Television display device and method of operating a television system

• US 7,308,698 B1
• Filed: 08/24/2000
• Issued: 12/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Europe Limited (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Service Centre Europe N.V. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Heughebaert, Andre Julien Jacques, Copejans, Gert Josef Elisa, Marcel de Ceulaer, Luc Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Beliveau, Scott E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sheleheda, James
• Application Number:
  US09/645,277
• Time in Patent Office: 2,665 Days
• Field of Search: 725/58, 725/32, 725/33, 725/34, 725/36, 725/35, 725/134, 725/133, 725/131, 725/132, 725/139, 725/140, 725/142, 725/37, 725/61, 725/52
• US Class Current: 725/37
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4349 by extracting from data carousels, e.g. extraction of software modules from a DVB carousel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4433 Implementing client middleware, e.g. Multimedia Home Platform [MHP]
• 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 21/47214 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 21/4882 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 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver

Abstract

A television display device for use with a television display for displaying television services, an input for providing at least one command to the television display device and a broadcast stream containing a stream of key files including data representing respective key images, the television display device including a memory for storing a plurality of control images and for maintaining continuously in memory at least one of said key files, an event selector for selecting an event and associating the event with a selected one of the plurality of control images, an action selector for selecting an action and associating the action with the selected control image, a display section for detecting the event and, in response, producing display information for displaying for a predetermined period the selected control image on a portion of the television display superposed on the television service being viewed and a command section for initiating the action conditional on whether or not a control command is provided by the input unit within said predetermined period, wherein, the display section, when displaying the selected control image, simultaneously displays the key image of one of the data files currently stored superposed on the television service being viewed and the command section executes the content of the key file of the displayed respective key image conditional on a key command being provided by the input unit within the predetermined period.

Claims

1. A television display device for use with a television display configured to display television services and an input unit configured to provide at least one command to the television display device, the television display device including:

a memory configured to store in advance a plurality of predetermined control images;

an event selector configured to enable a user selected event, from a group of events, each event having an event type predetermined from a plurality of different event types and an independently user-selected one of the plurality of predetermined control images and configured to associate said selected event with said selected predetermined control image;

an action selector configured to enable a user associated action from a group of actions, each action having an action type predetermined from a plurality of different action types, and configured to associate said selected action with the selected predetermined control image;

a display section configured to detect an occurrence of said selected event and, in response, producing display information configured to display only for a predetermined period the selected predetermined control image on a portion of the television display superposed on the television service being viewed; and

a command section responsive to a predetermined control command provided by the input unit and configured to initiate said selected action conditional on whether or not the predetermined control command is provided within said predetermined period.

2. The television display according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of control images may be selected and associated with a plurality of respective events and actions.

3. The television display device according to claim 1, wherein a control image need not be associated with an action such that, in response to a particular event, the respective control image is merely displayed for a predetermined period.

4. The television display device according to claim 1, wherein the event selector can associate a selected control image with one of a group of events including one or more event types of:

start of a pre-selected television service;

start of a pre-selected category of television service;

start of a desired portion of a television service;

a system failure; and

a pre-selected time.

5. The television display device according to claim 1, wherein the action selector can associate a selected control image with one of a group of actions including one or more action types of:

changing the television service being displayed;

starting a video recorder; and

powering down the television display.

6. The television display device according to claim 1, wherein the action selector either associates an action with a control image such that the action is initiated by the control section when the control command is provided within said predetermined period or associates an action with a control image such that the action is initiated by the control section when the control command is not provided within said predetermined period.

7. The television display device according to claim 1 wherein the display section positions each control image on the television display according to position data forming part of the respective control image.

8. The television display device according to claim 1 configured to use with a broadcast stream containing a stream of key files including data representing respective key images, the television display device further including:

a memory configured to maintain continuously in memory at least one of said key files;

wherein

the display section, when displaying the selected control image, simultaneously displays the key image of one of the data files currently stored superposed on the television service being viewed;

the command section executes the content of the key file of the displayed respective key image conditional on a key command being provided by the input unit within said predetermined period.

9. The broadcast system including a carousel of key files configured to use with a display device according to claim 8.

10. The television display device according to claim 8, wherein the display section positions the key image on the television display according to information from the control image with which it is displayed.

11. The television display device according to claim 8, wherein the display section identifies a locator position within the key image according to information from the control image and positions the locator position on the television display according to information from the control image.

12. The television display device according to claim 8, wherein the key image is an animated image and the display section reproduces the animated image.

