Method and apparatus for notifying users of interactive functions using a remote device
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- receiving from a control unit at a mobile hand-held device of a plurality of mobile hand-held devices programming information including an electronic programming guide (EPG) via a wireless connection, wherein interactions received at the mobile hand-held device are transmitted to at least one other mobile hand-held device of the plurality of mobile hand-held devices;
receiving, at the mobile hand-held device, a selection of a program from the EPG, wherein the programming information is displayed on a display of the mobile hand-held device;
transmitting the selection of the program to the control unit;
receiving, subsequent to the selection of the program from the EPG, a signal from the control unit indicating a beginning of an interactive application during the selected program; and
in response to the signal, providing a visual indication, through the mobile hand-held device, of an availability of the interactive application,wherein the mobile hand-held device selectively deactivates visual indications on a display separate from the mobile hand-held device independently of whether visual indications are displayed on the display of the mobile hand-held device.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for notifying a user of an interactive event using a remote control device. In one embodiment, a remote control device contains either a display or a bright light, or both, which can create a visual alert to let a user know that an interactive function is available. The nature of the function may be displayed on a screen attached to the remote control device.
68 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving from a control unit at a mobile hand-held device of a plurality of mobile hand-held devices programming information including an electronic programming guide (EPG) via a wireless connection, wherein interactions received at the mobile hand-held device are transmitted to at least one other mobile hand-held device of the plurality of mobile hand-held devices; receiving, at the mobile hand-held device, a selection of a program from the EPG, wherein the programming information is displayed on a display of the mobile hand-held device; transmitting the selection of the program to the control unit; receiving, subsequent to the selection of the program from the EPG, a signal from the control unit indicating a beginning of an interactive application during the selected program; and in response to the signal, providing a visual indication, through the mobile hand-held device, of an availability of the interactive application, wherein the mobile hand-held device selectively deactivates visual indications on a display separate from the mobile hand-held device independently of whether visual indications are displayed on the display of the mobile hand-held device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A tangible machine readable medium having stored thereon a set of instructions for:
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receiving, at a mobile hand-held device of a plurality of mobile hand-held devices, programming information including an electronic programming guide (EPG) via a wireless connection from a control unit, wherein interactions received at the mobile hand-held device is transmitted to at least one other mobile hand-held device of the plurality of mobile hand-held devices; receiving, at the mobile hand-held device, a selection of a program from the EPG, wherein the programming information is displayed on a display of the mobile hand-held device; transmitting the selection of the program to the control unit; receiving, subsequent to the selection of the program from the EPG, a signal from the control unit indicating a beginning of an interactive application during the selected program; and in response to the signal, providing a visual indication, through the mobile hand-held device, of an availability of the interactive application, wherein the mobile hand-held device selectively deactivates visual indications on a display separate from the mobile hand-held device independently of whether visual indications are displayed on the display of the mobile hand-held device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor; and memory storing computer readable instructions that when executed, cause the apparatus to; receive programming information including an electronic programming guide (EPG) via a wireless connection from a control unit, wherein interactions received at the apparatus is transmitted to at least one other apparatus of a plurality of apparatuses associated with the control unit; receive a selection of a program from the EPG, wherein the programming information is displayed on a display of the apparatus; transmit the selection of the program to the control unit; receive, subsequent to the selection of the program from the EPG, a signal from the control unit indicating a beginning of an interactive application during the selected program; and in response to the signal, provide a visual indication of an availability of the interactive application, wherein the apparatus selectively deactivates visual indications on a display separate from the apparatus independently of whether visual indications are displayed on the display of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification