Client-Server Architectures and Methods for Zoomable User Interfaces

• US 20100086022A1
• Filed: 12/09/2009
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CEVA Technologies, Inc. (CEVA Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories Incorporated (CEVA Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stoner, Ryan, Gritton, Charles W.K., Conroy, Kevin M., Hunleth, Frank A.
• Application Number:
  US12/634,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20100086022A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/240.10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25833 involving client hardware characteristics, e.g. manufacturer, processing or storage capabilities allocation of resources considering hardware capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5044; allocation of resources considering software capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5055
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2662 Controlling the complexity of the video stream, e.g. by scaling the resolution or bitrate of the video stream based on the client capabilities
• 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 21/4312 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 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4438 Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4728 for selecting a Region Of Interest [ROI], e.g. for requesting a higher resolution version of a selected region
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/631 Multimode Transmission, e.g. transmitting basic layers and enhancement layers of the content over different transmission paths or transmitting with different error corrections, different keys or with different transmission protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8549 Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer retrieval in video databases by using presentations in form of a video summary G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for communicating and processing data in communication networks, e.g., cable networks and/or interactive television networks. Selective use of different data streams and encoding techniques enable sophisticated user interfaces to be generated on client devices having varying processing capabilities. MPEG encoding techniques have reduced complexity to enable better response time to user requests. Specialized user interface features, such as hoverzooming, are enabled.

Claims

1. A method for generating a hoverzoom effect on a user interface comprising the steps of:

transmitting background layer data and foreground layer data to a client device;

displaying a background layer based on said background layer data;

identifying a user action associated with said hoverzoom effect;

displaying, in response to said user action, a foreground layer based on said foreground layer data as an overlay on said background layer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said user action is rolling a cursor over a displayed image and said foreground layer includes a magnified version of said displayed image.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

categorizing each pixel in said foreground layer as either (1) being extractable from said background layer data or (2) needing to be sent to said client device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said step of transmitting background layer data and foreground layer data further comprises the step of:

selectively transmitting pixel data in said foreground layer based on said categorization step.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of:

identifying additional background pixels which will be revealed as a result of said hoverzoom effect; and

transmitting background layer data associated with said additional background pixels.

6. A client system for generating a hoverzoom effect on a user interface comprising:

at least one receiver for receiving background layer data and foreground layer data;

a processor for generating a background layer based on said background layer data, identifying a user action associated with said hoverzoom effect and generating, in response to said user action, a foreground layer based on said foreground layer data as an overlay on said background layer.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said user action is rolling a cursor over a displayed image and said foreground layer includes a magnified version of a displayed image.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said receiver also receives a map which categorizes each pixel in said foreground layer as either (1) being extractable from said background layer data or (2) being sent to said client system.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said received foreground layer data includes only some of the data needed by said processor to generate said foreground layer and said processor extracts additional data from said background layer data.

10. A method for MPEG encoding data to be used in generating user interface screens comprising the steps of:

providing a user interface having first and second user interface screen and storing data associated with object locations on said first and second user interface screens;

determining motion vectors associated with MPEG data frames using said stored data;

sending said motion vectors to an MPEG encoder; and

MPEG encoding said data using said motion vectors.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of determining motion vectors associated with MPEG data frames using said stored data further comprises the step of:

using said stored data to either (1) determine a motion vector independently of a standard MPEG motion vector search algorithm or (2) selectively employ said standard MPEG motion vector search algorithm to determine said motion vector.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of determining motion vectors associated with MPEG data frames using said stored data further comprises the step of:

using said stored data to either (1) determine a motion vector independently of a standard MPEG motion vector search algorithm, (2) selectively employ said standard MPEG motion vector search algorithm to determine said motion vector or (3) reduce a search range of said standard MPEG motion vector algorithm.

13. A system for MPEG encoding data to be used in generating user interface screens comprising:

a user interface having first and second user interface screens;

a data storage unit for storing data associated with object locations on said first and second user interface screens;

a motion estimation hint encoder for determining motion vectors associated with MPEG data frames using said stored data; and

an MPEG encoder for encoding data using said motion vectors.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein motion estimation hint encoder uses said stored data to either (1) determine a motion vector independently of a standard MPEG motion vector search algorithm or (2) to selectively command said MPEG encoder to determine said motion vector using said standard MPEG motion vector search algorithm.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said motion estimation hint encoder uses said stored data to provide said MPEG encoder with a reduced search range in which to employ said standard MPEG motion vector search algorithm.