13. The television display device according to claim 12, wherein the key image includes animation data relating to its animation.

14. The television display device according to claim 8, wherein the key image is an animated image and includes animation data relating to its animation and at least one of the control images is an animated image and includes animation data relating to its animation and wherein the display section allows negotiation between a key image and the control image with which it is to be displayed so as to ensure that their animation characteristics confirm.

15. The television display device according to claim 8, wherein the key files contain data representing audio/video and the command section causes the audio/video to be reproduced in place of any current television service being reproduced.

16. The television display device according to claim 8, where after a key file from the memory has been executed by the command section, another key file from the broadcast stream is stored.

17. The television display device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the control images is an animated image and the display section reproduces the animated image.

18. The television display device according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is a remote control hand set.

19. The television display device according to claim 1, wherein the television display device is DVB-MHP compliant.

20. The television display device according to claim 19, wherein the television display device is implemented in Java on an MHP AP8.

21. The computer readable storage medium having recorded thereon code components that define a control image and that, when loaded on a device according to claim 19 and executed, will cause that device to provide the control image for selection by the user.

22. The television display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is embodied in a television Set Top Box or in an integrated television system including a television display.

23. The computer readable storage medium having recorded thereon code components that define a control image and that, when loaded on a device according to claim 22 and executed, will cause that device to provide the control image for selection by the user.

24. The computer readable storage medium having recorded thereon code components that, when loaded on a DVB-MHP compliant device and executed will cause that device to operate according to claim 1.

25. The television display device according to claim 1, wherein the display section positions each control image on the television display according to position data forming part of the respective control image.

26. A television display device configured to use with a television display configured to display television services and an input unit configured to provide at least one command to the television display device, the television display device including:

a memory configured to store a plurality of control images;

an event selector configured to select an event and associating said event with a selected one of the plurality of control images;

an action selector configured to select an action and associating said action with the selected control image;

a display section configured to detect said event and, in response, producing display information configured to display for a predetermined period the selected control image on a portion of the television display superposed on the television service being viewed; and

a command section configured to initiate said action conditional on whether a control command is provided by the input unit within said predetermined period;

wherein said television display device is configured to use with a broadcast stream containing a stream of key files including data representing respective key images, the television display device further including;

a memory configured to maintain continuously in memory at least one of said key files;

wherein the display section, when displaying the selected control image, simultaneously displays the key image of one of the data files currently stored superposed on the television service being viewed;

the command section executes the content of the key file of the displayed respective key image conditional on a key command being provided by the input unit within said predetermined period, and

wherein the display section positions the key image on the television display according to information from the control image with which it is displayed.

27. A television display device for use with a television display configured to display television services and an input unit configured to provide at least one command to the television display device, the television display device including:

a memory configured to store a plurality of control images;

an event selector configured to select an event and associating said event with a selected one of the plurality of control images;

an action selector configured to select an action and associating said action with the selected control image;

a display section configured to detect said event and, in response, producing display information configured to display for a predetermined period the selected control image on a portion of the television display superposed on the television service being viewed; and

a command section configured to initiate said action conditional on whether a control command is provided by the input unit within said predetermined period,

wherein said television display device is configured to use with a broadcast stream containing a stream of key files including data representing respective key images, the television display device further including;

a memory configured to maintain continuously in memory at least one of said key files;

wherein the display section, when displaying the selected control image, simultaneously displays the key image of one of the data files currently stored superposed on the television service being viewed;

the command section executes the content of the key file of the displayed respective key image conditional on a key command being provided by the input unit within said predetermined period, and

wherein the display section identifies a locator position within the key image according to information from the control image and positions the locator position on the television display according to information from the control image.

28. A television display device for use with a television display configured to display television services and an input unit configured to provide at least one command to the television display device, the television display device including:

a memory configured to store a plurality of control images;

an event selector configured to select an event and associating said event with a selected one of the plurality of control images;

an action selector configured to select an action and associating said action with the selected control image;

a display section configured to detect said event and, in response, producing display information configured to display for a predetermined period the selected control image on a portion of the television display superposed on the television service being viewed; and

a command section configured to initiate said action conditional on whether a control command is provided by the input unit within said predetermined period,

wherein said television display device is configured to use with a broadcast stream containing a stream of key files including data representing respective key images, the television display device further including;

a memory configured to maintain continuously in memory at least one of said key files;

wherein the display section, when displaying the selected control image, simultaneously displays the key image of one of the data files currently stored superposed on the television service being viewed;

the command section executes the content of the key file of the displayed respective key image conditional on a key command being provided by the input unit within said predetermined point, and

wherein the key image is an animated image and the display section reproduces the animated image.

29. The television display device according to claim 28, wherein the key image includes animation data relating to its animation.

30. A television display device for use with a television display configured to display the television services and an input unit configured to provide at least one command to the television display device, the television display device including:

a memory configured to store a plurality of control images;

an event selector configured to select an event and associating said event with a selected one of the plurality of control images;

an action selector configured to select an action and associating said action with the selected control image;

a display section configured to detect said event and, in response, producing display information configured to display for a predetermined period the selected control image on a portion of the television display superposed on the television service being viewed; and

a common section configured to initiate said action conditional on whether a control command is provided by the input unit within said predetermined period,

wherein said television display device is configured to use with a broadcast stream containing a stream of key files including data representing respective key images, the television display device further including;

a memory configured to maintain continuously in memory at least one of said key files;

wherein the display section, when displaying the selected control image, simultaneously displays the key image of one of the data files currently stored superposed on the television service being viewed;

the command section executes the content of the key file of the displayed respective key image conditional on a key command being provided by the input unit within said predetermined period, and

wherein the key image is an animated image and includes animation data relating to its animation and at least one of the control images is an animated image and includes animation data relating to its animation and wherein the display section allows negotiation between a key image and the control image with which it is to be displayed so as to ensure that their animation characteristics conform.

31. A television display device for use with a television display configured to display television services and an input unit configured to provide at least one command to the television display device, the television display device including:

a memory configured to store a plurality of control images;

an event selector configured to select an event and associating said event with a selected one of the plurality of control images;

an action selector configured to select an action and associating said action with the selected control image;

a display section configured to detect said event and, in response, producing display information configured to display for a predetermined period the selected control image on a portion of the television display superposed on the television service being viewed; and

a command section configured to initiate said action conditional on whether a control command is provided by the input unit within said predetermined period,

wherein said television display device is configured to use with a broadcast stream containing a stream of key files including data representing respective key images, the television display device further including;

a memory configured to maintain continuously in memory at least one of said key files;

wherein the display section, when displaying the selected control image, simultaneously displays the key image of one of the data files currently stored superposed on the television service being viewed;

the command section executes the content of the key file of the displayed respective key image conditional on a key command being provided by the input unit within said predetermined period, and

wherein the key files contain data representing audio/video and the command section causes the audio/video to be reproduced in place of any current television service being reproduced.

32. A television display device for use with a television display configured to display television services and an input unit configured to provide at least one command to the television display device, the television display device including:

a memory configured to store a plurality of control images;

an event selector configured to select an event and associating said event with a selected one of the plurality of control images;

an action selector configured to select an action and associating said action with the selected control image;

a display section configured to detect said event and, in response, producing display information configured to display for a predetermined period the selected control image on a portion of the television display superposed on the television service being viewed; and

a command section configured to initiate said action conditional on whether a control command is provided by the input unit within said predetermined period,

wherein said television display device is configured to use with a broadcast stream containing a stream of key files including data representing respective key images, the television display device further including;

a memory configured to maintain continuously in memory at least one of said key files;

wherein the display section, when displaying the selected control image, simultaneously displays the key image of one of the data files currently stored superposed on the television service being viewed;

the command section executes the content of the key file of the displayed respective key image condition on a key command being provided by the input unit within said predetermined period, and

wherein, after a key file from the memory has been executed by the command section, another key file from the broadcast stream is stored.

33. A method of operating a television system having a television service receiver, a television display configured to display television services and an input unit, the method including:

storing, in advance, a plurality of predetermined control images;

enabling a user to select an event from a group of events, each event having an event type predetermined from a plurality of different types;

enabling a user independently to select any one of the plurality of pre-determined control images;

associating a selected predetermined control image with said selected event;

enabling a user independently to select an action from a group of actions, each action having an action type pre-determined from a plurality of different action types;

associating said selected predetermined control image with said selected action;

detecting an occurrence of said selected event;

upon detecting an occurrence of said selected event, displaying only for a predetermined period said selected predetermined control image on a portion of the television display superposed on the television service being viewed; and

initiating said selected action in response to a predetermined control command produced by the input unit conditional on whether the predetermined control command is received by the television system from the user within said predetermined period.