US20060288368A1 - Methods, systems, and products for sampled content - Google Patents
Methods, systems, and products for sampled content Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060288368A1 US20060288368A1 US11/213,247 US21324705A US2006288368A1 US 20060288368 A1 US20060288368 A1 US 20060288368A1 US 21324705 A US21324705 A US 21324705A US 2006288368 A1 US2006288368 A1 US 2006288368A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- content
- programming guide
- sample
- receiving
- user
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/472—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
- H04N21/4722—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 for requesting additional data associated with the content
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
- H04N21/234—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams, manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs
- H04N21/2343—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams, manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
- H04N21/23439—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams, manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements for generating different versions
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/25—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
- H04N21/258—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
- H04N21/25866—Management of end-user data
- H04N21/25891—Management of end-user data being end-user preferences
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—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
- H04N21/442—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
- H04N21/44213—Monitoring of end-user related data
- H04N21/44222—Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
- H04N21/454—Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
- H04N21/462—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
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
- H04N21/85—Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
- H04N21/854—Content authoring
- H04N21/8549—Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—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
- H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
- H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
- H04N21/4316—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
Definitions
- This application generally relates to data processing and to interactive distribution systems and, more particularly, to content sampling.
- EPGs electronic programming guides
- Current electronic programming guides are generally linear. That is, the subscribing user continuously scrolls along the electronic programming guide and views the programming available at different time slots (or “cells”).
- Digital cable or digital satellite subscribers might receive a slightly more sophisticated programming guide, but the subscriber still scrolls along the cells or watches a repeating “carrousel” loop of program offerings.
- the subscriber regardless of the type of electronic programming guide, must decipher some abbreviated phrasing that cryptically describes the program (such as the name of the program or a brief description of the subject matter). The subscriber is forced to tune to a particular program to truly determine whether the program meets the subscriber's entertainment desires.
- the aforementioned problems, and other problems, are reduced, according to the exemplary embodiments, using methods, systems, apparatuses, and products that provide sampled content for electronic programming guides.
- the exemplary embodiments allow a user to view an electronic programming guide and select content for sampling. That is, the exemplary embodiments allow the user to browse, or sample, content listed in the electronic programming guide. As the user browses the electronic programming guide, the user may wish to sample some movie, program, or other content listed in the electronic programming guide.
- the exemplary embodiments permit the user to highlight, select, or otherwise input a selection that indicates the content to be sampled.
- the exemplary embodiments deliver that sampled content to any communications address.
- the exemplary embodiments permit the user to view the sample at any communications device.
- the exemplary embodiments for example, allow the user to view the electronic programming guide on a television, while the sampled content is delivered to a communications address associated with a wireless cell phone.
- the sampled content may be additionally or alternatively delivered to any communications device, such as a computer, a personal digital assistant, and/or a remote control. The user is thus not constrained to view both the electronic programming guide and the sampled content at the same device.
- the exemplary embodiments permit the user, if the user so chooses, to “split” the sampled content from the electronic programming guide and deliver the sampled content to any communications address.
- the exemplary embodiments describe a system for providing sample content.
- the system has at least one processor for receiving a programming guide and for receiving an ancillary stream of data.
- the programming guide comprises a listing of available content
- the ancillary stream of data comprises multiple samples of content listed in the programming guide.
- a user interface receives a user input that selects a particular content from the programming guide.
- the user interface communicates the user input to the processor.
- the processor filters unselected samples of content from the ancillary stream of data to produce a sample of the selected particular content as a preview of the selected particular content.
- a method provides sample content.
- the method receives a programming guide comprising a listing of available content.
- An ancillary stream of data is received and includes samples of content listed in the programming guide.
- a user input is received that selects a particular content from the programming guide. Unselected samples of content are filtered from the ancillary stream of data to produce a sample of the selected particular content.
- the sample is processed for preview of the selected particular content.
- a computer program product also provides sampled content.
- the computer program product includes a computer-readable medium on which instructions are encoded.
- the instructions command a device to receiving a programming guide and an ancillary stream of data.
- the programming guide comprises a listing of available content
- the ancillary stream of data comprises samples of content listed in the programming guide.
- a user input is received that selects a particular content from the programming guide. Unselected samples of content are filtered from the ancillary stream of data to produce a sample of the selected particular content. The sample is processed for preview of the selected particular content.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematics illustrating a sampling application, according to the exemplary embodiments
- FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating a sample communicating to a remote control, according to more exemplary embodiments
- FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating an ancillary stream delivered to a communications device, according to even more exemplary embodiments
- FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematics illustrating various routings for the ancillary stream of data, according to more exemplary embodiments
- FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematics illustrating routings for an electronic programming guide, according to yet more exemplary embodiments.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic illustrating a preview command, according to still more exemplary embodiments.
- FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the sampling application residing in a processor-controlled system, according to even more exemplary embodiments.
- FIGS. 11-17 are schematics illustrating the sampling application operating within various communications devices, according to more exemplary embodiments.
- FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing sample content, according to still more exemplary embodiments.
- methods, systems, and products provide sample content from electronic programming guides.
- the exemplary embodiments allow a user to view an electronic programming guide and select content for sampling. That is, the exemplary embodiments allow the user to browse, or sample, content listed in the electronic programming guide. As the user browses the electronic programming guide, the user may wish to sample some movie, program, or other content listed in the electronic programming guide.
- the exemplary embodiments permit the user to highlight, select, or otherwise input a selection that indicates the content to be sampled.
- the exemplary embodiments deliver that sampled content to any communications address. That is, although the user may view the sample on a television, the exemplary embodiments permit the user to view the sample at any communications device.
- the exemplary embodiments allow the user to view the electronic programming guide on a television, while the sampled content is delivered to a communications address associated with a wireless cell phone.
- the sampled content may be additionally or alternatively delivered to any communications device, such as a computer, a personal digital assistant, and/or a remote control.
- the user is thus not constrained to view both the electronic programming guide and the sampled content at the same device.
- the exemplary embodiments permit the user, if the user so chooses, to “split” the sampled content from the electronic programming guide and deliver the sampled content to any communications address.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematics illustrating exemplary embodiments.
- a sampling application 20 is stored in memory 22 of a media device 24 . Some or all portions of the sampling application 20 may be stored in memory in a remote computer server, as will be detailed later.
- the media device 24 is generically shown, the media device 24 , as will be later explained, may be a computer, a television, a television integrated with a decoder (or set-top box), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cordless/cellular/EP phone, or any other wireline/wireless communications device.
- the media device 24 receives a programming guide, e.g., an electronic programming guide (EPG) 26 from a communications network 28 .
- EPG electronic programming guide
- the electronic programming guide 26 comprises an electronic listing of available content, such as movies, programs, music, games, or other content that is currently playing, playing at a scheduled time in the future, or available on demand for viewing at any time.
- the electronic programming guide 26 may additionally or alternatively comprise a listing of available channels and the programming available on each channel.
- the media device 24 also receives an ancillary stream 30 of data via the communications network 28 .
- the ancillary stream 30 of data comprises samples of content listed in the electronic programming guide 26 .
- the sampling application 20 provides a sample 32 , or preview, of content listed in the electronic programming guide 26 .
- FIG. 1 illustrates the sampling application 20 communicating the sample 32 to a communications device 36 .
- the sample 32 communicates via the communications network 28 to the communications address 34 associated with the communications device 36 .
- FIG. 2 is a schematic further illustrating exemplary embodiments.
- the media device 24 is shown as an integrated television 38 and decoder 40 .
- the decoder 40 may be a separate component, commonly termed a set-top box.
- a processor 42 receives the electronic programming guide 26 and the ancillary stream 30 of data. The processor then causes the electronic programming guide 26 to be visually presented via a display device 44 . As a subscriber browses the electronic programming guide 26 , the subscriber can preview content.
- the processor 42 receives a subscriber input that selects a particular content from the electronic programming guide 26 . The subscriber, for example, places an on-screen cursor 46 over listed content.
- the sampling application 20 filters and processes the ancillary stream 30 of data to produce the sample 32 of the content listed in the electronic programming guide 26 . How the sampling application filters and processes the ancillary stream 30 of data is described in more detail in the commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 11/156,190 (Attorney Docket BS040438), filed Jun. 17, 2005 and entitled “Methods, Systems, and Products for Providing Sample Content,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
- the sampling application 20 then communicates the sample 32 .
- the sampling application 20 includes computer code that instructs the processor 42 to communicate the sample 32 to any communications address 34 the user specifies.
- the processor 42 may communicate with one or more communications interfaces or transceivers 48 that permit access to the communications network 28 .
- the sample 32 is communicated via the communications network 28 to the communications address (shown as reference numeral 34 in FIG. 1 ) associated with the communications device 36 .
- FIG. 2 illustrates the communications device 36 as a wireless phone 50 .
- the wireless phone 50 includes an auxiliary processor 52 communicating with an auxiliary transceiver 54 and with a display 56 .
- the auxiliary transceiver 54 wirelessly receives the sample 32 , and the auxiliary processor 54 processes the sample 32 into a video signal.
- That video signal is communicated to the display 56 .
- the display 56 visually presents the video signal as a preview 58 of the selected particular content. If the communications device 36 includes audio processing circuitry 60 , audio portions of the received sample 32 are processed and audibly presented as audible, sampled content.
- FIG. 2 shows the cursor 46 hovering over the particular content “True Grit.”
- the sampling application 20 filters and processes the ancillary stream 30 of data to produce the sample 32 of the content “True Grit.”
- the sampling application 20 may produce an actual video clip and/or any descriptive information describing the content “True Grit” (such as actors/actresses, director/producer, duration, start/stop times, ratings, textual description, and other information that describes the movie).
- the sample 32 routes via the communications network 28 to the communications address associated with the wireless phone 50 .
- the wireless phone 50 receives, processes, and displays the sample 32 as the preview 58 of the movie “True Grit.”
- the user of the wireless phone 50 may watch/listen to the preview 58 and decide if the particular content satisfies the user's expectations. If the user chooses, instead, to sample other content, the user moves the on-screen cursor 46 and selects other listed content to similarly experience other samples.
- the communications network 28 may have any configuration.
- the communications network 28 may be a cable network operating in the radio-frequency domain and/or the Internet Protocol (IP) domain.
- IP Internet Protocol
- the communications network 32 may also include coaxial cables, copper wires, fiber optic lines, and/or hybrid-coaxial lines.
- the communications network 28 may be a distributed computing network, such as the Internet (sometimes alternatively known as the “World Wide Web”), an intranet, a local-area network (LAN), and/or a wide-area network (WAN).
- the communications network 32 may even include wireless portions utilizing any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and any signaling standard (such as the I.E.E.E. 802 family of standards, GSM/CDMA/TDMA or any cellular standard, and/or the ISM band).
- the preview 58 displayed at the wireless phone 50 , may have any resolution.
- the typically small screen area of the display 56 facilitates a low resolution sample to suit the display 56 .
- An even lower resolution sample could be communicated that occupies a smaller portion of the viewable area of the display 56 .
- Any resolution in fact, may be communicated that allows the user to decide whether the particular content satisfies the user's expectations.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic further illustrating exemplary embodiments.
- the sample 32 is communicated to a remote control 62 .
- the remote control 62 is another of the communications devices 36 that may receive the sample 32 .
- the remote control 62 operates to remotely control the media device 24 (still shown as the integrated television 38 and decoder 40 ).
- the remote control 62 may remotely control additional devices or alternatively control other devices.
- the remote control 62 is associated with the communications address 34 , so the sample 32 communicates from the sampling application 20 via the communications network 28 .
- the remote control 62 receives the sample 32 .
- the remote control 62 includes the auxiliary processor 52 communicating with the auxiliary transceiver 54 .
- the auxiliary processor 52 and the auxiliary transceiver 54 are tailored to suit the needs and functions of the remote control 62 .
- the auxiliary transceiver 54 wirelessly receives the sample 32 , and the auxiliary processor 54 processes the sample 32 as a video signal.
- the remote control 62 may also include the display 56 , and the display 56 visually presents the video signal as the preview 58 of the selected particular content. If the remote control 62 includes the audio processing circuitry 60 , audio portions of the received sample 32 are processed and audibly presented as audible, sampled content.
