U.S. patent application number 13/969506 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-20 for systems and methods for managing data in an intelligent television.
This patent application is currently assigned to Flextronics AP, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Flextronics AP, LLC. Invention is credited to Mohammed Selim, Fuqu Wu.
Application Number | 20140049693 13/969506 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50099797 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140049693 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Selim; Mohammed ; et
al. |
February 20, 2014 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING DATA IN AN INTELLIGENT
TELEVISION
Abstract
An intelligent television can store and retrieve data about
various functions of the television or associated with user
behavior. The stored data streamlines the processes of providing
electronic programming guide information, providing search results,
providing statistics about content, providing channel information,
etc. The unique set of data services in the intelligent television
receive, store, manage, and retrieve the data for various of the
applications or components.
Inventors: |
Selim; Mohammed; (Oakville,
CA) ; Wu; Fuqu; (Burlington, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Flextronics AP, LLC |
San Jose |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Flextronics AP, LLC
San Jose
CA
|
Family ID: |
50099797 |
Appl. No.: |
13/969506 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61684672 |
Aug 17, 2012 |
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61702650 |
Sep 18, 2012 |
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61697710 |
Sep 6, 2012 |
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61700182 |
Sep 12, 2012 |
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61736692 |
Dec 13, 2012 |
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61798821 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
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61804942 |
Mar 25, 2013 |
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61804998 |
Mar 25, 2013 |
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61804971 |
Mar 25, 2013 |
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61804990 |
Mar 25, 2013 |
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61805003 |
Mar 25, 2013 |
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61805053 |
Mar 25, 2013 |
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61805030 |
Mar 25, 2013 |
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61805027 |
Mar 25, 2013 |
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61805042 |
Mar 25, 2013 |
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61805038 |
Mar 25, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/570 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/414 20130101;
H04N 21/42203 20130101; H04N 21/4858 20130101; H04N 21/488
20130101; H04N 21/40 20130101; H04N 21/41265 20200801; H04N
21/42204 20130101; H04N 21/426 20130101; H04N 21/431 20130101; H04N
21/85 20130101; G06F 3/017 20130101; G06F 3/04817 20130101; H04N
5/50 20130101; H04N 21/44204 20130101; H04N 21/4725 20130101; H04N
21/6175 20130101; H04N 21/433 20130101; H04N 21/26291 20130101;
H04N 21/42206 20130101; H04N 21/4312 20130101; H04N 21/442
20130101; H04N 21/23109 20130101; H04N 21/42222 20130101; H04N
21/4316 20130101; H04N 21/4332 20130101; H04N 21/435 20130101; H04L
51/32 20130101; H04N 21/4532 20130101; H04N 21/8133 20130101; G06F
3/0481 20130101; G06F 2203/04804 20130101; H04N 21/4782 20130101;
H04N 21/235 20130101; H04N 21/47205 20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101;
H04N 21/4828 20130101; H04N 21/44213 20130101; H04N 21/8545
20130101; G06F 3/04842 20130101; H04N 21/25883 20130101; H04N
21/441 20130101; H04N 21/6582 20130101; G06F 3/04883 20130101; H04N
21/4823 20130101; H04N 5/445 20130101; H04N 21/2187 20130101; H04N
21/432 20130101; H04N 21/437 20130101; H04N 21/4753 20130101; H04N
5/44 20130101; H04N 21/42225 20130101; H04N 21/43 20130101; H04N
21/4415 20130101; H04N 21/4755 20130101; H04N 21/84 20130101; H04N
21/24 20130101; H04N 21/4221 20130101; H04N 21/475 20130101; H04N
5/45 20130101; H04N 21/4314 20130101; H04N 21/4788 20130101; H04N
21/47 20130101; H04N 21/4756 20130101; H04N 21/4821 20130101; H04N
21/4826 20130101; H04N 21/8173 20130101; H04N 21/8126 20130101;
H04N 21/4302 20130101; H04N 21/47202 20130101; H04N 21/485
20130101; H04N 21/8166 20130101; H04N 1/00448 20130101; H04N 21/25
20130101; H04N 21/2543 20130101; H04N 21/422 20130101; H04N 21/6125
20130101; H04N 21/8358 20130101; H04N 21/44222 20130101; H04N
21/25808 20130101; H04N 21/4307 20130101; H04N 21/4396 20130101;
H04N 21/472 20130101; H04N 21/25891 20130101; H04N 21/462 20130101;
H04N 17/04 20130101; H04N 21/42684 20130101; H04N 21/251 20130101;
H04N 21/258 20130101; H04N 21/4622 20130101; H04N 21/4882 20130101;
H04N 21/478 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/570 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/50 20060101
H04N005/50 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A method for managing data associated with an intelligent
television, the method comprising: automatically determining a live
television source; automatically scanning for one or more live
television channels in the live television source; and providing a
list of the live television channels.
17. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein the scan is
completed without input from a user of the intelligent
television.
18. The method as defined in claim 17, further comprising:
receiving an indication to begin a first time experience for the
user; and in response to the indication, automatically scanning for
the one or more live television channels.
19. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the first time
experience begins when the user first uses the intelligent
television.
20. The method as defined in claim 19, wherein the user provides
other selections during the first time experience.
21. The method as defined in claim 20, wherein the other selections
are made while the automatic scanning is on-going
22. The method as defined in claim 21, wherein the automatic
scanning occurs in the background.
23. The method as defined in claim 22, wherein the automatic scan
is of one or more of analog or digital television sources.
24. The method as defined in claim 23, wherein the automatic scan
is of two or more live television sources.
25. The method as defined in claim 24, wherein the list is
populated in a channel change user interface.
26. An intelligent television system comprising: a memory operable
to store social media data; a processor in communication with the
memory, the processor operable to: execute a live television source
plug-in operable to: automatically determine a live television
source; automatically scan for one or more live television channels
in the live television source; and execute a user interface
application in communication with the live television source
plug-in, the user interface application operable to provide a list
of the live television channels.
27. An intelligent television system as defined in claim 26,
wherein the processor is further operable to: receive an indication
to begin a first time experience for the user; and in response to
the indication, automatically scan for the one or more live
television channel, wherein the live television source plug-in is
operable to automatically scan for the one or more live television
channels, wherein the first time experience begins when the user
first uses the intelligent television.
28. The intelligent television system as defined in claim 27,
wherein the user provides other selections during the first time
experience, and wherein the other selections are made while the
automatic scanning is on-going.
29. The intelligent television system as defined in claim 28,
wherein the automatic scanning occurs in the background, wherein
the automatic scan is of one or more of analog or digital
television sources, and wherein the automatic scan is of two or
more live television sources.
30. The intelligent television system as defined in claim 29,
wherein the list is populated in a channel change user interface,
and wherein the scan is completed without input from a user of the
intelligent television.
31. A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor
executable instructions that cause a computing system to execute a
method, the instructions comprising: instructions to automatically
determine a live television source; instructions to automatically
scan for one or more live television channels in the live
television source; instructions to provide a list of the live
television channels.
32. The computer readable medium as defined in claim 31, the
instructions further comprising instructions to: receive an
indication to begin a first time experience for the user; and in
response to the indication, automatically scan for the one or more
live television channel, wherein the live television source plug-in
is operable to automatically scan for the one or more live
television channels, wherein the first time experience begins when
the user first uses the intelligent television.
33. The computer readable medium as defined in claim 31, wherein
the user provides other selections during the first time
experience, and wherein the other selections are made while the
automatic scanning is on-going.
34. The computer readable medium as defined in claim 31, wherein
the automatic scanning occurs in the background, wherein the
automatic scan is of one or more of analog or digital television
sources, and wherein the automatic scan is of two or more live
television sources.
35. The computer readable medium as defined in claim 31, wherein
the list is populated in a channel change user interface, and
wherein the scan is completed without input from a user of the
intelligent television.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefits of and priority,
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.
Nos. 61/684,672 filed Aug. 17, 2012, "Smart TV"; 61/702,650 filed
Sep. 18, 2012, "Smart TV"; 61/697,710 filed Sep. 6, 2012, "Social
TV"; 61/700,182 filed Sep. 12, 2012, "Social TV Roadmap";
61/736,692 filed Dec. 13, 2012, "SmartTV"; 61/798,821 filed Mar.
15, 2013, "SmartTV"; 61/804,942 filed Mar. 25, 2013, "SmartTV";
61/804,998 filed Mar. 25, 2013, "SmartTV"; 61/804,971 filed Mar.
25, 2013, "SmartTV"; 61/804,990 filed Mar. 25, 2013, "SmartTV";
61/805,003 filed Mar. 25, 2013, "SmartTV"; 61/805,053 filed Mar.
25, 2013, "SmartTV"; 61/805,030 filed Mar. 25, 2013, "SmartTV";
61/805,027 filed Mar. 25, 2013, "SmartTV"; 61/805,042 filed Mar.
25, 2013, "SmartTV"; and 61/805,038 filed Mar. 25, 2013, "SmartTV."
Each of the aforementioned documents is incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety for all that they teach and for all
purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Consolidation of device features or technological
convergence is in an increasing trend. Technological convergence
describes the tendency for different technological systems to
evolve toward performing similar tasks. As people use more devices,
the need to carry those devices, charge those devices, update
software on those devices, etc. becomes more cumbersome. To
compensate for these problems, technology companies have been
integrating features from different devices into one or two
multi-functional devices. For example, cellular phones are now
capable of accessing the Internet, taking photographs, providing
calendar functions, etc.
[0003] The consolidation trend is now affecting the design and
functionality of devices generally used in the home. For example,
audio receivers can access the Internet, digital video recorders
can store or provide access to digital photographs, etc. The
television in home audio/video systems remains a cornerstone device
because the display function cannot be integrated into other
devices. As such, consolidating home devices leads to integrating
features and functionality into the television. The emergence of
the Smart Television (Smart TV) is evidence of the trend to
consolidate functionality into the television.
[0004] A Smart TV is generally conceived as a device that
integrates access to the Internet and Web 2.0 features into
television sets. The Smart TV represents the trend of technological
convergence between computers and television sets. The Smart TV
generally focuses on online interactive media, Internet TV,
on-demand streaming media, and generally does not focus on
traditional broadcast media. Unfortunately, most Smart TVs have yet
to provide seamless and intuitive user interfaces for navigating
and/or executing the various features of the Smart TV. As such,
there are still issues with the consolidation of features and the
presentation of these features in Smart TVs.
SUMMARY
[0005] There is a need for an Intelligent TV with intuitive user
interfaces and with seamless user interaction capability. These and
other needs are addressed by the various aspects, embodiments,
and/or configurations of the present disclosure. Also, while the
disclosure is presented in terms of exemplary embodiments, it
should be appreciated that individual aspects of the disclosure can
be separately claimed.
[0006] A method for managing data associated with an intelligent
television, the method comprising: automatically determining a live
television source; automatically scanning for one or more live
television channels in the live television source; and providing a
list of the live television channels.
[0007] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the scan is
completed without input from a user of the intelligent
television.
[0008] An aspect of the above method further comprises: receiving
an indication to begin a first time experience for the user; and in
response to the indication, automatically scanning for the one or
more live television channels.
[0009] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the first
time experience begins when the user first uses the intelligent
television.
[0010] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the user
provides other selections during the first time experience.
[0011] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the other
selections are made while the automatic scanning is on-going.
[0012] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the automatic
scanning occurs in the background.
[0013] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the automatic
scan is of one or more of analog or digital television sources.
[0014] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the automatic
scan is of two or more live television sources.
[0015] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the list is
populated in a channel change user interface.
[0016] An intelligent television system comprising: a memory
operable to store social media data; a processor in communication
with the memory, the processor operable to: execute a live
television source plug-in operable to: automatically determine a
live television source; automatically scan for one or more live
television channels in the live television source; execute a user
interface application in communication with the live television
source plug-in, the user interface application operable to: provide
a list of the live television channels.
[0017] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the processor is further operable to: receive an
indication to begin a first time experience for the user; and in
response to the indication, automatically scan for the one or more
live television channel, wherein the live television source plug-in
is operable to automatically scan for the one or more live
television channels, wherein the first time experience begins when
the user first uses the intelligent television.
[0018] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the user provides other selections during the
first time experience, and wherein the other selections are made
while the automatic scanning is on-going.
[0019] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the automatic scanning occurs in the background,
wherein the automatic scan is of one or more of analog or digital
television sources, and wherein the automatic scan is of two or
more live television sources.
[0020] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the list is populated in a channel change user
interface, and wherein the scan is completed without input from a
user of the intelligent television.
[0021] A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor
executable instructions that cause a computing system to execute a
method, the instructions comprising: instructions to automatically
determine a live television source; instructions to automatically
scan for one or more live television channels in the live
television source; instructions to provide a list of the live
television channels.
[0022] An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes the
instructions further comprising instructions to: receive an
indication to begin a first time experience for the user; and in
response to the indication, automatically scan for the one or more
live television channel, wherein the live television source plug-in
is operable to automatically scan for the one or more live
television channels, wherein the first time experience begins when
the user first uses the intelligent television.
[0023] An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes
wherein the user provides other selections during the first time
experience, and wherein the other selections are made while the
automatic scanning is on-going.
[0024] An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes
wherein the automatic scanning occurs in the background, wherein
the automatic scan is of one or more of analog or digital
television sources, and wherein the automatic scan is of two or
more live television sources.
[0025] An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes
wherein the list is populated in a channel change user interface,
and wherein the scan is completed without input from a user of the
intelligent television.
[0026] A method for managing data associated with an intelligent
television, the method comprising: receiving media associated with
a user at the intelligent television; receiving one or more
user-defined organization criteria; storing the one or more
user-defined organization criteria; organizing media based on the
one or more user-defined organization criteria; and providing a
user interface having the media and organized based on the one or
more user-defined organization criteria.
[0027] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the media
includes one or more of a video file, and picture file, or an audio
file.
[0028] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the media
includes a source, and wherein the source of the media data is also
stored.
[0029] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the media
includes one or more items of metadata stored with the media, and
wherein the user-defined criteria sort the media based on one or
more of the metadata.
[0030] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the metadata
includes one or more of a location at which the media was created,
a time at which the media was created, and a date at which the
media was created.
[0031] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the media is
stored in a media database that is local to the intelligent
television.
[0032] An aspect of the above method includes wherein there are two
or more user-defined organization criteria are stored as categories
in the media database.
[0033] An aspect of the above method includes wherein a first set
user-defined organization criteria are associated with a first user
and a second set user-defined organization criteria are associated
with a second user.
[0034] An aspect of the above method further comprises: determining
whether new media has been received; if new media has been
received, retrieving the one or more user-defined organization
criteria; changing the user interface to incorporate the new media
while organized based on the one or more user-defined organization
criteria; and providing the changed user interface.
[0035] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the
intelligent television receives new media from a device in
communication with the intelligent television.
[0036] An intelligent television system comprising: a memory
operable to store social media data; a processor in communication
with the memory, the processor operable to: execute a live
television subservice operable to: receive media associated with a
user at the intelligent television; receive one or more
user-defined organization criteria; store the one or more
user-defined organization criteria; organize media based on the one
or more user-defined organization criteria; and execute a user
interface application in communication with the live television
subservice, the user interface application operable to provide a
user interface have the media and organized based on the one or
more user-defined organization criteria.
[0037] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the media includes one or more of a video file,
and picture file, or an audio file, and wherein the media includes
a source, and wherein the source of the media data is also
stored.
[0038] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the media includes one or more items of metadata
stored with the media, and wherein the user-defined criteria sort
the media based on one or more of the metadata, and wherein the
metadata includes one or more of a location at which the media was
created, a time at which the media was created, and a date at which
the media was created.
[0039] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein there are two or more user-defined organization
criteria are stored as categories in the media database, and
wherein a first set user-defined organization criteria are
associated with a first user and a second set user-defined
organization criteria are associated with a second user.
[0040] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the live television subservice is further operable
to: determine whether new media has been received, wherein the
intelligent television receives new media from a device in
communication with the intelligent television; if new media has
been received, retrieve the one or more user-defined organization
criteria; wherein the user interface application is further
operable to: change the user interface to incorporate the new media
while organized based on the one or more user-defined organization
criteria; and provide the changed user interface.
[0041] A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor
executable instructions that cause a computing system to execute a
method, the instructions comprising: instructions to receive media
associated with a user at the intelligent television; instructions
to receive one or more user-defined organization criteria;
instructions to store the one or more user-defined organization
criteria; instructions to organize media based on the one or more
user-defined organization criteria; and instructions to provide a
user interface have the media and organized based on the one or
more user-defined organization criteria.
[0042] An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes
wherein the media includes one or more of a video file, and picture
file, or an audio file, and wherein the media includes a source,
and wherein the source of the media data is also stored.
[0043] An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes
wherein the media includes one or more items of metadata stored
with the media, and wherein the user-defined criteria sort the
media based on one or more of the metadata, and wherein the
metadata includes one or more of a location at which the media was
created, a time at which the media was created, and a date at which
the media was created.
[0044] An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes
wherein there are two or more user-defined organization criteria
are stored as categories in the media database, and wherein a first
set user-defined organization criteria are associated with a first
user and a second set user-defined organization criteria are
associated with a second user.
[0045] An aspect of the above computer readable medium further
comprises: instructions to determine whether new media has been
received, wherein the intelligent television receives new media
from a device in communication with the intelligent television; if
new media has been received, instructions to retrieve the one or
more user-defined organization criteria; instructions to change the
user interface to incorporate the new media while organized based
on the one or more user-defined organization criteria; and
instructions to provide the changed user interface.
