Second screens and widgets
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising the acts:
- (a) identifying to a cell phone, over a wireless network connection, one or more software widgets available for transfer to the cell phone, the software widgets providing content or interactivity related to video programming presented on a screen of the television, the widget being promoted on said television screen;
(b) using the cell phone to indicate a user'"'"'s interest in one of said software widgets and to initiate transfer of such widget to the phone; and
(c) in response to the indicated interest, transferring a version of said software widget to the cell phone.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Cell phones and other devices are used to complement enjoyment of television or other video media, through use of corresponding software applications (“widgets”). A great variety of related features and arrangements are particularly detailed.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method comprising the acts:
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(a) identifying to a cell phone, over a wireless network connection, one or more software widgets available for transfer to the cell phone, the software widgets providing content or interactivity related to video programming presented on a screen of the television, the widget being promoted on said television screen; (b) using the cell phone to indicate a user'"'"'s interest in one of said software widgets and to initiate transfer of such widget to the phone; and (c) in response to the indicated interest, transferring a version of said software widget to the cell phone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 18)
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7. A method employing a network-connected television, on a screen of which is presented video programming and at least one icon representing a software widget, the widget being viewer-invocable to supplement the video programming with presentation of related content on the television screen, the method including the acts:
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identifying to a cell phone operated by the viewer of the television screen, over a wireless network connection, one or more software widgets available for transfer to the cell phone; transferring a software widget to the cell phone; and executing the widget on the cell phone, including supplementing the video programming on the television screen with presentation of related content on a screen of the cell phone; wherein the software widget can be executed on either the television screen or the cell phone, the viewer'"'"'s use of the widget on the cell phone not interfering with enjoyment by others of the video programming on the television screen. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 19)
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10. A system comprising a television and a cell phone, the television and phone each comprising plural components including a display screen, a processor and a memory, components of the television being operative to present video programming on the television display screen, wherein:
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the memory of the television stores widget information that, in response to user selection, supplements the video programming with presentation of content or interactivity related to said video programming on the television screen, said memory further storing software instructions for identifying to the cell phone, over a wireless network connection, one or more software widgets available for transfer to the cell phone; and the memory of the cell phone stores (a) software instructions enabling the cell phone to identify to a user one or more software widgets that may be transferred to it over a wireless network connection, and (b) corresponding widget information that, in response to user selection, supplements the video programming with presentation of further content on the cell phone screen. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 20)
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14. A method of distributing video companion software to a cell phone, the method comprising the acts:
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identifying to the cell phone, over a wireless network connection, particular video companion software available for transfer to the cell phone, the video companion software corresponding to video programming being presented on a television, said particular video companion software being invocable by a viewer of the television to supplement said video programming with presentation of content or interactivity on the cell phone that is relevant to said video programming; visually alerting the viewer about availability of said companion software by providing a visual notification on a screen of the television; receiving an indication of interest from the viewer responsive to the visual notification; and by reference to data from the packet-based message, transferring said companion software to the cell phone. - View Dependent Claims (21, 25)
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15. A method of distributing video companion software to a cell phone, the method comprising the acts:
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capturing visual or audio output from a television using the cell phone; by reference to the captured output, identifying a type of information being presented by the television; identifying to the cell phone, over a wireless network connection particular video companion software available for transfer to the cell phone, the video companion software corresponding to the identified type of information, said particular video companion software being invocable by a viewer of the television to supplement said information with presentation of content or interactivity on the cell phone that is relevant to said type of information; presenting a visual notification from the cell phone to the viewer, alerting the viewer to the availability of said video companion software; and in response to an instruction received from the viewer, transferring the video companion software to the cell phone for use by the viewer. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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16. A method employing a network-connected television, on a screen of which is presented video programming and at least one icon representing a software widget, the widget being viewer-invocable to supplement the video programming with presentation of related content on the television screen, the method including the acts:
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using a microphone or camera associated with a cell phone, operated by a viewer of the television screen, to capture data from the television;
deriving information from the captured data; and
using the derived information to aid in identifying a software widget to be transferred to the cell phone;identifying to the cell phone, over a wireless network connection, the software widget being transferred to the cell phone; receiving the identified software widget at the cell phone; and executing the software widget on the cell phone, including supplementing the video programming on the television screen with presentation of related content or interactivity on a screen of the cell phone; wherein the software widget can be executed to display on either the television screen or the cell phone, the viewer'"'"'s use of the software widget on the cell phone not interfering with enjoyment by others of the video programming on the television screen. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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17. A method of distributing software to a cell phone, comprising the acts:
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using a microphone or camera associated with the cell phone to capture visual or audio output data from a television; deriving information from the captured data; by reference to the derived information, identifying a type of program being presented by the television; identifying to the cell phone, over a wireless network connection, software that is relevant to said type of program, said software providing content or interactivity related to said type of program; presenting a notification to a user from the cell phone, alerting the user to the availability of said software; and in response to a user instruction, receiving the software at the cell phone for use by the user. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification