U.S. patent application number 14/606183 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-21 for holographic 3d display.
The applicant listed for this patent is ELDON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED. Invention is credited to Andrew Johnson, Matthew Lewis, Stewart Marlow.
Application Number | 20150142536 14/606183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45443130 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150142536 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marlow; Stewart ; et
al. |
May 21, 2015 |
HOLOGRAPHIC 3D DISPLAY
Abstract
Disclosure is directed to projecting holographic images in
connection with a program service such as cable or satellite
television. In one instance, the projected holographic image may be
an image of product that is featured in advertisement or other
portion of program service. In another instance, the projected
holographic image may be an image of a electronic programming guide
with screens or menu displayed on sides of a cube or other
geometric form. In still another instance, the projected
holographic image is a video that supplements an instructional
video or live broadcast.
Inventors: |
Marlow; Stewart; (West
Yorkshire, GB) ; Lewis; Matthew; (West Yorkshire,
GB) ; Johnson; Andrew; (North Yorkshire, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ELDON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED |
Steeton |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
45443130 |
Appl. No.: |
14/606183 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12901849 |
Oct 11, 2010 |
8943541 |
|
|
14606183 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/8146 20130101;
G03H 1/0005 20130101; H04N 21/4122 20130101; H04N 21/4331 20130101;
H04N 7/17318 20130101; H04N 5/74 20130101; H04N 21/816 20130101;
H04N 21/426 20130101; H04N 13/302 20180501; H04N 21/47815 20130101;
H04N 21/4722 20130101; H04N 21/4312 20130101; G06Q 30/0241
20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101; H04N 21/812 20130101; H04N 21/26283
20130101; G06Q 30/0643 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.4 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02; H04N 13/04 20060101 H04N013/04; H04N 5/44 20060101
H04N005/44; H04N 5/74 20060101 H04N005/74; H04N 21/478 20060101
H04N021/478; H04N 21/81 20060101 H04N021/81; H04N 21/431 20060101
H04N021/431; H04N 21/4722 20060101 H04N021/4722; H04N 7/173
20060101 H04N007/173; G03H 1/00 20060101 G03H001/00; G06Q 30/06
20060101 G06Q030/06 |
Claims
1. A method for providing an advertisement image, comprising:
receiving a program service transmission at a receiver, the program
service transmission having a plurality of channels; outputting at
least one channel of the plurality of channels from the receiver
for display on a display device, wherein the at least one channel
includes a display of a product; and concurrently with the display
of the at least one product, outputting a holographic image of the
product.
2. The method of providing an advertisement image of claim 1,
wherein the holographic image is output in response to a user
selection of the product from the display on the display
device.
3. The method of providing an advertisement image of claim 1,
further comprising: storing a data file for the holographic image;
and recalling the data file by the user at a subsequent time,
wherein recalling the data file causes a second output of
holographic image of the product.
4. The method of providing an advertisement image of claim 1,
further comprising: highlighting portions of the holographic image
so as to emphasize an aspect of the product.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application is a divisional of U.S. Non-Provisional
Application Ser. No. 12/901,849 filed Oct. 11, 2010.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments discussed herein are directed to projecting
holographic images in connection with a program service such as
cable or satellite television.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Program services such as cable and satellite television may
be displayed on a television, a monitor, or other display device
that features a flat display surface that typically outputs
two-dimensional video. The typical two-dimensional video may be
unable to display some features of three dimensional objects such
as depth or the ability to view the object from a variety of
angles. Due to these limitations, displayed objects may lack a
realistic appearance. Accordingly, it may be desirable to display
program service content or video that supplements program service
in a manner that does not suffer from the drawbacks of traditional
display formats.
SUMMARY
[0004] Embodiments discussed herein are directed to projecting
holographic images in connection with a program service such as
cable or satellite television. In one instance, the projected
holographic image may be an image of product that is featured in
advertisement or other portion of program service. In another
instance, the projected holographic image may be an image of a
electronic programming guide with screens or menu displayed on
sides of a cube or other geometric form. In still another instance,
the projected holographic image is a video that supplements an
instructional video or live broadcast.
