U.S. patent application number 12/851075 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-17 for system and method in a parallel television system for providing for user-selection of an object in a television program.
Invention is credited to Jeyhan Karaoguz, Nambirajan Seshadri.
Application Number | 20110067069 12/851075 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43730008 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110067069 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Karaoguz; Jeyhan ; et
al. |
March 17, 2011 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A PARALLEL TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING FOR
USER-SELECTION OF AN OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM
Abstract
A system and method in a parallel television system for
providing for user selection of 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.
Inventors: |
Karaoguz; Jeyhan; (Irvine,
CA) ; Seshadri; Nambirajan; (Irvine, CA) |
Family ID: |
43730008 |
Appl. No.: |
12/851075 |
Filed: |
August 5, 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: |
725/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0304 20130101;
H04N 5/445 20130101; H04N 21/845 20130101; H04N 21/42209 20130101;
H04N 21/8545 20130101; G06F 3/0412 20130101; H04N 21/2408 20130101;
H04N 21/44008 20130101; H04N 21/4782 20130101; H04N 21/4828
20130101; H04N 21/4325 20130101; H04N 21/42204 20130101; H04N
21/812 20130101; H04N 21/47815 20130101; H04N 21/438 20130101; H04N
21/47805 20130101; H04N 21/8133 20130101; G06F 3/0428 20130101;
H04N 21/23892 20130101; G06F 3/0308 20130101; H04N 21/858 20130101;
H04N 21/4728 20130101; H04N 21/4725 20130101; H04N 21/8173
20130101; G06F 3/0346 20130101; H04N 21/4334 20130101; H04N 21/472
20130101; H04N 21/4722 20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101; G06F 3/0386
20130101; H04N 21/42222 20130101; H04N 21/4622 20130101; H04N
21/436 20130101; H04N 21/41265 20200801; H04N 21/42206 20130101;
H04N 21/4524 20130101; H04N 5/76 20130101; H04N 21/4826 20130101;
H04N 21/8126 20130101; G06F 3/0325 20130101; H04N 9/8205 20130101;
H04N 21/25841 20130101; H04N 21/234318 20130101; H04N 21/2668
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/54 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/445 20060101
H04N005/445 |
Claims
1. A method for interacting with a user regarding user-selectable
objects in a television program being presented on a first screen
of a user's local television system, the method comprising: while
the television program is being presented on the first screen of
the user's local television system, on a second screen of the
television system: presenting the television program; and
interacting with a user regarding user-selectable objects in the
television program without interfering with the presentation of the
television program on the first screen.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second screen of the
television system is a screen of a television controller.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second screen of the
television system is a screen of a personal computing device.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the television program
on the second screen of the television system comprises presenting
the television program on the second screen with visible indicia
identifying the user-selectable objects as being
user-selectable.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the television program is being
presented on the first screen of the television system without
visible indicia identifying the user-selectable objects as being
user-selectable.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein interacting with a user regarding
user-selectable objects comprises: identifying an on-screen
location selected by the user; and outputting on the second screen
a graphical indication of the identified on-screen location.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein identifying an on-screen location
selected by the user comprises detecting a location at which the
user touches the second screen.
8. The method of claim 1, comprising presenting the television
program on the second screen at a different rate than the rate at
which the television program is being presented on the first
screen.
9. The method of claim 8, comprising pausing presentation of the
television program on the second screen while interacting with the
user regarding a user-selectable object in the television
program.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein interacting with a user
regarding user-selectable objects in the television program
comprises identifying an object in the television program selected
by the user and presenting information about the identified object
on the second screen.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein interacting with a user
regarding user-selectable objects in the television program
comprises providing a graphical user interface (GUI) on the second
screen regarding available actions related to the identified
object.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-selectable objects in
the television program comprise people.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-selectable objects in
the television program comprise consumer goods.
14. A television system for interacting with a user regarding
user-selectable objects in a television program being presented on
a first screen of a user's local television system, the television
system comprising: at least one module operable to, at least: while
the television program is being presented on the first screen of
the user's local television system, on a second screen of the
television system: present the television program; and interact
with a user regarding user-selectable objects in the television
program without interfering with the presentation of the television
program on the first screen.
15. The television system of claim 14, where the second screen of
the television system is a screen of a television controller.
16. The television system of claim 14, where the second screen of
the television system is a screen of a personal computing
device.
17. The television system of claim 14, wherein the at least one
module is operable to present the television program on the second
screen by, at least in part, operating to present the television
program on the second screen with visible indicia identifying the
user-selectable objects as being user-selectable.
18. The television system of claim 17, wherein the television
program is being presented on the first screen of the television
system without visible indicia identifying the user-selectable
objects as being user-selectable.
19. The television system of claim 14, wherein the at least one
module is operable to interact with a user regarding
user-selectable objects by, at least in part, operating to:
identify an on-screen location selected by the user; and output on
the second screen a graphical indication of the identified
on-screen location.
20. The television system of claim 19, wherein the at least one
module is operable to identify an on-screen location selected by
the user by, at least in part, operating to detect a location at
which the user touches the second screen.
21. The television system of claim 14, wherein the at least one
module is operable to present the television program on the second
screen at a different rate than the rate at which the television
program is being presented on the first screen.
22. The television system of claim 21, wherein the at least one
module is operable to pause presentation of the television program
on the second screen while interacting with the user regarding a
user-selectable object in the television program.
23. The television system of claim 14, wherein the at least one
module is operable to interact with a user regarding
user-selectable objects in the television program by, at least in
part, operating to identify an object in the television program
selected by the user and present information about the identified
object on the second screen.
24. The television system of claim 23, wherein the at least one
module is operable to interact with a user regarding
user-selectable objects in the television program by, at least in
part, operating to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) on the
second screen regarding available actions related to the identified
object.
25. The television system of claim 14, where the user-selectable
objects in the television program comprise people.
26. The television system of claim 14, where the user-selectable
objects in the television program comprise consumer goods.
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. 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. ______, filed concurrently herewith, 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. ______, filed concurrently
herewith, 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.
______, filed concurrently herewith, 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. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled
"SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING
USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket
No. 21041US02; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed
concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION
SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING FOR USER-SELECTION OF AN OBJECT IN A
TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21051US02. 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 in a parallel television system for providing for user
selection of 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 user-selection of objects in television programming,
in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method
for providing user-selection of objects in television programming,
in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary parallel
television system (e.g., a television controller), in accordance
with various aspects of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating exemplary modules and/or
sub-modules for a parallel television system (e.g., a television
controller), 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 hardware/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., parallel television modules,
television controller modules, 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), 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 will at times refer to an on-screen
pointing location. Such a pointing location refers to a location on
the television screen (and/or a parallel television screen) 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 parallel television system
(e.g., a television remote control device with an on-board display,
a personal computer or other electronic device with an on-board
display, a second television, etc.) comprise determining an
on-screen pointing location pointed to by a user of the television
and/or parallel television, identifying a user-selected object in
presented television programming, and providing user feedback
regarding the on-screen pointing location and/or user-selected
object.
[0017] Also, the following discussion will at times refer to
user-selectable objects in television programming. Such
user-selectable objects comprise 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 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 television programming,
etc.).
[0019] The exemplary television system 100 may also include a third
party program information provider 120. Such a provider 120 may,
for example, provide information related to a television program.
Such information may, for example, comprise information describing
selectable objects in programming, program guide information,
etc.
[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 (e.g., information identifying
and/or describing and/or otherwise related to user-selectable
objects in 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, a
general data 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.).
[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, any personal
electronic 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 and/or object identification information with the first
television 140 and/or other devices. The first television
controller 160 may, for example, operate to (which includes
"operate when enabled to") perform any or all of the functionality
discussed herein. As a non-limiting example, which will be
discussed in more detail below, the first television controller 160
may comprise an on-board display which may operate as a parallel
television (e.g., presenting on the on-board display a same
television program as that being presented by the television 140).
In such a configuration, the first television controller 160 may,
for example, operate to perform any or all of the parallel
television functionality discussed herein.
[0025] 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. Also for example, as will be
discussed in more detail later, various aspects of the present
invention provide for the user to select on a parallel television
screen a user-selectable object in television programming. Such a
parallel television screen may, for example, be an on-board display
of the first television controller 160.
[0026] 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. The television receiver 151 may also, for example,
operate to provide a communication link between a parallel
television (e.g., operating in parallel for the second television
141) and the television provider 110 and/or third party program
information provider 120. Such a parallel television may, for
example, be a distinct entity or may, for example, be a component
of another entity (e.g., the television receiver 151 and/or the
second television controller 161).
[0027] 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.). The television receiver 151 may, for
example, be a stand-alone component or may be integrated with any
of a variety of other television system components (e.g., a
television, a video recorder, a gaming station, etc.).
[0028] 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, any personal electronic device with television control
capability, etc.
[0029] 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.). The second
television controller 161 may further, for example, operate to
receive signals from the second television 141 and/or television
receiver 151. Such signals may, for example, comprise signals
communicating television programming, information identifying
and/or describing user-selectable objects in television programming
and/or any of a variety of other information to the second
television controller 161. As a non-limiting example, which will be
discussed in more detail below, the second television controller
161 may comprise an on-board display which may operate as a
parallel television (e.g., presenting on the on-board display a
same television program as that being presented by the second
television 141). In such a configuration, the second television
controller 161 may, for example, operate to perform any or all of
the parallel television functionality discussed herein.
[0030] 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 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 for example, as will be discussed in
more detail later, various aspects of the present invention provide
for the user to select on a parallel television screen a
user-selectable object in television programming. Such a parallel
television screen may, for example, be an on-board display of the
second television controller 161.
[0031] 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.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method
200 for providing user-selection of objects in television
programming, 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 component with television and/or
parallel television capability (e.g., a television controller with
a display and television capability, for example the first
television controller 160 and/or second television controller 161
shown in FIG. 1; a second television, for example, the second
television 141 shown in FIG. 1; a television receiver having
television display capability, for example, the television receiver
151 shown in FIG. 1; any component having a display and television
display capability; and/or any component communicatively coupled to
a display.
[0033] 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. For
example, the exemplary method 200 may begin executing in response
to a user command to begin, in response to user selection of a
television program (or corresponding television channel) that
includes user selectable objects, upon parallel television reset
and/or power-up, in response to a user input indicating a desire to
provide object selection capability to the user, 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, in response to user execution of a software application,
in response to detecting utilization of a parallel television
(e.g., any device having parallel television capability), etc.
[0034] As will be discussed below, various aspects of the present
invention may comprise a user's local television system (e.g., a
television, a parallel television, a television receiver, a
television controller, etc.) receiving and/or displaying television
programming. Many non-limiting examples of such television
programming were provided above (e.g., television programming with
user-selectable objects). Such television programming may be
received from any of a variety of sources. For example and without
limitation, such television programming may be received from a
television broadcasting company, from a movie streaming company,
from a user (or consumer) video recording device (e.g., internal
and/or external to the television receiver), from an Internet
television programming provider, etc.
