U.S. patent application number 14/458417 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-15 for navigation of multimedia content.
The applicant listed for this patent is AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.. Invention is credited to William A. Brown, Virginia Seid Ng.
Application Number | 20150020101 14/458417 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42785967 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150020101 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; William A. ; et
al. |
January 15, 2015 |
NAVIGATION OF MULTIMEDIA CONTENT
Abstract
Methods and systems for navigating multimedia content are
disclosed. A first plurality of selectable icons is displayed. A
selection of a particular selectable icon of the first plurality of
selectable icons is received. The particular selectable icon
represents multimedia content associated with a particular user. In
response to receiving the selection of the particular selectable
icon, a display of a second plurality of selectable icons is
initiated. At least one of the second plurality of selectable icons
represents a particular multimedia program that is associated with
the particular user.
Inventors: |
Brown; William A.;
(Woodstock, GA) ; Ng; Virginia Seid;
(Lawrenceville, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P. |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
42785967 |
Appl. No.: |
14/458417 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12413253 |
Mar 27, 2009 |
8839297 |
|
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14458417 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4312 20130101;
H04N 21/4622 20130101; H04N 21/8146 20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101;
H04N 21/84 20130101; H04N 21/4532 20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101;
H04N 5/45 20130101; H04N 21/8455 20130101; G06F 3/04842 20130101;
H04N 21/4722 20130101; H04N 21/4753 20130101; H04N 21/25875
20130101; H04N 21/435 20130101; H04N 21/64322 20130101; H04N
21/4325 20130101; H04N 21/4755 20130101; G06F 3/04817 20130101;
H04N 5/44543 20130101; H04N 21/4316 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/40 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/431 20060101
H04N021/431; G06F 3/0484 20060101 G06F003/0484; H04N 5/445 20060101
H04N005/445; H04N 21/432 20060101 H04N021/432; H04N 21/4722
20060101 H04N021/4722; H04N 21/482 20060101 H04N021/482; H04N
21/643 20060101 H04N021/643; H04N 21/81 20060101 H04N021/81; H04N
21/84 20060101 H04N021/84; G06F 3/0481 20060101 G06F003/0481; H04N
21/462 20060101 H04N021/462 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: sending a user interface to a device,
wherein the user interface includes information associated with
display of a plurality of selectable icons, wherein a first icon of
the plurality of selectable icons includes a face of a fictional
character; and in response to a selection of the first icon,
sending a second user interface to the device, wherein the second
user interface includes information associated with display of a
second plurality of selectable icons, wherein at least one of the
second plurality of selectable icons depicts a second fictional
character, and wherein the at least one of the second plurality of
selectable icons is associated with a plurality of multimedia
programs.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the second
plurality of selectable icons includes a face of the second
fictional character.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second fictional character
appears in at least one of the plurality of multimedia
programs.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a set-top box, a
computer, or a television.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface and the second
user interface are sent from a server to the device via a
network.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the network includes the
Internet.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to a
selection of the at least one of the second plurality of selectable
icons, sending a third user interface to the device, wherein the
third user interface includes a third plurality of selectable icons
associated with the plurality of multimedia programs.
8. A method comprising: sending a user interface to a device,
wherein the user interface includes information associated with
display of a plurality of selectable icons, wherein a first icon of
the plurality of selectable icons includes a first image of a first
fictional character; in response to a selection of the first icon,
sending a second user interface to the device, wherein the second
user interface includes information associated with display of a
second plurality of selectable icons, wherein at least one of the
second plurality of selectable icons includes a second image of a
second fictional character, and wherein the at least one of the
second plurality of selectable icons is associated with a plurality
of multimedia programs; and in response to a selection of the at
least one of the second plurality of selectable icons, sending a
third user interface to the device, wherein the third user
interface includes information associated with display of a third
plurality of selectable icons, and wherein each selectable icon of
the third plurality of selectable icons is selectable to initiate
playback of a particular multimedia program of the plurality of
multimedia programs.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein initiating playback of the
particular multimedia program comprises: accessing a copy of the
particular multimedia program that is stored at a server; and
streaming the copy of the particular multimedia program from the
server to the device.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first image of the first
fictional character includes at least a face of an animal.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the animal is a bear or a
mouse.
12. The method of claim 8, further comprising associating the first
image of the first fictional character with the first icon in
response to a request received from the device to modify a user
profile associated with the first icon.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the second fictional character
appears in at least one multimedia program of the plurality of
multimedia programs.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second fictional character
is a favorite character of a younger viewer.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the second fictional character
is a cartoon character.
16. The method of claim 8, wherein: the sending of the first user
interface to the device is responsive to a first input received
from an input device associated with the device; the sending of the
second user interface is responsive to a second input received from
the input device; and the sending of the third user interface is
responsive to a third input received from the input device.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the device is a television, and
wherein the input device includes a remote control.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the device is a computer, and
wherein the input device is communicatively coupled to the
computer.
