U.S. patent application number 14/148581 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-01 for video entertainment picture quality adjustment.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Dang Van Tran, Esther Zheng.
Application Number | 20140118392 14/148581 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42991747 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140118392 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tran; Dang Van ; et
al. |
May 1, 2014 |
VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT PICTURE QUALITY ADJUSTMENT
Abstract
A system and method for dynamically changing the display
parameters of a display device. The system includes a server that
obtains information about display content, environmental factors
and user preferences affecting the display device. This information
is used to generate initial display parameters which can be
downloaded to the display device. The display device can use the
initial display parameters to select final display parameters based
upon sensed real-time information about the display device, the
user preferences and environmental factors affecting the display
device.
Inventors: |
Tran; Dang Van; (Laguna
Niguel, CA) ; Zheng; Esther; (Irvine, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd. |
Suwon City |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Company,
Ltd.
Suwon City
KR
|
Family ID: |
42991747 |
Appl. No.: |
14/148581 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12428317 |
Apr 22, 2009 |
8643662 |
|
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14148581 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/619 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4532 20130101;
H04N 21/44 20130101; H04N 5/58 20130101; G09G 2320/08 20130101;
G09G 5/00 20130101; H04N 21/42202 20130101; G06F 3/1454 20130101;
H04N 21/4753 20130101; G09G 2320/0613 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/619 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/00 20060101
G09G005/00 |
Claims
1-26. (canceled)
27. A server comprising: an expert system that receives information
from a knowledge subsystem and an information subs-system for
performing analysis and determining picture quality adjustment
values for adjusting display parameters, wherein the expert system
generates initial display parameters based upon an indication for
graphic content and analysis information, and provides the initial
display parameters to one or more display devices; wherein the
server receives one or more images that are captured by one or more
environmental monitors for updating the picture quality adjustment
values.
28. The server of claim 27, wherein the one or more display devices
include a picture quality generator for generating a final set of
display parameters based upon using the initial display parameters
provided by the server and adjusting the initial display parameters
using input from the one or more environment monitors that obtain
real-time information concerning environmental factors.
29. The server of claim 28, wherein the one or more display devices
adjust display settings in real time based on the final set of
display parameters for display of the selected graphic content; and
wherein the one or more display devices provides the information
concerning the environmental factors and one or more images to the
server or a particular picture quality generator for one of the
display devices.
30. The server of claim 29, wherein the initial parameters comprise
information from one or more content producers.
31. The server of claim 30, wherein the final display parameters
are obtained based on hybridizing different user preferences.
32. The server of claim 29, wherein the expert system receives
initial display parameters or revised display parameters from a
plurality of sources and calculates the picture quality adjustment
factors for a plurality of different: situations or content.
33. The server of claim 32, wherein the server provides for the one
or more display devices for retrieving or exchanging display
parameter settings for particular content with one another.
34. A method for determining display parameters, the method
comprising: receiving, by a server, initial display parameters
tailored for selected graphic content; receiving information from a
knowledge subsystem and an information subs-system, by the server,
and performing an analysis and determining picture quality
adjustment values, by the server, for adjusting display parameters
for one or more display devices, wherein the server generates
initial display parameters based upon an indication for graphic
content and analysis information, and provides the initial display
parameters to the one or more display devices
35. The method of claim 34, further comprising: automatically
monitoring an environment in which the one or more display devices
are currently positioned; and automatically calculating final
display parameters using a picture quality generator of the one or
more display devices, wherein the one or more display devices each
configured for calculating the final display parameters based upon
using the initial display parameters, and adjusting the initial
display parameters using environmental factors of the monitored
environment.
36. The method of claim 35, further comprising: automatically
implementing the final display parameters on the display device;
displaying the graphic content according to the final display
parameters; measuring environmental factors using an environmental
monitor associated with each of the one or more display devices
that measures environmental factors; and providing the measured
environmental factors and the one or more images by the
environmental monitor to the server and the picture quality
generator, wherein the environmental monitor includes a camera and
the one or more images are captured by the environmental
monitor.
37. The method of claim 36, further comprising: capturing initial
setup information about the display device, wherein the initial
display parameters determined based on the initial setup
information.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein capturing initial setup
information comprises capturing information about a particular
display device, the environment in which the particular display
device is used and user preferences.
39. The method of claim 35, wherein monitoring the environment in
which the one or more display devices are used comprises monitoring
lighting in the environment in which the one or more display
devices are positioned.