- FIG. 3 illustrates how a user may preview content at the remote control 62 .
- the sampling application 20 filters and processes the ancillary stream 30 of data to produce the sample 32 of the content “True Grit.”
- the sample 32 routes via the communications network 28 to the remote control 62 .
- the remote control 62 receives, processes, and displays the sample 32 on the display 56 as the preview 58 of the movie “True Grit.”
- the user observes the electronic programming guide 26 on the media device 24 (e.g., the television 38 ), while the user observes the preview 58 at the remote control 62 . If the preview 58 of “True Grit” does not satisfy the user, the user may move the on-screen cursor 46 and select other listed content for sampling.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating the ancillary stream 30 being delivered to the communications device 36 , according to more exemplary embodiments.
- the electronic programming guide 26 is delivered to the media device 24 (e.g., the television 38 ), while the ancillary stream 30 of data is delivered to the communications device 36 .
- the communications device 36 is shown as the wireless phone 50 .
- the ancillary stream 30 of data comprises samples of content listed in the electronic programming guide 26 . So, here, while the user views the electronic programming guide 26 on the media device 24 (such as the television 38 in FIGS. 2 and 3 ), the samples are separately delivered to the user's wireless phone 50 .
- the user views the electronic programming guide 26 on the television, while the samples are delivered and viewed on the user's wireless phone 50 .
- This exemplary embodiment allows the user to preview content at the wireless phone 50 .
- the wireless phone 50 is only one example of the communications devices that the user may use to remotely preview samples of content.
- the sampling application 20 may be stored in the memory 22 of the media device 24 .
- a companion sampling application 70 may be stored in memory 72 of the communications device 36 .
- the sampling application 20 and the companion sampling application 70 may have the same or different computer code, but they cooperate together and/or communicate between each other.
- the media device 24 receives the electronic programming guide 26 via the communications network 28 , while the ancillary stream 30 of data is communicated via the communications network 28 to the communications device 36 .
- the communications device 36 receives the ancillary stream 30 of data.
- FIG. 4 illustrates the communications device 36 as the wireless phone 50 .
- the wireless phone 50 includes the auxiliary processor 52 communicating with the auxiliary transceiver 54 and with the display 56 .
- the auxiliary transceiver 54 wirelessly receives the ancillary stream 30 of data, and the ancillary stream 30 of data communicates to the auxiliary processor 52 .
- the sampling application 20 communicates that user input 74 to the communications address associated with the wireless phone 50 .
- the user input 74 is received by the wireless phone 50 , and the companion sampling application 70 filters and processes the ancillary stream 30 of data to produce a sample of the content selected by the user from the electronic programming guide 26 .
- the auxiliary processor 52 then processes the sample as a video signal, and the display 56 visually presents the video signal as the preview 58 of the selected content.
- the user places or hovers the cursor 46 above the content “True Grit” shown in the electronic programming guide 26 , a preview of the movie appears on the display 56 at the wireless phone 50 . If the user wishes to preview other content, the user need only move the cursor 46 and select other listed content for sampling.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematics illustrating various routings for the ancillary stream 30 of data, according to more exemplary embodiments.
- the ancillary stream 30 of data communicates via the communications network 28 to the communications device 36 (e.g., the wireless phone 50 ).
- FIG. 5 illustrates that the ancillary stream 30 of data may be routed from a service provider's server 76 to the communications device 36 .
- the service provider's server 76 may even store and execute a second companion sampling application 78 , and the second companion sampling application 78 cooperates with, and/or communicates with, the sampling application 20 and the companion sampling application 70 .
- the service provider 80 routes the electronic programming guide to the media device (shown, respectively, as reference numerals 26 and 24 in FIG. 4 ), while the service provider 80 routes ancillary stream 30 of data to the communications address associated with the communications device 36 (e.g., the wireless phone 50 ).
- FIG. 6 illustrates another routing.
- the ancillary stream 30 of data routes to the media device 24 , and the media device 24 then forwards the ancillary stream 30 of data to the communications device 36 .
- the service provider 80 routes both the electronic programming guide 26 and the ancillary stream 30 of data to the media device 24 .
- the media device 24 then forwards the ancillary stream 30 of data to the communications device 36 .
- the sampling application 20 operating in the media device 24 , may include code that instructs the processor 42 to process, condition, or otherwise alter the ancillary stream 30 of data to suit the hardware and/or communication medium between the media device 24 and the communications device 36 .
- the sampling application 20 may alter a resolution or bit rate to compensate for bandwidth limitations.
- FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematics illustrating alternative routings for the electronic programming guide 26 , according to yet more exemplary embodiments.
- FIG. 7 illustrates that the electronic programming guide 26 may be directly routed from the service provider's server 76 to the communications device 36 .
- the service provider 80 routes the electronic programming guide to the communications address associated with the communications device 36 (e.g., the wireless phone 50 ).
- the second companion sampling application 78 operating in the server 76 , may include code that processes, conditions, or otherwise alters the electronic programming guide 26 to suit the hardware capabilities and/or the communication medium between the server 76 and the communications device 36 .
- the second companion sampling application 78 may alter the resolution or the bit rate of the electronic programming guide 26 to compensate for bandwidth limitations.
- FIG. 8 illustrates yet another routing.
- the electronic programming guide 26 routes to the media device 24 , and the media device 24 then forwards the electronic programming guide 26 to the communications device 36 .
- the sampling application 20 operating in the media device 24 , may include code that instructs the processor 42 to process, condition, or otherwise alter the electronic programming guide 26 to suit the hardware and/or communication medium between the media device 24 and the communications device 36 .
- the media device 24 and the communications device 36 communicate via an RF or infrared link (or any other portion of the electromagnetic spectrum), and the sampling application 20 conditions the electronic programming guide 26 to suit the bandwidth capabilities (or “bottlenecks”) of this link.
- the exemplary embodiments may compensate for communications bottlenecks. If any portion of the communications network 28 experiences a bandwidth bottleneck, the exemplary embodiments may process the electronic programming guide 26 and/or the ancillary stream 30 of data to account for this bottleneck. If, for example, the communications network 28 utilizes a wireless I.E.E.E. 802 portion, the permissible bit rate over this wireless link may be slower than higher bandwidth portions of the communications network 28 . The exemplary embodiments, then, may reduce bit rates to compensate for this bottleneck. The exemplary embodiments may also compensate or tailor for hardware capabilities, such as the screen size of the display 56 of the communications device 36 . Should the display 56 require a low resolution video signal, then the exemplary embodiments can tailor electronic programming guide 26 and/or the ancillary stream 30 of data to suit the display 56 capabilities.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic illustrating a preview command, according to still more exemplary embodiments.
- the user may wish to take some action involving the previewed content.
- the user is previewing the movie “True Grit” on the display 56 of the wireless phone 50 .
- the user may wish to view the preview 58 at another destination having a larger display.
- the exemplary embodiments then, allow the user to redirect or transfer the preview 58 to any destination.
- the exemplary embodiments allow the user to issue recording commands.
- the exemplary embodiments also allow the user to share the preview 58 with friends and family, simply by entering additional communications addresses or destinations.
- FIG. 9 illustrates a command menu 90 .
- the command menu 90 is a graphical user interface that presents options to the user.
- the command menu 90 is invoked by a command or keypad sequence entered via the communications device 36 (in this example, the wireless phone 50 has a keypad 92 , and the user enters a key sequence on the keypad 92 ).
- the command menu 90 may also be invoked using the sampling application 20 at the media device 24 .
- FIG. 9 shows the command menu 90 displayed on the display 56 of the communications device 36 , although the command menu 90 may also be displayed at some other destination (such as at the television 38 shown in FIG. 2 ). While FIG. 9 shows the command menu 90 enlarged for clarity, the command menu 90 could be a tile or window appearing along with the preview 58 .
- the command menu 90 visually and/or audibly presents options.
- the user may desire to record the preview 58 or the entire content.
- the command menu 90 may include a record command button 94 that permits recording the sample 32 .
- the command menu 90 may prompt the user to choose a storage destination. That is, the sample 32 may be locally stored on memory of the communications device 36 (such as the wireless phone 50 ).
- the sample 32 may also be stored in memory of the media device 24 , and/or the sample 32 may be remotely stored at any destination accessible via the communications network 28 .
- the user may also wish to store the entire content (e.g., the user may wish to store the video preview of “True Grit” and/or the entire movie).
- the entire content file may be locally or remotely stored, in much the same way as the sample 32 .
- the user may also choose to redirect the sample 32 .
- the communications device 36 may have a small display screen, monochromatic color capabilities, or limited audio/video capabilities, the user may wish to view the preview 58 at another destination.
- the wireless phone 50 typically has a small screen size, so the user may wish to redirect the sample 32 to some other destination.
- the command menu 90 may include a redirect command button 96 that permits redirecting the sample 32 to another destination.
- the redirect command button 96 instructs the sampling application 20 , operating in the media device 24 , to redirect or transfer the sample 32 to another destination.
- the command menu 90 may prompt the user to input one or more communications addresses associated with an alternate destination.
- the communications device 36 (e.g., the wireless phone 50 ) sends a message to the sampling application 20 , and the message instructs the sampling application 20 to redirect the sample 32 to the chosen destination.
- the command menu 90 may also visually or audibly present a sub-menu that lists recently or frequently selected destinations, and the user may select an alternate destination from the list.
- the sample 32 may also be shared. Perhaps the user would like other people to view the preview 58 to ensure the content meets a group's expectations. The user may wish that friends also view the preview 58 .
- the command menu 90 may include a share command button 98 , and the share command button 98 permits the user to share the sample 32 with other destinations.
- the command menu 90 may prompt the user to input one or more communications addresses associated with the shared recipients.
- the communications device 36 e.g., the wireless phone 50
- sends a message to the sampling application 20 and the message instructs the sampling application 20 to send copies of the sample 32 to the shared recipient's communications address.
- the command menu 90 may also visually or audibly present a sub-menu that lists recently or frequently selected shared destinations, and the user may select a shared destination from the list.
- FIG. 10 depicts another possible operating environment for the exemplary embodiments.
- FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the sampling application 20 residing in a processor-controlled system 150 (such as the media device 24 or the communications device 36 ).
- FIG. 10 may also represent a block diagram of any computer or communications device in which the sampling application 20 may operate.
- the sampling application 20 operates within a system memory device.
- the sampling application 20 for example, is shown residing in a memory subsystem 152 .
- the sampling application 20 could also reside in flash memory 154 or peripheral storage device 156 .
- the computer system 150 also has one or more central processors 158 executing an operating system.
- the operating system as is well known, has a set of instructions that control the internal functions of the computer system 150 .
- a system bus 160 communicates signals, such as data signals, control signals, and address signals, between the central processor 158 and a system controller 162 .
- the system controller 162 provides a bridging function between the one or more central processors 158 , a graphics subsystem 164 , the memory subsystem 152 , and a PCI (Peripheral Controller Interface) bus 166 .
- the PCI bus 166 is controlled by a Peripheral Bus Controller 168 .
- the Peripheral Bus Controller 168 is an integrated circuit that serves as an input/output hub for various peripheral ports.
- peripheral ports could include, for example, a keyboard port 170 , a mouse port 172 , a serial port 174 , and/or a parallel port 176 for a video display unit, one or more external device ports 178 , and networking ports 180 (such as USB, SCSI, or Ethernet).
- the Peripheral Bus Controller 168 could also include an audio subsystem 182 .
- One example of the central processor 158 is a microprocessor.
- Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. manufactures a full line of ATHLONTM microprocessors (ATHLONTM is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., One AMD Place, P.O. Box 3453, Sunnyvale, Calif. 94088-3453, 408.732.2400, 800.538.8450, www.amd.com).
- the Intel Corporation also manufactures a family of X86 and P86 microprocessors (Intel Corporation, 2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, Calif. 95052-8119, 408.765.8080, www.intel.com).
- Other manufacturers also offer microprocessors. Such other manufacturers include Motorola, Inc. (1303 East Algonquin Road, P.O.
- any of the WINDOWS® (WINDOWS® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond Wash. 98052-6399, 425.882.8080, www.Microsoft.com) operating systems may be used.
- Other operating systems are also suitable.
- Such other operating systems would include the UNIX® operating system (UNIX® is a registered trademark of the Open Source Group, www.opensource.org), the UNIX-based Linux operating system, WINDOWS NT®, and Mac® OS (Mac® is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, Calif. 95014, 408.996.1010, www.apple.com).
- UNIX® is a registered trademark of the Open Source Group, www.opensource.org
- Mac® is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, Calif. 95014, 408.996.1010, www.apple.com.
- Mac® is
- the system memory device may also contain an application program.
- the application program cooperates with the operating system and with a video display unit (via the serial port 174 and/or the parallel port 176 ) to provide a Graphical User Interface (GUI).
- GUI Graphical User Interface
- the Graphical User Interface typically includes a combination of signals communicated along the keyboard port 170 and the mouse port 172 .
- the Graphical User Interface provides a convenient visual and/or audible interface with a subscriber of the computer system 150 .
- FIG. 11 is a schematic illustrating still more exemplary embodiments.
- FIG. 11 illustrates that the sampling application 20 may alternatively or additionally operate within various other communications devices 36 .
- FIG. 11 illustrates that the sampling application 20 may entirely or partially operate within a personal digital assistant (PDA) 200 , a Global Positioning System (GPS) device 202 , an interactive television 204 , an Internet Protocol (IP) phone 206 , a pager 208 , a cellular/satellite phone 210 , or any computer system and/or communications device utilizing a digital signal processor (DSP) 212 .
- the communications device 36 may also include watches, radios, vehicle electronics, clocks, printers, media devices, and other apparatuses and systems.
- FIGS. 12-14 are schematics further illustrating various other communications devices for providing sample content, according to the exemplary embodiments.
- FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a Subscriber Identity Module 220
- FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate, respectively, the Subscriber Identity Module 220 embodied in a plug 222 and the Subscriber Identity Module 220 embodied in a card 224 .
- the Subscriber Identity Module 220 may be used in conjunction with many communications devices (such as the wireless phone 50 shown in FIG. 2 or the remote control 62 shown in FIG. 3 ).
- the Subscriber Identity Module 220 stores subscriber information (such as the subscriber's International Mobile Subscriber Identity, the subscriber's K i number, and other subscriber information), perhaps the subscriber's profile (shown as reference numeral 108 ), and any portion of the sampling application 20 .
- subscriber information such as the subscriber's International Mobile Subscriber Identity, the subscriber's K i number, and other subscriber information
- the plug 222 and the card 224 each interface with the communications device according to GSM Standards 2.17 and 11.11 and ISO Standard 7816, with each incorporated herein by reference.
- the GSM Standard 2.17 is formally known as “European digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 1); Subscriber Identity Modules, Functional Characteristics (GSM 02.17 V3.2.0 (1995 January)).”
- the GSM Standard 11.11 is formally known as “Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+) (GSM); Specification of the Subscriber Identity Module—Mobile Equipment ( Subscriber Identity Module—ME ) interface (GSM 11.11 V5.3.0 (1996 July)).”
- GSM Digital cellular telecommunications system
- GSM 11.11 Specification of the Subscriber Identity Module—Mobile Equipment ( Subscriber Identity Module—ME ) interface
- Both GSM standards are available from the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (650 route des Lucioles, 06921 Sophia-Antipolis Cedex, FRANCE, Tel.: +33 (0)4 92 94 42 00, Fax: +33 (0)4 93 65 47 16, www.etsi.org).
- the ISO Standard 7816 is formally known as “ Information technology—Identification cards—Integrated circuit ( s ) cards with contacts,” and the standard is available from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (1, rue de Varembé, Case postale 56CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, Telephone +41 22 749 01 11, Telefax +41 22 733 34 30, www.iso.org).
- ISO International Organization for Standardization
- FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the Subscriber Identity Module 220 , whether embodied as the plug 222 of FIG. 13 or as the card 224 of FIG. 14 .
- the Subscriber Identity Module 220 comprises a processor 226 ( ⁇ P) communicating with memory modules 228 via a data bus 230 .
- the memory modules may include Read Only Memory (ROM) 232 , Random Access Memory (RAM) and or flash memory 234 , and Electrically Erasable-Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) 236 .
- the Subscriber Identity Module 220 stores some or all of the sampling application 20 in one or more of the memory modules 228 .
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the Subscriber Identity Module 220 , whether embodied as the plug 222 of FIG. 13 or as the card 224 of FIG. 14 .
- the Subscriber Identity Module 220 comprises a processor 226 ( ⁇ P) communicating with memory modules 228 via a data bus 230 .
- the memory modules may include Read Only Memory (ROM) 232
- An Input/Output module 238 handles communication between the Subscriber Identity Module 220 and the media device. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, there are many suitable ways for implementing the operation and physical/memory structure of the Subscriber Identity Module.
- the reader desires more information on the Subscriber Identity Module, the reader is directed to the following sources: L AWRENCE H ARTE et al., GSM S UPERPHONES 99-100, 113-14 (1999); S IEGMUND R EDL et al., GSM AND P ERSONAL C OMMUNICATIONS H ANDBOOK 303-69 (1998); and J OACHIM T ISAL, GSM C ELLULAR R ADIO T ELEPHONY 99-130 (1997), with each incorporated herein by reference.
- FIG. 15 is a schematic further illustrating various communications devices for providing sample content, according to the exemplary embodiments.
- FIG. 15 is a block diagram of another communications device 250 utilizing any portion of the sampling application 20 .
- the communications device 250 comprises a transceiver unit 252 , an antenna 254 , a digital baseband chipset 256 , and a man/machine interface (MMI) 258 .
- the transceiver unit 252 includes transmitter circuitry 260 and receiver circuitry 262 for receiving and transmitting radio-frequency (RF) signals.
- the transceiver unit 252 couples to the antenna 254 for converting electrical current to and from electromagnetic waves.
- the digital baseband chipset 256 contains a digital signal processor (DSP) 264 and performs signal processing functions for audio (voice) signals and RF signals. As FIG. 15 shows, the digital baseband chipset 256 may also include an on-board microprocessor 266 that interacts with the man/machine interface (MMI) 258 .
- the man/machine interface (MMI) 258 may comprise a display device 268 , a keypad 270 , and the Subscriber Identity Module 220 .
- the on-board processor 266 performs GSM protocol functions and control functions for the radio circuitry 260 and 262 , for the display device 268 , and for the keypad 270 .
- the on-board processor 266 may also interface with the Subscriber Identity Module 220 and with the sampling application 20 residing in the memory module 228 of the Subscriber Identity Module 220 .
- the on-board processor 266 may also interface with the Subscriber Identity Module 220 and with the sampling application 20 residing in the memory module 228 of the Subscriber Identity Module 220 .
- FIGS. 12-15 illustrate a Global System for Mobile (GSM) media device. That is, the communications device utilizes the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications signaling standard.
- GSM Global System for Mobile
- FIGS. 12-15 illustrate a Global System for Mobile (GSM) media device. That is, the communications device utilizes the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications signaling standard.
- GSM Global System for Mobile
- the sampling application 20 is equally applicable to any media device utilizing the Time Division Multiple Access signaling standard, the Code Division Multiple Access signaling standard, the “dual-mode” GSM-ANSI Interoperability Team (GAIT) signaling standard, or any variant of the GSM/CDMA/TDMA signaling standard.
- GSM Global System for Mobile
- FIG. 16 is a block diagram further illustrating the communications device 36 , according to yet more of the exemplary embodiments.
- the communications device 36 is shown as a digital high definition television (HDTV) system 300 .
- HDTV digital high definition television
- the television may include an encoder/decoder, such as an embedded set-top box.
- the term “television,” however, may encompass a stand-alone set-top box that is a separate component from the television.
- the television may also utilize any display device technology, such as a cathode-ray, a liquid crystal, a diode, digital micromirror, light processor, or plasma.
- the content sharing application 22 may be stored in any memory location or device in the television 16 .
- FIG. 16 is only a simplified block diagram. The operating and engineering principles are already known in the art and will not be repeated here. If, however, the reader desires more information on the television, the reader is directed to the following sources: M ICHEAL R OBIN & M ICHEL P OULIN, D IGITAL T ELEVISION F UNDAMENTALS (2000); J ERRY W HITAKER AND B LAIR B ENSON, V IDEO AND T ELEVISION E NGINEERING (2003); J ERRY W HITAKER, DTV H ANDBOOK (2001); J ERRY W HITAKER, DTV: T HE R EVOLUTION IN E LECTRONIC I MAGING (1998); and E DWARD M. S CHWALB, I TV H ANDBOOK: T ECHNOLOGIES AND S TANDARDS (2004), with each incorporated herein by reference.
- FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the remote control 62 shown in FIG. 3 , according to even more exemplary embodiments.
- the remote control 22 includes the auxiliary processor 52 interfacing with the display 56 and with a keypad 330 .
- the processor 52 also interfaces with the auxiliary transceiver 54 to wirelessly send control signals to the media device (shown as reference numeral 24 in FIG. 1 ).
- the remote control 62 includes means 340 for audibly presenting the sample (shown as reference numeral 32 in FIG. 1-3 and 9 ).
- the means 340 for audibly presenting the sample may include a speaker, a piezoelectric element, and/or any other device that emits sounds.
- the remote control 62 may also include a video encoder/decoder 350 for decoding video signals and a media player 360 for executing media files.
- the remote control 62 may include camera circuitry 360 for capturing digital images and video (such as still photos, movies, and video calls).
- a web browser 370 may be stored in memory 380 , and the web browser 370 allows navigation of local and remote content destinations. While the processor 52 is shown as a component distinct from the other components in FIG. 17 , it should be appreciated that the processor and one or more of the components shown in FIG. 17 may be integrated within the same component.
- FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing sample content, according to still more exemplary embodiments.
- An electronic programming guide comprising a listing of available content
- An ancillary stream of data is also received, and the ancillary stream of data comprises samples of content listed in the electronic programming guide (Block 402 ).
- the ancillary stream of data may comprise samples of all available content listed in the electronic programming guide (Block 404 ).
- the ancillary stream of data may comprise samples of a subset of available content listed in the electronic programming guide (Block 406 ).
- the ancillary stream of data may comprise samples of content matching a profile of the user (Block 408 ).
- a user input is received that selects a particular content from the electronic programming guide (Block 410 ). Unselected samples of content are filtered from the ancillary stream of data to produce a sample of the selected particular content (Block 412 ). The sample is processed into a video signal at a communications device (Block 414 ). The video signal is displayed, thus producing the preview of the selected particular content (Block 416 ).
- the sampling application may be physically embodied on or in a computer-readable medium.
- This computer-readable medium may include CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, memory card, and large-capacity disk (such as IOMEGA®, ZIP®, JAZZ®, and other large-capacity memory products (IOMEGA®, ZIP®, and JAZZ® are registered trademarks of Iomega Corporation, 1821 W. Iomega Way, Roy, Utah 84067, 801.332.1000, www.iomega.com).
- This computer-readable medium, or media could be distributed to end-subscribers, licensees, and assignees.
- the sampling application may be physically embodied on or in any addressable (e.g., HTTP, I.E.E.E. 802.11, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)) wireless device capable of presenting an IP address.
- addressable e.g., HTTP, I.E.E.E. 802.11, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
- Examples could include a computer, a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), an Internet Protocol mobile phone, or a wireless pager.
Abstract
Methods, systems, apparatuses, devices, and products provide sampled content. One such method receives a programming guide comprising a listing of available content. An ancillary stream of data is received and includes samples of content listed in the programming guide. A user input is received that selects a particular content from the programming guide. Unselected samples of content are filtered from the ancillary stream of data to produce a sample of the selected particular content. The sample is processed for preview of the selected particular content.
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of the commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 11/156,190 (Attorney Docket BS040438), filed Jun. 17, 2005 and entitled “Methods, Systems, and Products for Providing Sample Content,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
- A portion of this disclosure and its figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
- This application generally relates to data processing and to interactive distribution systems and, more particularly, to content sampling.
- Interactive distribution of content is currently achieved using programming guides, e.g., electronic programming guides (EPGs). Current electronic programming guides are generally linear. That is, the subscribing user continuously scrolls along the electronic programming guide and views the programming available at different time slots (or “cells”). Digital cable or digital satellite subscribers might receive a slightly more sophisticated programming guide, but the subscriber still scrolls along the cells or watches a repeating “carrousel” loop of program offerings. The subscriber, regardless of the type of electronic programming guide, must decipher some abbreviated phrasing that cryptically describes the program (such as the name of the program or a brief description of the subject matter). The subscriber is forced to tune to a particular program to truly determine whether the program meets the subscriber's entertainment desires.
- What is needed, however, are improved methods, systems, devices, and products for providing a user with a fuller description of a particular program, thus helping the subscriber gain a better understanding of the subject matter of the program. Ideally, the subscriber would also be provided with a sample of the content, e.g., a video sample of some or all of the listed programs in a programming guide.
- The aforementioned problems, and other problems, are reduced, according to the exemplary embodiments, using methods, systems, apparatuses, and products that provide sampled content for electronic programming guides. The exemplary embodiments allow a user to view an electronic programming guide and select content for sampling. That is, the exemplary embodiments allow the user to browse, or sample, content listed in the electronic programming guide. As the user browses the electronic programming guide, the user may wish to sample some movie, program, or other content listed in the electronic programming guide. The exemplary embodiments permit the user to highlight, select, or otherwise input a selection that indicates the content to be sampled. The exemplary embodiments, however, deliver that sampled content to any communications address. That is, although the user may view the sample on a television, the exemplary embodiments permit the user to view the sample at any communications device. The exemplary embodiments, for example, allow the user to view the electronic programming guide on a television, while the sampled content is delivered to a communications address associated with a wireless cell phone. As the following paragraphs explain, the sampled content may be additionally or alternatively delivered to any communications device, such as a computer, a personal digital assistant, and/or a remote control. The user is thus not constrained to view both the electronic programming guide and the sampled content at the same device. The exemplary embodiments permit the user, if the user so chooses, to “split” the sampled content from the electronic programming guide and deliver the sampled content to any communications address.
- The exemplary embodiments describe a system for providing sample content. The system has at least one processor for receiving a programming guide and for receiving an ancillary stream of data. The programming guide comprises a listing of available content, and the ancillary stream of data comprises multiple samples of content listed in the programming guide. A user interface receives a user input that selects a particular content from the programming guide. The user interface communicates the user input to the processor. The processor filters unselected samples of content from the ancillary stream of data to produce a sample of the selected particular content as a preview of the selected particular content.
- In another of the embodiments, a method provides sample content. The method receives a programming guide comprising a listing of available content. An ancillary stream of data is received and includes samples of content listed in the programming guide. A user input is received that selects a particular content from the programming guide. Unselected samples of content are filtered from the ancillary stream of data to produce a sample of the selected particular content. The sample is processed for preview of the selected particular content.
- In yet another embodiment, a computer program product also provides sampled content. The computer program product includes a computer-readable medium on which instructions are encoded. The instructions command a device to receiving a programming guide and an ancillary stream of data. The programming guide comprises a listing of available content, and the ancillary stream of data comprises samples of content listed in the programming guide. A user input is received that selects a particular content from the programming guide. Unselected samples of content are filtered from the ancillary stream of data to produce a sample of the selected particular content. The sample is processed for preview of the selected particular content.
- Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to the exemplary embodiments will be or become apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computer program products be included within this description, be within the scope of the claims, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
- These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematics illustrating a sampling application, according to the exemplary embodiments; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating a sample communicating to a remote control, according to more exemplary embodiments; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating an ancillary stream delivered to a communications device, according to even more exemplary embodiments; -
FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematics illustrating various routings for the ancillary stream of data, according to more exemplary embodiments; -
FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematics illustrating routings for an electronic programming guide, according to yet more exemplary embodiments; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic illustrating a preview command, according to still more exemplary embodiments; -
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the sampling application residing in a processor-controlled system, according to even more exemplary embodiments; -
FIGS. 11-17 are schematics illustrating the sampling application operating within various communications devices, according to more exemplary embodiments; and -
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing sample content, according to still more exemplary embodiments. - The exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
- Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating the exemplary embodiments. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named manufacturer.
- According to exemplary embodiments, methods, systems, and products provide sample content from electronic programming guides. The exemplary embodiments allow a user to view an electronic programming guide and select content for sampling. That is, the exemplary embodiments allow the user to browse, or sample, content listed in the electronic programming guide. As the user browses the electronic programming guide, the user may wish to sample some movie, program, or other content listed in the electronic programming guide. The exemplary embodiments permit the user to highlight, select, or otherwise input a selection that indicates the content to be sampled. The exemplary embodiments, however, deliver that sampled content to any communications address. That is, although the user may view the sample on a television, the exemplary embodiments permit the user to view the sample at any communications device. The exemplary embodiments, for example, allow the user to view the electronic programming guide on a television, while the sampled content is delivered to a communications address associated with a wireless cell phone. As the following paragraphs explain, the sampled content may be additionally or alternatively delivered to any communications device, such as a computer, a personal digital assistant, and/or a remote control. The user is thus not constrained to view both the electronic programming guide and the sampled content at the same device. The exemplary embodiments permit the user, if the user so chooses, to “split” the sampled content from the electronic programming guide and deliver the sampled content to any communications address.
-
FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematics illustrating exemplary embodiments. According to one embodiment, asampling application 20 is stored inmemory 22 of amedia device 24. Some or all portions of thesampling application 20 may be stored in memory in a remote computer server, as will be detailed later. Although themedia device 24 is generically shown, themedia device 24, as will be later explained, may be a computer, a television, a television integrated with a decoder (or set-top box), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cordless/cellular/EP phone, or any other wireline/wireless communications device. Themedia device 24 receives a programming guide, e.g., an electronic programming guide (EPG) 26 from acommunications network 28. Theelectronic programming guide 26 comprises an electronic listing of available content, such as movies, programs, music, games, or other content that is currently playing, playing at a scheduled time in the future, or available on demand for viewing at any time. Theelectronic programming guide 26 may additionally or alternatively comprise a listing of available channels and the programming available on each channel. It should be appreciated that the programming guide received by themedia device 24 is not limited to an EPG but may be any other type of programming guide. Themedia device 24 also receives anancillary stream 30 of data via thecommunications network 28. Theancillary stream 30 of data comprises samples of content listed in theelectronic programming guide 26. As the following paragraphs further explain, thesampling application 20 provides asample 32, or preview, of content listed in theelectronic programming guide 26. That is, as a user reviews theelectronic programming guide 26, thesampling application 20 processes theancillary stream 30 of data to provide apreview 32 of content listed in theelectronic programming guide 26. Thesampling application 20 then communicates thatsample 32 or preview to anycommunications address 34 the user specifies.FIG. 1 , for example, illustrates thesampling application 20 communicating thesample 32 to acommunications device 36. Thesample 32 communicates via thecommunications network 28 to the communications address 34 associated with thecommunications device 36. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic further illustrating exemplary embodiments. Here themedia device 24 is shown as anintegrated television 38 anddecoder 40. Thedecoder 40, however, may be a separate component, commonly termed a set-top box. Aprocessor 42 receives theelectronic programming guide 26 and theancillary stream 30 of data. The processor then causes theelectronic programming guide 26 to be visually presented via adisplay device 44. As a subscriber browses theelectronic programming guide 26, the subscriber can preview content. Theprocessor 42 receives a subscriber input that selects a particular content from theelectronic programming guide 26. The subscriber, for example, places an on-screen cursor 46 over listed content. Thesampling application 20 filters and processes theancillary stream 30 of data to produce thesample 32 of the content listed in theelectronic programming guide 26. How the sampling application filters and processes theancillary stream 30 of data is described in more detail in the commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 11/156,190 (Attorney Docket BS040438), filed Jun. 17, 2005 and entitled “Methods, Systems, and Products for Providing Sample Content,” which is incorporated herein by reference. - The
sampling application 20 then communicates thesample 32. Thesampling application 20 includes computer code that instructs theprocessor 42 to communicate thesample 32 to anycommunications address 34 the user specifies. Theprocessor 42 may communicate with one or more communications interfaces ortransceivers 48 that permit access to thecommunications network 28. Thesample 32 is communicated via thecommunications network 28 to the communications address (shown asreference numeral 34 inFIG. 1 ) associated with thecommunications device 36.FIG. 2 , for example, illustrates thecommunications device 36 as awireless phone 50. Thewireless phone 50 includes anauxiliary processor 52 communicating with anauxiliary transceiver 54 and with adisplay 56. Theauxiliary transceiver 54 wirelessly receives thesample 32, and theauxiliary processor 54 processes thesample 32 into a video signal. That video signal is communicated to thedisplay 56. Thedisplay 56 visually presents the video signal as apreview 58 of the selected particular content. If thecommunications device 36 includesaudio processing circuitry 60, audio portions of the receivedsample 32 are processed and audibly presented as audible, sampled content. -
FIG. 2 , for example, shows thecursor 46 hovering over the particular content “True Grit.” Thesampling application 20 filters and processes theancillary stream 30 of data to produce thesample 32 of the content “True Grit.” Thesampling application 20 may produce an actual video clip and/or any descriptive information describing the content “True Grit” (such as actors/actresses, director/producer, duration, start/stop times, ratings, textual description, and other information that describes the movie). Thesample 32 routes via thecommunications network 28 to the communications address associated with thewireless phone 50. Thewireless phone 50 receives, processes, and displays thesample 32 as thepreview 58 of the movie “True Grit.” The user of thewireless phone 50 may watch/listen to thepreview 58 and decide if the particular content satisfies the user's expectations. If the user chooses, instead, to sample other content, the user moves the on-screen cursor 46 and selects other listed content to similarly experience other samples. - The
communications network 28 may have any configuration. Thecommunications network 28, for example, may be a cable network operating in the radio-frequency domain and/or the Internet Protocol (IP) domain. Thecommunications network 32, however, may also include coaxial cables, copper wires, fiber optic lines, and/or hybrid-coaxial lines. Thecommunications network 28 may be a distributed computing network, such as the Internet (sometimes alternatively known as the “World Wide Web”), an intranet, a local-area network (LAN), and/or a wide-area network (WAN). Thecommunications network 32 may even include wireless portions utilizing any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and any signaling standard (such as the I.E.E.E. 802 family of standards, GSM/CDMA/TDMA or any cellular standard, and/or the ISM band). - The
preview 58, displayed at thewireless phone 50, may have any resolution. The typically small screen area of thedisplay 56, however, facilitates a low resolution sample to suit thedisplay 56. An even lower resolution sample, however, could be communicated that occupies a smaller portion of the viewable area of thedisplay 56. Any resolution, in fact, may be communicated that allows the user to decide whether the particular content satisfies the user's expectations. -
FIG. 3 is a schematic further illustrating exemplary embodiments. Here thesample 32 is communicated to aremote control 62. Theremote control 62 is another of thecommunications devices 36 that may receive thesample 32. Theremote control 62 operates to remotely control the media device 24 (still shown as theintegrated television 38 and decoder 40). Theremote control 62, however, may remotely control additional devices or alternatively control other devices. Theremote control 62 is associated with thecommunications address 34, so thesample 32 communicates from thesampling application 20 via thecommunications network 28. - The
remote control 62 receives thesample 32. Theremote control 62 includes theauxiliary processor 52 communicating with theauxiliary transceiver 54. Theauxiliary processor 52 and theauxiliary transceiver 54 are tailored to suit the needs and functions of theremote control 62. Theauxiliary transceiver 54 wirelessly receives thesample 32, and theauxiliary processor 54 processes thesample 32 as a video signal. Theremote control 62 may also include thedisplay 56, and thedisplay 56 visually presents the video signal as thepreview 58 of the selected particular content. If theremote control 62 includes theaudio processing circuitry 60, audio portions of the receivedsample 32 are processed and audibly presented as audible, sampled content. -
