Interactive channel navigation and switching

• US 9,118,864 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2013
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Multimedia Technologies Pte. Ltd. (Transpacific IP Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Inventors: Sirpal, Sanjiv, Selim, Mohammed, Limongi, Karina A., Soto, Salvador
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Pankaj
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAIG, SAHAR A
• Application Number:
  US13/864,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20140053208A1
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 725/38, 725/41, 725/50, 725/52, 725/56
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04804 Transparency, e.g. transparent or translucent windows
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00448 horizontally
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/04 for receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23109 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. EPG data repository details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/24 Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth, upstream requests monitoring of server performance or load G06F11/34; arrangements for observation, testing or troubleshooting for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/12
• 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 21/251 Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies details of learning user preferences for the retrieval of video data in a video database G06F16/739; computer systems using learning methods G06N3/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/258 Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data arrangements for services using the result on the distributing side of broadcast systems H04H60/66; profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25883 being end-user demographical data, e.g. age, family status or address arrangements for identifying locations of users in broadcast systems H04H60/52
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 : being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; 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 21/26291 : for providing content or additional data updates, e.g. updating software modules, stored at the client deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/40 : Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
• 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 21/414 : Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
• 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 21/42203 : sound input device, e.g. microphone
• 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 21/42206 : characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4221 : Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42222 : Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42225 : characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 : Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43 : Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4302 : Content synchronisation processes, e.g. decoder synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4307 : Synchronising the rendering of multiple content streams or additional data on devices, e.g. synchronisation of audio on a mobile phone with the video output on the TV screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43072 : of multiple content streams on the same device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43079 : of additional data with content streams on multiple devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/431 : Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• 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 21/4314 : for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• 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 21/432 : Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/433 : Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4332 : by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository interfaces, Database management systems or updating for information retrieval G06F16/23; details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video database G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 : Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/437 : Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. for transmitting client requests to a VOD server flow control in data networks H04L47/10; streaming protocols, e.g. RTP or RTCP, H04L65/65; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests in data packet switching networks H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4396 : by muting the audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/441 : Acquiring end-user identification , e.g. using personal code sent by the remote control or by inserting a card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4415 : using biometric characteristics of the user, e.g. by voice recognition or fingerprint scanning cryptography using biological data H04L9/3231; authentication in networks using biometric H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/442 : Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk arrangements for monitoring broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/29; arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information H04H60/35; monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; monitoring in wireless networks H04W24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 : Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44213 : Monitoring of end-user related data arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 : Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• 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 21/462 : Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
• 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 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 : End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47205 : for manipulating displayed content, e.g. interacting with MPEG-4 objects, editing locally
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4725 : using interactive regions of the image, e.g. hot spots details of information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/475 : End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 : for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• 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 21/4756 : for rating content, e.g. scoring a recommended movie
• 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 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• 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 21/4823 : using a channel name
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4826 : using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 : for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 : End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4858 : for modifying screen layout parameters, e.g. fonts, size of the windows
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 : Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• 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 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• 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 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8126 : involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8133 : specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 : involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 : End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8358 : involving watermark protecting executable software by watermarking G06F21/16; image watermarking in general G06T1/0021; watermarks inserted in still images for transmission purposes H04N1/32144; inserting watermarks during video coding H04N19/467
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/85 : Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8545 : for generating interactive applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 : Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 : Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control

Abstract

An intelligent television and methods for interactive channel navigation and channel switching are disclosed. Specifically, an input may be received at the intelligent television that prompts the display of a channel information card layout to a viewing area of an intelligent television. The display of the layout may depend on the input received. The layout may include at least one channel information card that can visually represent broadcast content available on a channel via an image, without tuning to a channel to retrieve the image. Upon receiving a navigational input, an alternate channel information card may be displayed in the channel information card layout or selection area. Upon receiving a selection input, the television tunes to the channel that is associated with a specific displayed channel information card.

Claims

1. A method for navigating through channels on a television, comprising:

receiving a first directional input via an input device associated with the television, wherein the first directional input is either a vertical or a horizontal input, and wherein the first directional input navigates through a series of channels arranged in a numerical order;

determining, based on a first direction associated with the first directional input, a presentation layout to display at least one channel information card via the television;

retrieving, from a memory, a first image that is representative of broadcast content playing on a first channel, wherein the first image is retrieved from the memory in the absence of tuning to the first channel;

displaying, via the television, the first image on a first channel information card;

receiving a second directional input via the input device, wherein the second directional input navigates through a series of channels arranged as a first set of favorites channels or programs, if a second direction of the second directional input is to a right direction, or a second set of recommended channels, if the second direction of the second direction input is to a left direction, and wherein the second directional input is horizontal;

determining, based on the second direction associated with the second directional input, a second channel information card to display via the television, wherein the second channel information card includes a second image that is representative of broadcast content playing on a second channel, and wherein the second image is retrieved from the memory in the absence of tuning to the second channel; and

displaying, via the television, the second image on the second channel information card.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a selection input, wherein the selection input is at least one of a timed response to a channel navigation condition and an active selection provided via the input device, and wherein the selection input corresponds to a selection of a channel associated with a displayed channel information card; and

tuning, in response to detecting the selection input, the television to receive and display live broadcast content of the channel associated with the selected channel information card.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the memory is associated with an electronic programming guide (EPG).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first image is an enlarged thumbnail graphic retrieved from an EPG.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the memory is associated with the television, and wherein the first image is configured to indicate at least one of an availability of broadcast content preview, an availability of broadcast content, and an availability of a broadcast signal associated with the first channel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first directional input is an upward directional input or a downward directional input, wherein the upward directional input has an upward direction, and the downward directional input has a downward direction.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the presentation layout is arranged to display a single channel information card via the television.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first directional input has an upward direction, and wherein the upward direction moves the first channel information card upwardly out of a selection focus area of the television while simultaneously moving the second channel information card upwardly into the selection focus area of the television.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the first directional input has a downward direction, and wherein the downward direction moves the first channel information card downwardly out of a selection focus area of the television while simultaneously moving the second channel information card downwardly into the selection focus area of the television.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the first directional input is provided via a channel up/down button of an input device.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the first and second directional inputs are provided via a directional pad of an input device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the second channel information card determined to display via the television is selected from a first group of channel numbers.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the second channel information card determined to display via the television is selected from a second group of channel numbers, and wherein the second group of channel numbers is associated with at least one stored user preference.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the second directional input is a leftward directional input or a rightward directional input, wherein the leftward directional input has a leftward direction, and the rightward directional input has a rightward direction.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the presentation layout is arranged to display a plurality of channel information cards that are overlaid on content playing via the television.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second directional input has a leftward direction, and wherein the leftward direction moves a selection focus area associated with the first channel information card to the second channel information card, where the second channel information card is arranged on the left of the first channel information card.

17. A tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, perform the method comprising:

receiving a first directional input via an input device associated with a television, wherein the first directional input navigates through a series of channels arranged in a numerical order, and wherein the first directional input is a vertical input;

determining, based on a first direction associated with the first directional input, a presentation layout to display at least one channel information card via the television;

retrieving, from a memory, a first image that is representative of broadcast content playing on a first channel, wherein the first image is retrieved from the memory in the absence of tuning to the first channel;

displaying, via the television, the first image on a first channel information card;

receiving a second directional input via the input device, wherein the second directional input navigates through a series of channels arranged as a first set of favorites channels or programs, if a second direction of the second direction input is to a right direction, or a second set of recommended channels, if the second direction of the second direction input is to a left direction, and wherein the second directional input is horizontal;

determining, based on the second direction associated with the second directional input, a second channel information card to display via the television, wherein the second channel information card includes a second image that is representative of broadcast content playing on a second channel, and wherein the second image is retrieved from the memory in the absence of tuning to the second channel; and

displaying, via the television, the second image on the second channel information card.

18. The tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises:

detecting a selection input, wherein the selection input is at least one of a timed response to a channel navigation condition and an active selection provided via the input device, and wherein the selection input corresponds to a selection of a channel associated with a displayed channel information card; and

tuning, in response to detecting the selection input, the television to receive and display live broadcast content of the channel associated with the selected channel information card.

19. The tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the first image is an enlarged thumbnail graphic retrieved from an EPG.

20. The tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the memory is associated with the television, and wherein the first image is configured to indicate at least one of an availability of broadcast content preview, an availability of broadcast content, and an availability of a broadcast signal associated with the first channel.

21. The tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the first directional input is an upward directional input or a downward directional input, wherein the upward directional input has an upward direction, and the downward directional input has a downward direction.

22. The tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 21, wherein the first directional input has an upward direction, and wherein the upward direction moves the first channel information card upwardly out of a selection focus area of the television while simultaneously moving the second channel information card upwardly into the selection focus area of the television.

23. A system for navigating through broadcast content channels, comprising:

a television having a display and a tuner, wherein the tuner is configured to receive and convert broadcast content signals to be displayed by the display;

an input device associated with the television;

a memory; and

a microprocessor operable to;

receive a first directional input via the input device associated with the television, wherein the first directional input navigates through a series of channels arranged in a numerical order wherein the first directional input is either a vertical or horizontal input;

determine, based on a first direction associated with the first directional input, a presentation layout to display at least one channel information card via the display of the television;

retrieve, from the memory, a first image that is representative of broadcast content playing on a first channel, wherein the first image is retrieved from the memory in the absence of tuning to the first channel;

display, via the display of the television, the first image on a first channel information card;

receive a second directional input via the input device, wherein the second directional input navigates through a series of channels arranged as a first set of favorites channels or programs, if a second direction of the second direction input is to a right direction, or a second set of recommended channels, if the second direction of the second direction input is to a left direction, and wherein the second directional input is horizontal;

determine, based on the second direction associated with the second directional input, a second channel information card to display via the television, wherein the second channel information card includes a second image that is representative of broadcast content playing on a second channel, and wherein the second image is retrieved from the memory in the absence of tuning to the second channel; and

display, via the display of the television, the second image on the second channel information card.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the input device includes at least one of a channel up button, a channel down button, a directional pad having an up, down, left, and right buttons, and wherein each of the buttons is configured to provide the first or second directional input to the television.