Displaying Menu Options

• US 20110185312A1
• Filed: 06/30/2010
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Lanier, Brian, Barton, James M.
• Application Number:
  US12/827,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20110185312A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/810
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1438 using more than one graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/045 Zooming at least part of an image, i.e. enlarging it or shrinking it
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• 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 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• 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 21/4302 Content synchronisation processes, e.g. decoder synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/431 Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4402 involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02

Abstract

A method for displaying menu options is described. The method includes causing displaying of a first content on a first device, the first content comprising a video content and a plurality of menu options; causing displaying of a second content on a second device, the second content comprising a still image and the plurality of menu options; responsive to user input on the second device that selects a menu option of the plurality of menu options, causing performing of an action on the first device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

causing displaying of a first content on a first device, the first content comprising a video content and a plurality of menu options;

causing displaying of a second content on a second device, the second content comprising a still image and the plurality of menu options;

responsive to user input on the second device that selects a menu option of the plurality of menu options, causing performing of an action on the first device.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein causing displaying of the second content on the second device comprises converting the plurality of menu options to a format compatible with the second device.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein causing displaying of the first content on the first device comprises overlaying the plurality of menu options on the video content.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein causing displaying of the second content on the second device comprises detecting the plurality of menu options in the second content and allowing a user to select from the detected plurality of menu options.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein causing displaying of the second content on the second device comprises generating the still image based on the video content.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the still image is identical to at least one frame in the video content.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of menu options are displayed on the first device and the second device using similar menu graphics or identical menu graphics.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of menu options are displayed on the first device and the second device using different menu graphics.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein performing of an action on the first device comprises playing, pausing, stopping, fast forwarding, or rewinding the video content on the first device.

10. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions, which when executed by one or more processors performs steps comprising:

causing displaying of a first content on a first device, the first content comprising a video content and a plurality of menu options;

causing displaying of a second content on a second device, the second content comprising a still image and the plurality of menu options;

responsive to user input on the second device that selects a menu option of the plurality of menu options, causing performing of an action on the first device.

11. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 10, wherein causing displaying of the second content on the second device comprises converting the plurality of menu options to a format compatible with the second device.

12. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 10, wherein causing displaying of the first content on the first device comprises overlaying the plurality of menu options on the video content.

13. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 10, wherein causing displaying of the second content on the second device comprises detecting the plurality of menu options in the second content and allowing a user to select from the detected plurality of menu options.

14. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 10, wherein causing displaying of the second content on the second device comprises generating the still image based on the video content.

15. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 10, wherein the still image is identical to at least one frame in the video content.

16. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 10, wherein the plurality of menu options are displayed on the first device and the second device using similar menu graphics or identical menu graphics.

17. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 10, wherein the plurality of menu options are displayed on the first device and the second device using different menu graphics.

18. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 10, wherein performing of an action on the first device comprises playing, pausing, stopping, fast forwarding, or rewinding the video content on the first device.

19. An apparatus comprising:

one or more processors;

logic configured to perform steps comprising;

causing displaying of a first content on a first device, the first content comprising a video content and a plurality of menu options;

causing displaying of a second content on a second device, the second content comprising a still image and the plurality of menu options;

responsive to user input on the second device that selects a menu option of the plurality of menu options, causing performing of an action on the first device.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein causing displaying of the second content on the second device comprises converting the plurality of menu options to a format compatible with the second device.

21. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein causing displaying of the first content on the first device comprises overlaying the plurality of menu options on the video content.

22. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein causing displaying of the second content on the second device comprises detecting the plurality of menu options in the second content and allowing a user to select from the detected plurality of menu options.

23. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein causing displaying of the second content on the second device comprises generating the still image based on the video content.

24. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the still image is identical to at least one frame in the video content.

25. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the plurality of menu options are displayed on the first device and the second device using similar menu graphics or identical menu graphics.

26. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the plurality of menu options are displayed on the first device and the second device using different menu graphics.

27. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein performing of an action on the first device comprises playing, pausing, stopping, fast forwarding, or rewinding the video content on the first device.