System and method for providing foreign language support for a remote control device

• US 6,559,866 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2001
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digeo Incorporated (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Christensen, Kory D., McKenzie, David J., Kolde, Hubert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US09/863,895
• Publication Number:
  US 20020175930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 345/473, 345/589, 345/619, 345/660, 345/666, 345/703, 345/709, 345/716, 345/744, 345/747, 345/765, 345/810, 345/815, 345/821, 345/822, 345/835, 345/840, 345/841, 345/853, 345/854, 345/859, 345/860, 345/866, 704/8, 707/536, 725/131, 725/135, 725/139
• US Class Current: 715/765
• 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 21/431 Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• 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 21/4622 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 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4856 for language selection, e.g. for the menu or subtitles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/60 for the sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

In response to an interactive option becoming available, an icon sharing visual characteristics with a corresponding button of a remote control is displayed. A description of the interactive option in the language of the user may also be presented visually or audibly. The icon and description may be displayed alone or in a configuration of a map of the remote control. The description may be audibly output using voice synthesis techniques.

Claims

1. A method for assisting a speaker of a first language in operating a remote control device designed for a speaker of a second language, the method comprising:

storing an icon for each of a plurality of interactive options periodically available within an interactive television system, each interactive option corresponding to a button on the remote control device, each icon sharing a common visual characteristic with a button on the remote control device;

storing with each icon a description, in the first language, of a corresponding interactive option;

displaying an icon on a display device associated with the interactive television system in response to a corresponding interactive option becoming available; and

presenting with the icon the description of the interactive option in the first language.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote control device includes text markings in the second language, and wherein the description comprises a translation of the text markings into the first language.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting comprises:

displaying the description on the display device.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising

visually emphasizing the description on the display device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the description is visually emphasized using a technique selected from the group consisting of highlighting, animation, and scaling.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting comprises:

displaying the description on the display device in proximity to the icon.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the description is displayed in a location selected from the group consisting of above the icon, below the icon, to the left of the icon, and to the right of the icon.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the description is displayed on the icon.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting comprises:

outputting the description using a voice synthesis technique on a speaker associated with the interactive television system.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

audibly instructing a user, in the first language, to activate the button associated with the icon.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one shared visual characteristic is selected from the group consisting of color, shape, text markings, graphical markings, relative size, and relative position.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one icon shares a plurality of visual characteristics in common with a corresponding button on the remote control.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a map of the remote control device including the displayed icon, wherein the map comprises a plurality of icons representing buttons, each icon having a same relative location as a corresponding button on the remote control.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

switching between a view of the displayed icon and a view of the map in response to a user command.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

producing an audible confirmation in response to a user activating the corresponding button.

16. A system for assisting a speaker of a first language in operating a remote control designed for a speaker of a second language, the system comprising:

an icon repository configured to store an icon for each of a plurality of interactive options periodically available within an interactive television system, each interactive option corresponding to a button on the remote control device, each icon sharing a common visual characteristic with a button on the remote control device;

a language module configured to store a description, in the first language, of a corresponding interactive option associated with each icon;

an icon display component configured to display an icon on a display device associated with the interactive television system in response to a corresponding interactive option becoming available; and

a language assistant configured to present with the icon a description of the interactive option in the first language.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote control device includes text markings in the second language, and wherein the description comprises a translation of the text markings into the first language.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the language assistant is further configured to display the description on the display device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the language assistant is further configured to visually emphasize the description on the display device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the description is visually emphasized using a technique selected from the group consisting of highlighting, animation, and scaling.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the language assistant is further configured to display the description on the display device in proximity to the icon.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the description is displayed in a location selected from the group consisting of above the icon, below the icon, to the left of the icon, and to the right of the icon.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the description is displayed on the icon.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein the language assistant is further configured to output the description, using a voice synthesis technique, on a speaker associated with the interactive television system.

25. The system of claim 16, wherein the language assistant is further configured to audibly instruct a user, in the first language, to activate the button associated with the icon.

26. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one shared visual characteristic is selected from the group consisting of color, shape, text markings, graphical markings, relative size, and relative position.

27. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one icon shares a plurality of visual characteristics in common with a corresponding button on the remote control.

28. The system of claim 16, wherein the language assistant is further configured to display a map of the remote control device including the displayed icon, wherein the map comprises a plurality of icons representing buttons, each icon having a same relative location as a corresponding button on the remote control.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the language assistant is further configured to switch between a view of the displayed icon and a view of the map in response to a user command.

30. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

an audio component configured to produce an audible confirmation in response to a user activating the corresponding button.