19. A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that,
when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform
operations comprising: sending a user interface to a device,
wherein the user interface includes information associated with
display of a plurality of selectable icons, wherein a first icon of
the plurality of selectable icons includes a face of a first
fictional character; in response to a selection of the first icon,
sending a second user interface to the device, wherein the second
user interface includes information associated with display of a
second plurality of selectable icons, wherein at least one of the
second plurality of selectable icons includes a face of a second
fictional character, wherein the at least one of the second
plurality of selectable icons is associated with a plurality of
multimedia programs, and wherein the second fictional character
appears in at least one of the multimedia programs; and in response
to a selection of the at least one of the second plurality of
selectable icons, sending a third user interface to the device,
wherein the third user interface includes information associated
with display of a third plurality of selectable icons, and wherein
each selectable icon of the third plurality of selectable icons is
selectable to initiate playback of a particular multimedia program
of the plurality of multimedia programs.
20. The computer-readable storage device of claim 19, wherein the
first icon is modifiable to include a face of a different fictional
character.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] The present application is a continuation of and claims
priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/413,253, filed on
Mar. 27, 2009 and entitled "NAVIGATION OF MULTIMEDIA CONTENT," the
contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure is generally related to navigation of
multimedia content available via a multimedia distribution
system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Content providers continue to increase the amount of
multimedia content available via multimedia distribution systems.
For example, a high-definition television (HDTV) system may offer a
subscriber hundreds of different channels where the subscriber may
view multimedia content. Additionally, a subscriber may store
recorded multimedia content on electronic devices that are
communicatively coupled to a multimedia distribution system such as
a digital video recorder (DVR) or a server accessible to the
subscriber via a network. The subscriber may store multimedia
content made available via the multimedia distribution system, such
as episodes of a recorded television program, for example. The
subscriber may also store multimedia content created by the
subscriber, such as a video captured using a personal video camera
or photos taken with a personal camera, for example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first particular embodiment
of a system to navigate multimedia content;
[0005] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a second particular embodiment
of a system to navigate multimedia content;
[0006] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a display screen showing three
selectable icons with each selectable icon corresponding to a user
viewing profile;
[0007] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a display screen as a display
appears after a user has selected a particular selectable icon
shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with particular embodiments of a
system to navigate multimedia content;
[0008] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a display screen showing four
selectable icons corresponding to a particular user viewing profile
displayed after a user has selected a particular selectable icon
shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with particular embodiments of a
system to navigate multimedia content;
[0009] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a display screen as the display
appears after a user has selected a first particular selectable
icon shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with particular embodiments of a
system to navigate multimedia content;
[0010] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a display screen as the display
appears after a user has selected a second particular selectable
icon shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with particular embodiments of a
system to navigate multimedia content;
[0011] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a first particular embodiment of a
method of navigating multimedia content;
[0012] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a second particular embodiment of
a method of navigating multimedia content; and
[0013] FIG. 10 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a general
computer system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Systems and methods of navigating multimedia content are
disclosed. In a first particular embodiment, a method of navigating
multimedia content includes displaying a first plurality of
selectable icons. Each selectable icon of the first plurality of
selectable icons represents multimedia content associated with a
user. The method also includes receiving a selection of a
particular selectable icon of the first plurality of selectable
icons, where the particular selectable icon represents multimedia
content associated with a particular user. In response to receiving
the selection of the particular selectable icon, the method
initiates display of a second plurality of selectable icons, where
at least one selectable icon of the second plurality of selectable
icons represents a particular multimedia program that is associated
with the particular user.
[0015] In a second particular embodiment, a set-top box for
navigating multimedia content is disclosed. The set-top box
includes a network interface component and a graphical viewing
navigation module. The set-top box is configured to communicate
with a multimedia distribution system such as an Internet Protocol
television (IPTV) system. The graphical viewing navigation module
is configured to initiate a display, at a display device, of a
first plurality of selectable icons. Each selectable icon of the
first plurality of selectable icons represents multimedia content
associated with a particular user. The graphical viewing navigation
module is also configured to receive a selection of a particular
selectable icon of the first plurality of selectable icons. The
particular selectable icon represents multimedia content associated
with a particular user. The graphical viewing navigation module is
further configured to respond to receiving the selection of the
particular selectable icon. In response to receiving the selection
of the particular selectable icon, the graphical viewing navigation
module initiates display, at the display device, of a second
plurality of selectable icons. The second plurality of selectable
icons includes at least one selectable icon that represents a
particular multimedia program that is associated with the
particular user and further includes at least one selectable icon
that represents a collection of stored multimedia content
associated with the particular user. The at least one selectable
icon that represents the particular multimedia program is
selectable to initiate a search of the multimedia distribution
system to locate episodes of the particular multimedia program that
are available for display and that are in progress. The collection
of stored multimedia content is stored at a storage device
accessible to the set-top box device.
[0016] In a third particular embodiment, a computer-readable
storage medium for navigating multimedia content is disclosed. The
computer-readable storage medium includes computer-executable
instructions that, when executed by a processor, enable the
processor to initiate a display of a first plurality of selectable
icons. Each selectable icon of the first plurality of selectable
icons represents multimedia content associated with a user. The
computer-executable instructions also enable the processor to
receive a selection of a particular icon of the first plurality of
selectable icons. The particular icon represents multimedia content
associated with a particular user. The computer-executable
instructions also enable the processor, in response to receiving
the selection of the particular icon, to initiate a display of a
second plurality of selectable icons. The second plurality of
selectable icons includes at least one selectable icon that
represents a particular multimedia program associated with the
particular user and further includes at least one selectable icon
that represents a collection of stored multimedia content
associated with the particular user. The at least one selectable
icon that represents the particular multimedia program is
selectable to cause a multimedia receiver to initiate a search of a
multimedia distribution system to locate episodes of the particular
programs that are available to the multimedia receiver and that are
in progress.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrative embodiment of a system
100 to navigate multimedia content is disclosed. The system 100
includes a multimedia receiver 102 connected to a network 140. The
network 140 provides the multimedia receiver 102 with access to a
multimedia distribution system 150. The multimedia receiver 102 may
include a set-top box or a personal computer, for example. The
multimedia receiver 102 is also connected to a display device 118,
an input device 128, and a storage device 130. The input device 128
may include a computer mouse or a controller such as a remote
control used in conjunction with a television system, for example.
The storage device 130 may include a digital video recorder (DVR),
for example. The multimedia distribution system 130 may include an
Internet Protocol television (IPTV) system or a Cable television
(CATV) system, for example. The network 140 may include an IPTV
access network or a CATV network 140, for example.
[0018] The multimedia receiver 102 includes a processor 110. The
multimedia receiver 102 also includes a network interface 104
accessible to the processor 110, an input/output (I/O) interface
106 accessible to the processor 110, and a memory 108 accessible to
the processor. The network interface 104 enables the multimedia
receiver 102 to connect to the network 140, providing the
multimedia receiver 102 with access to the multimedia distribution
system 150. The I/O interface 106 enables the multimedia receiver
102 to connect to the display device 118, to the input device 128,
and to the storage device 130.
[0019] The memory 108 includes a graphical viewing navigation
module 170, a first plurality of selectable icons 172, viewing
profiles 174, an electronic program guide (EPG) 184, and pointers
186 to multimedia content 132 stored at the storage device 130. The
first plurality of selectable icons 172 correspond to the user
viewing profiles 174. Each viewing profile of the user view
profiles 174 corresponds to viewing preferences of a user. When
displayed on the display device 118, each selectable icon of the
first plurality of selectable icons 172 represents multimedia
content associated with a user. The viewing profiles 174 include at
least one particular viewing profile 176. In particular
embodiments, the particular viewing profile includes information
describing a particular user's viewing preferences. The information
may include, for example, a list of the particular user's favorite
television programs and a list of the particular user's favorite
recorded multimedia content. The particular viewing profile 176
includes a second plurality of selectable icons 178 based on the
particular viewing profile 176. When displayed on the display
device 118, each selectable icon of the second plurality of
selectable icons 178 represents multimedia content associated with
the particular user. The second plurality of selectable icons 178
includes a first selectable icon 180 that represents a particular
multimedia program that is associated with the particular user. For
example, the first selectable icon may represent one of the
particular user's favorite television programs. The second
plurality of selectable icons 178 also includes a second selectable
icon 182 that represents a collection of stored multimedia content
associated with the particular user. In particular embodiments, the
second selectable icon 182 is associated with a particular pointer
of the pointers 186 that point to multimedia content 132 stored at
the storage device 130. In particular embodiments, the particular
pointer includes information enabling the multimedia receiver 102
to locate the multimedia content 132. For example, the particular
pointer may include a directory name and a file name.
[0020] During operation, the processor 110 may execute
computer-readable instructions included in the graphical viewing
navigation module 170 to enable the multimedia receiver 102 to
perform methods disclosed herein. In particular embodiments, the
graphical viewing navigation module 170 is configured to initiate a
display, at the display device 118, of a first plurality of
selectable icons 172 where each selectable icon of the first
plurality of selectable icons 172 represents multimedia content
associated with a user. The graphical viewing navigation module 170
may be configured to receive a selection of a particular selectable
icon of the first plurality of selectable icons 172, where the
particular selectable icon represents multimedia content associated
with a particular user.
[0021] Additionally, the graphical viewing navigation module 170
may be configured to respond to receiving the selection of the
particular selectable icon and, in response to receiving the
selection of the particular selectable icon, initiate a display, at
the display device 118, of a second plurality of selectable icons
178. The second plurality of selectable icons 178 includes at least
one selectable icon 180 that represents a particular multimedia
program that is associated with the particular user. The at least
one selectable icon 180 that represents the particular multimedia
program is selectable to initiate a search of the multimedia
distribution system 150 to locate episodes of the particular
multimedia program that are available for display and that are in
progress. The second plurality of selectable icons 178 also
includes at least one selectable icon 182 that represents a
collection of stored multimedia content 132 associated with the
particular user. The collection of stored multimedia content 132 is
stored at a storage device accessible to the storage device
102.
