U.S. patent application number 14/508281 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-07 for system and method for delivering interactive trigger events.
The applicant listed for this patent is AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP. Invention is credited to Anthony Bonvolanta, Paul Di Bernardo.
Application Number | 20160100215 14/508281 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55450312 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160100215 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Di Bernardo; Paul ; et
al. |
April 7, 2016 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING INTERACTIVE TRIGGER EVENTS
Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a
method in which a media processor identifies a first key and a
second key associated with media content received over a network,
and prepares a display object according to the first key that
includes a selectable object. The media processor transmits a
request to a remote server including the second key; the server
returns first additional content and control code associated with
the second key. The media processor merges the first additional
content with the display object to produce an overlay for
presentation with the media content in accordance with the control
code. The overlay is associated with a provider of the first
additional content; the first key is independent of the provider,
and the second key corresponds to the provider. Other embodiments
are disclosed.
Inventors: |
Di Bernardo; Paul;
(Lockport, IL) ; Bonvolanta; Anthony; (Chicago,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55450312 |
Appl. No.: |
14/508281 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4316 20130101;
H04N 21/812 20130101; H04N 21/4622 20130101; H04N 21/44016
20130101; H04N 21/44008 20130101; H04N 21/4882 20130101; H04N
21/4884 20130101; H04N 21/4725 20130101; H04N 21/4722 20130101;
H04N 21/8586 20130101; H04N 21/8166 20130101; H04N 21/2665
20130101; H04N 21/435 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/44 20060101
H04N021/44; H04N 21/2665 20060101 H04N021/2665; H04N 21/488
20060101 H04N021/488; H04N 21/81 20060101 H04N021/81; H04N 21/858
20060101 H04N021/858 |
Claims
1. A machine-readable storage device comprising instructions which,
when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform
operations comprising: receiving video content for display on a
display device; identifying a key provided in the video content,
the key including a first key portion and a second key portion;
preparing a display object based on image information, in
accordance with the first key portion; transmitting a request to a
remote content server in accordance with the second key portion;
receiving, in response to the request, first additional content and
a control code from the content server; merging the first
additional content with the display object to produce an overlay
for display with the video content on the display device in
accordance with the control code, wherein the overlay includes a
selectable object; causing display of the overlay at the display
device; and in response to an input corresponding to selection of
the selectable object, causing display of second additional content
at the display device, wherein the image information corresponds to
a plurality of images, wherein the overlay is associated with a
provider of the first additional content, wherein the first key
portion is independent of an identity of the provider, and wherein
the second key portion corresponds to the identity of the
provider.
2. The machine-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the
video content comprises an advertisement of an advertiser and a
closed captioning line associated with the advertisement, and
wherein the key is provided on the closed captioning line.
3. The machine-readable storage device of claim 2, wherein the
first additional content includes a text message, and wherein the
control code specifies a location on the display of the overlay,
the text message, the selectable object, a graphic object
identifying the advertiser, or any combination thereof.
4. The machine-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the
first additional content comprises a uniform resource locator for
accessing the second additional content, and wherein the merging
further comprises associating the selectable object with the
uniform resource locator.
5. The machine-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the
video content comprises live content with a closed captioned
portion having a closed captioning line including the key.
6. The machine-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the
display object comprises a background of the overlay and the
selectable object.
7. The machine-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the
video content comprises a sequence of a plurality of frames,
wherein the identifying comprises identifying the key associated
with a first frame of the plurality of frames, and wherein the
overlay is produced for display on the first frame of the plurality
of frames.
8. The machine-readable storage device of claim 7, wherein the
operations further comprise: displaying on a subsequent second
frame of the plurality of frames the overlay produced for display
on the first frame of the plurality of frames, in accordance with
the second frame of the plurality of frames having the key
associated therewith or in accordance with the control code.
9. A media processor comprising: a memory to store instructions;
and a controller coupled to the memory, wherein responsive to
executing the instructions, the controller performs operations
comprising: receiving media content over a network for display on a
display device; identifying a key associated with the media
content, the key including a first key portion and a second key
portion; preparing a display object in accordance with the first
key portion, the display object including a selectable object;
transmitting a request to a remote content server, the request
including the second key portion; receiving, in response to the
request, first additional content and display control code; merging
the first additional content with the display object to produce an
overlay for display with the media content on the display device in
accordance with the display control code; causing display of the
overlay at the display device; and in response to an input
corresponding to selection of the selectable object, causing
display of second additional content at the display device, wherein
the overlay is associated with a provider of the first additional
content, wherein the first key portion is independent of an
identity of the provider, and wherein the second key portion
corresponds to the identity of the provider.
10. The media processor of claim 9, wherein the media content
comprises an advertisement of an advertiser and a closed captioning
line associated with the advertisement, and wherein the first key
portion and the second key portion are provided on the closed
captioning line.
11. The media processor of claim 10, wherein the first additional
content includes a text message, and wherein the control code
specifies a location on the display of the overlay, the text
message, the selectable object, a graphic object identifying the
advertiser, or any combination thereof.
