Methods and apparatus for moving video content to integrated virtual environment devices

• US 9,473,807 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2013
• Issued: 10/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dish Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Echostar Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Hardy, Christofer, Yarborough, Thomas Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): Thangavelu, Kandasamy
• Application Number:
  US13/906,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20140359654A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26613 for generating or managing keys in general key distribution for secret or secure communication involving central third party, e.g. key distribution center [KDC] or trusted third party [TTP] H04L9/083; network support of key management H04L63/06; key management for network security in communication control or processing H04W12/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4126 The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• 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 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4854 for modifying image parameters, e.g. image brightness, contrast
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/00 Connection management

Abstract

A media transfer method includes displaying, on a display device, a program guide including a plurality of items corresponding to media content; determining which of the plurality items are moveable items; displaying, on an integrated virtual environment device, an image identifying the moveable items; and transferring at least one of the moveable items to the integrated virtual environment device in response to a selection made via the integrated virtual environment device.

Claims

1. A media transfer method comprising:

displaying, on a display device, a program guide including a plurality of items corresponding to media content;

determining which of the plurality of items are moveable items;

displaying, on an integrated virtual environment device, an image identifying the moveable items; and

transferring at least one of the moveable items to the integrated virtual environment device in response to a selection made via the integrated virtual environment device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the image identifying the moveable items includes a graphical element superimposed on the display device via an integrated display provided within the integrated virtual environment device.

3. The method of claim 1, further including:

determining, via a front-facing camera provided within the integrated virtual environment device, that the program guide is within the line of sight of the integrated virtual environment device.

4. The method of claim 1, further including transferring an encryption key to the integrated virtual environment device, wherein the encryption key is associated with the at least one moveable item.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection is made via a gesture made within the field-of-view of the integrated virtual environment device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection is made via eye-motion sensed by the integrated virtual environment device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection is made via a touchpad incorporated into the integrated virtual environment device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining which of the plurality of items are moveable items is accomplished by querying a server over a network.

9. A media transfer system comprising:

an entertainment device configured to display a program guide comprising a plurality of items corresponding to media content; and

an integrated virtual environment device including an integrated display, the integrated virtual environment device configured to determine which of the plurality of items are moveable items;

display, on the integrated display, an image identifying the moveable items that are displayed on the entertainment device; and

receive at least one of the moveable items at the integrated virtual environment device in response to a selection made via the integrated virtual environment device.

10. The media transfer system of claim 9, wherein the image identifying the moveable items includes a graphical element superimposed on the entertainment device via the integrated display.

11. The media transfer system of claim 9, wherein the integrated virtual environment device includes a front-facing camera and is configured to determine that the program guide is within the line of sight of the integrated virtual environment device using the front-facing camera.

12. The media transfer system of claim 9, wherein the integrated virtual environment device is configured to receive an encryption key associated with the at least one moveable item.

13. The media transfer system of claim 9, wherein the integrated environment device is configured to make the selection based on a gesture made within the field-of-view of the integrated virtual environment device.

14. The media transfer system of claim 9, wherein the integrated environment device is configured to make the selection based on an audio command received via a microphone provided within the integrated virtual environment device.

15. The media transfer system of claim 9, wherein the integrated environment device is configured to make the selection based on a signal from a touchpad provided on a surface of the integrated virtual environment device.

16. The media transfer system of claim 9, wherein the integrated environment device is configured to make the selection based on eye movement sensed by a rear-facing camera provided within the integrated virtual environment device.

17. Non-transitory computer-readable media bearing software instructions configured to instruct an integrated virtual environment device to:

determine whether a program guide is displayed within the field of view of the integrated virtual environment device, the program guide including a plurality of items;

determine which of the plurality of items are moveable items;

display, on an integrated display provided within the integrated virtual environment device, an image identifying the moveable items within the program guide; and

receive at least one of the moveable items at the integrated virtual environment device in response to a selection made via the integrated virtual environment device.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17, wherein the image identifying the moveable items includes a graphical element superimposed on the program guide via the integrated display.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17, wherein the software instructions further instruct the integrated virtual environment device to make the selection based on a gesture made within the field-of-view of the integrated virtual environment device.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17, wherein the software instructions further instruct the integrated virtual environment device to make the selection based on eye-movement sensed by the integrated virtual environment device.