[0035] Also, for example, the local television system (e.g.,
located in a user's premises or a single room thereof) may receive
the television programming 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 data communication networks (e.g., the
Internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a
metropolitan area network, etc.).
[0036] Additionally, various components of the television system
(e.g., the user's local television system) may communicate
television programming and/or other video information to a
television (e.g., for presentation to a user on a screen of the
television and/or on a screen of a parallel television). Such
communicating may be performed in any of a variety of manners. For
example, such communicating may comprise communicating raw video
data and/or decoded video data in one or more data signals, one or
more television/display driver signals (e.g., composite and/or
component video signals), etc. Also for example, such communicating
may comprise communicating the television programming and/or other
video information over any of a variety of communication media
(e.g., wired, tethered optical, wireless RF, non-tethered optical,
etc.). Further for example, such communicating may comprise
communicating the television programming to video presentation
devices external to the television.
[0037] In general, the television system (e.g., one or more
components of a user's local television system) may receive,
communicate and/or present television programming. The scope of
various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by
characteristics of any particular television programming,
television programming source, television programming network or
manner of receiving, communicating and/or presenting television
programming unless explicitly claimed.
[0038] The communicated and/or presented television programming
may, for example, comprise user-selectable objects in the
television programming. Many non-limiting examples of such
user-selectable objects were presented above. In general, such
user-selectable objects may, for example, comprise animate and/or
inanimate objects in television programming that a user may select
(e.g., selecting on a touch screen, using a pointing device or
other user interface by which a user may specify a screen
location). Information of such user-selectable objects may be
received by a television, television receiver, television
controller and/or parallel television and retained for processing
by such receiving device and/or for communication to another device
for processing. Such information of user-selectable objects may be
stored and/or communicated with the television programming or may
be communicated separate from the television programming (e.g., in
a data stream separate from the television data stream).
[0039] The exemplary method 200 may, at step 230, comprise
presenting a television program on a first screen of a television
system (e.g., on a first television screen of a user's local or
personal television system). Such a television program may, as
discussed above, comprise user-selectable objects.
[0040] For example, in an exemplary scenario where the local
television system comprises a first television and a parallel
television, step 230 may comprise presenting a television program
on a screen of the first television. Also, in such exemplary
scenario, step 230 may comprise presenting such television
programming in a normal manner (i.e., without outputting any
visible indication to the user regarding the user-selectability
and/or user-selection of user-selectable objects in the television
programming. For example, user-selectable objects may be presented
to the user in the same manner as non-user-selectable objects.
[0041] For example, as will be discussed below (e.g., with regard
to step 250), various aspects of the present invention may comprise
presenting the television program on a parallel television screen
and interacting with a user regarding user-selectable objects in
such presented television program. During such exemplary operation
on a parallel television system, step 230 may comprise presenting
the television programming on the screen of the first television in
a normal manner (e.g., in manner that does not interfere with
presentation of the programming to the user on the screen of the
first television).
[0042] In general, step 230 may comprise presenting a television
program on a first screen of a television system (e.g., on a first
television screen of a user's local or personal television system).
Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should
not be limited by any particular manner of presenting such
television programming unless explicitly claimed.
[0043] The exemplary method 200 may, at step 240, comprise
presenting the television programming (e.g., the same television
program being presented at step 230) on a second screen of the
television system (e.g., on a screen of a device with parallel
television capability). Such presentation may, for example, be
performed while the television program is also being presented on
the first screen of the television system (e.g., at step 230).
[0044] The second screen (or parallel television screen) may, for
example, comprise a display of any of a variety of local television
system components. For example, the second screen may comprise an
on-board screen of a television controller. Also for example, the
second screen may comprise a display of a personal computing device
(e.g., a handheld computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer,
a notepad computer, a desktop computer, etc.) capable of presenting
television programming on the display. Additionally for example,
the second screen may comprise a display of a second television, a
display of and/or communicatively coupled to a television receiver,
etc.
[0045] As mentioned above, step 240 may comprise presenting a
television program on the second screen while step 230 is
presenting the television program on the first screen. Note,
however, that while such concurrent presentation may be
time-synchronized, various aspects of the present invention may
comprise concurrent presentation that is not time-synchronized. For
example, step 240 may comprise presenting a television program on
the second screen at a slower than normal rate, while step 230
comprises presenting the television program on the first screen at
a normal rate. Also for example, step 240 may comprise presenting a
television program on the second screen at a paused (or frozen)
state, while step 230 comprises presenting the television program
on the first screen at a normal or slower-than-normal rate.
Additionally for example, step 240 may comprise presenting a
television program on the second screen at a faster than normal
rate, while step 230 comprises presenting the television program on
the first screen at a normal or slow-than-normal rate, and so
on.
[0046] In an exemplary scenario in which the programming is
presented on different displays at different respective rates, the
exemplary method 200 may comprise providing an automatic and/or
user-controlled mechanism by which synchronization may be effected.
For example, the method 200 may comprise receiving a user input
indicating a desire to synchronize presentation of the television
program on the first and second screens, and responding to such a
user input by synchronizing such presentations. Also for example,
the method 200 may comprise automatically (i.e., without
interacting with the user) effecting such synchronization (e.g.,
after a time delay, after presentation of information on the second
screen for a particular amount of time, after receiving a user
input indicating a desire to dismiss information being presented on
the second screen, etc.).
[0047] As discussed previously, television programming information
may be received from any of a variety of sources via any of a
variety of communication networks. Also as mentioned previously,
information of user-selectable objects in such programming may be
received with the television programming (e.g., in a same data
stream) and/or may be received separate from the television
programming (e.g., in a separate data stream from a same or
different data source). As such, steps 230 and 240 may comprise
receiving presented television programming in a same manner or
different respective manners. For example, step 230 may comprise
receiving the presented television programming and not receiving
information of the user-selectable objects in the presented
television programming, while step 240 may comprise receiving the
presented television programming and receiving information of the
user-selectable objects in the presented television programming
(e.g., in a same data stream and/or in a separate data stream). As
will be discussed in more detail below, such received information
of user-selectable objects in the presented television programming
may be utilized at step 250.
[0048] Step 240 may, for example, comprise presenting the
television programming on the second screen at a resolution (e.g.,
spatial and/or temporal resolution) different from the resolution
at which the television programming is being presented on the first
screen (e.g., at step 230). For example, step 240 may comprise
presenting a television program on the second screen at a low
spatial resolution (e.g., tailored to a screen with a low number of
pixels), while step 230 comprises presenting the television program
on the first screen at a high spatial resolution (e.g., tailored to
a screen with a high number of pixels, for example a
high-definition screen).
[0049] In general, step 240 may comprise presenting the television
programming (e.g., the same television program being presented at
step 230) on a second screen of the television system (e.g., on a
screen of a device with parallel television capability).
Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention
should not be limited by characteristics of any particular manner
of presenting such television programming and/or any particular
type of component having the second screen unless explicitly
claimed.
[0050] The exemplary method 200 may, at step 250, comprise
interacting with a user regarding user-selectable objects in the
television program (e.g., without interfering with the presentation
of the television program on the first screen). Such presentation
may, for example, be performed while the television program is
being presented on the first screen of the television system (e.g.,
at step 230) and the television program is also being presented on
a second screen of the television system (e.g., at step 240).
[0051] For example, step 250 may comprise determining a location in
the presented programming (e.g., an on-screen location) indicated
by a user. For example, in an exemplary scenario in which the
second screen is a touch screen, step 250 may comprise determining
a location of the touch screen touched by the user. Also for
example, various additional manners of determining on-screen
pointing location were presented in U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/242,234 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.
12/774,154, 12/774,221 and 12/774,321, the contents of each which
are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0052] Step 250 may, for example, provide assistance to a user in
selecting a user-selectable object in a television program (e.g.,
the television program being displayed on the second screen at step
240). Such assistance may comprise any of a variety of
characteristics, non-limiting examples of which will now be
provided.
[0053] For example, after identifying an on-screen location
selected by a user, step 250 may comprise providing visual feedback
of such on-screen pointing (or selection) location to the user. For
example, step 250 may comprise outputting a graphical indication of
on-screen pointing location on the second screen (e.g., overlaid or
otherwise superimposed on (or displayed with) the presented
television program). Such a graphical indication may comprise any
of a variety of graphical characteristics. For example, such a
graphical indication may comprise characteristics of an icon or any
other graphical feature (e.g., a polygon or other shape, a color
variation, a brightness variation, a focus variation, a window, a
magnification window, a highlighted (or otherwise indicated) area
generally corresponding to the touched area of a touch screen,
etc.).
[0054] Another exemplary manner of providing user assistance with
television program object selection may comprise outputting visual
indicia (e.g., on the second screen) to identify objects in the
television program that are user-selectable. For example, step 250
may comprise outlining such objects, highlighting such objects,
brightening or darkening such objects, boxing such objects,
presenting such objects with any of a variety of graphical
features, flashing such objects, dotting such objects, etc.
[0055] Also for example, step 250 may comprise presenting visual
indicia (e.g., on the second screen) that indicate a location
and/or area that a user should specify (e.g., touch or otherwise
point to) to select a respective user-selectable object (e.g., a
target area, selection region, etc.). For an example, a subset of a
user-selectable object may be graphically designated for such user
selection (e.g., a selection area may be graphically indicated
where such selection area represents a portion of the screen area
utilized for presentation of the object). Additionally for example,
a superset of a user-selectable object may be graphically indicated
for user selection (e.g., an extra border region surrounding a
user-selectable object may be graphically indicated for user
selection of such object). Such an extra border region may, for
example, comprise an extended object outline, a box encompassing
the entire object, etc.
[0056] Note that an on-screen region associated with a respective
user-selectable object may be static or dynamic. For example, the
shape and/or size of such a region may change over time (e.g., as a
function of size of the user-selectable object, as a function of
movement speed of the user-selectable object, as a function of the
presence of other nearby user-selectable objects, as a function of
popularity of a user-selectable object, as a function of
advertising cost associated with a user-selectable object, as a
function of age of a user-selectable object, etc.).
[0057] The visual (e.g., graphical) indicia discussed above may,
for example, be presented on the second screen (e.g., in
conjunction with presentation with the television program on the
second screen) without being presented on the first screen. In such
an example, a user may utilize (e.g., interact with) the second
screen to select user-selectable objects in the television program
without interfering with the presentation of the television program
on the first screen.
[0058] As an additional example of providing assistance to a user
with selecting a user-selectable object in a television program, as
discussed previously with respect to step 240, presentation rates
may be different on the first and second screens. Such program
presentation rates may, for example, vary during the performance of
step 250. For example, step 250 may comprise interacting with a
user regarding a user-selectable object in a television program
while step 240 comprises presenting the television program at a
paused (or frozen) state and/or a slower-than-normal rate. For
example, in a non-limiting exemplary scenario, a user may cause the
presentation of the programming on the second screen (e.g., at step
240) to pause or slow down to assist in the selection of
user-selectable objects that are moving in the presented television
program.
[0059] For example, a user-selectable athlete in a sporting event
may be moving quickly in the programming at normal program
presentation speed, resulting in such athlete being difficult for
the user to select (e.g., to touch on a touch screen). In such an
exemplary scenario, the user may cause (e.g., via explicit command,
by touching the second screen, etc.) presentation of the sporting
event to slow or pause, thereby enhancing the ease by which the
user may select (e.g., touch) the user-selectable athlete in the
programming. Such presentation rate modification may also, for
example, be advantageous in scenarios in which there are a
relatively large number of user-selectable objects present in the
program resulting in a crowded selection space and/or scenarios in
which there are relatively small selection regions associated with
respective user-selectable objects.
[0060] Step 250 may also, for example, comprise identifying a
user-selected object in the television programming (e.g., in the
television programming being presented at step 240 and/or step
230). Such identifying may be performed in any of a variety of
manners, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided.
[0061] For example, step 250 may comprise determining an on-screen
location touched by a user (e.g., on the second screen). In such a
scenario, step 250 may, for example, identify a user-selectable
object in the television program corresponding to the determined
touch location. For example, if a user touches a touch screen at
the location presently occupied by a user-selectable object when
the touch occurs, step 250 may comprise identifying such object. As
discussed previously, a user-selectable object may be associated
with a selection area or region, the selection of which by a user
corresponds to user-selection of such object.
[0062] Numerous other examples of identifying a user-selected
object in television programming have been provided in other
related U.S. patent applications. Such applications include, for
example: 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. ______, filed
concurrently herewith, 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. ______, filed concurrently herewith, 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. ______, filed concurrently
herewith, 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.
______, filed concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A
TELEVISION CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A
TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney Docket No. 21041US02; and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled
"SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING FOR
USER-SELECTION OF AN OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM", Attorney
Docket No. 21051US02. The contents of each of the above-mentioned
applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety. Step 250 may comprise characteristics of any or all
respective manners of user-selected object identification discussed
in each of such applications. For example, any or all of such
respective manners of user-selected object identification may be
performed in a system having the second television screen (e.g., a
television controller with parallel television capability, a second
television of the user's local television system, any other
component of the user's local television system having parallel
television capability, etc.
[0063] Step 250 may, for example, comprise identifying a
user-selected object in television programming by determining a
most likely selected object. For example, in an exemplary scenario
in which a user may select any or a plurality of user-selectable
objects in a television program, step 250 may comprise determining
which of such objects were most likely selected by the user. For
example, step 250 may comprise identifying a user-selected object
based at least in part on distance between a user-specified
on-screen location and user-selectable object location (e.g.,
identifying an object that is closest to an on-screen location
indicated by the user, identifying an object that has a center
point that is closest to an on-screen location indicated by the
user, etc.). Also for example, step 250 may comprise identifying a
user-selected object based at least in part on a user's (or
television system's) object selection preferences and/or history
(e.g., identifying an object that is of a similar nature to other
recently selected objects, for example, members of a sports team,
types of consumer goods, actors, etc.).
[0064] Further for example, step 250 may comprise identifying a
user-selected object based at least in part on a priority given to
a particular advertiser or other organization associated with a
particular object (e.g., placing more likelihood on objects
associated with a favored (or relatively high-priority and/or
relatively higher paying) advertiser). In an exemplary scenario,
step 250 may comprise associating a higher likelihood of
user-selection with a user-selectable object that is associated
with a per-selection based advertising fee structure.
[0065] Still further for example, step 250 may comprise identifying
a user-selected object based at least in part on object popularity
(e.g., favoring user-selectable objects that have been selected the
most often, the most often by a particular user demographic group,
etc.), based at least in part on object size, based at least in
part on object newness, etc.
[0066] Step 250 may also, for example, utilizing a filtering
technique in which a user's specified on-screen location (and/or
object on-screen location) is filtered over time (e.g., during a
time period, over a particular number of samples, etc.) to identify
an intended user selection location. Similarly, step 250 may
utilize a filtering technique to determined object selection (e.g.,
during a time period, over a particular number of samples, etc.) to
identify an intended object selection. In an exemplary scenario,
step 250 may comprise determining that during a selection time
window (or number of determinations), it was determined that the
user selected a particular object more often than any other object.
In such a scenario, step 250 may comprise determining that the most
often identified user-selected object is the objected intended to
be selected by the user. Such a technique may also be utilized in a
sliding window approach (e.g., where the previous N determinations
are analyzed to identify the most likely selected object).
[0067] As another example of interacting with a user (e.g.,
utilizing the second screen) regarding user-selectable objects,
step 250 may comprise identifying a user-selectable object that has
been selected by the user and/or a user-selectable object currently
indicated by the user. For example, step 250 may comprise
outputting an indicia (e.g., on the second screen) to show that a
user is currently indicating (or has selected) a particular
user-selectable object and/or generating a signal causing such
indicia to be presented.
