U.S. patent number 9,271,044 [Application Number 12/880,965] was granted by the patent office on 2016-02-23 for system and method for providing information of selectable objects in a television program.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Broadcom Corporation. The grantee listed for this patent is Jeyhan Karaoguz, Nambirajan Seshadri. Invention is credited to Jeyhan Karaoguz, Nambirajan Seshadri.
United States Patent |
9,271,044 |
Karaoguz , et al. |
February 23, 2016 |
System and method for providing information of selectable objects
in a television program
Abstract
A system and method for providing information of selectable
objects in a television program as shown in and/or described in
connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more
completely in the claims.
Inventors: |
Karaoguz; Jeyhan (Irvine,
CA), Seshadri; Nambirajan (Irvine, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Karaoguz; Jeyhan
Seshadri; Nambirajan |
Irvine
Irvine |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Broadcom Corporation (Irvine,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
43730008 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/880,965 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20110067062 A1 |
Mar 17, 2011 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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61242234 |
Sep 14, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
21/47815 (20130101); H04N 21/812 (20130101); H04N
21/438 (20130101); H04N 21/8133 (20130101); H04N
21/42209 (20130101); H04N 21/44008 (20130101); G06F
3/0346 (20130101); H04N 5/445 (20130101); G06F
3/0386 (20130101); H04N 21/4622 (20130101); H04N
21/4828 (20130101); H04N 21/23892 (20130101); H04N
21/42204 (20130101); H04N 21/482 (20130101); H04N
21/4782 (20130101); H04N 21/2408 (20130101); H04N
21/858 (20130101); H04N 5/76 (20130101); H04N
9/8205 (20130101); H04N 21/8545 (20130101); H04N
21/472 (20130101); H04N 21/4334 (20130101); H04N
21/8173 (20130101); G06F 3/0304 (20130101); H04N
21/4524 (20130101); G06F 3/0412 (20130101); H04N
21/4728 (20130101); H04N 21/8126 (20130101); H04N
21/41265 (20200801); G06F 3/0428 (20130101); H04N
21/2668 (20130101); H04N 21/845 (20130101); G06F
3/0308 (20130101); H04N 21/4722 (20130101); H04N
21/4325 (20130101); H04N 21/234318 (20130101); G06F
3/0325 (20130101); H04N 21/25841 (20130101); H04N
21/47805 (20130101); H04N 21/4826 (20130101); H04N
21/4725 (20130101); H04N 21/436 (20130101); H04N
21/42206 (20130101); H04N 21/42222 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
21/482 (20110101); H04N 21/81 (20110101); H04N
21/432 (20110101); H04N 21/433 (20110101); G06F
3/0346 (20130101); G06F 3/03 (20060101); H04N
21/4725 (20110101); G06F 3/041 (20060101); H04N
21/438 (20110101); H04N 21/24 (20110101); H04N
21/858 (20110101); H04N 21/8545 (20110101); H04N
21/2389 (20110101); H04N 21/422 (20110101); H04N
21/4728 (20110101); H04N 21/845 (20110101); G06F
3/038 (20130101); H04N 5/445 (20110101); H04N
21/436 (20110101); H04N 21/258 (20110101); H04N
21/45 (20110101); H04N 21/2668 (20110101); H04N
21/472 (20110101); G06F 3/042 (20060101); H04N
5/76 (20060101); H04N 9/82 (20060101); H04N
21/2343 (20110101); H04N 5/44 (20110101) |
Field of
Search: |
;725/37,40,51,61 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1193869 |
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Sep 1998 |
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CN |
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1300501 |
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Jun 2001 |
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CN |
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1329796 |
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Jan 2002 |
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CN |
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WO 99/04559 |
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Jan 1999 |
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WO |
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WO 2007/137611 |
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Dec 2007 |
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WO |
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WO 2009/033500 |
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Mar 2009 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Chae; Kyu
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Brinks Gilson & Lione
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
This patent application is related to and claims priority from
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/242,234 filed Sep. 14,
2009, and titled "TELEVISION SYSTEM," the contents of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This
patent application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/881,004, filed concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND
METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION OF SELECTABLE OBJECTS IN A
TELEVISION PROGRAM IN AN INFORMATION STREAM INDEPENDENT OF THE
TELEVISION PROGRAM"; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/881,031, filed concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD
FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION OF SELECTABLE OBJECTS IN A STILL IMAGE
FILE AND/OR DATA STRAM". This patent application is further related
to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/774,380, filed May 5, 2010,
titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING
USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM"; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/850,832, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM
AND METHOD IN A DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF
OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/850,866, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A
TELEVISION RECEIVER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A
TELEVISION PROGRAM"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,911,
filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION
CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION
PROGRAM"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,945, filed Aug.
5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION CONTROLLER FOR
PROVIDING USERSELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM"; U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/851,036, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled
"SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING
USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM"; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/851,075, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM
AND METHOD IN A PARALLEL TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING
USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM". The contents of
each of the above-mentioned applications are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for communicating television program information, the
method comprising: by a television or television receiver:
receiving, by the television or television receiver, moving picture
information for a television program; receiving, by the television
or television receiver, user-selectable object information
corresponding to a user-selectable object in the television
program; and combining, by the television or television receiver,
the received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information into a completed moving picture
data set that is formatted for communicating the television program
with information describing user-selectable objects in the
television program, the completed moving picture data set is
formatted in accordance with a moving picture standard; wherein:
said receiving moving picture information for the television
program comprises receiving an initial combined television program
data set comprising initial moving picture information and initial
user-selectable object information corresponding to user-selectable
objects in the television program; and said combining comprises
modifying the initial user-selectable object information of the
initial combined television program data set in accordance with the
received user-selectable object information by inserting the
received user-selectable object information in data fields of the
completed moving picture data set that are not assigned by the
moving picture standard.
2. The method of claim 1, comprising communicating the combined
data set in at least one serial data stream over a communication
network to at least one recipient, the at least one serial data
stream comprising a serial data stream that comprises moving
picture information and user-selectable object information.
3. The method of claim 1, comprising storing the combined data set
on a computer readable medium, the combined data set comprising
user-selectable object information interleaved with moving picture
information.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the moving picture information
for the television program is formatted for communicating the
television program without information describing user-selectable
objects in the television program.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said modifying comprises changing
at least a portion of the initial object information in accordance
with the received user-selectable object information.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the received user-selectable
object information corresponding to the user-selectable object in
the television program comprises customized user-selectable object
information that is customized to a particular set of one or more
users.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the received user-selectable
object information corresponding to the user-selectable object in
the television program comprises information describing location of
the user-selectable object in a frame of the television
program.
8. A television receiver comprising: at least one processor in the
television receiver operable to, at least: receive moving picture
information for a television program; receive user-selectable
object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the
television program; combine the received moving picture information
and the received user-selectable object information into a combined
data set, the combined data set is formatted in accordance with a
moving picture standard; and communicate the combined data set
comprising interleaved moving picture information and
user-selectable object information; wherein: the at least one
processor is operable to receive the moving picture information for
the television program by, at least in part, operating to receive
an initial combined television program data set comprising initial
moving picture information and initial user-selectable object
information corresponding to user-selectable objects in the
television program; and the at least one processor is operable to
combine the received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information into the combined data set by,
at least in part, operating to modify the initial user-selectable
object information of the initial combined television program data
set in accordance with the received user-selectable object
information by inserting the received user-selectable object
information in data fields of the combined data set that are not
assigned by the moving picture standard.
9. The television receiver of claim 8, wherein the at least one
processor is operable to communicate the combined data set in at
least one serial data stream over a communication network to at
least one recipient, the at least one serial data stream comprising
a serial data stream that comprises moving picture information and
user-selectable object information.
10. The television receiver of claim 8, wherein the at least one
processor is operable to store the combined data set on a computer
readable medium, the combined data set comprising user-selectable
object information interleaved with moving picture information.
11. The television receiver of claim 8, wherein the moving picture
information for the television program is formatted for
communicating the television program without information describing
user-selectable objects in the television program.
12. The television receiver of claim 11, wherein the at least one
processor is operable to combine the received moving picture
information and the received user-selectable object information in
the combined data set by, at least in part, operating to insert the
received user-selectable object information in the completed moving
picture data set to create the combined data set comprising a
moving picture data set and the received user-selectable object
information.
13. The television receiver of claim 8, wherein said at least one
processor is operable to receive moving picture information for the
television program by, at least in part, operating to receive
moving picture information for the television program prior to the
moving picture information being formatted into a completed moving
picture data set for communicating the television program.
14. The television receiver of claim 13, wherein said at least one
processor is operable to combine the received moving picture
information and the received user-selectable object information
into the combined data set by, at least in part, operating to
combine the received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information into the completed moving
picture data set that is formatted for communicating the television
program with information describing user-selectable objects in the
television program.
15. The television receiver of claim 8, wherein the at least one
processor is operable to modify the initial user-selectable object
information of the initial combined television program data set in
accordance with the received user-selectable object information by,
at least in part, operating to change at least a portion of the
initial object information in accordance with the received
user-selectable object information.
16. The television receiver of claim 8, where the received
user-selectable object information corresponding to the
user-selectable object in the television program comprises
customized user-selectable object information that is customized to
a particular set of one or more users.