40. The method of claim 34, wherein the server receives initial
display parameters or revised display parameters from a plurality
of sources and calculates the picture quality adjustment factors
for a plurality of different: situations or content.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the server provides for the one
or more display devices for retrieving or exchanging display
parameter settings for particular content with one another.
42. A television device comprising: at least one sensor device
arranged to obtain real-time information concerning environmental
factors; a picture quality generator that is coupled with the
television device; and an environmental monitor associated with a
display device of the television, the picture quality device
measures environmental factors and provides the measured
environmental factors and one or more images to at least one of at
least one server and the picture quality generator, wherein the
picture quality generator is configured for: receiving initial
display parameters for the display device from the at least one
server; and generating final display parameters for the display
device based upon the initial display parameters and inputs
received in real time from at least one sensor device for adjusting
the initial display parameters, wherein said inputs comprise
dynamic factors for adjusting settings for the display device.
43. The television of claim 42, wherein the one or more images are
transmitted from the television to the at least one server for
performing analysis, wherein the at least one server provides
initial display parameters to the at least one display device.
44. The television of claim 42, wherein the picture quality
generator is further configured for generating final display
parameters for the display device based upon: initial display
parameters for the display device, input received in real time from
the at least one sensor device, measured environmental factors for
the display device, and user preferences.
45. The television of claim 44, wherein the server receives initial
display parameters or revised display parameters from a plurality
of sources and calculates picture quality adjustment factors for a
plurality of different: situations or content, wherein updated
display settings for the display are based on the picture quality
adjustment factors.
46. The television of claim 42, wherein the server provides for the
display device and one or more other display devices for retrieving
or exchanging display parameter settings for particular content
with one another.
47. A method of displaying graphic content via a display device,
the method comprising: developing initial display parameters based
on selected graphic content, wherein the initial display parameters
are generated using one or more images used for performing an
analysis; providing the initial display parameters to the display
device; retrieving or exchanging display parameter settings for
particular content between the display device and one or more other
display devices; automatically calculating final display parameters
using the display parameter settings; automatically implementing
the final display parameters on the display device; and displaying
the graphic content according to the final display parameters.
48. The method of claim 47, further comprising: measuring
environmental factors using an environmental monitor associated
with each of the display devices that measures environmental
factors; and providing the measured environmental factors and the
one or more images by the environmental monitor to at least one of
a server and at least one picture quality generator of the display
device or the one or more other display devices.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein the initial display parameters
comprise information from one or more content producers.
50. The method of claim 48, wherein the server receives initial
display parameters or revised display parameters from a plurality
of sources, calculates picture quality adjustment factors for a
plurality of different: situations or content, and transmits
updated display parameters to the display device.
51. The method of claim 48, wherein the environmental monitor
includes a camera and the one or more images are captured by the
environmental monitor.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the display device calculates
the final display parameters based upon using the initial display
parameters, and adjusting the initial display parameters using
environmental factors of the monitored environment.
53. The method of claim 52, wherein the final display parameters
are obtained based on hybridizing different user preferences.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to video entertainment systems and, in
particular, concerns a global system that provides viewing
parameters to a plurality of different video entertainment devices,
such as televisions, Blu-ray players, digital picture frames, and
the like and further allows the video entertainment devices to
transmit data about the environment in which the device is placed
and user preferences to allow for improved viewing parameters to be
developed for the individual device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Entertainment systems, including televisions, video monitors
and the like are becoming increasingly more sophisticated. High
definition video content is now provided on many cable and
satellite systems and future entertainment content will have
increasingly higher definition resolution. Such high definition
resolution substantially improves the quality of the video
entertainment.
[0005] As video content is becoming increasingly higher resolution,
configuring the video entertainment display parameters to achieve a
desired level of quality becomes more complicated. The best viewing
parameters for particular video content may be dependent on a wide
variety of factors. These factors include the environment in which
the display device is positioned and the lighting in the room at
the time the content is being displayed. Other factors can include
user preferences as different users may prefer content to have
different display parameters. Further, characteristics of the
particular content may also comprise factors that affect the
quality of the content being displayed.
[0006] Often, the factors that affect the quality of the displayed
content are dependent upon what individual viewers prefer. It may
be that viewers who have previously seen particular content may
have determined a preference for some or all of the display
parameters that can be beneficial to subsequent viewers.