12. The media processor of claim 9, wherein the first additional
content comprises a uniform resource locator for accessing the
second additional content, and wherein the merging further
comprises associating the selectable object with the uniform
resource locator.
13. The media processor of claim 9, wherein the media content
comprises live content with a closed captioned portion including
the key.
14. The media processor of claim 9, wherein the media content
comprises a sequence of a plurality of frames, and wherein the
operations further comprise causing display of the overlay on
successive frames.
15. A method comprising: receiving, by a media processor comprising
a controller, media content over a network for presentation on a
media presentation device coupled to the media processor;
identifying, by the media processor, a key associated with the
media content, the key including a first key portion and a second
key portion; preparing, by the media processor, a display object in
accordance with the first key portion, the display object including
a selectable object; transmitting, by the media processor a request
to a remote computing device, the request including the second key
portion; receiving, by the media processor in response to the
request, first additional content and control code associated with
the second key portion; merging, by the media processor, the first
additional content with the display object to produce an overlay
for presentation with the media content on the media presentation
device in accordance with the control code; and causing, by the
media processor, presentation of the overlay at the media
presentation device, wherein the overlay is associated with a
provider of the first additional content, wherein the first key
portion is independent of an identity of the provider, and wherein
the second key portion corresponds to the identity of the
provider.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising causing display of
second additional content at the media presentation device, in
response to receiving an input corresponding to selection of the
selectable object.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first additional content
comprises a uniform resource locator for accessing the second
additional content, and wherein the merging further comprises
associating the selectable object with the uniform resource
locator.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the media content comprises an
advertisement of an advertiser and a closed captioning line
associated with the advertisement, and wherein the key is provided
on the closed captioning line.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first additional content
includes a text message, and wherein the control code specifies a
location of the overlay on a display of the media presentation
device, the text message, the selectable object, a graphic object
identifying the advertiser, or any combination thereof.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the media content comprises
live video content with a closed captioned portion including key.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The subject disclosure relates to a system and method for
delivering interactive trigger events.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Video content received from a content provider over a
network and presented on a display device using a media processor,
such as a set top box (STB), can include overlays having
interactive components. An overlay is typically resident on the STB
and deployed in response to a signal from the content provider.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0004] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system for providing an
interactive overlay, in accordance with an embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0005] FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a presentation
of content that includes an interactive overlay;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method used in portions
of the system described in FIG. 1;
[0007] FIGS. 4-5 depict illustrative embodiments of communication
systems that provide media services including video content where
overlays are used;
[0008] FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal
for interacting with the communication systems of FIGS. 4-5;
[0009] FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication
device; and
[0010] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the
form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when
executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the
methods described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The subject disclosure describes, among other things,
illustrative embodiments for providing interactive triggered
overlays for video content. Other embodiments are described in the
subject disclosure.
[0012] One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a
method in which a set top box (STB), communicating with a
television network, has installed on it a software framework for an
interactive trigger and reusable images. The STB responds to a
trigger key embedded in incoming video content by activating the
framework and retrieving control code and graphics (specific to the
advertising overlay trigger to be presented) from a content server
in the cloud. This permits on-demand generation and deployment of
interactive overlays.
[0013] One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a
machine-readable storage device comprising instructions which, when
executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations.
The operations comprise receiving video content for display on a
display device and identifying a key provided in the video content;
the key includes a first key portion and a second key portion. The
operations also comprise preparing a display object based on image
information in accordance with the first key portion, and
transmitting a request to a remote content server in accordance
with the second key portion. The operations further comprise
receiving first additional content and a control code from the
content server in response to the request, and merging the first
additional content with the display object to produce an overlay
for display with the video content on the display device in
accordance with the control code; the overlay includes a selectable
object. The operations also comprise causing display of the overlay
at the display device, and causing display of second additional
content at the display device in response to an input corresponding
to selection of the selectable object. The image information
corresponds to a plurality of images, and the overlay is associated
with a provider of the first additional content. The first key
portion is independent of an identity of the provider, and the
second key portion corresponds to the identity of the provider.
[0014] One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a media
processor comprising a memory to store instructions and a
controller coupled to the memory. The controller, responsive to
executing the instructions, performs operations. The operations
comprise receiving media content over a network for display on a
display device and identifying a key associated with the media
content; the key includes a first key portion and a second key
portion. The operations also comprise preparing a display object in
accordance with the first key portion; the display object includes
a selectable object, and transmitting a request to a remote content
server, the request including the second key portion. The
operations also comprise receiving, in response to the request,
first additional content and display control code; and merging the
first additional content with the display object to produce an
overlay for display with the media content on the display device in
accordance with the display control code. The operations further
comprise causing display of the overlay at the display device and,
in response to an input corresponding to selection of the
selectable object, causing display of second additional content at
the display device. The overlay is associated with a provider of
the first additional content. The first key portion is independent
of an identity of the provider, and the second key portion
corresponds to the identity of the provider.
