Subscriber television system user interface with a virtual reality media space

• US 20030005439A1
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tech 5 SAS
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta Incorporated (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rovira, Luis A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,795,972 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/37
• 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 21/472 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 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• 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 21/8146 involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

This invention provides a method for a subscriber television system client device to provide a three-dimensional user interface comprising a virtual reality media space. The three-dimensional user interface allows the user to navigate a three dimensional environment, participate in activities, and interact with other users. The three-dimensional user interface enables the user to associate personal characteristics with an avatar which represents the user in the system, such personal characteristics comprising a symbol, a picture, and video.

Claims

1. A method in a Subscriber Television System (STS) client device of providing a user interface, the method comprising steps of:

implementing the user interface to be a three-dimensional (3D) user interface; and

displaying to a user a Virtual Reality (VR) media space in the 3D user interface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the 3D user interface enables a plurality of navigation functions, the plurality of navigation functions enabling the user to maneuver through the VR media space.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the VR media space comprises a virtual world of a plurality of media.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of media comprises a plurality of video streams, a plurality of advertisements, a plurality of avatars, and a plurality of user communications.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein one or more of the plurality of media is enabled to be selected by the user to be displayed in full screen mode.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of navigation functions enable the user to maneuver in the VR media space such that one or more of the plurality of media is viewable.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the VR media space comprises a plurality of billboards displaying the plurality of media.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of navigation functions enable the user to maneuver in the VR media space such that one or more of the plurality of billboards is viewable.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of billboards displaying the plurality of media comprises the plurality of video streams.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of video streams comprises the television channels currently being received by the STS client device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the STS client device is enabled with a plurality of tuners, the amount of the plurality of tuners enabling an equal amount of the plurality of video streams to be displayed simultaneously.

12. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of navigation functions enable the user to select an object in the VR media space and link to a two-dimensional (2D) user interface.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the object is a billboard displaying a video stream of a television channel currently being received by the STS client device. .

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the 2D user interface is a web page.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the 2D user interface is an interactive program guide displaying programming information for the STS client device.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of navigation functions enable the user to select on an object in the VR media space and link to a 3D VR media space not contained within current the VR media space.

17. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of navigation functions enable the user to selectively jump to positions in the VR media space.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein a secondary portion of the 3D user interface is a map view of a larger area of the VR media space than is currently visible in a primary portion of the 3D user interface.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the map view of a larger area of the VR media space displays a dynamically updating aerial view of the VR media space, the dynamically updating aerial view of the VR media space comprising an indication of the user'"'"'s position in relation to a plurality of elements in the VR media space.

20. The method of claim 4, further comprising a reality insertion device providing a plurality of character information to the STS client device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the plurality of avatars are implemented to be augmented by the plurality of character information.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of character information comprises a picture of the user.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the reality insertion device comprises a digital camera enabled to provide a plurality pictures of the user as a plurality of character information.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the reality insertion device comprises a video camera enabled to provide a video of the user as a plurality of character information.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein access to the VR media space is denied responsive to the value of the dynamic variable being equal to zero.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the dynamic variable is configurable to decrease in value as the elapsed time of a session of the user increases.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the dynamic variable is configurable to change in value when the user engages in a debiting VR activity, the debiting VR activity comprising viewing a plurality of media, entering a particular domain, and linking to an external environment.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the dynamic variable is configurable to change in value when the user engages in a crediting VR activity, the crediting VR activity comprising viewing a plurality of advertisement media, executing a purchase of an element in the VR media space, linking to an external environment, and purchasing an increase in the dynamic variable.

25. A method in a Subscriber Television System (STS) client device of providing a user interface, the method comprising steps of:

implementing the user interface to be a three-dimensional (3D) user interface;

displaying to a user a Virtual Reality (VR) media space in the 3D user interface; and

granting access to the VR media space based upon a dynamic variable.

30. A Subscriber Television System (STS) client device for providing a user with a user interface, the STS client device comprising:

logic configured to provide the user with the user interface in a three-dimensional (3D) format; and

logic configured provide a Virtual Reality (VR) Media Space in the user interface in the 3D format.

31. The STS client device of claim 30, wherein the 3D user interface enables a plurality of navigation functions, the plurality of navigation functions allowing the user to maneuver through the VR media space.

32. The STS client device of claim 31, wherein the VR media space comprises a virtual world of a plurality of media.

33. The STS client device of claim 32, wherein the plurality of navigation functions enable the user to maneuver in the VR media space such that at least one of the plurality of media is viewable.

36. The medium of claim 35, wherein the means for implementing the 3D user interface comprises a plurality of navigation functions, the plurality of navigation functions allowing the user to maneuver through the VR media space and interact with a plurality of media and a plurality of other users.

38. The STS Headend Server of claim 37, wherein the STS Headend Server is coupled to a transmission network, the transmission network distributing the user interface to a plurality of subscriber devices.

39. The STS of claim 37, wherein the 3D user interface enables a plurality of navigation functions, the plurality of navigation functions allowing the user to maneuver through the VR media space.

34. A system enabling a Subscriber Television System (STS) client device to provide a user with a user interface, comprising;

means for providing the user with the user interface in a three-dimensional (3D) format; and

means for providing a Virtual Reality (VR) Media Space in the user interface in the 3D format.

35. A computer readable medium having a program for providing a three-dimensional (3D) user interface to a user, the 3D user interface comprising:

a means for implementing the 3D user interface in a Subscriber Television System (STS); and

a means for providing a Virtual Reality (VR) Media Space in the user interface in the 3D format.

37. A Subscriber Television System (STS) Headend Server for providing a user with a user interface, the STS Headend Server comprising:

logic configured to provide the user with the user interface in a three-dimensional (3D) format; and

logic configured provide a Virtual Reality (VR) Media Space in the user interface in the 3D format.

40. A Subscriber Television System (STS) for providing a user with a user interface, the STS comprising:

a first logic module configured to provide the user with the user interface in a three-dimensional (3D) format; and

a second logic module configured provide a Virtual Reality (VR) Media Space in the user interface in the 3D format.

41. The STS of claim 40, wherein the first logic module and the second logic module can be implemented in any device within the STS.

42. The STS of claim 40, wherein the first logic module and the second logic module can be further separated into a plurality of dependent modules, the plurality of dependent modules being implemented in a plurality of devices throughout the STS.

43. The STS of claim 40, wherein the 3D user interface enables a plurality of navigation functions, the plurality of navigation functions allowing the user to maneuver through the VR media space.

44. A method in a Subscriber Television System (STS) client device of providing a user interface, the method comprising steps of:

implementing the user interface to be a three-dimensional (3D) user interface;

displaying to a user a Virtual Reality (VR) media space in the 3D user interface, the 3D user interface enabling a plurality of navigation functions, the plurality of navigation functions enabling the user to maneuver through the VR media space, the VR media space comprising a virtual world of a plurality of media, the plurality of navigation functions enabling the user to maneuver in the VR media space such that one or more of the plurality of media is viewable, the plurality of media comprising a plurality of video streams, a plurality of advertisements, a plurality of avatars, and a plurality of user communications;

enabling the user to select an object in the VR media space and link to a secondary interface, the secondary interface comprising a full screen view of a television channel, a video, a web page, a programming guide, and an interactive programming guide;

displaying at least one of a plurality of avatars to represent the user, said at least one plurality of avatars being implemented to be augmented by a reality insertion device providing a plurality of character information, the plurality of character information comprising a picture of the user, at least one picture from a digital camera, and at least one video from a video camera; and

granting access to said VR media space based upon a dynamic variable, the dynamic variable being configured to change in value upon the occurrence of an event, the event comprising a debiting event and a crediting event, the debiting event comprising viewing a plurality of media, entering a particular domain, and linking to an external environment, the crediting event comprising viewing a plurality of advertisement media, executing a purchase of an element in said VR media space, linking to an external environment, and purchasing an increase in said dynamic variable.