Selectively overlaying a user interface atop a video signal
First Claim
1. In a computerized system having a display unit for displaying a video signal, a method of selectively overlaying visual interface information atop the video signal, the video signal capable of including at least one specified feature, the method comprising acts of:
- parsing the video signal into at least two display sections;
searching the video signal for the at least one specified feature;
if the at least one specified feature is not detected in the video signal, selectively placing the visual interface information in at least one of the display sections;
if the at least one specified feature is detected in the video signal, examining the video signal to determine in which display section the at least one specified feature is located; and
selectively placing the visual interface information atop the displayed video signal in a display section where the at least one specified feature is not present.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Overlaying visual interface information atop a video signal without obscuring desired features of the video signal. The video signal may contain one or more pre-selected features, such as text. Two or more display sections equally divide the video signal, and any pre-selected features in the video signal are identified as residing in particular display sections. Depending on the nature of the features, the selected visual interface information is placed atop the video signal in a display section not containing any pre-selected features so as not to cover or obscure the features or is placed over specified features that do not significantly contribute to the video signal, such as blank or static screen regions. A hierarchy of preferred display sections for placing the visual interface information may be created to optimize the placement thereof. The methods for overlaying visual interface information find particular application with interactive television systems.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a computerized system having a display unit for displaying a video signal, a method of selectively overlaying visual interface information atop the video signal, the video signal capable of including at least one specified feature, the method comprising acts of:
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parsing the video signal into at least two display sections; searching the video signal for the at least one specified feature; if the at least one specified feature is not detected in the video signal, selectively placing the visual interface information in at least one of the display sections; if the at least one specified feature is detected in the video signal, examining the video signal to determine in which display section the at least one specified feature is located; and selectively placing the visual interface information atop the displayed video signal in a display section where the at least one specified feature is not present. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. For a computerized system having a display unit for displaying a video signal, a computer program product carrying executable instructions that implement a method of selectively overlaying visual interface information atop the video signal, the video signal capable of including at least one specified feature, the method comprising acts of:
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parsing the video signal into at least two display sections; searching the video signal for the at least one specified feature; if the at least one specified feature is not detected in the video signal, selectively placing the visual interface information in at least one of the display sections; if the at least one specified feature is detected in the video signal, examining the video signal to determine in which display section the at least one specified feature is located; and selectively placing the visual interface information atop the displayed video signal in a display section where the at least one specified feature is not present. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In a computerized system having a display unit for displaying a video signal, a method of selectively overlaying visual interface information atop the video signal, the video signal including at least one specified feature, the method comprising acts of:
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providing a signal buffer that receives the video signal and outputs a buffered video signal; parsing the buffered video signal into at least two display sections; searching a portion of the buffered video signal for the at least one specified feature; if the at least one specified feature is detected in the portion of the buffered video signal, examining the portion of the buffered video signal to determine in which display section the at least one specified feature will be located when the portion of the buffered video signal is displayed; and selectively placing the visual interface information atop the displayed portion of the buffered video signal in a display section where the at least one specified feature is not present. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification