Handheld device that integrates personal information management with audio/video control

• US 20060123449A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Fish, Robert S., Wilkes-Gibbs, Deanna, Ma, Yue, Braun, David A., Chang, Chieh-Chung
• Application Number:
  US10/509,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20060123449A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/58
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1423 the instrument generating sequences of position coordinates corresponding to handwriting preprocessing or recognising digital ink G06V30/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42209 for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4222 Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy remote control device for a television receiver integrated into a mobile phone H04M1/72415
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42226 Reprogrammable remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44224 Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• 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 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 : Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 : Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 : the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0885 : for the transmission of subtitles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A handheld device (12) integrates personal information scheduler (252) with a program list view (250) selection and operation of a wide variety of media devices. Specifically, the handheld device (12) includes a database containing program content downloaded during the vertical blanking interval (VBI) or from the Internet (174). Viewing the EPG database and personal calendar simultaneously, the user incorporates program into his/her personal schedule for viewing or recording. Further, the device is capable of analyzing usage patterns to set defaults of the handheld device, and other devices under its control, according to user preferences.

Claims

1. A scheduling system adapted to avoid scheduling conflicts for use with a hand-held remote control device integrated with multiple information sources, comprising:

an electronic schedule of personal events adapted to commonly schedule electronic media events with scheduled personal events;

a user interface adapted to simultaneously communicate scheduled personal events and available electronic media events to a user, wherein the scheduled personal events and the available electronic media events have predefined times and durations; and

a scheduling module adapted to identify and resolve a conflict between an electronic media event and a scheduled personal event.

54. The system of claim 1, further comprising a synchronization engine downloading supplementary information over a communications system based on identifying information extracted from media content before the supplementary information is requested by a user, storing the supplementary information in a content database, and subsequently, synchronously delivering the supplementary information with media content to which the supplementary information is related, regardless of whether a connection to the communications system is available at time of delivery.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein said synchronization engine receives the media content from a source of media content other than the communications system.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein said synchronization engine further stores the media content to which the supplementary information is related for subsequent, synchronous delivery with the supplementary information, regardless of whether a connection to the source of media content is available at time of delivery.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the media content to which the supplementary information is related corresponds to one level of EPG contents, and the supplementary information corresponds to another level of EPG contents.

62. The system of claim 1 further comprising a handwriting matching engine that analyzes user handwriting inputs character by character using a progressive search that removes search results from and adds search results to a list for final selection as new characters are entered and combined with previously entered characters in a search string, wherein character misrecognition and non-recognition are accommodated by adding misrecognized and non-recognized user handwriting inputs to the search string and looking for approximate matches.

2-6. -6. (canceled)

7. A clip organization system adapted to organize media-related information for use with a hand-held device, comprising:

an input receptive of media-related information extracted from a television broadcast stream;

a data store storing the media-related information; and

an electronic index organizing the media-related information to facilitate retrieval of the media related information by the user.

64. The system of claim 7, further comprising a synchronization engine downloading supplementary information over a communications system based on identifying information extracted from media content before the supplementary information is requested by a user, storing the supplementary information in a content database, and subsequently, synchronously delivering the supplementary information with media content to which the supplementary information is related, regardless of whether a connection to the communications system is available at time of delivery.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein said synchronization engine receives the media content from a source of media content other than the communications system.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein said synchronization engine further stores the media content to which the supplementary information is related for subsequent, synchronous delivery with the supplementary information, regardless of whether a connection to the source of media content is available at time of delivery.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the media content to which the supplementary information is related corresponds to one level of EPG contents, and the supplementary information corresponds to another level of EPG contents.

72. The system of claim 7, further comprising a handwriting matching engine that analyzes user handwriting inputs character by character using a progressive search that removes search results from and adds search results to a list for final selection as new characters are entered and combined with previously entered characters in a search string, wherein character misrecognition and non-recognition are accommodated by adding misrecognized and non-recognized user handwriting inputs to the search string and looking for approximate matches.

8-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A remote control system adapted to control electronic media devices for use with a had-held remote control device, comprising:

a data store storing information relating to electronic media event consumption via the electronic media devices;

a usage pattern analysis module adapted to perform an analysis of previous user consumption of electronic media events via electronic media devices, and adapted to anticipating user preferences relating to electronic media event consumption via the electronic media devices based on the analysis; and

a user interface adapted to acting on anticipation of user preferences to accomplish improved enjoyment of media content by the user via the electronic media devices.

74. The system of claim 12, further comprising a synchronization engine downloading supplementary information over a communications system based on identifying information extracted from media content before the supplementary information is requested by a user, storing the supplementary information in a content database, and subsequently, synchronously delivering the supplementary information with media content to which the supplementary information is related, regardless of whether a connection to the communications system is available at time of delivery.