[0046] A method for managing data associated with an intelligent
television, the method comprising: receiving, by a processor of the
intelligent television, electronic programming guide (EPG)
information including a content listing including information about
two or more items of content that are or will be presented on the
intelligent television; storing the EPG information; receiving a
user-defined attribute associated with a first item of content; and
storing the user-defined attribute with the EPG information in the
content listing and associated with the first item of content.
[0047] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the
user-defined attribute is a favorite designation or a reminder.
[0048] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the EPG
information is for live television content.
[0049] An aspect of the above method further comprises displaying a
user interface including the EPG information.
[0050] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the user
interface includes a visual indicia associated with a portion of
the channel listing that provides an indication of the user-defined
attribute associated with the item of content.
[0051] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the visual
indicia is a star indicating that the content is a favorite.
[0052] An aspect of the above method further comprises: while
viewing the user interface including the EPG information, receiving
new EPG information; and dynamically updating the user interface to
provide the new EPG information.
[0053] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the
user-defined attribute is associated with a new item of content in
the new EPG information.
[0054] An aspect of the above method further comprises dynamically
adding a new visual indicia to a new item of content in the new EPG
information.
[0055] An aspect of the above method further comprises storing the
new EPG information with at least one user-defined attribute
associated with the new item of content in the new EPG
information.
[0056] An intelligent television system comprising: a memory
operable to store social media data; a processor in communication
with the memory, the processor operable to: execute a EPG
subservice operable to: receive, by a processor of the intelligent
television, electronic programming guide (EPG) information
including a content listing including information about two or more
items of content that are or will be presented on the intelligent
television; store the EPG information; receive a user-defined
attribute associated with a first item of content; and store the
user-defined attribute with the EPG information in the content
listing and associated with the first item of content.
[0057] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the user-defined attribute is a favorite
designation or a reminder, and wherein the EPG information is for
live television content.
[0058] An aspect of the above intelligent television system further
comprises the processor executing a user interface application
operable to display a user interface including the EPG information,
wherein the user interface includes a visual indicia associated
with a portion of the channel listing that provides an indication
of the user-defined attribute associated with the item of content,
wherein the visual indicia is a star indicating that the content is
a favorite.
[0059] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the EPG subservice is further operable to, while
viewing the user interface including the EPG information, receive
new EPG information, and wherein the user interface application is
further operable to dynamically updating the user interface to
provide the new EPG information, wherein the user-defined attribute
is associated with a new item of content in the new EPG
information.
[0060] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the user interface application is further operable
to dynamically add a new visual indicia to a new item of content in
the new EPG information, and wherein the EPG subservice is further
operable to store the new EPG information with at least one
user-defined attribute associated with the new item of content in
the new EPG information.
[0061] A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor
executable instructions that cause a computing system to execute a
method, the instructions comprising: instructions to receive, by a
processor of the intelligent television, electronic programming
guide (EPG) information including a content listing including
information about two or more items of content that are or will be
presented on the intelligent television; instructions to store the
EPG information; instructions to receive a user-defined attribute
associated with a first item of content; and instructions to store
the user-defined attribute with the EPG information in the content
listing and associated with the first item of content.
[0062] An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes
wherein the user-defined attribute is a favorite designation or a
reminder, and wherein the EPG information is for live television
content.
[0063] An aspect of the above computer readable medium further
comprises: instructions to display a user interface including the
EPG information, wherein the user interface includes a visual
indicia associated with a portion of the channel listing that
provides an indication of the user-defined attribute associated
with the item of content, wherein the visual indicia is a star
indicating that the content is a favorite.
[0064] An aspect of the above computer readable medium further
comprises: while viewing the user interface including the EPG
information, instructions to receive new EPG information; and
instructions to dynamically updating the user interface to provide
the new EPG information, wherein the user-defined attribute is
associated with a new item of content in the new EPG
information.
[0065] An aspect of the above computer readable medium further
comprises: instructions to dynamically add a new visual indicia to
a new item of content in the new EPG information; and instructions
to store the new EPG information with at least one user-defined
attribute associated with the new item of content in the new EPG
information.
[0066] A method for managing data associated with an intelligent
television, the method comprising: receiving a search query for
content in the intelligent television, wherein the search query
includes two or more terms; returning at least one result based on
the two or more terms; parsing the two or more terms; and storing
the search query and the at least one result, wherein the stored
search query includes the two or more terms.
[0067] An aspect of the above method further comprises: receiving a
new search query for content in the intelligent television;
retrieving the stored search query; and presenting the previous
search query as a selectable user interface device.
[0068] An aspect of the above method includes wherein two or more
search queries are stored and presented as previous searches.
[0069] An aspect of the above method further comprises: presenting
a first result after a first search term is entered; and
dynamically presenting a second result after a second search term
is entered.
[0070] An aspect of the above method further comprises: determining
if the search query is alphanumeric or statistical; if the search
query is alphanumeric, receiving the two or more terms; if the
search query is alphanumeric or statistical, determining the
statistic used for the search query.
[0071] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the statistic
is one of last viewed, most viewed, recently added, or
favorite.
[0072] An aspect of the above method further comprises returning a
result based on the determined statistic.
[0073] An aspect of the above method includes wherein at least two
most recently added returns are presented.
[0074] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the last
viewed result included content that was partially viewed.
[0075] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the search is
entered in a search panel that overlays the content being
viewed.
[0076] An intelligent television system comprising: a memory
operable to store social media data; a processor in communication
with the memory, the processor operable to: execute a live
television subservice operable to: receive a search query for
content in the intelligent television, wherein the search query
includes two or more terms; return at least one result based on the
two or more terms; parse the two or more terms; and store the
search query and the at least one result, wherein the stored search
query includes the two or more terms.
[0077] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the live television subservice is further operable
to: receive a new search query for content in the intelligent
television; retrieve the stored search query; and wherein the user
interface application is further operable to present the previous
search query as a selectable user interface device, wherein two or
more search queries are stored and presented as previous
searches.
[0078] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the user interface application is further operable
to: present a first result after a first search term is entered;
and dynamically present a second result after a second search term
is entered.
[0079] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the live television subservice is further operable
to: determine if the search query is alphanumeric or statistical;
if the search query is alphanumeric, receive the two or more terms;
if the search query is alphanumeric or statistical, determine the
statistic used for the search query, wherein the statistic is one
of last viewed, most viewed, recently added, or favorite; and
return a result based on the determined statistic.
[0080] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein at least two most recently added returns are
presented.
[0081] A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor
executable instructions that cause a computing system to execute a
method, the instructions comprising: instructions to receive a
search query for content in the intelligent television, wherein the
search query includes two or more terms; instructions to return at
least one result based on the two or more terms; instructions to
parse the two or more terms; and instructions to store the search
query and the at least one result, wherein the stored search query
includes the two or more terms.
[0082] An aspect of the above computer readable medium further
comprises instructions to: receive a new search query for content
in the intelligent television; retrieve the stored search query;
and present the previous search query as a selectable user
interface device, wherein two or more search queries are stored and
presented as previous searches.
[0083] An aspect of the above computer readable medium further
comprises instructions to: present a first result after a first
search term is entered; and dynamically present a second result
after a second search term is entered.
[0084] An aspect of the above computer readable medium further
comprises instructions to: determine if the search query is
alphanumeric or statistical; if the search query is alphanumeric,
receive the two or more terms; if the search query is alphanumeric
or statistical, determine the statistic used for the search query,
wherein the statistic is one of last viewed, most viewed, recently
added, or favorite; and return a result based on the determined
statistic.
[0085] An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes
wherein at least two most recently added returns are presented.
[0086] A method for managing data associated with an intelligent
television, the method comprising: receiving a selection of content
for the intelligent television; storing the selection of content;
and creating a database of content selected by a user, wherein the
selection is associated with the user.
[0087] An aspect of the above method further comprises: determining
if the content has been viewed; if the content has been viewed,
storing the selection; and if the content has not been viewed,
forgoing the selection.
[0088] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the
determination of if the content has been viewed is based on an
amount of time the user views the content before selecting another
user interface action.
[0089] An aspect of the above method further comprises: receiving a
designation of a favorite for the content; and storing the favorite
designation.
[0090] An aspect of the above method further comprises: receiving a
date and time; receiving new content at the intelligent television;
and storing information about the new content in the database.
[0091] An aspect of the above method further comprises: receiving a
request for statistical information; retrieving statistics on one
or more of selections or new content.
[0092] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the
statistics include one or more categories, wherein the categories
include one or more of most viewed content, last viewed content,
favorite content, or new content.
[0093] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the
statistics are presented in a user interface for the user to select
content based on the statistics.
[0094] An aspect of the above method further comprises providing
the statistics to a third party.
[0095] An aspect of the above method includes wherein the database
stores statistics for two or more users, and wherein the database
stores at least two statistics, in each category, for each
user.
[0096] An intelligent television system comprising: a memory
operable to store social media data; a processor in communication
with the memory, the processor operable to execute a statistics
subservice operable to: receive a selection of content for the
intelligent television; store the selection of content; and create
a database of content selected by a user, wherein the selection is
associated with the user.
[0097] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the statistics subservice is further operable to:
determine if the content has been viewed, wherein the determination
of if the content has been viewed is based on an amount of time the
user views the content before selecting another user interface
action; if the content has been viewed, store the selection; and if
the content has not been viewed, forgo the selection.
[0098] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the statistics subservice is further operable to:
receive a designation of a favorite for the content; store the
favorite designation; receive a date and time; receive new content
at the intelligent television; and store information about the new
content in the database.
[0099] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the statistics subservice is further operable to:
receive a request for statistical information; and retrieve
statistics on one or more of selections or new content, wherein the
statistics include one or more categories, wherein the categories
include one or more of most viewed content, last viewed content,
favorite content, or new content, and wherein the statistics are
presented in a user interface for the user to select content based
on the statistics.
[0100] An aspect of the above intelligent television system
includes wherein the statistics subservice is further operable to
provide the statistics to a third party.
[0101] A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor
executable instructions that cause a computing system to execute a
method, the instructions comprising: instructions to receive a
selection of content for the intelligent television; store the
selection of content; and create a database of content selected by
a user, wherein the selection is associated with the user.
[0102] An aspect of the above computer readable medium further
comprises instructions to: determine if the content has been
viewed, wherein the determination of if the content has been viewed
is based on an amount of time the user views the content before
selecting another user interface action; if the content has been
viewed, store the selection; and if the content has not been
viewed, forgo the selection.
[0103] An aspect of the above computer readable medium further
comprises instructions to: receive a designation of a favorite for
the content; store the favorite designation; receive a date and
time; receive new content at the intelligent television; and store
information about the new content in the database.
[0104] An aspect of the above computer readable medium further
comprises instructions to: receive a request for statistical
information; and retrieve statistics on one or more of selections
or new content, wherein the statistics include one or more
categories, wherein the categories include one or more of most
viewed content, last viewed content, favorite content, or new
content, and wherein the statistics are presented in a user
interface for the user to select content based on the
statistics.
[0105] An aspect of the above computer readable medium further
comprises instructions to provide the statistics to a third
party.
[0106] The systems and methods herein provide new processes for
managing data. The processes provide for data that streamlines
searches and that tracks user behavior. The data may then be used
to make the intelligent television operate more intuitively. These
and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure.
[0107] The phrases "at least one", "one or more", and "and/or" are
open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in
operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A,
B and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and
C", "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and/or C" means A alone,
B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, or A, B and C together.
[0108] The term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that
entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at
least one" can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be
noted that the terms "comprising", "including", and "having" can be
used interchangeably.
[0109] The term "automatic" and variations thereof, as used herein,
refers to any process or operation done without material human
input when the process or operation is performed. However, a
process or operation can be automatic, even though performance of
the process or operation uses material or immaterial human input,
if the input is received before performance of the process or
operation. Human input is deemed to be material if such input
influences how the process or operation will be performed. Human
input that consents to the performance of the process or operation
is not deemed to be "material."
[0110] A "blog" (a blend of the term web log) is a type of website
or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from
time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with
regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other
material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed
in reverse-chronological order.
[0111] A "blogging service" is a blog-publishing service that
allows private or multi-user blogs with time-stamped entries.
[0112] The term "cable TV" refers to a system of distributing
television programs to subscribers via radio frequency (RF) signals
transmitted through coaxial cables or light pulses through
fiber-optic cables. This contrasts with traditional broadcast
television (terrestrial television) in which the television signal
is transmitted over the air by radio waves and received by a
television antenna attached to the television.
[0113] The term "channel" or "television channel," as used herein,
can be a physical or virtual channel over which a television
station or television network is distributed. A physical cannel in
analog television can be an amount of bandwidth, typically 6, 7, or
8 MHz, that occupies a predetermine channel frequency. A virtual
channel is a representation, in cable or satellite television, of a
data stream for a particular television media provider (e.g., CDS,
TNT, HBO, etc.).
[0114] The term "computer-readable medium," as used herein, refers
to any tangible storage and/or transmission medium that participate
in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a
medium may take many forms, including but not limited to,
non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.
Non-volatile media includes, for example, NVRAM, or magnetic or
optical disks. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main
memory. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for
example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape,
or any other magnetic medium, magneto-optical medium, a CD-ROM, any
other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical
medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a
FLASH-EPROM, a solid state medium like a memory card, any other
memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter,
or any other medium from which a computer can read. A digital file
attachment to e-mail or other self-contained information archive or
set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a
tangible storage medium. When the computer-readable media is
configured as a database, it is to be understood that the database
may be any type of database, such as relational, hierarchical,
object-oriented, and/or the like. Accordingly, the disclosure is
considered to include a tangible storage medium or distribution
medium and prior art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in
which the software implementations of the present disclosure are
stored.
[0115] The term "enhanced television" (ETV) refers to a collection
of specifications developed under the OpenCable project of
CableLabs (Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.) that define an ETV
Application consisting of resources (files) adhering to the
Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) content format as well
as PNG images, JPEG images, and PFR downloadable fonts. An ETV
application is normally delivered through an MPEG transport stream
and accompanies an MPEG program containing video and audio
elementary streams. An "ETV Application" is a collection of
resources (files) that include one or more EBIF resources that
represent viewable information in the form of pages. Two forms of a
given ETV Application may be distinguished: (1) an interchange form
and (2) an execution form. The interchange form of an ETV
Application consists of the resources (files) that represent the
compiled application prior to its actual execution by an ETV User
Agent. The execution form of an ETV Application consists of the
stored, and possibly mutated forms of these resources while being
decoded, presented, and executed by an ETV User Agent. An "ETV User
Agent" is a software component that operates on a set-top box, a
television, or any other computing environment capable of
receiving, decoding, presenting, and processing an ETV Application.
This component usually provides, along with its host hardware
environment, one or more mechanisms for an end-user to navigate and
interact with the multimedia content represented by ETV
Applications.
[0116] The term "high-definition television" (HDTV) provides a
resolution that is substantially higher than that of
standard-definition television. HDTV may be transmitted in various
formats, namely 1080p--1920.times.1080p: 2,073,600 pixels
(approximately 2.1 megapixels) per frame, 1080i (which is typically
either 1920.times.1080i: 1,036,800 pixels (approximately 1
megapixel) per field or 2,073,600 pixels (approximately 2.1
megapixels) per frame or 1440.times.1080i:[1] 777,600 pixels
(approximately 0.8 megapixels) per field or 1,555,200 pixels
(approximately 1.6 megapixels) per frame), or
720p--1280.times.720p: 921,600 pixels (approximately 0.9
megapixels) per frame. As will be appreciated, "frame size" in
pixels is defined as number of horizontal pixels.times.number of
vertical pixels, for example 1280.times.720 or 1920.times.1080.
Often the number of horizontal pixels is implied from context and
is omitted, as in the case of 720p and 1080p, "scanning system" is
identified with the letter "p" for progressive scanning or "i" for
interlaced scanning, and "frame rate" is identified as number of
video frames per second. For interlaced systems an alternative form
of specifying number of fields per second is often used. For
purposes of this disclosure, "high-definition television" is deemed
to include other high-definition analog or digital video formats,
including ultra high definition television.
[0117] The term "internet television" (otherwise known as Internet
TV, Online Television, or Online TV) is the digital distribution of
television content via the Internet. It should not be confused with
Web television--short programs or videos created by a wide variety
of companies and individuals, or Internet protocol television
(IPTV)--an emerging internet technology standard for use by
television broadcasters. Internet Television is a general term that
covers the delivery of television shows and other video content
over the internet by video streaming technology, typically by major
traditional television broadcasters. It does not describe a
technology used to deliver content (see Internet protocol
television). Internet television has become very popular through
services such as RTE Player in Ireland; BBC iPlayer, 4oD, ITV
Player (also STV Player and UTV Player) and Demand Five in the
United Kingdom; Hulu in the United States; Nederland 24 in the
Netherlands; ABC iview and Australia Live TV in Australia; Tivibu
in Turkey; and iWanTV! in the Philippines.
