U.S. patent application number 14/018304 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-09 for interactive access to media or other content related to current program.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONY ELECTRONICS INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Sony Corporation, Sony electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Steven Friedlander, Tracy Ho, Yuko Nishikawa, Sabrina Yeh, Hyehoon Yi.
Application Number | 20140013227 14/018304 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42729095 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140013227 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friedlander; Steven ; et
al. |
January 9, 2014 |
INTERACTIVE ACCESS TO MEDIA OR OTHER CONTENT RELATED TO CURRENT
PROGRAM
Abstract
A method for providing content related to a multimedia program
on a display device, including: monitoring a currently viewed
multimedia program by a user on a display device; retrieving
content related to the currently viewed multimedia program from a
content source based on information obtained from said currently
viewed multimedia program; and displaying at least a portion of the
content on a flexible user interface on the display device upon
request by the user; in which the user is able to adjust a size and
position of the flexible user interface on the display device.
Inventors: |
Friedlander; Steven; (San
Diego, CA) ; Ho; Tracy; (San Diego, CA) ;
Nishikawa; Yuko; (La Jolla, CA) ; Yeh; Sabrina;
(Laguna Beach, CA) ; Yi; Hyehoon; (Escondido,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sony electronics Inc.
Sony Corporation |
Parkridge
Tokyo |
NJ |
US
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SONY ELECTRONICS INC.
PARKRIDGE
NJ
SONY CORPORATION
Tokyo
|
Family ID: |
42729095 |
Appl. No.: |
14/018304 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12402215 |
Mar 11, 2009 |
8555167 |
|
|
14018304 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/716 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/47 20130101;
H04N 21/4622 20130101; H04N 21/4722 20130101; H04N 5/44591
20130101; H04N 21/4858 20130101; H04N 21/4316 20130101; H04N
5/44513 20130101; G06F 3/0481 20130101; H04N 21/44204 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/716 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0481 20060101
G06F003/0481 |
Claims
1. A method of providing content related to a multimedia program on
a display device, comprising: monitoring a currently viewed
multimedia program on a display device; retrieving content related
to said currently viewed multimedia program from a content source
based on information obtained from said currently viewed multimedia
program; and displaying at least a portion of said content on an
interactive user interface on said display device; wherein movement
of a user interface module of the interactive user interface is
performed with a single press of a button.
2. The method of claim 1, in which said content is displayed
simultaneously with said currently viewed multimedia program and
said user interface overlays at least a portion of said currently
viewed multimedia program.
3. The method of claim 1, in which said user interface is
positioned on said display device such that said user interface and
said currently viewed multimedia program do not overlap.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying either said
size or position of said user interface with a remote control
device.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting an amount of
said content displayed on said user interface by increasing or
decreasing said size of said user interface.
6. The method of claim 1, in which said user interface comprises at
least a first and a second module, such that said first and second
modules display different content related to said currently viewed
multimedia program.
7. The method of claim 6, in which a user is able to select which
of said at least first and second modules is displayed on said
display device.
8. The method of claim 6, in which said modules of said user
interface are separable, such that each of said modules is able to
be moved to different positions on said display device
independently of other modules.
9. The method of claim 8, in which a user is able to adjust a size
of each of said modules with a remote control device.
10. The method of claim 1, in which said content source comprises a
cable headend signal.
11. The method of claim 1, in which said content source comprises a
satellite dish signal.
12. The method of claim 1, in which said content source comprises
an Internet connection.
13. The method of claim 1, in which said user interface comprises
at least one application tool that allows said user to select
further related content not displayed on said display device.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein said related content comprises
other available multimedia programming related to said currently
viewed multimedia program, such that a user has an option to view
or record said available programming.
15. A multimedia user interface system for providing content
related to a currently viewed multimedia program on a display
device, comprising: a display device for displaying a currently
viewed multimedia program, said multimedia program comprising
metadata comprising information about said multimedia program; an
interactive user interface also displayed on said display device,
the interactive user interface configured; for retrieving only
content related to said information about said multimedia program
from a content source, said content being then displayed on said
user interface, wherein movement of a user interface module of the
interactive user interface is performed with a single press of a
button.
16. The system of claim 15, in which a size of said user interface
is adjustable, such that an amount of content displayed on said
user interface is adjusted by either increasing or decreasing said
size of said user interface.
17. The system of claim 15, in which said user interface is
modular, such that said user interface comprises at least a first
and a second module, each of said first and second modules
comprising different content related to said multimedia program,
and content displayed in each of said first and second modules is
able to be modified by a user.
18. The system of claim 17, in which said user is able to further
modify content displayed on said user interface by adding or
removing modules from said user interface.
19. The system of claim 15, in which said content comprises
metadata comprising information about other available multimedia
programming determined to be related to said multimedia
program.
20. A method of providing content related to a currently viewed
multimedia program on a display device, said method comprising:
with a control device, selecting modules for a user interface from
among a list of available modules, such that said selected modules
are displayed on a display device, each module containing a
different type of information, at least some of which is specific
to said current viewed multimedia program being shown on said
display device; with said control device, adjusting a size or
position of any of said modules independent of other said modules
on said display device and relative to a currently viewed
multimedia program being shown on said display device, wherein
movement of a user interface module of the user interface is
performed with a single press of a button.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Recent trends in multimedia applications, particularly with
television and other broadcasted multimedia, whether on the
Internet or over cable or satellite signals, show a move toward
more user interactivity, viewability, and
personalization/customization. These trends have been made possible
with advances in technology with respect to electronic transmission
speeds, transmission bandwidth and volume increases, and
computer/electronics processing power. Television broadcasts have
also become increasingly available through several different media
so that many people are able to view television programs and movies
either live or on-demand either on a television, a desktop
computer, a laptop, a handheld mobile device or any other device
capable of displaying multimedia.
[0002] Several attempts at providing more user interactivity have
included interfaces accessible to viewers that provide information
relevant to a user's preferences or "favorites" previously
identified or set up by the user. Other applications provide a glut
of information that may require users to sift through all available
content, both related and unrelated to a user's interests, in order
to find content relevant to him or her. Additionally, these
interfaces tend to have a static location and size such that they
obscure some portion of the screen from the visibility of the user
without allowing the user to modify which portion of the screen is
obscured.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of
the principles described herein and are a part of the
specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and
do not limit the scope of the claims.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary user interface on a
multimedia display device, according to principles described
herein.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary modular user interface on a
multimedia display device connected to a content source, according
to principles described herein.
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary modular user interface on a
multimedia display device, according to principles described
herein.
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary modular user interface on a
multimedia display device, according to principles described
herein.
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary modular user interface on a
multimedia display device, according to principles described
herein.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for
providing content related to a multimedia program on a display
device, according to principles described herein.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for
configuring a user interface, according to principles described
herein.
[0011] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers
designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The present specification discloses systems and methods
relating to an interactive user interface for a multimedia display
device, particularly in relation to retrieving and displaying
content related to a currently viewed multimedia program. An
interactive user interface with content related to a user's
currently viewed program allows easy user personalization and
customization and provides greater accessibility to related
programming and relevant information.
[0013] As previously mentioned, some systems of the prior art have
attempted to provide content which may interest users In some of
these systems, in order for a user to receive content relevant to
his or her preferences and interests, the user is required to input
certain preferences or select "favorites" including specific
programs or channels. After inputting the preferences, the systems
are then able to provide content related to users' specified
interests. In other systems, users receive content without
inputting preferences or selecting favorites, but the content
includes content both related and unrelated to the user's
interests, and the user is required to sort through all of the
provided content to find relevant content or information of
interest. The system of the present specification is able to
provide content about, and related to, a currently viewed
multimedia programming without requiring a user to input
preferences or select "favorites." In this manner, the present
system is able to provide customization which may suit the user and
his or her interests based on one or more programs the user has
selected to view.
[0014] As used herein and in the appended claims, the term "content
source" shall be broadly understood to mean any source from which
electronic data may be sent to an individual user, including a
cable headend or system used by a cable provider to distribute
cable television services, a satellite dish receiving a signal from
a satellite service provider, an antenna capable of receiving
over-the-air programming, the Internet, and any other medium from
which multimedia programming and information may be sent to at
least one user.
[0015] As used herein and in the appended claims, the term
"multimedia programming" shall be broadly understood to include
television programs, movies, on-demand content, video-on-demand
content, any other audiovisual program or content and other forms
of entertainment available for users with a television, monitor,
projector, screen, computer, personal digital assistant, mobile
phone or other similar entertainment or electronic display
device.
[0016] As used herein and in the appended claims, the term "display
device" shall be broadly understood to include any medium through
which multimedia programming can be displayed. Some examples may
include, but are not limited to, a television, monitor, projector,
screen, computer, personal digital assistant, mobile phone or other
similar entertainment or electronic display device or any such
device that may be connected to a content source.
[0017] In the following description, for purposes of explanation,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present systems and methods. It will
be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present
systems and methods may be practiced without these specific
details. Reference in the specification to "an embodiment," "an
example" or similar language means that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment or example is included in at least that one embodiment,
but not necessarily in other embodiments. The various instances of
the phrase "in one embodiment" or similar phrases in various places
in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment.
[0018] The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows an interactive user interface
("UI") (100) displayed on a display device (105) according to the
present specification. According to one embodiment, the display
device (105) may be a television screen, though in other
embodiments other display devices may be used. The UI (100) is
displayed on the display device (105) to present information at a
user's request. The user may send the request by pressing one or
more buttons on a remote control device (110).
[0019] The UI may be stored on a separate hardware (115) component
from the television, such as a digital video recorder.
Alternatively, the hardware component (115) may be integrated with
the display device (105) or the UI (100) may be integrated with the
display device (105). The hardware component (115) may have a
built-in hard drive, flash drive or other storage medium for
storing multimedia, program data, and/or other electronic content.
This allows the user to navigate the UI (100) and select specific
programs or content to view or record. The hardware component (115)
may also allow a user to store and play other multimedia such as
music.
[0020] The remote control device (110) may be specifically
configured to control both the hardware component (115) and the
display device (105). The user may press a button on the remote
control device (110) to cause the UI (100) to appear on the display
device (105) during a currently viewed multimedia program. Pressing
the same button may cause the UI (100) to disappear from the
display device (105), or it may change a certain visible aspect of
the UI (100), such as the appearance or information contained
therein. In the latter instance, repeatedly pressing the same
button may cycle through various changes in the appearance or
content in the UI until the end of the cycle is reached, at which
point the UI (100) will disappear from the display device (105).
The remote control device (110) also has additional buttons for
effecting various changes to the UI (100), which will be discussed
in more detail below.
[0021] In the present embodiment, the display device (105) is
connected to the hardware component (115), which is connected to a
content source (120) for receiving the multimedia programming.
Alternatively, the display device (105) may be connected directly
to the content source (120). As noted above, the hardware component
(115) may be a separate device, as shown in FIG. 1, or its
components or functionality may be integrated into the display
device (105).
[0022] As noted above, the content source (120) may be an antenna,
a cable headend, a satellite dish, or the Internet. The Internet
may be a particular important source of content because the
Internet is so widely available and the use of Internet in
providing multimedia content is continually increasing with
improved technological capacity and capability. In addition to
providing multimedia programming, the content source (120) may also
provide additional detailed information about each program, general
information about a specific program or station, as well as
information deemed to be related to each of the multimedia programs
and which may be useful to a user.
[0023] Such information may include details about a specific
(either current or future) episode of a currently viewed program.
The information may also include details about other available
programs through a program guide, which may be navigable and
updated regularly and stored on the hardware component. Additional
information may also be included in the content even if not
specifically enumerated in the present specification.
[0024] The type and amount of content available to a user may vary
depending on the content source (120). In one embodiment including
a cable headend as the content source (120), where the television
is connected to the cable headend and receives multimedia
programming from the cable headend, the content may be limited to
that which is provided by the cable system operator to which the
user is subscribed. In another embodiment, the display device (105)
or hardware component (115) is connected to the Internet in
addition to being connected to a cable headend, in which instance
more content is available for the user to view and browse from both
the cable system and the Internet. Accordingly, the system of the
present specification may be used in accordance with a subscription
to a cable, satellite, or other content provider and may
incorporate information and techniques available in the prior
art.
[0025] According to one embodiment, the content may be stored at
the content source such that it may be sent to the display device
(105) or hardware component immediately upon request by the user.
In another embodiment, the content may be stored at a different
location and retrieved by the content source and then sent to the
user's display device (105) or hardware component (115) upon
request by the user.
[0026] As indicated, the content may include programming
information, including details about a specific episode of a
currently viewed program, details about future episodes of the same
program, details about other available programs, or topical
information related to the currently viewed or available programs.