17. The television receiver of claim 8, where the received
user-selectable object information corresponding to the
user-selectable object in the television program comprises
information describing location of the user-selectable object in a
frame of the television program.
18. The television receiver of claim 8, where the received
user-selectable object information corresponding to the
user-selectable object in the television program comprises
information identifying at least one action to be performed upon
user-selection of the user-selectable object.
19. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the
combined data set in parallel data streams, each of the parallel
data streams comprising interleaved moving picture information and
user-selectable object information.
20. The method of claim 1, further comprising aggregating the
user-selectable object information received from a plurality of
data sources into a single user-selectable object data set prior to
the combining.
21. A method for communicating television program information, the
method comprising: by a television or television receiver system:
receiving, by the television or television receiver, moving picture
information for a television program; receiving, by the television
or television receiver, user-selectable object information
corresponding to a user-selectable object in the television
program; combining, by the television or television receiver, the
received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information into a combined data set, the
combined set is formatted in accordance with a moving picture
standard; and communicating, by the television or television
receiver, the combined data set in parallel data streams, each of
the parallel data streams comprising interleaved moving picture
information and user-selectable object information; wherein: the at
least one processor is operable to receive the moving picture
information for the television program by, at least in part,
operating to receive an initial combined television program data
set comprising initial moving picture information and initial
user-selectable object information corresponding to user-selectable
objects in the television program; and the at least one processor
is operable to combine the received moving picture information and
the received user-selectable object information into the combined
data set by, at least in part, operating to modify the initial
user-selectable object information of the initial combined
television program data set in accordance with the received
user-selectable object information by inserting the received
user-selectable object information in data fields of the combined
data set that are not assigned by the moving picture standard.
22. The method according to claim 1, wherein modifying the initial
user-selectable object information comprises changing information
defining the user-selectable object presented in the television
program.
23. The method according to claim 1, wherein modifying the initial
user-selectable object information comprises changing information
regarding an action performed upon selection of the user-selectable
object.
24. The method according to claim 1, wherein modifying the initial
user-selectable object information comprises deleting information
regarding the user-selectable object.
25. The method according to claim 1, wherein modifying the initial
user-selectable object information comprises encrypting information
regarding the user-selectable object.
26. The method according to claim 1, wherein the initial combined
television program data set comprising initial moving picture
information and initial user-selectable object information
corresponding to user-selectable objects in the television program
is received in a single serial data stream.
Description
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[Not Applicable]
SEQUENCE LISTING
[Not Applicable]
MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
[Not Applicable]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Present television systems are incapable of providing for and/or
conveniently providing for user-selection of objects in a
television program. Further limitations and disadvantages of
conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one
of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the
present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present
application with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Various aspects of the present invention provide a system and
method for providing information of selectable objects in a
television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in
connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more
completely in the claims. These and other advantages, aspects and
novel features of the present invention, as well as details of
illustrative aspects thereof, will be more fully understood from
the following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television system, in
accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for
providing embedded information of selectable objects in a
television program, in accordance with various aspects of the
present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for
providing embedded information of selectable objects in a
television program, in accordance with various aspects of the
present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television system, in
accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating exemplary modules and/or
sub-modules for a television system, in accordance with various
aspects of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION
The following discussion will refer to various communication
modules, components or circuits. Such modules, components or
circuits may generally comprise hardware and/or a combination of
hardware and software (e.g., including firmware). Such modules may
also, for example, comprise a computer readable medium (e.g., a
non-transitory medium) comprising instructions (e.g., software
instructions) that, when executed by a processor, cause the
processor to perform various functional aspects of the present
invention. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present
invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular
hardware and/or software implementations of a module, component or
circuit unless explicitly claimed as such. For example and without
limitation, various aspects of the present invention may be
implemented by one or more processors (e.g., a microprocessor,
digital signal processor, baseband processor, microcontroller,
etc.) executing software instructions (e.g., stored in volatile
and/or non-volatile memory). Also for example, various aspects of
the present invention may be implemented by an application-specific
integrated circuit ("ASIC") and/or other hardware components.
Additionally, the following discussion will refer to various
television system modules (e.g., television modules, television
receiver modules, television controller modules, modules of a
user's local television system, modules of a geographically
distributed television system, etc.). It should be noted that the
following discussion of such various modules is segmented into such
modules for the sake of illustrative clarity. However, in actual
implementation, the boundaries between various modules may be
blurred. For example, any or all of the functional modules
discussed herein may share various hardware and/or software
components. For example, any or all of the functional modules
discussed herein may be implemented wholly or in-part by a shared
processor executing software instructions. Additionally, various
software sub-modules that may be executed by one or more processors
may be shared between various software modules. Accordingly, the
scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be
limited by arbitrary boundaries between various hardware and/or
software components, unless explicitly claimed.
The following discussion may also refer to communication networks
and various aspects thereof. For the following discussion, a
communication network is generally the communication infrastructure
through which a communication device (e.g., a portable
communication device, television, television control device,
television provider, television programming provider, television
receiver, video recording device, etc.) may communicate with other
systems. For example and without limitation, a communication
network may comprise a cable and/or satellite television
communication network, a cellular communication network, a wireless
metropolitan area network (WMAN), a wireless local area network
(WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a general data
communication network (e.g., the Internet), any home or premises
communication network, etc. A particular communication network may,
for example, generally have a corresponding communication protocol
according to which a communication device may communicate with the
communication network. Unless so claimed, the scope of various
aspects of the present invention should not be limited by
characteristics of a particular type of communication network.
The following discussion may at times refer to an on-screen
pointing location. Such a pointing location refers to a location on
the television screen (e.g., a primary television screen, a
secondary television screen, etc.) to which a user (either directly
or with a pointing device) is pointing. Such a pointing location is
to be distinguished from other types of on-screen location
identification, such as, for example, using arrow keys and/or a
mouse to move a cursor or to traverse blocks (e.g., on an on-screen
program guide) without pointing. Various aspects of the present
invention, while referring to on-screen pointing location, are also
readily extensible to such other forms of on-screen location
identification.
Additionally, the following discussion will at times refer to
television programming. Such television programming generally
includes various types of television programming (e.g., television
programs, news programs, sports programs, music television, movies,
television series programs and/or associated advertisements,
educational programs, live or recorded television programming,
broadcast/multicast/unicast television programming, etc.). Such
television programming may, for example, comprise real-time
television broadcast programming (or multicast or unicast
television programming) and/or user-stored television programming
that is stored in a user device (e.g., a VCR, PVR, etc.). Such
television programming video content is to be distinguished from
other non-programming video content that may be displayed on a
television screen (e.g., an electronic program guide, user
interface menu, a television set-up menu, a typical web page, a
document, a graphical video game, etc.). Various aspects of the
present invention may, for example in a television program source
system and/or television program distribution system, comprise
embedding information in a television program, where such
information describes various aspects of user-selectable objects in
the television program. Various aspects of the present invention
may also, for example in a television, comprise receiving
television programming, presenting such received television
programming to a user, determining an on-screen pointing location
pointed to by the user and processing information of
user-selectable objects embedded in the received television
programming to identify a user-selected object in the television
programming and/or associated actions.
Also, the following discussion will at times refer to
user-selectable objects in television programming. Such
user-selectable objects includes both animate (i.e., living) and
inanimate (i.e., non-living) objects, both still and moving. Such
objects may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a
variety of objects present in television programming. Such objects
may, for example and without limitation, comprise inanimate
objects, such as consumer good objects (e.g., clothing,
automobiles, shoes, jewelry, furniture, food, beverages,
appliances, electronics, toys, artwork, cosmetics, recreational
vehicles, sports equipment, safety equipment, computer equipment,
communication devices, books, etc.), premises objects (e.g.,
business locations, stores, hotels, signs, doors, buildings,
landmarks, historical sites, entertainment venues, hospitals,
government buildings, etc.), objects related to services (e.g.,
objects related to transportation, objects related to emergency
services, objects related to general government services, objects
related to entertainment services, objects related to food and/or
drink services, etc.), objects related to location (e.g., parks,
landmarks, streets, signs, road signs, etc.), etc. Such objects
may, for example, comprise animate objects, such as people (e.g.,
actors/actresses, athletes, musicians, salespeople, commentators,
reports, analysts, hosts/hostesses, entertainers, etc.), animals
(e.g., pets, zoo animals, wild animals, etc.) and plants (e.g.,
flowers, trees, shrubs, fruits, vegetables, cacti, etc.).
Turning first to FIG. 1, such figure is a diagram illustrating a
non-limiting exemplary television system 100 in accordance with
various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary system 100
includes a television provider 110. The television provider 110
may, for example, comprise a television network company, a cable
company, a movie-providing company, a news company, an educational
institution, etc. The television provider 110 may, for example, be
an original source of television programming (or related
information). Also for example, the television provider 110 may be
a communication company that provides television programming
distribution services (e.g., a cable television company, a
satellite television company, a telecommunication company, a data
network provider, etc.). The television provider 110 may, for
example, provide television programming and non-programming
information and/or video content. The television provider 110 may,
for example, provide information related to a television program
(e.g., information describing or otherwise related to selectable
objects in programming, etc.). As will be discussed below in more
detail, the television provider 110 may operate to create a
television program (or television program data set, television
program data stream, etc.) that includes embedded information of
user-selectable objects in the television program. For example and
without limitation, such a television provider 110 may operate to
receive a completed television program (e.g., a data file, a data
stream, etc.), for example via a communication network and/or on a
physical media, and embed information of user-selectable objects in
the completed television program. Also for example, such a
television provider 110 may operate to form the original television
program and embed information of user-selectable objects in the
original television program during such formation (e.g., in the
studio).