[0118] The term "internet protocol television" (IPTV) refers to a
system through which television services are delivered using the
Internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network such as the
Internet, instead of being delivered through traditional
terrestrial, satellite signal, and cable television formats. IPTV
services may be classified into three main groups, namely live
television, with or without interactivity related to the current TV
show; time-shifted television: catch-up TV (replays a TV show that
was broadcast hours or days ago), start-over TV (replays the
current TV show from its beginning); and video on demand (VOD):
browse a catalog of videos, not related to TV programming IPTV is
distinguished from Internet television by its on-going
standardization process (e.g., European Telecommunications
Standards Institute) and preferential deployment scenarios in
subscriber-based telecommunications networks with high-speed access
channels into end-user premises via set-top boxes or other
customer-premises equipment.
[0119] The term "silo," as used herein, can be a logical
representation of an input, source, or application. An input can be
a device or devices (e.g., DVD, VCR, etc.) electrically connected
to the television through a port (e.g., HDMI, video/audio inputs,
etc.) or through a network (e.g., LAN WAN, etc.). Rather than a
device or devices, the input could be configured as an electrical
or physical connection to one or more devices. A source,
particularly a content source, can be a data service that provides
content (e.g., a media center, a file system, etc.). An application
can be a software service that provides a particular type of
function (e.g., Live TV, Video on Demand, User Applications,
photograph display, etc.). The silo, as a logical representation,
can have an associated definition or property, such as a setting,
feature, or other characteristic.
[0120] The term "panel," as used herein, can mean a user interface
displayed in at least a portion of the display. The panel may be
interactive (e.g., accepts user input) or informational (e.g., does
not accept user input). A panel may be translucent whereby the
panel obscures but does not mask the underlying content being
displayed in the display. Panels may be provided in response to a
user input from a button or remote control interface.
[0121] The term "screen," as used herein, refers to a physical
structure that includes one or more hardware components that
provide the device with the ability to render a user interface
and/or receive user input. A screen can encompass any combination
of gesture capture region, a touch sensitive display, and/or a
configurable area. The device can have one or more physical screens
embedded in the hardware. However a screen may also include an
external peripheral device that may be attached and detached from
the device. In embodiments, multiple external devices may be
attached to the device. For example, another screen may be included
with a remote control unit that interfaces with the Intelligent
TV.
[0122] The term "media" of "multimedia," as used herein, refers to
content that may assume one of a combination of different content
forms. Multimedia can include one or more of, but is not limited
to, text, audio, still images, animation, video, or interactivity
content forms.
[0123] The term "Intelligent TV," as used herein, refers to a
television configured to provide one or more intuitive user
interfaces and interactions based on a unique application platform
and architecture. The Intelligent TV utilizes processing resources
associated with the television to integrate Internet connectivity
with parallel application functionality. This integration allows a
user the ability to intuitively access various sources of media and
content (e.g., Internet, over-the-top content, on-demand streaming
media, over-the-air broadcast media, and/or other forms of
information) via the Intelligent TV in a quick and efficient
manner. The Intelligent TV can be a soft television. Although the
Intelligent TV disclosed herein may comprise one or more components
of a "smart TV," it is an aspect of the Intelligent TV to provide
expanded intuitive user interaction capability for navigating and
executing the various features of the television. A "smart TV,"
sometimes referred to as a connected TV, or hybrid TV (not to be
confused with IPTV, Internet TV, or with Web TV), describes a trend
of integration of the Internet and Web 2.0 features into television
sets and set-top boxes, as well as the technological convergence
between computers and these television sets/set-top boxes. The
smart TV devices have a higher focus on online interactive media,
Internet TV, over-the-top content, as well as on-demand streaming
media, and less focus on traditional broadcast media than
traditional television sets and set-top boxes. As can be
appreciated, the Intelligent TV encompasses a broader range of
technology than that of the smart TV defined above.
[0124] The term "television" is a telecommunication medium, device
(or set) or set of associated devices, programming, and/or
transmission for transmitting and receiving moving images that can
be monochrome (black-and-white) or colored, with or without
accompanying sound. Different countries use one of the three main
video standards for TVs, namely PAL, NTSC or SECAM. Television is
most commonly used for displaying broadcast television signals. The
broadcast television system is typically disseminated via radio
transmissions on designated channels in the 54-890 MHz frequency
band. A common television set comprises multiple internal
electronic circuits, including those for receiving and decoding
broadcast signals. A visual display device which lacks a tuner is
properly called a video monitor, rather than a television. A
television may be different from other monitors or displays based
on the distance maintained between the user and the television when
the user watches the media and based on the inclusion of a tuner or
other electronic circuit to receive the broadcast television
signal.
[0125] The term "Live TV," as used herein, refers to a television
production broadcast in real-time, as events happen, in the
present.
[0126] The term "standard-definition television" (SDTV) is a
television system that uses a resolution that is not considered to
be either high-definition television (HDTV 720p and 1080p) or
enhanced-definition television (EDTV 480p). The two common SDTV
signal types are 576i, with 576 interlaced lines of resolution,
derived from the European-developed PAL and SECAM systems; and 480i
based on the American National Television System Committee NTSC
system. In the US, digital SDTV is broadcast in the same 4:3 aspect
ratio as NTSC signals. However, in other parts of the world that
used the PAL or SECAM analog standards, standard-definition
television is now usually shown with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Standards
that support digital SDTV broadcast include DVB, ATSC and ISDB.
Television signals are transmitted in digital form, and their
pixels have a rectangular shape, as opposed to square pixels that
are used in modern computer monitors and modern implementations of
HDTV. The table below summarizes pixel aspect ratios for various
kinds of SDTV video signal. Note that the actual image (be it 4:3
or 16:9) is always contained in the center 704 horizontal pixels of
the digital frame, regardless of how many horizontal pixels (704 or
720) are used. In case of digital video signal having 720
horizontal pixels, only the center 704 pixels contain actual 4:3 or
16:9 image, and the 8 pixel wide stripes from either side are
called nominal analogue blanking and should be discarded before
displaying the image. Nominal analogue blanking should not be
confused with overscan, as overscan areas are part of the actual
4:3 or 16:9 image.
[0127] The term "video on demand (VOD)," as used herein, refers to
systems and processes which allow users to select and watch/listen
to video or audio content on demand. VOD systems may stream
content, to view the content in real time, or download the content
to a storage medium for viewing at a later time.
[0128] The term "satellite positioning system receiver" refers to a
wireless receiver or transceiver to receive and/or send location
signals from and/or to a satellite positioning system, such as the
Global Positioning System ("GPS") (US), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo
positioning system (EU), Compass navigation system (China), and
Regional Navigational Satellite System (India).
[0129] The term "display," as used herein, refers to at least a
portion of a screen used to display the output of the television to
a user. A display may be a single-screen display or a multi-screen
display, referred to as a composite display. A composite display
can encompass the touch sensitive display of one or more screens. A
single physical screen can include multiple displays that are
managed as separate logical displays. Thus, different content can
be displayed on the separate displays although part of the same
physical screen.
[0130] The term "displayed image," as used herein, refers to an
image produced on the display. A typical displayed image is a
television broadcast or menu. The displayed image may occupy all or
a portion of the display.
[0131] The term "display orientation," as used herein, refers to
the way in which a rectangular display is oriented by a user for
viewing. The two most common types of display orientation are
portrait and landscape. In landscape mode, the display is oriented
such that the width of the display is greater than the height of
the display (such as a 4:3 ratio, which is 4 units wide and 3 units
tall, or a 16:9 ratio, which is 16 units wide and 9 units tall).
Stated differently, the longer dimension of the display is oriented
substantially horizontal in landscape mode while the shorter
dimension of the display is oriented substantially vertical. In the
portrait mode, by contrast, the display is oriented such that the
width of the display is less than the height of the display. Stated
differently, the shorter dimension of the display is oriented
substantially horizontal in the portrait mode while the longer
dimension of the display is oriented substantially vertical.
[0132] The term "module," as used herein, refers to any known or
later developed hardware, software, firmware, artificial
intelligence, fuzzy logic, or combination of hardware and software
that is capable of performing the functionality associated with
that element.
[0133] The terms "determine," "calculate" and "compute," and
variations thereof, as used herein, are used interchangeably and
include any type of methodology, process, mathematical operation or
technique.
[0134] The term "touch screen" or "touchscreen" refer to screen
that can receive user contact or other tactile input, such as a
stylus. The touch screen may sense user contact in a number of
different ways, such as by a change in an electrical parameter
(e.g., resistance or capacitance), acoustic wave variations,
infrared radiation proximity detection, light variation detection,
and the like. In a resistive touch screen, for example, normally
separated conductive and resistive metallic layers in the screen
pass an electrical current. When a user touches the screen, the two
layers make contact in the contacted location, whereby a change in
electrical field is noted and the coordinates of the contacted
location calculated. In a capacitive touch screen, a capacitive
layer stores electrical charge, which is discharged to the user
upon contact with the touch screen, causing a decrease in the
charge of the capacitive layer. The decrease is measured, and the
contacted location coordinates determined. In a surface acoustic
wave touch screen, an acoustic wave is transmitted through the
screen, and the acoustic wave is disturbed by user contact. A
receiving transducer detects the user contact instance and
determines the contacted location coordinates.
[0135] The term "web television" is original television content
produced for broadcast via the World Wide Web. Some major
distributors of web television are YouTube, Myspace, Newgrounds,
Blip.tv, and Crackle.
[0136] The terms "instant message" and "instant messaging" refer to
a form of real-time text communication between two or more people,
typically based on typed text.
[0137] The term "internet search engine" refers to a web search
engine designed to search for information on the World Wide Web and
FTP servers. The search results are generally presented in a list
of results often referred to as SERPS, or "search engine results
pages". The information may consist of web pages, images,
information and other types of files. Some search engines also mine
data available in databases or open directories. Web search engines
work by storing information about many web pages, which they
retrieve from the html itself. These pages are retrieved by a Web
crawler (sometimes also known as a spider)--an automated Web
browser which follows every link on the site. The contents of each
page are then analyzed to determine how it should be indexed (for
example, words are extracted from the titles, headings, or special
fields called meta tags). Data about web pages are stored in an
index database for use in later queries. Some search engines, such
as Google.TM., store all or part of the source page (referred to as
a cache) as well as information about the web pages, whereas
others, such as AltaVista.TM., store every word of every page they
find.
[0138] The terms "online community", "e-community", or "virtual
community" mean a group of people that primarily interact via a
computer network, rather than face to face, for social,
professional, educational or other purposes. The interaction can
use a variety of media formats, including wilds, blogs, chat rooms,
Internet forums, instant messaging, email, and other forms of
electronic media. Many media formats are used in social software
separately or in combination, including text-based chatrooms and
forums that use voice, video text or avatars.
[0139] The term "remote control" refers to a component of an
electronics device, most commonly a television set, DVD player
and/or home theater system for operating the device wirelessly,
typically from a short line-of-sight distance. Remote control
normally uses infrared and/or radio frequency (RF) signaling and
can include WiFi, wireless USB, Bluetooth.TM. connectivity, motion
sensor enabled capabilities and/or voice control. A touchscreen
remote control is a handheld remote control device which uses a
touchscreen user interface to replace most of the hard, built-in
physical buttons used in normal remote control devices.
[0140] The term "satellite TV" refers to television programming
delivered by the means of communications satellites and received by
an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic reflector generally
referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is
concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an external
set-top box or a satellite tuner module built into a TV set.
[0141] The term "social network service" is a service provider that
builds online communities of people, who share interests and/or
activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and
activities of others. Most social network services are web-based
and provide a variety of ways for users to interact, such as e-mail
and instant messaging services.
[0142] The term "social network" refers to a web-based social
network.
[0143] The term "gesture" refers to a user action that expresses an
intended idea, action, meaning, result, and/or outcome. The user
action can include manipulating a device (e.g., opening or closing
a device, changing a device orientation, moving a trackball or
wheel, etc.), movement of a body part in relation to the device,
movement of an implement or tool in relation to the device, audio
inputs, etc. A gesture may be made on a device (such as on the
screen) or with the device to interact with the device.
[0144] The term "gesture capture" refers to a sense or otherwise a
detection of an instance and/or type of user gesture. The gesture
capture can occur in one or more areas of the screen. A gesture
region can be on the display, where it may be referred to as a
touch sensitive display or off the display where it may be referred
to as a gesture capture area.
[0145] The term "electronic address" refers to any contactable
address, including a telephone number, instant message handle,
e-mail address, Universal Resource Locator (URL), Universal
Resource Identifier (URI), Address of Record (AOR), electronic
alias in a database, like addresses, and combinations thereof.
[0146] It shall be understood that the term "means," as used
herein, shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in
accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim
incorporating the term "means" shall cover all structures,
materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents
thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the
equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the
summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings,
detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.
[0147] The term "social media" can refer to the means of
interactions among people in which they create, share, and exchange
information and ideas in virtual communities and networks.
Embodiments of social media can include a group of Internet-based
applications that allow the creation and exchange of content.
Furthermore, social media may depend on mobile and web-based
technologies to create highly interactive platforms through which
individuals and communities share, co-create, discuss, and modify
user-generated content. Social media differentiates from
traditional/industrial media in many aspects such as quality,
reach, frequency, usability, immediacy, and permanence.
[0148] The term "social media site" can refer to a social network
or social network service.
[0149] The term "social media posting" can refer to an item of
content or a provider of content on a social media site.
[0150] The term "social media poster" can refer to an author of an
item of content or a provider of content on a social media
site.
[0151] The term "social media pile" can refer to a user interface
where each social media posters is represented by a thumbnail or
other visual indicia. The social media pile can include two or more
thumbnails or visual indicia formed into an arrangement that
resembles a pile.
[0152] The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to
provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This
summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the
disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical
elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the
disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a
simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description
presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects,
embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure are possible
utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set
forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0153] FIG. 1A includes a first view of an embodiment of an
environment of an intelligent television;
[0154] FIG. 1B includes a second view of an embodiment of an
environment of an intelligent television;
[0155] FIG. 2A includes a first view of an embodiment of an
intelligent television;
[0156] FIG. 2B includes a second view of an embodiment of an
intelligent television;
[0157] FIG. 2C includes a third view of an embodiment of an
intelligent television;
[0158] FIG. 2D includes a fourth view of an embodiment of an
intelligent television;
[0159] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the hardware
of an intelligent television;
[0160] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the
intelligent television software and/or firmware;
[0161] FIG. 5 is a second block diagram of an embodiment of the
intelligent television software and/or firmware;
[0162] FIG. 6 is a third block diagram of an embodiment of the
intelligent television software and/or firmware;
[0163] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an embodiment of a handheld remote
control;
[0164] FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of a remote
control;
[0165] FIG. 9A is a bottom view of an embodiment of a remote
control with a joystick in a neutral position;
[0166] FIG. 9B is a bottom view of an embodiment of a remote
control with the joystick in a lower position;
[0167] FIG. 9C is a bottom view of an embodiment of a remote
control with the joystick in an upper position;
[0168] FIG. 10 is a plan view of another embodiment of a handheld
remote control;
[0169] FIG. 11A is a front view of an embodiment of an Intelligent
TV screen;
[0170] FIG. 11B is a front view of an embodiment of an Intelligent
TV screen;
[0171] FIG. 11C is a front view of an embodiment of an Intelligent
TV screen;
[0172] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a handheld
remote control of either FIG. 7 or 10;
[0173] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a content
data service;
[0174] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a data
service for statistics and other data associated with the
Intelligent TV;
[0175] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a channel
listing database;
[0176] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a media
database;
[0177] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a electronic
programming guide database;
[0178] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a past
searches database;
[0179] FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a statistics
database;
[0180] FIG. 20 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for
background scanning channels;
[0181] FIG. 21 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0182] FIG. 22 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for
managing media;
[0183] FIG. 23 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0184] FIG. 24 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0185] FIG. 25 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0186] FIG. 26 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0187] FIG. 27 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0188] FIG. 28 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0189] FIG. 29 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0190] FIG. 30 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0191] FIG. 31 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for
managing electronic programming guide information;
[0192] FIG. 32 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0193] FIG. 33 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0194] FIG. 34 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0195] FIG. 35 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for
managing data;
[0196] FIG. 36 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0197] FIG. 37 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0198] FIG. 38 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data;
[0199] FIG. 39 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for
an Intelligent TV for managing data; and
[0200] FIG. 40 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for
storing statistics about user behavior.
[0201] In the appended figures, similar components and/or features
may have the same reference label. Further, various components of
the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label
by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components. If
only the first reference label is used in the specification, the
description is applicable to any one of the similar components
having the same first reference label irrespective of the second
reference label.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0202] Presented herein are embodiments of a device. The device can
be a network-enabled telecommunications device, such as a
television, an electronic visual display device, or other smart
device. The device can include one or more screens, or sections of
a screen, that are configured to receive and present information
from a number of sources. Further, the device can receive user
input in unique ways. The overall design and functionality of the
device provides for an enhanced user experience making the device
more useful and more efficient.
[0203] Intelligent Television (TV) Environment:
[0204] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an Intelligent TV, or device,
100 is shown. It is anticipated that the Intelligent TV 100 may be
used for entertainment, business applications, social interaction,
content creation and/or consumption, and to organize and control
one or more other devices that are in communication with the
Intelligent TV 100. As can be appreciated, the Intelligent TV 100
can be used to enhance the user interactive experience whether at
home or at work.
[0205] In some embodiments, the Intelligent TV 100 may be
configured to receive and understand a variety of user and/or
device inputs. For example, a user may interface with the
Intelligent TV 100 via one or more physical or electrical controls,
such as buttons, switches, touch sensitive screens/regions (e.g.,
capacitive touch, resistive touch, etc.), and/or other controls
associated with the Intelligent TV 100. In some cases, the
Intelligent TV 100 may include the one or more interactive
controls. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more controls
may be associated with a remote control. The remote control may
communicate with the Intelligent TV 100 via wired and/or wireless
signals. As can be appreciated, the remote control may operate via
radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), and/or a specific wireless
communications protocol (e.g., Bluetooth.TM., Wi-Fi, etc.). In some
cases, the controls, whether physical or electrical, may be
configured (e.g., programmed) to suit a user's preferences.
[0206] Additionally or alternatively, smart phones, tablets,
computers, laptops, netbooks, and other smart devices may be used
to control the Intelligent TV 100. For example, control of the
Intelligent TV 100 may be achieved via an application running on a
smart device. The application may be configured to present a user
with various Intelligent TV 100 controls in an intuitive user
interface (UI) on a screen associated with the device 100. The
screen may be a touch sensitive, or touch screen, display.
Selections input by a user via the UI may be configured to control
the Intelligent TV 100 by the application accessing one or more
communication features associated with the smart device.
[0207] It is anticipated that the Intelligent TV 100 can receive
input via various input devices including, but in no way limited
to, video, audio, radio, light, tactile, and combinations thereof.
Among other things, these input devices may be configured to allow
the Intelligent TV 100 to see, recognize, and react to user
gestures. For instance, a user may talk to the Intelligent TV 100
in a conversational manner. The Intelligent TV 100 may hear and
understand voice commands in a manner similar to a smart device's
intelligent personal assistant and voice-controlled navigator
application (e.g., Apple's Siri, Android's Skyvi, Robin, his, and
other applications).
[0208] The Intelligent TV 100 may also be a communications device
which can establish network connections 104 through many alternate
means, including wired 108 or wireless 112 means, over cellular
networks 116 to connect via cellular base antenna 142 to telephone
networks operated by telephone company 146, and by using a
telephone line 120 to connect to telephone networks operated by
telephone company 146. These connections 104 enable the Intelligent
TV 100 to access one or more communication networks 132. The
communication networks may comprise any type of known communication
medium or collection of communication media and may use any type of
protocols to transport messages or signals between endpoints. The
communication networks may include wired and/or wireless
communication technologies. The Internet is an example of a
communication network 132 that constitutes an Internet Protocol
(IP) network consisting of many computers, computing networks, and
other communication devices located all over the world, which are
connected through many telephone systems and other means.
[0209] Other examples of the communication network 132 include,
without limitation, a standard Plain Old Telephone System (POTS),
an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), the Public Switched
Telephone Network (PSTN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area
Network (WAN), a cellular network, and any other type of
packet-switched or circuit-switched network known in the art. In
addition, it can be appreciated that the communication network 132
need not be limited to any one network type, and instead may be
comprised of a number of different networks and/or network
types.
[0210] In some embodiments, the Intelligent TV 100 may be equipped
with multiple communication means. The multiple communication means
may allow the Intelligent TV 100 to communicate across Local Area
Networks (LANs) 124, wireless local area networks (WLANs) 128, and
other networks 132. The networks 132 may be connected in a
redundant manner to ensure network access. In other words, if one
connection is interrupted, the Intelligent TV 100 can use an
alternate communications path to reestablish and/or maintain the
network connection 104. Among other things, the Intelligent TV 100
may use these network connections 104 to send and receive
information, interact with an electronic program guide (EPG) 136,
receive software updates 140, contact customer service 144 (e.g.,
to receive help or service, etc.), and/or access remotely stored
digital media libraries 148. In addition, these connections can
allow the Intelligent TV 100 to make phone calls, send and/or
receive email messages, send and/or receive text messages (such as
email and instant messages), surf the Internet using an internet
search engine, post blogs by a blogging service, and
connect/interact with social media sites and/or an online community
(e.g., Facebook.TM. Twitter.TM., LinkedIn.TM., Pinterest.TM.,
Google+.TM., MySpace.TM., and the like) maintained by a social
network service. In combination with other components of the
Intelligent TV 100 described in more detail below, these network
connections 104 also enable the Intelligent TV 100 to conduct video
teleconferences, electronic meetings, and other communications. The
Intelligent TV 100 may capture and store images and sound, using
associated cameras, microphones, and other sensors. Additionally or
alternatively, the Intelligent TV 100 may create and save screen
shots of media, images, and data displayed on a screen associated
with the Intelligent TV 100.
[0211] Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the Intelligent TV 100 can
interact with other electronic devices 168 by either by the wired
108 and/or wireless 112 connections. As described herein,
components of the Intelligent TV 100 allow the device 100 to be
connected to devices 168 including, but not limited to, DVD players
168a, BluRay players 168b, portable digital media devices 168c,
smart phones 168d, tablet devices 168e, personal computers 168f,
external cable boxes 168g, keyboards 168h, pointing devices 168i,
printers 168j, game controllers and/or game pads 168k, satellite
dishes 1681, external display devices 168m, and other universal
serial bus (USB), local area network (LAN), Bluetooth.TM., or
high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) compliant devices,
and/or wireless devices. When connected to an external cable box
168g or satellite dish 1681, the Intelligent TV 100 can access
additional media content. Also, as further described below, the
Intelligent TV 100 is capable of receiving digital and/or analog
signals broadcast by TV stations. The Intelligent TV 100 can be
configured as one or more of a standard-definition television,
enhanced television, and high-definition television. It may operate
as one or more of cable, Internet, Internet Protocol, satellite,
web, and/or smart television. The Intelligent TV 100 may also be
used to control the operation of, and may interface with, other
smart components such as security systems 172, door/gate
controllers 176, remote video cameras 180, lighting systems 184,
thermostats 188, refrigerators 192, and other appliances.
[0212] Intelligent TV:
[0213] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate components of the Intelligent TV 100.
In general, as shown by FIG. 2A, the Intelligent TV 100 can be
supported by a removable base or stand 204 that is attached to a
frame 208. The frame 208 surrounds edges of a display screen 212,
leaving a front surface of the display screen 212 uncovered. The
display screen 212 may comprise a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
screen, a plasma screen, Light. Emitting Diode (LED) screen, or
other screen types. In embodiments, the entire front surface of the
screen 212 may be touch sensitive and capable of receiving input by
the user touching the front surface of the screen 212.
[0214] The Intelligent TV 100 may include integrated speakers 216
and at least one microphone 220. A first area of the frame 208 may
comprise a horizontal gesture capture region 224 and second areas
comprise vertical gesture capture regions 228. The gesture capture
regions 224, 228 may comprise areas or regions that are capable of
receiving input by recognizing gestures made by the user, and in
some examples, without the need for the user to actually touch the
screen 212 surface of the Intelligent TV 100. However, the gesture
capture regions 224, 228 may not include pixels that can perform a
display function or capability.
[0215] One or more image capture devices 232, such as a camera, can
be included for capturing still and/or video images. The image
capture device 232 can include or be associated with additional
elements, such as a flash or other light source 236 and a range
finding device 240 to assist focusing of the image capture device.
In addition, the microphone 220, gesture capture regions 224, 228,
image capture devices 232, and the range finding device 240 may be
used by the Intelligent TV 100 to recognize individual users.
Additionally or alternatively, the Intelligent TV 100 may learn and
remember preferences associated with the individual users. In some
embodiments, the learning and remembering (i.e., identifying and
recalling stored information) may be associated with the
recognition of a user.
[0216] An IR transmitter and receiver 244 may also be provided to
connect the Intelligent TV 100 with a remote control device (not
shown) or other IR devices. Additionally or alternatively, the
remote control device may transmit wireless signals via RF, light,
and/or a means other than IR. Also shown in FIG. 2A is an audio
jack 248, which may be hidden behind a panel that is hinged or
removable. The audio jack 248 accommodates a tip, ring, sleeve
(TRS) connector, for example, to allow the user to utilize
headphones, a headset, or other external audio equipment.
[0217] The Intelligent TV 100 can also include a number of buttons
252. For example, FIG. 2A illustrates the buttons 252 on the top of
the Intelligent TV 100, although the buttons could be placed at
other locations. As shown, the Intelligent TV 100 includes six
buttons 252a-f, which can be configured for specific inputs. For
example, the first button 252a may be configured as an on/off
button used to control overall system power to the Intelligent TV
100. The buttons 252 may be configured to, in combination or alone,
control a number of aspects of the Intelligent TV 100. Some
non-limiting examples include, but are not limited to, overall
system volume, brightness, the image capture device, the
microphone, and initiation/termination of a video conference.
Instead of separate buttons, two of the buttons may be combined
into a rocker button. This rocker button arrangement may be useful
in situations where the buttons are configured to control features
such as volume or brightness. In some embodiments, one or more of
the buttons 252 are capable of supporting different user commands.
By way of example, a normal press has a duration commonly of less
than about 1 second and resembles a quick input. A medium press has
a duration commonly of 1 second or more but less than about 12
seconds. A long press has a duration commonly of about 12 seconds
or more. The function of the buttons is normally specific to the
application that is active on the Intelligent TV 100. In the video
conference application for instance and depending on the particular
button, a normal, medium, or long press can mean end the video
conference, increase or decrease the volume, increase a rate speed
associated with a response to an input, and toggle microphone mute.
Depending on the particular button, a normal, medium, or long press
can also control the image capture device 232 to increase zoom,
decrease zoom, take a photograph, or record video.
[0218] In support of communications functions or capabilities, the
Intelligent TV 100 can include one or more shared or dedicated
antennae 256 and wired broadband connections 260 as shown in FIG.
2B. The antennae 256 also enable the Intelligent TV 100 to receive
digital and/or analog broadcast TV channels. The wired broadband
connections 260 are, for example, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL),
an optical line, an Ethernet port, an IEEE 1394 interface, or other
interfaces. The Intelligent TV 100 also has a telephone line jack
262 to further provide communications capability.
[0219] In addition to the removable base 204, the Intelligent TV
100 may include hardware and mounting points 264 on a rear surface
to facilitate mounting the Intelligent TV 100 to a surface, such as
a wall. In one example, the Intelligent TV 100 may incorporate at
least one Video Equipment Standards Association (VESA) mounting
interface for attaching the device 100 to the surface.
[0220] As shown in FIG. 2C, the Intelligent TV 100 may include
docking interfaces or ports 268. The docking ports 268 may include
proprietary or universal ports to support the interconnection of
the Intelligent TV 100 to other devices or components, which may or
may not include additional or different capabilities from those
integral to the Intelligent TV 100. In addition to supporting an
exchange of communication signals between the Intelligent TV 100
and a connected device or component, the docking ports 268 can
support the supply of power to the connected device or component.
The docking ports 268 can also comprise an intelligent element that
comprises a docking module for controlling communications or other
interactions between the Intelligent TV 100 and the connected
device or component.
[0221] The Intelligent TV 100 also includes a number of card slots
272 and network or peripheral interface ports 276. The card slots
272 may accommodate different types of cards including subscriber
identity modules (SIM), secure digital (SD) cards, MiniSD cards,
flash memory cards, and other cards. Ports 276 in embodiments may
include input/output (I/O) ports, such as universal serial bus
(USB) ports, parallel ports, game ports, and high-definition
multimedia interface (HDMI) connectors.
[0222] An audio/video (A/V) I/O module 280 can be included to
provide audio to an interconnected speaker or other device, and to
receive audio input from a connected microphone or other device. As
an example, the audio input/output interface 280 may comprise an
associated amplifier and analog-to-digital converter.
[0223] Hardware Features:
[0224] FIG. 3 illustrates components of a Intelligent TV 100 in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In general,
the Intelligent TV 100 includes a primary screen 304. Screen 304
can be a touch sensitive screen and can include different operative
areas.
[0225] For example, a first operative area, within the screen 304,
may comprise a display 310. In some embodiments, the display 310
may be touch sensitive. In general, the display 310 may comprise a
full color, display.
[0226] A second area within the screen 304 may comprise a gesture
capture region 320. The gesture capture region 320 may comprise an
area or region that is outside of the display 310 area, and that is
capable of receiving input, for example in the form of gestures
provided by a user. However, the gesture capture region 320 does
not include pixels that can perform a display function or
capability.
[0227] A third region of the screen 304 may comprise a configurable
area 312. The configurable area 312 is capable of receiving input
and has display or limited display capabilities. In embodiments,
the configurable area 312 may present different input options to
the user. For example, the configurable area 312 may display
buttons or other relatable items. Moreover, the identity of
displayed buttons, or whether any buttons are displayed at all
within the configurable area 312 of a screen 304, may be determined
from the context in which the Intelligent TV 100 is used and/or
operated.
[0228] In an exemplary touch sensitive screen 304 embodiment, the
touch sensitive screen 304 comprises a liquid crystal display
extending across at least those regions of the touch sensitive
screen 304 that are capable of providing visual output to a user,
and a capacitive input matrix over those regions of the touch
sensitive screen 304 that are capable of receiving input from the
user.
[0229] One or more display controllers 316 may be provided for
controlling the operation of the screen 304. The display controller
316 may control the operation of the touch sensitive screen 304,
including input (touch sensing) and output (display) functions. The
display controller 316 may also control the operation of the screen
304 and may interface with other inputs, such as infrared and/or
radio input signals (e.g., door/gate controllers, alarm system
components, etc.). In accordance with still other embodiments, the
functions of a display controller 316 may be incorporated into
other components, such as a processor 364.
[0230] The processor 364 may comprise a general purpose
programmable processor or controller for executing application
programming or instructions. In accordance with at least some
embodiments, the processor 364 may include multiple processor
cores, and/or implement multiple virtual processors. In accordance
with still other embodiments, the processor 364 may include
multiple physical processors. As a particular example, the
processor 364 may comprise a specially configured application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other integrated circuit, a
digital signal processor, a controller, a hardwired electronic or
logic circuit, a programmable logic device or gate array, a special
purpose computer, or the like. The processor 364 generally
functions to run programming code or instructions implementing
various functions of the Intelligent TV 100.
[0231] In support of connectivity functions or capabilities, the
Intelligent TV 100 can include a module for encoding/decoding
and/or compression/decompression 366 for receiving and managing
digital television information. Encoding/decoding
compression/decompression module 366 enables decompression and/or
decoding of analog and/or digital information dispatched by a
public television chain or in a private television network and
received across antenna 324, I/O module 348, wireless connectivity
module 328, and/or other wireless communications module 332. The
television information may be sent to screen 304 and/or attached
speakers receiving analog or digital reception signals. Any
encoding/decoding and compression/decompression is performable on
the basis of various formats (e.g., audio, video, and data).
Encrypting module 368 is in communication with encoding/decoding
compression/decompression module 366 and enables the
confidentiality of all the data received or transmitted by the user
or supplier.
[0232] In support of communications functions or capabilities, the
Intelligent TV 100 can include a wireless connectivity module 328.
As examples, the wireless connectivity module 328 can comprise a
GSM, CDMA, FDMA and/or analog cellular telephony transceiver
capable of supporting voice, multimedia and/or data transfers over
a cellular network. Alternatively or in addition, the Intelligent
TV 100 can include an additional or other wireless communications
module 332. As examples, the other wireless communications module
332 can comprise a Wi-Fi, Blutooth.TM., WiMax, infrared, or other
wireless communications link. The wireless connectivity module 328
and the other wireless communications module 332 can each be
associated with a shared or a dedicated antenna 324 and a shared or
dedicated I/O module 348.
[0233] An input/output module 348 and associated ports may be
included to support communications over wired networks or links,
for example with other communication devices, server devices,
and/or peripheral devices. Examples of an input/output module 348
include an Ethernet port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port,
Thunderbolt.TM. or Light Peak interface, Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 port, or other interface.
[0234] An audio input/output interface/device(s) 344 can be
included to provide analog audio to an interconnected speaker or
other device, and to receive analog audio input from a connected
microphone or other device. As an example, the audio input/output
interface/device(s) 344 may comprise an associated amplifier and
analog-to-digital converter. Alternatively or in addition, the
Intelligent TV 100 can include an integrated audio input/output
device 356 and/or an audio jack for interconnecting an external
speaker or microphone. For example, an integrated speaker and an
integrated microphone can be provided, to support near talk or
speaker phone operations.
[0235] A port interface 352 may be included. The port interface 352
may include proprietary or universal ports to support the
interconnection of the device 100 to other devices or components,
such as a dock, which may or may not include additional or
different capabilities from those integral to the device 100. In
addition to supporting an exchange of communication signals between
the device 100 and another device or component, the docking port
136 and/or port interface 352 can support the supply of power to or
from the device 100. The port interface 352 also comprises an
intelligent element that comprises a docking module for controlling
communications or other interactions between the Intelligent TV 100
and a connected device or component. The docking module may
interface with software applications that allow for the remote
control of other devices or components (e.g., media centers, media
players, and computer systems).
[0236] An Intelligent TV 100 may also include memory 308 for use in
connection with the execution of application programming or
instructions by the processor 364, and for the temporary or long
term storage of program instructions and/or data. As examples, the
memory 308 may comprise RAM, DRAM, SDRAM, or other solid state
memory. Alternatively or in addition, data storage 314 may be
provided. Like the memory 308, the data storage 314 may comprise a
solid state memory device or devices. Alternatively or in addition,
the data storage 314 may comprise a hard disk drive or other random
access memory.