Alternatively, the creators of the content may also have input on
the desired viewing parameters. However, current systems are
generally not capable of allowing subsequent viewers to receive
beneficial input from previous viewers or content creators.
[0007] Further, current systems are generally not capable of
dynamically adjusting the display parameters to match the
environmental or personal factors for various viewers. Typically, a
viewer sets the display parameters, e.g., brightness, contrast,
sharpness, color, tint, color temperature, gamma value, etc., when
the video display is installed. Given the number of different
parameters, viewers will often not adjust the parameters to
accommodate different and/or changing viewing environments, e.g.,
changes in light level in the room, or differences in the content.
As such, current video display systems generally fail to
dynamically maintain an improved viewing experience for the
viewers.
[0008] As such, there is a need for a video display system that can
more automatically update the viewing parameters of an individual
display. To this end, there is a need for a system that is capable
of downloading preferred viewing parameters to one or more
individual video displays so that the video displays can adjust
their display parameters to provide a better display
characteristic. Further, there is a need for a system that can
dynamically provide data indicative of the viewing environment or
viewer preferences so that the system can provide updated
parameters with the actual viewing environment for the individual
display device in mind.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The aforementioned needs are satisfied by embodiments that
can include a server that is adapted to communicate with a
plurality of video display devices that are distributed into a
plurality of different locations. The server can be adapted to
receive signals from the distributed display devices indicative of
the environment in which the display devices are positioned and/or
signals indicative of the user's preferences. The server can also
be adapted to provide signals to one or more of the distributed
video display devices that provide configuration information for
content that can be displayed by the one or more plurality of video
display devices. In one implementation, the information provided by
the at least one server is selected at least in part based upon the
information that is provided to the at least one server from the
plurality of distributed display devices indicative of the
environment in which the display devices are situated and/or the
user's preferences.
[0010] In one exemplary implementation, at least one of the display
devices is initially set up with default settings. Environmental
factors, such location, lighting, viewing distance, viewing
location, etc. are communicated to the at least one server and the
at least one server provides a set of initial display parameters.
In one specific exemplary implementation, the initial display
parameters can be provided in look-up table form. These initial
display parameters allow the display device to dynamically tune the
display to the recommended parameters.
[0011] In one exemplary implementation, the at least one server
determines preferred initial parameters for particular video
content. When this particular video content is being displayed by a
selected video display device, the at least one server downloads
the preferred initial parameters so that the display device can
adjust the display parameters for that device based at least in
part upon the preferred initial parameters.
[0012] Embodiments allow for dynamically adjusted display
parameters that can vary based upon a variety of factors including,
but not limited to, the display environment, the user preferences
and determined preferred parameters specific to the video content
being displayed. As this information is being determined
dynamically, the user involvement in setting display parameters is
reduced.
[0013] One embodiment includes a system for displaying graphic
content via one or more display devices, the system comprising at
least one server that is communicatively linked to at least one
display device, wherein the at least one server provides initial
display parameters to the at least one display device and one or
more picture quality generators that are respectively associated
with the one or more display devices, wherein the picture quality
generators receive the initial display parameters and implement
final display parameters based upon the initial display parameters
and dynamic factors affecting the respective display device.
[0014] Another embodiment includes a system for displaying graphic
content, the system comprising a server having access to data
indicative of selected graphic content to be displayed, wherein the
server generates initial display parameters based, at least in
part, upon the selected graphic content data and one or more
display devices wherein the one or more display devices are
communicatively linked with the server so as to receive the initial
display parameters, and wherein the one or more display devices
further are communicatively linked with an environment monitor
wherein the one or more display devices select a final set of
display parameters based upon the initial display parameters
provided by the server and input from the environment monitor and
wherein the one or more display devices adjust display settings of
the display device based on the final set of display parameters for
display of the selected content.