The exemplary television system 100 may also include a third party
program information provider 120. Such a provider may, for example,
provide information related to a television program. Such
information may, for example, comprise information describing
user-selectable objects in programming, program guide information,
etc. As will be discussed below in more detail, such a third party
program information provider (e.g., a party independent of a
television program source, television program network operator,
etc.) may operate to create a television program (or television
program data set, television program data stream, etc.) that
includes embedded information of user-selectable objects in the
television program. For example and without limitation, such a
third party program information provider 120 may operate to receive
a completed television program (e.g., a data file, a data stream,
etc.), for example via a communication network and/or on a physical
media, and embed information of user-selectable objects in the
completed television program.
The exemplary television system 100 may include one or more
communication networks (e.g., the communication network(s) 130).
The exemplary communication network 130 may comprise
characteristics of any of a variety of types of communication
networks over which television programming and/or information
related to television programming may be communicated. For example
and without limitation, the communication network 130 may comprise
characteristics of any one or more of: a cable television network,
a satellite television network, a telecommunication network, the
Internet, a local area network (LAN), a personal area network
(PAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), any of a variety of
different types of home networks, etc.
The exemplary television system 100 may include a first television
140. Such a first television 140 may, for example, comprise
networking capability enabling such television 140 to communicate
directly with the communication network 130. For example, the first
television 140 may comprise one or more embedded television
receivers or transceivers (e.g., a cable television receiver,
satellite television transceiver, Internet modem, etc.). Also for
example, the first television 140 may comprise one or more
recording devices (e.g., for recording and/or playing back video
content, television programming, etc.). The first television 140
may, for example, operate to (which includes "operate when enabled
to") perform any or all of the functionality discussed herein. The
first television 140 may, for example, operate to receive and
process television program information (e.g., via a communication
network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium,
etc.), where such television program information comprises embedded
information of user-selectable objects.
The exemplary television system 100 may include a first television
controller 160. Such a first television controller 160 may, for
example, operate to (e.g., which may include "operate when enabled
to") control operation of the first television 140. The first
television controller 160 may comprise characteristics of any of a
variety of television controlling devices. For example and without
limitation, the first television controller 160 may comprise
characteristics of a dedicated television control device, a
universal remote control, a cellular telephone or personal
computing device with television control capability, etc.
The first television controller 160 (or television control device)
may, for example, transmit signals directly to the first television
140 to control operation of the first television 140. The first
television controller 160 may also, for example, operate to
transmit signals (e.g., via the communication network 130) to the
television provider 110 to control television programming (or
related information) being provided to the first television 140, or
to conduct other transactions (e.g., business transactions,
etc.).
As will be discussed in more detail later, the first television
controller 160 may operate to communicate screen pointing
information with the first television 140 and/or other devices.
Also, as will be discussed in more detail later, various aspects of
the present invention include a user pointing to a location on a
television screen (e.g., pointing to an animate or inanimate object
presented in television programming). In such a scenario, the user
may perform such pointing in any of a variety of manners. One of
such exemplary manners includes pointing with a television control
device. The first television controller 160 provides a non-limiting
example of a device that a user may utilize to point to an
on-screen location.
Additionally, for example in a scenario in which the first
television controller 160 comprises an on-board display, the first
television controller 160 may operate to receive and process
television program information (e.g., via a communication network,
stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium, etc.),
where such television program information comprises embedded
information of user-selectable objects.
As will be mentioned throughout the following discussion, various
aspects of the invention will be performed by one or more devices,
components and/or modules of a user's local television system. The
first television 140 and first television controller 160 provide a
non-limiting example of a user's local television system. Such a
user's local television system, for example, generally refers to
the television-related devices that are local to the television
system currently being utilized by the user. For example, when a
user is utilizing a television system located at the user's home,
the user's local television system generally refers to the
television-related devices that make up the user's home television
system. Also for example, when a user is utilizing a television
system at a premises away from the user's home (e.g., at another
home, at a hotel, at an office, etc.), the user's local television
system generally refers to the television-related devices that make
up the premises television system Such a user's local television
system does not, for example, comprise television network
infrastructure devices that are generally outside of the user's
current premises (e.g., cable and/or satellite head-end apparatus,
cable and/or satellite communication intermediate communication
network nodes) and/or programming source devices that are generally
managed by television enterprises and generally exist outside of
the user's home. Such entities, which may be communicatively
coupled to the user's local television system, may be considered to
be entities remote from the user's local television system (or
"remote entities").
The exemplary television system 100 may also include a television
receiver 151. The television receiver 151 may, for example, operate
to (e.g., which may include "operate when enabled to") provide a
communication link between a television and/or television
controller and a communication network and/or information provider.
For example, the television receiver 151 may operate to provide a
communication link between the second television 141 and the
communication network 130, or between the second television 141 and
the television provider 110 (and/or third party program information
provider 120) via the communication network 130.
The television receiver 151 may comprise characteristics of any of
a variety of types of television receivers. For example and without
limitation, the television receiver 151 may comprise
characteristics of a cable television receiver, a satellite
television receiver, etc. Also for example, the television receiver
151 may comprise a data communication network modem for data
network communications (e.g., with the Internet, a LAN, PAN, MAN,
telecommunication network, etc.). The television receiver 151 may
also, for example, comprise recording capability (e.g., programming
recording and playback, etc.).
Additionally, for example in a scenario in which the television
receiver 151 comprises an on-board display and/or provides
audio/video information to a television communicatively coupled
thereto, the television receiver 151 may operate to receive and
process television program information (e.g., via a communication
network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium,
etc.), where such television program information comprises embedded
information of user-selectable objects.
The exemplary television system 100 may include a second television
controller 161. Such a second television controller 161 may, for
example, operate to (e.g., which may include "operate when enabled
to") control operation of the second television 141 and the
television receiver 151. The second television controller 161 may
comprise characteristics of any of a variety of television
controlling devices. For example and without limitation, the second
television controller 161 may comprise characteristics of a
dedicated television control device, a dedicated television
receiver control device, a universal remote control, a cellular
telephone or personal computing device with television control
capability, etc.
The second television controller 161 may, for example, operate to
transmit signals directly to the second television 141 to control
operation of the second television 141. The second television
controller 161 may, for example, operate to transmit signals
directly to the television receiver 151 to control operation of the
television receiver 151. The second television controller 161 may
additionally, for example, operate to transmit signals (e.g., via
the television receiver 151 and the communication network 130) to
the television provider 110 to control television programming (or
related information) being provided to the television receiver 151,
or to conduct other transactions (e.g., business transactions,
etc.).
As will be discussed in more detail later, various aspects of the
present invention include a user selecting a user-selectable object
in programming. Such selection may, for example, comprise the user
pointing to a location on a television screen (e.g., pointing to an
animate or inanimate object presented in television programming).
In such a scenario, the user may perform such pointing in any of a
variety of manners. One of such exemplary manners includes pointing
with a television control device. The second television controller
161 provides one non-limiting example of a device that a user may
utilize to point to an on-screen location. Also, in a scenario in
which the second television controller 161 comprises a touch
screen, a user may touch a location of such touch screen to point
to an on-screen location (e.g., to select a user-selectable
object).
As will be mentioned throughout the following discussion, and as
mentioned previously in the discussion of the first television 140
and television controller 160, various aspects of the invention
will be performed by one or more devices, components and/or modules
of a user's local television system. The second television 141,
television receiver 151 and second television controller 161
provide another non-limiting example of a user's local television
system.
Additionally, for example in a scenario in which the second
television controller 161 comprises an on-board display, the second
television controller 161 may operate to receive and process
television program information (e.g., via a communication network,
stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium, etc.),
where such television program information comprises embedded
information of user-selectable objects.
The exemplary television system 100 was provided to provide a
non-limiting illustrative foundation for discussion of various
aspects of the present invention. Thus, the scope of various
aspects of the present invention should not be limited by any
characteristics of the exemplary television system 100 unless
explicitly claimed.
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 200 for
providing embedded information of selectable objects in a
television program, in accordance with various aspects of the
present invention. Any or all aspects of the exemplary method 200
may, for example, be implemented in a television system component
(e.g., the television provider 110, third party program information
provider 120, a component of a communication network 130, first
television 140, first television controller 160, second television
141, television receiver 151, second television controller 161,
shown in FIG. 1 and discussed previously) and/or a plurality of
such television system components operating in conjunction. For
example, any or all aspects of the exemplary method 200 may be
implemented in one or more television system components remote from
the user's local television system. Also for example, any or all
aspects of the exemplary method 200 may be implemented in one or
more components of the user's local television system.
The exemplary method 200 may, for example, begin executing at step
205. The exemplary method 200 may begin executing in response to
any of a variety of causes and/or conditions, non-limiting examples
of which will now be provided. For example, the exemplary method
200 may begin executing in response to a user command to begin
(e.g., a user at a television program source, a user at a
television production studio, a user at a television distribution
enterprise, etc.), in response to television program information
and/or information of user-selectable objects in a television
program arriving at a system entity implementing the method 200, in
response to an electronic request communicated from the external
entity to a system entity implementing the method 200, in response
to a timer, in response to a request from an end user and/or a
component of a user's local television system for a television
program including information of user-selectable objects, in
response to a request from a user for a television program where
such user is associated in a database with television programming
comprising user-selectable objects, upon reset and/or power-up of a
system component implementing the exemplary method 200, in response
to identification of a user and/or user equipment for which object
selection capability is to be provided, in response to user payment
of a fee, etc.
The exemplary method 200 may, for example at step 210, comprise
receiving moving picture information for a television program. Many
non-limiting examples of such television programs were provided
above. Note that, depending on the particular implementation, such
moving picture information may also, for example, be received with
corresponding audio information.
Step 210 may comprise receiving the moving picture information from
any of a variety of sources, non-limiting examples of which will
now be provided. For example and without limitation, step 210 may
comprise receiving the moving picture information from a television
broadcasting company, from a movie streaming company, from a
television studio, from a television program database or server,
from a video camera or other video recording device, an Internet
television programming provider, etc.
Step 210 may comprise receiving the moving picture information via
any of a variety of types of communication networks. Such networks
may, for example, comprise a wireless television network (e.g.,
terrestrial and/or satellite) and/or cable television network. Such
networks may, for example, comprise any of variety of general data
communication networks (e.g., the Internet, a local area network, a
personal area network, a metropolitan area network, etc.).
Step 210 may comprise receiving the moving picture information from
any of a variety of types of hard media (e.g., optical storage
media, magnetic storage media, etc.). Such hard media may, for
example, comprise characteristics of optical storage media (e.g.,
compact disc, digital versatile disc, Blueray.RTM., laser disc,
etc.), magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disc, diskette, magnetic
tape, etc.), computer memory device (e.g., flash memory,
one-time-programmable memory, read-only memory, random access
memory, thumb drive, etc.). Such memory may, for example, be a
temporary and/or permanent component of the system entity
implementing the method 200. For example, in a scenario including
the utilization of such hard media, step 210 may comprise receiving
the moving picture information from such a device and/or from a
reader of such a device (e.g., directly via an end-to-end conductor
or via a communication network).
In an exemplary scenario, step 210 may comprise receiving a
completed moving picture data set for the television program, the
completed moving picture data set formatted for communicating the
television program without information describing user-selectable
objects in the television program. For example, the received
completed moving picture data set may be in conformance with a
moving picture standard (e.g., MPEG, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-4 AVC,
DVD, way, etc.). For example, such a data set may be a data file
(or set of logically linked data files) formatted in an MPEG or DVD
format for normal presentation on a user's local television system.
Such a data set of a television program, when received at step 210,
might not have information of user-selectable objects in the
television program. Such information of user-selectable objects may
then, for example, be added, as will be explained below.
In another exemplary scenario, step 210 may comprise receiving
moving picture information for the television program prior to the
moving picture information being formatted into a completed moving
picture data set for communicating the television program. In an
exemplary implementation, step 210 may comprise receiving moving
picture information (e.g., frame-by-frame bitmaps, partially
encoded moving picture information, etc.) that will be formatted in
accordance with a moving picture standard, but which has not yet
been so formatted. Such a data set of a television program, when
received at step 210, might not have information of user-selectable
objects in the television program. Such information of
user-selectable objects may then, for example, be added, as will be
explained below.
In yet another exemplary scenario, step 210 may comprise receiving
a completed moving picture data set for the television program, the
completed moving picture data set formatted for communicating the
television program with information describing user-selectable
objects in the television program. For example, the received
completed moving picture data set may be in conformance with a
moving picture standard (e.g., MPEG, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-4 AVC,
DVD, way, etc.), or a variant thereof, that specifically
accommodates information of user-selectable objects in the
television program. Also for example, the received completed moving
picture data set may be in conformance with a moving picture
standard (e.g., MPEG, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-4 AVC, DVD, way, etc.),
or a variant thereof, that while not specifically accommodating
information of user-selectable objects in the television program,
allows for the incorporation of such information in unassigned data
fields. For example, such a data set may be a data file (or set of
logically linked data files) formatted in an MPEG or DVD format for
normal presentation on a user's local television system. Such a
data set of a television program, when received at step 210, might
comprise information of user-selectable objects in the television
program. Such information of user-selectable objects may then, for
example, be deleted, modified and/or appended, as will be explained
below.
Step 210 may, for example, comprise receiving the moving picture
information in digital and/or analog signals. Though the examples
provided above generally concerned the receipt of digital data,
such examples are readily extendible to the receipt of analog
moving picture information (e.g., the receipt of composite and/or
component video signals, etc.).
In general, step 210 may comprise receiving moving picture
information for a television program. Accordingly, the scope of
various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by
characteristics of any particular type of moving picture
information or by any particular manner of receiving moving picture
information unless explicitly claimed.
The exemplary method 200 may, at step 220, comprise receiving
object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the
television program. Many non-limiting examples of receiving such
object information will now be provided.
Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information from any of a variety of sources, non-limiting examples
of which will now be provided. For example and without limitation,
step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information from a television broadcasting company, from a movie
streaming company, from a television studio, from a television
program database or server, from an advertising company, from a
commercial enterprise associated with a user-selectable object in a
television program, from a person or organization associated with a
user-selectable object in a television program, from an Internet
television programming provider, from a third party television
program information source, etc.
Step 210 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information from a plurality of independent sources. For example,
in an exemplary scenario in which a television program includes
user-selectable objects corresponding to a plurality of respective
interested parties (e.g., respective product sponsors, respective
leagues or other associations, respective people, etc.), step 210
may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from
each of such respective interested parties. For example, step 210
may comprise receiving user-selectable object information
corresponding to a user-selectable consumer good in a television
program from a provider of such consumer good, receiving
user-selectable object information corresponding to an entertainer
in the television program from the entertainer's management
company, receiving user-selectable object information corresponding
to a user-selectable historical landmark in the television program
from a society associated with the historical landmark, receiving
user-selectable object information corresponding to a
user-selectable object in the television program associated with a
service from a provider of such service, etc. In such a
multiple-source scenario, step 210 may comprise aggregating the
user-selectable object information received from the plurality of
sources (e.g., into a single user-selectable object data set) for
ultimate combination of such user-selectable object information
with received moving picture information.
Step 220 may, for example, comprise receiving the user-selectable
object information from a same source as that from which the moving
picture information was received at step 210 or may comprise
receiving the user-selectable object information from a different
source. For example and without limitation, step 220 may comprise
receiving the user-selectable object information from an
advertising company, while step 210 comprises receiving the moving
picture information from a television studio. In another example,
step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information from a commercial enterprise associated with a consumer
good object presented in the television program, while step 210
comprises receiving the moving picture information from a head-end
server of a sports network.
In yet another example, step 220 may comprise receiving the
user-selectable object information directly from a computer process
that generates such information. For example, an operator may play
a moving picture (e.g., at a normal rate, a slower-than-normal
rate, frame-by-frame, etc.) and utilize graphical tools (e.g.,
boxes or other polygons, edge detection routines, etc.) to define
and track movement of a user-selectable object in the moving
picture. Such a computer process may then output information
describing the object and/or movement thereof in the moving
picture. Step 220 may comprise receiving the information output
from such process.
Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information via any of a variety of types of communication
networks. Such networks may, for example, comprise a wireless
television network (e.g., terrestrial and/or satellite) and/or
cable television network. Such networks may, for example, comprise
any of variety of general data communication networks (e.g., the
Internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a
metropolitan area network, etc.).
Step 220 may, for example, comprise receiving the user-selectable
object information via a same communication network as that via
which the moving picture information was received at step 210 or
may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from
a different communication network. For example and without
limitation, step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable
object information via a general data communication network (e.g.,
the Internet), while step 210 comprises receiving the moving
picture information via a television network. In another example,
step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information via a general data network, while step 210 comprises
receiving the moving picture information from a computer readable
medium.
Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object
information from any of a variety of types of hard media (e.g.,
optical storage media, magnetic storage media, etc.). Such hard
media may, for example, comprise characteristics of optical storage
media (e.g., compact disc, digital versatile disc, Blueray.RTM.,
laser disc, etc.), magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disc,
diskette, magnetic tape, etc.), computer memory device (e.g., flash
memory, one-time-programmable memory, read-only memory, random
access memory, thumb drive, etc.). Such memory may, for example, be
a temporary and/or permanent component of the system entity
implementing the method 200. For example, in a scenario including
the utilization of such hard media, step 220 may comprise receiving
the user-selectable object information from such a device and/or
from a reader of such a device (e.g., directly via an end-to-end
conductor or via a communication network).
The object information corresponding to one or more user-selectable
objects that is received at step 220 may comprise any of a variety
of characteristics, non-limiting examples of which will now be
provided.