[0237] Hardware buttons 358 can be included for example for use in
connection with certain control operations. One or more image
capture interfaces/devices 340, such as a camera, can be included
for capturing still and/or video images. Alternatively or in
addition, an image capture interface/device 340 can include a
scanner, code reader, or motion sensor. An image capture
interface/device 340 can include or be associated with additional
elements, such as a flash or other light source. The image capture
interfaces/devices 340 may interface with a user ID module 350 that
assists in identifying users of the Intelligent TV 100.
[0238] The Intelligent TV 100 can also include a global positioning
system (GPS) receiver 336. In accordance with embodiments of the
present invention, the GPS receiver 336 may further comprise a GPS
module that is capable of providing absolute location information
to other components of the Intelligent TV 100. As will be
appreciated, other satellite-positioning system receivers can be
used in lieu of or in addition to GPS.
[0239] Power can be supplied to the components of the Intelligent
TV 100 from a power source and/or power control module 360. The
power control module 360 can, for example, include a battery, an
AC-to-DC converter, power control logic, and/or ports for
interconnecting the Intelligent TV 100 to an external source of
power.
[0240] Communication between components of the Intelligent TV 100
is provided by bus 322. Bus 322 may comprise one or more physical
buses for control, addressing, and/or data transmission. Bus 322
may be parallel, serial, a hybrid thereof, or other technology.
[0241] Firmware and Software:
[0242] An embodiment of the software system components and modules
400 is shown in FIG. 4. The software system 400 may comprise one or
more layers including, but not limited to, an operating system
kernel 404, one or more libraries 408, an application framework
412, and one or more applications 416. The one or more layers
404-416 can communicate with each other to perform functions for
the Intelligent TV 100.
[0243] An operating system (OS) kernel 404 contains the primary
functions that allow the software to interact with hardware
associated with the Intelligent TV 100. Kernel 404 can include a
collection of software that manages the computer hardware resources
and provides services for other computer programs or software code.
The operating system kernel 404 is the main component of the
operating system and acts as an intermediary between the
applications and data processing done with the hardware components.
Part of the operating system kernel 404 can include one or more
device drivers 420. A device driver 420 can be any code within the
operating system that helps operate or control a device or hardware
attached to or associated with the Intelligent TV. The driver 420
can include code for operating video, audio, and/or other
multimedia components of the Intelligent TV 100. Examples of
drivers include display, camera, flash, binder (IPC), keypad, WiFi,
and audio drivers.
[0244] Library 408 can contain code or other components that may be
accessed and implemented during the operation of the software
system 400. The library 408 may contain one or more of, but is not
limited to, an operating system runtime library 424, a TV services
hardware abstraction layer (HAL) library 428, and/or a data service
library 432. The OS runtime library 424 may contain the code
required by the operating system kernel 404 or other operating
system functions to be executed during the runtime of the software
system 400. The library can include the code that is initiated
during the running of the software system 400.
[0245] The TV services hardware abstraction layer library 428 can
include code required by TV services either executed in the
application framework 412 or an application 416. The TV services
HAL library 428 is specific to the Intelligent TV 100 operations
that control different functions of the Intelligent TV. The TV
service HAL library 428 can also be formed from other types of
application languages or embodiments of different types of code or
formats for code beyond the hardware abstraction layer.
[0246] The data services library 432 can include the one or more
components or codes to implement components for the data services
function. The data services function can be implemented in the
application framework 412 and/or applications layer 416. An
embodiment of a function of the data services and the type of
components that may be included is shown in FIG. 6.
[0247] The application framework 412 can include a general
abstraction for providing functionality that can be selected by one
or more applications 416 to provide specific application functions
or software for those applications. Thus, the framework 412 can
include one or more different services, or other applications, that
can be accessed by the applications 416 to provide general
functions across two or more applications. Such functions include,
for example, management of one or more of windows or panels,
surfaces, activities, content, and resources, The application
framework 412 can include one or more, but is not limited to, TV
services 434, TV services framework 440, TV resources 444, and user
interface components 448.
[0248] The TV services framework 440 can provide an additional
abstraction for different TV services. TV services framework 440
allows for the general access and function of services that are
associated with the TV functionality. The TV services 436 are
general services provided within the TV services framework 440 that
can be accessed by applications in the applications layer 416. The
TV resources 444 provide code for accessing TV resources 444
including any type of storage, video, audio, or other functionality
provided with the Intelligent TV 100. The TV resources 444, TV
services 436, and TV services framework 440 provide for the
different implementations of TV functionality that may occur with
the Intelligent TV 100.
[0249] One or more user interface components 448 can provide
general components for display of the Intelligent TV 100. The user
interface components 448 might be general components that may be
accessed by different applications provided in the application
framework 412. The user interface components 448 may be accessed to
provide for panels and silos as described in conjunction with FIG.
5.
[0250] The applications layer 416 can both contain and execute
applications associated with the Intelligent TV 100. Applications
layer 416 may include one or more of, but is not limited to, a live
TV application 452, a video on demand application 456, a media
center application 460, an application center application 464, and
a user interface application 468. The live TV application 452 can
provide live TV over different signal sources. For example, the
live TV application 452 can provide TV from input from cable
television, over air broadcasts, from satellite services, or other
types of live TV services. Live TV application 452 may then present
the multimedia presentation or video and audio presentation of the
live television signal over the display of the Intelligent TV
100.
[0251] The video on demand application 456 can provide for video
from different storage sources. Unlike Live TV application 452,
video on demand 456 provides for display of videos that are
accessed from some memory source. The sources of the video on
demand can be associated with users or with the Intelligent TV or
some other type of service. For example, the video on demand 456
may be provided from an iTunes library stored in a cloud, from a
local disc storage that contains stored video programs, or from
some other source.
[0252] The media center application 460 can provide applications
for different types of media presentation. For example, the media
center 460 can provide for displaying pictures or audio that is
different from, but still accessible by the user and different from
live TV or video on demand. The media center 460 allows for the
access of different sources to obtain the media in the display of
such media on the Intelligent TV 100.
[0253] The application center 464 allows for the provision, storage
and use of applications. An application can be a game, a
productivity application, or some other application generally
associated with computer systems or other devices, but may be
operated within the Intelligent TV. An application center 464 may
obtain these applications from different sources, store them
locally and then execute those types of applications for the user
on the Intelligent TV 100.
[0254] User interface application 468 provides for the specific
user interfaces associated with the Intelligent TV 100. These user
interfaces can include the silos and panels that are described in
FIG. 5. An embodiment of the user interface software 500 is shown
in FIG. 5. Here the application framework 412 contains one or more
code components which help control the user interface events while
one or more applications in the applications layer 416 affects the
user interface use for the Intelligent TV 100. The application
framework 412 can include a silo transition controller 504 and/or
an input event dispatcher 508. There may be more or fewer code
components in the application framework 412 than those shown in
FIG. 5. The silo transition controller 504 contains the code and
language that manages the transitions between one or more silos. A
silo can be a vertical user interface feature on the Intelligent TV
that contains information for user. The transition controller 504
can manage the changes between two silos when an event occurs in
the user interface. The input event dispatcher 508 can receive user
interface events that may be received from the operating system and
provided to the input event dispatcher 508. These events can
include selections of buttons on a remote control or on the TV or
other types of user interface inputs. The input event dispatcher
508 may then send these events to a silo manager 532 or panel
manager 536 depending on the type of the event. The silo transition
controller 504 can interface with the silo manager 532 to affect
changes in the silos.
[0255] The applications layer 416 can include a user interface
application 468 and/or a silo application 512. The applications
layer 416 can include more or fewer user interface applications as
necessary to control the user interface of the Intelligent TV 100
than those shown in FIG. 5. The user interface application 468 can
include a silo manager 532, a panel manager 536, and one or more
types of panels 516-528. The silo manager 532 manages the display
and/or features of silos. The silo manager 532 can receive or send
information from the silo transition controller 504 or the input
event dispatcher 508 to change the silos displayed and/or to
determine types of input received in the silos.
[0256] A panel manager 536 is operable to display panels in the
user interface to manage transitions between those panels or to
affect user interface inputs received in the panel. The panel
manager 536 may thus be in communication with different user
interface panels such as a global panel 516, a volume panel 520, a
settings panel 524, and/or a notification panel 528. The panel
manager 536 can display these types of panels depending on the
inputs received from the input event dispatcher 508. The global
panel 516 may include information that is associated with the home
screen or top level hierarchal information for the user. A volume
panel 520 may display information about an audio volume control or
other settings for volume. A settings panel 524 can include
information displayed about the settings of the audio or video, or
other settable characteristics of the Intelligent TV 100. A
notification panel 528 can provide information about notifications
to a user. These notifications can be associated with information,
such as, video on demand displays, favorites, currently provided
programs, or other information. Notifications can be associated
with the media or with some type of setting, or operation or the
Intelligent TV 100. The panel manager 536 may be in communication
with the panel controller 552 of the silo application 512.
[0257] The panel controller 552 may operate to control portions of
the panels of the types described previously. Thus, the panel
controller 552 may be in communication with a top panel application
540, an application panel 544, and/or bottom panel 548. These types
of panels may be differently displayed in the user interface of the
Intelligent TV 100. The panel control thus may be based on the
configuration of the system or the type of display being used
currently, put the types of panels 516-528 into a certain display
orientation governed by the top panel application 540, application
panel 544, or bottom panel application 548.
[0258] An embodiment of the data service 432 and the operation of
the data management is shown in FIG. 6. The data management 600 can
include one or more code components that are associated with
different types of data. For example, there may be code components
within the data service 432 that execute and are associated with
video on demand, the electronic program guide, or media data. There
may be more or fewer types of data service 432 components than
those shown in FIG. 6. Each of the different types of data may
include a data model 604-612. The data models govern what
information is to be stored and how that information will be stored
by the data service. Thus, the data model can govern regardless of
where the data comes from, how the data will be received or managed
within the Intelligent TV system. Thus, the data model 604, 608,
and/or 612, can provide a translation ability or affect the ability
to translate data from one form to another to be used by the
Intelligent TV 100.
[0259] The different types of data services (video on demand,
electronic programming guide, media) each have a data subservice
620, 624, and/or 628 that is in communication with one or more
internal and/or external content providers 616. The data
subservices 620, 624, and 628 that communicate with the content
providers 616 to obtain data that may then be stored in databases
632, 636, and 640. The subservices 620, 624, and 628 may
communicate with and initiate or enable one or more source plug-ins
644, 648, and 652 to communicate with the content provider. For
each content provider 616, there may be a different source plug-in
644, 648, and 652. Thus, if there is more than one source of
content for the data, each of the data subservices 620, 624, and
628 may determine and then enable or initiate a different source
plug-in 644, 648, and/or 652. The content providers 616 may also
provide information to a resource arbitrator 656 and/or thumbnail
cache manager 660. The resource arbitrator 656 may operate to
communicate with resources 664 that are external to the data
service 432. Thus, the resource arbitrator 656 may communicate with
cloud based storage, network based storage, or other types of
external storage in the resources 664. This information may then be
provided through the content provider module 616 to the data
subservices 620, 624, 628. Likewise, a thumbnail cache manager 660
may obtain thumbnail information from one of the data subservices
620, 624, 628 and store that information in the thumbnails database
668. Further, the thumbnail cache manager 660 may extract or
retrieve that information from the thumbnails database 668 to
provide to one of the data subservices 620, 624, 628.
[0260] An exemplary content aggregation architecture 1300 is shown
in FIG. 13. The architecture can include a user interface layer
1304 and a content aggregation layer 1308. The user interface layer
1304 may include a TV application 1312, media player 1316, and
application(s) 1320. The TV application 1312 enables the viewer to
view channels received via an appropriate transmission medium, such
as cable, satellite, and/or the Internet. The media player 1316
views other types of media received via an appropriate transmission
medium, such as the Internet. The application(s) 1320 include other
TV-related (pre-installed) applications, such as content viewing,
content searching, device viewing, and setup algorithms, and
coordinates with the media player 1316 to provide information to
the viewer.
[0261] The content source layer 1308 includes, as data services, a
content source service 1328, a content aggregation service 1332 and
a content presentation service 1336. The content source service
1328 can manage content source investigators, including local
and/or network file system(s), digital network device manager
(which discovers handheld and non-handheld devices (e.g., digital
media servers, players, renderers, controllers, printers,
uploaders, downloaders, network connectivity functions, and
interoperability units) by known techniques, such as a multicast
universal plug and play or UPnP discovery techniques, and, for each
discovered device, retrieves, parses, and encodes device
descriptors, notifies the content source service of the newly
discovered device, and provides information, such as an index, on
previously discovered devices), Internet Protocol Television or
IPTV, digital television or DTV (including high definition and
enhanced TV), third party services (such as those referenced
above), and applications (such as Android applications).
[0262] Content source investigators can track content sources and
are typically configured as binaries. The content source service
1328 starts content source investigators and maintains open and
persistent channels for communications. The communications include
query or command and response pairs. The content aggregation
service 1332 can manage content metadata fetchers, such as for
video, audio, and/or picture metadata. The content presentation
service 1336 may provide interfaces to the content index 1340, such
as an Android application interface and digital device
interfaces.
[0263] The content source service 1328 can send and receive
communications 1344 to and from the content aggregation service
1332. The communications can include notifications regarding new
and removed digital devices and/or content and search queries and
results. The content aggregation service 1332 can send and receive
communications 1348 to and from the content presentation service
1336 including device and/or content lookup notifications,
content-of-interest advisories and notifications, and search
queries and results.
[0264] When a search is performed, particularly when the user is
searching or browsing content, a user request may be received from
the user interface layer 1300, by the content presentation service
1336, which responsively opens a socket and sends the request to
the content aggregation service 1332. The content aggregation
service 1332 first returns results from the local database 1340.
The local database 1340 includes an index or data model and indexed
metadata. The content source service 1328 further issues search and
browse requests for all content source investigators and other data
management systems. The results are forwarded to the content
aggregation service 1332, which updates the database 1340 to
reflect the further search results and provides the original
content aggregation database search results and the data updates,
reflecting the additional content source service search results,
over the previously opened socket to the content presentation
service 1336. The content presentation service 1336 then provides
the results to one or more components in the user interface layer
1300 for presentation to the viewer. When the search session is
over (e.g., the search session is terminated by the user or by an
action associated with user), the user interface layer 1300
disconnects the socket. As shown, media can be provided directly by
the content aggregation service 1332 to the media player 1316 for
presentation to the user.
[0265] Remote Control:
[0266] A handheld remote control can be provided to enable user
interaction with the Intelligent TV 100. An exemplary handheld
remote control is shown in FIGS. 7-9. The remote control 700 can
include one or more of, but is not limited to, top, side and bottom
housings 704, 708, and 712, an (on/off) power button 716, an input
source button 720 (to select input source such as Live TV, video on
demand, media center, application center, high definition
multimedia interface or HDMI, component or COMP, audio/Video or
A/V, digital or analog television or DTV/ATV, and video graphics
array (VGA)), a (volume) mute button 724, a Live TV button 728 (to
activate or select the Live TV silo), a video on demand (VOD)
button 732 (to activate or select the video on demand silo), a
media center button 736 (to activate or select the media center
application or silo, which access various types of media such as
music, TV programming, videos, and the like), an application center
button 740 (to activate or select the application center
application or silo), a global panel button 744, an application
panel button 748, a back button 752 (to select a prior user
operation or Intelligent TV state and/or navigate up a hierarchy of
any displayed image or object(s) (in which case the back button 752
does not navigate within application panels or across application
silos), a play button 756 (to play or pause media), a D-pad 760
(which includes north, east, west, and south directional arrows to
navigate among displayed images and/or move between levels of an
application's or object's hierarchy such as application view
navigation, panel navigation, and collection navigation), an OK (or
select) button 764 (to select a highlighted displayed image (such
as displayed speed control, rewind, forward, play, and pause
objects and/or objects on menu bar or in a menu box) and/or
navigate down a hierarchy of any displayed image or object(s)), a
rocker-type volume-up and volume-down button 768 (to adjust the
volume), a menu/guide button 772 (to select for display a menu or
guide of programming), a 0-9 (number) button 776 (to display a
number pad on the TV screen), a settings button 780 (which launches
an application to access current and change TV settings (such as
channel settings and settings used to adjust picture and sound
effects (e.g., image mode (e.g., standard, playground, game,
cinema, concert, and studio), brightness, contrast, saturation,
color temperature, energy savings, 3D noise reduction, hue,
sharpness, zoom mode (e.g., full screen, standard, smart zoom, and
dot-to-dot), picture position, 3D mode, for picture, and sound
retrieval system or SRS TruSurround, sound mode (e.g., standard,
live 1, live 2, theatre, music, speech, user equalizer mode,
Left/Right speaker balance, auto volume control, Sony/Philips
Interconnect Format or S/PDIF (off, auto, pulse code modulation or
PCM) for sound) and system settings (such as system (e.g., selected
language for graphical user interface, user geographical and/or
geopolitical location information, input method, area settings, and
sleep time), network (e.g., WiFi, WiFi hotspot, WiFi direct,
Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet or PPPoE (asymmetric digital
subscriber line or ADSL), Ethernet) settings (e.g., enabled and
disabled and selected and non-selected) and information (e.g.,
network information (e.g., electronic address such as Internet
Protocol or IP address, subnet mask, gateway, domain name server
information, domain name, Media Access Control or MAC address,
service set identification or SSID, security information, and
password information) and inline status), manage applications
(e.g., currently installed applications, currently executing
applications, and internal and external computer readable medium
usage), and view user information regarding the Intelligent TV
100)), a rocker-type channel-up and channel-down button 784 (to
increment or decrement the selected channel), and first, second,
third and fourth hotkeys 788, 792, 794, and 796, and/or a moveable
joystick 900 on a bottom of the remote control 700. The first,
second, third, and fourth hotkeys are generally assigned different
colors, which color indexing is depicted as visual indicia on a
selected panel to show the currently assigned function, if any, for
each hotkey. As can be seen, the actuator layout can provide a
highly efficient, satisfactory, and easily usable experience to the
end user.
[0267] Unlike the functional associations and functions of many of
the actuators, those of some of the actuators are not readily
apparent. A number of examples will now be discussed by way of
illustration.
[0268] The media center button 736, when selected, can provide
information regarding music, videos, photographs, collections or
groupings of music, videos, and/or photographs, and internal and
external computational devices (such as personal computers,
laptops, tablet computers, wireless phones, removable computer
readable media, and the like), which can be grouped in a selected
manner (such as favorites, most recently viewed, most watched or
viewed, and most recently added). The information can includes
previews (which can include selected portions of the media content,
duration, file size, date created, date last watched, times watched
or viewed, and audio and/or video format information).
[0269] The application center button 740, when selected, may
provide information regarding pre-installed and downloaded
applications. Unlike downloaded applications, pre-installed
applications cannot be removed by the user or manually updated.
Exemplary pre-installed applications include web browser, settings
control, and content search algorithms. By way of illustration, the
application center button 740 can provide a scrollable graphical
grid of icons (each icon being associated with an application)
currently available in the application center.
[0270] The global panel button 744, when selected, can provide the
user, via one or more panels or windows, with access to one or more
of, but not limited to, silos, notifications, a web browser, system
settings, and/or information associated therewith. For example, the
global panel button 744 can enable the user to determine what
external devices are currently connected to and/or disconnected
from the Intelligent TV 100, determine what inputs (e.g., HDMI
ports) are currently available for connecting to external devices,
determine a connection and/or operational status of a selected
external device and/or network (e.g., WiFi connected, Ethernet
connected, and offline), assign a custom (or user selected) name to
each input source, determine what content is currently being
offered on Live TV, on demand, the media center, and/or the
application center, access vendor messages and notifications to the
user (e.g., system and/or application updates are available),
activate the Internet browser, and/or access shortcuts on a
displayed shortcut bar to more frequently used and desired
applications. Common shortcuts are Internet browser (e.g., Internet
search engine), system settings, and notifications. The common
types of panels are for information (which is typically information
related to a currently displayed image and/or content (e.g., title,
date/time, audio/visual indicator, rating, and genre), browse
requests, and/or search requests (such as search term field)). Each
of the panel types may include a panel navigation bar, detailed
information or relevant content to the panel function, operation
and/or purpose, and a hotkey bar (defining currently enabled
functional associations of hotkeys).
[0271] The application panel button 748, when selected, can display
an application window or panel. One application panel may be an
information panel regarding a selected (pre-installed or previously
downloaded) application icon. The information panel can one or more
of identify the selected application, provide a description of the
functionality (including application developer and/or vendor,
version, release, and/or last update date and a category or type of
application based on the application's functionality) and user
ratings and/or degree of other user downloading of the application
(e.g., a star rating assigned based on one or more of the foregoing
inputs), provide the option to launch, remove, update, and add to
favorites the identified application, and provide a listing of
selectable links of other (not yet downloaded) recommended
applications that provide similar functionality to the identified
application. The latter listing can, in turn, provide a description
of the functionality (including application developer and/or
vendor, version, release, and/or last update date and a category or
type of application based on the application's functionality) and
user ratings and/or degree of other user downloading of the
application (e.g., a star rating assigned based on one or more of
the foregoing inputs).
[0272] The functions of the first, second, third, and fourth
hotkeys 788, 792, 794, and 796 can change depending on system
state, context, and/or, within a selected screen and/or panel,
based on a content or currently selected portion of (or relative
cursor position on) the screen. Commonly, a currently assigned
function of any of the first, second, third, and fourth hotkeys
788, 792, 794, and 796 depends on a currently accessed silo and/or
panel (with which the user is currently interacting within the
silo). In other words, a first function of one of the first,
second, third, and fourth hotkeys 788, 792, 794, and 796 is
activated by the respective hotkey in a first system state while a
different second function is activated by the respective hotkey in
a different second system state. In another example, a third
function of one of the first, second, third, and fourth hotkeys
788, 792, 794, and 796 is activated by the respective hotkey when a
user focus (or currently selected cursor position or screen
portion) is at a first screen position while a different fourth
function is activated by the respective hotkey when a user focus
(or currently selected cursor position or screen portion) is at a
different second screen position. The first screen position can,
for instance, be within an icon while the second screen position is
outside of the icon. Hotkey functionality that could be enabled
when in the first screen position may be "configure" and "remove"
and disabled is "add", and, when in the second position hotkey
functionality enabled can be "add" and disabled is "configure" and
"remove". Generally, the states of hotkeys can include normal (for
enabled actions or functions), disabled (when an action or function
is temporarily disabled), pressed (when selected by a user to
command an action or function to be performed), and unavailable
(when no association between the hotkey and an action or function
is currently available). While examples of hotkey functions are
discussed below, it is to be understood that these are not intended
to be exhaustive or limiting examples.
[0273] The first hotkey 788, when selected in a first system state,
can enable the user to assign, change, or edit a name of an input
source. It is typically enabled only when the input source of HDMI,
Comp/YPbPr (e.g., component video cables), video output, and VGA is
in focus. When selected in a second system state, the first hotkey
788 can return the user to a top of a scrollable collection of
objects, such as application icons.
[0274] The second hotkey 792 may show all or less. In other words,
the hotkey 792 can allow the user to show all inputs, including the
unconnected/undetected ones and to hide the unconnected/undetected
inputs, e.g., to expand and collapse the silo/input list. Each
input source can have one of two states, namely connected/detected
and unconnected/undetected. Some input sources, including Live TV,
video on demand, media center, and application center are always
connected/detected.
[0275] The moveable joystick 900 on the bottom of the remote
control 700, when manipulated, can cause a displayed image on the
Intelligent TV 100 screen to be displaced a proportional amount. In
other words, the displayed image is displaced substantially
simultaneously with displacement of the joystick 900 within the
joystick aperture 904 in the bottom housing 712 of the remote
control. As shown in FIGS. 9B-C, the joystick 900 moves or slides
between forward and reverse positions. Releasing the joystick 900
causes the joystick 900 to return to the center position of FIG.
9A, and the window to move or slide upwardly (when the joystick is
released from the joystick position of FIG. 9B) or downwardly (when
the joystick is released from the joystick position of FIG. 9C)
until it disappears from view as shown in FIG. 11A. The effect on
the screen of the Intelligent TV 100 is shown in FIGS. 11A-C. In
FIG. 11A, video content, such as TV programming, a video, movie,
and the like, is being displayed by front surface of the screen
212. In FIG. 11B, the joystick 900 is moved or slid to the upper
position of FIG. 9B, and a drop down window or panel 1100 moves or
slides down (at the substantially the same rate of joystick 900
movement) at the top of the screen 212. In FIG. 11C, the joystick
900 is moved or slid to the lower position of FIG. 9C, and a drop
up window or panel 1100 moves or slides up (at the substantially
the same rate of joystick 900 movement) at the bottom of the screen
212. The window 1100 partially covers the video content appearing
on the remainder of the screen 212 and/or causes a portion of the
screen 212 displaying video content to move and/or compress up or
down the height of the window 1100.
[0276] The window 1100 can include one or more of information
(which is typically information related to a currently displayed
image and/or content (e.g., panel navigation bar, detailed
information (e.g., title, date/time, audio/visual indicator,
rating, and genre), and hotkey bar (defining current functional
associations of hotkeys)), browse requests, and/or search requests.
Commonly, the window 1100 includes suitable information about the
content (such as name, duration, and/or remaining viewing duration
of content), settings information, TV or system control
information, application (activation) icons (such as for
pre-installed and/or downloaded applications such as application
center, media center and Web browser), and/or information about
input source(s), When the joystick 900 is in either the forward or
reverse position, the user can select an actuator on the front of
the remote control, such as the OK button 764, and be taken, by
displayed images on the screen 212, to another location in the user
interface, such as a desktop. This process can be done in a
nonintrusive manner and without affecting the flow of content that
is pushed up or down. The joystick 900 could be moved, additionally
or differently, from side-to-side to cause the window to appear at
the left or right edge of the screen 212.
[0277] An alternative actuator configuration is shown in FIG. 10.
The actuators are substantially the same as those of FIGS. 7-9
except that the social network button 1000, when selected, can
automatically select content and publish, via a social network
service or other social media, the content to a social network or
online community. User or viewer comments and/or other messages can
be included in the outbound message. For example, all or one or
frames or portions of media content (such as a video, music, a
photograph, a picture, or text) can be provided automatically to a
predetermined or selected group of people via Linked-In.TM.,
Myspace.TM., Twitter.TM., YouTube.TM., DailyMotion.TM.,
Facebook.TM., Google+.TM.) or Second Life.TM.. The user, upon
activating the button 1000 could, in response, select a social
forum or media upon which the selected content (which is the
content displayed to the user when the social network button 1000
is activated) is to be posted and/or a predetermined group within
that social media to which the content is to be posted.
Alternatively, these selections could be preconfigured or
preselected by the user.
[0278] The social network button can also be used to "turn up" or
"turn down" a social volume visualization. The Intelligent TV 100
can create dynamically a visualization of aggregated connections
(and inbound and/or outbound messages) from a variety of social
networks. The aggregation (and inbound and outbound messages) can
be depicted graphically on the screen as a volume of connections to
influence the viewer user. With a social volume visualization,
selected contents of each linked social network profile of a social
contact (and inbound and/or outbound messages from or to the linked
social network contact and/or current activity of the social
contact (such as watching the same programming or content the
viewer is currently watching) can be presented in a separate tile
(or visually displayed object). The size of the tile can be related
to any number of criteria, including a relationship of the linked
social contact (e.g., a relative degree of importance or type of
relationship can determine the relative size of the tile, a degree
of influence of the linked social contact to the current viewer, a
geographic proximity of the linked social contact to the current
viewer, a degree to which the currently provided media content is
of interest to both the viewer and linked social contact (e.g.,
both parties enjoy war movies, murder mysteries, musicals,
comedies, and the like), an assigned ranking of the linked viewer
by the viewer, a type of social network type linking the viewer
with the linked social contact, a current activity of the social
network contact (e.g., currently watching the same content that the
viewer is currently watching), a current online or offline status
of the linked social contact, and a social network grouping type or
category to which both the viewer and linked social contact belong
(e.g., work contact, best friend, family member, etc.).
[0279] The viewer can designate a portion of the screen to depict
the social network aggregation. By turning the social volume up (+)
or down (-), the viewer can increase the size and/or numbers of
linked contact tiles provided to the viewer. In other words, by
increasing the social volume the viewer can view, access, and/or
push more social content from those of his or her social networks
associated with him or her in a memory of the Intelligent TV. By
decreasing the social volume, the viewer can view, access, and/or
push less social content from his or her associated social
networks. By selecting the mute button 724, the viewer can stop or
pause any interactivity with his or her associated social networks
(e.g., inbound or outbound messages). Social volume and/or mute can
be separated into two (or more) volume settings for outbound and
inbound social network activity. By way of illustration, a first
volume setting, control, and/or button can control the volume for
outbound social network activity (e.g., outbound social messages)
while a second (different) volume setting, control, and/or button
can control the volume for inbound social network activity (e.g.,
inbound social messages). By way of further illustration, a first
mute setting, control, and/or button can stop or pause outbound
social network activity (e.g., outbound social messages) while a
second (different) mute setting, control, and/or button can stop or
pause inbound social network activity (e.g., inbound social
messages).
[0280] A functional block diagram of the remote control is shown in
FIG. 12. The remote control 700 includes a controller 1208 to
control and supervise remote control operations, optional wireless
(RF) transceiver 1224 and antenna 1244 to send and receive wireless
signals to and from the Intelligent TV 100 and other external
components, optional infrared emitter 1228 to emit infrared signals
to the Intelligent TV 100, optional light emitting diode or LED
driver 1232 to control LED operation to provide video-enabled
feedback to the user, actuators 1220 (including the various buttons
and other actuators discussed above in connection with FIGS. 7 and
10), and joystick 900, all interconnected via a bus 1248. An on
board power source 1200 and power management module 1204 provide
power to each of these components via power circuitry 1240. The
infrared emitter 1228 and receiver (not shown) on the Intelligent
TV system 100 can be used to determine a displayed object
illuminated by the infrared signal and therefore adjust the
displayed image, for example to indicate a focus of the user (e.g.,
illuminate a displayed object or show cursor position relative to
displayed objects on the screen) and to determine and activate a
desired command of the user. This can be done by tracking a
position of the remote control in relation to infrared tracking
reference points (e.g., a sensor bar or infrared LED's) positioned
on or adjacent to the screen of the Intelligent TV 100. Motion
tracking can further be augmented using position information
received from a multi-axis gyroscope and/or accelerometer on board
the remote control (not shown).
[0281] Another example of the data service 432 is shown in FIG. 14.
The system shown in FIG. 14 may supplement or be an alternative to
the system described in FIG. 13. Thus, any description herein
mentioning the components of FIG. 14 may also apply to the system
described in FIG. 13. Here, the data service 432 includes the
ability to update live TV applications or content, and to record,
store, manage, and retrieve data or statistics about user viewing
habits. The live TV data can be governed by a live TV data model
1404. The live TV data model 1404 can include a description of what
data is stored, how the date is stored, and in what areas of memory
the date is stored. This information is used to ensure a consistent
storage process and routine for the live TV data.
[0282] Live TV data can include information about channel
availability for the user. This information may be updated
periodically as the user may add content channels to their TV
subscription. For example, the user may, at some point, add a
subscription or paid TV channel to their live TV content. The live
TV data model 1404 stores the information about which channels are
available for the user to view. To obtain the live TV data
information, a live TV subservice 1408 may communicate with content
provider 616 to obtain the information.
[0283] A live TV subservice 1408 can store data into a database
1412. The live TV subservice 1408 may also instantiate an instance
of a live TV source plug-in 1416 operable to scan for content
channels. The live TV subservice may receive information from, or
communicate with, the content providers 616 to effectuate the
scanning of channels and the recordation of which channels the user
has available. Here, the live TV source plug-in 1416 may be called
by the live TV subservice 1408 to determine channels during a
period when setting up the Intelligent Television 100.
[0284] The live TV source plug-in 1416 may interact with the
processor 364 to scan information being received from an antenna
324. The antenna signal 324 may be sent to an encoding/decoding
compression/decompression module 366 and then sent onto the bus 322
for analysis. The processor 364 may then execute the live TV source
plug-in 1416 to look for information or data indicative of a
channel in the information provided by module 366. The TV data may
be digital and the channels may be determined by which content is
provided in which area of the digital stream. In other embodiments,
the TV signal may be an analog signal, and the processor 364 may
determine which data is in which frequency range. The live TV
source plug-in module 1416 may determine these different types of
content sources in the TV stream and provide that information to
the live TV subservice 1408 for storage in database 1412. The
database 1412 may be updated with this information during a setup
of the Intelligent Television 100, and then periodically updated
based on changes in the signal.
[0285] User statistics may be stored by, or in accordance with, a
statistics model 1420. The statistics model 1420 can govern what
information will be recorded, how that information will be
recorded, when the information shall be recorded for each of the
users using the Intelligent Television 100. Statistics may include
information about what the user is watching, how often the user is
watching, the user's favorites, the user's recommendations, time
the user spends watching certain content, and other information.
The model is accessed by the statistics subservice 1424 to store
user statistics in the database 1428.
[0286] The statistics subservice 1424 may receive information from
a content provider 616. This information may be information about
for what the user is using the Intelligent Television. Further, the
information can include signals as to when the user is selecting
content, what that content is, and when the user changes to a
different type of content. This information may be stored by the
statistics subservice 1424 in the database 1428. The data may also
be managed or processed by the statistics subservice 1424 into more
usable information. Further, the statistics subservice 1424 may
access and retrieve information in the database 1428 to send to
external services that may use these statistics for better content
provision, for targeting advertising to the user, or for other
types of functions or services.
[0287] An embodiment of information stored in the database 1500 for
live TV data is shown in FIG. 15. The database 1500 may be the same
or similar to database 1412, described in conjunction with FIG. 14.
The database 1500 can include one or more data structures 1504 that
include live TV information. The data structure 1504 may include
one or more of, but is not limited to, a source field 1508, a
channel identifier (ID) field 1512, an electronic programming guide
field 1516, and/or a metadata field 1520. There may be more or
fewer fields within the data structure 1504, as represented by
ellipses 1524.
[0288] For each content source identified in field 1508, there may
be several channel, which contain data stored in the several
fields, as represented by second data structure 1532. Thus, for
each source of live TV data, there is a listing of channel
information 1532. A source field 1508 can include information about
the source of the live TV data. The source can be a set of
bandwidth from an antenna, content from an analog source, content
from a digital source; the source may include information about
whether the data was received over an antenna or over a network.