[0015] A further embodiment includes a method of displaying graphic
content via a display device, the method comprising developing
initial display parameters tailored for selected graphic content,
providing the initial display parameters to the display device,
automatically monitoring an environment in which the display device
is currently positioned, automatically calculating final display
parameters based upon the initial display parameters and based upon
the monitored environment in which the display device is currently
positioned, automatically implementing the final display parameters
on the display device and displaying the graphic content according
to the final display parameters. These and other objects and
advantages will become more apparent from the following description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system that includes
a plurality of display devices that are distributed to a variety of
different locations with at least one server that is
communicatively linked to the plurality of display devices;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustration of one of
a plurality of display devices and the at least one server of FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating how one of a
plurality of display devices can be set up in a location and linked
with at least one server;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating how a server
can generate initial display parameters and provide the initial
display parameters to one or more display devices;
[0020] FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating how one of a
plurality of display devices can use initial display parameters
from at least one server along with real-time information from the
display device and the local or viewing environment to implement
final display parameters;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of embodiments of generating and
presenting multiple sets of picture quality settings and allowing
user selection of a preferred set of settings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT
[0022] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like
numerals refer to like parts throughout. As shown in FIG. 1, the
video display system 100 includes a plurality of individual display
devices 102. These display devices 102 can include a plurality of
known display devices such as television sets, including high
definition television sets, computer displays or any other type of
display that provides video content, either still or motion
content, to users. The display devices 102 can be generally
configured for use by a single user, for example as a laptop or
desktop computer, a personal digital device, a cell
phone/Smartphone, and the like. The display devices 102 can be
configured for communal use by multiple viewers/users, for example
as televisions, home theatre systems, video conferencing systems,
and the like. The display devices 102 can be configured to interact
with and display content from a wide variety of sources including
but not limited to on air broadcasts, satellite communications,
fiber optic or wired cable service, gaming consoles, Blu-Ray or
other media players, downloads from a network such as the Internet,
cellular networks, locally generated content, and the like.
[0023] As shown, these display devices 102 can be distributed in a
single household 104 and can also be positioned in different
locations within the household including in the bedroom 106 or the
living room 108. The location of the display 102 is indicative of
the environmental factors that may affect the manner in which the
display 102 displays the video content to affect how a viewer or
viewers perceive the content. For example, people who are watching
television in a living room are generally sitting up and it is
often daytime whereas people who are watching television in a
bedroom may be more inclined to do so when lying down in bed when
it is nighttime. The visual appearance of the content being
displayed by the display 102 is affected by the environment, such
as the ambient light, and is also affected by the relative position
of the viewer with respect to the display. In some implementations,
the display devices 102 are portable devices and would typically be
used in a variety of locations, each having different environmental
conditions.
[0024] As is also shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 includes a
plurality of other display devices 102 that are used by other
viewers in different environments. Feedback from those viewers may
provide information from at least one application server 110 that
will allow the server 110 to develop recommended display parameters
for particular display content. Display content can, of course,
comprise any of a number of different content, such as television
shows, movies, sporting events and the like.
[0025] The display parameters can include a variety of different
parameters that affect the manner in which the display devices 102
display the content. Exemplary display parameters can include
parameters such as brightness, contrast, sharpness, color, tint,
color temperature, gamma value, etc. Each of these parameters may
substantially affect the quality of the display of the content by
the display 102. Thus, the system 100 attempts to provide improved
settings information to the displays 102 to thereby allow the
displays 102 to automatically or dynamically reset the parameters
to more desired parameter settings for that display 102, with
reduced involvement by the viewers.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram that illustrates
embodiments of functional components of one of the display devices
102 and the application server 110 of the system 100 in greater
detail. As shown, the components of the system 100 on the server
side can include an expert system 120 that receives information
from an expert knowledge subsystem 122 and a real-time information
system 124. The expert knowledge subsystem 122 is adapted to gather
expert knowledge or suggestions on picture quality (PQ) settings.
This information can be transmitted to and stored by the expert
system 120 in the data repository 126. The desired parameters can
be obtained from a variety of different sources or combination of
sources.
[0027] For example, the producers of a particular video content may
have desired parameters information for application to at least
some of the display devices 102. Further, previous viewers of the
content may also have input as to the desired parameters.
Manufacturers of the display devices 102 may also have input as to
the desired parameters for particular video content. All of these
sources of information can be used to obtain a desired or
recommended set of parameter settings for a particular video
content which can then be stored by the expert system 120 in the
data repository 126.
[0028] As is also shown, the expert system 120 can also receive
information from the real-time information subsystem 124. The
real-time information subsystem 124, in one implementation,
collects electronic programming guide information from data
partners who provide an indication of the content that is being
provided via the system 100, e.g. the scheduling of shows, the
types of shows, TV episode IDs, content genres, etc. In this way,
the expert system 120 can match a set of initial parameters for
each of the shows for subsequent download to the display devices
102 at the desired time.
[0029] The expert system 120 can either receive desired
initial/revised parameters from other sources or can calculate
picture quality adjustment values for various situations or
contents. Further, as will be discussed below, the expert system
120 is also capable of updating a data cache associated with
individual displays 102 on a periodic basis (e.g., weekly or
daily). Further, the expert system 120 is also preferably
configured to allow the individual display devices 102 to retrieve
parameter settings or exchange parameter settings for particular
video content in the manner that will be described below.
[0030] FIG. 2 also illustrates the functional components of an
exemplary display device 102 that implements the display parameter
process of the instant embodiment. As shown, the display device 102
includes a setup information subsystem 130 that collects the
initial setup information and sends this information to the expert
system 120 of the application server 110 via a communication link
121, such as the Internet or wireless communication. The setup
information can include such things as the environment 132 in which
the display device 102 is positioned. The environment 132 can
include information such as the physical location of the display
device 102 in a house, such as whether the display device 102 is in
a living room or a bedroom, the distance the normal viewing area is
from the display device 102 and the ambient light surrounding the
display device 102, etc.
[0031] Information about the environment 132 can be automatically
captured by one or more separate devices associated with the
display 102, such as cameras and the like. The display device 102
can be equipped with or can be in communication with a camera 140
that records an image of the surrounding environment that can be
transmitted to the setup information subsystem 130 via a separate
device interface 144. This information can also be transmitted to
the expert system 120 directly via a communications link 123
between the camera 140 and the expert system 120. The information
can also be exchanged with the expert system 120 via the display
device 102 and the communication link 121. In one implementation,
the camera 140 takes an image when all the lights in a room are on
or off. The pictures can then be analyzed using luminance matrix
methods similar to camera matrix metering methods and luminance
matrix values can then be recorded as input for assessing how to
adjust the parameters of the display device to achieve the
preferred parameter settings for the display device 102.
[0032] Alternatively or in addition, information about the
environment can also be captured, such as via a cell phone 142 with
a built-in camera. The viewer can take a photo of the display
device 102 in its display environment and then transmit this
information to the expert system 120 via the communication link 123
and a known messaging system such as Multimedia Messaging Service
(MMS), e-mail, file-upload, and the like. The same luminance matrix
method discussed above can be used to provide data indicative of
the environment in which the display device 102 is positioned.
Communication with the expert system 120 can be bi-directional in
some embodiments. For example, the expert system 120 can receive
data from the camera 140 and/or cell phone 142 and provide a return
message confirming receipt of the new environmental data.
[0033] It will be appreciated that the camera 140 is generally
integral with or located adjacent the display device 102 and is
capturing an image of the viewing location of the viewers who will
watch the display device 102, e.g. from the perspective of the
display device 102. This image can provide information indicative
of the distance the viewer is from the display device 102 and also
provide data indicative of the ambient light characteristics
surrounding the display device 102.
[0034] The cell phone 142 is, however, capturing an image of the
display device 102 as it would be seen by the viewer. This provides
different information with respect to the ambient environment in
which the display device 102 is positioned as it is being shown
from the point of view of the viewer. It will be appreciated that a
variety of combinations of both the camera input 140 and the cell
phone input 142 can be used to assess the ambient environment of
the user. It will also be appreciated that other methods, such as
evaluating the room information and/or using a photo cell can also
be used to determine environmental characteristics of the location
of the display device 102 without departing from the spirit of the
present invention.
[0035] As is also indicated in FIG. 2, the setup information
subsystem 130 also includes device information 134 about the
display device 102. The device information can include information
such as the display type, e.g., Plasma, LCD, etc., the screen size
and the make and model number. This information can also be used by
the expert system 120 to modify desired parameters for a particular
display to match the device 102 of interest.
[0036] The setup information subsystem 130 can also include user
information 138 about one or more users or viewers of the display
device 102. It will be appreciated that various different users or
viewers may have different preferences for both the type of content
that is displayed and the manner in which it is displayed. During
set up, preferences for particular individuals can be recorded and
transmitted to the expert system 120, for example the real-time
information module 124, so that the expert system 120 can use this
information to update preferred initial display parameters that are
then transmitted back to the display device 102.
[0037] The setup information subsystem 130 can also include content
information 136. The content information 136 can include content
that is prohibited on the display device 102 and can further
comprise multiple service operator (MSO) information. It will be
appreciated that a variety of different information can be captured
by the display device 102 at set up, or subsequently throughout use
of the display device 102, that can then be subsequently provided
to the expert system 120 to permit the expert system 120 to provide
preferred initial display parameters to the display 120 in a manner
that takes into account both the environment in which the display
device 102 is positioned and also the preferences of the viewers of
the display device 102.