[0015] One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a method
comprising receiving, by a media processor comprising a controller,
media content over a network for presentation on a media
presentation device coupled to the media processor. The method also
comprises identifying a key associated with the media content; the
key includes a first key portion and a second key portion. The
operations further comprise preparing a display object in
accordance with the first key portion, the display object including
a selectable object; and transmitting a request to a remote
computing device, the request including the second key portion. The
method also comprises receiving, by the media processor in response
to the request, first additional content and control code
associated with the second key portion, and merging the first
additional content with the display object to produce an overlay
for presentation with the media content on the media presentation
device in accordance with the control code. The method further
comprises causing presentation of the overlay at the media
presentation device. The overlay is associated with a provider of
the first additional content; the first key portion is independent
of an identity of the provider, and the second key portion
corresponds to the identity of the provider.
[0016] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system 100 for providing
an interactive overlay with media content, in accordance with an
embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, a media processor
(represented by a STB 101) receives a signal 102 that comprises
media content from a content provider, delivered over a network
(not shown). In this embodiment, the media content includes a
sequence of video frames 110.
[0017] In addition to a video image, each frame can include
information that can be processed by the STB for various purposes.
For example, video frames 110 can include closed captioning (CC)
information that might be displayed with the video image. In this
embodiment, frame 111 includes advertising content and has
additional encoded information 120, referred to herein as a
"trigger key." The appearance of the trigger key in signal 102
triggers the STB to invoke executable code for building an overlay
for presenting on the frame 111. In this embodiment, frame 111 has
a closed captioning line (e.g. CC line 4) including characters 121,
122, referred to herein as first and second trigger key portions
respectively. In this embodiment, trigger key 120 is received at
STB 101 with the media content. In response to the first trigger
key portion 121, the STB activates software 105, resident on the
STB, for deploying an interactive overlay on frame 111. Software
105 is referred to herein as "framework" software since its
execution provides overlay features that are independent of the
identity of the advertiser or the visual/textual content of the
overlay. The framework software can direct the STB to retrieve from
storage 103 graphical objects (e.g. backgrounds and buttons) that
are reusable; that is, objects that can appear in overlays on
different advertisements, in different advertising campaigns,
and/or by different advertisers.
[0018] The second trigger key portion 122 is included in a query
125 transmitted from the STB 101 to a remote content server 131.
The remote content server uses the second trigger key portion and
passes back the control code and associated images to the framework
along with control code. The control code provides instructions
that permits the overlay to be built with graphics sent from the
content server 131 and resident generic graphics from storage 103;
the completed overlay is then presented on the display device.
[0019] In this embodiment, content server 131 is located in the
cloud and is accessible to STB 101 via a network. Content server
131 includes a mapping engine 132 that can map trigger key portion
122 to various components that are specific to the desired overlay.
For example, based on trigger key portion 122 the mapping engine
132 can identify a specific graphic (e.g. an advertiser's logo)
and/or a specific line of text to be inserted in the overlay with
the graphic (e.g. a "call to action" or CTA, prompting the viewer
of the overlay). In addition, mapping engine 132 can retrieve
specific control code for the overlay, controlling (for example)
the size, shape, color and/or position of the overlay displayed on
the frame. In this embodiment, the objects and control code that
are specific to the overlay are stored on storage device 133 which
is accessible to server 131. In this embodiment, deployment of an
overlay can be considered part of a "project" by the advertiser;
accordingly, objects and code stored at storage device 133 may be
termed "project-specific."
[0020] In an embodiment, the project-specific control code also
includes instructions for presenting additional content if a viewer
of the interactive overlay responds to the call to action (for
example, by selecting a button included in the overlay). In a
specific embodiment, the project-specific control code includes a
uniform resource locator (URL) pointing to the additional content,
which accordingly is automatically displayed when the user selects
the button.
[0021] Content server 131 sends a reply 145 to STB 101 that
includes the project-specific components for the overlay, in
accordance with the second trigger key portion 122. The STB can
then merge the framework that includes the reusable images with the
project-specific images and control code to generate the overlay
for the frame 111. The overlay can then be presented with frame 111
and with succeeding frames that include the trigger key 120.
[0022] Alternatively, the overlay can be sustained over multiple
frames with a single introduction of the trigger key 120. In an
embodiment, the control code can include an instruction that the
overlay is to be presented for a specific time period or a specific
number of frames. Once the overlay is launched on the display
device, it can remain displayed until the specified time expires or
other action is taken by the user (e.g., a channel change, or an
input to exit the overlay). In another embodiment, the overlay
remains displayed until an exit key in a subsequent video frame is
received.
[0023] FIG. 2 depicts a frame of advertising content and an overlay
generated in accordance with an embodiment 200 of the disclosure.
Frame 201, as received at the STB 101 over the network, includes
content with images 202. Overlay 210, displayed over the images
202, has a background 211 and a button 212 retrieved from storage
103 (in accordance with the first trigger key portion 121). Overlay
210 also has a graphic 213 and a CTA 214 retrieved from storage 133
and transmitted from server 131 in response to query 105 (in
accordance with the second trigger key portion 122).
[0024] It will be appreciated that overlay 210 is generated in a
run-time environment, as the STB 101 processes the media content
signal 102 for display. Rather than storing a limited inventory of
completed overlays, the STB can generate a wide variety of overlays
to meet the requirements of a particular project.