[0005] One embodiment is directed to a method for providing an
advertisement image, comprising: receiving a program service
transmission at a receiver, the program service transmission having
a plurality of channels; outputting at least one channel of the
plurality of channels from the receiver for display on a display
device, wherein the at least one channel includes a display of a
product; and concurrently with the display of the at least one
product, outputting a holographic image of the product.
[0006] Another embodiment is directed to a method for providing an
electronic programming guide, comprising: receiving a program
service transmission at a receiver, the program service
transmission having a plurality of channels; outputting at least
one channel of the plurality of channels from the receiver for
display on a display device; and concurrently with the display of
the at least one channel, outputting a holographic image of an
electronic programming guide, the holographic image including at
least a first menu and a second menu.
[0007] Yet another embodiment is directed to a method for
supplementing program service content, comprising: receiving a
program service transmission at a receiver, the program service
transmission having a plurality of channels; outputting at least
one channel of the plurality of channels from the receiver for
display on a display device, the at least one channel including a
program; and concurrently with outputting the at least one channel,
outputting a holographic video related the program.
[0008] Another embodiment is directed to a system for displaying a
holographic image, comprising: a signal receiver configured to
receive a program service transmission, the program service
transmission having a plurality of channels; an output section
connected to the signal receiver, the output section configured to
output a signal having at least one channel of the plurality of
channels from the program service transmission for display on a
display device, the at least one channel including a program; and a
holographic projector connected to the output section, the
holographic projector configured to output a holographic video in
combination with the program.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a sample system,
components and implementations discussed herein;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a flow chart that illustrates a method in
accordance with embodiments discussed herein;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an illustration a holographic projection in
accordance with the method illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flow chart that illustrates another method in
accordance with embodiments discussed herein;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an illustration a holographic projection in
accordance with the method illustrated in FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a flow chart that illustrates still another method
in accordance with embodiments discussed herein;
[0015] FIG. 7 is an illustration a holographic projection in
accordance with the method illustrated in FIG. 6; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is an illustration another holographic projection in
accordance with the method illustrated in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Embodiments discussed herein are directed to projecting
holographic images in connection with a program service such as
cable or satellite television. In one instance, the projected
holographic image may be an image of product that is featured in
advertisement or other portion of program service. In another
instance, the projected holographic image may be an image of a
electronic programming guide with screens or menu displayed on
sides of a cube or other geometric form. In still another instance,
the projected holographic image is a video that supplements an
instructional video or live broadcast.
[0018] As used herein, a "receiver" may be any device capable of
receiving video and/or audio content included in a broadcast or
other program service transmission from a service provider. As used
herein, a service provider may include any service that provides a
program service transmission to a receiver such as, without
limitation, a satellite television service, a direct television
service, a cable television service, or a streaming video delivered
across a network such as the Internet. It should be understood that
the term "program service transmission" generally embraces not only
satellite or terrestrial broadcasts and/or narrowcasts but also
transmission of information across any wired or wireless
transmission medium. Accordingly, a "program service transmission"
encompasses transmission of information across a cable network (for
example a cable headend to cable receiver), an Internet or other
computer-accessible medium (including a local area network,
wide-area network, and so on), including Internet protocol
television transmissions, a wireless network such as a radio
frequency or infrared network, and so on.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a general operating
environment showing components and features of embodiments
discussed herein. FIG. 1 depicts a service provider 104 that
transmits or otherwise provides a program service transmission to a
receiver 108. The receiver 108 can include a set-top box (STB), a
digital video recorder (DVR), a cable receiver, a general purpose
computing device, a handheld communications device including but
not limited to a table computer or a mobile phone, and so on. A
receiver 108 may also include a cable modem that receives streaming
audio. The receiver 108 may be associated with an individual,
business or other entity, user or subscriber that receives a
program service transmission from the service provider 104.
Generally the terms "user" and/or "subscriber" refer to an
individual or company who receives a program service transmission.
This may include those who have purchased a subscription to the
program service transmission. Alternatively or additionally, the
terms "user" and/or "subscriber" may refer to individuals who have
been given access to the program service transmission through
promotional offers and/or other non-fee-based agreements.