For example, such user-selectable object information may comprise
information describing and/or defining the user-selectable object
that is shown in the television program. Such information may, for
example, be processed by a recipient of such information to
identify an object that is being selected by a user. Such
information may, for example, comprise information describing
boundaries associated with a user-selectable object in the
television program (e.g., actual object boundaries (e.g., an object
outline), areas generally coinciding with a user-selectable object
(e.g., a description of one or more geometric shapes that generally
correspond to a user-selectable object), selection areas that when
selected indicate user-selection of a user-selectable object (e.g.,
a superset and/or subset of a user-selectable object in the
television program), etc. Such information may, for example,
describe and/or define the user-selectable in a television program
frame coordinate system.
Such information describing and/or defining the user-selectable
object that is shown in the television program may comprise
information describing movement of a user-selectable object in the
television program. For example, such information may comprise
information describing the location of the object on a
frame-by-frame basis, information describing movement of a
user-selectable object in television screen coordinates as a
function of time and/or frame, information describing location of a
user-selectable object in a video frame relative to a previous
object location in a previous video frame, etc.
Many examples of such object description information are provided
in a variety of related U.S. patent applications. For example, as
mentioned previously, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/774,380,
filed May 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR
PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM"; U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/850,832, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled
"SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING
USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM"; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/850,866, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM
AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION RECEIVER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF
OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/850,911, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A
TELEVISION CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A
TELEVISION PROGRAM"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,945,
filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION
CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION
PROGRAM"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/851,036, filed Aug.
5, 2010, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR
PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM"; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/851,075, filed Aug. 5, 2010,
titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A PARALLEL TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR
PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM"; which
are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety,
provide many examples of information describing (or otherwise
related to) user-selectable objects in television programming.
Also for example, such user-selectable object information may
comprise information describing the object, where such information
may be presented to the user upon user-selection of a user
selectable object. For example, such object information may
comprise information describing physical characteristics of a
user-selectable object, background information, historical
information, general information of interest, location information,
financial information, travel information, commerce information,
personal information, etc.
Additionally for example, such user-selectable object information
may comprise information describing and/or defining actions that
may be taken upon user-selection of a user-selectable object,
non-limiting examples of such actions and/or related information
corresponding to a respective user-selectable object will now be
presented.
For example, such user-selectable object information may comprise
information describing a one or more manners of determining
information to present to the user (e.g., retrieving such
information from a known location, conducting a search for such
information, etc.), establishing a communication session by which a
user may interact with networked entities associated with a
user-selected object, interacting with a user regarding display of
a user-selected object and/or associated information, etc.
For example, such user-selectable object information may comprise
information describing one or more manners of obtaining one or more
sets of information, where such information may then, for example,
be presented to the user. For example, such information may
comprise a memory address (or data storage address) and/or a
communication network address (e.g., an address of a networked data
server, a URL, etc.), where such address may correspond to a
location at which information corresponding to the identified
object may be obtained. Such information may, for example, comprise
a network address of a component with which a communication session
may be initiated and/or conducted (e.g., to obtain information
regarding the user-selected object, to interact with the user
regarding the selected object, etc.).
In an exemplary scenario in which the user-selectable object
information comprises information to present to a user upon
user-selection of a selectable object in a television program, such
information may comprise any of a variety of different types of
information related to the user-selected object. For example and
without limitation, such information may comprise information
describing the user-selectable object (e.g., information describing
aspects of the object, history of the object, design of the object,
source of the object, price of the object, critiques of the object,
information provided by commercial enterprises producing and/or
providing such object, etc.), information indicating to the user
how the user may obtain the selected object, information indicating
how the user may utilize the selected object, etc. The information
may, for example, comprise information of one or more
non-commercial organizations associated with, and/or having
information pertaining to, the identified user-selected object
(e.g., non-profit and/or government organization contact
information, web site address information, etc.).
In another exemplary scenario, the information corresponding to a
user-selectable object in the television program may comprise
information related to conducting a search for information
corresponding to the user-selectable object. Such information may,
for example, comprise network search terms that may be utilized in
a search engine to search for information corresponding to the
user-selected object. Such information may also comprise
information describing the network boundaries of such a search, for
example, identifying particular search networks, particular
servers, particular addresses, particular databases, etc.
In an exemplary scenario the information corresponding to a
user-selectable object may describe a manner in which a system is
to intact with a user to more clearly identify information desired
by the user. For example, such information may comprise information
specifying user interaction that should take place when an amount
of information available and corresponding to a user-selectable
object exceeds a particular threshold. Such user interaction may,
for example, help to reduce the amount of information that may
ultimately be presented to the user. For example, such information
may comprise information describing a user interface comprising
providing a list (or menu) of types of information available to the
user and soliciting information from the user regarding the
selection of one or more of the listed types of information.
In yet another exemplary scenario, in which an action associated
with a user-selectable object comprises the establishment and/or
management of a communication session between the user and one or
more networked entities, the user-selectable object information may
comprise information describing the manner in which a communication
session may be established and/or management.
In still another exemplary scenario, in which an action associated
with a user-selectable object comprises providing a user interface
by which a user may initiate and perform a commercial transaction
regarding a user-selectable object, the user-selectable object
information may comprise information describing the manner in which
the commercial transaction is to be performed (e.g., order forms,
financial information exchange, order tracking, etc.).
As shown above, various user-selectable objects (or types of
objects) may, for example, be associated with any of a variety of
respective actions that may be taken upon selection of a respective
user-selectable object by a user. Such actions (e.g., information
retrieval, information searching, communication session management,
commercial transaction management, etc.) may, for example, be
included in a table or other data structure indexed by the identity
of a respective user-selectable object.
Other non-limiting examples of object information corresponding to
user-selectable objects in a television program may comprise:
athlete information (e.g., statistics, personal information,
professional information, history, etc.), entertainer information
(e.g., personal information, discography and/or filmography
information, information of related organizations, fan club
information, photograph and/or video information, etc.), landmark
information (e.g., historical information, visitation information,
location information, mapping information, photo album information,
visitation diary, charitable donation information, etc.), political
figure information (e.g., party affiliation, stances on particular
issues, history, financial information, voting record, attendance
record, etc.), information regarding general types of objects
(e.g., information describing actions to take upon user-selection
of a person object, of a consumer good object, of a landmark
object, etc.) and/or specific objects (e.g., information describing
actions to take when a particular person object is selected, when a
particular consumer good object is selected, when a particular
landmark object is selected, etc.).
For additional non-limiting examples of actions that may be
performed related to user selectable objects in television
programming, and related user-selectable object information that
may be combined with television program moving picture information,
the reader is directed to U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/880,530, filed concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD
IN A DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO USER-SELECTION OF AN
OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/880,594, filed concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD
IN A LOCAL TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO USER-SELECTION OF AN
OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/880,668, filed concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD
IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO USER-SELECTION OF AN
OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM BASED ON USER LOCATION", U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/881,067, filed concurrently herewith,
titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING
INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A USER-SELECTED OBJECT IN A TELEVISION
PROGRAM"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/881,096, filed
concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION
SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A USER-SELECTED
OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/880,749, filed concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD
IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO USER-SELECTION OF AN
OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM UTILIZING AN ALTERNATIVE
COMMUNICATION NETWORK"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/880,851, filed concurrently herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD
IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING ADVERTISING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED
WITH A USER-SELECTED OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM"; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/880,888, filed concurrently herewith,
titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION
ASSOCIATED WITH A USER-SELECTED PERSON IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM";
and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/881,110, filed concurrently
herewith, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING
INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A USER-SELECTED INFORMATION ELEMENT IN
A TELEVISION PROGRAM". The entire contents of each of such
applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
In general, the above-mentioned types of information corresponding
to user-selectable objects in television programming may be general
to all eventual viewers of the television program, but may also be
customized to a particular target user and/or end user. For
example, such information may be customized to a particular user
(e.g., based on income level, demographics, age, employment status
and/or type, education level and/or type, family characteristics,
religion, purchasing history, neighborhood characteristics, home
characteristics, health characteristics, etc. For example, such
information may also be customized to a particular geographical
location or region.
In general, step 220 may comprise receiving object information
corresponding to a user-selectable object in the television
program. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present
invention should not be limited by characteristics of any
particular type of such user-selectable object information or by
any particular manner of receiving such user-selectable object
information unless explicitly claimed.
The exemplary method 200 may, at step 230, comprise combining the
received moving picture information (e.g., as received at step 210)
and the received user-selectable object information (e.g., as
received at step 220) in a combined data set. Many non-limiting
examples of such combining will now be provided.
As mentioned previously, step 210 may comprise receiving moving
picture information for a television program by, at least in part,
receiving a completed moving picture data set for the television
program, where the completed moving picture data set is formatted
for communicating the television program without information
describing user-selectable objects in the television program. In
such an exemplary scenario, step 230 may comprise combining the
received moving picture information and the received
user-selectable object information by, at least in part, inserting
the received user-selectable object information in the completed
moving picture data set to create a combined data set comprising
the received moving picture data set and the received
user-selectable object information.
For example, in an exemplary scenario in which the received
completed moving picture data set, as received, is formatted in
accordance with a moving picture standard (e.g., an MPEG standard),
step 230 may comprise inserting the received user-selectable object
information in data fields of the completed moving picture data set
that are not assigned by the moving picture standard for any
specific type of information (e.g., inserting such information into
unassigned data fields provided by the moving picture standard,
adding new data fields to the moving picture standard, etc.).