[0068] For example, step 250 may comprise generating a signal that
comprises characteristics adapted to cause the second screen (e.g.,
a television system component comprising and/or controlling the
second screen) to overlay a graphical feature coinciding with the
identified user-selectable object on the television programming as
the television programming is presented to the user. For example,
as discussed above, a user-selectable object (and/or the
user-selectable portion of a user-selectable object) may be defined
by one or more geometric shapes. In such an exemplary scenario,
step 250 may comprise generating a signal comprising
characteristics adapted to cause the second screen to highlight
such geometric shapes (or the borders thereof) when step 250
determines that the user has selected a user-selectable object
associated with such geometric shapes. Also for example, step 250
may comprise generating a signal comprising characteristics adapted
to cause the second screen to present an outline of the identified
object on the second screen, temporarily brighten or alter the
color of the identified object, temporarily display a message on
the second screen as an indication of the identified object, etc.
Step 250 may also, for example, comprise outputting an audio
indication that a user-selected object has been identified and/or
generating a signal comprising characteristics that cause another
device (e.g., a component comprising and/or controlling the second
screen) to output such an audio indication.
[0069] As discussed above, step 250 may comprise determining a
user-selectable object in the television programming that has been
selected by a user. After identification of an object, step 250 may
comprise interacting with the user regarding the identified
user-selected object. Such interaction may comprise characteristics
of any of a variety of different types of user interactions. For
example and without limitation, step 250 may comprise providing
object identification information (e.g., graphical and/or textual
information) on a screen of the user's local television system
(e.g., on the second screen). In such a scenario, step 250 may also
comprise refraining from presenting such information on the first
screen (e.g., to avoid interfering with presentation of the
television program on the first screen). Alternatively and/or
additionally, step 250 may comprise generating a signal indicating
the identity of the user-selected object and/or other information
associated with the user-selected object, where such signal may
then be communicated to the second screen and/or another television
system component (e.g., a component of the user's local television
system). Such generated signal(s) may, for example, comprise
characteristics that cause the recipient component of such
signal(s) to output information of the user-selected object on the
second screen and/or other screens of the user's local television
system. Such information may, for example, be superimposed on the
television program, presented in a screen border area, presented in
a scrolling banner, presented in a ticker bar information, etc.
[0070] Also for example, step 250 may comprise performing
additional interaction with the user (e.g., on the second screen)
regarding the user-selected object. Such additional interaction
may, for example, comprise providing a graphical user interface
(GUI) on the second screen regarding available actions related to
the user-selected object. Similarly, step 250 may comprise
generating one or more signals that cause the second screen to
output such GUI information to a user and/or receive input GUI
information from the user.
[0071] Such available actions may, for example, comprise, actions
related to obtaining additional information regarding a
user-selected object, commercial transactions related to obtaining
a user-selected object, actions related to contacting a
user-selected person and/or receiving information from a
user-selected person, actions related to searching a network (e.g.,
the Internet) for additional information for a user-selected
object, actions related to visiting one or more websites containing
information related to a user-selected object, etc. Alternatively
and/or additionally, step 250 may comprise generating a signal
indicating the available actions associated with the user-selected
object, where such signal may then be communicated to another
television system component (e.g., another component of the user's
local television system).
[0072] In a scenario in which step 250 comprises providing a user
interface to the user regarding available actions related to the
user-selected object, step 250 may also comprise communicating with
other system components (e.g., local and/or non-local components)
regarding such available actions. For example, step 250 may
comprise interacting with such other system components (e.g., local
and/or remote servers) to obtain information about a user-selected
object, to conduct a commercial transaction related to a
user-selected object, to conduct a network search for information
concerning a user-selected object, to request biography information
of a selected person, to request periodic information updates
concerning a selected object, etc.
[0073] In general, step 250 may comprise interacting with a user
regarding user-selectable objects in the television program (e.g.,
without interfering with the presentation of the television program
on the first screen). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of
the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of
any particular type of such user interaction unless explicitly
claimed.
[0074] 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 230 for performing continued television program presentation
and user interaction regarding user-selectable objects in such
programming.
[0075] Additionally for example, step 295 may comprise
communicating information indicating the identified user-selectable
object(s) to a device (or component) other than the component
implementing various aspects of the exemplary method 200. Such
other component(s) may, for example, comprise various components of
the user's local television system (e.g., at the same user premises
or one or more rooms thereof) and/or component remote thereto
(e.g., television network infrastructure components, networked
television serving components, etc.).
[0076] Further for example, step 295 may comprise processing
information of an identified user-selected object (e.g., as
determined at step 250) to determine an action to perform with
regard to such selected object. Various non-limiting examples of
such actions are provided in U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/242,234, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0077] In general, step 295 may comprise performing continued
operations (e.g., performing additional operations corresponding to
a user-selected television programming object, repeating various
method steps for additional user-selected objects, 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.
[0078] Turning next to FIG. 3, such figure is a flow diagram
illustrating an exemplary method 300 for providing user-selection
of objects in television programming, 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 component with television and/or parallel
television capability (e.g., a television controller with a display
and television capability, for example the first television
controller 160 and/or second television controller 161 shown in
FIG. 1; a second television, for example, the second television 141
shown in FIG. 1; a television receiver having television display
capability, for example, the television receiver 151 shown in FIG.
1; any component having a display and television display
capability; and/or any component communicatively coupled to a
display.
[0079] 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.
[0080] The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 330,
comprise presenting a television program on a first screen of a
television system. 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.
[0081] For example, step 330 may comprise, for example at sub-step
332, presenting a television program on a first screen of a local
television system (e.g., a user's personal television system, a
user's television system local to a user's premises or one or more
rooms thereof, etc.). Also for example, step 330 may comprise, for
example at sub-step 334, refraining from interfering with
presentation of the television program (e.g., being presented at
sub-step 332) while interacting with a user regarding
user-selectable objects in the television program.
