U.S. patent application number 13/916758 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-07 for up next video guide for tv video player.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Steven Friedlander, Seth Guy Hill, Hye Hoon Yi.
Application Number | 20130298161 13/916758 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40900568 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130298161 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friedlander; Steven ; et
al. |
November 7, 2013 |
UP NEXT VIDEO GUIDE FOR TV VIDEO PLAYER
Abstract
An Internet TV shows which video clip in an Internet-provided
playlist of multiple clips is "up next" for play.
Inventors: |
Friedlander; Steven; (San
Diego, CA) ; Hill; Seth Guy; (La Mesa, CA) ;
Yi; Hye Hoon; (Escondido, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sony Electronics Inc.
Sony Corporation |
Park Ridge
Tokyo |
NJ |
US
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
40900568 |
Appl. No.: |
13/916758 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12020052 |
Jan 25, 2008 |
8544044 |
|
|
13916758 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4316 20130101;
H04N 21/488 20130101; H04N 21/4104 20130101; H04N 21/4622 20130101;
H04N 7/17318 20130101; H04N 21/6125 20130101; H04N 21/4825
20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 5/44543 20130101; H04N 21/472
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/41 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/431 20060101
H04N021/431; H04N 21/482 20060101 H04N021/482 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: receiving, at a video display device (VDD),
signals from the Internet; and based at least in part on the
signals, presenting on the vdd a video guide, the video guide
including at least one single graphic entity representing a
playlist receivable from the Internet and having at least two video
clips, the single graphic entity being selectable to cause a first
video clip from the playlist to be played on the VDD, wherein an
indicator is displayed on the VDD, the indicator indicating at
least a title of a second video clip in the playlist, wherein the
playlist comprising the at least two video clips appears on the
video guide as one entity and can be selected to immediately cause
the first video clip to be played and to immediately cause the
second video clip to be played at the user's option.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second clip immediately
follows the first clip in the playlist.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second clip is automatically
displayed on the as soon as the first clip ends.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator also indicates a
title of the first clip.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator presents a timeline
indicating time remaining in play of a current clip.
6. The method of claim 3, wherein when the first clip finishes
playing, the title of the second clip moves on the VDD to a
location formerly occupied by the title of the first clip.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator displays a
thumbnail of the second clip.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator includes up-list
and down-list navigation arrows to enable a viewer to scroll
through the playlist.
9. A system comprising: a processor; a display associated with the
processor and configured for communicating with the processor; an
Internet interface configured for communicating with the processor
and configured to receive signals from the Internet; a computer
medium accessible to the processor and bearing instructions which
when executed by the processor configure the processor for: the
causing an indication of a video clip in an Internet-provided
playlist of multiple clips is "up next" for play, wherein the
processor when accessing the instructions is configured to scan
video header information in the playlist for title fields, the
processor when accessing the instructions is configured for
determining, responsive to detecting two or more title fields in
the video header information of the playlist, that the playlist is
a playlist and that names of clips in the playlist are indicated by
respective title fields in the video header information of the
playlist.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the indication indicates at
least a title of an "up next" video clip in the playlist, an
indication of a title of a currently displayed clip also being
presented on the display.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein a timeline indicating time
remaining in play of a current clip is presented on the
display.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein when the currently displayed
clip finishes playing, the indication of the clip that is "up next"
moves on the display. played on the VDD.
16. The VDD of claim 15, wherein the second clip is automatically
displayed on the display as soon as the first clip ends.
17. The VDD of claim 15, wherein a title of the first clip is also
indicated on the display.
18. The VDD of claim 17, wherein when the first clip finishes
playing, the title of the second clip moves on the display to a
location formerly occupied by the title of the first clip.
19. The VDD of claim 15, wherein a thumbnail of the second clip is
displayed.
20. The VDD of claim 15, wherein up-list and down-list navigation
arrows to enable a viewer to scroll through the playlist are
displayed on the display.
Description
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to players used for
conveying Internet video to TVs for display thereof, and to
indicating which video programs from such players are scheduled for
the next time slot.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Televisions have become increasingly advanced, providing
viewers with ever more control and viewing options. As but one
example, electronic program guides (EPG) can be displayed on a TV
in response to a command generated by a remote control device, with
the EPG showing a channel listing and show descriptions. As another
example, a video player for providing Internet video for display on
a TV can be provided, and these players typically involve
additional control features and functionalities.
[0003] Additional TV features and functions may also be provided,
and as understood herein, many if not most of these features and
functions entail presenting a user interface on screen to enable a
viewer to select or control the feature or function. As also
understood herein, owing to the growing number of such features and
functions and the operational complexity that can attend to
managing them, the user interfaces preferably are displayed in an
intuitive, easy to understand format that keeps screen clutter and,
hence, viewer confusion to a minimum.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A method includes receiving, at a TV, signals from the
Internet, and based on the signals, presenting on the TV a video
guide. The video guide includes a graphic entity representing a
playlist receivable from the Internet and having at least two video
clips. The graphic entity is selectable to cause a first video clip
from the playlist to be played on the TV. An indicator is also
displayed on the TV to indicate a title of a second video clip in
the playlist that, e.g., can immediately follow the first clip in
the playlist and that, if desired, can be automatically displayed
on the TV as soon as the first clip ends.
[0005] In some embodiments the indicator can also indicate a title
of the first clip. Further, if desired the indicator may present a
timeline indicating time remaining in play of a current clip. When
the first clip finishes playing, the title of the second clip can
be made to move on the TV to a location formerly occupied by the
title of the first clip.
[0006] In another aspect, a TV is disclosed with a TV processor and
TV display. An Internet adapter that is configured for
communicating with the TV using HDMI is configured to receive
signals from the Internet, and the TV processor and/or the adapter
processor is configured for displaying an indication of which video
clip in an Internet-provided playlist of multiple clips is "up
next" for play.
[0007] In another aspect, an Internet TV shows which video clip in
an Internet-provided playlist of multiple clips is "up next" for
play.
[0008] The details of the present invention, both as to its
structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to
like parts, and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a non-limiting hardware block diagram of a system
in accordance with present principles, with portions of the STB and
TV cut away for clarity;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a screen shot showing an Internet TV video guide
in accordance with one embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a screen shot showing an Internet TV video guide
after selection of a playlist thumbnail;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom portion of a screen shot indicating how
the title of the "up next" clip can slide left; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a bottom portion of another screen shot that can
be used in lieu of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a system is shown, generally
designated 10, which includes a television 12 defining a TV chassis
13 and receiving, via a set-top box (STB) 14 defining a STB housing
15, audio video TV programming from a head-end 16, such as a cable
or satellite head-end, over a wired or wireless link 17. The STB 14
and TV 12 are examples of receivers. "Set-top box" also includes
set-back boxes. While the STB 14 is shown separately housed from
the chassis 18 of the TV 12, it is to be understood that the
functionality of the STB 14 may be incorporated into the chassis
18.
[0015] In any case, the STB 14 may be connected to the TV 12 by
both a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connector "HDMI"
and by a universal serial bus (USB) connector "USB". The STB 14 may
also be connected to the Internet as shown via a wired or wireless
communication path 14a. In one implementation the path 14a includes
an Ethernet cable. The STB 14 conveys video programs from Internet
sites to the TV 12 for display of the video programs on the TV 12
as described further below.
[0016] As shown, the STB 14 includes a STB processor 20 and a
tangible computer readable medium 22 such as volatile or
non-volatile solid state storage, disk storage, tape storage, or
other type of electronic storage medium or logic circuitry that
typically can be executed by the processor 20. The STB 14 typically
includes a wireless receiver such as an infrared (IR) receiver 24
for receiving channel, volume, and other commands from a hand-held
wireless transceiver 26 on a TV remote control 28. The receiver 24
communicates with the STB processor 20. Likewise, a TV wireless
receiver 30 may be provided on the TV housing and may communicate
with the TV processor discussed below for sending commands from the
remote control 28 to the TV processor.
[0017] Additionally, as shown the TV 12 typically includes a TV
processor 32 and tangible computer readable medium 34. Video as
well as the below-described user interfaces may be presented on a
display 36 of the TV 12, e.g., a flat panel matrix display, cathode
ray tube, or other appropriate video display.
[0018] Either one or both of the above-described processors may
execute instructions stored in either one or both of the
above-described tangible computer readable media to undertake logic
below. The tangible computer readable media may be established by,
without limitation, solid state storage, optical or hard disk
storage, tape storage, etc.