Such inserting may, for example, comprise inserting the received
user-selectable object information in data fields of the completed
moving picture data set that are interleaved with data fields
carrying moving picture data. For example, such inserting may be
performed in accordance with a format alternating moving picture
data and user-selectable object information on a frame-by-frame
basis (e.g., sequencing frame 1 moving picture data, frame 1
user-selectable object information, sequencing frame 2 moving
picture data, frame 2 user-selectable object information, etc.), by
groups of frames (e.g., frame 1-A moving picture data, frame 1-A
user-selectable object information, frame A-N moving picture data,
frame A-N user-selectable object information, etc.), by sub-frames,
etc. Also for example, utilizing time information user-selectable
object information need not be strictly placed with the moving
picture data for the frame(s) in which the user-selectable object
appears. For example, information of user-selectable objects in
frame N+1 may be communicated with frame N moving picture
information.
Also for example, in another exemplary scenario in which the
received completed moving picture data set, as received, is
formatted in accordance with a moving picture data standard that
specifically assigns data fields to information of user-selectable
objects, step 230 may comprise inserting the received
user-selectable object information in the data fields of the
completed moving picture data set that are specifically assigned by
the moving picture standard to contain information of
user-selectable objects.
Also as mentioned previously, step 210 may comprise receiving
moving picture information for a television program by, at least in
part, receiving moving picture information for the television
program prior to the moving picture information being formatted
into a completed moving picture data set for communicating the
television program. For example, such a scenario may comprise
receiving information describing the television program moving
picture that has yet to be formatted into a data set that conforms
to a particular moving picture standard (e.g., bitmap information,
still frame information, movement vector information, etc., which
has yet to be placed into a self-contained MPEG data set for
communicating the television program). In such an exemplary
scenario, step 230 may comprise combining the received moving
picture information and the received user-selectable object
information into a completed moving picture data set that is
formatted for communicating the television program with information
describing user-selectable objects in the television program (e.g.,
into a single cohesive data set, for example, a single data file or
other data structure, into a plurality of logically linked data
files or other data structures, etc.).
In an exemplary scenario, such a completed moving picture data set
may be formatted in accordance with a moving picture standard that
specifically assigns respective data fields (or elements) to moving
picture information and user-selectable object information. In
another exemplary scenario, such a completed moving picture data
set may be formatted in accordance with a moving picture standard
that specifically assigns data fields to moving picture
information, but does not specifically assign data fields to
user-selectable object information (e.g., utilizing general-purpose
unassigned data fields, adding new data fields to the standard,
etc.).
Also as mentioned previously, step 210 may comprise receiving
moving picture information for a television program by, at least in
part, receiving an initial combined television program data set
that comprises initial moving picture information and initial
user-selectable object information corresponding to user-selectable
objects in the television program. For example, prior to being
received, the received initial combined television program data set
may have already been formed into a single cohesive data set that
comprises the moving picture information for the television program
and information of user-selectable objects in the television
program.
In such an exemplary scenario, step 230 may comprise modifying the
initial user-selectable object information of the initial combined
television program data set in accordance with the received
user-selectable object information (e.g., as received at step 220).
Such modifying may, for example and without limitation, comprise
adding the received object information to the initial object
information in the initial combined television program data set
(e.g., in unused unassigned data fields and/or in unused data
fields that have been specifically assigned to contain
user-selectable object information, etc.).
Also such modifying may comprise changing at least a portion of the
initial object information of the initial combined television
program data set in accordance with the received user-selectable
object information (e.g., changing information defining a
user-selectable object in a presented television program, changing
information about a user-selectable object to be presented to a
user, changing information regarding any action that may be
performed upon user-selection of a user-selectable object, etc.).
Additionally, such modifying may comprise deleting at least a
portion of the initial object information in accordance with the
received user-selectable object information (e.g., in a scenario in
which the received user-selectable object information includes a
command or directive to remove a portion or all information
corresponding to a particular user-selectable object).
In the previously provided examples of combining the received
moving picture information and the received user-selectable object
information, step 230 may comprise performing such operations
automatically (i.e., without real-time interaction with a user
while such operations are being performed) and may also be
performed with user interaction. For example, the received moving
picture information and the received user-selectable object
information may each be time-stamped to assist in merging such
information. For example, step 230 may comprise analyzing such
respective time-stamps to determine the location in a serial stream
of moving picture information at which the user-selectable object
information is to be inserted. For example, the user-selectable
object information for a particular user-selectable object may
comprise information of the time and/or frame numbers at which the
user-selectable object appears in the television program. Such
information may be utilized at step 230 to determine the
appropriate location in the moving picture data set at which to
place the user-selectable object information.
In another example, step 230 may comprise presenting an operator
with a view of the moving picture of a television program and a
view of a user-selectable object in such moving picture for which
information is being added to a combined dataset. Step 230 may then
comprise interacting with the operator to obtain permission and/or
directions for combining the moving picture and user-selectable
object information.
Note that step 230 may comprise encrypting the user-selectable
object information or otherwise restricting access to such
information. For example, in a scenario in which access to such
information is provided on a subscription basis, in a scenario in
which providers of such information desire to protect such
information from undesirable access and/or manipulation, etc., such
information protection may be beneficial.
In general, step 230 may comprise combining the received moving
picture information (e.g., as received at step 210) and the
received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received at
step 220) in a combined data set. Accordingly, the scope of various
aspects of the present invention should not be limited by any
particular manner of performing such combining and/or any
particular format in which such a combined data set may be placed
unless specifically claimed.
The exemplary method 200 may, at step 240, comprise communicating
the combined data set(s) (e.g., as formed at step 230) to one or
more recipient systems or devices. Such communication may comprise
characteristics of any of a variety of types of communication,
non-limiting examples of which will now be presented.
Step 240 may, for example, comprise communicating the combined data
set(s) via a communication network (e.g., a television
communication network, a telecommunication network, a general data
communication network (e.g., the Internet, a LAN, etc.), etc.).
Many non-limiting examples of such communication network were
provided previously. Step 240 may, for example, comprise
broadcasting, multi-casting and/or uni-casting the combined data
set over one or more communication networks. Step 240 may also, for
example, comprise communicating the combined data set(s) to another
system and/or device via a direct conductive path (e.g., via a
wire, circuit board trace, conductive trace on a die, etc.).
Additionally for example, step 240 may comprise storing the
combined data set(s) on a computer readable medium (e.g., a DVD, a
CD, a Blueray.RTM. disc, a laser disc, a magnetic tape, a hard
drive, a diskette, etc.). Such a computer readable medium may then,
for example, be shipped to a distributor and/or ultimate recipient
of the computer readable medium. Further for example, step 240 may
comprise storing the combined data set(s) in a volatile and/or
non-volatile memory device (e.g., a flash memory device, a
one-time-programmable memory device, an EEPROM, a RAM, etc.).
Further for example, step 240 may comprise storing (or causing or
otherwise participating in the storage of) the combined data set(s)
in a television system component (e.g., a component or device of
the user's local television system and/or a component or device of
a television program provider and/or a component or device of any
television program source. For example and without limitation, step
240 may comprise storing the combined dataset(s), or otherwise
participating in the storage of the combined dataset(s), in a
component of the user's local television system (e.g., in a digital
video recorder, a television receiver, a television, a television
controller, personal communication device, a local networked
database, a local networked personal computer, etc.).
Step 240 may, for example, comprise communicating the combined data
set in serial fashion. For example, step 240 may comprise
communicating the combined data set (comprising interleaved moving
picture information and user-selectable object information) in a
single data stream (e.g., via a television network, via a general
data network, stored on a hard medium in such serial fashion,
etc.). Also for example, step 240 may comprise communicating the
combined data set in parallel data streams, each of which comprises
interleaved moving picture information and user-selectable object
information (e.g., as opposed to separate distinct respective data
streams for each of moving picture information and user-selectable
object information).
In general, step 240 may comprise communicating the combined data
set(s) (e.g., as formed at step 230) to one or more recipient
systems or devices (e.g., an end user or associated system,
television programming provider or associated system, an advertiser
or associated system, a television program producer or associated
system, a television program database, a television program server,
etc.). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present
invention should not be limited by characteristics of any
particular manner of performing such communicating or by any
particular recipient of such communication unless explicitly
claimed.
The exemplary method 200 may, for example at step 295, comprise
performing continued operations. Step 295 may comprise performing
any of a variety of continued operations, non-limiting examples of
such continued operation(s) will be presented below. For example,
step 295 may comprise returning execution flow to any of the
previously discussed method steps. For example, step 295 may
comprise returning execution flow of the exemplary method 200 to
step 220 for receiving additional user-selectable object
information to combine with television program information. Also
for example, step 295 may comprise returning execution flow of the
exemplary method 200 to step 210 for receiving additional
television program moving picture information and user-selectable
object information to combine with such received television program
information. Additionally for example, step 295 may comprise
returning execution flow of the exemplary method 200 to step 240
for additional communication of the combined information to
additional recipients.
In general, step 295 may comprise performing continued operations
(e.g., performing additional operations corresponding to combining
television program information and information of user-selectable
objects in such programming, etc.). Accordingly, the scope of
various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by
characteristics of any particular type of continued processing
unless explicitly claimed.
Turning next to FIG. 3, such figure is a flow diagram illustrating
an exemplary method 300 for providing embedded information of
selectable objects in a television program, in accordance with
various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary method 300
may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the
exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed
previously. Any or all aspects of the exemplary method 300 may, for
example, be implemented in a television system component (e.g., the
television provider 110, third party program information provider
120, a component of a communication network 130, first television
140, first television controller 160, second television 141,
television receiver 151, second television controller 161, shown in
FIG. 1 and discussed previously) and/or a plurality of such
television system components operating in conjunction. For example,
any or all aspects of the exemplary method 300 may be implemented
in one or more television system components remote from the user's
local television system. Also for example, any or all aspects of
the exemplary method 200 may be implemented in one or more
components of the user's local television system.
The exemplary method 300 may, for example, begin executing at step
305. The exemplary method 300 may begin executing in response to
any of a variety of causes or conditions. Step 305 may, for
example, share any or all characteristics with step 205 of the
exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed
previously.
The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 310, comprise
receiving moving picture information for a television program. Step
310 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step
210 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed
previously. For example, step 310 may comprise receiving any of the
various types of moving picture information from any of the various
sources of moving picture information via any of the various
communication media discussed previously with regard to the method
200 of FIG. 2 and the system 100 of FIG. 1 and elsewhere
herein.
For example, step 310 may comprise, for example at sub-step 312,
receiving a completed moving picture data set for the television
program, the completed moving picture data set formatted for
communicating the television program without information describing
user-selectable objects in the television program. Alternatively
for example, step 310 may comprise, for example at sub-step 314,
receiving moving picture information for the television program
prior to the moving picture information being formatted into a
completed moving picture data set for communicating the television
program. Alternatively for example, step 310 may comprise, for
example at sub-step 316, receiving a completed moving picture data
set for the television program, the completed moving picture data
set formatted for communicating the television program with
information describing user-selectable objects in the television
program.
The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 320, comprise
receiving object information corresponding to a user-selectable
object in the television program. Step 320 may, for example, share
any or all characteristics with step 220 of the exemplary method
200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously. For example,
step 320 may comprise receiving any of the various types of
user-selectable object information from any of the various sources
of user-selectable object information via any of the various types
of media discussed previously with regard to the method 200 of FIG.
2 and the system 100 of FIG. 1 and elsewhere herein.
For example, step 320 may comprise, for example at sub-step 322,
receiving user-selectable object information comprising information
describing and/or defining the user-selectable object that is shown
in the television program (e.g., object dimension information,
object movement information, etc.). Also for example, step 320 may
comprise, for example at sub-step 324, receiving user-selectable
object information comprising information regarding the
user-selectable object that may be presented to the user upon
user-selection of such object in a television program.
Additionally for example, step 320 may comprise, for example at
sub-step 326, receiving user-selectable object information
comprising information describing and/or defining actions that may
be taken upon user-selection of a user-selectable object (e.g.,
retrieving and/or obtaining and/or searching for information about
a user-selectable object, information specifying a manner in which
a system is to interact with a user regarding a user-selected
object, searching for information, establishing and/or maintaining
communication sessions, information describing the manner in which
the commercial transaction is to be performed, etc.).
The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 330, comprise
combining the received moving picture information (e.g., as
received at step 310) and the received user-selectable object
information (e.g., as received at step 320) in a combined data set.
Step 330 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with
step 230 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and
discussed previously.
For example, step 330 may comprise, for example at sub-step 332,
inserting the received user-selectable object information in a
completed moving picture data set that was received at step 320
(e.g., inserting such user-selectable object information in fields
of the moving picture data set that are specified by a standard for
carrying such user-selectable object information, inserting such
user-selectable object information in fields of the moving picture
data set that are not specifically allocated for a particular type
of data, etc.).
Also for example, step 330 may comprise, for example at sub-step
334, combining received moving picture data and received
user-selectable object information into a completed moving picture
data set that is formatted for communicating the television program
with information describing user-selectable objects in the
television program. Additionally for example, step 330 may
comprise, for example at sub-step 336, modifying initial
user-selectable object information of an initial combined
television program data set in accordance with received
user-selectable object information.
The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 340, comprise
communicating the combined data set(s) (e.g., as formed at step
230) to one or more recipient systems or devices. Step 340 may, for
example, share any or all characteristics with step 240 of the
exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed
previously.
For example, step 340 may comprise, for example at sub-step 342,
communicating the combined data set(s) via a communication network
(e.g., any of a variety of communication networks discussed herein,
etc.). Also for example, step 340 may comprise, for example, at
sub-step 344, communicating the combined data set(s) by storing the
combined data set(s) on a computer readable medium and/or by
transmitting the combined data set(s) to another device or system
to perform such storage. Additionally for example, step 340 may
comprise, for example, at sub-step 346, communicating the combined
data set in a single serial stream (e.g., comprising interleaved
moving picture data and user-selectable object information).
Further for example, step 340 may comprise, for example, at
sub-step 348, communicating the combined data set in a plurality of
parallel serial streams (e.g., each of such streams comprising
interleaved moving picture data and user-selectable object
information).
The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 395, comprise
performing continued operations. Step 395 may, for example, share
any or all characteristics with step 295 of the exemplary method
200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.
Turning next to FIG. 4, such figure is a diagram illustrating an
exemplary television system (e.g., single television system
component and/or plurality of television system components) 400, in
accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The
exemplary television system 400 may, for example, share any or all
characteristics with one or more of the television system
components illustrated in FIG. 1 and discussed previously. For
example, the exemplary television system 400 may correspond to any
of the television system components illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the
like) or any group of the television system components illustrated
in FIG. 1 (or the like). Also, the exemplary television system 400
may comprise characteristics of a computing system (e.g., a
personal computer, a mainframe computer, a digital signal
processor, etc.). The exemplary television system 400 (e.g.,
various modules thereof) may operate to perform any or all of the
functionality discussed previously with regard to the exemplary
methods 200 and 300 illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 and discussed
previously.
The exemplary television system 400 includes a first communication
interface module 410. The first communication interface module 410
may, for example, operate to communicate over any of a variety of
communication media and utilizing any of a variety of communication
protocols. For example, though the first communication interface
module 410 is illustrated coupled to a wireless RF antenna via a
wireless port 412, the wireless medium is merely illustrative and
non-limiting. The first communication interface module 410 may, for
example, operate to communicate with one or more communication
networks (e.g., cable television networks, satellite television
networks, telecommunication networks, general data communication
networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area
networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) via which
television-related information (e.g., moving picture information,
information of user-selectable objects, television programming with
and without embedded information of user-selectable objects) and/or
other data is communicated. Also for example, the first
communication interface module 410 may operate to communicate with
local sources of television-related content or other data (e.g.,
disc drives, computer-readable medium readers, video recorders,
video cameras, computers, receivers, etc.). Additionally, for
example, the first communication interface module 410 may operate
to communicate with a remote controller (e.g., directly or via one
or more intermediate communication networks).
The exemplary television system 400 includes a second communication
interface module 420. The second communication interface module 420
may, for example, operate to communicate over any of a variety of
communication media and utilizing any of a variety of communication
protocols. For example, the second communication interface module
420 may communicate via a wireless RF communication port 422 and
antenna, or may communicate via a non-tethered optical
communication port 424 (e.g., utilizing laser diodes, photodiodes,
etc.). Also for example, the second communication interface module
420 may communicate via a tethered optical communication port 426
(e.g., utilizing a fiber optic cable), or may communicate via a
wired communication port 428 (e.g., utilizing coaxial cable,
twisted pair, HDMI cable, Ethernet cable, any of a variety of wired
component and/or composite video connections, etc.). The second
communication interface module 420 may, for example, operate to
communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., cable
television networks, satellite television networks,
telecommunication networks, general data communication networks,
the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks,
metropolitan area networks, etc.) via which television-related
information (e.g., moving picture information, information of
user-selectable objects, television programming with and without
embedded information of user-selectable objects) and/or other data
is communicated. Also for example, the second communication module
420 may operate to communicate with local sources of
television-related information (e.g., disc drives,
computer-readable medium readers, video recorders, video cameras,
computers, receivers, etc.). Additionally, for example, the second
communication module 420 may operate to communicate with a remote
controller (e.g., directly or via one or more intervening
communication networks).
The exemplary television system 400 may also comprise additional
communication interface modules, which are not illustrated (some of
which may also be shown in FIG. 5). Such additional communication
interface modules may, for example, share any or all aspects with
the first 410 and second 420 communication interface modules
discussed above.
The exemplary television system 400 may also comprise a
communication module 430. The communication module 430 may, for
example, operate to control and/or coordinate operation of the
first communication interface module 410 and the second
communication interface module 420 (and/or additional communication
interface modules as needed). The communication module 430 may, for
example, provide a convenient communication interface by which
other components of the television system 400 may utilize the first
410 and second 420 communication interface modules. Additionally,
for example, in an exemplary scenario where a plurality of
communication interface modules are sharing a medium and/or
network, the communication module 430 may coordinate communications
to reduce collisions and/or other interference between the
communication interface modules.
The exemplary television system 400 may additionally comprise one
or more user interface modules 440. The user interface module 440
may generally operate to provide user interface functionality to a
user of the television system 400. For example, and without
limitation, the user interface module 440 may operate to provide
for user control of any or all standard television system commands
(e.g., channel control, volume control, on/off, screen settings,
input selection, etc.). The user interface module 440 may, for
example, operate and/or respond to user commands utilizing user
interface features disposed on the television system (e.g.,
buttons, etc.) and may also utilize the communication module 430
(and/or first 410 and second 420 communication interface modules)
to communicate with other systems and/or components thereof,
regarding television-related information, regarding user
interaction that occurs during the formation of combined
dataset(s), etc. (e.g., a television system controller (e.g., a
dedicated television system remote control, a universal remote
control, a cellular telephone, personal computing device, gaming
controller, etc.)). In various exemplary scenario, the user
interface module(s) 440 may operate to utilize the optional display
470 to communicate with a user regarding user-selectable object
information and/or to present television programming to a user.
The user interface module 440 may also comprise one or more sensor
modules that operate to interface with and/or control operation of
any of a variety of sensors that may be utilized during the
performance of the combined data set(s). For example, the one or
more sensor modules may be utilized to ascertain an on-screen
pointing location, which may for example be utilized to input
and/or received user-selectable object information (e.g., to
indicate and/or define user-selectable objects in a moving
picture). For example and without limitation, the user interface
module 440 (or sensor module(s) thereof) may operate to receive
signals associated with respective sensors (e.g., raw or processed
signals directly from the sensors, through intermediate devices,
via the communication interface modules 410, 420, etc.). Also for
example, in scenarios in which such sensors are active sensors (as
opposed to purely passive sensors), the user interface module 440
(or sensor module(s) thereof) may operate to control the
transmission of signals (e.g., RF signals, optical signals,
acoustic signals, etc.) from such sensors. Additionally, the user
interface module 440 may perform any of a variety of video output
functions (e.g., presenting moving picture information to a user,
presenting user-selectable object information to a user, presenting
television programming to a user, providing visual feedback to a
user regarding an identified user-selected object in a presented
moving picture, etc.).
The exemplary television system 400 may comprise one or more
processors 450. The processor 450 may, for example, comprise a
general purpose processor, digital signal processor,
application-specific processor, microcontroller, microprocessor,
etc. For example, the processor 450 may operate in accordance with
software (or firmware) instructions. As mentioned previously, any
or all functionality discussed herein may be performed by a
processor executing instructions. For example, though various
modules are illustrated as separate blocks or modules in FIG. 4,
such illustrative modules, or a portion thereof, may be implemented
by the processor 450.
The exemplary television system 400 may comprise one or more
memories 460. As discussed above, various aspects may be performed
by one or more processors executing instructions. Such instructions
may, for example, be stored in the one or more memories 460. Such
memory 460 may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a
variety of types of memory. For example and without limitation,
such memory 460 may comprise one or more memory chips (e.g., ROM,
RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, one-time-programmable OTP memory,
etc.), hard drive memory, CD memory, DVD memory, etc.
The exemplary television system 400 may comprise one or more
modules 452 (e.g., moving picture information receiving module(s))
that operate to receive moving picture information for a television
program. Such one or more modules 452 may, for example, operate to
utilize the communication module 430 (e.g., and at least one of the
communication interface modules 410, 420) to receive such
television program moving picture information. For example, such
one or more modules 452 may operate to perform step 210 of the
exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 310 of the
exemplary method 300 discussed previously.
The exemplary television system 400 may comprise one or more
module(s) 454 (e.g., user-selectable object information receiving
module(s)) that operate to receive object information corresponding
to one or more user-selectable objects in a television program.
Such one or more modules 454 may, for example, operate to utilize
the communication module 430 (e.g., and at least one of the
communication interface modules 410, 420) to receive such
television program user-selectable object information. For example,
such one or more modules 454 may operate to perform step 220 of the
exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 320 of the
exemplary method 300 discussed previously.
The exemplary television system 400 may comprise one or more
modules 456 (e.g., moving picture and user-selectable object
combining module(s)) that operate to combine received moving
picture information (e.g., as received by the module(s) 452) and
received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received by
the module(s) 454) into a combined data set. Such one or more
modules 456 may, for example, operate to receive moving picture
information from the module(s) 452, receive user-selectable object
information from the module(s) 454, combine such received moving
picture information and user-selectable object information into a
combined data set, and output such combined data set. Such one or
more modules 456 may operate to perform step 230 of the exemplary
method 200 discussed previously and/or step 330 of the exemplary
method 300 discussed previously.
The exemplary television system 400 may comprise one or more
modules 458 (e.g., combined data set communication module(s)) that
operate to communicate the combined data set to at least one
recipient system and/or device. For example, such module(s) 458 may
operate to utilize the communication module(s) 430 (and, for
example, one or both of the first communication interface module(s)
410 and second communication interface module(s) 420)) to
communicate the combined data set. Also for example, such module(s)
458 may operate to communicate the combined data set to one or more
system devices that store the combined data set on a physical
medium (e.g., a computer-readable medium). Such one or more modules
458 may operate to perform step 240 of the exemplary method 200
discussed previously and/or step 340 of the exemplary method 300
discussed previously.
Though not illustrated, the exemplary television system 400 may,
for example, comprise one or more modules that operate to perform
any or all of the continued processing discussed previously with
regard to step 295 of the exemplary method 200 and step 395 of the
exemplary method 300, discussed previously. Such modules (e.g., as
with the one or more modules 452, 454, 456 and 458) may be
performed by the processor(s) 450 executing instructions stored in
the memory 460.
Turning next to FIG. 5, such figure is a diagram illustrating
exemplary modules and/or sub-modules for a television system 500,
in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The
exemplary television system 500 may share any or all aspects with
the television system 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed
previously. For example, the exemplary television system 500 may,
for example, share any or all characteristics with one or more of
the television system components illustrated in FIG. 1 and
discussed previously. For example, the exemplary television system
500 may correspond to any of the television system components
illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the like) or any group of the television
system components illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the like). For example,
the exemplary television system 500 (or various modules thereof)
may operate to perform any or all functionality discussed herein
with regard to the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and
the exemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3.
For example, the television system 500 comprises a processor 530.
Such a processor 530 may, for example, share any or all
characteristics with the processor 450 discussed with regard to
FIG. 4. Also for example, the television system 500 comprises a
memory 540. Such memory 540 may, for example, share any or all
characteristics with the memory 460 discussed with regard to FIG.
4.
Also for example, the television system 500 may comprise any of a
variety of user interface module(s) 550. Such user interface
module(s) 550 may, for example, share any or all characteristics
with the user interface module(s) 440 discussed previously with
regard to FIG. 4. For example and without limitation, the user
interface module(s) 550 may comprise: a display device, a camera
(for still or moving picture acquisition), a speaker, an earphone
(e.g., wired or wireless), a microphone, a video screen (e.g., a
touch screen), a vibrating mechanism, a keypad, and/or any of a
variety of other user interface devices (e.g., a mouse, a
trackball, a touch pad, touch screen, light pen, game controlling
device, etc.).
The exemplary television system 500 may also, for example, comprise
any of a variety of communication modules (505, 506, and 510). Such
communication module(s) may, for example, share any or all
characteristics with the communication interface module(s) 410, 420
discussed previously with regard to FIG. 4. For example and without
limitation, the communication interface module(s) 510 may comprise:
a Bluetooth interface module; an IEEE 802.11, 802.15, 802.16 and/or
802.20 module; any of a variety of cellular telecommunication
interface modules (e.g., GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA/CDMA2000/1x-EV-DO,
WCDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA, TDMA/PDC, WiMAX, etc.); any of a variety of
position-related communication interface modules (e.g., GPS, A-GPS,
etc.); any of a variety of wired/tethered communication interface
modules (e.g., USB, Fire Wire, RS-232, HDMI, Ethernet, wireline
and/or cable modem, etc.); any of a variety of communication
interface modules related to communicating with external memory
devices; etc. The exemplary television system 500 is also
illustrated as comprising various wired 506 and/or wireless 505
front-end modules that may, for example, be included in the
communication interface modules and/or utilized thereby.
The exemplary television system 500 may also comprise any of a
variety of signal processing module(s) 590. Such signal processing
module(s) 590 may share any or all characteristics with modules of
the exemplary television system 400 that perform signal processing.
Such signal processing module(s) 590 may, for example, be utilized
to assist in processing various types of information discussed
previously (e.g., with regard to sensor processing, position
determination, video processing, image processing, audio
processing, general user interface information data processing,
etc.). For example and without limitation, the signal processing
module(s) 590 may comprise: video/graphics processing modules (e.g.
MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, JPEG, TIFF, 3-D, 2-D, MDDI, etc.);
audio processing modules (e.g., MP3, AAC, MIDI, QCELP, AMR, CMX,
etc.); and/or tactile processing modules (e.g., Keypad I/O, touch
screen processing, motor control, etc.).
In summary, various aspects of the present invention provide a
system and method for providing information of selectable objects
in a television program. While the invention has been described
with reference to certain aspects and embodiments, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the
scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made
to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is
intended that the invention not be limited to the particular
embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all
embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *