Method for adjusting parameters for the presentation of multimedia objects

• US 20040123316A1
• Filed: 07/22/2003
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Kendall, Scott Allan, Turner, Timothy Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,038,581 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/37
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/814 comprising emergency warnings arrangements specially adapted for emergency or urgency in broadcast systems H04H20/59; arrangements for providing alarms, notifications, alerts to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/57 Control of contrast or brightness
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/60 for the sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution

Abstract

A method is disclosed for the operation of a media center in two different modes of operation, each mode is used for rendering a media object. A first mode is enabled, where a media object is rendered in conformance with parameters within a time duration defined for the operation of the first mode. A second mode is later enabled for rendering a media object, where the rendering of the media object is in conformance with parameters within time duration defined for the second mode.

Claims

1. A method for operating a media center rendering a media object comprising the steps of:

enabling a first mode of operation for rendering the media object;

operating the media center in accordance with parameters corresponding to the first mode of operation within a duration of time associated with the operation of the first mode;

enabling a second mode of operation for rending the media object;

operating the media center in accordance with parameters corresponding to the second mode of operation within a duration of time association with the operation of the second mode, wherein one of the parameters used for rendering the media object is changed from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first mode of operation is for an alarm notification and the second mode of operation is for a second alarm notification.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parameters change an audio function of the media center.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parameters change a video function of the media center.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a parental lock out mode corresponds to the first mode of operation, wherein the parental lock out prevents audio and video from being viewed during the duration corresponding to the first mode of operation.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the parental lock out mode further restricts the content rendered via a media center according to selected options in a rendered menu.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first mode of operation restricts the use of a device of the media center, wherein the option to restrict the device is made by using a second device of the media center.

8. The method according to claim 1, comprising an additional step of:

enabling a third mode of operation for rending the media object;

operating the media center in accordance with parameters corresponding to the third mode of operation within a duration of time association with the operation of the third mode, wherein one of the parameters used for rendering the media object is changed from the second mode of operation to the third mode of operation.

9. A method of enabling a media object designated as an alarm for rendering by a media center, comprising the steps of:

determining a duration of time from a pre selected time setting, wherein the time setting comprising a start time and a ending time;

rendering the alarm from information related to an emergency situation, wherein the rendering step is controlled by parameters that are related to the duration of time where such parameters are active when a local time is within the start time and the ending time of the duration of time.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the alarm is an audio based alarm.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the alarm is a video based alarm.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the alarm is at least one of:

a weather alarm, and homeland security alarm.

13. A method of rending alarms for a media center comprising the steps of:

specifying a type of alert to be rendered by a media center, wherein type of alert corresponds to a hierarchical level of alerts;

determining a first parameter controlling the rendering of the alert;

defining a first duration of time for the activation of the alert;

determining a second parameter controlling the rendering of the alert;

defining a second duration of time for the activation of the alert;

wherein the alert is rendered with the first parameter during the first duration of time, and the alert is rendered with the second parameter during the second duration of time when a local time changes from matching the first duration of time to the second duration of time; and

the alert corresponds to the level of alerts selected during the specifying step.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the alarm is at least one of:

a weather alarm, and homeland security alarm.