[0038] As is also shown in FIG. 2, the display device can also
include a real-time information subsystem 150 that includes
environment 152, device 154, content 156 and user 158 information
that is substantially the same as the information that is contained
within the setup information subsystem 130. In this functional
subsystem, the real time ambient environment information is
collected via the interface 144 from the camera 140, the cell phone
142 and/or any other environment sensor that can be used. In this
way, the actual environmental conditions in which the display
device 102 displays content can be used on a real time basis for
adjusting the display parameters in the manner that will be
described in greater detail below.
[0039] Similarly, the real-time subsystem 150 also makes note of
dynamic device information 154 such as the current time that the
display device 102 is being used as well as the current channel to
which the display device 102 is tuned. The time and the channel can
then be used to ascertain which preferred parameters should be used
by the display 102 for a particular stream of content that is being
displayed on the current channel at the current time.
[0040] Further, the real-time information subsystem 150 also
includes current user or viewer information 158 that is indicative
of which users or viewers are currently viewing the display 102. It
will be appreciated that a remote control device can be used to
indicate which of the current users are viewing the display 102 and
the preferences of the current users can then be retrieved to
obtain a desired set of parameters for the particular users or
viewers. It will be appreciated that more than one user or viewer
may be simultaneously logged in to the display device 102 such that
the display device 102 may then have to either generate or retrieve
a hybrid set of preferences for the particular combination of
viewers or users.
[0041] The real-time information subsystem 150 can also capture
current content information 156. The current content information
156 can include the current show or content that is being displayed
by the display device as determined from a built-in or a set-top
electronic program guide. This information can then be used to help
determine a desired set of display parameters for the currently
displayed content taking into consideration environmental factors,
user preference factors, etc. as discussed above.
[0042] As is also shown in FIG. 2, the display device 102 can also
include a picture quality generator 160 that receives information
from both the real-time information subsystem 150 of the display
device 102 and the expert system 120 of the application server 110.
Preferably the picture quality generator 160 downloads initial
display parameters from the expert system 120 via one or both of
the communications links 121, 123. The information is initially
downloaded based on the setup information that is provided to the
expert system 120 via the setup information system 134.
[0043] The initial display parameters obtained by the picture
quality generator 160 are stored by the picture quality generator
160 into a data cache 170 which acts like a cache of the expert
system 120 in the display device 102. The data cache 170 provides a
look-up table of data for the picture quality generator 160 that
the picture quality generator 160 can use to determine final
display parameters for the display of content based upon the
information being received from the real-time information subsystem
150. The final display parameter values generated by the picture
quality generator 160 can then be used for picture quality
adjustment 180 and thus, the final display parameters, e.g.,
brightness, contrast, sharpness, color, tint, color temperature,
gamma value, etc. can be dynamically modified to provide a better
display of the content by the display device 102.
[0044] It will be appreciated that the system 100 provides the
ability to modify the display parameters of the display 102 based
on environmental factors, content being displayed, user preferences
and downloaded preferences provided by the expert system 120. This
modification of the display parameters can be accomplished with
less input from the users or viewers and can thus work in the
background of the display.
[0045] Turning now to FIG. 3, a process whereby the setup
information for the display device 102 is captured and provided to
the server 110 is described. As discussed above, the setup
information subsystem 130 of each of the display devices 102
captures setup information about a particular display device 102.
This subsystem captures information about the environment in which
the given device 102 is currently positioned in a block 204. As
previously noted, the environment data can include ambient
lighting, time of day, viewing distance, viewing orientation,
etc.
[0046] Information about the user is gathered in a block 206. The
user information can include a viewer's age, any vision
impairments, name, account information, and the like. Information
about the device is gathered in a block 210. The device data can
include make and model of the display device 102, cumulative time
of use, present display settings, and the like. Information about
the content is gathered in a block 212. Content information can
include a content source, content genre, audio levels, video feed
parameters, age/content rating, resolution or definition, and the
like.
[0047] This information can be captured automatically or it can be
programmed into the subsystem by an installer of the display device
102 or even by the user of the display device 102. Once this
information is captured, it is transmitted to the server in block
214.
[0048] The transmitted information initially provides a baseline of
information for the server 110 to download initial display
parameters to the display device 102 to allow the display device
102 the ability to adjust the initial display parameters based upon
the real-time information and the suggested display parameters in
the manner that will be described below in conjunction with FIG. 5.
The baseline setup information can, of course, be updated when
environmental factors, user preferences, device configuration or
content changes. If the display device 102 determines that the
setup information has changed in decision block 216, the subsystem
130 then recaptures this information, as indicated, and transmits
the updated information to the server 102.
[0049] The updated information can correspond only to changed data
or to a complete set of setup data. Thus the system 100 can
dynamically update based on real-time changes to iteratively adjust
display settings for changes in viewer, content, environmental
conditions, etc. throughout use of the device.
[0050] It will be understood that the blocks 204, 206, 210, 212 are
illustrated in FIG. 3 in a particular sequence, however this is
simply for ease of illustration and understanding. If performed
sequentially, blocks 204, 206, 210, 212 can be performed in any
possible order. In some embodiments, blocks 204, 206, 210, 212 can
be performed in part or wholly in a parallel manner.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the server 110, from a start block 230,
receives the initial or current setup information transmitted from
the display device in block 232. This information is then used, in
conjunction with the real-time information module 124 (FIG. 2) and
the expert knowledge 122 (FIG. 2) to determine initial/revised
display parameters in block 234. The initial/revised display
parameters, in one embodiment, comprise a look-up table of
parameters that can be transmitted to the display device in block
236, The transmitted information can then be stored by the display
device 102 and used to generate final display parameter settings
based upon sensed real-time operating information of the display
device 102 in the manner that will be described in greater detail
below in conjunction with FIG. 5.
[0052] Transmission of the set of display parameters can be
triggered by a request self-generated by the display device 102
and/or triggered by a request by a user. For example, a user can
request via a cell phone 142 and communicate with the expert system
120 a desire to evaluate and possibly select an alternate set of
parameter settings. The expert system 120 can communicate a new set
or an ordered plurality of sets of display parameters either
directly to the display device 102 via the communications link 121
or to the user's cell phone 142 via the communications link 123.
The user can evaluate the different sets of display parameters
using their cell phone and accept/reject/rate them accordingly. The
user can then communicate directly with the display device 102 or
with the expert system 120 and indicate a preferred set of display
parameters/settings to be applied to the display device 102.
[0053] The information that is being received by the server 110
will, of course, be changing. The setup information for particular
display devices 102 changes, the content that is being provided to
the display devices 102 will change and the expert knowledge about
the content will also be dynamically changing. Thus, the server 110
is periodically determining, in decision block 240, whether an
update to any of this information has occurred and that an update
is indicated in decision block 240. In some embodiments, a change
need not necessarily trigger an update. For example, changes may
need to exceed a certain threshold in number or magnitude to
indicate that an update is indicated in block 240.
[0054] If an update is indicated, the server 110 determines updated
initial parameters in block 242 and then transmits these updated
initial parameters to the display device in block 244. This
updating can occur continuously or the updating can occur
periodically or aperiodically. It will be appreciated that new
content may be developed continuously with continuous determination
of factors that would affect the display parameters. However, it
may be advantageous to limit transmission of any updated display
parameters to the distributed display devices 102 to periodically,
e.g., daily or weekly, due to bandwidth issues. Also, as previously
noted, updates can be triggered aperiodically, for example arising
from unpredictable changes in the viewing environment or
acquisition of a new display device 102, for example.
[0055] In this way, the server 110 can continuously or
intermittently determine proposed initial/revised display
parameters based on current setup information, current content
information, current environment information, current user
information, and current expert information. This information can
be continuously or periodically provided to the display device 102
so that the display device 102 can update current display
parameters in a dynamic fashion without requiring substantial user
input.
[0056] FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow chart that illustrate
embodiments of how the display device 102 and, in particular, the
picture quality generator 160 can determine final display
parameters for particular content that is currently being displayed
by the display device 102. As shown, from a start block 270, the
picture quality generator 160 receives, in block 227, the initial
display parameters, or updates thereto, from the expert system 120
via the communications interface 121 and/or via the communication
interface 123 and one or more of the separate devices 140, 142.
[0057] In one implementation, the initial/revised display
parameters are in the form of a look-up table that is accessible
based upon the real-time information obtained by the real-time
information subsystem 150. The picture quality generator 160 stores
the initial display parameters into the data cache 170 or updates
the previously stored initial display parameters in block 274.
[0058] When the display device 102 is operational, it can obtain a
continuous stream of real-time information, in block 276, via the
real-time information subsystem 150 and provide this information to
the picture quality generator 160. This information can be
indicative, for example, of the content that is currently being
displayed, the user preferences, the environmental factors
affecting the display device and information about the device 102
itself. This information is then used by the picture quality
generator 160 to retrieve or calculate from the initial display
parameters stored in the data cache 170 the final display
parameters in block 280. The final display parameters can then be
implemented in block 282 thereby changing the parameters of the
display device 102, as indicated, via the picture quality
adjustment 180.
[0059] FIG. 6 illustrates embodiments of a system and process for
generating multiple sets of picture quality (PQ) settings and
adjusting the display qualities of a display device 102
accordingly. One or more users can review the quality of image
displayed according to one or more of the sets of multiple PQ
settings and provide an indication of a preferred set of the
settings. It will be understood that the number of different
display parameters that can be adjusted and the range of
adjustments of these parameters can result in a large number of
combinations of particular display parameter settings. In addition,
in at least some applications, a plurality of different viewers or
users may wish to view a given display device 102 at a given time.
Thus, in at least some applications, selection of a single set of
PQ settings may be suboptimal for a particular individual viewer or
user, however by presenting multiple options, a group of viewers
can select a particular set of PQ settings that provide an improved
viewing experience for the group.
[0060] A start block 302 indicates generally operation of the
system 100 and associated processes as previously described. In a
block 304, multiple PQ settings sets are generated generally to
correspond to different combinations of environment data, user
data, device data, and content data. For example, a first PQ
settings set may be optimized for a first user of the device 102
and a second PQ settings set can be optimized for a second user of
the display device 102. In a similar manner, a given PQ settings
set can be optimized for a particular device 102, particular
content, and/or a particular set of environmental conditions.
Implementation of block 304 can occur locally, e.g., at the display
device 102 itself and/or remotely, e.g., at the application server
110.
[0061] In a block 306, the multiple PQ settings set generated in
block 304 are stored. The storage of block 306 can similarly occur
locally at the display device 102, for example in the data cache
170 or other local storage. The storage of block 306 can also occur
in some embodiments in addition or as an alternative remotely at
the application server 110. The storage of block 306 can be
performed such that the multiple PQ settings sets are arranged as
an ordered set.
[0062] In an optional block 310, multiple PQ settings sets can be
communicated to the display device 102. For example, in embodiments
where the multiple PQ settings sets are not stored locally at the
display device, the block 310 provides the capability to
communicate this data to the display device 102. In some
embodiments, block 310 operates to communicate the multiple PQ
settings sets to the display device 102 via the combination of a
separate device 142 and the communication link 123. For example, in
some embodiments a user can receive and evaluate one or more sets
of display settings on their cell phone 142. In some embodiments,
block 310 operates to communicate the multiple PQ settings sets to
the display device 102 directly via the communications link
121.
[0063] In a block 312, at least one set of the PQ settings is
implemented at the display device 102 and/or the user's cell phone
142. The display device 102 can adjust display of the corresponding
content according to the implemented set of PQ settings. In a block
314, a decision is made whether or not the user accepts the set of
PQ settings implemented in block 312. A user can indicate
acceptance via actuation of a local user input control associated
with the display device 102 or via communication with the display
device 102, for example with a separate device comprising a cell
phone 142. If the user indicates acceptance in block 314, an end
block 316 is implemented that corresponds generally to continued
operation of the system 100 and associated processes as described
herein.
[0064] After a determined time-out period or via affirmative
indication by the user that the currently implemented set of PQ
settings from block 312 is not acceptable, blocks 312 and 314 are
iteratively implemented until user acceptance is indicated in an
iteration of block 314. It will be understood that should a user
fail to indicate acceptance in block 314, a time-out or count-out
provision can be implemented to accept one of the set of PQ
settings absent affirmative user acceptance.
[0065] Thus, the integrated system 100 can continuously determine a
variety of factors affecting the display device 102 that affect
picture quality and also provide expert information about the
content to the display devices 102 so that the display devices 102
can dynamically adjust one or more of a variety of the display
parameters affecting picture quality. This process is ongoing and
does not require continuous intervention on the part of the user or
viewer.
[0066] Although the foregoing description has shown, described and
illustrated the present invention, it will be appreciated that
various changes and modifications to the system and the uses
thereof may be made by those skilled in the art without departing
from the teachings of the present invention. Thus, the scope of the
present invention should not be limited to the foregoing discussion
but should be defined by the appended claims.
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