[0082] The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 340,
comprise presenting the television programming (e.g., the same
television program being presented at step 330) on a second screen
of the television system (e.g., on a screen of a device with
parallel television capability). Such presentation may, for
example, be performed while the television program is also being
presented on the first screen of the television system (e.g., at
step 330). 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.
[0083] For example, step 340 may comprise, for example at sub-step
342, presenting the television programming on a second screen of a
local television system (e.g., a user's personal television system,
a user's television system local to a user's premises, etc.). Also
for example, step 340 may comprise, for example at sub-step 344,
presenting on the second screen indicia identifying user-selectable
objects in the television program being presented on the second
screen (e.g., at sub-step 342) and/or on the first screen (e.g., at
sub-step 332).
[0084] The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 350,
comprise interacting with a user regarding user-selectable objects
in the television program (e.g., without interfering with the
presentation of the television program on the first screen). Such
interaction may, for example, be performed while the television
program is being presented on the first screen of the television
system (e.g., at step 330) and the television program is also being
presented on a second screen of the television system (e.g., at
step 340). Step 350 may, for example, share any or all
characteristics with step 250 of the exemplary method 200
illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.
[0085] For example, step 350 may comprise, for example at sub-step
352, interacting with a user to identify an on-screen location
selected by the user. Also for example, step 350 may comprise, for
example at sub-step 354, determining a user-selectable object in
the television program that has been selected by a user.
Additionally for example, step 350 may comprise, for example at
sub-step 356, outputting information (e.g., on the second screen)
regarding the user-selected television program object (e.g., as
determined at sub-step 354).
[0086] 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.
[0087] Turning next to FIG. 4, such figure is a diagram
illustrating an exemplary parallel television system 400 (e.g., a
television controller with parallel television capability, personal
computing device with parallel television capability, any other
device with parallel television capability, etc.), in accordance
with various aspects of the present invention.
[0088] The exemplary parallel television system 400 may, for
example, share any or all characteristics with the exemplary first
television controller 160 and/or second television controller 161
illustrated in FIG. 1 and discussed previously. Also for example,
the exemplary parallel television system 400 may share any or all
characteristics with the first television 140, second television
141 and/or television receiver 151 illustrated in FIG. 1 and
discussed previously. Additionally for example, the exemplary
parallel television system 400 may share any or all characteristics
with a personal computing device or any other personal electronic
device comprising parallel television capability. The exemplary
television controller 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.
[0089] The exemplary parallel 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, the Internet, local area networks, personal area
networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) via which television
video content (e.g., television programming) and/or other data is
communicated. Also for example, the first communication interface
module 410 may operate to communicate with local sources of
television video content (e.g., video recorders, receivers, gaming
devices, etc.). Additionally, for example, the first communication
interface module 410 may operate to communicate with a local
television, a local television receiver, a local and/or remote
television program storage system, a television controller (e.g.,
directly or via one or more intermediate communication networks),
etc.
[0090] The exemplary parallel 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, the Internet,
local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area
networks, etc.) via which television video content (e.g.,
television programming) and/or other data is communicated. Also for
example, the second communication interface module 420 may operate
to communicate with local sources of television video content
(e.g., video recorders, receivers, gaming devices, etc.).
Additionally, for example, the second communication interface
module 420 may operate to communicate with a local television, a
local television receiver, a local and/or remote television program
storage system, a television controller (e.g., directly or via one
or more intermediate communication networks), etc.
[0091] The exemplary parallel television system 400 may also
comprise additional communication interface modules, which are not
illustrated. 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.
[0092] The exemplary parallel 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 controller 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.
[0093] The exemplary parallel television system 400 may
additionally comprise one or more user interface modules 440. The
user interface module(s) 440 may generally operate to provide user
interface functionality to a user of the parallel 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 controller commands (e.g., television and/or TV receiver
channel control, on/off, input selection, programming,
recording/playback control, etc.). The user interface module 440
may, for example, operate and/or respond to user commands utilizing
user interface features disposed on the parallel television system
400 (e.g., touch screen I/O, buttons, etc.) and may also utilize
the communication module 430 (and/or first 410 and second 420
communication interface modules) to communicate with a television
controller (e.g., a dedicated television remote control, a
universal remote control, a cellular telephone, personal computing
device, gaming controller, etc.), a peripheral of the parallel
television system 400, etc. Further for example, the user interface
module(s) 440 may utilize the communication module 430 (and/or
first 410 and/or second 420 communication interface modules) to
communicate with a television, television receiver, programming
storage device, remote television programming source, etc., to
utilize the user interface features of such device.
[0094] 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 to
ascertain an on-screen pointing location and/or object
identification. 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.
[0095] As discussed above with regard to at least the methods 200
and 300 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the parallel television
system 400 (or various modules thereof) may operate to present
television programming and/or information regarding user-selectable
objects in such television programming on a touch screen (e.g.,
display 470) of the parallel television system 400. In such an
exemplary scenario, one or more modules of the user interface
modules 440 may manage such presentation. Also for example, as
discussed above with regard to at least the methods 200 and 300
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the parallel television system 400
(or various modules thereof) may operate to receive user input via
the display 470 (e.g., a touch screen and/or any other type of
screen with user input capability) of the parallel television
system 400. In such an exemplary scenario, one or more modules of
the user interface modules 440 may operate to manage such user
input (e.g., detecting such user input, identifying such user
input, characterizing such user input, etc.).