[0020] In connection with embodiments that operate in the context
of a satellite television service, the service provider 104 may
provide a program service transmission through an uplink center
112. Implementations discussed herein may utilize a direct
broadcast satellite (DBS) system which can incorporate packetized
transmission signals according to an appropriate standard, such as
the MPEG-2 and/or MPEG-4 standards. The uplink center 112 may
include a transmitter or other equipment operable to transmit a
modulated signal having data representing audio and/or visual
content. The modulated signal may be received at a satellite 116,
which in turn retransmits the modulated signal to be received at
one or more terrestrial locations. The retransmitted signal may be
received from the satellite 116 at one or more satellite dishes
120, which are typically associated with one or more receivers 108.
A receiver 108 may include a tuner 124 operable to receive the
program service transmission signal through the satellite dish 120
and a decoder 128 to decode the received signal. The decoder 128
may be programmed to decrypt, demodulate, demultiplex or otherwise
decode some or all of the received signals in accordance with
purchases and selections made by a user. Output from the decoder
128 may be directed to an audio visual (A/V) processing module 140.
The A/V processing module 140 may process the video and audio
streams using digital-to-analog conversion techniques, or
compressed digital to uncompressed digital conversion techniques,
to produce one or more output signals. It should be appreciated
that the foregoing is but one discussion of a possible embodiment
and product transmission service.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the receiver 108 may be provided in
association with a holographic projector 148. The holographic
projector 148 may be implemented as a stand-alone device. In
accordance with other embodiments, the holographic projector 148
may be integrated as a component of the receiver 108. The
holographic projector 148 is operable to project a
three-dimensional image or video that may be seen by a viewer
without the aid of 3D glasses or other headgear. The holographic
projector 148 may operate by projecting a volumetric image into a
volume which contains suspended particles or other means for
reflecting light. In one embodiment, the holographic projector 148
may be a spherical, cylindrical, cubic or other three-dimensional
liquid crystal display (LCD) that presents a three-dimensional
image with multiple depths of layers having different or dynamic
translucence. The individual layers may be controlled to emphasize
certain aspects of an image that the producer of the image wants to
be in focus. The spherical LCD or other holographic projector 148
may project several views simultaneously so that different users
see different perspectives simultaneously. Also, the position of
the user's view may vary as he or she move around the screen or
projected image. The holographic projector 148 may also include a
high brightness display so that the projected image is still
viewable in high sunlight conditions. The holographic projector 148
may be mounted in a household object such as a coffee table, such
that the three-dimensional image appears to project upwards from
the surface of the table. The holographic projector may also be
mounted in other locations such as a ceiling or a wall.
[0022] As another option, the holographic projector may consist of
multiple lasers operably connected to a modulator. The modulator
may accept an incoming video signal and convert the signal to a
vibrational pattern. As light from the lasers pass through the
modulator, the vibrations of the modulator may affect the
brightness and/or frequency of the emitted light. Light passing
through the modulator may be projected onto a screen; the varying
intensities and frequencies of light modified by the vibrational
pattern of the modulator may cooperate to form a hologram. The
screen may be thicker than a typical LCD display and may be
translucent in order to display the hologram. Thus, the screen may
show the light as a three-dimensional image appearing to be inside
the screen. Other embodiments may use different methods for
creating a diffraction pattern that may be used to create a
hologram in or on an appropriate surface.
[0023] Again, it should be noted that embodiments may operate with
different product transmission services. Accordingly, although a
satellite system is provided as an example of a program service
transmission system, it should be understood that other networks or
broadcasts for transmitting data may be used by alternative
embodiments. For example, embodiments may be implemented in
connection with a cable service. In this case, the service provider
104 and the receiver 108 may communicate over a communication path
that includes various combinations of local and wide area networks
and/or the Internet.
[0024] The receiver 108 may include or be associated with a memory
or other storage device 152, such as magnetic or optical storage.
The storage device 152 may be operable to store data received from
the decoded satellite signal. The storage device 152 may be
volatile or non-volatile memory implemented using any suitable
technique or technology such as, for example, random access memory
(RAM), disk storage, flash memory, solid state and so on. The
storage device 152 may be located within the receiver 108 or
separately from the receiver 108. The storage device 152 may
removable in nature. The stored data set may include audio and/or
visual content to be transmitted and output through the output
device 144. Generally, audio/visual content may include still
images, video images, animation and/or audio. Portable Network
Graphics (PNG) or other appropriate formats, such as for example,
Tagged Image File Format (TIFF), Joint Photographic Experts Group
(JPEG), Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) -2, MPEG-4 may be used
to display an image or video.
[0025] The receiver 108 may additionally include a processor 156
operable to run executable code in connection with various
functions associated with the receiver 108. For example, the
processor 156 may display graphics, images, animations or other
content through the output device 144. The storage device 152 may
store an application, file, or other data that is useable by the
processor 156. As used herein, an application includes processor
executable code that may be run to carry out one or more functions
associated with the receiver 108. "Processor executable code"
includes any computer-readable media or commands that may be
ultimately interpreted by a processor, such as HTML or XML files
that are rendered into user-viewable applications by an application
executed by the processor 156.
[0026] The processor 156 may also perform such tasks as executing
commands received from a user. As used herein, a "user input
device" may include any device operable to receive input from a
user and to convey the input to the receiver 108. In one
embodiment, the user input device 160 may be a hand-held device
having a number of buttons or keys that when actuated by a user
cause the user input device to covey information to the receiver
108 using a suitable communication means, such as an infrared
signal. The user input device 160 may include a pointing device or
functionality that allows the user to control the position of a
cursor that is displayed on the output device 144. For example, the
user input device 160 may include a track ball or glide plane that
may be manipulated to control cursor movements. The user input
device 160 may include a motion sensor or accelerometer that allows
a user to control displayed items or graphics, such as a cursor,
through movements of his or her hand or arm that cause a
displacement of the user input device 160. It should be appreciated
that other input devices such as a computer mouse or touch screen
may be used and other communication means, wired or wireless, may
be used.
[0027] In one embodiment, the storage device 152 may be used to
store a file or other data to produce a holographic electronic
programming guide (EPG) 152. When displayed by the holographic
projector 148, the EPG data may be set out in a grid, cube,
cylinder or other appropriate format and displayed on a surface or
surfaces of the three-dimensional image of a geometric form such as
a cube. The data for the EPG may include a program schedule having
program channels and program times arranged as rows and columns of
the grid. The EPG data may be downloaded to the receiver 108 at
appropriate times from the service provider 104. The storage device
158 may also be used to store a file or data to produce a
holographic image of product featured in an advertisement 154. The
three-dimensional holographic ad 154 may be sent to the receiver
108 in connection with products that are shown during a program or
a program service advertisement. The three-dimensional holographic
advertisement 154 may be stored or saved in response to user input
so that the holographic advertisement 154 may be viewed at a latte
time. Additionally, the storage device 152 may be used to store
supplemental video 158 that may be shown by the holographic
projector 148 in connection with other programs such as
instructional videos and live sporting events.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance
with embodiments discussed herein. The method illustrated in FIG. 2
is directed to providing a holographic advertisement. Initially, in
operation 204, the receiver 108 receives a program service
transmission. As described above, this may include receiving a
signal from a service provider and processing that signal through
various steps such as tuning, demodulating, de-multiplexing, and so
on. Following operation 204, operation 208 may be executed. In
operation 208, the receiver 108 may output at least one channel for
display on a display device 144. As described above, this may
include processing one channel from the plurality of channels
received within the program service transmission. Following
operation 208, operation 212 may be executed.
[0029] In operation 212, the receiver 108 determines if a request
has been received for display of a holographic advertisement.
Specifically, the program service channel displayed in operation
208 may include one or more products. Products included in the
display may be, for example, cars, motorcycles, boats, and so on.
The products may be featured in an advertisement that specifically
targets the selling of the displayed product. In other instances,
the product may be featured in a movie, television program, in a
"product placement" manner. In connection with displaying the
product, the receiver 108 may output a signal containing a prompt
or popup that may be selected by the user to trigger the display of
a holographic advertisement. Accordingly, in operation 212, if no
such trigger is received by the receiver 108, operation 204 may
again be executed such that the receiver 108 continues to a receive
program service transmission and to display channels in association
with the received transmission. If, in operation 212, a request for
a holographic advertisement has been received, operation 216 may be
executed.
[0030] In operation 216, the receiver 108 may display a
three-dimensional advertisement as a holographic projection.
Operation 216 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is an
illustration of a viewing environment for a holographic
advertisement. FIG. 3 includes a display device 144 and a
holographic projector 148. As shown in FIG. 3, the holographic
projector 148 is mounted or otherwise associated with a table 304.
The table 304 is positioned in front of users 302 who are currently
viewing the display device 144. As shown in FIG. 3, the display
device 144 features a representation of an automobile. In response
to a request for a holographic advertisement from the users 302,
the holographic projector 148 may display a three-dimensional
holographic projection 308 of the automobile featured on the
display device 144. The holographic projection 308 allows the user
to view a three-dimensional image of the product to thereby gain
greater appreciation for the features and appearance of the
product. The three-dimensional projection 308 may be rotatable or
otherwise orientable through various inputs provided through the
user input device 160. In some instances, the image 308 may
automatically rotate or change positions in order to show various
sides or angles to the users 302. In other instances, the
three-dimensional image 308 remains stationary. It should be
appreciated that in these instances, a user 302 may position
himself in various locations around the image 308 to view the
various angles that are made visible by the holographic projection
308.
[0031] In accordance with implementations discussed herein, once
the user has finished viewing the three-dimensional holographic
projection 308 the user may choose to store a file used to project
the image 308 in storage 152. In this manner the image may be
recalled and again projected for viewing by users 302. In the
instance wherein a user is shopping for an automobile, several such
files may be collected and later displayed in connection with
comparison shopping for various automobiles.
[0032] The holographic projection 308 may be adapted to emphasize
certain features of the product that are shown as projected images.
For example, the holographic projection 308 may be a motion picture
in which various features are emphasized over time. For example,
the hood of the automobile may be opened to reveal the engine, the
tires may be shown moving over a road to emphasize various features
of the suspension system, or the interior of the car may be
featured such that the user gets a full appreciation of features of
the automobile.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a flowchart that illustrates a method in
accordance with implementations discussed herein. The method
illustrated in FIG. 4 is directed to providing a three-dimensional
holographic projection of an electronic programming guide (EPG).
Initially, in operation 404, the receiver 108 receives a program
service transmission. As described above, this may include
receiving a signal from a service provider and processing that
signal through various steps such as tuning, demodulating,
de-multiplexing, and so on. Following operation 404, operation 408
may be executed. In operation 408, the receiver 108 may output at
least one channel for display on a display device 144. As described
above, this may include processing one channel from the plurality
of channels received within the program service transmission.
Following operation 408, operation 412 may be executed.
[0034] In operation 412, the receiver 108 determines if a request
has been received for an EPG display. Such a request may be entered
by a user through appropriate commands input to the user input
device 160. If, in operation 412, the receiver 108 determines that
no request has been received, operation 404 may again follow such
that the receiver 108 continues to receive and display channels
from a service provider 104. If, in operation 412, a request to
view an EPG display has been received, operation 416 may be
executed.
[0035] In operation 416, the receiver 108 outputs a signal having
an EPG signal. The EPG signal may be configured to cause the
holographic projector 148 to output a three-dimensional
representation of an electronic programming guide. In one instance,
this may include an "EPG Cube" that shows various menus on each
side of the cube. An EPG cube is illustrated in greater detail in
FIG. 5. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the projector 148 projects a cube
or other three-dimensional object with a plurality of sides. Each
side of the EPG cube 508 may include one or more menus associated
with an electronic programming guide. For example, if one user 302
wishes to personalize his EPG such that his favorite channels
and/or his upcoming scheduled programming appear in one display,
such a personalized menu may appear on one side of the EPG cube
508. An additional side of the EPG cube 308 may be dedicated to a
second user's 302 personalized EPG. By displaying a
three-dimensional cube as shown in FIG. 5, each user may be able to
simultaneously view his or her personalized EPG menu screens.
[0036] Referring again to FIG. 4, following operation 416,
operation 420 may be executed. In operation 420, the receiver 108
determines if a request for a different EPG menu has been received.
If, in operation 420, no request for a different EPG menu has been
received, operation 416 may again be executed such that the display
of the EPG cube is continued. If, in operation 420, a request to
view a different EPG menu is received, operation 424 may be
executed.