75. The system of claim 74, wherein said synchronization engine receives the media content from a source of media content other than the communications system.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein said synchronization engine further stores the media content to which the supplementary information is related for subsequent, synchronous delivery with the supplementary information, regardless of whether a connection to the source of media content is available at time of delivery.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein the media content to which the supplementary information is related corresponds to one level of EPG contents, and the supplementary information corresponds to another level of EPG contents.

82. The system of claim 12, further comprising a handwriting matching engine that analyzes user handwriting inputs character by character using a progressive search that removes search results from and adds search results to a list for final selection as new characters are entered and combined with previously entered characters in a search string, wherein character misrecognition and non-recognition are accommodated by adding misrecognized and non-recognized user handwriting inputs to the search string and looking for approximate matches.

13-14. -14. (canceled)

15. An information delivery system adapted to delivering program-related information content to a user via a hand-held device, comprising:

a data decoder adapted to extract program-related information content from a broadcast signal;

a parser adapted to identify a category associated with the program-related information content; and

a user interface adapted to employ a template assigned to the category to display the program-related information content to the user via an active display of the hand-held device.

84. The system of claim 15, further comprising a synchronization engine downloading supplementary information over a communications system based on identifying information extracted from media content before the supplementary information is requested by a user, storing the supplementary information in a content database, and subsequently, synchronously delivering the supplementary information with media content to which the supplementary information is related, regardless of whether a connection to the communications system is available at time of delivery.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein said synchronization engine receives the media content from a source of media content other than the communications system.

86. The system of claim 85, wherein said synchronization engine further stores the media content to which the supplementary information is related for subsequent, synchronous delivery with the supplementary information, regardless of whether a connection to the source of media content is available at time of delivery.

87. The system of claim 86, wherein the media content to which the supplementary information is related corresponds to one level of EPG contents, and the supplementary information corresponds to another level of EPG contents.

92. The system of claim 15, further comprising a handwriting matching engine that analyzes user handwriting inputs character by character using a progressive search that removes search results from and adds search results to a list for final selection as new characters are entered and combined with previously entered characters in a search string, wherein character misrecognition and non-recognition are accommodated by adding misrecognized and non-recognized user handwriting inputs to the search string and looking for approximate matches.

16-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A user interface system for use with a hand-held apparatus, comprising:

a handwriting recognition module adapted to recognize a handwritten user query;

a handwriting matching engine adapted to match the query to a plurality of options including at least one of available electronic media events and broadcast channels rendering the electronic media events available to the user; and

an active display communicating the plurality of options to the user as a list of ranked options.

94. The system of claim 20, further comprising a synchronization engine downloading supplementary information over a communications system based on identifying information extracted from media content before the supplementary information is requested by a user, storing the supplementary information in a content database, and subsequently, synchronously delivering the supplementary information with media content to which the supplementary information is related, regardless of whether a connection to the communications system is available at time of delivery.

95. The system of claim 94, wherein said synchronization engine receives the media content from a source of media content other than the communications system.

96. The system of claim 95, wherein said synchronization engine further stores the media content to which the supplementary information is related for subsequent, synchronous delivery with the supplementary information, regardless of whether a connection to the source of media content is available at time of delivery.

97. The system of claim 96, wherein the media content to which the supplementary information is related corresponds to one level of EPG contents, and the supplementary information corresponds to another level of EPG contents.

102. The system of claim 20, further comprising a handwriting matching engine that analyzes user handwriting inputs character by character using a progressive search that removes search results from and adds search results to a list for final selection as new characters are entered and combined with previously entered characters in a search string, wherein character misrecognition and non-recognition are accommodated by adding misrecognized and non-recognized user handwriting inputs to the search string and looking for approximate matches.

21-23. -23. (canceled)

24. An electronic programming guide maintenance system for use with a hand-held device, comprising:

an input receptive of identifications of available electronic media content, wherein the identifications are extracted from a broadcast signal operable to deliver the available electronic media content;

a second input in communication with a communications system having electronic programming guide information providing details relating to the available media content; and

a synchronization engine adapted to construct and maintain links between the identifications of available electronic media content and related electronic programming guide information.

104. The system of claim 24, further comprising a synchronization engine downloading supplementary information over a communications system based on identifying information extracted from media content before the supplementary information is requested by, a user, storing the supplementary information in a content database, and subsequently, synchronously delivering the supplementary information with media content to which the supplementary information is related, regardless of whether a connection to the communications system is available at time of delivery.

105. The system of claim 104, wherein said synchronization engine receives the media content from a source of media content other than the communications system.

106. The system of claim 105, wherein said synchronization engine further stores the media content to which the supplementary information is related for subsequent, synchronous delivery with the supplementary information, regardless of whether a connection to the source of media content is available at time of delivery.

107. The system of claim 106, wherein the media content to which the supplementary information is related corresponds to one level of EPG contents, and the supplementary information corresponds to another level of EPG contents.

112. The system of claim 24, further comprising a handwriting matching engine that analyzes user handwriting inputs character by character using a progressive search that removes search results from and adds search results to a list for final selection as new characters are entered and combined with previously entered characters in a search string, wherein character misrecognition and non-recognition are accommodated by adding misrecognized and non-recognized user handwriting inputs to the search string and looking for approximate matches.

25. (canceled)

26. A method of avoiding scheduling conflicts for use with a hand-held remote control device integrated with multiple information sources, comprising:

maintaining an electronic schedule of personal events, wherein the electronic schedule is adapted to commonly schedule electronic media events with scheduled personal events;

simultaneously communicating scheduled personal events and available electronic media events to a user, wherein the scheduled personal events and the available electronic media events have predefined times and durations; and

identifying and resolving a conflict between an electronic media event and a scheduled personal event.

58. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

downloading supplementary information over a communications system based on identifying information extracted from media content before the supplementary information is requested by a user, wherein the source of supplementary information is different from a source of media content;

storing the supplementary information in a content database; and

subsequent to downloading and storing of the supplementary information, synchronously delivering the supplementary information with media content to which the supplementary information is related, regardless of whether a connection to the communications system is available at time of delivery.

59. The method of claim 58, further comprising receiving the media content from a source of media content other than the communications system.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising storing the media content to which the supplementary information is related for subsequent, synchronous delivery with the supplementary information regardless of whether a connection to the source of media content is available at time of delivery.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the media content to which the supplementary information is related corresponds to one level of EPG contents, the supplementary information corresponds to another level of EPG contents.

63. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

analyzing user handwriting inputs character by character using a progressive search that removes search results from and adds search results to a list for final selection as new characters are entered and combined with previously entered characters in a search string, wherein character misrecognition and non-recognition are accommodated by adding misrecognized and non-recognized user handwriting inputs to the search string and looking for approximate matches.

27-31. -31. (canceled)

32. A method of organizing media-related information for use with a hand-held device, comprising:

receiving media-related information extracted from a television broadcast stream;

storing the media-related information in computer memory; and

organizing the media-related information to facilitate retrieval of the media related information by the user.

68. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

downloading supplementary information over a communications system based on identifying information extracted from media content before the supplementary information is requested by a user, wherein the source of supplementary information is different from a source of media content;

storing the supplementary information in a content database; and

subsequent to downloading and storing of the supplementary information, synchronously delivering the supplementary information with media content to which the supplementary information is related, regardless of whether a connection to the communications system is available at time of delivery.

69. The method of claim 68, further comprising receiving the media content from a source of media content other than the communications system.

70. The method of claim 69, further comprising storing the media content to which the supplementary information is related for subsequent, synchronous delivery with the supplementary information regardless of whether a connection to the source of media content is available at time of delivery.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the media content to which the supplementary information is related corresponds to one level of EPG contents, the supplementary information corresponds to another level of EPG contents.

73. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

analyzing user handwriting inputs character by character using a progressive search that removes search results from and adds search results to a list for final selection as new characters are entered and combined with previously entered characters in a search string, wherein character misrecognition and non-recognition are accommodated by adding misrecognized and non-recognized user handwriting inputs to the search string and looking for approximate matches.

33-36. -36. (canceled)

37. A method of controlling electronic media devices for use with a had-held remote control device, comprising:

performing an analysis of previous user consumption of electronic media events via electronic media devices, wherein the electronic media devices were operated by the user via the hand-held remote control device;

anticipating user preferences relating to electronic media event consumption via the electronic media devices based on the analysis; and

acting on anticipation of user preferences to accomplish improved enjoyment of media content by the user via the electronic media devices.

78. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

downloading supplementary information over a communications system based on identifying information extracted from media content before the supplementary information is requested by a user, wherein the source of supplementary information is different from a source of media content;

storing the supplementary information in a content database; and

subsequent to downloading and storing of the supplementary information, synchronously delivering the supplementary information with media content to which the supplementary information is related, regardless of whether a connection to the communications system is available at time of delivery.

79. The method of claim 78, further comprising receiving the media content from a source of media content other than the communications system.

80. The method of claim 79, further comprising storing the media content to which the supplementary information is related for subsequent, synchronous delivery with the supplementary information regardless of whether a connection to the source of media content is available at time of delivery.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the media content to which the supplementary information is related corresponds to one level of EPG contents, the supplementary information corresponds to another level of EPG contents.

83. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

analyzing user handwriting inputs character by character using a progressive search that removes search results from and adds search results to a list for final selection as new characters are entered and combined with previously entered characters in a search string, wherein character misrecognition and non-recognition are accommodated by adding misrecognized and non-recognized user handwriting inputs to the search string and looking for approximate matches.

38-39. -39. (canceled)

40. A method of delivering program-related information content to a user via a hand-held device, comprising:

extracting program-related information content from a broadcast signal;

identifying a category associated with the program-related information content; and

using a pre-defined template assigned to the category to display the program-related information content to the user via an active display of the hand-held device.

88. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

downloading supplementary information over a communications system based on identifying information extracted from media content before the supplementary information is requested by a user, wherein the source of supplementary information is different from a source of media content;

storing the supplementary information in a content database; and

subsequent to downloading and storing of the supplementary information, synchronously delivering the supplementary information with media content to which the supplementary information is related, regardless of whether a connection to the communications system is available at time of delivery.

89. The method of claim 88, further comprising receiving the media content from a source of media content other than the communications system.

90. The method of claim 89, further comprising storing the media content to which the supplementary information is related for subsequent, synchronous delivery with the supplementary information regardless of whether a connection to the source of media content is available at time of delivery.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein the media content to which the supplementary information is related corresponds to one level of EPG contents, the supplementary information corresponds to another level of EPG contents.

93. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

analyzing user handwriting inputs character by character using a progressive search that removes search results from and adds search results to a list for final selection as new characters are entered and combined with previously entered characters in a search string, wherein character misrecognition and non-recognition are accommodated by adding misrecognized and non-recognized user handwriting inputs to the search string and looking for approximate matches.

41-44. -44. (canceled)

45. A method of providing a user interface for use with a hand-held apparatus, comprising:

recognizing a handwritten user query;

matching the query to a plurality of options including at least one of available electronic media events and broadcast channels rendering the electronic media events available to the user; and

communicating the plurality of options to the user as a list of ranked options.

98. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

downloading supplementary information over a communications system based on identifying information extracted from media content before the supplementary information is requested by a user, wherein the source of supplementary information is different from a source of media content;

storing the supplementary information in a content database; and

subsequent to downloading and storing of the supplementary information, synchronously delivering the supplementary information with media content to which the supplementary information is related, regardless of whether a connection to the communications system is available at time of delivery.

99. The method of claim 98, further comprising receiving the media content from a source of media content other than the communications system.

100. The method of claim 99, further comprising storing the media content to which the supplementary information is related for subsequent, synchronous delivery with the supplementary information regardless of whether a connection to the source of media content is available at time of delivery.

101. The method of claim 100, wherein the media content to which the supplementary information is related corresponds to one level of EPG contents, the supplementary information corresponds to another level of EPG contents.

103. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

analyzing user handwriting inputs character by character using a progressive search that removes search results from and adds search results to a list for final selection as new characters are entered and combined with previously entered characters in a search string, wherein character misrecognition and non-recognition are accommodated by adding misrecognized and non-recognized user handwriting inputs to the search string and looking for approximate matches.

46-48. -48. (canceled)

49. A method of maintaining an electronic programming guide for use with a hand-held device, comprising:

receiving identifications of available electronic media content, wherein the identifications are extracted from a broadcast signal operable to deliver the available electronic media content;

communicating with a communications system having electronic programming guide information providing details relating to the available media content; and

constructing and maintaining links between the identifications of available electronic media content and related electronic programming guide information.

108. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

downloading supplementary information over a communications system based on identifying information extracted from media content before the supplementary information is requested by a user, wherein the source of supplementary information is different from a source of media content;

storing the supplementary information in a content database; and

subsequent to downloading and storing of the supplementary information, synchronously delivering the supplementary information with media content to which the supplementary information is related, regardless of whether a connection to the communications system is available at time of delivery.

109. The method of claim 108, further comprising receiving the media content from a source of media content other than the communications system.

110. The method of claim 109, further comprising storing the media content to which the supplementary information is related for subsequent, synchronous delivery with the supplementary information regardless of whether a connection to the source of media content is available at time of delivery.

111. The method of claim 110, wherein the media content to which the supplementary information is related corresponds to one level of EPG contents, the supplementary information corresponds to another level of EPG contents.

113. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

analyzing user handwriting inputs character by character using a progressive search that removes search results from and adds search results to a list for final selection as new characters are entered and combined with previously entered characters in a search string, wherein character misrecognition and non-recognition are accommodated by adding misrecognized and non-recognized user handwriting inputs to the search string and looking for approximate matches.

50-53. -53. (canceled)