[0096] Additionally, the user interface module(s) 440 may perform
any of a variety of audio and/or other video output functions
(e.g., in an exemplary scenario where the parallel television
system 400 has an onboard display and/or speaker, in an exemplary
scenario where the parallel television system 400 is utilizing a
display and/or speaker of another device, etc.). Also, for example,
in a scenario in which the parallel television system 400 has
incorporated therein a pointing direction indicator (e.g., a laser
pointer, light pen, etc.), the user interface module(s) 440 may
operate to control operation of such pointer.
[0097] The exemplary parallel 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.
[0098] The exemplary parallel 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.
[0099] The exemplary parallel television system 400 may comprise
one or more modules that operate to perform and/or manage the
receipt and/or communication of television programming. For
example, such one or more modules may operate to utilize the
communication module 430 (e.g., and at least one of the
communication interface modules 410, 420) to receive and/or
communicate television programming. Also for example, such one or
more modules may operate to utilize the communication module 430
(and/or first 410 and/or second 420 communication interface
modules) to communicate television programming and/or other video
output information to a television for presentation to a user.
Additionally for example, such one or more modules may operate to
utilize the communication module 430 (e.g., and at least one of the
communication interface modules 410, 420) to communicate television
programming or other video output information to one or more
devices communicatively coupled to the television controller 400
(e.g., devices other than a television).
[0100] The exemplary parallel television system 400 may comprise
one or more on-screen pointing location determination module(s)
454. Such on-screen pointing location determination module(s) 454
may, for example, operate to interact with a user of the parallel
television system 400 to determine an on-screen pointing location
pointed to by a user of the parallel television system 400 and/or a
television (or television receiver) communicatively coupled
thereto. Such module(s) 454 may, for example, operate to perform
step 250 of the exemplary method 200 and/or step 350 (e.g.,
sub-step 352) of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously. For
example, the module(s) 454 may operate to analyze sensor
information (e.g., touch screen sensor information) to determine an
on-screen pointing location. Also for example, the module(s) 454
may operate to receive on-screen pointing location information from
a device (e.g., a television, a television receiver, a television
network device, a user pointing device, etc.) external to the
parallel television system 400 (e.g., utilizing the communication
module 430).
[0101] The exemplary parallel television system 400 may comprise
one or more user-selected object identification modules 456. Such
module(s) 456 may, for example, operate to identify a
user-selectable object in television programming selected by a user
of the parallel television system 400 and/or a television (or
television receiver) communicatively coupled thereto. The module(s)
456 may, for example, operate to perform step 250 of the exemplary
method 200 and/or step 350 (e.g., sub-step 354) of the exemplary
method 300 discussed previously. As a non-limiting example, the
module(s) may operate to determine a user-selectable object touched
by a user on a touch screen or otherwise indicated on a display 470
of the parallel television system 400.
[0102] As discussed previously, various aspects of the present
invention may comprise generating one or more signals indicating
the identity of the user-selected object, other related
information, information regarding various actions that the user
may take regarding such user-selected object, etc. The parallel
television system 400 may, for example, comprise an identified
object output module 458 that operates to perform such
functionality. The module(s) 458 may, for example, operate to
perform step 250 of the exemplary method 200 and/or step 350 (e.g.,
sub-step 356) of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously.
[0103] For example, in an exemplary scenario where such information
of a user-selected object is output on a display 470 (or screen) of
the parallel television system 400, the module(s) 458 may operate
to communicate such generated one or more signals to the user
interface module(s) 440, which as discussed previously may operate
to interact with a display 470 of the parallel television system
400. Also for example, in an exemplary scenario where such
information of a user-selected object is to be output on the screen
of a television to which the parallel television system 400 is
communicatively coupled, the module(s) 458 may operate to utilize
the communication module 430 to communicate such generated one or
more signals to the television (or television receiver). Similarly,
in a scenario in which screen pointing information is to be
provided to the user (e.g., as feedback to the user indicating
where the user is pointing), the module(s) 458 may generate one or
more signals indicative of such feedback and communicate such
generated signal(s) to the user interface module(s) 440 and/or the
communication module 430, depending on the destination for such
signal(s).
[0104] Though not illustrated, the exemplary parallel 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 454, 456 and 458)
may be performed by the processor(s) 450 executing instructions
stored in the memory 460.
[0105] Turning next to FIG. 5, such figure is a diagram
illustrating exemplary modules and/or sub-modules for a parallel
television system 500 (e.g., a television controller or other
device) comprising a parallel television, in accordance with
various aspects of the present invention.
[0106] The exemplary television controller 500 may share any or all
aspects with any of the parallel television systems illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 4. For example, the exemplary parallel 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. As with the exemplary parallel television
system 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed previously, the
components of the exemplary parallel television system 500 may be
disposed in a single television controller (e.g., a dedicated
television control device, a universal remote control, a cellular
telephone or personal computing device with television control
capability, any personal electronic device with television control
capability, etc.).
[0107] For example, the parallel television system 500 comprises at
least one processor 530. Such processor(s) 530 may, for example,
share any or all characteristics with the processor(s) 450
discussed with regard to FIG. 4. Also for example, the parallel
television system 500 comprises one or more memories 540. Such one
or more memories 540 may, for example, share any or all
characteristics with the one or more memories 460 discussed with
regard to FIG. 4.
[0108] Also for example, the parallel 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.).
[0109] The exemplary parallel 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 parallel
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.
[0110] The parallel 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 parallel 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.).
[0111] In summary, various aspects of the present invention provide
a system and method in a parallel television system for providing
for user-selection of 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.
* * * * *