Any source information, such as an ID or how to connect with the
source, may be stored in the source field 1508.
[0289] Channel ID field 1512 can include information about which
channel the data is associated with. The channel ID may not
necessarily be an analog channel, but may be a digital content
provider, thus the A channel, such as CBS, TNT, HBO, may be
referred to in channel ID 1512A or 1512B. The channel ID may also
be a "channel," such as channel 4 or channel 7. This information is
stored to identify the channel associated with the information that
is stored in the data structure 1504.
[0290] An electronic programming guide field 1516A, 1516B, can
include information about the correlation between the channel and
the electronic programming guide. This information assures that the
EPG data is associated with the correct channel.
[0291] Metadata fields 1520A and 1520B include any information
associated with the channel. The Metadata 1520 can include
information, for example, when the channel is to be updated, where
the channel information can be provided, for example, a description
of channel episode information on that channel from an internet
source. This information may also include information provided by
the user about the channel. This information may be stored to
ensure better navigation for the collection of channel information.
There may be more channel data structures 1504 and 1532, than those
shown in FIG. 15, as represented by ellipses 1528.
[0292] An embodiment of information or data 1600 about media stored
with, or associated with, the Intelligent Television 100 is shown
in FIG. 16. Here, the media data 1600 may be the same or similar to
that as provided in database 640. The media data can include one or
more data structures 1604 which describe the media within the
database 1600. The media database 1600 can also include one or more
data structures 1608 that are associated with user defined
organizational features of the database 1600.
[0293] The data structure 1604 describes the media within the
database 1600, and includes one or more fields, but is not limited
to, a media identifier field 1612, a source field 1616, a content
field 1620, and/or a metadata field 1624. There may be more or
fewer fields than those shown for data structure 1604, as
represented by ellipses 1628.
[0294] The media ID field 1612 can be a unique identifier, such as
an alphanumeric ID, a globally unique ID (GUID), or some other
identifier that uniquely identifies this media from other media
stored in the media database 1600.
[0295] The source data 1616 can include any information about where
the media was obtained. This information may include whether the
source is local or from a social media site. The source information
1616 can also include information about what system or device the
media was obtained. For example, if the media is a picture taken
with a smartphone, the source field 1616 may store information
about the device that took the picture.
[0296] The content field 1620 contains the information for the
media. Thus, if the media is a picture, the content field 1620 can
store the information about the pixels used to generate the
picture. If the media is a video, the content field 1620 can store
the MPEG or other video format file. The content field 1620 can
include any information in any format used to store the media.
[0297] The metadata field 1624 can include any information
describing the media's data. This information can include the
location the picture was taken, the time the picture was taken, or
the user that took the picture. There may be more information that
describes the media data and may be used to organize the media into
different categories. There may be more than a single data
structure 1604 in the database 1600, as represented by ellipses
1632.
[0298] The user defined organization structure 1608 can include one
or more fields, but is not limited to, a user-defined organization
field 1636, a first category field 1646, a second category field
1650. There may be more or fewer fields than those shown in data
structure 1608, as represented by ellipses 1654. Each user may have
a set of defined categories, thus, there may be more user defined
organizational features 1608 than that shown in FIG. 16, as
represented by ellipses 1658.
[0299] The user defined organization 1636 may identify the user,
and that user's specific set of categories that are used
organizational features. Thus, there might be a user ID in the
user-defined organization field 1636. Further, the user may name
this type of organization or identify the organization separately;
thus, there may be some ID for associating this set of categories
with the user and how the user wants to organize the media.
[0300] The first category of organization 1646 can include a first
set of data, which may include the source data 1616 or metadata
1624, with which the user desires to organize the media. This
organizational information can include information, for example
where the picture was taken, who took the picture, the subject of
the picture, the source of the picture, or other information. This
information can be placed in the category as a top level
organization. A second organization may be included in second
category field 1650. This information may be the same or similar to
category one, but include a different category to organize the data
by. Thus, the user may enter several categories to best organize
the information within the media database 1600.
[0301] An embodiment of electronic programming guide 1700 is shown
in FIG. 17. This example of the electronic programming guide 1700
can have one or more data structures 1704 that define content
within the Intelligent Television 100 that may be provided
currently or in the future. While there is a single data structure
1704 shown in FIG. 17, there may be more or fewer than data
structures 1704 that that shown in FIG. 17, as represented by
ellipses 1740. The EPG data structure 1704 can include one or more
fields, but is not limited to, an EPG date field 1708, an EPG time
field 1712, a channel field 1716, a program field 1720, a time
field 1724, a favorites designation 1728, and a reminder field
1732. There may be more or fewer fields than those shown in FIG.
17, as represented by ellipses 1736.
[0302] An EPG date field 1708 can include the date upon which this
EPG was obtained, stored, or updated. The date 1708 can be any type
of date in any format. The EPG time field 1712 can include a time
when the EPG data was obtained, stored, or updated. This time 1712
and date 1708 provide an indication of when the EPG data was
created. This time 1712 and date 1708 may then be used to determine
whether updates to the EPG information need to be made on a
periodic basis or sometime in the future.
[0303] A channel field 1716 can be an indication of the channel or
content provider for the particular series of programs or content
associated with that content provider. The channel field 1716 can
be associated with channel IDs 1512, described in conjunction with
FIG. 15. The channel may include an analog frequency range, may
include a content provider ID, or name, such as, HBO, TNT, CBS,
etc. This channel information 1716 may then be used to identify one
or more programs or episodes that are to be provided on that
channel into the future.
[0304] The program field 1720 includes an ID or indication of the
actual content being provided on that channel. The content program
information 1720 can include the name of the content and any
metadata associated therewith. For example, the metadata can
include descriptions, times, episode numbers, ratings, and other
information about the program. The program information 1720 may
also be associated with the time 1724, thus, each program may have
a particular time or time range when the program is meant to be
provided on the channel 1716. Thus, the time field 1724 includes a
date and time that the program is to be provided. Thus, there may
be several program and time associations with the channel. This is
represented by ellipses 1740. Further, there may be several channel
data structures which are also represented by ellipses 1740.
[0305] The channel or program may also be associated with the
favorites indication 1728. Thus, as the user decides that a certain
channel or an episode is a favorite, the EPG data stores this
information in the favorites indication 1728. Thus, the favorites
indication 1728 can be an indication that there is a favorite, and
the association with whether the favorite is associated with the
channel or the particular program.
[0306] A reminder field 1732 may also be associated with either the
channel or the program. The reminder 1732 can be a date and time
reminder to watch the channel 1716 at the date and time. The
reminder 1732 can also be a reminder associated with the program
1720 to either watch the program when a new episode or a particular
episode is playing. Thus, the reminder has the information needed
to determine what to remind the user of, and when to remind that
user of.
[0307] An embodiment for search data 1800 is shown in FIG. 18. The
search data can include one or more data structures 1804, which
describe previous searches conducted by the user. There may be more
or fewer data structures 1804 than those shown in FIG. 18, as
represented by ellipses 1828. The data structure 1804 can include
one or more of, but is not limited to, a search date field 1808, a
search time field 1812, search terms field 1816, and results field
1820. There may be more or fewer fields associated with each data
structure 1804, as represented by ellipses 1824.
[0308] The search date 1808 can include the date upon which the
user conducted the search. The search date 1808 can be used to rank
order or date order the searches provided by the user. A time field
1812 can also include a time indication of when the search was
conducted. The date and time 1808 and 1812 allow the searches to be
date ranked or time ordered for presentment to the user at a later
date. There may also be included a user ID field (not shown) within
the search database to associate any search with a particular
user.
[0309] A terms field 1816 can include the search terms used by the
user to do the search. The search terms can include letters or
numbers used in a general search. A search terms 1816 can also use
any category the user used to search EPG data 1700.
[0310] The results field 1820 can provide either the results
provided in the search, or a definition of how the results can be
obtained again. Thus, the results may be quickly provided to a user
if the user wants to execute that particular search again.
[0311] An embodiment of a statistics database 1900 storing user
usage statistics is shown in FIG. 19. The statistics database 1900
can include one or more data structures 1904 that store information
about usage statistics for a user. There may be more or fewer data
structures 1904 than that shown in the database 1900, as
represented by ellipses 1948. Each data structure 1904 can include
one or more fields associated with usage statistics, including one
or more of, but not limited to, a user identifier field 1908, an
application or TV indication field 1912, a usage statistics set
field 1920, etc. The applications/TV field 1912 can store an
identifier for the particular television and for any application
used by the user.
[0312] Each one of these usage statistics sets may include a
session identifier 1916. The session identifier 1916 indicates a
set of data associated with the viewing session by the user. For
example, the user may turn on a television and begin a new session;
when the user turns off the television, the session ends. Thus, for
each time the user has a viewing session, a new session ID 1916,
and set of usage statistics, is created.
[0313] The user might have several usage statistics sets included
with each session. For example, the data structure 1904 includes
usage statistics set one 1920 and usage statistics set two 1924.
There may be more or fewer sections or fields of data associated
with each data structure 1904, as represented by ellipses 1928. The
usage statistics set can include one or more fields including one
or more of, but not limited to, an identifier field 1932, a time
field 1936, a date field 1940, a when used last field 1944, a
favorites field (not shown), a content identifier field (not
shown), or other information. The identifier field 1932 can include
information that uniquely identifies this first usage statistic.
The time field 1936 can include a time upon which this usage
statistic was created or a time duration to which the usage
statistic is associated. The date added field 1940 can be a date
when the content or usage statistic was created. The when last
field 1944 can be information about when the user had last accessed
the content. There may be more or fewer fields than those shown in
each usage statistic, for example, last used, most recently used,
favorites, etc. There may be particular usage statistics for
different types of media, for example, picture media, television
channel episodes and series content, video content, etc. Thus, the
information in each usage statistic 1920 may change depending on
the type of media.
[0314] An embodiment of a method 2000 for auto-scanning channel
information is shown in FIG. 20. While a general order for the
steps of the method 2000 is shown in FIG. 20. Generally, the method
2000 starts with a start operation 2004 and ends with an end
operation 2028. The method 2000 can include more or fewer steps or
can arrange the order of the steps differently than those shown in
FIG. 20. The method 2000 can be executed as a set of
computer-executable instructions, executed by a computer system,
and encoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Further, the
method 2000 can be executed by a gate or other hardware device or
component in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit, a Field
Programmable Gate Array, or other type of hardware device.
Hereinafter, the method 2000 shall be explained with reference to
the systems, components, modules, software, data structures, user
interfaces, etc. described herein.
[0315] The Intelligent TV 100 receives an indication of a first
time experience (FTE) start, in step 2008. Here, the processor 364
receives the first signal by a user that the television is
beginning to be operated. The processor 364 then may instruct the
data service 432 to collect channel information. The data service
432 may execute the live TV subservice 1408 which creates an
instance of the live TV source plug-in 1416. The live TV source
plug-in 1416 may then interface with the encoding/decoding,
compression/decompression module 366 connected to the antenna
324.
[0316] The live TV source plug-in 1416 may then do a background
determination of the existence of any channel source, in step 2012.
The "background" determination means that the user need not select
a user interface device, for example, user interface device 2112 or
2116, as shown in FIG. 21. Rather, the user need only begin the
first time experience. In this way, the user is not slowed in
setting up the television by having to wait for the channel scan,
but the channel scan occurs in the background during the FTE
without the knowledge of the user.
[0317] Thus, the live TV source plug-in 1416 determines channel
sources received by antennas or from other sources, such as from a
port interface 352. Based on the channel source information, the
live TV source plug-in 1416 may then do a background scan for
channels on any antenna 324 or received from any port interfaces
352, in step 2016. The scanning involves determining if there is
content being provided and then determining the information about
that content. For analog television, the live TV source plug-in
1416 can determine which frequency ranges include data that may be
provided for content viewing. This data may be in certain channel
bands. For digital TV, the live TV source plug-in 1416 can
determine which content packets are associated with which content
providers.
[0318] This "channel" information may then be used to populate the
database 1500, which is stored in database 1412. Thus, the live TV
source plug-in 1416 populates the database 1500 while the user is
making other selections during the first time experience, in step
2020. This means that the user, once completed with the first time
experience, may not need to do a manual scan of the TV using the
interface shown in FIG. 21. Thereinafter, the user interface
application 468 can provide the channel list either as an
electronic programming guide or some other user interface, in step
2024. In this way, the user interface application 468 can obtain
the information from database 1500 to provide to the user for
channel selection.
[0319] An embodiment of the method 2200 for storing media in the
Intelligent Television 100 is shown in FIG. 22. While a general
order for the steps of the method 2200 is shown in FIG. 22.
Generally, the method 2200 starts with a start operation 2204 and
ends with an end operation 2244. The method 2200 can include more
or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differently
than those shown in FIG. 22. The method 2200 can be executed as a
set of computer-executable instructions, executed by a computer
system, and encoded or stored on a computer readable medium.
Further, the method 2200 can be executed by a gate or other
hardware device or component in an Application Specific Integrated
Circuit, a Field Programmable Gate Array, or other type of hardware
device. Hereinafter, the method 2200 shall be explained with
reference to the systems, components, modules, software, data
structures, user interfaces, etc. described herein.
[0320] An Intelligent Television 100 may receive media, in step of
2208. Here, the processor 364 may detect a connection of a device
or media source at a port interface 352. The connection may be to a
local network 132, which connects to one or more local devices 168.
Further, the connection may be through the network 132 to one or
more visual media libraries 148, or through the telephone company
146 to a distant site, such as a social media site. The processor
364 may then execute the media subservice 628 to retrieve the media
data and store the media data in the local database 640. The media
subservice 628 may create an instance of the media source plug-in
652 to retrieve the media data, to receive the media data, and/or
to store the media data in the database 640. Once the media is
stored, the media subservice 628 may then organize the data.
[0321] In organizing the data, the media subservice 628 can receive
user-defined organizational criteria, in step 2212. The criteria
may determine how to organize types of media, for example, by date,
by place, by time taken, and other information, which is stored in
metadata in the media database 1600. Thus, any metadata 624
provided in the database 1600 stored in database 640 can be used to
organize the media. Any information received by the user can be
stored in data structures 1608. Thus, the media subservice 628 can
store the user-defined criteria 1608, in step 2216.
[0322] The media subservice 628 may then retrieve information from
the database 640 to provide to the user interface application 468
to provide a user interface with the organization of the media as
defined by the user, in step 2220. An example of a media user
interface 2300 is shown in FIG. 23. In FIG. 23, the user interface
2300 organizes the media by the place at which place the video or
photos were taken. For example, the user interface 2300 presents a
bunch of location tiles 2304, 2308, 2312. These tiles 2304-2312 may
be user-selectable devices to enter that category of media to view
pictures associated with the place listed in the tile 2304-2312.
The user may select to organize media by place taken, and then sort
the tile category, for example, alphabetically or date ordered. In
this case, as shown in FIG. 23, the place categories are organized
alphabetically. This information may be user-defined, and stored in
data structure 1608, but retrieved by media subservice 628 to
provide the user interface 468.
[0323] A second user interface 2700 is shown in FIG. 27. In FIG.
27, a different type of Fibonacci spiral view is presented in user
interface 2700. Here again, the media may be organized by the place
in which the media was taken. However, rather than being
alphabetical or date ordered, the organization may be based on the
number of photographs, or the amount of media presented or
associated with the place. Thus, the most amount of media may be
associated with the tile 2704, while the second most is associated
with tile 2708. This type or organization may, again, be
user-defined and stored in data structure 1608, and used by the
media subservice 628 to provide information to the user interface
application 468.
[0324] At some time thereinafter, the processor 364 may determine
whether new media is received, in step 2224. The processor 364 may
detect whether a new device 168 is attached to the network 132. In
other circumstances, the processor 364 may scan media databases 148
to determine if there have been changes or updates made. If there
has been new media received at the Intelligent Television 100, the
method 2200 proceeds YES, to step 2228. If there is no new media
received, then method 2200 proceeds NO to process operation
2244.
[0325] In step 2228, the processor 364 receives the new media in a
process or operation similar to that described in conjunction with
step 2208. The processor 364 may then execute the media subservice
628 to retrieve organizational criteria 1608, in step 2232. Here
the media subservice 1628 may store the new media in database 1600,
and then determine how to organize the new media based on the
user-defined criteria 1608.
[0326] The media subservice 628 may then provide the new organized
data to the user interface application 468, which can change the
user interface, based on a user-defined criteria, to incorporate
the new media, in step 2236. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the
user interface 468 may be providing an interface 2300 without the
new media. The new media 2400 may include more media from different
places, such as that associated with tiles 2404 and 2408. The media
subservice 628 may provide this new information to the user
interface application 468 to change the view of the media provided
by the Intelligent Television 100.
[0327] The user interface 468 may shift the user interface 2500 as
shown in FIG. 25. Here, the user interface is providing spots or
slots 2504, 2508, to insert the new media. Upon insertion of the
new media, the user interface application 468 provides a user
interface 2600, shown in FIG. 26. Here, the media subservice 628
has provided the new media information to allow the user interface
application 468 to create a new tile arrangement with a new
alphabetical arrangement of the location tiles, for example, 2604,
2608, that includes the new media. Thus, once organized and
determined, the user interface application 468 provides the new
interface, in step 2240.
[0328] In another example, as shown in FIG. 28, user interface 2700
needs to be changed to incorporate new media 2800. The media
subservice 628 can determine whether the new media 2800 has more
media associated with certain new location tiles than that shown in
original user interface 2700. If there are changes to be made, the
media subservice 628 indicates as such to the user interface 468 to
create spaces 2908 in user interface 2904, shown in FIG. 29. New
tiles are created 3004 and 3008 and inserted in the user interface
3000, as shown in FIG. 30. Thus, the media subservice 628 can
organize the information and dynamically change user interfaces or
dynamically change the way media is provided based on predefined
user organizational criteria 1608.
[0329] An embodiment of a method 3100 for dynamically changing EPG
data is shown in FIG. 31. While a general order for the steps of
the method 3100 is shown in FIG. 31. Generally, the method 3100
starts with a start operation 3104 and ends with an end operation
3144. The method 3100 can include more or fewer steps or can
arrange the order of the steps differently than those shown in FIG.
31. The method 3100 can be executed as a set of computer-executable
instructions, executed by a computer system, and encoded or stored
on a computer readable medium. Further, the method 3100 can be
executed by a gate or other hardware device or component in an
Application Specific Integrated Circuit, a Field Programmable Gate
Array, or other type of hardware device. Hereinafter, the method
3100 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,
modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described
herein.
[0330] The processor 364 can execute the EPG subservice 624, which
can create an instance of EPG source plug-in 648. The EPG source
plug-in 648 can retrieve EPG data, in step 3108. Here, the EPG
source plug-in 648 may connect through a network 132 to distant EPG
information 136. This distant EPG information 136 may be then
downloaded or retrieved by the EPG source plug-in 648 and stored in
database 636. The database 636 can include the information as shown
in database 1700, as shown in FIG. 17.
[0331] User interface 468 may also receive favorite or reminder
information, in step 3112. For example, upon selection of a remote
control button, the user interface 468 can provide a user interface
menu 3220, shown in FIG. 32. Here, the user may set a reminder in
section 3208A, can add the program as a favorite in section 3208B,
or set the channel as a favorite in 3208C. This different
information 3208 may be used to set specific attributes to the
content for the user. The user need only select a button 3228 to
set a reminder or make a favorite. This reminder or favorite then
may be associated with the content indicated in banner 3204. The
user interface 3200 allows the user to set such reminders or
favorites for any of the content provided by the Intelligent TV
100. This information may be received by the user interface 468 and
sent to the EPG subservice 624. The EPG subservice 624 may then
store the favorite or reminder information with the EPG data, in
step 3116.
[0332] Here, the EPG subservice 624 may store the favorites in
field 1728, or reminders in field 1732. The information may then be
maintained with the EPG data for that channel or program
thereinafter.
[0333] At some time thereinafter, the processor 364 may inscribe or
receive notice that the EPG subservice 624 needs to obtain updated
EPG data from EPG source 136. Thus, the EPG source plug-in 648 can
obtain and receive EPG data thereinafter. As some point, the EPG
subservice 624 provides information to the user interface
application 468 to provide EPG data, for example, through user
interface 3300 shown in FIG. 33. A panel manager 536, or silo
manager 532, can provide the EPG data, in step 3120.
[0334] The processor may thereinafter determine if an EPG update is
available, in step 3124. If no EPG update is available, the method
3100 proceeds NO back to step 3120. However, if there is an update,
the method 3100 proceeds YES to step 3128.
[0335] In step 3128, the EPG source plug-in 648 retrieves the EPG
update, in step 3128. As explained previously, the EPG source
plug-in 648 accesses new EPG data from EPG source 136 and stores
the EPG data in the database 636. The EPG subservice 624 may then
access the favorites 728 and reminders 732, associated with the EPG
data, and update those favorites or reminder data, in step 3132. In
this instance, the EPG subservice 624 can determine if any of the
favorites 728 or reminders 732 apply to the updated information. If
so, those favorites 728 and reminders 732 are copied over to the
new EPG data. Thus, as updates are received, the EPG subservice 628
can dynamically change the EPG data, in step 3136.
[0336] This updated information may then be provided as an update
in a user interface, in step 3140. Here, the EPG data subservice
624 may send those updates to the user interface application 468 to
be provided by the panel manager 536 or silo manager 532 in a user
interface. For example, as shown in FIG. 33, EPG data includes
fields 3304 through 3316 that have identifiers for certain
content.
[0337] While viewing or before viewing, the EPG subservice 624 may
change or update the data associated with those channels. Thus, the
EPG subservice 624 can provide these updates to the silo manager
532 and/or panel manager 536 to change the user interface either
dynamically, in real-time, or before the user views the EPG, thus
providing a new user interface 3400 as shown in FIG. 34. Here, new
programs are shown with new time data in fields 3404 through 3416.
Further, the field 3404 indicates that the new program is a
favorite by displaying a star in the field, and field 3408
indicates that the new program is a recommendation by displaying a
dot (the dot can also mean that the content has already been
watched). Thus, this information may be updated dynamically for the
user as the user is viewing the EPG data. It may also be possible
that the EPG data is not updated until the user decides to view and
EPG user interface, thus showing changes in real-time or in near
real-time, to when the user is viewing the actual information in
the EPG user interface 3400.
[0338] An embodiment of a method 3500 for obtaining and saving
search term results is shown in FIG. 35. While a general order for
the steps of the method 3500 is shown in FIG. 35. Generally, the
method 3500 starts with a start operation 3504 and ends with an end
operation 3536. The method 3500 can include more or fewer steps or
can arrange the order of the steps differently than those shown in
FIG. 35. The method 3500 can be executed as a set of
computer-executable instructions, executed by a computer system,
and encoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Further, the
method 3500 can be executed by a gate or other hardware device or
component in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit, a Field
Programmable Gate Array, or other type of hardware device.
Hereinafter, the method 3500 shall be explained with reference to
the systems, components, modules, software, data structures, user
interfaces, etc. described herein.
[0339] A search service associated with data service 432 may be
able to search EPG data 636, media data 640, video demand data 632,
or live TV data 1412. The data service 432 may receive a search
query, in step 3508. For example, as shown in FIG. 36, the user may
select a search panel 3600 and be provided with a display shown in
FIG. 36. The search panel can include an area 3604 to enter search
terms. These search terms can be an alphanumeric indication of a
program that the user desires to try and locate. In other
situations, the user may also search for statistic data, for
example, favorites or most watched data indicated by user interface
selections 3612 and 3616. A data service 432 may then determine if
the search query is statistical, alphanumerical, in step 3512. If
the search is alphanumeric, the method 3500 proceeds through the
ALPHANUMERIC branch to step 3516 and step 3524. If the search is
statistical, the method 3500 proceeds through the STATISTICAL
branch to step 3528.
[0340] In step 3516, that data service 432 can parse the terms used
in the search. Parsing the terms means determining or separating
the terms for the search results, either for new combinations or
other combinations of those terms. The data subservice 432 may then
save these terms and any results associated with the search, in
step 3512. Thus, the data service 432 may store search terms in
database 1800, in field 1816, with the results stored in field
1820. This information may then be stored in statistics database
428, or in live TV database 1412.
[0341] The data service 432 may also provide results by scanning
for the search terms dynamically as those search terms are entered.
For example, as the user enters the first search term, the search
results in field 3608, in FIG. 36, are provided. As the next term
is entered, the list of results is pared according to the newly
entered search term. This paring of search results continues until
the user has completed entry of search terms in field 3604 or until
a single result is provided in field 3608.
[0342] In step 3528, the data service 432 may determine the
statistic chosen by the user. For example, in user interface 3700,
shown in FIG. 37, the user may search for content based on one or
more statistics based on all media 3704, most accessed 3708,
favorites 3712, last accessed 3716, recently added 3720, next most
recently added media 3724, second most recently added media
3728-3732, etc. Any of these different statistics may be chosen by
the user.
[0343] In another circumstance, the user may be provided with user
interface 3800 shown in FIG. 38. Here, the user may select one or
more categories, 3820a through 3820c, that better statistics that
help sort the content. For example, the user has selected the last
category 3820b, which then presents content based on the most
recently last viewed video to the least most recent viewed video
shown in fields 3804 through 3816.
[0344] In user interface 3900 in FIG. 39, the user may sort be
selected favorites that are stored with the EPG data 1700. Thus,
the user may be provided with a list of favorites 3904. Thus, based
on the type of search done, the EPG data service 432 may provide
this information to the user interface application to provide for
and instruct the silo manager 532 and/or panel manager 536 to
provide a user interface of those search results, in step 3532. The
user interface can be the same or similar to those described in
FIGS. 36 through 39.
[0345] An embodiment of a method 4000 for recording usage
statistics, or statistics about the content for searches is
presented in FIG. 40. While a general order for the steps of the
method 4000 is shown in FIG. 40. Generally, the method 4000 starts
with a start operation 4004 and ends with an end operation 4040.
The method 4000 can include more or fewer steps or can arrange the
order of the steps differently than those shown in FIG. 40. The
method 4000 can be executed as a set of computer-executable
instructions, executed by a computer system, and encoded or stored
on a computer readable medium. Further, the method 4000 can be
executed by a gate or other hardware device or component in an
Application Specific Integrated Circuit, a Field Programmable Gate
Array, or other type of hardware device. Hereinafter, the method
4000 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,
modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described
herein.
[0346] The user interface application 468 can receive a content
selection, in step 4008. Here, the user may select a remote control
button from the remote control 700. The remote control may send a
signal to the IR/RF module 354. This signal may then be presented
to the processor 364, which may execute a driver 420 to interpret
the electrical signal. The driver 420 can then send a signal to the
user interface application 468. The user interface application 468
can interpret the data in the signal as selecting an item of
content.
[0347] The statistics subservice 1424 may, in response to the
selection, determine if the content is being viewed, in step 4012.
The determination of whether the content is being viewed may be a
determination of how long the user loiters on the content before
the Intelligent TV 100 receives another content selection. The
determination can be some other determination that the user is
viewing the content, rather than simply surfing though channels. If
the content is being viewed, the method 4000 proceeds YES to step
4016. If the content is not being viewed, the method 4000 proceeds
NO back to step 4008.
[0348] In step 4016, the statistic subservice 1424 stores the
election of content and the information about the content in the
database 1428. Thus, the statistics subservice 1424 can create a
data structure 1904 to store statistics about the content
selection. The statistic subservice 1424 then builds a statistic
database 1900 that is associated with selected content. the user,
and other data, in step 4020. For example, the statistic subservice
1424 can create usage statistics 1920 and 1924.
[0349] Further, in step 4036, the statistic subservice 1424 can
receive information about new content received and uploaded into
EPG data 1700, in step 4036. The statistic subservice 1424 can
include this information into statistics about TV data in the
statistics database 1900. This information can include an ID of the
content, and time/date added 1936, 1940.
[0350] Further, the statistic subservice 1424 can receive the time
and date information, in step 4024. Thus, the processor 364 can
provide information about current time and date to allow the
statistic subservice 1424 to establish time tags and date tags for
when content was received, when the content was last viewed, and
other information. This information then builds a statistics
database 1900. The statistic subservice 1424 may minimize the
amount of data stored by only storing information about the last 20
items of content viewed or used by the user. Or for each category,
only provide the last 20 entries. This restriction eliminates a
large and growing database within the Intelligent TV 100.
[0351] At some time thereinafter, the Intelligent Television 100
can receive a request for statistics, in step 4028. Here, the user
may decide to search or look at information about the content. The
user may select a remote control button on remote control 700, or
some other interface in the Intelligent Television, which will send
a signal to the processor 364. The processor may then send a
request for information to the statistic subservice 1424 to
retrieve the data to be presented to the user.
[0352] The statistic subservice 1424 can then retrieve the content
by searching the content fields in data structure 1904 for the type
of statistics desired by the user. This information may then be
presented, in a user interface, developed by the user interface
application 464. In other circumstances, the Intelligent Television
100 may receive a request for statistics from a customer service or
other outside system or operation. The customer service application
144 can send a request for statistics through the network 132 to
the Intelligent Television 100. This request may be for statistics
about what programs the user is viewing. The processor 364 can then
send a request to statistic subservice 1424 to retrieve the data
associated with how the user is interacting with the television
100, including what content has been viewed, for how long that
content was viewed, and any viewed content, any favorites, any
reminders, any applications being used by the user, any media being
viewed by the user, etc. This information may then be packaged in a
data file, which is sent by the processor 364 through the port
interfaces 352 and through the network 132, back to the customer
service operation 144. Thus, the Intelligent Television 100 allows
for outside data collection, which can then help to better target
content and advertising to the user.
[0353] The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure have
been described in relation to an Intelligent Television. However,
to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure, the
preceding description omits a number of known structures and
devices. This omission is not to be construed as a limitation of
the scopes of the claims. Specific details are set forth to provide
an understanding of the present disclosure. It should however be
appreciated that the present disclosure may be practiced in a
variety of ways beyond the specific detail set forth herein.
[0354] Furthermore, while the exemplary aspects, embodiments,
and/or configurations illustrated herein show the various
components of the system collocated, certain components of the
system can be located remotely, at distant portions of a
distributed network, such as a LAN and/or the Internet, or within a
dedicated system. Thus, it should be appreciated, that the
components of the system can be combined in to one or more devices,
or collocated on a particular node of a distributed network, such
as an analog and/or digital telecommunications network, a
packet-switch network, or a circuit-switched network. It will be
appreciated from the preceding description, and for reasons of
computational efficiency, that the components of the system can be
arranged at any location within a distributed network of components
without affecting the operation of the system. For example, the
various components can be located in a switch such as a PBX and
media server, gateway, in one or more communications devices, at
one or more users' premises, or some combination thereof.
Similarly, one or more functional portions of the system could be
distributed between a telecommunications device(s) and an
associated computing device.
[0355] Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links
connecting the elements can be wired or wireless links, or any
combination thereof, or any other known or later developed
element(s) that is capable of supplying and/or communicating data
to and from the connected elements. These wired or wireless links
can also be secure links and may be capable of communicating
encrypted information. Transmission media used as links, for
example, can be any suitable carrier for electrical signals,
including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, and may
take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated
during radio-wave and infra-red data communications.
[0356] Also, while the flowcharts have been discussed and
illustrated in relation to a particular sequence of events, it
should be appreciated that changes, additions, and omissions to
this sequence can occur without materially affecting the operation
of the disclosed embodiments, configuration, and aspects.
[0357] In another embodiment, the systems and methods of this
disclosure can be implemented in conjunction with a special purpose
computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and
peripheral integrated circuit element(s), an ASIC or other
integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hard-wired
electronic or logic circuit such as discrete element circuit, a
programmable logic device or gate array such as PLD, PLA, FPGA,
PAL, special purpose computer, any comparable means, or the like.
In general, any device(s) or means capable of implementing the
methodology illustrated herein can be used to implement the various
aspects of this disclosure. Exemplary hardware that can be used for
the disclosed embodiments, configurations and aspects includes
computers, handheld devices, telephones (e.g., cellular, Internet
enabled, digital, analog, hybrids, and others), and other hardware
known in the art. Some of these devices include processors (e.g., a
single or multiple microprocessors), memory, nonvolatile storage,
input devices, and output devices. Furthermore, alternative
software implementations including, but not limited to, distributed
processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel
processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed
to implement the methods described herein.
[0358] In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be
readily implemented in conjunction with software using object or
object-oriented software development environments that provide
portable source code that can be used on a variety of computer or
workstation platforms. Alternatively, the disclosed system may be
implemented partially or fully in hardware using standard logic
circuits or VLSI design. Whether software or hardware is used to
implement the systems in accordance with this disclosure is
dependent on the speed and/or efficiency requirements of the
system, the particular function, and the particular software or
hardware systems or microprocessor or microcomputer systems being
utilized.
[0359] In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be
partially implemented in software that can be stored on a storage
medium, executed on programmed general-purpose computer with the
cooperation of a controller and memory, a special purpose computer,
a microprocessor, or the like. In these instances, the systems and
methods of this disclosure can be implemented as program embedded
on personal computer such as an applet, JAVA.RTM. or CGI script, as
a resource residing on a server or computer workstation, as a
routine embedded in a dedicated measurement system, system
component, or the like. The system can also be implemented by
physically incorporating the system and/or method into a software
and/or hardware system.
[0360] Although the present disclosure describes components and
functions implemented in the aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations with reference to particular standards and
protocols, the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations are not
limited to such standards and protocols. Other similar standards
and protocols not mentioned herein are in existence and are
considered to be included in the present disclosure. Moreover, the
standards and protocols mentioned herein and other similar
standards and protocols not mentioned herein are periodically
superseded by faster or more effective equivalents having
essentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and
protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents
included in the present disclosure.
[0361] The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments,
and/or configurations, includes components, methods, processes,
systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described
herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations
embodiments, subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of
skill in the art will understand how to make and use the disclosed
aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations after understanding the
present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects,
embodiments, and/or configurations, includes providing devices and
processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described
herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations
hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been
used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving
performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of
implementation.
[0362] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to
limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the
foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the
disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects,
embodiments, and/or configurations for the purpose of streamlining
the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate
aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than those
discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted
as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features
than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following
claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of
a single foregoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or
configuration. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated
into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own
as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
[0363] Moreover, though the description has included description of
one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain
variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and
modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may
be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after
understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain
rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or
steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or
steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly
dedicate any patentable subject matter.
* * * * *