The content may also include other information and data not
enumerated in the current specification. In one embodiment, the
content associated with a multimedia program is included in
metadata embedded with the program which is not visible to the user
unless requested.
[0027] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the UI (100) has a plurality of
individual modules, each displaying a different category of
information related to the currently viewed program. In a first or
"title" module (200), for example, the title of the program is
displayed. A description of the program may be displayed in a
separate "description" module (205). The description module (205)
may include a synopsis of the currently viewed program, along with
producer, actor, or other such information. For movies that are
currently being viewed, the information may also include critic
ratings (such as the number of stars the program was given by
critics). The description module (205) may be larger than the title
module in order to allow more content to be displayed.
[0028] In a "details" module (210), display details such as screen
resolution (e.g., "1080/24p HD"), audio information, program source
(e.g., "Antenna," "Cable," or "Satellite"), program rating (e.g.,
"TV-PG"), and other details may be displayed. In addition, the
details module (210) may show whether a program is locked out to
viewers who do not have access to view the program.
[0029] Topics related to the currently viewed program may be
displayed in a "related topics" module (215). The topics may be
selected based upon metadata embedded within the program data. For
example, a user watching a sporting event may be shown information
related to the sporting event or channel currently viewed. The
related topics information may include statistics or other
information relating to the players, the venue, the sport or some
other aspect of the vent.
[0030] A "sort" module (220) may allow a user to sort the content
based on a variety of methods. For example, the sort module (220)
may allow the user to sort content according to the most viewed,
"Favorites", television programs only, movies only, related
content, or any other sorting method or criteria.
[0031] A "channel" module (225) may show a thumbnail view of the
currently viewed program, along with the current channel and/or
station. The user may also view thumbnails and channel information
about related or other available channels or programs in the
channel module (225). For programs that do not have a thumbnail
available, the channel module (225) may simply display either the
channel or station name or both. Upon finding a related channel or
program that interests the user, the user may change the channel to
the desired program such that the related channel or program is
displayed on the display device underlying or without the modules
of the UI.
[0032] A related program may not be currently broadcast at the time
the user is browsing, but the UI (100) may give the user the option
to record the program. A "time" module (230) may display the length
of the currently viewed program, in addition to indicating how much
time is left. This may be accomplished by a bar with an arrow or
other indicator to show where the program is currently. For
example, for a program that is broadcast or displayed from 10:00 PM
to 11:00 PM, the time module (230) may display "10:00 PM" and
"11:00" PM on opposite sides of the module, with a time indicator
bar in between. As the program advances, the indicator arrow moves
along the time indicator bar.
[0033] The user may select any of the modules using the remote
control device (110). A module may be selected by highlighting the
desired module. The user may highlight a specific module by
navigating through the modules with the remote control device
(110), which may include a directional pad or buttons with arrows
indicating directions that the user may move the highlighting. In
such a manner, the user is able to move the highlighting up and
down or left and right, such that the user may highlight any of the
modules displayed on the screen. Once a module is highlighted or
selected, the user may perform any of several actions on the
module. In one embodiment, each action may be performed by pressing
a button whose function is that specific action. In another
embodiment, the user may bring up a menu for the highlighted module
and select an action from the menu.
[0034] The user may also control which modules are included in the
UI, selecting only some of the available modules for display when
the UI is activated. The user may also control the relative
positioning, size and appearance of the selected modules within the
UI.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the details module (210) has been
highlighted (indicated by the dashed line). After highlighting a
module, the user may modify the module in a number of ways. In the
embodiment of FIG. 3, the details module (210) has been deleted,
and the "related topics" module (215) was moved into its place in
order to compact the UI (100). The related topics module (215) may
also be moved manually to replace the details module (210) or other
module which has been removed. Also, after deletion of the details
module (210), the UI (100) highlights the related topics module
(215) when it replaced the details module (210). Alternatively, the
UI (100) may highlight a default module, such as the upper-leftmost
module currently on the display device (105)--the title module
(200) in this embodiment--or the highlighting may be removed until
the user presses a button to select a module.
[0036] As indicated, modules may be deleted from or added to the UI
(100) by the user at any time. This may be done from a menu having
a list of available modules. The modules may be added one at a
time, or the user may be able to select a plurality of modules from
the list to be added through the use of checkboxes. The menu may
also show the modules currently displayed on the screen, which the
user may then leave in the UI (100) or deselect to remove from the
UI. One or more modules may also be added or removed by pressing a
button on the remote control device specifically configured to add
or remove a specific module or group of modules.
[0037] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the user is able to move
individual modules to different areas on the display device (105)
independently of the other modules. This may allow the user to
customize the UI (100) to his or her preference. Also, a certain
multimedia program may have information that the user may want to
see while utilizing the UI, but that might initially be covered up
by the UI. By allowing the user to move the modules separately, the
user may be able to arrange the UI so that specific portions of the
currently viewed program are not covered by the UI.
[0038] For example, the user may be watching a news program that
has a text field or ticker at the bottom of the screen displaying
information relevant to a current event, other news stories,
weather, stock information, or other information. If the text field
is covered up by one or more modules, the user is able to move the
modules to a different portion of the screen so that the entire
text field is visible. In another example, a user may be viewing a
sporting event that displays the score and time remaining at the
top of the display device (105). The user may adjust the position
of each of the modules so that none of the modules are covering
that portion of the screen while the user is utilizing the UI.
[0039] The movement of a UI module may be performed with a single
press of a button, which allows for quick movement to a
predetermined position. Alternatively, the user may select a module
and then move it through a series of steps in one or more
directions until it reaches a desired position. This method may be
used, as indicated above, to identify two or more locations for a
module which are then predetermined or pre-set. The user can then
toggle the module between these predetermined positions with, for
example, the press of single button. This allows for greater
customizability.
[0040] Adjusting the position may also be done by selecting a
specific position in a menu specific to that module. The modules
may also be shifted to the left or to the right of the screen
according to the user's desired viewing preference. Moving the
modules to different areas of the screen may also allow for better
readability of each of the modules by creating spacing between
them.
[0041] The entire UI (100) may also be moved by the user such that
the position of all of the modules is changed simultaneously. For
example, the user may press a button to change the position of the
UI from the top of the screen to the bottom of the screen. The
position of each of the modules within the UI may be adjusted to
make the UI flush with the bottom of the screen. Moving the entire
UI allows for quick adjustment to the display with little effort
from the user.
[0042] According to the embodiment of FIG. 5, the size of each of
the modules may be expanded or shrunk depending on the amount of
content in a specific module the user desires to view. For example,
the channel module (225) may be expanded to fill all or most of the
display device (105), consequently displaying more content than
when the module is in its default state. While browsing the
channels or programs related to the current program, the user may
desire to see more detail about the program, and so expands the
module to show the related programming in more detail. Upon
expanding, any modules behind the expanded module (500) are covered
such that they are not visible.
[0043] The expanded module (500) may show a portion of a
programming guide that the user may browse through to look at all
of the related programming. In addition to showing start and end
times of the programs, the expanded module (500) may also show a
brief synopsis for each of the related programs. The programming
guide may be navigable such that the user is able to select a
specific program to see the program information in greater detail,
including a brief or expanded synopsis, casting and production
information, program rating information or other information, as
well as provide options for locking or unlocking the program using
a password, recording the program, or removing the program or
channel from the related programming. After viewing and/or
selecting a related program, the module may be shrunk back to its
original size and any other modules that were hidden by the
expanded module (500) become visible.
[0044] Likewise, other modules may be expanded to show more
information with respect to the individual module. The description
module (205) may be expanded to show an expanded synopsis of the
currently viewed program, as well as additional detail as described
above in relation to the channel module (225). The details module
(210) may be expanded to show more detail about specific display
information regarding the currently viewed program and the display
device (105). The expanded details module (210) may also direct a
user to a settings menu that will allow the user to change
technical settings of the display device, such as for audio
preferences, parental locking systems, or other settings. The
related topics module (215) may be expanded to show more topics
relating to the currently viewed program. The topics may also be
displayed in greater detail, particularly if the display device
(105) or hardware component (115) is connected to the Internet. In
one embodiment, the expanded related topics module (215) may
display Internet links for websites for the displayed topics or
news headlines and articles on a certain topic. The time module
(230) may be expanded such that the time indicator bar is larger
and shows more detail. A larger time indicator bar allows a user to
more accurately jump to a desired time in the currently viewed
program.
[0045] The modules may also be shrunk depending on the level of
detail the user desires to view. In one embodiment, the UI (100)
may be shrunk such that information from some or all of the visible
modules is combined and consolidated such that it is displayed in
shortened form in a single module. This allows the user to view
basic information related to the currently viewed program while the
UI is overlaid on as little of the display device (105) as
possible.
[0046] In one embodiment, the transparency of the UI may be
adjusted such that the modules may be opaque, partially
transparent, or mostly transparent, so that the currently viewed
program is at least partially visible when the UI overlays or
overlaps with the currently viewed program. This may be done in a
settings menu, such as by expanding the details module, or by
pressing a button to bring up a settings menu on the screen. In
another embodiment, the UI (100) may be displayed on the display
device (105) such that none of the UI (100) is overlaid upon the
currently viewed program. This may be possible for a display device
when the currently viewed program is not displayed on the entire
display device. In such an embodiment, the currently viewed program
may be in a "decimated" or "shrunken" mode such that the program is
displayed in one section of the display device, such as a corner of
the display device, while the UI encompasses the rest of the
display device, or at least a portion of the rest of the device.
When shrinking the video for the currently viewed program, the
video resolution may be modified if desirable. In another
embodiment, such as when the display device has a blank portion,
the UI is displayed in the blank portion and does not overlap the
currently viewed program without shrinking or decimating the video
for the currently viewed program.
[0047] Modules may include applications or application tools that
allow a user to further customize the UI (100). According to one
embodiment, a module is an application tool that analyzes text from
closed captioning provided with a program and provides keywords for
the user derived from the text in the closed captioning. The
application tool may be affiliated with a specific program. For
example, during a news broadcast about a particular event or person
the application may analyze the closed captioning during the
broadcast and provide keywords related to the analyzed closed
captioning text. The closed captioning may also include information
included in scrolling headlines at the bottom of the screen while
another event is being discussed on the news broadcast. The user
may select one of the keywords to find other news stories related
to the keyword.
[0048] A method (600) for providing content related to a multimedia
program on a display device is shown in the flow chart of FIG. 6.
The method is performed through the use of an interactive user
interface on the display device. The steps include monitoring (605)
a currently viewed multimedia program on a display device. The
program may be a live or recorded television program or movie, as
well as an on-demand television program or movie or other
multimedia program. "On-demand" is used in the present
specification to describe programming which may be available at any
time the user chooses by selecting the program to watch. On-demand
programs may be accompanied by a fee for a single viewing or for
viewing multiple times within a predetermined time period.
[0049] In one embodiment, the method may include reading (610)
metadata associated with the currently viewed multimedia program,
such as title, program description, keywords related to the
program, or other information. In this manner, the UI may be able
to derive relevant content from the signal transmitting the program
in order to identify data and content related to the program. After
identifying the related content, the UI retrieves (615) content
related to the currently viewed multimedia program from a content
source based on information obtained from the program by comparing
the metadata with available multimedia programming and other
content from a content source. The UI is able to filter unrelated
content from all the available content at the content source so
that only relevant content is retrieved.
[0050] After retrieving the related content, the UI displays (620)
at least a portion of the content on a display device. The amount
and type of content displayed depends on how the user has set up
the UI, according to his or her preferences. This may include
content such as the title, program description, programs similar to
the currently viewed program, keywords derived from the metadata or
other means, and other such content.
[0051] The user is then able to adjust (625) the size and position
of the UI on the display device with a remote control device. As
described herein, the UI may be made up of modules that include
varying types of content related to the program. The user may be
able to add or remove modules according to the specific content the
user desires to view. The user may also expand or shrink the
modules to display more or less content than is shown by default.
Each individual module may be moved to different positions on the
display device so that the user may choose which portions of the
screen are visible.
[0052] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the configuration of the
UI described herein. As shown in FIG. 7, the system may display a
list of the modules available for inclusion in the UI (705). The
user can then select which of the listed modules should be included
in the UI (710). The UI, when displayed, then includes only those
modules selected by the user (715).
[0053] The user may then, with a remote control or other control
device, adjust the size of the modules (720). The size of each
module may be adjusted independent of the sizing of the other
modules. Alternatively, modules may be grouped and sized in one
action.
[0054] The user may then, with a remote control or other control
device, adjust the position of the modules (725). The position of
each module may be adjusted independent of the location of the
other modules. Alternatively, modules may be grouped and
repositioned in one action.
[0055] The preceding description has been presented only to
illustrate and describe embodiments and examples of the principles
described. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to
limit these principles to any precise form disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching.
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