[0019] Now referring to FIG. 2, when the. STB 14 is connected as
intended to the TV 12, a video guide 40 appears automatically or in
response to a user manipulating a key on the remote control 28 such
as a "guide" or "menu" key. The video guide 40 shows thumbnails
and/or titles 42 of respective Internet video streams that may be
provided through the STB 14 to the TV 12 via, e.g., the
above-described HDMI path for display of the Internet videos on the
TV 12. Videos from all available video providers may be represented
by thumbnails 42. In FIG. 2, for ease of disclosure a single video
provider is indicated at 44. If desired, a video pane 46 may also
be presented on the video guide 40 to display a currently tuned-to
TV or Internet video.
[0020] Typically, each thumbnail 42 represents a respective single
"asset" such as a single video stream, and a viewer can place a
cursor over a desired thumbnail and select it to cause the
associated video stream to be played on the TV 12. However, an
Internet video provider may elect to provide a video asset that
itself consists of two or more video streams, referred to herein
for clarity as "clips", in a playlist format. Such an asset is
shown at 48 in FIG. 2, indicating that the asset is a playlist of
plural clips as shown. In this way, an Internet video provider can
bundle multiple video clips under one title, with the set of videos
appearing on the video guide as one entity to, e.g., support
advertisement insertion.
[0021] Accordingly, should a viewer use the remote control 28 to
select the playlist thumbnail 48 (by, e.g., hovering the screen
cursor over it), the display can change to that shown in FIG. 3, in
which the clip can be played in the area 50 of the display 36.
[0022] In accordance with present principles, juxtaposed with,
e.g., below, the area 50 an "up next" indicator 52 can be
displayed. The indicator 52 can include a "current" clip pane 54
indicating the title of the clip being currently played in the area
50. The "current" pane 54 may bear not only the title but an
indicator such as the phrase "now on" or "current" or other
advisement that the title in the pane 54 is that of the clip being
played in the area 50.
[0023] Additionally, the indicator 52 can include an "up next" clip
pane 56 indicating the title of the clip that is next in the
playlist asset represented by the thumbnail 48. As was the case
with the "current" pane 54, the "up next" pane 56 can, if desired,
bear not only the title of the next clip in the playlist but also
an indicator such as the phrase "upcoming" or "next" or other
advisement that the title in the pane 56 is that of the clip that
will be played next in the playlist. While only a single "up next"
pane is shown, it is to be understood that if the playlist includes
more than two clips, plural "up next" panes indicating the title
and order of the clips may be presented side by side.
[0024] The determination of which titles to display in the up next
pane(s) may be made by, e.g., scanning video header information in
the playlist for title fields, with two or more title fields being
inferred to indicate a playlist and with the titles inferred to
indicate the names of the clips in the playlists. Or, an Internet
video provider may append or set a predetermined "playlist" flag on
an asset that represents a playlist to in effect explicitly tell
the STB 14/TV 12 that an asset is a playlist, along with the titles
of the clips in the playlist.
[0025] As also shown in FIG. 3, a timeline 58 can be presented as
an elongated bar to indicate the time remaining in the play of the
current clip. The timeline 58 can start unshaded and then as the
clip plays, shading can be correspondingly continuously grown
starting at, e.g., the left end of the timeline and moving right,
with the timeline arriving at a completely shaded appearance just
as the clip finishes.
[0026] Moving to FIG. 4 which is scoped for clarity of disclosure
to show only the part of the display 36 presenting the indicator
52, when the current clip finishes playing, the "up next" clip can
immediately and automatically start. Concurrent with this, the
"current clip" pane 54 may be faded from the display and the "up
next" pane 56 displayed to slide horizontally to the left as
indicated by the arrow 60 to occupy the screen position formerly
held by the "current" pane 54 in FIG. 3. Concurrent with this
graphic action, the label of the pane 56 can change from "up next"
to "current" or similar advisement, and if another clip follows in
the playlist, its title can be presented in a new "up next" pane to
in effect reestablish the screen shown in FIG. 3, albeit with
updated titles in the panes 54, 56.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows that alternative presentations can be made in
the clip panes of the present invention. For example, an indicator
62 may include a timeline 64 and an "up next" pane 66 in which a
thumbnail 68 of the next clip in the playlist is displayed along
with, if desired, the title 70 of the clip. Up-list and down-list
navigation arrows 72 may also be provided in the pane 66 as shown,
and a viewer can manipulate the remote control 28 to select the
arrows as desired to scroll through the playlist, with thumbnail
and title of the currently scrolled-to clip being displayed in the
pane 66.
[0028] While the particular UP NEXT VIDEO GUIDE FOR TV VIDEO PLAYER
is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood
that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present
invention is limited only by the claims.
* * * * *