[0022] For example, a user 120 may use the input device 128 to
interact with the display device 118 and the multimedia receiver
102. As the user 120 interacts with the display device 118 and the
multimedia receiver 102, the input device 128 may send one or more
commands (CMD) 190 to the multimedia receiver 102 via the I/O
interface 106. In a particular embodiment, the multimedia receiver
102 initiates display, at the display device 118, of the first
plurality of selectable icons 172. The display device 118
illustrates an example of displaying a first plurality of
selectable icons 172 including three selectable icons 122, 124,
126. One or more of the first plurality of selectable icons 172 may
represent multimedia content associated with the user 120. In a
particular embodiment, the selectable icon 126 represents
multimedia content associated with the user 120. The user 120 may
use the input device 128 to select a particular selectable icon of
the first plurality of selectable icons 172. In response to
receiving the selection of the particular selectable icon, the
multimedia receiver 102 initiates a display of a second plurality
of selectable icons. For example, the user 120 may use the input
device 128 to select the particular selectable icon 126
representing multimedia content associated with the user 120. In
response to receiving the selection of the particular icon 126, the
multimedia receiver 102 may initiate a display of the second
plurality of selectable icons 178. In particular embodiments, at
least one selectable icon of the second plurality of selectable
icons 178 represents a particular multimedia program 154 that is
associated with the user 120. For example, the particular
multimedia program 154 may be a favorite television program of the
user 120.
[0023] In particular embodiments, the multimedia receiver 102
prompts the user 120 for a user access credential after the user
120 has selected a selectable icon of the first plurality of
selectable icons 172. In this manner, users can protect their
viewing profile(s) from being accessed by unauthorized viewers. If
the user 120 enters an appropriate user access credential in
response to the prompt, the multimedia receiver 102 may initiate a
display of a second plurality of selectable icons. In particular
embodiments, a user that enters an appropriate user access
credential may be given permission to modify the particular viewing
profile corresponding to the particular selectable icon. In this
manner, the user may modify (e.g., add to or remove) multimedia
content from the viewing profile corresponding to the selected icon
of the first plurality of selectable icons 172.
[0024] In particular embodiments, at least one selectable icon of
the first plurality of selectable icons 172 is modifiable by a user
associated with a corresponding profile of the at least one
selectable icon. In a particular embodiment, the selectable icon
126 corresponds to the viewing profile of the user 120. The user
120 may wish to have the image of the selectable icon 126
representing multimedia content associated with her to be an image
of herself. Alternately, the user 120 may wish the image of the
selectable icon 126 representing multimedia content associated with
the user 120 to be some other image, such as an image of the user's
120 favorite cartoon character or the user's favorite talk show
host, for example. In particular embodiments, the user 120 may
modify the selectable icon 126 representing multimedia content
associated with the user 120 by retrieving an image from a storage
device, such as the storage device 130, for example. In particular
embodiments, the user 120 may modify the selectable icon 126
representing multimedia content associated with the user 120 via
the network 140 by retrieving an image from the data server 152 at
the multimedia distribution system 150.
[0025] In particular embodiments, at least one selectable icon of
the second plurality of selectable icons 178 represents a
particular multimedia program 154 that is associated with the
particular viewing profile 176. For example, the at least one
selectable icon of the second plurality of selectable icons 178 may
represent one of the user's 120 favorite television shows. The
image of the at least one selectable icon may, for example, include
a logo for the television show or an image of a star character in
the television show.
[0026] The user 120 may use the input device 128 to select a
particular selectable icon the particular multimedia program 154.
In response to receiving the selection of the particular selectable
icon, the multimedia receiver 102 may initiate a search of the
multimedia distribution system 150 to locate episodes of the
particular multimedia program 154 that are available to the
multimedia receiver 102 and that are in progress. In particular
embodiments, a program in progress includes programs that the
multimedia distribution system 150 is currently providing to the
network 140, but the multimedia receiver 102 may not be currently
receiving. In particular embodiments, the multimedia receiver 102,
such as a set-top box, may receive a program in progress by tuning
the multimedia receiver 102 to a channel on which the program in
progress in being provided by the multimedia distribution system
150. Thus, the located episodes of the particular multimedia
program 154 may be included in programs in progress 160. Each
episode may be a different showing of the particular multimedia
program, such as a rerun, or may be the same showing that is
provided on a different channel. In particular embodiments, the
search of the multimedia distribution system 150 may include a
search of an electronic program guide, such as the electronic
program guide 184 in the memory 108 of the multimedia receiver
102.
[0027] In particular embodiments, at least one selectable icon of
the second plurality of selectable icons 178 represents a
collection of stored multimedia content 132 corresponding to the
particular viewing profile 176 and associated with the selected
particular icon 126. Each of the at least one selectable icon of
the second plurality of selectable icons 178 may be associated with
one or more pointers 186 that provide the location(s) of the stored
multimedia content 132 at the storage device 130. Alternately, the
stored multimedia content may be located at the data server 152 of
the multimedia distribution system 150 and the one or more pointers
186 may provide the location(s) of the stored multimedia content at
the data server 152 of the multimedia distribution system 150.
[0028] The user 120 may use the input device 128 to select a
particular selectable icon of the second plurality of selectable
icons 178 representing a collection of stored multimedia content
132 associated with the user 120. In response to receiving the
selection of the particular selectable icon, the multimedia
receiver 102 may initiate a display of a third plurality of
selectable icons, where each selectable icon of the third plurality
of selectable icons is selectable to initiate playback of
particular stored multimedia content 132 associated with the user
120. In particular embodiments, at least one selectable icon of the
second plurality of selectable icons 178 is selectable to initiate
playback of stored multimedia content 132 at the storage device 130
associated with the user 120.
[0029] The system 100 provides a user a method for more easily
navigating large amounts of multimedia content that a user has
placed in a viewing profile. The multimedia content may be
graphically represented on a display device. For example, a
favorite television show of a younger viewer may be represented by
a selectable icon having an image that looks like the younger
viewer's favorite character in the television show. The user may
use the system 100 to navigate both programs in progress and stored
multimedia including programs that have been previously
recorded.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, a second illustrative embodiment of a
system 200 to navigate multimedia content is disclosed. The system
200 includes a set-top box 202 connected to an IPTV access network
240. The IPTV access network 240 provides the set-top box 202 with
access to an IPTV system 250.
[0031] The set-top box 202 includes a processor 210, a network
interface 204, and an I/O interface 206. The network interface 204
and the I/O interface 206 are accessible to the processor 210. The
network interface 204 enables the set-top box 202 to connect to the
IPTV access network 240, providing the set-top box 202 with access
to the IPTV system 250 and to a website 290. The I/O interface 206
enables the set-top box 202 to connect to the display device 218
and to the digital video recorder (DVR) 230. The display device 218
may include or may be similar to the display device 118 depicted in
FIG. 1. The DVR 230 can be used to store multimedia content 232.
The I/O interface 206 also enables the set-top box 202 to
communicate with the controller 228. The IPTV system 250 includes a
graphical viewing navigation module 252, a profile server 254, a
video server 260, and an electronic program guide (EPG) 262. The
profile server includes viewing profiles 256 and icons 258. The
website 290 includes icons 292.
[0032] During operation, a user 220 may use the controller 228 to
interact with the display device 218 and with the set-top box 202.
In particular embodiments, the user 220 may interact with the
display device 218 and the set-top box 202 in the same or a similar
manner that the user 120 interacts with the display device 118 and
the multimedia receiver 102 depicted in FIG. 1.
[0033] As the user 220 interacts with the display device 218 and
the set-top box 202, the controller 228 may send one or more
commands, such as CMD 280, to the set-top box 202 via the I/O
interface 206. Upon receiving the commands 280, the set-top box 202
may send one or more messages, such as MSG 282, to the graphical
viewing navigation module 252 at the IPTV system 250 via the IPTV
access network 240. The IPTV system 250 may execute
computer-readable instructions included in the graphical viewing
navigation module 252 to enable the system 200 to perform methods
disclosed herein. In particular embodiments, the graphical viewing
navigation module 252 is configured to initiate a display, at the
display device 218, of a first plurality of selectable icons. Each
selectable icon of the first plurality of selectable icons
represents multimedia content associated with a user. The first
plurality of selectable icons may include one or more icons from
the icons 258 stored at the profile server 254. The first plurality
of selectable icons may also include one or more icons from the
icons 292 stored at the website 290. The graphical viewing
navigation module 252 may be configured to receive a selection of a
particular selectable icon of the first plurality of selectable
icons. The particular selectable icon may correspond to a
particular viewing profile. The particular viewing profile may be
one of the viewing profiles 256 stored at the profile server 254.
In particular embodiments the particular selectable icon represents
multimedia content associated with a user.
[0034] Additionally, the graphical viewing navigation module 252
may be configured to respond to receiving the selection of the
particular selectable icon and, in response to receiving the
selection of the particular selectable icon, initiate a display, at
the display device 218, of a second plurality of selectable icons
corresponding to the particular viewing profile. The second
plurality of selectable icons includes at least one selectable icon
that represents a particular multimedia program that is associated
with a particular user. The at least one selectable icon that
represents the particular multimedia program is selectable to
initiate a search of the IPTV system 250 to locate episodes of the
particular multimedia program that are available for display and
that are in progress, such as multimedia programs provided by the
video server 260. The second plurality of selectable icons further
includes at least one selectable icon that represents a collection
of stored multimedia content associated with the particular user.
The collection of stored multimedia content may be stored at a
storage device accessible to the set-top box 202, such as the
multimedia content 232 stored at the DVR 230, for example.
[0035] The system 200 provides a user a method for more easily
navigating large amounts of multimedia content. The multimedia
content may include multimedia programs in progress provided by the
IPTV system 250. The multimedia content may also include store
multimedia content that has been previously recorded.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, a display screen 300 shows three
illustrative selectable icons 322, 324, 326, and each of the
selectable icons represents multimedia content associated with a
user. The display screen may be a display screen of the display
device 118 depicted in FIG. 1 or the display screen of the display
device 218 depicted in FIG. 2, for example. The three selectable
icons 322, 324, 326 may comprise the first plurality of selectable
icons 172 described in relation to FIG. 1 or the first plurality of
selectable icons described in relation to FIG. 2. Thus, a user may
select a particular selectable icon of the three selectable icons
322, 324, 326 to select further viewing options corresponding to
the user's viewing profile.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, a display screen 400 is disclosed as a
display appears after a user has selected a particular selectable
icon 326 shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with particular embodiments
of a system to navigate multimedia content. Displayed on the
display screen 400 is an image 426 of the particular selectable
icon 326 selected. Also displayed on the display screen 400 are
four icons 430, 440, 450, 460 associated with the viewing profile
corresponding to the particular selectable icon 326 selected. A
first icon 430 represents a first particular multimedia program and
the image of the first icon 430 may indicate to the user the
particular multimedia program that the first icon 430 represents.