[0025] In an embodiment, the STB 101 periodically receives an
updated list of projects and a corresponding update of the set of
reusable images. The overlay frameworks that can be generated
therefore vary with time. In a particular embodiment, an update to
the project list and the reusable images is performed once every
1-6 months, while the project-specific overlay components can be
changed daily by sending new content and/or control code to server
131.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method 300 for generating an
overlay for media content, in accordance with an embodiment of the
disclosure. The STB receives media content over the network (step
302); the content can be a prerecorded program, a live program or
advertising. The STB determines (step 304) whether trigger keys are
present in a frame (for example on CC line 4). If so, the STB
executes the framework software 105 (step 306) according to the
first trigger key. The STB retrieves reusable images (step 308)
from storage 103. At this point a framework for the overlay is
staged at the STB (that is, ready for components that will
distinguish the overlay as representing a particular project).
[0027] The STB sends a query including the second trigger key to a
content management system that includes a content server, a mapping
engine and storage for project-specific images and control code
(step 310). The mapping engine uses the second trigger key to
retrieve the images and code specific to the overlay being
generated (step 312). As noted above, the code can include display
control code for displaying the overlay and/or a URL for displaying
additional content in response to user selection of a button in the
overlay. The STB receives the project-specific components (step
314) and merges those components with the staged framework to build
the overlay (step 316).
[0028] In an embodiment, the overlay is displayed on the media
content over multiple frames. After the overlay is generated and
displayed on the first frame (that is, the frame where the trigger
keys were first encountered), the overlay can be repeated while the
key is present in succeeding frames. If the next frame includes the
trigger key found in the current frame, or if the control code
provides for continued display of the overlay (step 320), the
overlay is applied to the next frame also (step 322). Otherwise the
overlay is no longer displayed. In an embodiment, an overlay is
presented with display of a television advertising spot so that the
overlay persists across the frames of the advertising spot up until
a predetermined time (e.g. 5 seconds) before the end of the
advertising display. In other embodiments, the overlay is displayed
until expiration of a time period in accordance with the control
code, or until an exit key is received in a subsequent frame. As
noted above, the display of the overlay can also be terminated in
response to a user input, e.g. a channel change.
[0029] FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first
communication system 400 for delivering media content. The
communication system 400 can represent an Internet Protocol
Television (IPTV) media system. Communication system 400 can be
overlaid or operably coupled with system 100 of FIG. 1 as another
representative embodiment of communication system 400. For
instance, one or more devices illustrated in the communication
system 400 of FIG. 4. In particular, system 400 can include a media
processor comprising a memory to store instructions and a
controller coupled to the memory. The controller, responsive to
executing the instructions, performs operations. The operations
comprise receiving media content over a network for display on a
display device, identifying a first key and a second key associated
with the media content, and preparing a display object in
accordance with the first key; the display object includes a
selectable object. The operations also comprise transmitting a
request to a remote content server, the request including the
second key; receiving, in response to the request, first additional
content and display control code; and merging the first additional
content with the display object to produce an overlay for display
with the media content on the display device in accordance with the
display control code. The operations further comprise causing
display of the overlay at the display device and, in response to an
input corresponding to selection of the selectable object, causing
display of second additional content at the display device. The
overlay is associated with a provider of the first additional
content. The first key is independent of an identity of the
provider, and the second key corresponds to the identity of the
provider.
[0030] The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office
(SHO) 410 with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 411
which receives media content from satellite and/or terrestrial
communication systems. In the present context, media content can
represent, for example, audio content, moving image content such as
2D or 3D videos, video games, virtual reality content, still image
content, and combinations thereof. The SHS server 411 can forward
packets associated with the media content to one or more video
head-end servers (VHS) 414 via a network of video head-end offices
(VHO) 412 according to a multicast communication protocol.
[0031] The VHS 414 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via
an access network 418 to commercial and/or residential buildings
402 housing a gateway 404 (such as a residential or commercial
gateway). The access network 418 can represent a group of digital
subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central
office or a service area interface that provide broadband services
over fiber optical links or copper twisted pairs 419 to buildings
402. The gateway 404 can use communication technology to distribute
broadcast signals to media processors 406 such as Set-Top Boxes
(STBs) which in turn present broadcast channels to media devices
408 such as computers or television sets managed in some instances
by a media controller 407 (such as an infrared or RF remote
controller).
[0032] The gateway 404, the media processors 406, and media devices
408 can utilize tethered communication technologies (such as
coaxial, powerline or phone line wiring) or can operate over a
wireless access protocol such as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi),
Bluetooth.RTM., Zigbee.RTM., or other present or next generation
local or personal area wireless network technologies. By way of
these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invoked
between the media processors 406 and subsystems of the IPTV media
system for services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an
electronic programming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure
services.
[0033] A satellite broadcast television system 429 can be used in
the media system of FIG. 4. The satellite broadcast television
system can be overlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV
system as another representative embodiment of communication system
400. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 415
that include media content can be received by a satellite dish
receiver 431 coupled to the building 402. Modulated signals
received by the satellite dish receiver 431 can be transferred to
the media processors 406 for demodulating, decoding, encoding,
and/or distributing broadcast channels to the media devices 408.
The media processors 406 can be equipped with a broadband port to
an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 432 to enable
interactive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.
[0034] In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable
broadcast distribution system such as cable TV system 433 can be
overlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or
the satellite TV system as another representative embodiment of
communication system 400. In this embodiment, the cable TV system
433 can also provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media
services.
[0035] The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next
generation over-the-air and/or landline media content services
system.
[0036] Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be
coupled to one or more computing devices 430, a portion of which
can operate as a web server for providing web portal services over
the ISP network 432 to wireline media devices 408 or wireless
communication devices 416.
[0037] Communication system 400 can also provide for all or a
portion of the computing devices 430 to function as a content
management system (herein referred to as CMS 430). The CMS 430 can
use computing and communication technology to provide the
project-specific components of the overlay, which can include among
other things, project-specific graphics, display control code,
and/or a URL pointing to additional content. For instance, CMS 430
can perform the functions described in accordance with method 300.
The media processors 406 and wireless communication devices 416 can
be provisioned with software functions to utilize the services of
CMS 430.For instance, the functions of media processors 406 can be
similar to the functions described for media processors of FIG. 1
in accordance with method 300.
[0038] Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media
devices over landline technologies such as those described above.
Additionally, media services can be offered to media devices by way
of a wireless access base station 417 operating according to common
wireless access protocols such as Global System for Mobile or GSM,
Code Division Multiple Access or CDMA, Time Division Multiple
Access or TDMA, Universal Mobile Telecommunications or UMTS, World
interoperability for Microwave or WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or
SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and so on. Other present and next
generation wide area wireless access network technologies can be
used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication
system 500 employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network
architecture to facilitate the combined services of
circuit-switched and packet-switched systems. Communication system
500 can be overlaid or operably coupled with system 100 of FIG. 1
and communication system 400as another representative embodiment of
communication system 400. In particular, system 500 can be
configured to perform a method comprising receiving, by a media
processor comprising a controller, media content over a network for
presentation on a media presentation device coupled to the media
processor. The method also comprises identifying a first key and a
second key associated with the media content; preparing a display
object in accordance with the first key, the display object
including a selectable object; and transmitting a request to a
remote computing device, the request including the second key. The
method also comprises receiving, by the media processor in response
to the request, first additional content and control code
associated with the second key, and merging the first additional
content with the display object to produce an overlay for
presentation with the media content on the media presentation
device in accordance with the control code. The method further
comprises causing presentation of the overlay at the media
presentation device. The overlay is associated with a provider of
the first additional content; the first key is independent of an
identity of the provider, and the second key corresponds to the
identity of the provider.
[0040] Communication system 500 can comprise a Home Subscriber
Server (HSS) 540, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 530, and
other network elements of an IMS network 550. The IMS network 550
can establish communications between IMS-compliant communication
devices (CDs) 501, 502, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
CDs 503, 505, and combinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway
Control Function (MGCF) 520 coupled to a PSTN network 560. The MGCF
520 need not be used when a communication session involves IMS CD
to IMS CD communications. A communication session involving at
least one PSTN CD may utilize the MGCF 520.
[0041] IMS CDs 501, 502 can register with the IMS network 550 by
contacting a Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which
communicates with an interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn,
communicates with a Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with
the HSS 540. To initiate a communication session between CDs, an
originating IMS CD 501 can submit a Session Initiation Protocol
(SIP INVITE) message to an originating P-CSCF 504 which
communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF 506. The
originating S-CSCF 506 can submit the SIP INVITE message to one or
more application servers (ASs) 517 that can provide a variety of
services to IMS subscribers.
[0042] For example, the application servers 517 can be used to
perform originating call feature treatment functions on the calling
party number received by the originating S-CSCF 506 in the SIP
INVITE message. Originating treatment functions can include
determining whether the calling party number has international
calling services, call ID blocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit
dialing, and/or is requesting special telephony features (e.g., *72
forward calls, *73 cancel call forwarding, *67 for caller ID
blocking, and so on).Based on initial filter criteria (iFCs) in a
subscriber profile associated with a CD, one or more application
servers may be invoked to provide various call originating feature
services.
[0043] Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 506 can submit queries
to the ENUM system 530 to translate an E.164 telephone number in
the SIP INVITE message to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI)
if the terminating communication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP
URI can be used by an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 507 to submit a
query to the HSS 540 to identify a terminating S-CSCF 514
associated with a terminating IMS CD such as reference 502. Once
identified, the I-CSCF 507 can submit the SIP INVITE message to the
terminating S-CSCF 514. The terminating S-CSCF 514 can then
identify a terminating P-CSCF 516 associated with the terminating
CD 502. The P-CSCF 516 may then signal the CD 502 to establish
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services, thereby
enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voice and/or
data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,
one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various
call terminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not
disturb, music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing,
etc.
[0044] In some instances the aforementioned communication process
is symmetrical. Accordingly, the terms "originating" and
"terminating" in FIG. 5 may be interchangeable. It is further noted
that communication system 500 can be adapted to support video
conferencing. In addition, communication system 500 can be adapted
to provide the IMS CDs 501, 502 with the multimedia and Internet
services of communication system 400 of FIG. 4.
[0045] If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD
such as CD 503 or CD 505 (in instances where the cellular phone
only supports circuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM
system 530 can respond with an unsuccessful address resolution
which can cause the originating S-CSCF 506 to forward the call to
the MGCF 520 via a Breakout Gateway Control Function (BGCF) 519.
The MGCF 520 can then initiate the call to the terminating PSTN CD
over the PSTN network 560to enable the calling and called parties
to engage in voice and/or data communications.
[0046] It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 5 can operate
as wireline or wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 5 can
be communicatively coupled to a cellular base station 521, a
femtocell, a WiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless
Telecommunications (DECT) base unit, or another suitable wireless
access unit to establish communications with the IMS network 550 of
FIG. 5. The cellular access base station 521 can operate according
to common wireless access protocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS,
WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on. Other present and next generation
wireless network technologies can be used by one or more
embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly, multiple
wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used by the
CDs of FIG. 5.
[0047] Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched
voice and packet-switched data communications and thus may operate
as IMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular
base station 521 may communicate directly with the IMS network 550
as shown by the arrow connecting the cellular base station 521 and
the P-CSCF 516.
[0048] Alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in a device, system,
component, or other form of centralized or distributed hardware
and/or software. Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as a
respective CSCF system having one or more computers or servers,
either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server
may be configured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any
method, step, or functionality described herein in accordance with
a respective CSCF. Likewise, other functions, servers and computers
described herein, including but not limited to, the HSS, the ENUM
server, the BGCF, and the MGCF, can be embodied in a respective
system having one or more computers or servers, either centralized
or distributed, where each computer or server may be configured to
perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or
functionality described herein in accordance with a respective
function, server, or computer.
[0049] The CMS 430 of FIG. 4 can be operably coupled to
communication system 500 for purposes similar to those described
above. CMS 430 can provide services to the CDs 501, 502, 503 and
505 of FIG. 5 similar to the functions described for server 131 of
FIG. 1 in accordance with method 300 of FIG. 3. CDs 501, 502, 503
and 505 can be adapted with software to utilize the services of
CMS. CMS 430 can be an integral part of the application server(s)
517, which can be adapted to the operations of the IMS network
550.
[0050] For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF,
I-CSCF, and so on, can be server devices, but may be referred to in
the subject disclosure without the word "server." It is also
understood that any form of a CSCF server can operate in a device,
system, component, or other form of centralized or distributed
hardware and software. It is further noted that these terms and
other terms such as DIAMETER commands are terms can include
features, methodologies, and/or fields that may be described in
whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3.sup.rd Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some or all
embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in part
modify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed
standards published and promulgated by 3GPP.
[0051] FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal
602 of a communication system 600. Communication system 600 can be
overlaid or operably coupled with system 100 of FIG. 1,
communication system 400, and/or communication system 500as another
representative embodiment of system 100, communication system 400,
and/or communication system 500. The web portal 602 can be used for
managing services of system 100 and communication systems 400-500.
A web page of the web portal 602 can be accessed by a Uniform
Resource Locator (URL) with an Internet browser using an
Internet-capable communication device such as those described in
FIGS. 4-5. The web portal 602 can be configured, for example, to
access a media processor 406 and services managed thereby such as a
Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog, an
Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog (such as
personal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored at the
media processor 406. The web portal 602 can also be used for
provisioning IMS services described earlier, provisioning Internet
services, provisioning cellular phone services, and so on.
[0052] The web portal 602 can further be utilized to manage and
provision software applications to adapt these applications as may
be desired by subscribers and/or service providers of system 100
and communication systems 400-500. Service providers can log onto
an administrator account to provision, monitor and/or maintain
system 100 and/or CMS 430.
[0053] FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication
device 700. Communication device 700 can serve in whole or in part
as an illustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 4-5.
Communication device 700 in whole or in part can represent any of
the communication devices described in FIGS. 4-5] and can be
configured to perform portions of method 300 of FIG. 3].
[0054] Communication device 700 can comprise a wireline and/or
wireless transceiver 702 (herein transceiver 702), a user interface
(UI) 704, a power supply 714, a location receiver 716, a motion
sensor 718,an orientation sensor 720, and a controller 706 for
managing operations thereof. The transceiver 702 can support
short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as
Bluetooth.RTM., ZigBee.RTM., WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication
technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth.RTM. and ZigBee.RTM.
are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth.RTM. Special Interest
Group and the ZigBee.RTM. Alliance, respectively). Cellular
technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1.times., UMTS/HSDPA,
GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next
generation wireless communication technologies as they arise. The
transceiver 702 can also be adapted to support circuit-switched
wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched
wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and
combinations thereof.
[0055] The UI 704 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive
keypad 708 with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a
joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations
of the communication device 700. The keypad 708 can be an integral
part of a housing assembly of the communication device 700 or an
independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline
interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting
for example Bluetooth.RTM.. The keypad 708 can represent a numeric
keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with
alphanumeric keys. The UI 704 can further include a display 710
such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED
(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology
for conveying images to an end user of the communication device
700. In an embodiment where the display 710 is touch-sensitive, a
portion or all of the keypad 708 can be presented by way of the
display 710 with navigation features.
[0056] The display 710 can use touch screen technology to also
serve as a user interface for detecting user input. As a touch
screen display, the communication device 700 can be adapted to
present a user interface with graphical user interface (GUI)
elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger.
The touch screen display 710 can be equipped with capacitive,
resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect how much
surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of the
touch screen display. This sensing information can be used to
control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of
the user interface. The display 710 can be an integral part of the
housing assembly of the communication device 700 or an independent
device communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline
interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface.
[0057] The UI 704 can also include an audio system 712 that
utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as
audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio
(such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system
712 can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals
of an end user. The audio system 712 can also be used for voice
recognition applications. The UI 704 can further include an image
sensor 713 such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for
capturing still or moving images.
[0058] The power supply 714 can utilize common power management
technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply
regulation technologies, and/or charging system technologies for
supplying energy to the components of the communication device 700
to facilitate long-range or short-range portable applications.
Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can utilize
external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical
interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering
technologies.
[0059] The location receiver 716 can utilize location technology
such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of
assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device
700 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS
satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services
such as navigation. The motion sensor 718 can utilize motion
sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other
suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the
communication device 700 in three-dimensional space. The
orientation sensor 720 can utilize orientation sensing technology
such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the
communication device 700 (north, south, west, and east, as well as
combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable
orientation metrics).
[0060] The communication device 700 can use the transceiver 702 to
also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth.RTM., or
other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as
utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal
time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. The
controller 706 can utilize computing technologies such as a
microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate
arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video
processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM,
SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer
instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the
aforementioned components of the communication device 700.
[0061] Other components not shown in FIG. 7 can be used in one or
more embodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the
communication device 700 can include a reset button (not shown).
The reset button can be used to reset the controller 706 of the
communication device 700. In yet another embodiment, the
communication device 700 can also include a factory default setting
button positioned, for example, below a small hole in a housing
assembly of the communication device 700 to force the communication
device 700 to re-establish factory settings. In this embodiment, a
user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paper clip tip to
reach into the hole and depress the default setting button. The
communication device 700 can also include a slot for adding or
removing an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module
(SIM) card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber
services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so
forth.
[0062] The communication device 700 as described herein can operate
with more or less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 7. These
variant embodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the
subject disclosure.
[0063] The communication device 700 can be adapted to perform the
functions of the media processor 406, the media devices 408, or the
portable communication devices 416 of FIG. 4, as well as the IMS
CDs 501-502 and PSTN CDs 503-505 of FIG. 5. It will be appreciated
that the communication device 700 can also represent other devices
that can operate in the system of FIG. 1 or in communication
systems 400-500 of FIGS. 4-5 such as a gaming console and a media
player.
[0064] The communication device 700 shown in FIG. 7 or portions
thereof can serve as a representation of one or more of the devices
of system 100, communication system 400, and communication system
500.
[0065] Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be
evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that said
embodiments can be modified, reduced, or enhanced without departing
from the scope of the claims described below. For example,
advertisements can be presented via the STB using an advertising
decision system (ADS) that appends the trigger keys to the closed
captioning portion of the advertising content frames. In another
embodiment, an advertisement with closed captioning is injected
into live programming, and an overlay is presented with the
advertisement in accordance with the embedded trigger keys. In a
further embodiment, the live programming can have a closed
captioned portion including the trigger keys, so that an overlay is
presented over the live content. Other embodiments can be used in
the subject disclosure.
[0066] It should be understood that devices described in the
exemplary embodiments can be in communication with each other via
various wireless and/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can
be links that are described as coupled, connected and so forth,
which can include unidirectional and/or bidirectional communication
over wireless paths and/or wired paths that utilize one or more of
various protocols or methodologies, where the coupling and/or
connection can be direct (e.g., no intervening processing device)
and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediary processing device such as a
router).
[0067] FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a
machine in the form of a computer system 800 within which a set of
instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any
one or more of the methods described above. One or more instances
of the machine can operate, for example, as the CMS 430, the media
processor 406, and other devices of FIGS. 1, 4 and 5.In some
embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network
826) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may
operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in a
server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a
peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.
[0068] The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user
computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a
laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network
router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set
of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to
be taken by that machine. It will be understood that a
communication device of the subject disclosure includes broadly any
electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.
Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine"
shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that
individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of
instructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed
herein.
[0069] The computer system 800 may include a processor (or
controller) 802 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics
processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory 804 and a static
memory 806, which communicate with each other via a bus 808. The
computer system 800 may further include a display unit 810 (e.g., a
liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state
display). The computer system 800 may include an input device 812
(e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 814 (e.g., a mouse), a
disk drive unit 816, a signal generation device 818 (e.g., a
speaker or remote control) and a network interface device 820. In
distributed environments, the embodiments described in the subject
disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units 810
controlled by two or more computer systems 800. In this
configuration, presentations described by the subject disclosure
may in part be shown in a first of the display units 810, while the
remaining portion is presented in a second of the display units
810.
[0070] The disk drive unit 816 may include a tangible
computer-readable storage medium 822 on which is stored one or more
sets of instructions (e.g., software 824) embodying any one or more
of the methods or functions described herein, including those
methods illustrated above. The instructions 824 may also reside,
completely or at least partially, within the main memory 804, the
static memory 806, and/or within the processor 802 during execution
thereof by the computer system 800. The main memory 804 and the
processor 802 also may constitute tangible computer-readable
storage media.
[0071] Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not
limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable
logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed
to implement the methods described herein. Application specific
integrated circuits and programmable logic array can use
downloadable instructions for executing state machines and/or
circuit configurations to implement embodiments of the subject
disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems
of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and
computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two or
more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with
related control and data signals communicated between and through
the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated
circuit. Thus, the example system is applicable to software,
firmware, and hardware implementations.
[0072] In accordance with various embodiments of the subject
disclosure, the operations or methods described herein are intended
for operation as software programs or instructions running on or
executed by a computer processor or other computing device, and
which may include other forms of instructions manifested as a state
machine implemented with logic components in an application
specific integrated circuit or field programmable gate array.
Furthermore, software implementations (e.g., software programs,
instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to, distributed
processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel
processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed
to implement the methods described herein. It is further noted that
a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a state
machine or other suitable device for executing instructions to
perform operations or methods may perform such operations directly
or indirectly by way of one or more intermediate devices directed
by the computing device.
[0073] While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 822 is
shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term
"tangible computer-readable storage medium" should be taken to
include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or
distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that
store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "tangible
computer-readable storage medium" shall also be taken to include
any non-transitory medium that is capable of storing or encoding a
set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the
machine to perform any one or more of the methods of the subject
disclosure. The term "non-transitory" as in a non-transitory
computer-readable storage includes without limitation memories,
drives, devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.
[0074] The term "tangible computer-readable storage medium" shall
accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state
memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or
more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or
other re-writable (volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical
medium such as a disk or tape, or other tangible media which can be
used to store information. Accordingly, the disclosure is
considered to include any one or more of a tangible
computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein and including
art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the
software implementations herein are stored.
[0075] Although the present specification describes components and
functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to
particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited
to such standards and protocols. Each of the standards for Internet
and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP,
UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art.
Such standards are from time-to-time superseded by faster or more
efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.
Wireless standards for device detection (e.g., RFID), short-range
communications (e.g., Bluetooth.RTM., WiFi, Zigbee.RTM.), and
long-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used
by computer system 800.
[0076] The illustrations of embodiments described herein are
intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of
various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a
complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus
and systems that might make use of the structures described herein.
Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the
art upon reviewing the above description. The exemplary embodiments
can include combinations of features and/or steps from multiple
embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived
therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and
changes may be made without departing from the scope of this
disclosure. Figures are also merely representational and may not be
drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated,
while others may be minimized Accordingly, the specification and
drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a
restrictive sense.
[0077] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement
calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the
specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover
any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.
Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not
specifically described herein, can be used in the subject
disclosure. In one or more embodiments, features that are
positively recited can also be excluded from the embodiment with or
without replacement by another component or step. The steps or
functions described with respect to the exemplary processes or
methods can be performed in any order. The steps or functions
described with respect to the exemplary processes or methods can be
performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions
(from other embodiments or from other steps that have not been
described).
[0078] Less than all of the steps or functions described with
respect to the exemplary processes or methods can also be performed
in one or more of the exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of
numerical terms to describe a device, component, step or function,
such as first, second, third, and so forth, is not intended to
describe an order or function unless expressly stated so. The use
of the terms first, second, third and so forth, is generally to
distinguish between devices, components, steps or functions unless
expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, one or more devices or
components described with respect to the exemplary embodiments can
facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating (e.g.,
facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection) can
include less than every step needed to perform the function or can
include all of the steps needed to perform the function.
[0079] In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a
controller or circuit) has been described that performs various
functions. It should be understood that the processor can be
multiple processors, which can include distributed processors or
parallel processors in a single machine or multiple machines. The
processor can be used in supporting a virtual processing
environment. The virtual processing environment may support one or
more virtual machines representing computers, servers, or other
computing devices. In such virtual machines, components such as
microprocessors and storage devices may be virtualized or logically
represented. The processor can include a state machine, application
specific integrated circuit, and/or programmable gate array
including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when a processor
executes instructions to perform "operations", this can include the
processor performing the operations directly and/or facilitating,
directing, or cooperating with another device or component to
perform the operations.
[0080] 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, it can be seen that various features are
grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of
streamlining the disclosure. This method of 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
lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.
Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed
Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately
claimed subject matter.
* * * * *