31. A computer program product for assisting a speaker of a first language in operating a remote control device designed for a speaker of a second language, the computer program product comprising:

program code for storing an icon for each of a plurality of interactive options periodically available within an interactive television system, each interactive option corresponding to a button on the remote control device, each icon sharing a common visual characteristic with a button on the remote control device;

program code for storing with each icon a description, in the first language, of a corresponding interactive option;

program code for displaying an icon on a display device associated with the interactive television system in response to a corresponding interactive option becoming available; and

program code for presenting with the icon the description of the interactive option in the first language.

32. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the remote control device includes text markings in the second language, and wherein the description comprises a translation of the text markings into the first language.

33. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the program code for presenting comprises:

program code for displaying the description on the display device.

34. The computer program product of claim 33, further comprising

program code for visually emphasizing the description on the display device.

35. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the description is visually emphasized using a technique selected from the group consisting of highlighting, animation, and scaling.

36. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the program code for presenting comprises:

program code for displaying the description on the display device in proximity to the icon.

37. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the description is displayed in a location selected from the group consisting of above the icon, below the icon, to the left of the icon, and to the right of the icon.

38. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the description is displayed on the icon.

39. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the program code for presenting comprises:

program code for outputting the description, using a voice synthesis technique, on a speaker associated with the interactive television system.

40. The computer program product of claim 31, further comprising:

program code for audibly instructing a user, in the first language, to activate the button associated with the icon.

41. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein at least one shared visual characteristic is selected from the group consisting of color, shape, text markings, graphical markings, relative size, and relative position.

42. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein at least one icon shares a plurality of visual characteristics in common with a corresponding button on the remote control.

43. The computer program product of claim 31, further comprising:

program code for displaying a map of the remote control device including the displayed icon, wherein the map comprises a plurality of icons representing buttons, each icon having a same relative location as a corresponding button on the remote control.

44. The computer program product of claim 43, further comprising:

program code for switching between a view of the displayed icon and a view of the map in response to a user command.

45. The computer program product of claim 31, further comprising:

program code for producing an audible confirmation in response to a user activating the corresponding button.

46. A method for assisting a speaker of a first language in operating a remote control device designed for a speaker of a second language, the system comprising:

storing an icon for each of a plurality of interactive options periodically available within an interactive television system, each interactive option corresponding to a button on the remote control device, each icon sharing at least one common visual characteristic with a button on the remote control device, wherein the at least one shared visual characteristic is selected from the group consisting of color, shape, text markings, graphical markings, relative position, and relative size;

determining that an interactive option has become available within the interactive television system;

retrieving an icon corresponding to the available interactive option;

displaying the icon on a display device associated with the interactive television system;

presenting with the icon the description of the interactive option in the first language;

detecting that a user has pressed a button on the remote control corresponding to the available interactive option; and

activating the available interactive option.

47. A system for assisting a speaker of a first language in operating a remote control device designed for a speaker of a second language, the method comprising:

an icon repository configured to store an icon for each of a plurality of interactive options periodically available within an interactive television system, each interactive option corresponding to a button on the remote control device, each icon sharing at least one common visual characteristic with a button on the remote control device, wherein the at least one shared visual characteristic is selected from the group consisting of color, shape, text markings, graphical markings, relative position, and relative size;

an interactive option module configured to determine that an interactive option has become available within the interactive television system;

an icon display module configured to retrieve an icon corresponding to the available interactive option and display the icon on a display device associated with the interactive television system;

a language assistant configured to present with the icon the description of the interactive option in the first language; and

a wireless receiver configured to detect that a user has pressed a button on the remote control corresponding to the available interactive option;

wherein the interactive option module is further configured to activate the available interactive option in response to detecting that the user has pressed the corresponding button on the remote control.

48. A method for assisting a speaker of a first language in operating a remote control device designed for a speaker of a second language, the method comprising:

storing an icon for each of a plurality of interactive options periodically available within an interactive television system, each interactive option corresponding to a button on the remote control device, each icon sharing at least one common visual characteristic with a button on the remote control device;

determining that an interactive option has become available within the interactive television system;

retrieving a first icon corresponding to the available interactive option;

displaying a map of the remote control including the first icon, wherein the map comprises a plurality of other icons representing buttons, each icon having a same relative location as a corresponding button on the remote control;

visually emphasizing the first icon in the map relative to the plurality of icons;

presenting with the first icon the description of the interactive option in the first language;

detecting that a user has pressed a button on the remote control corresponding to the available interactive option; and

activating the available interactive option.