The first icon 430 is associated with two selectable icons 432,
434. Each selectable icon 432, 434 may, for example, include a
picture-in-a-picture (PIP) window displaying an episode of the
first particular multimedia program that is in progress. The two
selectable icons 432, 434 may represent different episodes of the
first particular multimedia program or may represent the same
episode of the first particular multimedia program provided on two
different channels. In particular embodiments, the user may select
one of the selectable icons 432, 434 to cause a multimedia
receiver, such as a set-top box, to tune to a channel on which the
corresponding episode is in progress and may present the episode to
the display screen 400. A second icon 440 represents a second
particular multimedia program and the image of the second icon 440
may indicate to the user the particular multimedia program that the
second icon 440 represents. The second icon 440 is associated with
two selectable icons 442, 444. Each selectable icon 442, 444 may,
for example, include a picture-in-a-picture (PIP) window displaying
an episode of the second particular multimedia program that is in
progress. The user may select one of the selectable icons 442, 444
to cause a multimedia receiver, such as a set-top box, to tune to a
channel on which the corresponding episode of the second particular
multimedia program is in progress and present the episode to the
display screen 400. A third icon 450 represents a collection of
stored multimedia content. The stored multimedia content may
include the stored multimedia content 132 depicted in FIG. 1 or the
stored multimedia content 232 depicted in FIG. 2. The image of the
third icon 450 may indicate to the user that the third icon 450
represents a collection of stored multimedia content. The third
icon 450 is associated with two selectable icons 452, 454 with each
icon representing distinct stored multimedia content. For example,
a user may have previously recorded a particular episode of a
particular multimedia program or may have previously recorded a
particular sporting event. The user may wish to view the previously
recorded multimedia content. By selecting one of the two selectable
icons 452, 454, the user may cause a multimedia receiver, such as a
set-top box, to initiate playback of the particular stored
multimedia content represented by the selected icon. A fourth icon
460 is a selectable icon that represents particular stored
multimedia content. By selecting the fourth icon 460, the user may
cause a multimedia receiver, such as a set-top box, to initiate
playback of the particular stored multimedia content represented by
the fourth icon 460.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 5, a display screen 500 is disclosed as
the display appears after a user has selected a particular
selectable icon 326 shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with particular
embodiments of a system to navigate multimedia content. Displayed
on the display screen 500 is an image 526 of the particular
selectable icon 326 selected. Also displayed on the display screen
500 are four representative selectable icons 530, 540, 550, 560
associated with the viewing profile corresponding to the particular
selectable icon 326. In a first particular embodiment, the four
selectable icons 530, 540, 550, 560 comprise the second plurality
of selectable icons described in relation to FIG. 1. In a second
particular embodiment, the four selectable icons 530, 540, 550, 560
comprise the second plurality of selectable icons described in
relation to FIG. 2.
[0039] A first selectable icon 530 represents a first particular
multimedia program and the image of the first icon 530 may indicate
to the user the particular multimedia program that the first
selectable icon 530 represents. The user may select the first
selectable icon 530 to determine if any episodes of the first
particular program are currently available and in progress. A
second selectable icon 540 represents a second particular
multimedia program, and the image of the second icon 540 may
indicate to the user the particular multimedia program that the
second selectable icon 540 represents. The user may select the
second selectable icon 540 to determine if any episodes of the
second particular program are currently available and in progress.
A third selectable icon 550 represents a collection of stored
multimedia content. The stored multimedia content may include the
stored multimedia content 132 depicted in FIG. 1 or the stored
multimedia content 232 depicted in FIG. 2. The image of the third
selectable icon 550 may indicate to the user that the third
selectable icon 550 represents a collection of stored multimedia
content. The user may select the third selectable icon 550 to
determine the contents of the collection of stored multimedia
content. A fourth selectable icon 560 represents particular stored
multimedia content. By selecting the fourth selectable icon 560,
the user may cause a multimedia receiver, such as a set-top box, to
initiate playback of the particular stored multimedia content
represented by the fourth selectable icon 560.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 6, a display screen 600 is disclosed as
the display appears after a user has selected a particular
selectable icon 530 shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with particular
embodiments of a system to navigate multimedia content. Displayed
on the display screen 600 is an image 630 of the particular
selectable icon 530 selected. Also displayed on the display screen
600 are three selectable icons 632, 634, 636. In a particular
embodiment, the three selectable icons 632, 634, 636 comprise the
third plurality of selectable icons described in relation to FIG.
1. Each selectable icon 632, 634, 636 may, for example, include a
picture-in-a-picture (PIP) window displaying an in-progress episode
of the particular multimedia program represented by the selectable
icon 530 selected. The three selectable icons 632, 634, 636 may
represent different episodes of the particular multimedia program
or may represent the same episode of the particular multimedia
program being provided on different channels. In particular
embodiments, the user may select one of the selectable icons 632,
634, 636 to cause a multimedia receiver, such as a set-top box, to
tune to a channel on which the corresponding episode is in progress
to present the episode to the display screen 600.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, a display screen 700 is disclosed as
the display appears after a user has selected a particular
selectable icon 550 shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with particular
embodiments of a system to navigate multimedia content. Displayed
on the display screen 700 is an image 750 of the particular
selectable icon 550 selected. Also displayed on the display screen
700 are three selectable icons 732, 734, 736. Each of the three
selectable icons 732, 734, 736 represents particular stored
multimedia content. By selecting one of the three selectable icons
732, 734, 736 the user may cause a multimedia receiver, such as a
set-top box, to initiate playback of the particular stored
multimedia content represented by the selected icon.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, a flow chart 800 of a first particular
embodiment of a method of navigating multimedia content is
disclosed. The method includes displaying a first plurality of
selectable icons, where each selectable icon of the first plurality
of selectable icons represents multimedia content associated with a
user, at 810. For example, the first plurality of selectable icons
may include the first plurality of selectable icons 172 described
in relation to FIG. 1, the first plurality of selectable icons
described in relation to FIG. 2, or the selectable icons 322, 324,
326 described in relation to FIG. 3.
[0043] Advancing to 820, the method includes receiving a selection
of a particular selectable icon of the first plurality of
selectable icons at a multimedia receiver, where the particular
selectable icon represents multimedia content associated with a
particular user. In a first particular embodiment, a user may
interact with the display device 118 and the multimedia receiver
102 using the input device 128 as described in relation to FIG. 1
to make a selection. In a second particular embodiment, a user may
interact with the display device 218 and the set-top box 202 using
the controller 228 as described in relation to FIG. 2 to make a
selection.
[0044] In response to receiving the selection of the particular
selectable icon, the method prompts for a user access credential,
at 830. In particular embodiments, a system for navigating
multimedia content according to viewing profiles may prevent access
to some viewing profiles by requiring a user access credential to
be entered before the viewing profile can be accessed. A user
access credential may include a personal identification number
(PIN) or a username and a password, for example.
[0045] Advancing to 840, in response to receiving the user access
credential, the method initiates display of a second plurality of
selectable icons, where at least one selectable icon of the second
plurality of selectable icons represents a particular multimedia
program that is associated with the particular user. For example,
the second plurality of selectable icons may include the second
plurality of selectable icons 178 described in relation to FIG. 1,
the second plurality of selectable icons described in relation to
FIG. 2, or the selectable icons 530, 540, 550, 560 described in
relation to FIG. 5.
[0046] Advancing to 850, the method includes receiving a selection
of the at least one selectable icon of the second plurality of
selectable icons at the multimedia receiver described in relation
to the receiving at 820. In a first particular embodiment, a user
may interact with the display device 118 and the multimedia
receiver 102 using the input device 128 as described in relation to
FIG. 1 to make a selection. In a second particular embodiment, a
user may interact with the display device 218 and the set-top box
202 using the controller 228 as described in relation to FIG. 2 to
make a selection.
[0047] Advancing to 860, in response to receiving the selection of
the at least one selectable icon of the second plurality of
selectable icons, the method initiates a search of a multimedia
distribution system to locate episodes of the particular multimedia
program that are available to the multimedia receiver and that are
in progress. In particular embodiments, the method initiates a
search of an electronic program guide, at 862. The method displays
a selectable image corresponding to each available episode that is
located by the search, at 870.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 9, a flow chart 900 of a second particular
embodiment of a method of navigating multimedia content is
disclosed. The method includes initiating display of a first
plurality of selectable icons, where each selectable icon of the
first plurality of selectable icons represents multimedia content
associated with a user, at 910. For example, the first plurality of
selectable icons may include the first plurality of selectable
icons 172 described in relation to FIG. 1, the first plurality of
selectable icons described in relation to FIG. 2, or the selectable
icons 322, 324, 326 described in relation to FIG. 3.
[0049] Advancing to 920, the method includes receiving a selection
of a particular selectable icon of the first plurality of
selectable icons, where the particular selectable icon represents
multimedia content associated with a particular user. In a first
particular embodiment, a user may interact with the display device
118 and the multimedia receiver 102 using the input device 128 as
described in relation to FIG. 1 to make a selection. In a second
particular embodiment, a user may interact with the display device
218 and the set-top box 202 using the controller 228 as described
in relation to FIG. 2 to make a selection.
[0050] Advancing to 930, in response to receiving the selection of
the particular icon, the method includes initiating display of a
second plurality of selectable icons, where at least one selectable
icon of the second plurality of selectable icons represents a
collection of stored multimedia content associated with the
particular user. For example, the second plurality of selectable
icons may include the second plurality of selectable icons 178
described in relation to FIG. 1, the second plurality of selectable
icons described in relation to FIG. 2, or the selectable icons 530,
540, 550, 560 described in relation to FIG. 5.
[0051] Advancing to 940, the method includes receiving a selection
of the at least one selectable icon of the second plurality of
selectable icons. In a first particular embodiment, a user may
interact with the display device 118 and the multimedia receiver
102 using the input device 128 as described in relation to FIG. 1
to make a selection. In a second particular embodiment, a user may
interact with the display device 218 and the set-top box 202 using
the controller 228 as described in relation to FIG. 2 to make a
selection.