[0037] In operation 424, the receiver 108 may output an EPG signal
to the holographic projector 148 that causes the EPG cube 508 to
rotate in three-dimensional space such that the requested EPG menu
is visible to a particular user 302. In this manner, the requested
menu may be visible at a specific angle with respect to the
displayed EPG cube 508 such that other previously viewed menus are
still visible at other angles with respect to the displayed EPG
cube 508. In this manner, one user 302 may be allowed to view his
requested EPG menu while others positioned at different angles
around the cube may still view other EPG menus, as appropriate.
[0038] Following operation 424, operation 428 may be executed. In
operation 428, the receiver 108 determines if an exit command has
been received that indicates that the EPG menu should be exited.
If, in operation 428, no such exit command is received, operation
416 may be again executed such that the display of EPG cube 508 is
continued. If, in operation 428, an exit command is received,
operation 404 may again be executed such that the receiver 108
continues to receive, decode, and display a program service
channel.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance
with embodiments discussed herein. The method illustrated in FIG. 6
is directed to providing a supplemental holographic video or image
in connection with a program service transmission. Initially, in
operation 604, the receiver 108 receives a program service
transmission. As described above, this may include receiving a
signal from a service provider and processing that signal through
various steps such as tuning, demodulating, de-multiplexing, and so
on. Following operation 604, operation 608 may be executed. In
operation 608, the receiver 108 may output at least one channel for
display on a display device 144. As described above, this may
include processing one channel from the plurality of channels
received within the program service transmission. Following
operation 608, operation 612 may be executed.
[0040] In operation 612, the receiver 108 determines if a trigger
signal has been received which indicates that an associated
supplemental holographic projection is to be displayed. If no such
trigger signal is received in operation 616, operation 604 may
again be executed such program service channels are received,
decoded, and displayed. If, in operation 616, a trigger signal is
received, operation 616 may follow.
[0041] In operation 616, the receiver 108 may display a
three-dimensional supplemental video projection. In one embodiment,
supplemental holographic images or videos may be displayed in
connection with instructional videos that are shown on the display
device 144. An example of an instructional supplemental video is
shown in FIG. 7. The instructional video in FIG. 7 is, by way of
example, a video of a yoga class. As can be appreciated, many
service providers offer instructional videos directed to fitness or
exercise routines that allow a person to follow the instructions
given and thereby benefit from a directed exercise class in their
own home. As shown in FIG. 7, the user 302 has adopted a yoga
posture in connection with watching the yoga instructional video
shown on the display device 144. In this embodiment, the
holographic projector 144 may be used at specific points in the
instructional video to emphasize certain points or certain
important aspects of a yoga sequence or technique. In this
instance, the holographic projector 148 may display an image of a
person who has adopted a particular yoga pose in a correct or
otherwise instructional manner. The holographic projection 708 may
be referred to and referenced by the instructor who is otherwise
displayed on the two-dimensional display 144. Accordingly, the user
302 may view the three-dimensional projection 708 to ensure that
his practice or other adoption of the yoga technique is
correct.
[0042] In other embodiments, a supplemental video may be provided
in connection with a broadcast or other real-time transmission of a
program. Such a supplemental video is shown in FIG. 8. As shown in
FIG. 8, the users 308 are enjoying a football game that is
displayed on display device 144. At specific times, during the
broadcast of the football game, the service provider 108 may
additionally transmit supplemental video or images that can be
displayed through the operation of the holographic projector 148.
The holographic image in one instance may be an instant replay of a
football game that may be referenced by the commentators of the
football game. The holographic projection of an instant replay may
be available only to premium subscribers to the service provider
and so on.
[0043] While embodiments are discussed herein in connection with
the exemplary satellite broadcast system shown in FIG. 1, it should
be appreciated that embodiments may be used in connection other
types of networks or content delivery mechanisms. Generally, the
disclosure includes content delivered from a provider to a receiver
across or over a network. The network across which content may be
delivered may include satellite system, such as the one shown in
FIG. 1. Alternatively, the network may include a cable television
network, local area network, wide area network or the Internet. In
connection with certain embodiments, a receiver may include a
general purpose computer operable to receive data or other content
across a network, such as a wide area network of the internet. In
such embodiments, the computer may be configured so that a provider
can access a web site, a file transfer protocol (FTP) site, a file
sharing system or site, and so on. Moreover, the order of method
operations, such those shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6,
described herein is by way of example and limitation. Certain
implementations may reorder method operations without departing
from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *