprise information describing and/or defining the user-selectable
object that is shown in the television program. Such information
may, for example, be processed by a recipient of such information
to identify an object that is being selected by a user. Such
information may, for example, comprise information describing
boundaries associated with a user-selectable object in the
television program (e.g., actual object boundaries (e.g., an object
outline), areas generally coinciding with a user-selectable object
(e.g., a description of one or more geometric shapes that generally
correspond to a user-selectable object), selection areas that when
selected indicate user-selection of a user-selectable object (e.g.,
a superset and/or subset of a user-selectable object in the
television program), etc. Such information may, for example,
describe and/or define the user-selectable in a television program
frame coordinate system.
[0057] Such information describing and/or defining the
user-selectable object that is shown in the television program may
comprise information describing movement of a user-selectable
object in the television program. For example, such information may
comprise information describing the location of the object on a
frame-by-frame basis, information describing movement of a
user-selectable object in television screen coordinates as a
function of time and/or frame, information describing location of a
user-selectable object in a video frame relative to a previous
object location in a previous video frame, etc.
[0058] Many examples of such object description information are
provided in a variety of related U.S. patent applications. For
example, as mentioned previously, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/774,380, filed May 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A
TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION
PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21037US02; U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/850,832, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD
IN A DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN
A TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21038US02; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/850,866, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM
AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION RECEIVER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF
OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21039US02;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,911, filed Aug. 5, 2010,
titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING
USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket
No. 21040US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,945, filed
Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION CONTROLLER
FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM",
Attorney Docket No. 21041US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/851,036, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A
TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A
TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21051US02; and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/851,075, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM
AND METHOD IN A PARALLEL TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING
USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket
No. 21052US02, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety, provide many examples of information describing (or
otherwise related to) user-selectable objects in television
programming.
[0059] Also for example, such user-selectable object information
may comprise information describing the object, where such
information may be presented to the user upon user-selection of a
user selectable object. For example, such object information may
comprise information describing physical characteristics of a
user-selectable object, background information, historical
information, general information of interest, location information,
financial information, travel information, commerce information,
personal information, etc.
[0060] Additionally for example, such user-selectable object
information may comprise information describing and/or defining
actions that may be taken upon user-selection of a user-selectable
object, non-limiting examples of such actions and/or related
information corresponding to a respective user-selectable object
will now be presented.
[0061] For example, such user-selectable object information may
comprise information describing a one or more manners of
determining information to present to the user (e.g., retrieving
such information from a known location, conducting a search for
such information, etc.), establishing a communication session by
which a user may interact with networked entities associated with a
user-selected object, interacting with a user regarding display of
a user-selected object and/or associated information, etc.
[0062] For example, such user-selectable object information may
comprise information describing one or more manners of obtaining
one or more sets of information, where such information may then,
for example, be presented to the user. For example, such
information may comprise a memory address (or data storage address)
and/or a communication network address (e.g., an address of a
networked data server, a URL, etc.), where such address may
correspond to a location at which information corresponding to the
identified object may be obtained. Such information may, for
example, comprise a network address of a component with which a
communication session may be initiated and/or conducted (e.g., to
obtain information regarding the user-selected object, to interact
with the user regarding the selected object, etc.).
[0063] In an exemplary scenario in which the user-selectable object
information comprises information to present to a user upon
user-selection of a selectable object in a television program, such
information may comprise any of a variety of different types of
information related to the user-selected object. For example and
without limitation, such information may comprise information
describing the user-selectable object (e.g., information describing
aspects of the object, history of the object, design of the object,
source of the object, price of the object, critiques of the object,
information provided by commercial enterprises producing and/or
providing such object, etc.), information indicating to the user
how the user may obtain the selected object, information indicating
how the user may utilize the selected object, etc. The information
may, for example, comprise information of one or more
non-commercial organizations associated with, and/or having
information pertaining to, the identified user-selected object
(e.g., non-profit and/or government organization contact
information, web site address information, etc.).
[0064] In another exemplary scenario, the information corresponding
to a user-selectable object in the television program may comprise
information related to conducting a search for information
corresponding to the user-selectable object. Such information may,
for example, comprise network search terms that may be utilized in
a search engine to search for information corresponding to the
user-selected object. Such information may also comprise
information describing the network boundaries of such a search, for
example, identifying particular search networks, particular
servers, particular addresses, particular databases, etc.
[0065] In an exemplary scenario the information corresponding to a
user-selectable object may describe a manner in which a system is
to intact with a user to more clearly identify information desired
by the user. For example, such information may comprise information
specifying user interaction that should take place when an amount
of information available and corresponding to a user-selectable
object exceeds a particular threshold. Such user interaction may,
for example, help to reduce the amount of information that may
ultimately be presented to the user. For example, such information
may comprise information describing a user interface comprising
providing a list (or menu) of types of information available to the
user and soliciting information from the user regarding the
selection of one or more of the listed types of information.
[0066] In yet another exemplary scenario, in which an action
associated with a user-selectable object comprises the
establishment and/or management of a communication session between
the user and one or more networked entities, the user-selectable
object information may comprise information describing the manner
in which a communication session may be established and/or
management.
[0067] In still another exemplary scenario, in which an action
associated with a user-selectable object comprises providing a user
interface by which a user may initiate and perform a commercial
transaction regarding a user-selectable object, the user-selectable
object information may comprise information describing the manner
in which the commercial transaction is to be performed (e.g., order
forms, financial information exchange, order tracking, etc.).
[0068] As shown above, various user-selectable objects (or types of
objects) may, for example, be associated with any of a variety of
respective actions that may be taken upon selection of a respective
user-selectable object by a user. Such actions (e.g., information
retrieval, information searching, communication session management,
commercial transaction management, etc.) may, for example, be
included in a table or other data structure indexed by the identity
of a respective user-selectable object.
[0069] Other non-limiting examples of object information
corresponding to user-selectable objects in a television program
may comprise: athlete information (e.g., statistics, personal
information, professional information, history, etc.), entertainer
information (e.g., personal information, discography and/or
filmography information, information of related organizations, fan
club information, photograph and/or video information, etc.),
landmark information (e.g., historical information, visitation
information, location information, mapping information, photo album
information, visitation diary, charitable donation information,
etc.), political figure information (e.g., party affiliation,
stances on particular issues, history, financial information,
voting record, attendance record, etc.), information regarding
general types of objects (e.g., information describing actions to
take upon user-selection of a person object, of a consumer good
object, of a landmark object, etc.) and/or specific objects (e.g.,
information describing actions to take when a particular person
object is selected, when a particular consumer good object is
selected, when a particular landmark object is selected, etc.).
[0070] For additional non-limiting examples of actions that may be
performed related to user-selectable objects in television
programming, and related user-selectable object information that
may be combined with television program moving picture information,
the reader is directed to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,
filed concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A
DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO USER-SELECTION OF AN OBJECT IN
A TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21045US02; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled
"SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A LOCAL TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO
USER-SELECTION OF AN OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney
Docket No. 21046US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,
filed concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A
TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO USER-SELECTION OF AN OBJECT IN
A TELEVISION PROGRAM BASED ON USER LOCATION", Attorney Docket No.
21047US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed
concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION
SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A USER-SELECTED
OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21048US02;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently
herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR
PRESENTING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A USER-SELECTED OBJECT IN A
TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21049US02; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled
"SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO
USER-SELECTION OF AN OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM UTILIZING AN
ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION NETWORK", Attorney Docket No. 21050US02;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently
herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING
ADVERTISING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A USER-SELECTED OBJECT IN A
TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21053US02; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled
"SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION
ASSOCIATED WITH A USER-SELECTED PERSON IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM",
Attorney Docket No. 21054US02; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______, filed concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A
TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A
USER-SELECTED INFORMATION ELEMENT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM",
Attorney Docket No. 21055US02. The entire contents of each of such
applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
[0071] In general, the above-mentioned types of information
corresponding to user-selectable objects in television programming
may be general to all eventual viewers of the television program,
but may also be customized to a particular target user and/or end
user. For example, such information may be customized to a
particular user (e.g., based on income level, demographics, age,
employment status and/or type, education level and/or type, family
characteristics, religion, purchasing history, neighborhood
characteristics, home characteristics, health characteristics, etc.
For example, such information may also be customized to a
particular geographical location or region.
[0072] In general, step 220 may comprise receiving object
information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the
television program. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of
the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of
any particular type of such user-selectable object information or
by any particular manner of receiving such user-selectable object
information unless explicitly claimed.
[0073] The exemplary method 200 may, at step 230, comprise
combining the received moving picture information (e.g., as
received at step 210) and the received user-selectable object
information (e.g., as received at step 220) in a combined data set.
Many non-limiting examples of such combining will now be
provided.
[0074] As mentioned previously, step 210 may comprise receiving
moving picture information for a television program by, at least in
part, receiving a completed moving picture data set for the
television program, where the completed moving picture data set is
formatted for communicating the television program without
information describing user-selectable objects in the television
program. In such an exemplary scenario, step 230 may comprise
combining the received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information by, at least in part, inserting
the received user-selectable object information in the completed
moving picture data set to create a combined data set comprising
the received moving picture data set and the received
user-selectable object information.
[0075] For example, in an exemplary scenario in which the received
completed moving picture data set, as received, is formatted in
accordance with a moving picture standard (e.g., an MPEG standard),
step 230 may comprise inserting the received user-selectable object
information in data fields of the completed moving picture data set
that are not assigned by the moving picture standard for any
specific type of information (e.g., inserting such information into
unassigned data fields provided by the moving picture standard,
adding new data fields to the moving picture standard, etc.).
[0076] Such inserting may, for example, comprise inserting the
received user-selectable object information in data fields of the
completed moving picture data set that are interleaved with data
fields carrying moving picture data. For example, such inserting
may be performed in accordance with a format alternating moving
picture data and user-selectable object information on a
frame-by-frame basis (e.g., sequencing frame 1 moving picture data,
frame 1 user-selectable object information, sequencing frame 2
moving picture data, frame 2 user-selectable object information,
etc.), by groups of frames (e.g., frame 1-A moving picture data,
frame 1-A user-selectable object information, frame A-N moving
picture data, frame A-N user-selectable object information, etc.),
by sub-frames, etc. Also for example, utilizing time information
user-selectable object information need not be strictly placed with
the moving picture data for the frame(s) in which the
user-selectable object appears. For example, information of
user-selectable objects in frame N+1 may be communicated with frame
N moving picture information.
[0077] Also for example, in another exemplary scenario in which the
received completed moving picture data set, as received, is
formatted in accordance with a moving picture data standard that
specifically assigns data fields to information of user-selectable
objects, step 230 may comprise inserting the received
user-selectable object information in the data fields of the
completed moving picture data set that are specifically assigned by
the moving picture standard to contain information of
user-selectable objects.
[0078] Also as mentioned previously, step 210 may comprise
receiving moving picture information for a television program by,
at least in part, receiving moving picture information for the
television program prior to the moving picture information being
formatted into a completed moving picture data set for
communicating the television program. For example, such a scenario
may comprise receiving information describing the television
program moving picture that has yet to be formatted into a data set
that conforms to a particular moving picture standard (e.g., bitmap
information, still frame information, movement vector information,
etc., which has yet to be placed into a self-contained MPEG data
set for communicating the television program). In such an exemplary
scenario, step 230 may comprise combining the received moving
picture information and the received user-selectable object
information into a completed moving picture data set that is
formatted for communicating the television program with information
describing user-selectable objects in the television program (e.g.,
into a single cohesive data set, for example, a single data file or
other data structure, into a plurality of logically linked data
files or other data structures, etc.).
[0079] In an exemplary scenario, such a completed moving picture
data set may be formatted in accordance with a moving picture
standard that specifically assigns respective data fields (or
elements) to moving picture information and user-selectable object
information. In another exemplary scenario, such a completed moving
picture data set may be formatted in accordance with a moving
picture standard that specifically assigns data fields to moving
picture information, but does not specifically assign data fields
to user-selectable object information (e.g., utilizing
general-purpose unassigned data fields, adding new data fields to
the standard, etc.).
[0080] Also as mentioned previously, step 210 may comprise
receiving moving picture information for a television program by,
at least in part, receiving an initial combined television program
data set that comprises initial moving picture information and
initial user-selectable object information corresponding to
user-selectable objects in the television program. For example,
prior to being received, the received initial combined television
program data set may have already been formed into a single
cohesive data set that comprises the moving picture information for
the television program and information of user-selectable objects
in the television program.
[0081] In such an exemplary scenario, step 230 may comprise
modifying the initial user-selectable object information of the
initial combined television program data set in accordance with the
received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received at
step 220). Such modifying may, for example and without limitation,
comprise adding the received object information to the initial
object information in the initial combined television program data
set (e.g., in unused unassigned data fields and/or in unused data
fields that have been specifically assigned to contain
user-selectable object information, etc.).
[0082] Also such modifying may comprise changing at least a portion
of the initial object information of the initial combined
television program data set in accordance with the received
user-selectable object information (e.g., changing information
defining a user-selectable object in a presented television
program, changing information about a user-selectable object to be
presented to a user, changing information regarding any action that
may be performed upon user-selection of a user-selectable object,
etc.). Additionally, such modifying may comprise deleting at least
a portion of the initial object information in accordance with the
received user-selectable object information (e.g., in a scenario in
which the received user-selectable object information includes a
command or directive to remove a portion or all information
corresponding to a particular user-selectable object).
[0083] In the previously provided examples of combining the
received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information, step 230 may comprise
performing such operations automatically (i.e., without real-time
interaction with a user while such operations are being performed)
and may also be performed with user interaction. For example, the
received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information may each be time-stamped to
assist in merging such information. For example, step 230 may
comprise analyzing such respective time-stamps to determine the
location in a serial stream of moving picture information at which
the user-selectable object information is to be inserted. For
example, the user-selectable object information for a particular
user-selectable object may comprise information of the time and/or
frame numbers at which the user-selectable object appears in the
television program. Such information may be utilized at step 230 to
determine the appropriate location in the moving picture data set
at which to place the user-selectable object information.
[0084] In another example, step 230 may comprise presenting an
operator with a view of the moving picture of a television program
and a view of a user-selectable object in such moving picture for
which information is being added to a combined dataset. Step 230
may then comprise interacting with the operator to obtain
permission and/or directions for combining the moving picture and
user-selectable object information.
[0085] Note that step 230 may comprise encrypting the
user-selectable object information or otherwise restricting access
to such information. For example, in a scenario in which access to
such information is provided on a subscription basis, in a scenario
in which providers of such information desire to protect such
information from undesirable access and/or manipulation, etc., such
information protection may be beneficial.
[0086] In general, step 230 may comprise combining the received
moving picture information (e.g., as received at step 210) and the
received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received at
step 220) in a combined data set. Accordingly, the scope of various
aspects of the present invention should not be limited by any
particular manner of performing such combining and/or any
particular format in which such a combined data set may be placed
unless specifically claimed.
[0087] The exemplary method 200 may, at step 240, comprise
communicating the combined data set(s) (e.g., as formed at step
230) to one or more recipient systems or devices. Such
communication may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of
types of communication, non-limiting examples of which will now be
presented.
[0088] Step 240 may, for example, comprise communicating the
combined data set(s) via a communication network (e.g., a
television communication network, a telecommunication network, a
general data communication network (e.g., the Internet, a LAN,
etc.), etc.). Many non-limiting examples of such communication
network were provided previously. Step 240 may, for example,
comprise broadcasting, multi-casting and/or uni-casting the
combined data set over one or more communication networks. Step 240
may also, for example, comprise communicating the combined data
set(s) to another system and/or device via a direct conductive path
(e.g., via a wire, circuit board trace, conductive trace on a die,
etc.).
[0089] Additionally for example, step 240 may comprise storing the
combined data set(s) on a computer readable medium (e.g., a DVD, a
CD, a Blueray.RTM. disc, a laser disc, a magnetic tape, a hard
drive, a diskette, etc.). Such a computer readable medium may then,
for example, be shipped to a distributor and/or ultimate recipient
of the computer readable medium. Further for example, step 240 may
comprise storing the combined data set(s) in a volatile and/or
non-volatile memory device (e.g., a flash memory device, a
one-time-programmable memory device, an EEPROM, a RAM, etc.).
[0090] Further for example, step 240 may comprise storing (or
causing or otherwise participating in the storage of) the combined
data set(s) in a television system component (e.g., a component or
device of the user's local television system and/or a component or
device of a television program provider and/or a component or
device of any television program source. For example and without
limitation, step 240 may comprise storing the combined dataset(s),
or otherwise participating in the storage of the combined
dataset(s), in a component of the user's local television system
(e.g., in a digital video recorder, a television receiver, a
television, a television controller, personal communication device,
a local networked database, a local networked personal computer,
etc.).
[0091] Step 240 may, for example, comprise communicating the
combined data set in serial fashion. For example, step 240 may
comprise communicating the combined data set (comprising
interleaved moving picture information and user-selectable object
information) in a single data stream (e.g., via a television
network, via a general data network, stored on a hard medium in
such serial fashion, etc.). Also for example, step 240 may comprise
communicating the combined data set in parallel data streams, each
of which comprises interleaved moving picture information and
user-selectable object information (e.g., as opposed to separate
distinct respective data streams for each of moving picture
information and user-selectable object information).
[0092] In general, step 240 may comprise communicating the combined
data set(s) (e.g., as formed at step 230) to one or more recipient
systems or devices (e.g., an end user or associated system,
television programming provider or associated system, an advertiser
or associated system, a television program producer or associated
system, a television program database, a television program server,
etc.). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present
invention should not be limited by characteristics of any
particular manner of performing such communicating or by any
particular recipient of such communication unless explicitly
claimed.
[0093] The exemplary method 200 may, for example at step 295,
comprise performing continued operations. Step 295 may comprise
performing any of a variety of continued operations, non-limiting
examples of such continued operation(s) will be presented below.
For example, step 295 may comprise returning execution flow to any
of the previously discussed method steps. For example, step 295 may
comprise returning execution flow of the exemplary method 200 to
step 220 for receiving additional user-selectable object
information to combine with television program information. Also
for example, step 295 may comprise returning execution flow of the
exemplary method 200 to step 210 for receiving additional
television program moving picture information and user-selectable
object information to combine with such received television program
information. Additionally for example, step 295 may comprise
returning execution flow of the exemplary method 200 to step 240
for additional communication of the combined information to
additional recipients.
[0094] In general, step 295 may comprise performing continued
operations (e.g., performing additional operations corresponding to
combining television program information and information of
user-selectable objects in such programming, etc.). Accordingly,
the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be
limited by characteristics of any particular type of continued
processing unless explicitly claimed.
[0095] Turning next to FIG. 3, such figure is a flow diagram
illustrating an exemplary method 300 for providing embedded
information of selectable objects in a television program, in
accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The
exemplary method 300 may, for example, share any or all
characteristics with the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2
and discussed previously. Any or all aspects of the exemplary
method 300 may, for example, be implemented in a television system
component (e.g., the television provider 110, third party program
information provider 120, a component of a communication network
130, first television 140, first television controller 160, second
television 141, television receiver 151, second television
controller 161, shown in FIG. 1 and discussed previously) and/or a
plurality of such television system components operating in
conjunction. For example, any or all aspects of the exemplary
method 300 may be implemented in one or more television system
components remote from the user's local television system. Also for
example, any or all aspects of the exemplary method 200 may be
implemented in one or more components of the user's local
television system.
[0096] The exemplary method 300 may, for example, begin executing
at step 305. The exemplary method 300 may begin executing in
response to any of a variety of causes or conditions. Step 305 may,
for example, share any or all characteristics with step 205 of the
exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed
previously.
[0097] The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 310,
comprise receiving moving picture information for a television
program. Step 310 may, for example, share any or all
characteristics with step 210 of the exemplary method 200
illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously. For example, step
310 may comprise receiving any of the various types of moving
picture information from any of the various sources of moving
picture information via any of the various communication media
discussed previously with regard to the method 200 of FIG. 2 and
the system 100 of FIG. 1 and elsewhere herein.
[0098] For example, step 310 may comprise, for example at sub-step
312, receiving a completed moving picture data set for the
television program, the completed moving picture data set formatted
for communicating the television program without information
describing user-selectable objects in the television program.
Alternatively for example, step 310 may comprise, for example at
sub-step 314, receiving moving picture information for the
television program prior to the moving picture information being
formatted into a completed moving picture data set for
communicating the television program. Alternatively for example,
step 310 may comprise, for example at sub-step 316, receiving a
completed moving picture data set for the television program, the
completed moving picture data set formatted for communicating the
television program with information describing user-selectable
objects in the television program.
[0099] The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 320,
comprise receiving object information corresponding to a
user-selectable object in the television program. Step 320 may, for
example, share any or all characteristics with step 220 of the
exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed
previously. For example, step 320 may comprise receiving any of the
various types of user-selectable object information from any of the
various sources of user-selectable object information via any of
the various types of media discussed previously with regard to the
method 200 of FIG. 2 and the system 100 of FIG. 1 and elsewhere
herein.
[0100] For example, step 320 may comprise, for example at sub-step
322, receiving user-selectable object information comprising
information describing and/or defining the user-selectable object
that is shown in the television program (e.g., object dimension
information, object movement information, etc.). Also for example,
step 320 may comprise, for example at sub-step 324, receiving
user-selectable object information comprising information regarding
the user-selectable object that may be presented to the user upon
user-selection of such object in a television program.
[0101] Additionally for example, step 320 may comprise, for example
at sub-step 326, receiving user-selectable object information
comprising information describing and/or defining actions that may
be taken upon user-selection of a user-selectable object (e.g.,
retrieving and/or obtaining and/or searching for information about
a user-selectable object, information specifying a manner in which
a system is to interact with a user regarding a user-selected
object, searching for information, establishing and/or maintaining
communication sessions, information describing the manner in which
the commercial transaction is to be performed, etc.).
[0102] The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 330,
comprise combining the received moving picture information (e.g.,
as received at step 310) and the received user-selectable object
information (e.g., as received at step 320) in a combined data set.
Step 330 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with
step 230 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and
discussed previously.
[0103] For example, step 330 may comprise, for example at sub-step
332, inserting the received user-selectable object information in a
completed moving picture data set that was received at step 320
(e.g., inserting such user-selectable object information in fields
of the moving picture data set that are specified by a standard for
carrying such user-selectable object information, inserting such
user-selectable object information in fields of the moving picture
data set that are not specifically allocated for a particular type
of data, etc.).
[0104] Also for example, step 330 may comprise, for example at
sub-step 334, combining received moving picture data and received
user-selectable object information into a completed moving picture
data set that is formatted for communicating the television program
with information describing user-selectable objects in the
television program. Additionally for example, step 330 may
comprise, for example at sub-step 336, modifying initial
user-selectable object information of an initial combined
television program data set in accordance with received
user-selectable object information.
[0105] The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 340,
comprise communicating the combined data set(s) (e.g., as formed at
step 230) to one or more recipient systems or devices. Step 340
may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 240 of
the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed
previously.
[0106] For example, step 340 may comprise, for example at sub-step
342, communicating the combined data set(s) via a communication
network (e.g., any of a variety of communication networks discussed
herein, etc.). Also for example, step 340 may comprise, for
example, at sub-step 344, communicating the combined data set(s) by
storing the combined data set(s) on a computer readable medium
and/or by transmitting the combined data set(s) to another device
or system to perform such storage. Additionally for example, step
340 may comprise, for example, at sub-step 346, communicating the
combined data set in a single serial stream (e.g., comprising
interleaved moving picture data and user-selectable object
information). Further for example, step 340 may comprise, for
example, at sub-step 348, communicating the combined data set in a
plurality of parallel serial streams (e.g., each of such streams
comprising interleaved moving picture data and user-selectable
object information).
[0107] The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 395,
comprise performing continued operations. Step 395 may, for
example, share any or all characteristics with step 295 of the
exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed
previously.
[0108] Turning next to FIG. 4, such figure is a diagram
illustrating an exemplary television system (e.g., single
television system component and/or plurality of television system
components) 400, in accordance with various aspects of the present
invention. The exemplary television system 400 may, for example,
share any or all characteristics with one or more of the television
system components illustrated in FIG. 1 and discussed previously.
For example, the exemplary television system 400 may correspond to
any of the television system components illustrated in FIG. 1 (or
the like) or any group of the television system components
illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the like). Also, the exemplary television
system 400 may comprise characteristics of a computing system
(e.g., a personal computer, a mainframe computer, a digital signal
processor, etc.). The exemplary television system 400 (e.g.,
various modules thereof) may operate to perform any or all of the
functionality discussed previously with regard to the exemplary
methods 200 and 300 illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 and discussed
previously.
[0109] The exemplary television system 400 includes a first
communication interface module 410. The first communication
interface module 410 may, for example, operate to communicate over
any of a variety of communication media and utilizing any of a
variety of communication protocols. For example, though the first
communication interface module 410 is illustrated coupled to a
wireless RF antenna via a wireless port 412, the wireless medium is
merely illustrative and non-limiting. The first communication
interface module 410 may, for example, operate to communicate with
one or more communication networks (e.g., cable television
networks, satellite television networks, telecommunication
networks, general data communication networks, the Internet, local
area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks,
etc.) via which television-related information (e.g., moving
picture information, information of user-selectable objects,
television programming with and without embedded information of
user-selectable objects) and/or other data is communicated. Also
for example, the first communication interface module 410 may
operate to communicate with local sources of television-related
content or other data (e.g., disc drives, computer-readable medium
readers, video recorders, video cameras, computers, receivers,
etc.). Additionally, for example, the first communication interface
module 410 may operate to communicate with a remote controller
(e.g., directly or via one or more intermediate communication
networks).
[0110] The exemplary television system 400 includes a second
communication interface module 420. The second communication
interface module 420 may, for example, operate to communicate over
any of a variety of communication media and utilizing any of a
variety of communication protocols. For example, the second
communication interface module 420 may communicate via a wireless
RF communication port 422 and antenna, or may communicate via a
non-tethered optical communication port 424 (e.g., utilizing laser
diodes, photodiodes, etc.). Also for example, the second
communication interface module 420 may communicate via a tethered
optical communication port 426 (e.g., utilizing a fiber optic
cable), or may communicate via a wired communication port 428
(e.g., utilizing coaxial cable, twisted pair, HDMI cable, Ethernet
cable, any of a variety of wired component and/or composite video
connections, etc.). The second communication interface module 420
may, for example, operate to communicate with one or more
communication networks (e.g., cable television networks, satellite
television networks, telecommunication networks, general data
communication networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal
area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) via which
television-related information (e.g., moving picture information,
information of user-selectable objects, television programming with
and without embedded information of user-selectable objects) and/or
other data is communicated. Also for example, the second
communication module 420 may operate to communicate with local
sources of television-related information (e.g., disc drives,
computer-readable medium readers, video recorders, video cameras,
computers, receivers, etc.). Additionally, for example, the second
communication module 420 may operate to communicate with a remote
controller (e.g., directly or via one or more intervening
communication networks).
[0111] The exemplary television system 400 may also comprise
additional communication interface modules, which are not
illustrated (some of which may also be shown in FIG. 5). Such
additional communication interface modules may, for example, share
any or all aspects with the first 410 and second 420 communication
interface modules discussed above.
[0112] The exemplary television system 400 may also comprise a
communication module 430. The communication module 430 may, for
example, operate to control and/or coordinate operation of the
first communication interface module 410 and the second
communication interface module 420 (and/or additional communication
interface modules as needed). The communication module 430 may, for
example, provide a convenient communication interface by which
other components of the television system 400 may utilize the first
410 and second 420 communication interface modules. Additionally,
for example, in an exemplary scenario where a plurality of
communication interface modules are sharing a medium and/or
network, the communication module 430 may coordinate communications
to reduce collisions and/or other interference between the
communication interface modules.
[0113] The exemplary television system 400 may additionally
comprise one or more user interface modules 440. The user interface
module 440 may generally operate to provide user interface
functionality to a user of the television system 400. For example,
and without limitation, the user interface module 440 may operate
to provide for user control of any or all standard television
system commands (e.g., channel control, volume control, on/off,
screen settings, input selection, etc.). The user interface module
440 may, for example, operate and/or respond to user commands
utilizing user interface features disposed on the television system
(e.g., buttons, etc.) and may also utilize the communication module
430 (and/or first 410 and second 420 communication interface
modules) to communicate with other systems and/or components
thereof, regarding television-related information, regarding user
interaction that occurs during the formation of combined
dataset(s), etc. (e.g., a television system controller (e.g., a
dedicated television system remote control, a universal remote
control, a cellular telephone, personal computing device, gaming
controller, etc.)). In various exemplary scenario, the user
interface module(s) 440 may operate to utilize the optional display
470 to communicate with a user regarding user-selectable object
information and/or to present television programming to a user.
[0114] The user interface module 440 may also comprise one or more
sensor modules that operate to interface with and/or control
operation of any of a variety of sensors that may be utilized
during the performance of the combined data set(s). For example,
the one or more sensor modules may be utilized to ascertain an
on-screen pointing location, which may for example be utilized to
input and/or received user-selectable object information (e.g., to
indicate and/or define user-selectable objects in a moving
picture). For example and without limitation, the user interface
module 440 (or sensor module(s) thereof) may operate to receive
signals associated with respective sensors (e.g., raw or processed
signals directly from the sensors, through intermediate devices,
via the communication interface modules 410, 420, etc.). Also for
example, in scenarios in which such sensors are active sensors (as
opposed to purely passive sensors), the user interface module 440
(or sensor module(s) thereof) may operate to control the
transmission of signals (e.g., RF signals, optical signals,
acoustic signals, etc.) from such sensors. Additionally, the user
interface module 440 may perform any of a variety of video output
functions (e.g., presenting moving picture information to a user,
presenting user-selectable object information to a user, presenting
television programming to a user, providing visual feedback to a
user regarding an identified user-selected object in a presented
moving picture, etc.).
[0115] The exemplary television system 400 may comprise one or more
processors 450. The processor 450 may, for example, comprise a
general purpose processor, digital signal processor,
application-specific processor, microcontroller, microprocessor,
etc. For example, the processor 450 may operate in accordance with
software (or firmware) instructions. As mentioned previously, any
or all functionality discussed herein may be performed by a
processor executing instructions. For example, though various
modules are illustrated as separate blocks or modules in FIG. 4,
such illustrative modules, or a portion thereof, may be implemented
by the processor 450.
[0116] The exemplary television system 400 may comprise one or more
memories 460. As discussed above, various aspects may be performed
by one or more processors executing instructions. Such instructions
may, for example, be stored in the one or more memories 460. Such
memory 460 may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a
variety of types of memory. For example and without limitation,
such memory 460 may comprise one or more memory chips (e.g., ROM,
RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, one-time-programmable OTP memory,
etc.), hard drive memory, CD memory, DVD memory, etc.
[0117] The exemplary television system 400 may comprise one or more
modules 452 (e.g., moving picture information receiving module(s))
that operate to receive moving picture information for a television
program. Such one or more modules 452 may, for example, operate to
utilize the communication module 430 (e.g., and at least one of the
communication interface modules 410, 420) to receive such
television program moving picture information. For example, such
one or more modules 452 may operate to perform step 210 of the
exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 310 of the
exemplary method 300 discussed previously.
[0118] The exemplary television system 400 may comprise one or more
module(s) 454 (e.g., user-selectable object information receiving
module(s)) that operate to receive object information corresponding
to one or more user-selectable objects in a television program.
Such one or more modules 454 may, for example, operate to utilize
the communication module 430 (e.g., and at least one of the
communication interface modules 410, 420) to receive such
television program user-selectable object information. For example,
such one or more modules 454 may operate to perform step 220 of the
exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 320 of the
exemplary method 300 discussed previously.
[0119] The exemplary television system 400 may comprise one or more
modules 456 (e.g., moving picture and user-selectable object
combining module(s)) that operate to combine received moving
picture information (e.g., as received by the module(s) 452) and
received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received by
the module(s) 454) into a combined data set. Such one or more
modules 456 may, for example, operate to receive moving picture
information from the module(s) 452, receive user-selectable object
information from the module(s) 454, combine such received moving
picture information and user-selectable object information into a
combined data set, and output such combined data set. Such one or
more modules 456 may operate to perform step 230 of the exemplary
method 200 discussed previously and/or step 330 of the exemplary
method 300 discussed previously.
[0120] The exemplary television system 400 may comprise one or more
modules 458 (e.g., combined data set communication module(s)) that
operate to communicate the combined data set to at least one
recipient system and/or device. For example, such module(s) 458 may
operate to utilize the communication module(s) 430 (and, for
example, one or both of the first communication interface module(s)
410 and second communication interface module(s) 420)) to
communicate the combined data set. Also for example, such module(s)
458 may operate to communicate the combined data set to one or more
system devices that store the combined data set on a physical
medium (e.g., a computer-readable medium). Such one or more modules
458 may operate to perform step 240 of the exemplary method 200
discussed previously and/or step 340 of the exemplary method 300
discussed previously.
[0121] Though not illustrated, the exemplary television system 400
may, for example, comprise one or more modules that operate to
perform any or all of the continued processing discussed previously
with regard to step 295 of the exemplary method 200 and step 395 of
the exemplary method 300, discussed previously. Such modules (e.g.,
as with the one or more modules 452, 454, 456 and 458) may be
performed by the processor(s) 450 executing instructions stored in
the memory 460.
[0122] Turning next to FIG. 5, such figure is a diagram
illustrating exemplary modules and/or sub-modules for a television
system 500, in accordance with various aspects of the present
invention. The exemplary television system 500 may share any or all
aspects with the television system 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 and
discussed previously. For example, the exemplary television system
500 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with one or
more of the television system components illustrated in FIG. 1 and
discussed previously. For example, the exemplary television system
500 may correspond to any of the television system components
illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the like) or any group of the television
system components illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the like). For example,
the exemplary television system 500 (or various modules thereof)
may operate to perform any or all functionality discussed herein
with regard to the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and
the exemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0123] For example, the television system 500 comprises a processor
530. Such a processor 530 may, for example, share any or all
characteristics with the processor 450 discussed with regard to
FIG. 4. Also for example, the television system 500 comprises a
memory 540. Such memory 540 may, for example, share any or all
characteristics with the memory 460 discussed with regard to FIG.
4.
[0124] Also for example, the television system 500 may comprise any
of a variety of user interface module(s) 550. Such user interface
module(s) 550 may, for example, share any or all characteristics
with the user interface module(s) 440 discussed previously with
regard to FIG. 4. For example and without limitation, the user
interface module(s) 550 may comprise: a display device, a camera
(for still or moving picture acquisition), a speaker, an earphone
(e.g., wired or wireless), a microphone, a video screen (e.g., a
touch screen), a vibrating mechanism, a keypad, and/or any of a
variety of other user interface devices (e.g., a mouse, a
trackball, a touch pad, touch screen, light pen, game controlling
device, etc.).
[0125] The exemplary television system 500 may also, for example,
comprise any of a variety of communication modules (505, 506, and
510). Such communication module(s) may, for example, share any or
all characteristics with the communication interface module(s) 410,
420 discussed previously with regard to FIG. 4. For example and
without limitation, the communication interface module(s) 510 may
comprise: a Bluetooth interface module; an IEEE 802.11, 802.15,
802.16 and/or 802.20 module; any of a variety of cellular
telecommunication interface modules (e.g., GSM/GPRS/EDGE,
CDMA/CDMA2000/1x-EV-DO, WCDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA, TDMA/PDC, WiMAX, etc.);
any of a variety of position-related communication interface
modules (e.g., GPS, A-GPS, etc.); any of a variety of
wired/tethered communication interface modules (e.g., USB, Fire
Wire, RS-232, HDMI, Ethernet, wireline and/or cable modem, etc.);
any of a variety of communication interface modules related to
communicating with external memory devices; etc. The exemplary
television system 500 is also illustrated as comprising various
wired 506 and/or wireless 505 front-end modules that may, for
example, be included in the communication interface modules and/or
utilized thereby.
[0126] The exemplary television system 500 may also comprise any of
a variety of signal processing module(s) 590. Such signal
processing module(s) 590 may share any or all characteristics with
modules of the exemplary television system 400 that perform signal
processing. Such signal processing module(s) 590 may, for example,
be utilized to assist in processing various types of information
discussed previously (e.g., with regard to sensor processing,
position determination, video processing, image processing, audio
processing, general user interface information data processing,
etc.). For example and without limitation, the signal processing
module(s) 590 may comprise: video/graphics processing modules (e.g.
MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, JPEG, TIFF, 3-D, 2-D, MDDI, etc.);
audio processing modules (e.g., MP3, AAC, MIDI, QCELP, AMR, CMX,
etc.); and/or tactile processing modules (e.g., Keypad I/O, touch
screen processing, motor control, etc.).
[0127] In summary, various aspects of the present invention provide
a system and method for providing information of selectable objects
in a television program. While the invention has been described
with reference to certain aspects and embodiments, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the
scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made
to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is
intended that the invention not be limited to the particular
embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all
embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
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