[0052] Advancing to 950, in response to receiving the selection of
the selectable icon of the second plurality of selectable icons,
the method initiates display of a third plurality of selectable
icons, where each selectable icon of the third plurality of
selectable icons is selectable to initiate a display of a
particular stored multimedia content associated with the particular
user. In a first particular embodiment, the third plurality of
selectable icons includes the third plurality of selectable icons
described in relation to FIG. 1. In a second particular embodiment,
the third plurality of selectable icons includes the selectable
icons 732, 734, 736 described in relation to FIG. 7.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 10, an illustrative embodiment of a
general computer system is shown and is designated 1000. The
computer system 1000 can include a set of instructions that can be
executed to cause the computer system 1000 to perform any one or
more of the methods or computer-based functions disclosed herein.
For example, the computer system 1000 may include instructions that
are executable to perform the methods discussed with respect to
FIGS. 8 and 9. In particular embodiments, the computer system 1000
includes instructions to implement the graphical viewing navigation
module 170 shown in FIG. 1. In particular embodiments, the computer
system 1000 includes instructions to implement the graphical
viewing navigation module 252 shown in FIG. 2. In a particular
embodiment, the computer system 1000 includes or is included within
the multimedia receiver shown in FIG. 2. In particular embodiments,
the computer system 1000 includes or is included within a set top
box, such as the set top box 202 shown in FIG. 1. The computer
system 1000 may be connected to other computer systems or
peripheral devices via a network, such as the network 140 shown in
FIG. 1 or the IPTV access network 240 shown in FIG. 2.
Additionally, the computer system 1000 may include or be included
within other computing devices.
[0054] The methods disclosed in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 allow a user to
navigate multimedia content. The multimedia content may include a
large amount of multimedia content and may include both multimedia
programs in progress and stored multimedia content.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the computer system 1000 may
include a processor 1002, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a
graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer
system 1000 can include a main memory 1004 and a static memory 1006
that can communicate with each other via a bus 1008. As shown, the
computer system 1000 may further include a video display unit 1010,
such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a projection television
display, a flat panel display, a plasma display, or a solid state
display. Additionally, the computer system 1000 may include an
input device 1012, such as a remote control device having a
wireless keypad, a keyboard, a microphone coupled to a speech
recognition engine, a camera such as a video camera or still
camera, or a cursor control device 1014, such as a mouse device.
The computer system 1000 can also include a disk drive unit 1016, a
signal generation device 1018, such as a speaker, and a network
interface device 1020. The network interface 1020 enables the
computer system 1000 to communicate with other systems via a
network 1026. For example, in particular embodiments the computer
system 1000 includes or is included within a set top box. The
network interface 1020 may enable the set top box to communicate
with a multimedia distribution system, such as the multimedia
distribution system 150 shown in FIG. 1 or the IPTV system 250
shown in FIG. 2, and to receive multimedia content to display on a
display screen.
[0056] In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 10, the disk
drive unit 1016 may include a computer-readable medium 1022 in
which one or more sets of instructions 1024, e.g. software, can be
embedded. For example, one or more modules, such as the graphical
viewing navigation module 170 shown in FIG. 1 or the graphical
viewing navigation module 252 shown in FIG. 2 can be embedded in
the computer-readable medium 1022. Further, the instructions 1024
may embody one or more of the methods, such as the methods
disclosed with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9, or logic as described
herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions 1024 may
reside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory
1004, the static memory 1006, and/or within the processor 1002
during execution by the computer system 1000. The main memory 1004
and the processor 1002 also may include computer-readable
media.
[0057] In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware
implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits,
programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be
constructed to implement one or more of the methods described
herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of
various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and
computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may
implement functions using two or more specific interconnected
hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals
that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as
portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.
Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and
hardware implementations, or combinations thereof.
[0058] While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single
medium, the term "computer-readable medium" includes a single
medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed
database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or
more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium"
shall also include any medium that is capable of storing or
encoding a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that
cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods
or operations disclosed herein.
[0059] In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the
computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a
memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile
read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a
random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory.
Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a
magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other
storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal
communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment
to an email or other self-contained information archive or set of
archives may be considered equivalent to a tangible storage medium.
Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or
more of a computer-readable medium or other equivalents and
successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.
[0060] The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are
intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the
various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as
a complete description of all of the elements and features of
apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods
described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those
of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other
embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such
that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly,
the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative
rather than restrictive.
[0061] One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to
herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term "invention"
merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit
the scope of this application to any particular invention or
inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have
been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated
that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or
similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments
shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent
adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of
the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically
described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art
upon reviewing the description.
[0062] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the
understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the
scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing
Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or
described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining
the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as
reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more
features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the
following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed
to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed
embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the
Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as
defining separately claimed subject matter.
[0063] The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered
illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are
intended to cover all modifications, enhancements, and other
embodiments, that fall within the true scope of the present
disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope
of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest
permissible interpretation of the following claims and their
equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the
foregoing detailed description.
* * * * *