Method and apparatus for browsing using alternative linkbases

• US 8,631,456 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2012
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Convergent Media Solutions LLC (Strategic Intellectual Solutions, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Convergent Media Solutions LLC (Strategic Intellectual Solutions, LLC)
• Inventors: Reisman, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Chung, Jason J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chowdhury, Sumaiya A
• Application Number:
  US13/662,246
• Publication Number:
  US 20130055315A1
• Time in Patent Office: 445 Days
• Field of Search: 725/110, 725112-113, 725/133, 725/141, 725/153
• US Class Current: 725/133
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2216/15 Synchronised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/426 Receiver side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/93 which locates resources of other pieces of information, e.g. URL [Uniform Resource Locator]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2358 for generating different versions, e.g. for different recipient devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2387 Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25 Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25825 involving client display capabilities, e.g. screen resolution of a mobile phone optimising the visualisation of content during browsing in the Internet G06F16/9577; processing of terminal status or physical abilities in wireless networks H04W8/22; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 : embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 : Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• 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 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• 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 21/4358 : for generating different versions, e.g. for different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440263 : by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for displaying on a connected PDA
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4438 : Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• 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 21/4668 : for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47208 : for requesting near-video-on-demand content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 : involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6193 : involving transmission via a satellite arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end session in a satellite broadcast system H04B7/18526
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/643 : Communication protocols network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP], H04L65/65
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 : End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/85 : Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8543 : using a description language, e.g. Multimedia and Hypermedia information coding Expert Group [MHEG], eXtensible Markup Language [XML] information retrieval of semistructured data, the underlying structure being taken into account, e.g. mark-up language structure data G06F16/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/858 : Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8583 : by creating hot-spots
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Systems and methods for navigating hypermedia using multiple coordinated input/output device sets. Disclosed systems and methods allow a user and/or an author to control what resources are presented on which device sets (whether they are integrated or not), and provide for coordinating browsing activities to enable such a user interface to be employed across multiple independent systems. Disclosed systems and methods also support new and enriched aspects and applications of hypermedia browsing and related business activities.

Claims

1. A method for use in a second computerized device set which is configured for wireless communication using a wireless communications protocol that enables wireless communication with a first computerized device set, wherein the first computerized device set includes a continuous media player, the method comprising:

receiving discovery information in accordance with a device management discovery protocol that is implemented at a communication layer above an internet protocol layer, wherein the discovery information allows the second computerized device set to determine that the first computerized device set is capable of exchanging data related to a presentation of a continuous media content;

making available to a user a user interface that allows the user to select to enable communications with the first computerized device set;

wirelessly receiving, in accordance with a wireless local area network protocol, state data relating to the presentation of the continuous media content on the first computerized device set for subsequent use to facilitate presentation of enhancement content that comprises information for presentation to the user that is distinct from but related to the presentation of the continuous media content on the first computerized device set, wherein the enhancement content further comprises links to Internet protocol services;

presenting at the second computerized device set, based on the state data, the enhancement content;

making available to the user a second user interface that allows the user to select a particular control function related to a parameter of the presentation of the continuous media content; and

wirelessly transmitting, in accordance with the wireless local area network protocol, an indication of the particular control function from the second computerized device set to the first computerized device set for subsequent use by the continuous media player to control the presentation of the continuous media content on the first computerized device set;

wherein the state data includes at least an indication of a program identification of the continuous media content currently being presented,

wherein the enhancement content is at least in part dependent on the program identification and comprises one of a cross-program enhancement and a program-specific enhancement,

wherein the cross-program enhancement is related to a plurality of programs,

wherein the program-specific enhancement is specific to the continuous media content, and

wherein the use to facilitate is done using at least one request sent via the internet to a remote source of enhancement content.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular control function allows the user to play, pause, rewind, or fast forward the presentation of the continuous media content on the first computerized device set.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous media content is provided to the first computerized device set via a closed network.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the closed network uses at least one proprietary network protocol.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the closed network is a cable television network.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the closed network is a satellite television network.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the closed network, at least in part, includes a fiber optic transmission path.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the second computerized device set communicates at least in part via a wireless local network with the first computerized device set.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein the second computerized device set communicates via a wireless local network using an internet protocol with the second computerized device set and the first computerized device set is connected to the closed network.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first computerized device set comprises a television.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first computerized device set comprises a television and a set top box.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the second computerized device set is a wireless phone or tablet.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the second computerized device set is a PC.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the second computerized device set communicates at least in part via a public Internet with the first computerized device set.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous media content is offered over a proprietary network by a proprietary system operator, the method further comprising the first computerized device set receiving the continuous media content over the proprietary network.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

making available to the user a third user interface that allows the user to actuate a hyperlink associated with a starting resource presented at one of the first and second computerized device sets with an attribute specifying that the ending resource of the hyperlink is to be presented at the other of the first and second computerized device set.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhancement content is presented on the second computerized device set in synchrony with associated portions of the presentation of the continuous media content on the first computerized device set.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the state data includes a current time position.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhancement content is received via a public Internet.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhancement content is provided by a producer or distributor of the continuous media content.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhancement content is provided by a source independent of a producer or distributor of the continuous media content.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous media content is not advertising content and the enhancement content is non-advertising content that is an enhancement to the continuous media content.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous media content is advertising content and the enhancement content is advertising content that is an enhancement to the continuous media content.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhancement content is information about the continuous media content.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhancement content is a provision of access to a service related to the continuous media content.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the service is an offer of a product.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the service is a social media communications service.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the service is a user-to-user communications service.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the service is a communications service from the user to a producer or distributor of the continuous media content.