FIG. 3 , then, illustrates how a user may preview content at theremote control 62. When the user places or hovers thecursor 46 above the particular content “True Grit,” thesampling application 20 filters and processes theancillary stream 30 of data to produce thesample 32 of the content “True Grit.” Thesample 32 routes via thecommunications network 28 to theremote control 62. Theremote control 62 receives, processes, and displays thesample 32 on thedisplay 56 as thepreview 58 of the movie “True Grit.” Here, then, the user observes theelectronic programming guide 26 on the media device 24 (e.g., the television 38), while the user observes thepreview 58 at theremote control 62. If thepreview 58 of “True Grit” does not satisfy the user, the user may move the on-screen cursor 46 and select other listed content for sampling. -
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating theancillary stream 30 being delivered to thecommunications device 36, according to more exemplary embodiments. Here theelectronic programming guide 26 is delivered to the media device 24 (e.g., the television 38), while theancillary stream 30 of data is delivered to thecommunications device 36. Thecommunications device 36 is shown as thewireless phone 50. Remember, theancillary stream 30 of data comprises samples of content listed in theelectronic programming guide 26. So, here, while the user views theelectronic programming guide 26 on the media device 24 (such as thetelevision 38 inFIGS. 2 and 3 ), the samples are separately delivered to the user'swireless phone 50. That is, the user views theelectronic programming guide 26 on the television, while the samples are delivered and viewed on the user'swireless phone 50. This exemplary embodiment, then, allows the user to preview content at thewireless phone 50. Thewireless phone 50 is only one example of the communications devices that the user may use to remotely preview samples of content. - As shown in detail in
FIG. 4 , thesampling application 20 may be stored in thememory 22 of themedia device 24. Acompanion sampling application 70 may be stored inmemory 72 of thecommunications device 36. Thesampling application 20 and thecompanion sampling application 70 may have the same or different computer code, but they cooperate together and/or communicate between each other. AsFIG. 4 illustrates, themedia device 24 receives theelectronic programming guide 26 via thecommunications network 28, while theancillary stream 30 of data is communicated via thecommunications network 28 to thecommunications device 36. - The
communications device 36 receives theancillary stream 30 of data.FIG. 4 illustrates thecommunications device 36 as thewireless phone 50. Thewireless phone 50 includes theauxiliary processor 52 communicating with theauxiliary transceiver 54 and with thedisplay 56. Theauxiliary transceiver 54 wirelessly receives theancillary stream 30 of data, and theancillary stream 30 of data communicates to theauxiliary processor 52. When the user places the on-screen cursor 46 over the content listed in theelectronic programming guide 26, thesampling application 20 communicates thatuser input 74 to the communications address associated with thewireless phone 50. Theuser input 74 is received by thewireless phone 50, and thecompanion sampling application 70 filters and processes theancillary stream 30 of data to produce a sample of the content selected by the user from theelectronic programming guide 26. Theauxiliary processor 52 then processes the sample as a video signal, and thedisplay 56 visually presents the video signal as thepreview 58 of the selected content. Again, when the user places or hovers thecursor 46 above the content “True Grit” shown in theelectronic programming guide 26, a preview of the movie appears on thedisplay 56 at thewireless phone 50. If the user wishes to preview other content, the user need only move thecursor 46 and select other listed content for sampling. -
FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematics illustrating various routings for theancillary stream 30 of data, according to more exemplary embodiments. AsFIG. 4 illustrated, theancillary stream 30 of data communicates via thecommunications network 28 to the communications device 36 (e.g., the wireless phone 50).FIG. 5 illustrates that theancillary stream 30 of data may be routed from a service provider'sserver 76 to thecommunications device 36. The service provider'sserver 76 may even store and execute a secondcompanion sampling application 78, and the secondcompanion sampling application 78 cooperates with, and/or communicates with, thesampling application 20 and thecompanion sampling application 70. Here, then, theservice provider 80 routes the electronic programming guide to the media device (shown, respectively, asreference numerals FIG. 4 ), while theservice provider 80 routesancillary stream 30 of data to the communications address associated with the communications device 36 (e.g., the wireless phone 50). -
FIG. 6 illustrates another routing. Here theancillary stream 30 of data routes to themedia device 24, and themedia device 24 then forwards theancillary stream 30 of data to thecommunications device 36. AsFIG. 6 illustrates, theservice provider 80 routes both theelectronic programming guide 26 and theancillary stream 30 of data to themedia device 24. Themedia device 24 then forwards theancillary stream 30 of data to thecommunications device 36. Thesampling application 20, operating in themedia device 24, may include code that instructs theprocessor 42 to process, condition, or otherwise alter theancillary stream 30 of data to suit the hardware and/or communication medium between themedia device 24 and thecommunications device 36. Thesampling application 20, for example, may alter a resolution or bit rate to compensate for bandwidth limitations. -
FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematics illustrating alternative routings for theelectronic programming guide 26, according to yet more exemplary embodiments.FIG. 7 illustrates that theelectronic programming guide 26 may be directly routed from the service provider'sserver 76 to thecommunications device 36. Theservice provider 80 routes the electronic programming guide to the communications address associated with the communications device 36 (e.g., the wireless phone 50). The secondcompanion sampling application 78, operating in theserver 76, may include code that processes, conditions, or otherwise alters theelectronic programming guide 26 to suit the hardware capabilities and/or the communication medium between theserver 76 and thecommunications device 36. The secondcompanion sampling application 78, for example, may alter the resolution or the bit rate of theelectronic programming guide 26 to compensate for bandwidth limitations. -
FIG. 8 illustrates yet another routing. Here theelectronic programming guide 26 routes to themedia device 24, and themedia device 24 then forwards theelectronic programming guide 26 to thecommunications device 36. Thesampling application 20, operating in themedia device 24, may include code that instructs theprocessor 42 to process, condition, or otherwise alter theelectronic programming guide 26 to suit the hardware and/or communication medium between themedia device 24 and thecommunications device 36. Perhaps, for example, themedia device 24 and thecommunications device 36 communicate via an RF or infrared link (or any other portion of the electromagnetic spectrum), and thesampling application 20 conditions theelectronic programming guide 26 to suit the bandwidth capabilities (or “bottlenecks”) of this link. - As the above paragraphs mention, the exemplary embodiments may compensate for communications bottlenecks. If any portion of the
communications network 28 experiences a bandwidth bottleneck, the exemplary embodiments may process theelectronic programming guide 26 and/or theancillary stream 30 of data to account for this bottleneck. If, for example, thecommunications network 28 utilizes a wireless I.E.E.E. 802 portion, the permissible bit rate over this wireless link may be slower than higher bandwidth portions of thecommunications network 28. The exemplary embodiments, then, may reduce bit rates to compensate for this bottleneck. The exemplary embodiments may also compensate or tailor for hardware capabilities, such as the screen size of thedisplay 56 of thecommunications device 36. Should thedisplay 56 require a low resolution video signal, then the exemplary embodiments can tailorelectronic programming guide 26 and/or theancillary stream 30 of data to suit thedisplay 56 capabilities. -
FIG. 9 is a schematic illustrating a preview command, according to still more exemplary embodiments. As the user views thepreview 58, the user may wish to take some action involving the previewed content. Suppose, again, that the user is previewing the movie “True Grit” on thedisplay 56 of thewireless phone 50. The user may wish to view thepreview 58 at another destination having a larger display. The exemplary embodiments, then, allow the user to redirect or transfer thepreview 58 to any destination. Similarly, should the user decide to record thepreview 58, or the entire content, the exemplary embodiments allow the user to issue recording commands. The exemplary embodiments also allow the user to share thepreview 58 with friends and family, simply by entering additional communications addresses or destinations. -
FIG. 9 , then, illustrates acommand menu 90. Thecommand menu 90 is a graphical user interface that presents options to the user. Thecommand menu 90 is invoked by a command or keypad sequence entered via the communications device 36 (in this example, thewireless phone 50 has akeypad 92, and the user enters a key sequence on the keypad 92). Thecommand menu 90, however, may also be invoked using thesampling application 20 at themedia device 24.FIG. 9 shows thecommand menu 90 displayed on thedisplay 56 of thecommunications device 36, although thecommand menu 90 may also be displayed at some other destination (such as at thetelevision 38 shown inFIG. 2 ). WhileFIG. 9 shows thecommand menu 90 enlarged for clarity, thecommand menu 90 could be a tile or window appearing along with thepreview 58. - The
command menu 90 visually and/or audibly presents options. As the above paragraphs mention, the user may desire to record thepreview 58 or the entire content. Thecommand menu 90 may include arecord command button 94 that permits recording thesample 32. When the user highlights or otherwise selects therecord command button 94, thecommand menu 90 may prompt the user to choose a storage destination. That is, thesample 32 may be locally stored on memory of the communications device 36 (such as the wireless phone 50). Thesample 32 may also be stored in memory of themedia device 24, and/or thesample 32 may be remotely stored at any destination accessible via thecommunications network 28. Not only may thepreview sample 32 be stored, by the user may also wish to store the entire content (e.g., the user may wish to store the video preview of “True Grit” and/or the entire movie). The entire content file may be locally or remotely stored, in much the same way as thesample 32. - The user may also choose to redirect the
sample 32. Because thecommunications device 36 may have a small display screen, monochromatic color capabilities, or limited audio/video capabilities, the user may wish to view thepreview 58 at another destination. Thewireless phone 50, for example, typically has a small screen size, so the user may wish to redirect thesample 32 to some other destination. Thecommand menu 90 may include aredirect command button 96 that permits redirecting thesample 32 to another destination. Theredirect command button 96 instructs thesampling application 20, operating in themedia device 24, to redirect or transfer thesample 32 to another destination. When the user highlights or otherwise selects theredirect command button 96, thecommand menu 90 may prompt the user to input one or more communications addresses associated with an alternate destination. The communications device 36 (e.g., the wireless phone 50) sends a message to thesampling application 20, and the message instructs thesampling application 20 to redirect thesample 32 to the chosen destination. Thecommand menu 90 may also visually or audibly present a sub-menu that lists recently or frequently selected destinations, and the user may select an alternate destination from the list. - The
sample 32 may also be shared. Perhaps the user would like other people to view thepreview 58 to ensure the content meets a group's expectations. The user may wish that friends also view thepreview 58. Thecommand menu 90, then, may include ashare command button 98, and theshare command button 98 permits the user to share thesample 32 with other destinations. When the user highlights or otherwise selects theshare command button 98, thecommand menu 90 may prompt the user to input one or more communications addresses associated with the shared recipients. The communications device 36 (e.g., the wireless phone 50) sends a message to thesampling application 20, and the message instructs thesampling application 20 to send copies of thesample 32 to the shared recipient's communications address. Thecommand menu 90 may also visually or audibly present a sub-menu that lists recently or frequently selected shared destinations, and the user may select a shared destination from the list. -
FIG. 10 depicts another possible operating environment for the exemplary embodiments.FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing thesampling application 20 residing in a processor-controlled system 150 (such as themedia device 24 or the communications device 36).FIG. 10 , however, may also represent a block diagram of any computer or communications device in which thesampling application 20 may operate. Thesampling application 20 operates within a system memory device. Thesampling application 20, for example, is shown residing in amemory subsystem 152. Thesampling application 20, however, could also reside inflash memory 154 orperipheral storage device 156. Thecomputer system 150 also has one or morecentral processors 158 executing an operating system. The operating system, as is well known, has a set of instructions that control the internal functions of thecomputer system 150. Asystem bus 160 communicates signals, such as data signals, control signals, and address signals, between thecentral processor 158 and asystem controller 162. Thesystem controller 162 provides a bridging function between the one or morecentral processors 158, agraphics subsystem 164, thememory subsystem 152, and a PCI (Peripheral Controller Interface)bus 166. ThePCI bus 166 is controlled by aPeripheral Bus Controller 168. ThePeripheral Bus Controller 168 is an integrated circuit that serves as an input/output hub for various peripheral ports. These peripheral ports could include, for example, akeyboard port 170, amouse port 172, aserial port 174, and/or aparallel port 176 for a video display unit, one or moreexternal device ports 178, and networking ports 180 (such as USB, SCSI, or Ethernet). ThePeripheral Bus Controller 168 could also include anaudio subsystem 182. Those of ordinary skill in the art understand that the program, processes, methods, and systems described herein are not limited to any particular computer system or computer hardware. - One example of the
central processor 158 is a microprocessor. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., for example, manufactures a full line of ATHLON™ microprocessors (ATHLON™ is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., One AMD Place, P.O. Box 3453, Sunnyvale, Calif. 94088-3453, 408.732.2400, 800.538.8450, www.amd.com). The Intel Corporation also manufactures a family of X86 and P86 microprocessors (Intel Corporation, 2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, Calif. 95052-8119, 408.765.8080, www.intel.com). Other manufacturers also offer microprocessors. Such other manufacturers include Motorola, Inc. (1303 East Algonquin Road, P.O. Box A3309 Schaumburg, Ill. 60196, www.Motorola.com), International Business Machines Corp. (New Orchard Road, Armonk, N.Y. 10504, (914) 499-1900, www.ibm.com), and Transmeta Corp. (3940 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara, Calif. 95054, www.transmeta.com). Those skilled in the art further understand that the program, processes, methods, and systems described herein are not limited to any particular manufacturer's central processor. - According to an exemplary embodiment, any of the WINDOWS® (WINDOWS® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond Wash. 98052-6399, 425.882.8080, www.Microsoft.com) operating systems may be used. Other operating systems, however, are also suitable. Such other operating systems would include the UNIX® operating system (UNIX® is a registered trademark of the Open Source Group, www.opensource.org), the UNIX-based Linux operating system, WINDOWS NT®, and Mac® OS (Mac® is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, Calif. 95014, 408.996.1010, www.apple.com). Those of ordinary skill in the art again understand that the program, processes, methods, and systems described herein are not limited to any particular operating system.
- The system memory device (shown as
memory subsystem 152,flash memory 154, or peripheral storage device 156) may also contain an application program. The application program cooperates with the operating system and with a video display unit (via theserial port 174 and/or the parallel port 176) to provide a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The Graphical User Interface typically includes a combination of signals communicated along thekeyboard port 170 and themouse port 172. The Graphical User Interface provides a convenient visual and/or audible interface with a subscriber of thecomputer system 150. -
FIG. 11 is a schematic illustrating still more exemplary embodiments.FIG. 11 illustrates that thesampling application 20 may alternatively or additionally operate within variousother communications devices 36.FIG. 11 , for example, illustrates that thesampling application 20 may entirely or partially operate within a personal digital assistant (PDA) 200, a Global Positioning System (GPS)device 202, aninteractive television 204, an Internet Protocol (IP)phone 206, apager 208, a cellular/satellite phone 210, or any computer system and/or communications device utilizing a digital signal processor (DSP) 212. Thecommunications device 36 may also include watches, radios, vehicle electronics, clocks, printers, media devices, and other apparatuses and systems. -
FIGS. 12-14 are schematics further illustrating various other communications devices for providing sample content, according to the exemplary embodiments.FIG. 12 is a block diagram of aSubscriber Identity Module 220, whileFIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate, respectively, theSubscriber Identity Module 220 embodied in aplug 222 and theSubscriber Identity Module 220 embodied in acard 224. As those of ordinary skill in the art recognize, theSubscriber Identity Module 220 may be used in conjunction with many communications devices (such as thewireless phone 50 shown inFIG. 2 or theremote control 62 shown inFIG. 3 ). TheSubscriber Identity Module 220 stores subscriber information (such as the subscriber's International Mobile Subscriber Identity, the subscriber's Ki number, and other subscriber information), perhaps the subscriber's profile (shown as reference numeral 108), and any portion of thesampling application 20. As those of ordinary skill in the art also recognize, theplug 222 and thecard 224 each interface with the communications device according to GSM Standards 2.17 and 11.11 and ISO Standard 7816, with each incorporated herein by reference. The GSM Standard 2.17 is formally known as “European digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 1); Subscriber Identity Modules, Functional Characteristics (GSM 02.17 V3.2.0 (1995 January)).” The GSM Standard 11.11 is formally known as “Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+) (GSM); Specification of the Subscriber Identity Module—Mobile Equipment (Subscriber Identity Module—ME) interface (GSM 11.11 V5.3.0 (1996 July)).” Both GSM standards are available from the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (650 route des Lucioles, 06921 Sophia-Antipolis Cedex, FRANCE, Tel.: +33 (0)4 92 94 42 00, Fax: +33 (0)4 93 65 47 16, www.etsi.org). The ISO Standard 7816 is formally known as “Information technology—Identification cards—Integrated circuit(s) cards with contacts,” and the standard is available from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (1, rue de Varembé, Case postale 56CH-1211Geneva 20, Switzerland, Telephone +41 22 749 01 11, Telefax +41 22 733 34 30, www.iso.org). -
FIG. 12 is a block diagram of theSubscriber Identity Module 220, whether embodied as theplug 222 ofFIG. 13 or as thecard 224 ofFIG. 14 . Here theSubscriber Identity Module 220 comprises a processor 226 (μP) communicating withmemory modules 228 via adata bus 230. The memory modules may include Read Only Memory (ROM) 232, Random Access Memory (RAM) and orflash memory 234, and Electrically Erasable-Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) 236. TheSubscriber Identity Module 220 stores some or all of thesampling application 20 in one or more of thememory modules 228.FIG. 12 shows thesampling application 20 residing in the Erasable-Programmable Read OnlyMemory 236, yet thesampling application 20 could alternatively or additionally reside in the Read OnlyMemory 232 and/or the Random Access/Flash Memory 234. An Input/Output module 238 handles communication between theSubscriber Identity Module 220 and the media device. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, there are many suitable ways for implementing the operation and physical/memory structure of the Subscriber Identity Module. If, however, the reader desires more information on the Subscriber Identity Module, the reader is directed to the following sources: LAWRENCE HARTE et al., GSM SUPERPHONES 99-100, 113-14 (1999); SIEGMUND REDL et al., GSMAND PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK 303-69 (1998); and JOACHIM TISAL, GSM CELLULAR RADIO TELEPHONY 99-130 (1997), with each incorporated herein by reference. -
FIG. 15 is a schematic further illustrating various communications devices for providing sample content, according to the exemplary embodiments.FIG. 15 is a block diagram of anothercommunications device 250 utilizing any portion of thesampling application 20. In one embodiment, thecommunications device 250 comprises atransceiver unit 252, anantenna 254, adigital baseband chipset 256, and a man/machine interface (MMI) 258. Thetransceiver unit 252 includestransmitter circuitry 260 andreceiver circuitry 262 for receiving and transmitting radio-frequency (RF) signals. Thetransceiver unit 252 couples to theantenna 254 for converting electrical current to and from electromagnetic waves. Thedigital baseband chipset 256 contains a digital signal processor (DSP) 264 and performs signal processing functions for audio (voice) signals and RF signals. AsFIG. 15 shows, thedigital baseband chipset 256 may also include an on-board microprocessor 266 that interacts with the man/machine interface (MMI) 258. The man/machine interface (MMI) 258 may comprise adisplay device 268, akeypad 270, and theSubscriber Identity Module 220. The on-board processor 266 performs GSM protocol functions and control functions for theradio circuitry display device 268, and for thekeypad 270. The on-board processor 266 may also interface with theSubscriber Identity Module 220 and with thesampling application 20 residing in thememory module 228 of theSubscriber Identity Module 220. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be many suitable architectural configurations for the elements of thecommunications device 250. If the reader desires a more detailed explanation, the reader is invited to consult the following sources: LAWRENCE HARTE et al., GSM SUPERPHONES 105-120 (1999); SIEGMUND REDL et al., GSMAND PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK 389-474 (1998); and JOACHM TISAL, GSM CELLULAR RADIO TELEPHONY 99-130 (1997), with each incorporated herein by reference. - The
sampling application 20 may be utilized regardless of signaling standard. As those of ordinary skill in the art recognize,FIGS. 12-15 illustrate a Global System for Mobile (GSM) media device. That is, the communications device utilizes the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications signaling standard. Those of ordinary skill in the art, however, also recognize thesampling application 20 is equally applicable to any media device utilizing the Time Division Multiple Access signaling standard, the Code Division Multiple Access signaling standard, the “dual-mode” GSM-ANSI Interoperability Team (GAIT) signaling standard, or any variant of the GSM/CDMA/TDMA signaling standard. -
FIG. 16 is a block diagram further illustrating thecommunications device 36, according to yet more of the exemplary embodiments. Here thecommunications device 36 is shown as a digital high definition television (HDTV) system 300. Although an HDTV system is shown, the exemplary embodiments are applicable to any television design. The concepts, for example, are applicable to analog circuitry, digital circuitry, analog signals, and/or or digital signals. The television may include an encoder/decoder, such as an embedded set-top box. The term “television,” however, may encompass a stand-alone set-top box that is a separate component from the television. The television may also utilize any display device technology, such as a cathode-ray, a liquid crystal, a diode, digital micromirror, light processor, or plasma. Thecontent sharing application 22 may be stored in any memory location or device in the television 16.FIG. 16 , though, is only a simplified block diagram. The operating and engineering principles are already known in the art and will not be repeated here. If, however, the reader desires more information on the television, the reader is directed to the following sources: MICHEAL ROBIN & MICHEL POULIN, DIGITAL TELEVISION FUNDAMENTALS (2000); JERRY WHITAKER AND BLAIR BENSON, VIDEO AND TELEVISION ENGINEERING (2003); JERRY WHITAKER, DTV HANDBOOK (2001); JERRY WHITAKER, DTV: THE REVOLUTION IN ELECTRONIC IMAGING (1998); and EDWARD M. SCHWALB, I TV HANDBOOK: TECHNOLOGIES AND STANDARDS (2004), with each incorporated herein by reference. -
FIG. 17 is a block diagram of theremote control 62 shown inFIG. 3 , according to even more exemplary embodiments. Theremote control 22 includes theauxiliary processor 52 interfacing with thedisplay 56 and with akeypad 330. Theprocessor 52 also interfaces with theauxiliary transceiver 54 to wirelessly send control signals to the media device (shown asreference numeral 24 inFIG. 1 ). Theremote control 62 includesmeans 340 for audibly presenting the sample (shown asreference numeral 32 inFIG. 1-3 and 9). The means 340 for audibly presenting the sample may include a speaker, a piezoelectric element, and/or any other device that emits sounds. Theremote control 62 may also include a video encoder/decoder 350 for decoding video signals and amedia player 360 for executing media files. Theremote control 62 may includecamera circuitry 360 for capturing digital images and video (such as still photos, movies, and video calls). Aweb browser 370 may be stored inmemory 380, and theweb browser 370 allows navigation of local and remote content destinations. While theprocessor 52 is shown as a component distinct from the other components inFIG. 17 , it should be appreciated that the processor and one or more of the components shown inFIG. 17 may be integrated within the same component. -
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing sample content, according to still more exemplary embodiments. An electronic programming guide, comprising a listing of available content, is received (Block 400). An ancillary stream of data is also received, and the ancillary stream of data comprises samples of content listed in the electronic programming guide (Block 402). The ancillary stream of data may comprise samples of all available content listed in the electronic programming guide (Block 404). The ancillary stream of data may comprise samples of a subset of available content listed in the electronic programming guide (Block 406). The ancillary stream of data may comprise samples of content matching a profile of the user (Block 408). A user input is received that selects a particular content from the electronic programming guide (Block 410). Unselected samples of content are filtered from the ancillary stream of data to produce a sample of the selected particular content (Block 412). The sample is processed into a video signal at a communications device (Block 414). The video signal is displayed, thus producing the preview of the selected particular content (Block 416). - The sampling application (shown as
reference numeral 20 inFIGS. 1-17 ) may be physically embodied on or in a computer-readable medium. This computer-readable medium may include CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, memory card, and large-capacity disk (such as IOMEGA®, ZIP®, JAZZ®, and other large-capacity memory products (IOMEGA®, ZIP®, and JAZZ® are registered trademarks of Iomega Corporation, 1821 W. Iomega Way, Roy, Utah 84067, 801.332.1000, www.iomega.com). This computer-readable medium, or media, could be distributed to end-subscribers, licensees, and assignees. These types of computer-readable media, and other types not mentioned here but considered within the scope of the exemplary embodiments, allow the sampling application to be easily disseminated. - The sampling application may be physically embodied on or in any addressable (e.g., HTTP, I.E.E.E. 802.11, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)) wireless device capable of presenting an IP address. Examples could include a computer, a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), an Internet Protocol mobile phone, or a wireless pager.
- While the exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to various features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilled in the art will recognize the exemplary embodiments are not so limited. Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments.
Claims (20)
1. A system for providing sample content, comprising:
at least one processor for receiving a programming guide comprising a listing of available content and for receiving an ancillary stream of data, the ancillary stream of data comprising multiple samples of content listed in the programming guide; and
a user interface for receiving a user input that selects a particular content from the programming guide and for communicating the user input to the processor, wherein the processor filters unselected samples of content from the ancillary stream of data to produce a sample of the selected particular content as a preview of the selected particular content.
2. A system according to claim 1 , further comprising a display, wherein the processor processes the sample into a video signal and communicates the video signal to the display for displaying the video signal as a preview of the selected content.
3. A system according to claim 1 , further comprising a transceiver for wirelessly communicating the sample to a communications device.
4. A system according to claim 3 , wherein the communications device is a remote control.
5. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the ancillary stream of data comprises samples of at least a portion of the available content listed in the programming guide.
6. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the ancillary stream of data comprises samples of content matching a profile of the user.
7. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the programming guide is an electronic programming guide.
8. A method for providing sample content, the method comprising:
receiving a programming guide comprising a listing of available content;
receiving an ancillary stream of data comprising samples of content listed in the programming guide;
receiving a user input that selects a particular content from the programming guide;
filtering unselected samples of content from the ancillary stream of data to produce a sample of the selected particular content; and
processing the sample for preview of the selected particular content.
9. A method according to claim 8 , further comprising processing the sample into a video signal and displaying the video signal at a communications device as a preview of the selected particular content.
10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the communications device is a remote control.
11. A method according to claim 8 , wherein receiving the ancillary stream of data comprises receiving samples of at least a portion of the available content listed in the programming guide.
12. A method according to claim 8 , wherein receiving the ancillary stream of data comprises receiving samples of content matching a profile of the user.
13. A method according to claim 8 , wherein the programming guide is an electronic programming guide.
14. A method according to claim 8 , wherein receiving the ancillary stream of data comprises receiving samples of all available content listed in the programming guide.
15. A method according to claim 8 , wherein receiving the ancillary stream of data comprises receiving samples of a subset of available content listed in the programming guide.
16. A computer-readable medium on which instructions are encoded for performing the steps of:
receiving a programming guide comprising a listing of available content;
receiving an ancillary stream of data comprising samples of content listed in the programming guide;
receiving a user input that selects a particular content from the programming guide;
filtering unselected samples of content from the ancillary stream of data to produce a sample of the selected particular content; and
processing the sample for preview of the selected particular content.
17. A computer readable medium according to claim 16 , wherein the sample is processed at a communications device into a video signal for display as a visual preview of the selected particular content.
18. A computer readable medium according to claim 17 , wherein the communications device is a remote control.
19. A computer readable medium according to claim 16 , wherein receiving the ancillary stream of data comprises receiving samples of at least a portion of the available content listed in the programming guide.
20. A computer readable medium according to claim 16 , wherein receiving the ancillary stream of data comprises receiving samples of content matching a profile of the user.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/213,247 US20060288368A1 (en) | 2005-06-17 | 2005-08-26 | Methods, systems, and products for sampled content |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/156,190 US9860599B2 (en) | 2005-06-17 | 2005-06-17 | Methods, systems, and products for providing sample content |
US11/213,247 US20060288368A1 (en) | 2005-06-17 | 2005-08-26 | Methods, systems, and products for sampled content |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/156,190 Continuation-In-Part US9860599B2 (en) | 2005-06-17 | 2005-06-17 | Methods, systems, and products for providing sample content |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060288368A1 true US20060288368A1 (en) | 2006-12-21 |
Family
ID=37574845
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/156,190 Active 2031-08-18 US9860599B2 (en) | 2005-06-17 | 2005-06-17 | Methods, systems, and products for providing sample content |
US11/213,247 Abandoned US20060288368A1 (en) | 2005-06-17 | 2005-08-26 | Methods, systems, and products for sampled content |
US15/815,739 Active US10764644B2 (en) | 2005-06-17 | 2017-11-17 | Samples of content in streaming environments |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/156,190 Active 2031-08-18 US9860599B2 (en) | 2005-06-17 | 2005-06-17 | Methods, systems, and products for providing sample content |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/815,739 Active US10764644B2 (en) | 2005-06-17 | 2017-11-17 | Samples of content in streaming environments |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US9860599B2 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070294621A1 (en) * | 2006-06-15 | 2007-12-20 | Thought Equity Management, Inc. | System and Method for Displaying Information |
US20080097970A1 (en) * | 2005-10-19 | 2008-04-24 | Fast Search And Transfer Asa | Intelligent Video Summaries in Information Access |
US20100050202A1 (en) * | 2008-08-19 | 2010-02-25 | Concert Technology Corporation | Method and system for constructing and presenting a consumption profile for a media item |
US20110113458A1 (en) * | 2009-11-09 | 2011-05-12 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Apparatus and method for product tutorials |
US8140974B2 (en) | 2007-12-14 | 2012-03-20 | Microsoft Corporation | Presenting secondary media objects to a user |
US20170332068A1 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2017-11-16 | Stereolabs | System for three-dimensional image capture while moving |
US20210074062A1 (en) * | 2019-09-11 | 2021-03-11 | Savant Systems, Inc. | Three dimensional virtual room-based user interface for a home automation system |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070265980A1 (en) * | 2006-05-15 | 2007-11-15 | Mukesh Sehgal | Systems and methods for managing, maximizing and clearing contractually based media assets |
US20080086746A1 (en) * | 2006-10-06 | 2008-04-10 | King John K | Simultaneously Viewing Multiple Programs Within A Television Program Guide |
EP4236302A3 (en) * | 2006-10-30 | 2023-10-18 | TiVo Solutions Inc. | Method and apparatus for downloading ancillary program data to a dvr |
US20080270236A1 (en) * | 2006-12-15 | 2008-10-30 | Kevin Arnold | Systems and methods for digital content promotion |
US8041643B2 (en) * | 2007-03-09 | 2011-10-18 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | System and method of providing media content |
US20090125935A1 (en) * | 2007-11-12 | 2009-05-14 | Sony Corporation | Method and System for Providing Filtered Video Content Over a Network |
GB2521222A (en) * | 2013-12-16 | 2015-06-17 | Vicast Ltd | A digital video processing method and system |
US10325215B2 (en) * | 2016-04-08 | 2019-06-18 | Pearson Education, Inc. | System and method for automatic content aggregation generation |
Citations (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5523796A (en) * | 1994-05-20 | 1996-06-04 | Prevue Networks, Inc. | Video clip program guide |
US6002450A (en) * | 1997-03-24 | 1999-12-14 | Evolve Products, Inc. | Two-way remote control with advertising display |
US6005597A (en) * | 1997-10-27 | 1999-12-21 | Disney Enterprises, Inc. | Method and apparatus for program selection |
US6298482B1 (en) * | 1997-11-12 | 2001-10-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | System for two-way digital multimedia broadcast and interactive services |
US20020059623A1 (en) * | 2000-07-31 | 2002-05-16 | Rodriguez Arturo A. | Digital subscriber television networks with local physical storage devices and virtual storage |
US6408437B1 (en) * | 1992-12-09 | 2002-06-18 | Discovery Communications, Inc. | Reprogrammable terminal for suggesting programs offered on a television program delivery system |
US6425129B1 (en) * | 1999-03-31 | 2002-07-23 | Sony Corporation | Channel preview with rate dependent channel information |
US20020129375A1 (en) * | 2001-01-08 | 2002-09-12 | Artista Communications, Inc. | Adaptive video on-demand system and method using tempo-differential file transfer |
US6453471B1 (en) * | 1996-12-13 | 2002-09-17 | Starsight Telecast, Inc. | Electronic programming guide with movie preview |
US20030020744A1 (en) * | 1998-08-21 | 2003-01-30 | Michael D. Ellis | Client-server electronic program guide |
US20030033157A1 (en) * | 2001-08-08 | 2003-02-13 | Accenture Global Services Gmbh | Enhanced custom content television |
US6538672B1 (en) * | 1999-02-08 | 2003-03-25 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Method and apparatus for displaying an electronic program guide |
US6563515B1 (en) * | 1998-05-19 | 2003-05-13 | United Video Properties, Inc. | Program guide system with video window browsing |
US6637029B1 (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 2003-10-21 | Nds Limited | Intelligent electronic program guide |
US6718551B1 (en) * | 1997-01-06 | 2004-04-06 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Method and system for providing targeted advertisements |
US20040221308A1 (en) * | 2003-01-07 | 2004-11-04 | Cuttner Craig D. | Integrated media viewing environment |
US6970127B2 (en) * | 2000-01-14 | 2005-11-29 | Terayon Communication Systems, Inc. | Remote control for wireless control of system and displaying of compressed video on a display on the remote |
US6977691B1 (en) * | 1999-09-21 | 2005-12-20 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | System for nonlinear viewing of television show segments |
US7100183B2 (en) * | 2000-02-02 | 2006-08-29 | Sedna Patent Services, Llc | System and method for transmitting and displaying targeted infromation |
US20060218584A1 (en) * | 2005-03-03 | 2006-09-28 | Pioneer Research Center, Usa, Inc. | Filtering electronic program guides based on channel accessibility |
US7188355B1 (en) * | 1999-09-30 | 2007-03-06 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Television program recommendation system |
US20070245382A1 (en) * | 2004-04-21 | 2007-10-18 | Shigenori Doi | Digital Broadcast Receiving Apparatus and Method and Program Therefor |
US7373652B1 (en) * | 1999-07-22 | 2008-05-13 | Sedna Patent Services, Llc | Server-centric search function in an interactive program guide |
US7627824B2 (en) * | 2004-07-12 | 2009-12-01 | Alcatel Lucent | Personalized video entertainment system |
US7690013B1 (en) * | 1998-12-03 | 2010-03-30 | Prime Research Alliance E., Inc. | Advertisement monitoring system |
Family Cites Families (40)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4587520A (en) | 1983-04-07 | 1986-05-06 | Rca Corporation | Cursor controlled page selection in a video display |
US6832385B2 (en) | 1990-09-10 | 2004-12-14 | United Video Properties, Inc. | Television schedule system |
US5307086A (en) | 1991-10-08 | 1994-04-26 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method of implementing a preview window in an object oriented programming system |
KR100295386B1 (en) | 1992-12-09 | 2001-09-22 | 마크 홀린저 | Set-top terminals for cable television delivery systems |
US20040230992A1 (en) | 1993-05-27 | 2004-11-18 | Gemstar Development Corporation | Method and apparatus for displaying video clips |
US5793410A (en) * | 1995-05-26 | 1998-08-11 | Hyundai Electronics America | Video pedestal network |
US6323911B1 (en) | 1995-10-02 | 2001-11-27 | Starsight Telecast, Inc. | System and method for using television schedule information |
US5710605A (en) | 1996-01-11 | 1998-01-20 | Nelson; Rickey D. | Remote control unit for controlling a television and videocassette recorder with a display for allowing a user to select between various programming schedules |
US6025837A (en) | 1996-03-29 | 2000-02-15 | Micrsoft Corporation | Electronic program guide with hyperlinks to target resources |
US20030066085A1 (en) | 1996-12-10 | 2003-04-03 | United Video Properties, Inc., A Corporation Of Delaware | Internet television program guide system |
US6130726A (en) | 1997-03-24 | 2000-10-10 | Evolve Products, Inc. | Program guide on a remote control display |
US6118493A (en) | 1997-04-01 | 2000-09-12 | Ati Technologies, Inc. | Method and apparatus for selecting a channel from a multiple channel display |
US6836296B1 (en) | 1997-07-18 | 2004-12-28 | Sony Corporation | Control device, control method, electric apparatus, control method of an electric apparatus, electric apparatus system, control method of an electric apparatus system, and transmission medium |
US6272546B1 (en) * | 1998-03-12 | 2001-08-07 | Sony Corporation | Method of and apparatus for managing resource allocation and bandwidth overflow in a cooperative, distributed computing environment |
KR100653561B1 (en) | 1998-07-15 | 2006-12-05 | 소니 가부시끼 가이샤 | Information receiving apparatus, download method , method for displaying a download proceeding situation, and method for selecting an apparatus |
US7694319B1 (en) * | 1998-11-02 | 2010-04-06 | United Video Properties, Inc. | Interactive program guide with continuous data stream and client-server data supplementation |
US6532592B1 (en) | 1998-11-09 | 2003-03-11 | Sony Corporation | Bi-directional remote control unit and method of using the same |
US6213612B1 (en) * | 1999-01-11 | 2001-04-10 | Donnelly Corporation | Mirror actuator electrical connector |
US6522342B1 (en) | 1999-01-27 | 2003-02-18 | Hughes Electronics Corporation | Graphical tuning bar for a multi-program data stream |
US6263503B1 (en) | 1999-05-26 | 2001-07-17 | Neal Margulis | Method for effectively implementing a wireless television system |
EP1197075A1 (en) * | 1999-06-28 | 2002-04-17 | United Video Properties, Inc. | Interactive television program guide system and method with niche hubs |
US6862741B1 (en) | 1999-12-22 | 2005-03-01 | Gateway, Inc. | System and method for displaying event related electronic program guide data on intelligent remote devices |
US20020059637A1 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2002-05-16 | Rakib Selim Shlomo | Home gateway for video and data distribution from various types of headend facilities and including digital video recording functions |
US7283059B2 (en) | 2000-03-15 | 2007-10-16 | Logitech Europe S.A. | Remote control multimedia content listing system |
US20020092021A1 (en) * | 2000-03-23 | 2002-07-11 | Adrian Yap | Digital video recorder enhanced features |
US7146628B1 (en) * | 2000-11-08 | 2006-12-05 | Sedna Patent Services, Llc | Messaging protocol for interactive delivery system |
US7409382B2 (en) * | 2000-12-08 | 2008-08-05 | Fujitsu Limited | Information processing system, terminal device, method and medium |
US20020162120A1 (en) | 2001-04-25 | 2002-10-31 | Slade Mitchell | Apparatus and method to provide supplemental content from an interactive television system to a remote device |
US7496945B2 (en) | 2001-06-29 | 2009-02-24 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Interactive program guide for bidirectional services |
US20030046704A1 (en) * | 2001-09-05 | 2003-03-06 | Indra Laksono | Method and apparatus for pay-per-quality of service for bandwidth consumption in a video system |
US20030079224A1 (en) | 2001-10-22 | 2003-04-24 | Anton Komar | System and method to provide additional information associated with selectable display areas |
US6747591B1 (en) | 2001-11-20 | 2004-06-08 | Universal Electronics Inc. | System and method for retrieving information while commanding operation of an appliance |
WO2004021138A2 (en) * | 2002-08-30 | 2004-03-11 | Wink Communications, Inc. | Carousel proxy |
JP4298282B2 (en) | 2002-12-13 | 2009-07-15 | キヤノン株式会社 | Display control apparatus and control method thereof |
US20040152414A1 (en) | 2003-02-04 | 2004-08-05 | Wang David S. | Remote control device capable of receiving video signal through a television tuner and displaying the video signal |
JP4635424B2 (en) | 2003-02-10 | 2011-02-23 | パナソニック株式会社 | System and bidirectional remote control device used in the system |
US7849064B2 (en) * | 2004-04-23 | 2010-12-07 | Tvworks, Llc | Application programming interface combining asset listings |
US7729385B2 (en) * | 2004-11-01 | 2010-06-01 | Nokia Corporation | Techniques for utilization of spare bandwidth |
US20060117355A1 (en) * | 2004-11-29 | 2006-06-01 | Vincent Dureau | Pushing content in a two-way network |
US7832003B2 (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2010-11-09 | Microsoft Corporation | Walled gardens |
-
2005
- 2005-06-17 US US11/156,190 patent/US9860599B2/en active Active
- 2005-08-26 US US11/213,247 patent/US20060288368A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2017
- 2017-11-17 US US15/815,739 patent/US10764644B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6408437B1 (en) * | 1992-12-09 | 2002-06-18 | Discovery Communications, Inc. | Reprogrammable terminal for suggesting programs offered on a television program delivery system |
US5523796A (en) * | 1994-05-20 | 1996-06-04 | Prevue Networks, Inc. | Video clip program guide |
US6453471B1 (en) * | 1996-12-13 | 2002-09-17 | Starsight Telecast, Inc. | Electronic programming guide with movie preview |
US6718551B1 (en) * | 1997-01-06 | 2004-04-06 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Method and system for providing targeted advertisements |
US6002450A (en) * | 1997-03-24 | 1999-12-14 | Evolve Products, Inc. | Two-way remote control with advertising display |
US6637029B1 (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 2003-10-21 | Nds Limited | Intelligent electronic program guide |
US6005597A (en) * | 1997-10-27 | 1999-12-21 | Disney Enterprises, Inc. | Method and apparatus for program selection |
US6298482B1 (en) * | 1997-11-12 | 2001-10-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | System for two-way digital multimedia broadcast and interactive services |
US6563515B1 (en) * | 1998-05-19 | 2003-05-13 | United Video Properties, Inc. | Program guide system with video window browsing |
US20030020744A1 (en) * | 1998-08-21 | 2003-01-30 | Michael D. Ellis | Client-server electronic program guide |
US7690013B1 (en) * | 1998-12-03 | 2010-03-30 | Prime Research Alliance E., Inc. | Advertisement monitoring system |
US6538672B1 (en) * | 1999-02-08 | 2003-03-25 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Method and apparatus for displaying an electronic program guide |
US6425129B1 (en) * | 1999-03-31 | 2002-07-23 | Sony Corporation | Channel preview with rate dependent channel information |
US7373652B1 (en) * | 1999-07-22 | 2008-05-13 | Sedna Patent Services, Llc | Server-centric search function in an interactive program guide |
US6977691B1 (en) * | 1999-09-21 | 2005-12-20 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | System for nonlinear viewing of television show segments |
US7188355B1 (en) * | 1999-09-30 | 2007-03-06 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Television program recommendation system |
US6970127B2 (en) * | 2000-01-14 | 2005-11-29 | Terayon Communication Systems, Inc. | Remote control for wireless control of system and displaying of compressed video on a display on the remote |
US7100183B2 (en) * | 2000-02-02 | 2006-08-29 | Sedna Patent Services, Llc | System and method for transmitting and displaying targeted infromation |
US20020059623A1 (en) * | 2000-07-31 | 2002-05-16 | Rodriguez Arturo A. | Digital subscriber television networks with local physical storage devices and virtual storage |
US20020129375A1 (en) * | 2001-01-08 | 2002-09-12 | Artista Communications, Inc. | Adaptive video on-demand system and method using tempo-differential file transfer |
US20030033157A1 (en) * | 2001-08-08 | 2003-02-13 | Accenture Global Services Gmbh | Enhanced custom content television |
US20040221308A1 (en) * | 2003-01-07 | 2004-11-04 | Cuttner Craig D. | Integrated media viewing environment |
US20070245382A1 (en) * | 2004-04-21 | 2007-10-18 | Shigenori Doi | Digital Broadcast Receiving Apparatus and Method and Program Therefor |
US7627824B2 (en) * | 2004-07-12 | 2009-12-01 | Alcatel Lucent | Personalized video entertainment system |
US20060218584A1 (en) * | 2005-03-03 | 2006-09-28 | Pioneer Research Center, Usa, Inc. | Filtering electronic program guides based on channel accessibility |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080097970A1 (en) * | 2005-10-19 | 2008-04-24 | Fast Search And Transfer Asa | Intelligent Video Summaries in Information Access |
US8296797B2 (en) * | 2005-10-19 | 2012-10-23 | Microsoft International Holdings B.V. | Intelligent video summaries in information access |
US9372926B2 (en) | 2005-10-19 | 2016-06-21 | Microsoft International Holdings B.V. | Intelligent video summaries in information access |
US20070294621A1 (en) * | 2006-06-15 | 2007-12-20 | Thought Equity Management, Inc. | System and Method for Displaying Information |
US8140974B2 (en) | 2007-12-14 | 2012-03-20 | Microsoft Corporation | Presenting secondary media objects to a user |
US9378278B2 (en) | 2008-08-19 | 2016-06-28 | Porto Technology, Llc | Method and system for constructing and presenting a consumption profile for a media item |
US20100050202A1 (en) * | 2008-08-19 | 2010-02-25 | Concert Technology Corporation | Method and system for constructing and presenting a consumption profile for a media item |
US8806516B2 (en) | 2008-08-19 | 2014-08-12 | Porto Technology, Llc | Method and system for constructing and presenting a consumption profile for a media item |
US20110113458A1 (en) * | 2009-11-09 | 2011-05-12 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Apparatus and method for product tutorials |
US20170332068A1 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2017-11-16 | Stereolabs | System for three-dimensional image capture while moving |
US10142615B2 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2018-11-27 | Stereolabs | System for three-dimensional image capture while moving |
US20210074062A1 (en) * | 2019-09-11 | 2021-03-11 | Savant Systems, Inc. | Three dimensional virtual room-based user interface for a home automation system |
US11688140B2 (en) * | 2019-09-11 | 2023-06-27 | Savant Systems, Inc. | Three dimensional virtual room-based user interface for a home automation system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9860599B2 (en) | 2018-01-02 |
US20060288398A1 (en) | 2006-12-21 |
US10764644B2 (en) | 2020-09-01 |
US20180077462A1 (en) | 2018-03-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20060288368A1 (en) | Methods, systems, and products for sampled content | |
EP3226569B1 (en) | System for controlling device, digital device, and method for controlling same | |
CN101060615B (en) | Display control apparatus and method in a mobile terminal | |
US8978066B2 (en) | Method, computer program product, and apparatus for providing communications with at least one media provider | |
US7516203B2 (en) | Network control verification system, control communication terminal, server apparatus, and network control verification method | |
EP1372333B1 (en) | Picture transfer between mobile terminal and digital broadcast receiver | |
US20070050733A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for constructing dynamic menu for user interface | |
US7983714B2 (en) | Communication apparatus | |
US20110222466A1 (en) | Dynamically adjustable communications services and communications links | |
US20070199018A1 (en) | System and methods for voicing text in an interactive programming guide | |
US20090210908A1 (en) | Portable communication device and associated method for sharing esg metadata | |
US8782718B2 (en) | Mobile terminal, television receiver, and communication system including the mobile terminal and the television receiver | |
EP2073538A1 (en) | Mobile communication terminal | |
US8949904B2 (en) | Channel control method and apparatus | |
US20130179928A1 (en) | Mobile terminal, television receiver, and communication system including the mobile terminal and the television receiver | |
CN103428569A (en) | Electronic device and method for information about service provider | |
KR20170031444A (en) | Digital device and method of processing data the same | |
EP2763423A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for reproducing content | |
US20130176500A1 (en) | Mobile terminal, television receiver, and communication system including the mobile terminal and the television receiver | |
CN106664462B (en) | Portable information terminal | |
JP6571216B2 (en) | Portable information terminal | |
KR20080011757A (en) | Method for editing choice-sequence of broadcasting channel | |
JP2006115067A (en) | Remote communication system and method | |
KR20140008844A (en) | Operating method for an image display apparatus |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION, DELAW Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HUSLAK, NICHOLAS STEVEN;MCQUAIDE, ARNOLD C.;REEL/FRAME:018854/0592 Effective date: 20050823 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |