US20110066929A1 - System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a still image file and/or data stream - Google Patents

System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a still image file and/or data stream Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20110066929A1
US20110066929A1 US12/881,031 US88103110A US2011066929A1 US 20110066929 A1 US20110066929 A1 US 20110066929A1 US 88103110 A US88103110 A US 88103110A US 2011066929 A1 US2011066929 A1 US 2011066929A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
user
still image
information
selectable object
data set
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
Application number
US12/881,031
Inventor
Jeyhan Karaoguz
Nambirajan Seshadri
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Broadcom Corp
Original Assignee
Broadcom Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Broadcom Corp filed Critical Broadcom Corp
Priority to US12/881,031 priority Critical patent/US20110066929A1/en
Assigned to BROADCOM CORPORATION reassignment BROADCOM CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KARAOGUZ, JEYHAN, SESHARDI, NAMBIRAJAN
Publication of US20110066929A1 publication Critical patent/US20110066929A1/en
Priority to US14/488,778 priority patent/US20150007222A1/en
Assigned to BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT reassignment BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: BROADCOM CORPORATION
Assigned to BROADCOM CORPORATION reassignment BROADCOM CORPORATION TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Assignors: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/0304—Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means
    • 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
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/0304—Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means
    • G06F3/0308—Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means comprising a plurality of distinctive and separately oriented light emitters or reflectors associated to the pointing device, e.g. remote cursor controller with distinct and separately oriented LEDs at the tip whose radiations are captured by a photo-detector associated to the screen
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/0304—Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means
    • G06F3/0325—Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means using a plurality of light emitters or reflectors or a plurality of detectors forming a reference frame from which to derive the orientation of the object, e.g. by triangulation or on the basis of reference deformation in the picked up image
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0346—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/038—Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
    • G06F3/0386—Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry for light pen
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/0412—Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/042—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means
    • G06F3/0428—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means by sensing at the edges of the touch surface the interruption of optical paths, e.g. an illumination plane, parallel to the touch surface which may be virtual
    • 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
    • H04N21/234318—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 by decomposing into objects, e.g. MPEG-4 objects
    • 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
    • H04N21/238—Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. adapting the transmission rate of a video stream to network bandwidth; Processing of multiplex streams
    • H04N21/2389—Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream encrypting
    • H04N21/23892—Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream encrypting involving embedding information at multiplex stream level, e.g. embedding a watermark at packet level
    • 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
    • H04N21/24—Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth, upstream requests
    • H04N21/2408—Monitoring of the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. client requests
    • 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
    • H04N21/25808—Management of client data
    • H04N21/25841—Management of client data involving the geographical location of the client
    • 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
    • H04N21/266—Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
    • H04N21/2668—Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles
    • 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
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4126—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
    • H04N21/41265—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device
    • 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
    • H04N21/41—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
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/42208—Display device provided on the remote control
    • H04N21/42209—Display device provided on the remote control for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
    • 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
    • H04N21/432—Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk
    • H04N21/4325—Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk by playing back content from the storage medium
    • 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
    • H04N21/433—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
    • H04N21/4334—Recording operations
    • 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
    • H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
    • 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
    • H04N21/438—Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving MPEG packets from an IP network
    • 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
    • H04N21/44—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
    • H04N21/44008—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in the video stream
    • 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
    • H04N21/4508—Management of client data or end-user data
    • H04N21/4524—Management of client data or end-user data involving the geographical location of the client
    • 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
    • H04N21/4622—Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet
    • 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
    • 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]
    • H04N21/40—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
    • H04N21/4725—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 using interactive regions of the image, e.g. hot spots
    • 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
    • H04N21/4728—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 selecting a Region Of Interest [ROI], e.g. for requesting a higher resolution version of a selected region
    • 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
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/47805—Electronic banking
    • 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
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/47815—Electronic shopping
    • 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
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4782—Web browsing, e.g. WebTV
    • 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
    • H04N21/4826—End-user interface for program selection using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
    • 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
    • H04N21/4828—End-user interface for program selection for searching program descriptors
    • 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
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/812—Monomedia components thereof involving advertisement data
    • 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
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/8126—Monomedia components thereof involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
    • 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
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/8126—Monomedia components thereof involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
    • H04N21/8133—Monomedia components thereof involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
    • 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
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/8166—Monomedia components thereof involving executable data, e.g. software
    • H04N21/8173—End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
    • 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
    • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/845—Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
    • 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
    • H04N21/8545—Content authoring for generating interactive applications
    • 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
    • H04N21/858—Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
    • H04N5/445—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards for displaying additional information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76—Television signal recording
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
    • H04N9/79—Processing of colour television signals in connection with recording
    • H04N9/80—Transformation of the television signal for recording, e.g. modulation, frequency changing; Inverse transformation for playback
    • H04N9/82—Transformation of the television signal for recording, e.g. modulation, frequency changing; Inverse transformation for playback the individual colour picture signal components being recorded simultaneously only
    • H04N9/8205—Transformation of the television signal for recording, e.g. modulation, frequency changing; Inverse transformation for playback the individual colour picture signal components being recorded simultaneously only involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal
    • 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
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • 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
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/42222—Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device

Definitions

  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary media system, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for providing embedded information of selectable objects in a still image, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for providing embedded information of selectable objects in a still image, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for providing information of selectable objects in a still image in an information stream independent of the still image, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary media system, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating exemplary modules and/or sub-modules for a media system, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • modules, components or circuits may generally comprise hardware and/or a combination of hardware and software (e.g., including firmware).
  • modules may also, for example, comprise a computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory medium) comprising instructions (e.g., software instructions) that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform various functional aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular hardware and/or software implementations of a module, component or circuit unless explicitly claimed as such.
  • various aspects of the present invention may be implemented by one or more processors (e.g., a microprocessor, digital signal processor, baseband processor, microcontroller, etc.) executing software instructions (e.g., stored in volatile and/or non-volatile memory).
  • processors e.g., a microprocessor, digital signal processor, baseband processor, microcontroller, etc.
  • software instructions e.g., stored in volatile and/or non-volatile memory
  • aspects of the present invention may be implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) and/or other hardware components.
  • ASIC application-specific integrated circuit
  • any or all of the functional modules discussed herein may share various hardware and/or software components.
  • any or all of the functional modules discussed herein may be implemented wholly or in-part by a shared processor executing software instructions.
  • various software sub-modules that may be executed by one or more processors may be shared between various software modules. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by arbitrary boundaries between various hardware and/or software components, unless explicitly claimed.
  • a communication network is generally the communication infrastructure through which a communication device (e.g., a portable communication device, personal computer device, media presentation system, image presentation system, camera, media server, image server, television, television control device, television provider, television programming provider, television receiver, video and/or image recording device, etc.) may communicate with other systems.
  • a communication network may comprise a cable and/or satellite television communication network, a cellular communication network, a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a general data communication network (e.g., the Internet), any home or premises communication network, etc.
  • a particular communication network may, for example, generally have a corresponding communication protocol according to which a communication device may communicate with the communication network. Unless so claimed, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of a particular type of communication network.
  • Such a pointing location refers to a location on a video screen (e.g., a computer display, a display of a portable electronic device, a display of a digital photograph display, a television display, a primary television screen, a secondary television screen, etc.) to which a user (either directly or with a pointing device) is pointing.
  • a pointing location is to be distinguished from other types of on-screen location identification, such as, for example, using arrow keys and/or a mouse to move a cursor or to traverse blocks (e.g., on an on-screen program guide) without pointing.
  • Various aspects of the present invention while referring to on-screen pointing location, are also readily extensible to such other forms of on-screen location identification.
  • Such television programming may, for example, communicate still images.
  • Such television programming generally includes various types of television programming (e.g., television programs, news programs, sports programs, music television, movies, television series programs and/or associated advertisements, educational programs, live or recorded television programming, broadcast/multicast/unicast television programming, etc.).
  • Such television programming may, for example, comprise real-time television broadcast programming (or multicast or unicast television programming) and/or user-stored television programming that is stored in a user device (e.g., a VCR, PVR, etc.).
  • Such television programming video content is to be distinguished from other non-programming video content that may be displayed on a television screen (e.g., an electronic program guide, user interface menu, a television set-up menu, a typical web page, a graphical video game, etc.).
  • a television screen e.g., an electronic program guide, user interface menu, a television set-up menu, a typical web page, a graphical video game, etc.
  • Such still images may, for example, comprise pictures.
  • such still images may correspond to still photographs (e.g., taken with a digital camera), scanned images created by a scanner, facsimile images, etc.
  • Such still images may, for example, be represented in a data file (e.g., a JPEG file, a bitmap, a TIFF file, etc.), or other data structure, and may be communicated in one or more streams of data.
  • Such user-selectable objects includes both animate (i.e., living) and inanimate (i.e., non-living) objects.
  • Such objects may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a variety of objects present in still images.
  • Such objects may, for example and without limitation, comprise inanimate objects, such as consumer good objects (e.g., clothing, automobiles, shoes, jewelry, furniture, food, beverages, appliances, electronics, toys, artwork, cosmetics, recreational vehicles, sports equipment, safety equipment, computer equipment, communication devices, books, etc.), premises objects (e.g., business locations, stores, hotels, signs, doors, buildings, landmarks, historical sites, entertainment venues, hospitals, government buildings, etc.), objects related to services (e.g., objects related to transportation, objects related to emergency services, objects related to general government services, objects related to entertainment services, objects related to food and/or drink services, etc.), objects related to location (e.g., parks, landmarks, streets, signs, road signs, etc.), etc.
  • consumer good objects e.g., clothing, automobiles, shoes, jewelry, furniture, food, beverages, appliances, electronics, toys, artwork, cosmetics, recreational vehicles, sports equipment, safety equipment, computer equipment, communication devices, books, etc.
  • premises objects e.g., business locations, stores
  • Such objects may, for example, comprise animate objects, such as people (e.g., actors/actresses, athletes, musicians, salespeople, commentators, reports, analysts, hosts/hostesses, entertainers, etc.), animals (e.g., pets, zoo animals, wild animals, etc.) and plants (e.g., flowers, trees, shrubs, fruits, vegetables, cacti, etc.).
  • people e.g., actors/actresses, athletes, musicians, salespeople, commentators, reports, analysts, hosts/hostesses, entertainers, etc.
  • animals e.g., pets, zoo animals, wild animals, etc.
  • plants e.g., flowers, trees, shrubs, fruits, vegetables, cacti, etc.
  • the exemplary system 100 includes a media information provider 110 .
  • the media information provider 110 may, for example, comprise a server associated with a media company, a cable company, an image-providing company, movie-providing company, a news company, an educational institution, etc.
  • the media information provider 110 may, for example, be an original source of still images (or related information).
  • the media information provider 110 may be a communication company that provides still image distribution services (e.g., a cable media company, a satellite media company, a telecommunication company, a data network provider, etc.).
  • the media information provider 110 may, for example, provide both media (e.g., still image) information and non-media information.
  • the media information provider 110 may, for example, provide information of both moving picture information and still picture information.
  • the media information provider 110 may, for example, provide information related to a still image (e.g., information describing or otherwise related to user-selectable objects in still images, etc.). As will be discussed below in more detail, the media information provider 110 may operate to create and/or communicate a still image (e.g., a still image data set, still image data stream, etc.) that includes embedded information of user-selectable objects in the still image.
  • a still image e.g., a still image data set, still image data stream, etc.
  • such a media information provider 110 may operate to receive a completed initial still image data set (e.g., a data file or other bounded data structure, a data stream, etc.), for example via a communication network and/or on a physical media, and embed information of user-selectable objects in the completed initial still image data set.
  • a media information provider 110 may operate to form an original still image data set (e.g., a data file or other bounded data structure, etc.) and embed information of user-selectable objects in the original still image data set during such formation (e.g., in the studio, on an enterprise computing system, on a personal computer, etc.).
  • the media information provider 110 may be remote from a user's local image presentation system (e.g., located at a premises different from the user's premises) or may be local to the user's local image presentation system (e.g., a personal media player, a digital photo presentation system, a DVR, a personal computing device, a personal electronic device, a personal cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a camera, a moving picture camera, an image recorder, a data server, an image and/or television receiver, a television, etc.).
  • a user's local image presentation system e.g., located at a premises different from the user's premises
  • the media information provider 110 may be remote from a user's local image presentation system (e.g., located at a premises different from the user's premises) or may be local to the user's local image presentation system (e.g., a personal media player, a digital photo presentation system, a DVR, a personal computing device, a personal electronic device, a personal
  • the media information provider 110 may alternatively, for example, operate to form and/or communicate a user-selectable object data set that includes information of user-selectable objects in a still image.
  • a user-selectable object data set for a still image may, for example, be independent of a data set that generally represents the still image (e.g., generally represents the still image without information of user-selectable objects in such still image).
  • such a media information provider 110 may operate to receive a completed still image data set (e.g., a data file or other finite group of data, a data stream, etc.), for example via a communication network and/or on a physical medium, and form the user-selectable object data set independent of the completed still image data set. Also for example, such a media information provider 110 may operate to form both an original still image data set and form the corresponding user-selectable object data set.
  • a completed still image data set e.g., a data file or other finite group of data, a data stream, etc.
  • a media information provider 110 may operate to form both an original still image data set and form the corresponding user-selectable object data set.
  • the exemplary media system 100 may also include a third party image information provider 120 .
  • a third party image information provider may, for example, provide information related to a still image. Such information may, for example, comprise information describing user-selectable objects in still images, media guide information, etc.
  • a third party image information provider e.g., a party that may be independent of a still image source, media network operator, etc.
  • such a third party image information provider 120 may operate to receive an initial completed still image data set (e.g., a data file or other bounded data structure, a data stream, etc.), for example via a communication network and/or on a physical media, and embed information of user-selectable objects in the initial completed still image data set.
  • an initial completed still image data set e.g., a data file or other bounded data structure, a data stream, etc.
  • the exemplary media system 100 may include one or more communication networks (e.g., the communication network(s) 130 ).
  • the exemplary communication network 130 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of communication networks over which still image and/or information related to still images (e.g., information related to user-selectable objects in still images) may be communicated.
  • the communication network 130 may comprise characteristics of any one or more of: a cable television network, a satellite television network, a telecommunication network, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), any of a variety of different types of home networks, etc.
  • LAN local area network
  • PAN personal area network
  • MAN metropolitan area network
  • the exemplary media system 100 may include a first media presentation device 140 .
  • a first media presentation device 140 may, for example, comprise networking capability enabling such media presentation device 140 to communicate directly with the communication network(s) 130 .
  • the first media presentation device 140 may comprise one or more embedded media receivers or transceivers (e.g., a cable television transceiver, satellite television transceiver, Internet modem, wired and/or wireless LAN transceiver, wireless PAN transceiver, etc.).
  • the first media presentation device 140 may comprise one or more recording devices (e.g., for recording and/or playing back media content, still images, etc.).
  • the first media presentation device 140 may, for example, operate to (which includes “operate when enabled to”) perform any or all of the functionality discussed herein.
  • the first media presentation device 140 may, for example, operate to receive and process still image information (e.g., via a communication network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium), etc.), where such still image information comprises embedded information of user-selectable objects.
  • the first media presentation device 140 may also, for example, operate to receive and process information of a still image and information of user-selectable objects in the still image, where such user-selectable object information and such image information are communicated independently (e.g., received in independent data files, received in independent data streams, etc.).
  • the exemplary media system 100 may include a first media controller 160 .
  • a first media controller 160 may, for example, operate to (e.g., which may include “operate when enabled to”) control operation of the first media presentation device 140 .
  • the first media controller 160 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of media presentation controlling devices.
  • the first media controller 160 may comprise characteristics of a dedicated media center control device, a dedicated image presentation device controller, a dedicated television controller, a universal remote control, a cellular telephone or personal computing device with media presentation control capability, etc.
  • the first media controller 160 may, for example, transmit signals directly to the first media presentation device 140 to control operation of the first media presentation device 140 .
  • the first media controller 160 may also, for example, operate to transmit signals (e.g., via the communication network(s) 130 ) to the media information provider 110 and/or the third party image information provider 120 to control image information (or information related to an image) being provided to the first media presentation device 140 or other device with image presentation capability, or to conduct other transactions (e.g., business transactions, etc.).
  • the first media controller 160 may operate to communicate screen (or display) pointing information with the first media presentation device 140 and/or other devices.
  • various aspects of the present invention include a user pointing to a location on a display (e.g., pointing to an animate or inanimate user-selectable object presented in an image on the display).
  • the user may perform such pointing in any of a variety of manners.
  • One of such exemplary manners includes pointing with a user device.
  • the first media controller 160 provides a non-limiting example of a device that a user may utilize to point to an on-screen location.
  • the first media controller 160 may operate to receive and process still image information (e.g., via a communication network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium), etc.), where such still image information comprises embedded information of user-selectable objects.
  • still image information e.g., via a communication network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium), etc.
  • the first media controller 160 may operate to receive and process still image information and information of user-selectable objects in the still image (e.g., via one or more communication networks, stored on one or more physical media or computer readable media (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable media), etc.), where such still image information and user-selectable object information are communicated independently.
  • still image information and information of user-selectable objects in the still image e.g., via one or more communication networks, stored on one or more physical media or computer readable media (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable media), etc.
  • the first media presentation device 140 and first media controller 160 provide a non-limiting example of a user's local media presentation system.
  • a user's local media presentation system generally refers to the media-related devices that are local to the media presentation system currently being utilized by the user.
  • the user's local media presentation system generally refers to the media-related devices that make up the user's home media presentation system.
  • the user's local media presentation system generally refers to the media-related devices that make up the premises media presentation system
  • Such a user's local media presentation system does not, for example, comprise media network infrastructure devices that are generally outside of the user's current premises (e.g., Internet nodes, cable and/or satellite head-end apparatus, cable and/or satellite communication intermediate communication network nodes) and/or media source devices that are generally managed by media enterprises and generally exist outside of the user's premises.
  • Such entities which may be communicatively coupled to the user's local media presentation system, may be considered to be entities remote from the user's local media presentation system (or “remote entities”).
  • the exemplary media system 100 may also include a media (e.g., still image) receiver 151 .
  • the media receiver 151 may, for example, operate to (e.g., which may include “operate when enabled to”) provide a communication link between a media presentation device and/or media controller and a communication network and/or information provider.
  • the media receiver 151 may operate to provide a communication link between the second media presentation device 141 and the communication network(s) 130 , or between the second media presentation device 141 and the media information provider 110 (and/or third party image information provider 120 ) via the communication network(s) 130 .
  • the media receiver 151 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of media receivers.
  • the media receiver 151 may comprise characteristics of a cable television receiver, a satellite television receiver, a still image receiver, a personal computer, a still picture (or still image) camera, a moving picture camera, etc.
  • the media receiver 151 may comprise a data communication network modem for data network communications (e.g., with the Internet, a LAN, PAN, MAN, telecommunication network, etc.).
  • the media receiver 151 may also, for example, comprise recording capability (e.g., still image recording and playback, etc.).
  • the media receiver 151 may operate to receive and process still image information (e.g., via a communication network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium), etc.), where such still image information comprises embedded information of user-selectable objects.
  • still image information e.g., via a communication network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium), etc.
  • the media receiver 151 may operate to receive and process still image information and information of user-selectable objects in the still image (e.g., via one or more communication networks, stored on one or more physical media or computer readable media (e.g., non-transitory computer readable media), etc.), where such still image information and user-selectable object information are communicated independently.
  • still image information and information of user-selectable objects in the still image e.g., via one or more communication networks, stored on one or more physical media or computer readable media (e.g., non-transitory computer readable media), etc.
  • the exemplary media system 100 may include a second media controller 161 .
  • a second media controller 161 may, for example, operate to (e.g., which may include “operate when enabled to”) control operation of the second media presentation device 141 and the media receiver 151 .
  • the second media controller 161 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of media presentation controlling devices.
  • the second media controller 161 may comprise characteristics of a dedicated media center control device, a dedicated image presentation device controller, a dedicated television controller, a universal remote control, a cellular telephone or personal computing device with media presentation control capability, etc.
  • the second media controller 161 may, for example, operate to transmit signals directly to the second media presentation device 141 to control operation of the second media presentation device 141 .
  • the second media controller 161 may, for example, operate to transmit signals directly to the media receiver 151 to control operation of the media receiver 151 .
  • the second media controller 161 may additionally, for example, operate to transmit signals (e.g., via the media receiver 151 and the communication network(s) 130 ) to the media information provider and/or the third party image information provider 120 to control image information (or information related to an image) being provided to the media receiver 151 , or to conduct other transactions (e.g., business transactions, etc.).
  • various aspects of the present invention include a user selecting a user-selectable object in an image.
  • selection may, for example, comprise the user pointing to a location on a display (e.g., pointing to an animate or inanimate object presented in an image on the display).
  • the user may perform such pointing in any of a variety of manners.
  • One of such exemplary manners includes pointing with a user device.
  • the second media controller 161 provides one non-limiting example of a device that a user may utilize to point to an on-screen location.
  • a user may touch a location of such touch screen to point to an on-screen location (e.g., to select a user-selectable object presented in an image presented on the touch screen).
  • the second media presentation device 141 , media receiver 151 and second media controller 161 provide another non-limiting example of a user's local media system.
  • the second media controller 161 may operate to receive and process still image information (e.g., via a communication network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium), etc.), where such still image information comprises embedded information of user-selectable objects.
  • still image information e.g., via a communication network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium), etc.
  • the second media controller 161 may operate to receive and process still image information and information of user-selectable objects in the still image (e.g., via one or more communication networks, stored on one or more physical media or computer readable media (e.g., non-transitory computer readable media), etc.), where such still image information and user-selectable object information are communicated independently.
  • still image information and information of user-selectable objects in the still image e.g., via one or more communication networks, stored on one or more physical media or computer readable media (e.g., non-transitory computer readable media), etc.
  • the exemplary media system 100 was provided to provide a non-limiting illustrative foundation for discussion of various aspects of the present invention. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by any characteristics of the exemplary media system 100 unless explicitly claimed.
  • FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 200 for providing embedded information of selectable objects in a still image, for example a still image data set (e.g., a data file or other bounded data structure, a data stream, etc.), in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • a media system component e.g., the media information provider 110 , third party image information provider 120 , a component of a communication network 130 , first media presentation device 140 , first media controller 160 , second media presentation device 141 , media receiver 151 , second media controller 161 , shown in FIG. 1 and discussed previously
  • a media system component e.g., the media information provider 110 , third party image information provider 120 , a component of a communication network 130 , first media presentation device 140 , first media controller 160 , second media presentation device 141 , media receiver 151 , second media controller 161 , shown in FIG. 1 and discussed previously
  • a media system component e.g., the media information provider 110
  • any or all aspects of the exemplary method 200 may be implemented in one or more media system components remote from the user's local media system. Also for example, any or all aspects of the exemplary method 200 may be implemented in one or more components of the user's local media system.
  • the exemplary method 200 may, for example, begin executing at step 205 .
  • the exemplary method 200 may begin executing in response to any of a variety of causes and/or conditions, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided.
  • the exemplary method 200 may begin executing in response to a user command to begin (e.g., a user at a media source, a user at a media production studio, a user at a media distribution enterprise, etc.), in response to still image information and/or information of user-selectable objects in a still image arriving at a system entity implementing the method 200 , in response to an electronic request communicated from the external entity to a system entity implementing the method 200 , in response to a timer, in response to a request from an end user and/or a component of a user's local media system for a still image including information of user-selectable objects, in response to a request from a user for a still image where such user is associated in a database with still images comprising user-
  • the exemplary method 200 may, for example at step 210 , comprise receiving image information (e.g., picture information) for a still image.
  • image information e.g., picture information
  • still image information may, for example, be received with or without information describing user-selectable objects in such a still image.
  • Step 210 may comprise receiving the still image information from any of a variety of sources, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided.
  • step 210 may comprise receiving the still image information from a still image broadcasting company, from a data streaming company, from a still image studio, from a still image database or server, from a camera or other still image recording device, from a scanner, from a facsimile machine, from an Internet still image provider, etc.
  • Step 210 may comprise receiving the still image information from any of a variety of types of hard media (e.g., optical storage media, magnetic storage media, etc.).
  • hard media may, for example, comprise characteristics of optical storage media (e.g., compact disc, digital versatile disc, Blueray®, laser disc, etc.), magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disc, diskette, magnetic tape, etc.), computer memory device (e.g., non-transitory computer readable medium, flash memory, one-time-programmable memory, read-only memory, random access memory, thumb drive, etc.).
  • Such memory may, for example, be a temporary and/or permanent component of the system entity implementing the method 200 .
  • step 210 may comprise receiving the still image information from such a device and/or from a reader of such a device (e.g., directly via an end-to-end conductor or via a communication network).
  • step 210 may comprise receiving a completed still image data set (e.g., a complete picture data set) for a still image, the completed still image data set formatted for communicating the still image without information describing user-selectable objects in the still image.
  • the received completed still image data set may be in conformance with a still image standard (e.g., JPEG, TIFF, GIF, bmp, etc.).
  • a data set may be a data file (or set of logically linked data files) formatted in a JPEG or pdf format for normal presentation on a user's local image presentation system.
  • Such a data set of a still image when received at step 210 , might not have information of user-selectable objects in the still image. Such information of user-selectable objects may then, for example, be added, as will be explained below.
  • step 210 may comprise receiving still image information (e.g., picture information) for the still image prior to the still image information being formatted into a completed still image data set for communicating the still image.
  • step 210 may comprise receiving still image information (e.g., a bitmap, partially encoded still image information, etc.) that will be formatted in accordance with a still image standard, but which has not yet been so formatted.
  • Such a data set of a still image when received at step 210 , might not have information of user-selectable objects in the still image. Such information of user-selectable objects may then, for example, be added, as will be explained below.
  • step 210 may comprise receiving a completed still image data set (e.g., a complete picture data set) for the still image, the completed still image data set formatted for communicating the still image with information describing user-selectable objects in the still image.
  • the received completed still image data set may be in conformance with a still image standard (e.g., JPEG, TIFF, GIF, etc.), or a variant thereof, that specifically accommodates information of user-selectable objects in the still image.
  • a still image standard e.g., JPEG, TIFF, GIF, etc.
  • the received completed still image (or picture) data set may be in conformance with a still image standard (e.g., JPEG et al., TIFF, GIF, JBIG et al., PNG, AGP, AI, ANI, PNG, BMP, DNG, DCS, DCR, ECW, EMF, ICO, PDF, etc.), or a variant thereof, that while not specifically accommodating information of user-selectable objects in the still image, allows for the incorporation of such information in unassigned data fields.
  • a data set may be a data file (or set of logically linked data files) formatted in a JPEG format for normal presentation on a user's local image presentation system.
  • Such a data set of a still image when received at step 210 , might comprise information of user-selectable objects in the still image. Such information of user-selectable objects may then, for example, be deleted, modified and/or appended, as will be explained below.
  • Step 210 may, for example, comprise receiving the still image information in digital and/or analog signals.
  • Step 210 may, for example, comprise receiving the still image information in digital and/or analog signals.
  • the examples provided above generally concerned the receipt of digital data, such examples are readily extendible to the receipt of analog still image information.
  • step 210 may comprise receiving still image information for a still image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular type of still image information or by any particular manner of receiving still image information unless explicitly claimed.
  • the exemplary method 200 may, at step 220 , comprise receiving object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image. Many non-limiting examples of receiving such object information will now be provided.
  • Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from any of a variety of sources, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided.
  • step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from a media (or image) broadcasting company, from a media (or image) streaming company, from a media (or image) studio, from a still image database or server, from an advertising company, from a commercial enterprise associated with a user-selectable object in a still image, from a person or organization associated with a user-selectable object in a still image, from an Internet still image provider, from a third party still image information source, from an end user's process executing on an end user's personal computer, etc.
  • Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from a plurality of independent sources.
  • step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from each of such respective interested parties.
  • step 220 may comprise receiving user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable consumer good in a still image from a provider of such consumer good, receiving user-selectable object information corresponding to an entertainer in the still image from the entertainer's management company, receiving user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable historical landmark in the still image from a society associated with the historical landmark, receiving user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image associated with a service from a provider of such service, etc.
  • step 220 may comprise aggregating the user-selectable object information received from the plurality of sources (e.g., into a single user-selectable object data set) for ultimate combination of such user-selectable object information with received still image information.
  • Step 220 may, for example, comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from a same source as that from which the still image information was received at step 210 or may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from a different source.
  • step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from an advertising company, while step 210 comprises receiving the still image information from a still image studio.
  • step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from a commercial enterprise associated with a consumer good object presented in the still image, while step 210 comprises receiving the still image information from an image server of a sports network.
  • step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information directly from a computer process that generates such information.
  • a computer process may display a still image on an operator station and utilize graphical tools (e.g., boxes or other polygons, edge detection routines, etc.) to define a user-selectable object in the still image.
  • Such a computer process may then output information describing the object in the still image.
  • Step 220 may comprise receiving the information output from such process.
  • Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information via any of a variety of types of communication networks, many examples of such networks were provided previously.
  • Such networks may, for example, comprise any of variety of general data communication networks (e.g., the Internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a metropolitan area network, etc.).
  • Such networks may, for example, comprise a media network (e.g., terrestrial and/or satellite media network).
  • Step 220 may, for example, comprise receiving the user-selectable object information via a same communication network as that via which the still image information was received at step 210 or may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from a different communication network.
  • step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information via a general data communication network (e.g., the Internet), while step 210 comprises receiving the still image information via a television network.
  • step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information via a general data network, while step 210 comprises receiving the still image information from a computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium).
  • a computer readable medium e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium
  • Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from any of a variety of types of hard media (e.g., optical storage media, magnetic storage media, etc.).
  • hard media may, for example, comprise characteristics of optical storage media (e.g., compact disc, digital versatile disc, Blueray®, laser disc, etc.), magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disc, diskette, magnetic tape, etc.), computer memory device (e.g., non-transitory computer readable medium, flash memory, one-time-programmable memory, read-only memory, random access memory, thumb drive, etc.).
  • Such memory may, for example, be a temporary and/or permanent component of the system entity implementing the method 200 .
  • step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from such a device and/or from a reader of such a device (e.g., directly via an end-to-end conductor or via a communication network).
  • the object information corresponding to one or more user-selectable objects that is received at step 220 may comprise any of a variety of characteristics, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided.
  • such user-selectable object information may comprise information describing and/or defining the user-selectable object that is shown in the still image.
  • Such information may, for example, be processed by a recipient of such information to identify an object that is being selected by a user.
  • Such information may, for example, comprise information describing boundaries associated with a user-selectable object in the still image (e.g., actual object boundaries (e.g., an object outline), areas generally coinciding with a user-selectable object (e.g., a description of one or more geometric shapes that generally correspond to a user-selectable object), selection areas that when selected indicate user-selection of a user-selectable object (e.g., a superset and/or subset of a user-selectable object in the still image), etc.
  • Such information may, for example, describe and/or define the user-selectable in a still image coordinate system.
  • such user-selectable object information may comprise information describing the object, where such information may be presented to the user upon user-selection of a user selectable object.
  • object information may comprise information describing physical characteristics of a user-selectable object, background information, historical information, general information of interest, location information, financial information, travel information, commerce information, personal information, etc.
  • such user-selectable object information may comprise information describing and/or defining actions that may be taken upon user-selection of a user-selectable object, non-limiting examples of such actions and/or related information corresponding to a respective user-selectable object will now be presented.
  • such user-selectable object information may comprise information describing a one or more manners of determining information to present to the user (e.g., retrieving such information from a known location, conducting a search for such information, etc.), establishing a communication session by which a user may interact with networked entities associated with a user-selected object, interacting with a user regarding display of a user-selected object and/or associated information, etc.
  • such user-selectable object information may comprise information describing one or more manners of obtaining one or more sets of information, where such information may then, for example, be presented to the user.
  • information may comprise a memory address (or data storage address) and/or a communication network address (e.g., an address of a networked data server, a URL, etc.), where such address may correspond to a location at which information corresponding to the identified object may be obtained.
  • Such information may, for example, comprise a network address of a component with which a communication session may be initiated and/or conducted (e.g., to obtain information regarding the user-selected object, to interact with the user regarding the selected object, etc.).
  • the user-selectable object information comprises information to present to a user upon user-selection of a selectable object in a still image
  • information may comprise any of a variety of different types of information related to the user-selected object.
  • information may comprise information describing the user-selectable object (e.g., information describing aspects of the object, history of the object, design of the object, source of the object, price of the object, critiques of the object, information provided by commercial enterprises producing and/or providing such object, etc.), information indicating to the user how the user may obtain the selected object, information indicating how the user may utilize the selected object, etc.
  • the information may, for example, comprise information of one or more non-commercial organizations associated with, and/or having information pertaining to, the identified user-selected object (e.g., non-profit and/or government organization contact information, web site address information, etc.).
  • the information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image may comprise information related to conducting a search for information corresponding to the user-selectable object.
  • information may, for example, comprise network search terms that may be utilized in a search engine to search for information corresponding to the user-selected object.
  • Such information may also comprise information describing the network boundaries of such a search, for example, identifying particular search networks, particular servers, particular addresses, particular databases, etc.
  • the information corresponding to a user-selectable object may describe a manner in which a system is to intact with a user to more clearly identify information desired by the user.
  • information may comprise information specifying user interaction that should take place when an amount of information available and corresponding to a user-selectable object exceeds a particular threshold.
  • Such user interaction may, for example, help to reduce the amount of information that may ultimately be presented to the user.
  • information may comprise information describing a user interface comprising providing a list (or menu) of types of information available to the user and soliciting information from the user regarding the selection of one or more of the listed types of information.
  • the user-selectable object information may comprise information describing the manner in which a communication session may be established and/or management.
  • an action associated with a user-selectable object comprises providing a user interface by which a user may initiate and perform a commercial transaction regarding a user-selectable object
  • the user-selectable object information may comprise information describing the manner in which the commercial transaction is to be performed (e.g., order forms, financial information exchange, order tracking, etc.).
  • various user-selectable objects may, for example, be associated with any of a variety of respective actions that may be taken upon selection of a respective user-selectable object by a user.
  • Such actions e.g., information retrieval, information searching, communication session management, commercial transaction management, etc.
  • Such actions may, for example, be included in a table or other data structure indexed by the identity of a respective user-selectable object.
  • object information corresponding to user-selectable objects in a still image may comprise: athlete information (e.g., statistics, personal information, professional information, history, etc.), entertainer information (e.g., personal information, discography and/or filmography information, information of related organizations, fan club information, photograph and/or video information, etc.), landmark information (e.g., historical information, visitation information, location information, mapping information, photo album information, visitation diary, charitable donation information, etc.), political figure information (e.g., party affiliation, stances on particular issues, history, financial information, voting record, attendance record, etc.), information regarding general types of objects (e.g., information describing actions to take upon user-selection of a person object, of a consumer good object, of a landmark object, etc.) and/or specific objects (e.g., information describing actions to take when a particular person object is selected, when a particular consumer good object is selected, when a particular landmark object is selected, etc.).
  • athlete information e.g.,
  • the above-mentioned types of information corresponding to user-selectable objects a still image may be general to all eventual viewers (or recipients) of the still image, but may also be customized to a particular target user and/or end user.
  • information may be customized to a particular user (e.g., based on income level, demographics, age, employment status and/or type, education level and/or type, family characteristics, religion, purchasing history, neighborhood characteristics, home characteristics, health characteristics, etc.
  • such information may also be customized to a particular geographical location or region.
  • step 220 may comprise receiving object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular type of such user-selectable object information or by any particular manner of receiving such user-selectable object information unless explicitly claimed.
  • the exemplary method 200 may, at step 230 , comprise combining the received still image information (e.g., as received at step 210 ) and the received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received at step 220 ) in a combined data set.
  • the received still image information e.g., as received at step 210
  • the received user-selectable object information e.g., as received at step 220
  • Many non-limiting examples of such combining will now be provided.
  • step 210 may comprise receiving still image information (e.g., a still image data set) for a still image (e.g., a photographic image) by, at least in part, receiving a completed still image data set for the still image (e.g., formatted in accordance with a still image communication and/or compression standard), where the completed still image data set is formatted for communicating (or storing) the still image without information describing user-selectable objects in the still image.
  • still image information e.g., a still image data set
  • a still image e.g., a photographic image
  • a completed still image data set for the still image e.g., formatted in accordance with a still image communication and/or compression standard
  • step 230 may comprise combining the received still image information and the received user-selectable object information by, at least in part, inserting the received user-selectable object information in the completed still image data set to create a combined data set comprising the received still image data set and the received user-selectable object information.
  • step 230 may comprise inserting the received user-selectable object information in data fields of the completed still image data set that are not assigned by the still image standard for any specific type of information (e.g., inserting such information into unassigned data fields and/or metadata fields provided by the still image standard, adding new data fields to the still image standard, etc.).
  • a still image standard e.g., a JPEG standard
  • Such inserting may, for example, comprise inserting the received user-selectable object information in data fields of the completed still image data set that are interleaved with data fields carrying still image data.
  • inserting may be performed in accordance with a format alternating still image data and user-selectable object information (or data) on a pixel-by-pixel basis (e.g., sequencing pixel 1 still image data, pixel 1 user-selectable object information, sequencing pixel 2 still image data, pixel 2 user-selectable object information, etc.), by groups of pixels (e.g., pixel 1-A still image data, pixel 1-A user-selectable object information, pixel A-N still image data, pixel A-N user-selectable object information, etc.), by lines of pixels, by blocks of pixels, etc.
  • a format alternating still image data and user-selectable object information (or data) on a pixel-by-pixel basis e.g., sequencing pixel 1 still image data,
  • user-selectable object information need not be strictly placed with the still image data for the still image in which the user-selectable object appears.
  • information of user-selectable objects in a still image and/or portion thereof may be communicated before and/or after the image data set for the entire still image is communicated.
  • step 230 may comprise inserting the received user-selectable object information in the data fields of the completed still image data set that are specifically assigned by the still image standard to contain information of user-selectable objects.
  • step 210 may comprise receiving still image information (e.g., a still image data set) for a still image (e.g., a photographic image) by, at least in part, receiving still image information for the still image prior to the still image information being formatted into a completed still image data set for communicating (or storing) the still image.
  • a still image e.g., a photographic image
  • step 210 may comprise receiving information describing the still image that has yet to be formatted into a data set that conforms to a particular still image standard (e.g., bitmap information, DCT information, etc., which has yet to be placed into a self-contained JPEG data set for communicating and/or storing the still image).
  • step 230 may comprise combining the received still image information and the received user-selectable object information into a completed still image data set that is formatted for communicating and/or storing the still image with information describing user-selectable objects in the still image (e.g., into a single cohesive data set, for example, a single data file or other data structure, into a plurality of logically linked data files or other data structures, etc.).
  • a single cohesive data set for example, a single data file or other data structure, into a plurality of logically linked data files or other data structures, etc.
  • such a completed still image data set may be formatted in accordance with a still image standard that specifically assigns respective data fields (or elements) to information describing the still image and to user-selectable object information.
  • such a completed still image data set may be formatted in accordance with a still image standard that specifically assigns data fields to information describing a still image, but does not specifically assign data fields to user-selectable object information (e.g., utilizing general-purpose unassigned data fields, adding new data fields to the standard, etc.).
  • step 210 may comprise receiving still image information for a still image by, at least in part, receiving an initial combined still image data set that comprises initial still image information and initial user-selectable object information corresponding to user-selectable objects in the still image.
  • the received initial combined still image data set may have already been formed into a single cohesive data set that comprises the still image information for the still image and information of user-selectable objects in the still image.
  • step 230 may comprise modifying the initial user-selectable object information of the initial combined still image data set in accordance with the received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received at step 220 ).
  • modifying may, for example and without limitation, comprise adding the received object information to the initial object information in the initial combined still image data set (e.g., in unused unassigned data fields and/or in unused data fields that have been specifically assigned to contain user-selectable object information, etc.).
  • Such modifying may comprise changing at least a portion of the initial object information of the initial combined still image data set in accordance with the received user-selectable object information (e.g., changing information defining a user-selectable object in a presented still image, changing information about a user-selectable object to be presented to a user, changing information regarding any action that may be performed upon user-selection of a user-selectable object, etc.).
  • changing information defining a user-selectable object in a presented still image changing information about a user-selectable object to be presented to a user, changing information regarding any action that may be performed upon user-selection of a user-selectable object, etc.
  • such modifying may comprise deleting at least a portion of the initial object information in accordance with the received user-selectable object information (e.g., in a scenario in which the received user-selectable object information includes a command or directive to remove a portion or all information corresponding to a particular user-selectable object).
  • step 230 may comprise performing such operations automatically (i.e., without real-time interaction with a user while such operations are being performed) and may also be performed with user interaction.
  • the received still image information and the received user-selectable object information may each be uniquely identified to assist in merging such information.
  • step 230 may comprise analyzing such respective unique identifications to determine the still image data set in which the user-selectable object information is to be inserted.
  • the user-selectable object information for a particular user-selectable object may comprise information indentifying the specific still image in which the user-selectable object appears.
  • Such information may be utilized at step 230 to determine the appropriate data set (e.g., still image data file or other bounded data set0 in which to place the user-selectable object information.
  • step 230 may comprise presenting an operator with a view of the still image and a view of a user-selectable object in such still image for which information is being added to a combined dataset.
  • Step 230 may then comprise interacting with the operator to obtain permission and/or directions for combining the still image and user-selectable object information.
  • step 230 may comprise encrypting the user-selectable object information or otherwise restricting access to such information. For example, in a scenario in which access to such information is provided on a subscription basis, in a scenario in which providers of such information desire to protect such information from undesirable access and/or manipulation, etc., such information protection may be beneficial.
  • step 230 may comprise combining the received still image information (e.g., as received at step 210 ) and the received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received at step 220 ) in a combined data set. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by any particular manner of performing such combining and/or any particular format in which such a combined data set may be placed unless specifically claimed.
  • the exemplary method 200 may, at step 240 , comprise communicating the combined data set(s) (e.g., as formed at step 230 ) to one or more recipient systems or devices.
  • Such communication may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of communication, non-limiting examples of which will now be presented.
  • Step 240 may, for example, comprise communicating the combined data set(s) via a communication network (e.g., a television communication network, a telecommunication network, a general data communication network (e.g., the Internet, a LAN, a PAN, etc.), etc.). Many non-limiting examples of such communication network were provided previously.
  • Step 240 may, for example, comprise broadcasting, multi-casting and/or uni-casting the combined data set over one or more communication networks.
  • Step 240 may also, for example, comprise communicating the combined data set(s) to another system and/or device via a direct conductive path (e.g., via a wire, circuit board trace, conductive trace on a die, etc.).
  • a direct conductive path e.g., via a wire, circuit board trace, conductive trace on a die, etc.
  • step 240 may comprise storing the combined data set(s) on a computer readable medium (e.g., a DVD, a CD, a Blueray ® disc, a laser disc, a magnetic tape, a hard drive, a diskette, etc.). Such a computer readable medium may then, for example, be shipped to a distributor and/or ultimate recipient of the computer readable medium. Further for example, step 240 may comprise storing the combined data set(s) in a volatile and/or non-volatile memory device (e.g., a flash memory device, a one-time-programmable memory device, an EEPROM, a RAM, etc.).
  • a volatile and/or non-volatile memory device e.g., a flash memory device, a one-time-programmable memory device, an EEPROM, a RAM, etc.
  • step 240 may comprise storing (or causing or otherwise participating in the storage of) the combined data set(s) in a media system component (e.g., a component or device of the user's local media (or still image presentation) system and/or a component or device of a media (or still image) provider and/or a component or device of any still image information source.
  • a media system component e.g., a component or device of the user's local media (or still image presentation) system and/or a component or device of a media (or still image) provider and/or a component or device of any still image information source.
  • step 240 may comprise storing the combined dataset(s), or otherwise participating in the storage of the combined dataset(s), in a component of the user's local media system (e.g., in an image presentation device, a digital video recorder, a media receiver, a media player, a media system controller, personal communication device, a local networked database, a local networked personal computer, etc.).
  • a component of the user's local media system e.g., in an image presentation device, a digital video recorder, a media receiver, a media player, a media system controller, personal communication device, a local networked database, a local networked personal computer, etc.
  • Step 240 may, for example, comprise communicating the combined data set in serial fashion.
  • step 240 may comprise communicating the combined data set (comprising interleaved still image information and user-selectable object information) in a single data stream (e.g., via a general data network, via a television or other media network, stored on a hard medium, for example a non-transitory computer-readable medium, in such serial fashion, etc.).
  • step 240 may comprise communicating the combined data set in parallel data streams, each of which comprises interleaved still image information and user-selectable object information (e.g., as opposed to separate distinct respective data streams for each of still image information and user-selectable object information).
  • step 240 may comprise communicating the combined data set(s) (e.g., as formed at step 230 ) to one or more recipient systems or devices (e.g., an end user or associated system, media (or image) provider or associated system, an advertiser or associated system, a media (or image) producer or associated system, a media (or image) database, a media (or image) server, etc.).
  • recipient systems or devices e.g., an end user or associated system, media (or image) provider or associated system, an advertiser or associated system, a media (or image) producer or associated system, a media (or image) database, a media (or image) server, etc.
  • the exemplary method 200 may, for example at step 295 , comprise performing continued operations.
  • Step 295 may comprise performing any of a variety of continued operations, non-limiting examples of such continued operation(s) will be presented below.
  • step 295 may comprise returning execution flow to any of the previously discussed method steps.
  • step 295 may comprise returning execution flow of the exemplary method 200 to step 220 for receiving additional user-selectable object information to combine with still image information.
  • step 295 may comprise returning execution flow of the exemplary method 200 to step 210 for receiving additional still image information and user-selectable object information to combine with such received still image information.
  • step 295 may comprise returning execution flow of the exemplary method 200 to step 240 for additional communication of the combined information to additional recipients.
  • step 295 may comprise performing continued operations (e.g., performing additional operations corresponding to combining still image information and information of user-selectable objects in such still images, etc.). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular type of continued processing unless explicitly claimed.
  • FIG. 3 such figure is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 300 for providing embedded information of selectable objects in a still image, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • the exemplary method 300 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously. Any or all aspects of the exemplary method 300 may, for example, be implemented in a media system component (e.g., the media information provider 110 , third party image information provider 120 , a component of a communication network 130 , first media presentation device 140 , first media controller 160 , second media presentation device 141 , media receiver 151 , second media controller 161 , shown in FIG. 1 and discussed previously) and/or a plurality of such media system components operating in conjunction.
  • a media system component e.g., the media information provider 110 , third party image information provider 120 , a component of a communication network 130 , first media presentation device 140 , first media controller 160 , second media presentation device 141 , media receiver 151 ,
  • any or all aspects of the exemplary method 300 may be implemented in one or more media (or image) system components remote from the user's local media system.
  • any or all aspects of the exemplary method 200 may be implemented in one or more components of the user's local media (or image) system.
  • the exemplary method 300 may, for example, begin executing at step 305 .
  • the exemplary method 300 may begin executing in response to any of a variety of causes or conditions.
  • Step 305 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 205 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.
  • the exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 310 , comprise receiving image information for a still image.
  • Step 310 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 210 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.
  • step 310 may comprise receiving any of the various types of still image information from any of the various sources of still image information via any of the various communication media discussed previously with regard to the method 200 of FIG. 2 and the system 100 of FIG. 1 and elsewhere herein.
  • step 310 may comprise, for example at sub-step 312 , receiving a completed still image data set for the still image, the completed still image data set formatted for communicating and/or storing the still image without information describing user-selectable objects in the still image.
  • step 310 may comprise, for example at sub-step 314 , receiving still image information for the still image prior to the still image information being formatted into a completed still image data set for communicating and/or storing the still image.
  • step 310 may comprise, for example at sub-step 316 , receiving a completed still image data set for the still image, the completed still image data set formatted for communicating and/or storing the still image with information describing user-selectable objects in the still image.
  • the exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 320 , comprise receiving object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image.
  • Step 320 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 220 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.
  • step 320 may comprise receiving any of the various types of user-selectable object information from any of the various sources of user-selectable object information via any of the various types of media discussed previously with regard to the method 200 of FIG. 2 and the system 100 of FIG. 1 and elsewhere herein.
  • step 320 may comprise, for example at sub-step 322 , receiving user-selectable object information comprising information describing and/or defining the user-selectable object that is shown in the still image (e.g., object dimension information, object movement information, etc.). Also for example, step 320 may comprise, for example at sub-step 324 , receiving user-selectable object information comprising information regarding the user-selectable object that may be presented to the user upon user-selection of such object in a still image.
  • user-selectable object information comprising information describing and/or defining the user-selectable object that is shown in the still image (e.g., object dimension information, object movement information, etc.).
  • step 320 may comprise, for example at sub-step 324 , receiving user-selectable object information comprising information regarding the user-selectable object that may be presented to the user upon user-selection of such object in a still image.
  • step 320 may comprise, for example at sub-step 326 , receiving user-selectable object information comprising information describing and/or defining actions that may be taken upon user-selection of a user-selectable object (e.g., retrieving and/or obtaining and/or searching for information about a user-selectable object, information specifying a manner in which a system is to interact with a user regarding a user-selected object, searching for information, establishing and/or maintaining communication sessions, information describing the manner in which the commercial transaction is to be performed, etc.).
  • user-selectable object information comprising information describing and/or defining actions that may be taken upon user-selection of a user-selectable object (e.g., retrieving and/or obtaining and/or searching for information about a user-selectable object, information specifying a manner in which a system is to interact with a user regarding a user-selected object, searching for information, establishing and/or maintaining communication sessions
  • the exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 330 , comprise combining the received still image information (e.g., as received at step 310 ) and the received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received at step 320 ) in a combined data set.
  • Step 330 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 230 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.
  • step 330 may comprise, for example at sub-step 332 , inserting the received user-selectable object information in a completed still image data set that was received at step 320 (e.g., inserting such user-selectable object information in fields of the still image data set that are specified by a standard for carrying such user-selectable object information, inserting such user-selectable object information in fields of the still image data set that are not specifically allocated for a particular type of data, etc.).
  • step 330 may comprise, for example at sub-step 334 , combining received still image data and received user-selectable object information into a completed still image data set that is formatted for communicating the still image with information describing user-selectable objects in the still image. Additionally for example, step 330 may comprise, for example at sub-step 336 , modifying initial user-selectable object information of an initial combined still image data set in accordance with received user-selectable object information.
  • the exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 340 , comprise communicating the combined data set(s) (e.g., as formed at step 230 ) to one or more recipient systems or devices.
  • Step 340 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 240 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.
  • step 340 may comprise, for example at sub-step 342 , communicating the combined data set(s) via a communication network (e.g., any of a variety of communication networks discussed herein, etc.). Also for example, step 340 may comprise, for example, at sub-step 344 , communicating the combined data set(s) by storing the combined data set(s) on a non-transitory computer readable medium and/or by transmitting the combined data set(s) to another device or system to perform such storage. Additionally for example, step 340 may comprise, for example, at sub-step 346 , communicating the combined data set in a single serial stream (e.g., comprising interleaved still image data and user-selectable object information).
  • a communication network e.g., any of a variety of communication networks discussed herein, etc.
  • step 340 may comprise, for example, at sub-step 344 , communicating the combined data set(s) by storing the combined data set(s) on a non-transitory computer
  • step 340 may comprise, for example, at sub-step 348 , communicating the combined data set in a plurality of parallel serial streams (e.g., each of such streams comprising interleaved still image data and user-selectable object information).
  • a plurality of parallel serial streams e.g., each of such streams comprising interleaved still image data and user-selectable object information.
  • the exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 395 , comprise performing continued operations.
  • Step 395 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 295 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.
  • various aspects of the present invention may comprise incorporating information of user-selectable objects in a still image into a combined data set that comprises such information along with information generally descriptive of the still image, and communication of such a combined data set.
  • various aspects of the present invention may comprise forming, communicating and/or storing a user-selectable object data set that is independent of a corresponding still image data set.
  • FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 400 for providing information of selectable objects in a still image in an information stream independent of the still image, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • Any or all aspects of the exemplary method 400 may, for example, be implemented in a media system component (e.g., the media information provider 110 , third party image information provider 120 , a component of a communication network 130 , first media presentation device 140 , first media controller 160 , second media presentation device 141 , media receiver 151 , second media controller 161 , shown in FIG. 1 and discussed previously) and/or a plurality of such media system components operating in conjunction.
  • a media system component e.g., the media information provider 110 , third party image information provider 120 , a component of a communication network 130 , first media presentation device 140 , first media controller 160 , second media presentation device 141 , media receiver 151 , second media controller 161 , shown in FIG. 1 and discussed previously
  • a media system component e
  • any or all aspects of the exemplary method 400 may be implemented in one or more media system components remote from the user's local media system. Also for example, any or all aspects of the exemplary method 400 may be implemented in one or more components of the user's local media system.
  • the exemplary method 400 may, for example, begin executing at step 405 .
  • the exemplary method 400 may begin executing in response to any of a variety of causes and/or conditions.
  • Step 405 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with steps 205 and 305 of the exemplary methods 200 and 300 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and discussed previously.
  • the exemplary method 400 may, for example at step 410 , comprise receiving image information for a still image.
  • Step 410 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with steps 210 and 310 of the exemplary methods 200 and 300 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and discussed previously.
  • the exemplary method 400 may, for example at step 420 , comprise determining user-selectable object information corresponding to one or more user-selectable objects in a still image.
  • Step 420 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with steps 220 and 320 of the exemplary methods 200 and 300 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and discussed previously.
  • step 420 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from any of a variety of sources, non-limiting examples of which were provided previously (e.g., in the discussion of step 220 and elsewhere herein).
  • the object information corresponding to one or more user-selectable objects that is determined at step 210 may comprise any of a variety of characteristics, numerous examples of such object information were provided previously (e.g., in the discussion of step 220 and elsewhere herein).
  • the exemplary method 400 may, at step 430 , comprise forming a user-selectable object data set comprising the determined user-selectable object information (e.g., as determined at step 420 ), where the user-selectable object data set is independent of a still image data set (e.g., as received at step 410 ) generally representative of the still image.
  • Step 430 may comprise performing such data set formation in any of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which will now be presented.
  • step 430 may comprise forming the user-selectable object data set (e.g., a data file or other data structure, a logical grouping of data, etc.) in a manner that is spatially synchronized with a still image (or a still image data set representative of a still image).
  • the user-selectable object data set e.g., a data file or other data structure, a logical grouping of data, etc.
  • step 430 may comprise forming the user-selectable object data set by, at least in part, parsing the user-selectable object information in a manner that logically mirrors the still image data set blocks.
  • the user-selectable object information describing the user-selectable object may be placed in a corresponding block (e.g., Nth block, data segment, etc.) of the user-selectable object data set.
  • the user-selectable object data set might include null (or no) information in blocks corresponding to still image blocks that do not include any user-selectable objects.
  • the user-selectable object data set need not include information for block P if corresponding block P of the still image does not include any user-selectable objects.
  • step 430 may comprise forming the user-selectable object data set by, at least in part, including information indicating the blocks of the still image in which the user-selectable object appears (e.g., along with the dimensions of the user-selectable object and/or other spatially descriptive information).
  • step 430 may comprise incorporating information into the user-selectable object data set that indicates the user-selectable object appears in blocks A-B of the still image, along with information describing the dimensions and/or locations of the user-selectable object in such blocks of the still image.
  • the user-selectable object data set includes information that spatially synchronizes the user-selectable object data set to the still image data set
  • not all information of the user-selectable object data set need be so synchronized.
  • information corresponding to user-selectable objects that is not spatially-specific may be included in the user-selectable object data set in an unsynchronized (or asynchronous) manner.
  • information describing user-selectable objects (or selectable regions thereof) as such user-selectable objects appear in a presented still image may be spatially-synchronized (e.g., block-synchronized) to the still image data set, while information to be presented to the user upon user-selection of such user-selectable objects and/or information describing any action to take upon user-selection of such user-selectable objects may be included in the user-selectable object data set in an unsynchronized manner (e.g., in a data structure (or sub-data structure) that is indexed by object identity to retrieve such information).
  • an unsynchronized manner e.g., in a data structure (or sub-data structure) that is indexed by object identity to retrieve such information.
  • the user-selectable object data set may comprise time synchronization information indicating that such user-selectable object data set corresponds to the particular time window.
  • step 430 may comprise incorporating data markers into the user-selectable object data set that correspond to respective markers in a still image data set.
  • step 430 may comprise incorporating data pointers into the user-selectable object data set that point to respective absolute and/or relative locations within a still image data set.
  • the user-selectable object information may also comprise information to be provided to the user upon selection of a user-selectable object, information describing communication sessions and/or other actions that may be performed upon selection of the user-selectable object, etc.
  • information may be incorporated into the user-selectable object data set at step 430 .
  • step 430 may comprise incorporating such user-selectable object information into the user-selectable object data set in a manner that provides for indexing such information by object identity.
  • such information need only be incorporated into the user-selectable object data set one time (e.g., positioned in the user-selectable object data set such that a recipient of the user-selectable object data set will have received such information prior to user selection of the user-selectable object corresponding to such information).
  • step 430 may comprise forming the user-selectable object data set such that, when communicated to a user's local media (or image) presentation system, information of actions to perform upon user selection of the consumer good in the still image will have been received by the user's local media (or image) presentation system prior to the user's first opportunity to select the consumer good in the still image.
  • the user-selectable object data set formed at step 430 may comprise characteristics of different types of data sets (or structures).
  • step 430 may comprise forming a data file that comprises the user-selectable object information.
  • a user-selectable object data file may, for example, comprise metadata that correlates the user-selectable object data file to one or more corresponding still image data files that are utilized to communicate the general still image (e.g., without user-selectable object information).
  • Step 430 may also, for example, comprise forming an array of the user-selectable object information.
  • Such an array may, for example, comprise an array or records associated with respective user-selectable objects in a still image and may be indexed and/or sorted by object identification.
  • step 430 may comprise forming a linked list of respective data records corresponding to user-selectable objects in the still image.
  • Such a linked list may, for example, be a multi-dimensional linked list with user-selectable object in a first dimension and respective records associated with different types of information associated with a particular user-selectable object in a second dimension.
  • the user-selectable object data set may be independent of one or more still image data sets generally representative of the still image.
  • Such an implementation advantageously provides for independent formation and maintenance of the user-selectable object data set that corresponds to the still image.
  • a data set e.g., a still image data file, JPEG file, etc.
  • a data set for user-selectable objects in the still image may be developed (e.g., by an advertising company, by a sponsor, by a network operator, by one or more components of a user's local media system, etc.) independently.
  • the user-selectable object data set may be developed and/or changes may be made to the user-selectable object data set without impacting the still image data set.
  • user-selectable object information may be customized to a user or group of users.
  • a plurality of different user-selectable object data sets may be developed that each correspond to the same still image data set.
  • step 220 may comprise forming a first user-selectable object data set for a New York audience or recipient of a still image, and forming a second user-selectable object data set for a Los Angeles audience or recipient of the still image without necessitating modification of the still image data set, which communicates the still image in the same manner to each of the New York and Los Angeles audiences or recipients.
  • step 430 may comprise forming a user-selectable object data set comprising the determined user-selectable object information (e.g., as determined at step 220 ), where the user-selectable object data set is independent of a still image data set generally representative of the still image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular types of user-selectable object data, characteristics of particular types of user-selectable object data sets, and/or characteristics of any particular manner of forming user-selectable object data sets unless explicitly claimed.
  • the exemplary method 400 may, at step 440 , comprise communicating the formed user-selectable object data set (e.g., as formed at step 430 ) to one or more recipients.
  • Step 440 may comprise performing such communicating in any of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided.
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set in one or more data streams (which may be called “user-selectable object data streams” herein) independent of one or more still image data streams that generally communicate the still image (i.e., that generally communicate the still image data set).
  • the user-selectable object data set may comprise information of user-selectable objects in the still image that supplement (e.g., append and/or amend) information of user-selectable objects that might be present in the still image data set.
  • Step 440 may, for example, comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set time-synchronized to communication of the still image data set. For example, even in a scenario in which the user-selectable object data set is independent of the general still image data set, step 440 may still time-synchronize communication of the user-selectable object data set with communication of the general still image data set.
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data concurrently (e.g., simultaneously and/or pseudo-simultaneously in a time-sharing manner) with communication of the still image data set that generally communicates the still image.
  • concurrent communication may comprise communicating at least a portion of the user-selectable object data set and at least a portion of the still image data set in a time-multiplexed manner (e.g., via a shared communication channel (e.g., a frequency channel, a code channel, a time/frequency channel, etc.)).
  • a shared communication channel e.g., a frequency channel, a code channel, a time/frequency channel, etc.
  • concurrent communication may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set in parallel with communication of the still image data set (e.g., on separate respective sets of one or more parallel communication channels).
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set via at least one communication channel that is different from one or more communication channels over which the still image data set is communicated. For example, even in a scenario in which the user-selectable object data set and the still image data set are communicated over at least one shared communication channel, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set in at least one communication channel that is different from the communication channel(s) over which the still image data set is communicated.
  • Step 440 may, for example, comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set over a first communication network that is different from a second communication network over which the still image data set is communicated.
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set over a first communication network (e.g., a first general data communication network), where the still image data set is communicated over a second communication network (e.g., a second general data communication network).
  • a first communication network e.g., a first general data communication network
  • a second communication network e.g., a second general data communication network
  • Step 440 may, for example, comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set over a first type of communication network that is different from a second type of communication network over which the still image data set is communicated.
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set over a first general data communication network, where the still image data set is communicated over a television communication network (e.g., a cable television network, a satellite television network, etc.).
  • a television communication network e.g., a cable television network, a satellite television network, etc.
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set utilizing a first communication protocol that is different from a second communication protocol that is utilized to communicate the still image data set.
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable data set utilizing TCP/IP, while the general still image data set is communicated utilizing a cable television protocol.
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set to a first set of one or more user local media (or image) presentation systems, where the first set is a subset of a second set of user local media (or image) presentation systems to which the still image data set is communicated.
  • step 440 may comprise multicasting the user-selectable object data set to a multicast group, where the still image data set is broadcast to a superset of the multicast group.
  • step 440 may comprise unicasting the user-selectable object data set to a single user local media (or image) presentation system, where the still image data set is broadcast or multicast to a superset of the single user.
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set to a first set of one or more components of a user's local media (or image) presentation system, where at least a portion of such first set is different from a second set of one or more components of the user's local media (or image) presentation system to which the still image data set is communicated.
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set to the media controller and not to the media receiver.
  • Step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set with or without regard for the timing of the communication of the still image (e.g., the still image data set) to which the user-selectable object data set corresponds.
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set whenever the still image data set is communicated.
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the entire user-selectable object data set before the still image data set is communicated. In such a scenario, the recipient of the communicated user-selectable object data set may be assured of having received such data set prior to receipt of the still image to which the user-selectable object data set corresponds.
  • step 440 may also comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set to a storage device where the user-selectable object data set is stored in a storage medium, for example an optical storage media (e.g., compact disc, digital versatile disc, Blueray®, laser disc, etc.), magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disc, diskette, magnetic tape, etc.), computer memory device (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable medium, flash memory, one-time-programmable memory, read-only memory, random access memory, thumb drive, etc.), etc.
  • a storage medium for example an optical storage media (e.g., compact disc, digital versatile disc, Blueray®, laser disc, etc.), magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disc, diskette, magnetic tape, etc.), computer memory device (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable medium, flash memory, one-time-programmable memory, read-only memory, random access memory, thumb drive, etc.), etc.
  • Such memory may, for example, be a temporary
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set to a storage device where the user-selectable object data set is stored in a same storage medium as a medium on which the still image data set is stored.
  • the user-selectable object data set may be stored in one or more data structures that are independent of one or more data structures in which the still image data set is stored (e.g., stored in one or more separate data files).
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set to one or more devices of the user's local media system (e.g., a media receiver, a digital video recorder, a media presentation device, a media controller, a personal computer, etc.) and/or one or more devices of a media source system and/or one or more devices of a media distribution system for storage in such device(s).
  • devices of the user's local media system e.g., a media receiver, a digital video recorder, a media presentation device, a media controller, a personal computer, etc.
  • step 440 may comprise communicating the formed user-selectable object data set (e.g., as formed at step 430 ) to one or more recipients (e.g., an end user or associated system, still image provider or associated system, an advertiser or associated system, a still image producer or associated system, a still image database, a still image server, etc.).
  • recipients e.g., an end user or associated system, still image provider or associated system, an advertiser or associated system, a still image producer or associated system, a still image database, a still image server, etc.
  • the exemplary method 400 may, for example at step 495 , comprise performing continued operations.
  • Step 495 may comprise performing any of a variety of continued operations, non-limiting examples of such continued operation(s) will be presented below.
  • step 495 may comprise returning execution flow to any of the previously discussed method steps.
  • step 495 may comprise returning execution flow of the exemplary method 400 to step 420 for receiving additional user-selectable object information to form into an independent user-selectable object data set and communicate.
  • step 495 may comprise returning execution flow of the exemplary method 400 to step 440 for additional communication of the user-selectable object data set (e.g., to additional recipients).
  • step 495 may comprise performing continued operations (e.g., performing additional operations corresponding to forming and/or communicating user-selectable object data sets related to user-selectable objects in a still image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular type of continued processing unless explicitly claimed.
  • FIG. 5 such figure is a diagram illustrating an exemplary media system 500 (e.g., single media system component and/or plurality of media system components), in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • the exemplary media system 500 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with one or more of the media system components illustrated in FIG. 1 and discussed previously.
  • the exemplary media system 500 may correspond to any of the media system components illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the like) or any group of the media system components illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the like).
  • the exemplary media system 500 may comprise characteristics of a computing system (e.g., a personal computer, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, etc.).
  • the exemplary media system 500 (e.g., various modules thereof) may operate to perform any or all of the functionality discussed previously with regard to the exemplary methods 200 , 300 and 400 illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and discussed previously.
  • the exemplary media system 500 includes a first communication interface module 510 .
  • the first communication interface module 510 may, for example, operate to communicate over any of a variety of communication media and utilizing any of a variety of communication protocols.
  • the first communication interface module 510 is illustrated coupled to a wireless RF antenna via a wireless port 512 , the wireless medium is merely illustrative and non-limiting.
  • the first communication interface module 510 may, for example, operate to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., cable television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunication networks, general data communication networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) via which still image-related information (e.g., still image information, information of user-selectable objects in a still image, still image information with and without embedded information of user-selectable objects) and/or other data is communicated.
  • communication networks e.g., cable television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunication networks, general data communication networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.
  • still image-related information e.g., still image information, information of user-selectable objects in a still image, still image information with and without embedded information of user-selectable objects
  • the first communication interface module 510 may operate to communicate with local sources of still image-related content or other data (e.g., disc drives, computer-readable medium readers, video or image recorders, cameras, computers, receivers, personal electronic devices, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, personal media players, etc.). Additionally, for example, the first communication interface module 510 may operate to communicate with a remote controller (e.g., directly or via one or more intermediate communication networks).
  • local sources of still image-related content or other data e.g., disc drives, computer-readable medium readers, video or image recorders, cameras, computers, receivers, personal electronic devices, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, personal media players, etc.
  • a remote controller e.g., directly or via one or more intermediate communication networks.
  • the exemplary media system 500 includes a second communication interface module 520 .
  • the second communication interface module 520 may, for example, operate to communicate over any of a variety of communication media and utilizing any of a variety of communication protocols.
  • the second communication interface module 520 may communicate via a wireless RF communication port 522 and antenna, or may communicate via a non-tethered optical communication port 524 (e.g., utilizing laser diodes, photodiodes, etc.).
  • the second communication interface module 520 may communicate via a tethered optical communication port 526 (e.g., utilizing a fiber optic cable), or may communicate via a wired communication port 528 (e.g., utilizing coaxial cable, twisted pair, HDMI cable, Ethernet cable, any of a variety of wired component and/or composite video connections, etc.).
  • a tethered optical communication port 526 e.g., utilizing a fiber optic cable
  • a wired communication port 528 e.g., utilizing coaxial cable, twisted pair, HDMI cable, Ethernet cable, any of a variety of wired component and/or composite video connections, etc.
  • the second communication interface module 520 may, for example, operate to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., cable television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunication networks, general data communication networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) via which still image-related information (e.g., still image information, information of user-selectable objects in a still image, image information with and without embedded information of user-selectable objects) and/or other data is communicated.
  • the second communication module 520 may operate to communicate with local sources of still image-related information (e.g., disc drives, computer-readable medium readers, video or image recorders, cameras, computers, receivers, personal electronic devices, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, personal media players, etc.).
  • the second communication module 520 may operate to communicate with a remote controller (e.g., directly or via one or more intervening communication networks).
  • the exemplary media system 500 may also comprise additional communication interface modules, which are not illustrated (some of which may also be shown in FIG. 6 ). Such additional communication interface modules may, for example, share any or all aspects with the first 510 and second 520 communication interface modules discussed above.
  • the exemplary media system 500 may also comprise a communication module 530 .
  • the communication module 530 may, for example, operate to control and/or coordinate operation of the first communication interface module 510 and the second communication interface module 520 (and/or additional communication interface modules as needed).
  • the communication module 530 may, for example, provide a convenient communication interface by which other components of the media system 500 may utilize the first 510 and second 520 communication interface modules. Additionally, for example, in an exemplary scenario where a plurality of communication interface modules are sharing a medium and/or network, the communication module 530 may coordinate communications to reduce collisions and/or other interference between the communication interface modules.
  • the exemplary media system 500 may additionally comprise one or more user interface modules 540 .
  • the user interface module 540 may generally operate to provide user interface functionality to a user of the media system 500 .
  • the user interface module 540 may operate to provide for user control of any or all standard media system commands (e.g., channel control, volume control, on/off, screen settings, input selection, etc.).
  • the user interface module 540 may, for example, operate and/or respond to user commands utilizing user interface features disposed on the media system 500 (e.g., buttons, etc.) and may also utilize the communication module 530 (and/or first 510 and second 520 communication interface modules) to communicate with other systems and/or components thereof, regarding still image-related information, regarding user interaction that occurs during the formation of combined dataset(s), etc. (e.g., a media system controller (e.g., a dedicated media system remote control, a universal remote control, a cellular telephone, personal computing device, gaming controller, etc.)).
  • the user interface module(s) 540 may operate to utilize the optional display 570 to communicate with a user regarding user-selectable object information and/or to present still image information to a user.
  • the user interface module 540 may also comprise one or more sensor modules that operate to interface with and/or control operation of any of a variety of sensors that may be utilized during the performance of the combined data set(s).
  • the one or more sensor modules may be utilized to ascertain an on-screen pointing location, which may for example be utilized to input and/or received user-selectable object information (e.g., to indicate and/or define user-selectable objects in a still image).
  • the user interface module 540 (or sensor module(s) thereof) may operate to receive signals associated with respective sensors (e.g., raw or processed signals directly from the sensors, through intermediate devices, via the communication interface modules 510 , 520 , etc.).
  • the user interface module 540 may operate to control the transmission of signals (e.g., RF signals, optical signals, acoustic signals, etc.) from such sensors.
  • the user interface module 540 may perform any of a variety of still image output functions (e.g., presenting still image information to a user, presenting user-selectable object information to a user, providing visual feedback to a user regarding an identified user-selected object in a presented still image, etc.).
  • the exemplary media system 500 may comprise one or more processors 550 .
  • the processor 550 may, for example, comprise a general purpose processor, digital signal processor, application-specific processor, microcontroller, microprocessor, etc.
  • the processor 550 may operate in accordance with software (or firmware) instructions.
  • software or firmware instructions.
  • any or all functionality discussed herein may be performed by a processor executing instructions.
  • various modules are illustrated as separate blocks or modules in FIG. 5 , such illustrative modules, or a portion thereof, may be implemented by the processor 550 .
  • the exemplary media system 500 may comprise one or more memories 560 . As discussed above, various aspects may be performed by one or more processors executing instructions. Such instructions may, for example, be stored in the one or more memories 560 . Such memory 560 may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of memory. For example and without limitation, such memory 560 may comprise one or more memory chips (e.g., ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, one-time-programmable OTP memory, etc.), hard drive memory, CD memory, DVD memory, etc.
  • memory chips e.g., ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, one-time-programmable OTP memory, etc.
  • the exemplary media system 500 may comprise one or more modules 552 (e.g., still image information receiving module(s)) that operate to receive still image information for a still image.
  • Such one or more modules 552 may, for example, operate to utilize the communication module 530 (e.g., and at least one of the communication interface modules 510 , 520 ) and/or the user interface module(s) 540 to receive such still image information.
  • the communication module 530 e.g., and at least one of the communication interface modules 510 , 520
  • the user interface module(s) 540 to receive such still image information.
  • such one or more modules 552 may operate to perform step 210 of the exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 310 of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously.
  • the exemplary media system 500 may comprise one or more module(s) 554 (e.g., user-selectable object information receiving module(s)) that operate to receive object information corresponding to one or more user-selectable objects in a still image.
  • Such one or more modules 554 may, for example, operate to utilize the communication module 530 (e.g., and at least one of the communication interface modules 510 , 520 ) and/or the user interface module(s) 540 to receive such still image user-selectable object information.
  • the communication module 530 e.g., and at least one of the communication interface modules 510 , 520
  • the user interface module(s) 540 to receive such still image user-selectable object information.
  • such one or more modules 554 may operate to perform step 220 of the exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 320 of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously.
  • the exemplary media system 500 may comprise one or more modules 556 (e.g., still image and user-selectable object information combining module(s)) that operate to combine received still image information (e.g., as received by the module(s) 552 ) and received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received by the module(s) 554 ) into a combined data set.
  • modules 556 may, for example, operate to receive still image information from the module(s) 552 , receive user-selectable object information from the module(s) 554 , combine such received still image information and user-selectable object information into a combined data set, and output such combined data set.
  • Such one or more modules 556 may operate to perform step 230 of the exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 330 of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously.
  • the exemplary media system 500 may comprise one or more modules 558 (e.g., combined data set communication module(s)) that operate to communicate the combined data set to at least one recipient system and/or device.
  • modules 558 e.g., combined data set communication module(s)
  • such module(s) 558 may operate to utilize the communication module(s) 530 (and, for example, one or both of the first communication interface module(s) 510 and second communication interface module(s) 520 )) to communicate the combined data set.
  • module(s) 558 may operate to communicate the combined data set to one or more system devices that store the combined data set on a physical medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium).
  • Such one or more modules 558 may operate to perform step 240 of the exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 340 of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously.
  • the exemplary media system 500 may, for example, comprise one or more modules that operate to perform any or all of the processing discussed previously with regard to the exemplary method 400 , discussed previously.
  • Such modules e.g., as with the one or more modules 552 , 554 , 556 and 558 ) may be performed by the processor(s) 550 executing instructions stored in the memory 560 .
  • Such module(s) may, for example comprise one or more image receiving module(s) that operate to perform the still image receiving functionality discussed previously with regard to step 410 .
  • Such module(s) may also, for example comprise one or more user-selectable objection information determining module(s) that operate to perform the information determining functionality discussed previously with regard to step 420 .
  • Such module(s) may additionally, for example comprise one or more user-selectable object data set formation module(s) that operate to perform the data set formation functionality discussed previously with regard to step 430 .
  • Such module(s) may further, for example, comprise one or more user-selectable object data set communication module(s) that operate to perform the communication functionality discussed previously with regard to step 440 .
  • the exemplary media system 500 may, for example, comprise one or more modules that operate to perform any or all of the continued processing discussed previously with regard to step 295 of the exemplary method 200 , step 395 of the exemplary method 300 , and step 495 of the exemplary method 400 discussed previously.
  • modules e.g., as with the one or more modules 552 , 554 , 556 and 558 ) may be performed by the processor(s) 550 executing instructions stored in the memory 560 .
  • FIG. 6 such figure is a diagram illustrating exemplary modules and/or sub-modules for a media system 600 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • the exemplary media system 600 may share any or all aspects with the media system 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 and discussed previously.
  • the exemplary media system 600 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with one or more of the media system components illustrated in FIG. 1 and discussed previously.
  • the exemplary media system 600 may correspond to any of the media system components illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the like) or any group of the media system components illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the like).
  • the exemplary media system 600 may operate to perform any or all functionality discussed herein with regard to the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 , the exemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 , and the exemplary method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 .
  • the media system 600 comprises a processor 630 .
  • a processor 630 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the processor 550 discussed with regard to FIG. 5 .
  • the media system 600 comprises a memory 640 .
  • Such memory 640 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the memory 560 discussed with regard to FIG. 5 .
  • the media system 600 may comprise any of a variety of user interface module(s) 650 .
  • Such user interface module(s) 650 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the user interface module(s) 540 discussed previously with regard to FIG. 5 .
  • the user interface module(s) 650 may comprise: a display device, a camera (for still or moving picture acquisition), a speaker, an earphone (e.g., wired or wireless), a microphone, a video screen (e.g., a touch screen), a vibrating mechanism, a keypad, and/or any of a variety of other user interface devices (e.g., a mouse, a trackball, a touch pad, touch screen, light pen, game controlling device, etc.).
  • the exemplary media system 600 may also, for example, comprise any of a variety of communication modules ( 605 , 606 , and 610 ). Such communication module(s) may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the communication interface module(s) 510 , 520 discussed previously with regard to FIG. 5 .
  • the communication interface module(s) 610 may comprise: a Bluetooth interface module; an IEEE 802.11, 802.15, 802.16 and/or 802.20 module; any of a variety of cellular telecommunication interface modules (e.g., GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA/CDMA2000/1x-EV-DO, WCDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA, TDMA/PDC, WiMAX, etc.); any of a variety of position-related communication interface modules (e.g., GPS, A-GPS, etc.); any of a variety of wired/tethered communication interface modules (e.g., USB, Fire Wire, RS-232, HDMI, Ethernet, wireline and/or cable modem, etc.); any of a variety of communication interface modules related to communicating with external memory devices; etc.
  • the exemplary media system 600 is also illustrated as comprising various wired 606 and/or wireless 605 front-end modules that may, for example, be included in the communication interface modules and/or utilized thereby.
  • the exemplary media system 600 may also comprise any of a variety of signal processing module(s) 690 .
  • Such signal processing module(s) 690 may share any or all characteristics with modules of the exemplary media system 500 that perform signal processing.
  • Such signal processing module(s) 690 may, for example, be utilized to assist in processing various types of information discussed previously (e.g., with regard to sensor processing, position determination, video processing, image processing, audio processing, general user interface information data processing, etc.).
  • the signal processing module(s) 690 may comprise: video/graphics processing modules (e.g.
  • audio processing modules e.g., MP3, AAC, MIDI, QCELP, AMR, CMX, etc.
  • tactile processing modules e.g., Keypad I/O, touch screen processing, motor control, etc.

Abstract

A system and method for providing information of selectable objects in a still image and/or data stream, as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
  • This patent application is related to and claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/242,234 filed Sep. 14, 2009, and titled “TELEVISION SYSTEM,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This patent application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION OF SELECTABLE OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21042US02; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION OF SELECTABLE OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM IN AN INFORMATION STREAM INDEPENDENT OF THE TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21043US02. This patent application is further related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/774,380, filed May 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21037US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,832, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21038US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,866, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION RECEIVER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21039US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,911, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21040US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,945, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21041US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/851,036, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21051US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/851,075, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A PARALLEL TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21052US02. The contents of each of the above-mentioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
    • FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
  • [Not Applicable]
    • SEQUENCE LISTING
  • [Not Applicable]
    • MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
  • [Not Applicable]
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Present media systems are incapable of providing for and/or conveniently providing for user-selection of objects in a still image (e.g., a photograph). Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.
    • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • Various aspects of the present invention provide a system and method for providing information of selectable objects in a still image and/or data stream, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of illustrative aspects thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary media system, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for providing embedded information of selectable objects in a still image, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for providing embedded information of selectable objects in a still image, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for providing information of selectable objects in a still image in an information stream independent of the still image, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary media system, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating exemplary modules and/or sub-modules for a media system, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION
  • The following discussion will refer to various communication modules, components or circuits. Such modules, components or circuits may generally comprise hardware and/or a combination of hardware and software (e.g., including firmware). Such modules may also, for example, comprise a computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory medium) comprising instructions (e.g., software instructions) that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform various functional aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular hardware and/or software implementations of a module, component or circuit unless explicitly claimed as such. For example and without limitation, various aspects of the present invention may be implemented by one or more processors (e.g., a microprocessor, digital signal processor, baseband processor, microcontroller, etc.) executing software instructions (e.g., stored in volatile and/or non-volatile memory). Also for example, various aspects of the present invention may be implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) and/or other hardware components.
  • Additionally, the following discussion will refer to various media system modules (e.g., image presentation system modules, personal electronic device modules, computer system modules, camera modules, television modules, television receiver modules, television controller modules, modules of a user's local media system, modules of a geographically distributed media system, etc.). It should be noted that the following discussion of such various modules is segmented into such modules for the sake of illustrative clarity. However, in actual implementation, the boundaries between various modules may be blurred. For example, any or all of the functional modules discussed herein may share various hardware and/or software components. For example, any or all of the functional modules discussed herein may be implemented wholly or in-part by a shared processor executing software instructions. Additionally, various software sub-modules that may be executed by one or more processors may be shared between various software modules. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by arbitrary boundaries between various hardware and/or software components, unless explicitly claimed.
  • The following discussion may also refer to communication networks and various aspects thereof. For the following discussion, a communication network is generally the communication infrastructure through which a communication device (e.g., a portable communication device, personal computer device, media presentation system, image presentation system, camera, media server, image server, television, television control device, television provider, television programming provider, television receiver, video and/or image recording device, etc.) may communicate with other systems. For example and without limitation, a communication network may comprise a cable and/or satellite television communication network, a cellular communication network, a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a general data communication network (e.g., the Internet), any home or premises communication network, etc. A particular communication network may, for example, generally have a corresponding communication protocol according to which a communication device may communicate with the communication network. Unless so claimed, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of a particular type of communication network.
  • The following discussion may at times refer to an on-screen pointing location. Such a pointing location refers to a location on a video screen (e.g., a computer display, a display of a portable electronic device, a display of a digital photograph display, a television display, a primary television screen, a secondary television screen, etc.) to which a user (either directly or with a pointing device) is pointing. Such a pointing location is to be distinguished from other types of on-screen location identification, such as, for example, using arrow keys and/or a mouse to move a cursor or to traverse blocks (e.g., on an on-screen program guide) without pointing. Various aspects of the present invention, while referring to on-screen pointing location, are also readily extensible to such other forms of on-screen location identification.
  • Additionally, the following discussion will at times refer to television programming. Such television programming may, for example, communicate still images. Such television programming generally includes various types of television programming (e.g., television programs, news programs, sports programs, music television, movies, television series programs and/or associated advertisements, educational programs, live or recorded television programming, broadcast/multicast/unicast television programming, etc.). Such television programming may, for example, comprise real-time television broadcast programming (or multicast or unicast television programming) and/or user-stored television programming that is stored in a user device (e.g., a VCR, PVR, etc.). Such television programming video content is to be distinguished from other non-programming video content that may be displayed on a television screen (e.g., an electronic program guide, user interface menu, a television set-up menu, a typical web page, a graphical video game, etc.).
  • The following discussion will at times refer to still images. Such still images may, for example, comprise pictures. For example, such still images may correspond to still photographs (e.g., taken with a digital camera), scanned images created by a scanner, facsimile images, etc. Such still images may, for example, be represented in a data file (e.g., a JPEG file, a bitmap, a TIFF file, etc.), or other data structure, and may be communicated in one or more streams of data.
  • Also, the following discussion will at times refer to user-selectable objects in a still image. Such user-selectable objects includes both animate (i.e., living) and inanimate (i.e., non-living) objects. Such objects may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a variety of objects present in still images. Such objects may, for example and without limitation, comprise inanimate objects, such as consumer good objects (e.g., clothing, automobiles, shoes, jewelry, furniture, food, beverages, appliances, electronics, toys, artwork, cosmetics, recreational vehicles, sports equipment, safety equipment, computer equipment, communication devices, books, etc.), premises objects (e.g., business locations, stores, hotels, signs, doors, buildings, landmarks, historical sites, entertainment venues, hospitals, government buildings, etc.), objects related to services (e.g., objects related to transportation, objects related to emergency services, objects related to general government services, objects related to entertainment services, objects related to food and/or drink services, etc.), objects related to location (e.g., parks, landmarks, streets, signs, road signs, etc.), etc. Such objects may, for example, comprise animate objects, such as people (e.g., actors/actresses, athletes, musicians, salespeople, commentators, reports, analysts, hosts/hostesses, entertainers, etc.), animals (e.g., pets, zoo animals, wild animals, etc.) and plants (e.g., flowers, trees, shrubs, fruits, vegetables, cacti, etc.).
  • Turning first to FIG. 1, such figure is a diagram illustrating a non-limiting exemplary media system 100 in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary system 100 includes a media information provider 110. The media information provider 110 may, for example, comprise a server associated with a media company, a cable company, an image-providing company, movie-providing company, a news company, an educational institution, etc. The media information provider 110 may, for example, be an original source of still images (or related information). Also for example, the media information provider 110 may be a communication company that provides still image distribution services (e.g., a cable media company, a satellite media company, a telecommunication company, a data network provider, etc.). The media information provider 110 may, for example, provide both media (e.g., still image) information and non-media information. The media information provider 110 may, for example, provide information of both moving picture information and still picture information.
  • The media information provider 110 may, for example, provide information related to a still image (e.g., information describing or otherwise related to user-selectable objects in still images, etc.). As will be discussed below in more detail, the media information provider 110 may operate to create and/or communicate a still image (e.g., a still image data set, still image data stream, etc.) that includes embedded information of user-selectable objects in the still image. For example and without limitation, such a media information provider 110 may operate to receive a completed initial still image data set (e.g., a data file or other bounded data structure, a data stream, etc.), for example via a communication network and/or on a physical media, and embed information of user-selectable objects in the completed initial still image data set. Also for example, such a media information provider 110 may operate to form an original still image data set (e.g., a data file or other bounded data structure, etc.) and embed information of user-selectable objects in the original still image data set during such formation (e.g., in the studio, on an enterprise computing system, on a personal computer, etc.).
  • Note that the media information provider 110 may be remote from a user's local image presentation system (e.g., located at a premises different from the user's premises) or may be local to the user's local image presentation system (e.g., a personal media player, a digital photo presentation system, a DVR, a personal computing device, a personal electronic device, a personal cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a camera, a moving picture camera, an image recorder, a data server, an image and/or television receiver, a television, etc.).
  • The media information provider 110 may alternatively, for example, operate to form and/or communicate a user-selectable object data set that includes information of user-selectable objects in a still image. Such a user-selectable object data set for a still image may, for example, be independent of a data set that generally represents the still image (e.g., generally represents the still image without information of user-selectable objects in such still image). For example and without limitation, such a media information provider 110 may operate to receive a completed still image data set (e.g., a data file or other finite group of data, a data stream, etc.), for example via a communication network and/or on a physical medium, and form the user-selectable object data set independent of the completed still image data set. Also for example, such a media information provider 110 may operate to form both an original still image data set and form the corresponding user-selectable object data set.
  • The exemplary media system 100 may also include a third party image information provider 120. Such a provider may, for example, provide information related to a still image. Such information may, for example, comprise information describing user-selectable objects in still images, media guide information, etc. As will be discussed below in more detail, such a third party image information provider (e.g., a party that may be independent of a still image source, media network operator, etc.) may operate to create a still image (or still image data set, still image data stream, etc.) that includes embedded information of user-selectable objects in the still image. For example and without limitation, such a third party image information provider 120 may operate to receive an initial completed still image data set (e.g., a data file or other bounded data structure, a data stream, etc.), for example via a communication network and/or on a physical media, and embed information of user-selectable objects in the initial completed still image data set.
  • The exemplary media system 100 may include one or more communication networks (e.g., the communication network(s) 130). The exemplary communication network 130 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of communication networks over which still image and/or information related to still images (e.g., information related to user-selectable objects in still images) may be communicated. For example and without limitation, the communication network 130 may comprise characteristics of any one or more of: a cable television network, a satellite television network, a telecommunication network, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), any of a variety of different types of home networks, etc.
  • The exemplary media system 100 may include a first media presentation device 140. Such a first media presentation device 140 may, for example, comprise networking capability enabling such media presentation device 140 to communicate directly with the communication network(s) 130. For example, the first media presentation device 140 may comprise one or more embedded media receivers or transceivers (e.g., a cable television transceiver, satellite television transceiver, Internet modem, wired and/or wireless LAN transceiver, wireless PAN transceiver, etc.). Also for example, the first media presentation device 140 may comprise one or more recording devices (e.g., for recording and/or playing back media content, still images, etc.). The first media presentation device 140 may, for example, operate to (which includes “operate when enabled to”) perform any or all of the functionality discussed herein. The first media presentation device 140 may, for example, operate to receive and process still image information (e.g., via a communication network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium), etc.), where such still image information comprises embedded information of user-selectable objects. The first media presentation device 140 may also, for example, operate to receive and process information of a still image and information of user-selectable objects in the still image, where such user-selectable object information and such image information are communicated independently (e.g., received in independent data files, received in independent data streams, etc.).
  • The exemplary media system 100 may include a first media controller 160. Such a first media controller 160 may, for example, operate to (e.g., which may include “operate when enabled to”) control operation of the first media presentation device 140. The first media controller 160 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of media presentation controlling devices. For example and without limitation, the first media controller 160 may comprise characteristics of a dedicated media center control device, a dedicated image presentation device controller, a dedicated television controller, a universal remote control, a cellular telephone or personal computing device with media presentation control capability, etc.
  • The first media controller 160 may, for example, transmit signals directly to the first media presentation device 140 to control operation of the first media presentation device 140. The first media controller 160 may also, for example, operate to transmit signals (e.g., via the communication network(s) 130) to the media information provider 110 and/or the third party image information provider 120 to control image information (or information related to an image) being provided to the first media presentation device 140 or other device with image presentation capability, or to conduct other transactions (e.g., business transactions, etc.).
  • As will be discussed in more detail later, the first media controller 160 may operate to communicate screen (or display) pointing information with the first media presentation device 140 and/or other devices. Also, as will be discussed in more detail later, various aspects of the present invention include a user pointing to a location on a display (e.g., pointing to an animate or inanimate user-selectable object presented in an image on the display). In such a scenario, the user may perform such pointing in any of a variety of manners. One of such exemplary manners includes pointing with a user device. The first media controller 160 provides a non-limiting example of a device that a user may utilize to point to an on-screen location.
  • Additionally, for example in a scenario in which the first media controller 160 comprises an on-board display, the first media controller 160 may operate to receive and process still image information (e.g., via a communication network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium), etc.), where such still image information comprises embedded information of user-selectable objects. As another example, in such a scenario, the first media controller 160 may operate to receive and process still image information and information of user-selectable objects in the still image (e.g., via one or more communication networks, stored on one or more physical media or computer readable media (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable media), etc.), where such still image information and user-selectable object information are communicated independently.
  • As will be mentioned throughout the following discussion, various aspects of the invention will be performed by one or more devices, components and/or modules of a user's local media presentation system. The first media presentation device 140 and first media controller 160 provide a non-limiting example of a user's local media presentation system. Such a user's local media presentation system, for example, generally refers to the media-related devices that are local to the media presentation system currently being utilized by the user. For example, when a user is utilizing a media presentation system located at the user's home, the user's local media presentation system generally refers to the media-related devices that make up the user's home media presentation system. Also for example, when a user is utilizing a media presentation system at a premises away from the user's home (e.g., at another home, at a hotel, at an office, etc.), the user's local media presentation system generally refers to the media-related devices that make up the premises media presentation system Such a user's local media presentation system does not, for example, comprise media network infrastructure devices that are generally outside of the user's current premises (e.g., Internet nodes, cable and/or satellite head-end apparatus, cable and/or satellite communication intermediate communication network nodes) and/or media source devices that are generally managed by media enterprises and generally exist outside of the user's premises. Such entities, which may be communicatively coupled to the user's local media presentation system, may be considered to be entities remote from the user's local media presentation system (or “remote entities”).
  • The exemplary media system 100 may also include a media (e.g., still image) receiver 151. The media receiver 151 may, for example, operate to (e.g., which may include “operate when enabled to”) provide a communication link between a media presentation device and/or media controller and a communication network and/or information provider. For example, the media receiver 151 may operate to provide a communication link between the second media presentation device 141 and the communication network(s) 130, or between the second media presentation device 141 and the media information provider 110 (and/or third party image information provider 120) via the communication network(s) 130.
  • The media receiver 151 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of media receivers. For example and without limitation, the media receiver 151 may comprise characteristics of a cable television receiver, a satellite television receiver, a still image receiver, a personal computer, a still picture (or still image) camera, a moving picture camera, etc. Also for example, the media receiver 151 may comprise a data communication network modem for data network communications (e.g., with the Internet, a LAN, PAN, MAN, telecommunication network, etc.). The media receiver 151 may also, for example, comprise recording capability (e.g., still image recording and playback, etc.).
  • Additionally, for example in a scenario in which the media receiver 151 comprises an on-board display and/or provides still image information to a display (or media presentation device) communicatively coupled thereto, the media receiver 151 may operate to receive and process still image information (e.g., via a communication network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium), etc.), where such still image information comprises embedded information of user-selectable objects. As another example, in such a scenario, the media receiver 151 may operate to receive and process still image information and information of user-selectable objects in the still image (e.g., via one or more communication networks, stored on one or more physical media or computer readable media (e.g., non-transitory computer readable media), etc.), where such still image information and user-selectable object information are communicated independently.
  • The exemplary media system 100 may include a second media controller 161. Such a second media controller 161 may, for example, operate to (e.g., which may include “operate when enabled to”) control operation of the second media presentation device 141 and the media receiver 151. The second media controller 161 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of media presentation controlling devices. For example and without limitation, the second media controller 161 may comprise characteristics of a dedicated media center control device, a dedicated image presentation device controller, a dedicated television controller, a universal remote control, a cellular telephone or personal computing device with media presentation control capability, etc.
  • The second media controller 161 may, for example, operate to transmit signals directly to the second media presentation device 141 to control operation of the second media presentation device 141. The second media controller 161 may, for example, operate to transmit signals directly to the media receiver 151 to control operation of the media receiver 151. The second media controller 161 may additionally, for example, operate to transmit signals (e.g., via the media receiver 151 and the communication network(s) 130) to the media information provider and/or the third party image information provider 120 to control image information (or information related to an image) being provided to the media receiver 151, or to conduct other transactions (e.g., business transactions, etc.).
  • As will be discussed in more detail later, various aspects of the present invention include a user selecting a user-selectable object in an image. Such selection may, for example, comprise the user pointing to a location on a display (e.g., pointing to an animate or inanimate object presented in an image on the display). In such a scenario, the user may perform such pointing in any of a variety of manners. One of such exemplary manners includes pointing with a user device. The second media controller 161 provides one non-limiting example of a device that a user may utilize to point to an on-screen location. Also, in a scenario in which the second media controller 161 comprises a touch screen, a user may touch a location of such touch screen to point to an on-screen location (e.g., to select a user-selectable object presented in an image presented on the touch screen).
  • As will be mentioned throughout the following discussion, and as mentioned previously in the discussion of the first media presentation system 140 and first media controller 160, various aspects of the invention will be performed by one or more devices, components and/or modules of a user's local media system. The second media presentation device 141, media receiver 151 and second media controller 161 provide another non-limiting example of a user's local media system.
  • Additionally, for example in a scenario in which the second media controller 161 comprises an on-board display, the second media controller 161 may operate to receive and process still image information (e.g., via a communication network, stored on a physical medium or computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium), etc.), where such still image information comprises embedded information of user-selectable objects. As another example, in such a scenario, the second media controller 161 may operate to receive and process still image information and information of user-selectable objects in the still image (e.g., via one or more communication networks, stored on one or more physical media or computer readable media (e.g., non-transitory computer readable media), etc.), where such still image information and user-selectable object information are communicated independently.
  • The exemplary media system 100 was provided to provide a non-limiting illustrative foundation for discussion of various aspects of the present invention. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by any characteristics of the exemplary media system 100 unless explicitly claimed.
  • FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 200 for providing embedded information of selectable objects in a still image, for example a still image data set (e.g., a data file or other bounded data structure, a data stream, etc.), in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Any or all aspects of the exemplary method 200 may, for example, be implemented in a media system component (e.g., the media information provider 110, third party image information provider 120, a component of a communication network 130, first media presentation device 140, first media controller 160, second media presentation device 141, media receiver 151, second media controller 161, shown in FIG. 1 and discussed previously) and/or a plurality of such media system components operating in conjunction. For example, any or all aspects of the exemplary method 200 may be implemented in one or more media system components remote from the user's local media system. Also for example, any or all aspects of the exemplary method 200 may be implemented in one or more components of the user's local media system.
  • The exemplary method 200 may, for example, begin executing at step 205. The exemplary method 200 may begin executing in response to any of a variety of causes and/or conditions, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided. For example, the exemplary method 200 may begin executing in response to a user command to begin (e.g., a user at a media source, a user at a media production studio, a user at a media distribution enterprise, etc.), in response to still image information and/or information of user-selectable objects in a still image arriving at a system entity implementing the method 200, in response to an electronic request communicated from the external entity to a system entity implementing the method 200, in response to a timer, in response to a request from an end user and/or a component of a user's local media system for a still image including information of user-selectable objects, in response to a request from a user for a still image where such user is associated in a database with still images comprising user-selectable objects, upon reset and/or power-up of a system component implementing the exemplary method 200, in response to identification of a user and/or user equipment for which object selection capability is to be provided, in response to user payment of a fee, etc.
  • The exemplary method 200 may, for example at step 210, comprise receiving image information (e.g., picture information) for a still image. Various examples of such still images were provided above. Note that, depending on the particular implementation, such still image information may, for example, be received with or without information describing user-selectable objects in such a still image.
  • Step 210 may comprise receiving the still image information from any of a variety of sources, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided. For example and without limitation, step 210 may comprise receiving the still image information from a still image broadcasting company, from a data streaming company, from a still image studio, from a still image database or server, from a camera or other still image recording device, from a scanner, from a facsimile machine, from an Internet still image provider, etc.
  • Step 210 may comprise receiving the still image information via any of a variety of types of communication networks, non-limiting examples of which were provided above. Such networks may, for example, comprise any of variety of general data communication networks (e.g., the Internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a metropolitan area network, etc.). Such networks may, for example, comprise a wireless television network (e.g., terrestrial and/or satellite) and/or cable television network. Such networks may, for example, comprise a local wired network, point-to-point communication link between two devices, etc.
  • Step 210 may comprise receiving the still image information from any of a variety of types of hard media (e.g., optical storage media, magnetic storage media, etc.). Such hard media may, for example, comprise characteristics of optical storage media (e.g., compact disc, digital versatile disc, Blueray®, laser disc, etc.), magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disc, diskette, magnetic tape, etc.), computer memory device (e.g., non-transitory computer readable medium, flash memory, one-time-programmable memory, read-only memory, random access memory, thumb drive, etc.). Such memory may, for example, be a temporary and/or permanent component of the system entity implementing the method 200. For example, in a scenario including the utilization of such hard media, step 210 may comprise receiving the still image information from such a device and/or from a reader of such a device (e.g., directly via an end-to-end conductor or via a communication network).
  • In an exemplary scenario, step 210 may comprise receiving a completed still image data set (e.g., a complete picture data set) for a still image, the completed still image data set formatted for communicating the still image without information describing user-selectable objects in the still image. For example, the received completed still image data set may be in conformance with a still image standard (e.g., JPEG, TIFF, GIF, bmp, etc.). For example, such a data set may be a data file (or set of logically linked data files) formatted in a JPEG or pdf format for normal presentation on a user's local image presentation system. Such a data set of a still image, when received at step 210, might not have information of user-selectable objects in the still image. Such information of user-selectable objects may then, for example, be added, as will be explained below.
  • In another exemplary scenario, step 210 may comprise receiving still image information (e.g., picture information) for the still image prior to the still image information being formatted into a completed still image data set for communicating the still image. In an exemplary implementation, step 210 may comprise receiving still image information (e.g., a bitmap, partially encoded still image information, etc.) that will be formatted in accordance with a still image standard, but which has not yet been so formatted. Such a data set of a still image, when received at step 210, might not have information of user-selectable objects in the still image. Such information of user-selectable objects may then, for example, be added, as will be explained below.
  • In yet another exemplary scenario, step 210 may comprise receiving a completed still image data set (e.g., a complete picture data set) for the still image, the completed still image data set formatted for communicating the still image with information describing user-selectable objects in the still image. For example, the received completed still image data set may be in conformance with a still image standard (e.g., JPEG, TIFF, GIF, etc.), or a variant thereof, that specifically accommodates information of user-selectable objects in the still image. Also for example, the received completed still image (or picture) data set may be in conformance with a still image standard (e.g., JPEG et al., TIFF, GIF, JBIG et al., PNG, AGP, AI, ANI, PNG, BMP, DNG, DCS, DCR, ECW, EMF, ICO, PDF, etc.), or a variant thereof, that while not specifically accommodating information of user-selectable objects in the still image, allows for the incorporation of such information in unassigned data fields. For example, such a data set may be a data file (or set of logically linked data files) formatted in a JPEG format for normal presentation on a user's local image presentation system. Such a data set of a still image, when received at step 210, might comprise information of user-selectable objects in the still image. Such information of user-selectable objects may then, for example, be deleted, modified and/or appended, as will be explained below.
  • Step 210 may, for example, comprise receiving the still image information in digital and/or analog signals. Though the examples provided above generally concerned the receipt of digital data, such examples are readily extendible to the receipt of analog still image information.
  • In general, step 210 may comprise receiving still image information for a still image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular type of still image information or by any particular manner of receiving still image information unless explicitly claimed.
  • The exemplary method 200 may, at step 220, comprise receiving object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image. Many non-limiting examples of receiving such object information will now be provided.
  • Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from any of a variety of sources, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided. For example and without limitation, step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from a media (or image) broadcasting company, from a media (or image) streaming company, from a media (or image) studio, from a still image database or server, from an advertising company, from a commercial enterprise associated with a user-selectable object in a still image, from a person or organization associated with a user-selectable object in a still image, from an Internet still image provider, from a third party still image information source, from an end user's process executing on an end user's personal computer, etc.
  • Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from a plurality of independent sources. For example, in an exemplary scenario in which a still image includes user-selectable objects corresponding to a plurality of respective interested parties (e.g., respective product sponsors, respective leagues or other associations, respective people, etc.), step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from each of such respective interested parties. For example, step 220 may comprise receiving user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable consumer good in a still image from a provider of such consumer good, receiving user-selectable object information corresponding to an entertainer in the still image from the entertainer's management company, receiving user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable historical landmark in the still image from a society associated with the historical landmark, receiving user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image associated with a service from a provider of such service, etc. In such a multiple-source scenario, step 220 may comprise aggregating the user-selectable object information received from the plurality of sources (e.g., into a single user-selectable object data set) for ultimate combination of such user-selectable object information with received still image information.
  • Step 220 may, for example, comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from a same source as that from which the still image information was received at step 210 or may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from a different source. For example and without limitation, step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from an advertising company, while step 210 comprises receiving the still image information from a still image studio. In another example, step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from a commercial enterprise associated with a consumer good object presented in the still image, while step 210 comprises receiving the still image information from an image server of a sports network.
  • In yet another example, step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information directly from a computer process that generates such information. For example, an operator may display a still image on an operator station and utilize graphical tools (e.g., boxes or other polygons, edge detection routines, etc.) to define a user-selectable object in the still image. Such a computer process may then output information describing the object in the still image. Step 220 may comprise receiving the information output from such process.
  • Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information via any of a variety of types of communication networks, many examples of such networks were provided previously. Such networks may, for example, comprise any of variety of general data communication networks (e.g., the Internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a metropolitan area network, etc.). Such networks may, for example, comprise a media network (e.g., terrestrial and/or satellite media network).
  • Step 220 may, for example, comprise receiving the user-selectable object information via a same communication network as that via which the still image information was received at step 210 or may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from a different communication network. For example and without limitation, step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information via a general data communication network (e.g., the Internet), while step 210 comprises receiving the still image information via a television network. In another example, step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information via a general data network, while step 210 comprises receiving the still image information from a computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium).
  • Step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from any of a variety of types of hard media (e.g., optical storage media, magnetic storage media, etc.). Such hard media may, for example, comprise characteristics of optical storage media (e.g., compact disc, digital versatile disc, Blueray®, laser disc, etc.), magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disc, diskette, magnetic tape, etc.), computer memory device (e.g., non-transitory computer readable medium, flash memory, one-time-programmable memory, read-only memory, random access memory, thumb drive, etc.). Such memory may, for example, be a temporary and/or permanent component of the system entity implementing the method 200. For example, in a scenario including the utilization of such hard media, step 220 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from such a device and/or from a reader of such a device (e.g., directly via an end-to-end conductor or via a communication network).
  • The object information corresponding to one or more user-selectable objects that is received at step 220 may comprise any of a variety of characteristics, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided.
  • For example, such user-selectable object information may comprise information describing and/or defining the user-selectable object that is shown in the still image. Such information may, for example, be processed by a recipient of such information to identify an object that is being selected by a user. Such information may, for example, comprise information describing boundaries associated with a user-selectable object in the still image (e.g., actual object boundaries (e.g., an object outline), areas generally coinciding with a user-selectable object (e.g., a description of one or more geometric shapes that generally correspond to a user-selectable object), selection areas that when selected indicate user-selection of a user-selectable object (e.g., a superset and/or subset of a user-selectable object in the still image), etc. Such information may, for example, describe and/or define the user-selectable in a still image coordinate system.
  • Many examples of such object description information are provided in a variety of related U.S. Patent Applications. For example, as mentioned previously, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/774,380, filed May 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21037US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,832, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21038US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,866, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION RECEIVER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21039US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,911, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21040US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/850,945, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21041US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/851,036, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21051US02; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/851,075, filed Aug. 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A PARALLEL TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21052US02, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, provide many examples of information describing (or otherwise related to) user-selectable objects in television programming, which may also, for example, apply herein to user-selectable objects in still images.
  • Also for example, such user-selectable object information may comprise information describing the object, where such information may be presented to the user upon user-selection of a user selectable object. For example, such object information may comprise information describing physical characteristics of a user-selectable object, background information, historical information, general information of interest, location information, financial information, travel information, commerce information, personal information, etc.
  • Additionally for example, such user-selectable object information may comprise information describing and/or defining actions that may be taken upon user-selection of a user-selectable object, non-limiting examples of such actions and/or related information corresponding to a respective user-selectable object will now be presented.
  • For example, such user-selectable object information may comprise information describing a one or more manners of determining information to present to the user (e.g., retrieving such information from a known location, conducting a search for such information, etc.), establishing a communication session by which a user may interact with networked entities associated with a user-selected object, interacting with a user regarding display of a user-selected object and/or associated information, etc.
  • For example, such user-selectable object information may comprise information describing one or more manners of obtaining one or more sets of information, where such information may then, for example, be presented to the user. For example, such information may comprise a memory address (or data storage address) and/or a communication network address (e.g., an address of a networked data server, a URL, etc.), where such address may correspond to a location at which information corresponding to the identified object may be obtained. Such information may, for example, comprise a network address of a component with which a communication session may be initiated and/or conducted (e.g., to obtain information regarding the user-selected object, to interact with the user regarding the selected object, etc.).
  • In an exemplary scenario in which the user-selectable object information comprises information to present to a user upon user-selection of a selectable object in a still image, such information may comprise any of a variety of different types of information related to the user-selected object. For example and without limitation, such information may comprise information describing the user-selectable object (e.g., information describing aspects of the object, history of the object, design of the object, source of the object, price of the object, critiques of the object, information provided by commercial enterprises producing and/or providing such object, etc.), information indicating to the user how the user may obtain the selected object, information indicating how the user may utilize the selected object, etc. The information may, for example, comprise information of one or more non-commercial organizations associated with, and/or having information pertaining to, the identified user-selected object (e.g., non-profit and/or government organization contact information, web site address information, etc.).
  • In another exemplary scenario, the information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image may comprise information related to conducting a search for information corresponding to the user-selectable object. Such information may, for example, comprise network search terms that may be utilized in a search engine to search for information corresponding to the user-selected object. Such information may also comprise information describing the network boundaries of such a search, for example, identifying particular search networks, particular servers, particular addresses, particular databases, etc.
  • In an exemplary scenario the information corresponding to a user-selectable object may describe a manner in which a system is to intact with a user to more clearly identify information desired by the user. For example, such information may comprise information specifying user interaction that should take place when an amount of information available and corresponding to a user-selectable object exceeds a particular threshold. Such user interaction may, for example, help to reduce the amount of information that may ultimately be presented to the user. For example, such information may comprise information describing a user interface comprising providing a list (or menu) of types of information available to the user and soliciting information from the user regarding the selection of one or more of the listed types of information.
  • In yet another exemplary scenario, in which an action associated with a user-selectable object comprises the establishment and/or management of a communication session between the user and one or more networked entities, the user-selectable object information may comprise information describing the manner in which a communication session may be established and/or management.
  • In still another exemplary scenario, in which an action associated with a user-selectable object comprises providing a user interface by which a user may initiate and perform a commercial transaction regarding a user-selectable object, the user-selectable object information may comprise information describing the manner in which the commercial transaction is to be performed (e.g., order forms, financial information exchange, order tracking, etc.).
  • As shown above, various user-selectable objects (or types of objects) may, for example, be associated with any of a variety of respective actions that may be taken upon selection of a respective user-selectable object by a user. Such actions (e.g., information retrieval, information searching, communication session management, commercial transaction management, etc.) may, for example, be included in a table or other data structure indexed by the identity of a respective user-selectable object.
  • Other non-limiting examples of object information corresponding to user-selectable objects in a still image may comprise: athlete information (e.g., statistics, personal information, professional information, history, etc.), entertainer information (e.g., personal information, discography and/or filmography information, information of related organizations, fan club information, photograph and/or video information, etc.), landmark information (e.g., historical information, visitation information, location information, mapping information, photo album information, visitation diary, charitable donation information, etc.), political figure information (e.g., party affiliation, stances on particular issues, history, financial information, voting record, attendance record, etc.), information regarding general types of objects (e.g., information describing actions to take upon user-selection of a person object, of a consumer good object, of a landmark object, etc.) and/or specific objects (e.g., information describing actions to take when a particular person object is selected, when a particular consumer good object is selected, when a particular landmark object is selected, etc.).
  • For additional non-limiting examples of actions that may be performed related to user-selectable objects (e.g., in still images as well as in television programming), and related user-selectable object information that may be combined with still image information, the reader is directed to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO USER-SELECTION OF AN OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21045US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A LOCAL TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO USER-SELECTION OF AN OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21046US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO USER-SELECTION OF AN OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM BASED ON USER LOCATION”, Attorney Docket No. 21047US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A USER-SELECTED OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21048US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A USER-SELECTED OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21049US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO USER-SELECTION OF AN OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM UTILIZING AN ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION NETWORK”, Attorney Docket No. 21050US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING ADVERTISING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A USER-SELECTED OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21053US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A USER-SELECTED PERSON IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21054US02; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A USER-SELECTED INFORMATION ELEMENT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21055US02. The entire contents of each of such applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
  • In general, the above-mentioned types of information corresponding to user-selectable objects a still image may be general to all eventual viewers (or recipients) of the still image, but may also be customized to a particular target user and/or end user. For example, such information may be customized to a particular user (e.g., based on income level, demographics, age, employment status and/or type, education level and/or type, family characteristics, religion, purchasing history, neighborhood characteristics, home characteristics, health characteristics, etc. For example, such information may also be customized to a particular geographical location or region.
  • In general, step 220 may comprise receiving object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular type of such user-selectable object information or by any particular manner of receiving such user-selectable object information unless explicitly claimed.
  • The exemplary method 200 may, at step 230, comprise combining the received still image information (e.g., as received at step 210) and the received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received at step 220) in a combined data set. Many non-limiting examples of such combining will now be provided.
  • As mentioned previously, step 210 may comprise receiving still image information (e.g., a still image data set) for a still image (e.g., a photographic image) by, at least in part, receiving a completed still image data set for the still image (e.g., formatted in accordance with a still image communication and/or compression standard), where the completed still image data set is formatted for communicating (or storing) the still image without information describing user-selectable objects in the still image. In such an exemplary scenario, step 230 may comprise combining the received still image information and the received user-selectable object information by, at least in part, inserting the received user-selectable object information in the completed still image data set to create a combined data set comprising the received still image data set and the received user-selectable object information.
  • For example, in an exemplary scenario in which the received completed still image data set, as received, is formatted in accordance with a still image standard (e.g., a JPEG standard), step 230 may comprise inserting the received user-selectable object information in data fields of the completed still image data set that are not assigned by the still image standard for any specific type of information (e.g., inserting such information into unassigned data fields and/or metadata fields provided by the still image standard, adding new data fields to the still image standard, etc.).
  • Such inserting may, for example, comprise inserting the received user-selectable object information in data fields of the completed still image data set that are interleaved with data fields carrying still image data. For example, such inserting may be performed in accordance with a format alternating still image data and user-selectable object information (or data) on a pixel-by-pixel basis (e.g., sequencing pixel 1 still image data, pixel 1 user-selectable object information, sequencing pixel 2 still image data, pixel 2 user-selectable object information, etc.), by groups of pixels (e.g., pixel 1-A still image data, pixel 1-A user-selectable object information, pixel A-N still image data, pixel A-N user-selectable object information, etc.), by lines of pixels, by blocks of pixels, etc. Also for example, utilizing pixel, coordinate or other spatial information, user-selectable object information need not be strictly placed with the still image data for the still image in which the user-selectable object appears. For example, information of user-selectable objects in a still image and/or portion thereof may be communicated before and/or after the image data set for the entire still image is communicated.
  • Also for example, in another exemplary scenario in which the received completed still image data set (e.g., a picture data set), as received, is formatted in accordance with a still image standard that specifically assigns data fields to information of user-selectable objects, step 230 may comprise inserting the received user-selectable object information in the data fields of the completed still image data set that are specifically assigned by the still image standard to contain information of user-selectable objects.
  • Also as mentioned previously, step 210 may comprise receiving still image information (e.g., a still image data set) for a still image (e.g., a photographic image) by, at least in part, receiving still image information for the still image prior to the still image information being formatted into a completed still image data set for communicating (or storing) the still image. For example, such a scenario may comprise receiving information describing the still image that has yet to be formatted into a data set that conforms to a particular still image standard (e.g., bitmap information, DCT information, etc., which has yet to be placed into a self-contained JPEG data set for communicating and/or storing the still image). In such an exemplary scenario, step 230 may comprise combining the received still image information and the received user-selectable object information into a completed still image data set that is formatted for communicating and/or storing the still image with information describing user-selectable objects in the still image (e.g., into a single cohesive data set, for example, a single data file or other data structure, into a plurality of logically linked data files or other data structures, etc.).
  • In an exemplary scenario, such a completed still image data set may be formatted in accordance with a still image standard that specifically assigns respective data fields (or elements) to information describing the still image and to user-selectable object information. In another exemplary scenario, such a completed still image data set may be formatted in accordance with a still image standard that specifically assigns data fields to information describing a still image, but does not specifically assign data fields to user-selectable object information (e.g., utilizing general-purpose unassigned data fields, adding new data fields to the standard, etc.).
  • Also as mentioned previously, step 210 may comprise receiving still image information for a still image by, at least in part, receiving an initial combined still image data set that comprises initial still image information and initial user-selectable object information corresponding to user-selectable objects in the still image. For example, prior to being received, the received initial combined still image data set may have already been formed into a single cohesive data set that comprises the still image information for the still image and information of user-selectable objects in the still image.
  • In such an exemplary scenario, step 230 may comprise modifying the initial user-selectable object information of the initial combined still image data set in accordance with the received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received at step 220). Such modifying may, for example and without limitation, comprise adding the received object information to the initial object information in the initial combined still image data set (e.g., in unused unassigned data fields and/or in unused data fields that have been specifically assigned to contain user-selectable object information, etc.).
  • Also such modifying may comprise changing at least a portion of the initial object information of the initial combined still image data set in accordance with the received user-selectable object information (e.g., changing information defining a user-selectable object in a presented still image, changing information about a user-selectable object to be presented to a user, changing information regarding any action that may be performed upon user-selection of a user-selectable object, etc.). Additionally, such modifying may comprise deleting at least a portion of the initial object information in accordance with the received user-selectable object information (e.g., in a scenario in which the received user-selectable object information includes a command or directive to remove a portion or all information corresponding to a particular user-selectable object).
  • In the previously provided examples of combining the received still image information and the received user-selectable object information, step 230 may comprise performing such operations automatically (i.e., without real-time interaction with a user while such operations are being performed) and may also be performed with user interaction. For example, the received still image information and the received user-selectable object information may each be uniquely identified to assist in merging such information. For example, step 230 may comprise analyzing such respective unique identifications to determine the still image data set in which the user-selectable object information is to be inserted. For example, the user-selectable object information for a particular user-selectable object may comprise information indentifying the specific still image in which the user-selectable object appears. Such information may be utilized at step 230 to determine the appropriate data set (e.g., still image data file or other bounded data set0 in which to place the user-selectable object information.
  • In another example, step 230 may comprise presenting an operator with a view of the still image and a view of a user-selectable object in such still image for which information is being added to a combined dataset. Step 230 may then comprise interacting with the operator to obtain permission and/or directions for combining the still image and user-selectable object information.
  • Note that step 230 may comprise encrypting the user-selectable object information or otherwise restricting access to such information. For example, in a scenario in which access to such information is provided on a subscription basis, in a scenario in which providers of such information desire to protect such information from undesirable access and/or manipulation, etc., such information protection may be beneficial.
  • In general, step 230 may comprise combining the received still image information (e.g., as received at step 210) and the received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received at step 220) in a combined data set. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by any particular manner of performing such combining and/or any particular format in which such a combined data set may be placed unless specifically claimed.
  • The exemplary method 200 may, at step 240, comprise communicating the combined data set(s) (e.g., as formed at step 230) to one or more recipient systems or devices. Such communication may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of communication, non-limiting examples of which will now be presented.
  • Step 240 may, for example, comprise communicating the combined data set(s) via a communication network (e.g., a television communication network, a telecommunication network, a general data communication network (e.g., the Internet, a LAN, a PAN, etc.), etc.). Many non-limiting examples of such communication network were provided previously. Step 240 may, for example, comprise broadcasting, multi-casting and/or uni-casting the combined data set over one or more communication networks. Step 240 may also, for example, comprise communicating the combined data set(s) to another system and/or device via a direct conductive path (e.g., via a wire, circuit board trace, conductive trace on a die, etc.).
  • Additionally for example, step 240 may comprise storing the combined data set(s) on a computer readable medium (e.g., a DVD, a CD, a Blueray ® disc, a laser disc, a magnetic tape, a hard drive, a diskette, etc.). Such a computer readable medium may then, for example, be shipped to a distributor and/or ultimate recipient of the computer readable medium. Further for example, step 240 may comprise storing the combined data set(s) in a volatile and/or non-volatile memory device (e.g., a flash memory device, a one-time-programmable memory device, an EEPROM, a RAM, etc.).
  • Further for example, step 240 may comprise storing (or causing or otherwise participating in the storage of) the combined data set(s) in a media system component (e.g., a component or device of the user's local media (or still image presentation) system and/or a component or device of a media (or still image) provider and/or a component or device of any still image information source. For example and without limitation, step 240 may comprise storing the combined dataset(s), or otherwise participating in the storage of the combined dataset(s), in a component of the user's local media system (e.g., in an image presentation device, a digital video recorder, a media receiver, a media player, a media system controller, personal communication device, a local networked database, a local networked personal computer, etc.).
  • Step 240 may, for example, comprise communicating the combined data set in serial fashion. For example, step 240 may comprise communicating the combined data set (comprising interleaved still image information and user-selectable object information) in a single data stream (e.g., via a general data network, via a television or other media network, stored on a hard medium, for example a non-transitory computer-readable medium, in such serial fashion, etc.). Also for example, step 240 may comprise communicating the combined data set in parallel data streams, each of which comprises interleaved still image information and user-selectable object information (e.g., as opposed to separate distinct respective data streams for each of still image information and user-selectable object information).
  • In general, step 240 may comprise communicating the combined data set(s) (e.g., as formed at step 230) to one or more recipient systems or devices (e.g., an end user or associated system, media (or image) provider or associated system, an advertiser or associated system, a media (or image) producer or associated system, a media (or image) database, a media (or image) server, etc.). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular manner of performing such communicating or by any particular recipient of such communication unless explicitly claimed.
  • The exemplary method 200 may, for example at step 295, comprise performing continued operations. Step 295 may comprise performing any of a variety of continued operations, non-limiting examples of such continued operation(s) will be presented below. For example, step 295 may comprise returning execution flow to any of the previously discussed method steps. For example, step 295 may comprise returning execution flow of the exemplary method 200 to step 220 for receiving additional user-selectable object information to combine with still image information. Also for example, step 295 may comprise returning execution flow of the exemplary method 200 to step 210 for receiving additional still image information and user-selectable object information to combine with such received still image information. Additionally for example, step 295 may comprise returning execution flow of the exemplary method 200 to step 240 for additional communication of the combined information to additional recipients.
  • In general, step 295 may comprise performing continued operations (e.g., performing additional operations corresponding to combining still image information and information of user-selectable objects in such still images, etc.). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular type of continued processing unless explicitly claimed.
  • Turning next to FIG. 3, such figure is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 300 for providing embedded information of selectable objects in a still image, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary method 300 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously. Any or all aspects of the exemplary method 300 may, for example, be implemented in a media system component (e.g., the media information provider 110, third party image information provider 120, a component of a communication network 130, first media presentation device 140, first media controller 160, second media presentation device 141, media receiver 151, second media controller 161, shown in FIG. 1 and discussed previously) and/or a plurality of such media system components operating in conjunction. For example, any or all aspects of the exemplary method 300 may be implemented in one or more media (or image) system components remote from the user's local media system. Also for example, any or all aspects of the exemplary method 200 may be implemented in one or more components of the user's local media (or image) system.
  • The exemplary method 300 may, for example, begin executing at step 305. The exemplary method 300 may begin executing in response to any of a variety of causes or conditions. Step 305 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 205 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.
  • The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 310, comprise receiving image information for a still image. Step 310 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 210 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously. For example, step 310 may comprise receiving any of the various types of still image information from any of the various sources of still image information via any of the various communication media discussed previously with regard to the method 200 of FIG. 2 and the system 100 of FIG. 1 and elsewhere herein.
  • For example, step 310 may comprise, for example at sub-step 312, receiving a completed still image data set for the still image, the completed still image data set formatted for communicating and/or storing the still image without information describing user-selectable objects in the still image. Alternatively for example, step 310 may comprise, for example at sub-step 314, receiving still image information for the still image prior to the still image information being formatted into a completed still image data set for communicating and/or storing the still image. Alternatively for example, step 310 may comprise, for example at sub-step 316, receiving a completed still image data set for the still image, the completed still image data set formatted for communicating and/or storing the still image with information describing user-selectable objects in the still image.
  • The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 320, comprise receiving object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image. Step 320 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 220 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously. For example, step 320 may comprise receiving any of the various types of user-selectable object information from any of the various sources of user-selectable object information via any of the various types of media discussed previously with regard to the method 200 of FIG. 2 and the system 100 of FIG. 1 and elsewhere herein.
  • For example, step 320 may comprise, for example at sub-step 322, receiving user-selectable object information comprising information describing and/or defining the user-selectable object that is shown in the still image (e.g., object dimension information, object movement information, etc.). Also for example, step 320 may comprise, for example at sub-step 324, receiving user-selectable object information comprising information regarding the user-selectable object that may be presented to the user upon user-selection of such object in a still image.
  • Additionally for example, step 320 may comprise, for example at sub-step 326, receiving user-selectable object information comprising information describing and/or defining actions that may be taken upon user-selection of a user-selectable object (e.g., retrieving and/or obtaining and/or searching for information about a user-selectable object, information specifying a manner in which a system is to interact with a user regarding a user-selected object, searching for information, establishing and/or maintaining communication sessions, information describing the manner in which the commercial transaction is to be performed, etc.).
  • The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 330, comprise combining the received still image information (e.g., as received at step 310) and the received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received at step 320) in a combined data set. Step 330 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 230 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.
  • For example, step 330 may comprise, for example at sub-step 332, inserting the received user-selectable object information in a completed still image data set that was received at step 320 (e.g., inserting such user-selectable object information in fields of the still image data set that are specified by a standard for carrying such user-selectable object information, inserting such user-selectable object information in fields of the still image data set that are not specifically allocated for a particular type of data, etc.).
  • Also for example, step 330 may comprise, for example at sub-step 334, combining received still image data and received user-selectable object information into a completed still image data set that is formatted for communicating the still image with information describing user-selectable objects in the still image. Additionally for example, step 330 may comprise, for example at sub-step 336, modifying initial user-selectable object information of an initial combined still image data set in accordance with received user-selectable object information.
  • The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 340, comprise communicating the combined data set(s) (e.g., as formed at step 230) to one or more recipient systems or devices. Step 340 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 240 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.
  • For example, step 340 may comprise, for example at sub-step 342, communicating the combined data set(s) via a communication network (e.g., any of a variety of communication networks discussed herein, etc.). Also for example, step 340 may comprise, for example, at sub-step 344, communicating the combined data set(s) by storing the combined data set(s) on a non-transitory computer readable medium and/or by transmitting the combined data set(s) to another device or system to perform such storage. Additionally for example, step 340 may comprise, for example, at sub-step 346, communicating the combined data set in a single serial stream (e.g., comprising interleaved still image data and user-selectable object information). Further for example, step 340 may comprise, for example, at sub-step 348, communicating the combined data set in a plurality of parallel serial streams (e.g., each of such streams comprising interleaved still image data and user-selectable object information).
  • The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 395, comprise performing continued operations. Step 395 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 295 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.
  • As discussed previously with regard to FIGS. 2 and 3, various aspects of the present invention may comprise incorporating information of user-selectable objects in a still image into a combined data set that comprises such information along with information generally descriptive of the still image, and communication of such a combined data set. As will now be discussed, various aspects of the present invention may comprise forming, communicating and/or storing a user-selectable object data set that is independent of a corresponding still image data set.
  • FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 400 for providing information of selectable objects in a still image in an information stream independent of the still image, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Any or all aspects of the exemplary method 400 may, for example, be implemented in a media system component (e.g., the media information provider 110, third party image information provider 120, a component of a communication network 130, first media presentation device 140, first media controller 160, second media presentation device 141, media receiver 151, second media controller 161, shown in FIG. 1 and discussed previously) and/or a plurality of such media system components operating in conjunction. For example, any or all aspects of the exemplary method 400 may be implemented in one or more media system components remote from the user's local media system. Also for example, any or all aspects of the exemplary method 400 may be implemented in one or more components of the user's local media system.
  • The exemplary method 400 may, for example, begin executing at step 405. The exemplary method 400 may begin executing in response to any of a variety of causes and/or conditions. Step 405 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with steps 205 and 305 of the exemplary methods 200 and 300 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and discussed previously.
  • The exemplary method 400 may, for example at step 410, comprise receiving image information for a still image. Step 410 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with steps 210 and 310 of the exemplary methods 200 and 300 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and discussed previously.
  • The exemplary method 400 may, for example at step 420, comprise determining user-selectable object information corresponding to one or more user-selectable objects in a still image. Step 420 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with steps 220 and 320 of the exemplary methods 200 and 300 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and discussed previously.
  • For example, step 420 may comprise receiving the user-selectable object information from any of a variety of sources, non-limiting examples of which were provided previously (e.g., in the discussion of step 220 and elsewhere herein). The object information corresponding to one or more user-selectable objects that is determined at step 210 (e.g., developed by and received from a local process and/or received from an external source) may comprise any of a variety of characteristics, numerous examples of such object information were provided previously (e.g., in the discussion of step 220 and elsewhere herein).
  • The exemplary method 400 may, at step 430, comprise forming a user-selectable object data set comprising the determined user-selectable object information (e.g., as determined at step 420), where the user-selectable object data set is independent of a still image data set (e.g., as received at step 410) generally representative of the still image. Step 430 may comprise performing such data set formation in any of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which will now be presented.
  • For example, step 430 may comprise forming the user-selectable object data set (e.g., a data file or other data structure, a logical grouping of data, etc.) in a manner that is spatially synchronized with a still image (or a still image data set representative of a still image).
  • For example, in an exemplary scenario in which a still image data set is parsed into blocks (e.g., groups of pixels), step 430 may comprise forming the user-selectable object data set by, at least in part, parsing the user-selectable object information in a manner that logically mirrors the still image data set blocks. For example, in a scenario where a user-selectable object appears in block N of a still image, the user-selectable object information describing the user-selectable object may be placed in a corresponding block (e.g., Nth block, data segment, etc.) of the user-selectable object data set. In such a scenario, the user-selectable object data set might include null (or no) information in blocks corresponding to still image blocks that do not include any user-selectable objects. For example, the user-selectable object data set need not include information for block P if corresponding block P of the still image does not include any user-selectable objects.
  • As another example, in an exemplary scenario in which a still image data set is parsed into blocks, step 430 may comprise forming the user-selectable object data set by, at least in part, including information indicating the blocks of the still image in which the user-selectable object appears (e.g., along with the dimensions of the user-selectable object and/or other spatially descriptive information). For example, in an exemplary scenario in which a user-selectable object appears in blocks A-B of a still image, step 430 may comprise incorporating information into the user-selectable object data set that indicates the user-selectable object appears in blocks A-B of the still image, along with information describing the dimensions and/or locations of the user-selectable object in such blocks of the still image.
  • Note that in an exemplary scenario in which the user-selectable object data set includes information that spatially synchronizes the user-selectable object data set to the still image data set, not all information of the user-selectable object data set need be so synchronized. For example, information corresponding to user-selectable objects that is not spatially-specific may be included in the user-selectable object data set in an unsynchronized (or asynchronous) manner. In an exemplary scenario, information describing user-selectable objects (or selectable regions thereof) as such user-selectable objects appear in a presented still image may be spatially-synchronized (e.g., block-synchronized) to the still image data set, while information to be presented to the user upon user-selection of such user-selectable objects and/or information describing any action to take upon user-selection of such user-selectable objects may be included in the user-selectable object data set in an unsynchronized manner (e.g., in a data structure (or sub-data structure) that is indexed by object identity to retrieve such information).
  • Though the above examples were directed to spatially-based synchronization of the user-selectable object data set to the still image (e.g., a corresponding still image data set), other synchronization information may also be utilized. For example, in an exemplary scenario in which a still image is presented for a particular time window, the user-selectable object data set may comprise time synchronization information indicating that such user-selectable object data set corresponds to the particular time window. Also for example, step 430 may comprise incorporating data markers into the user-selectable object data set that correspond to respective markers in a still image data set. Additionally for example, step 430 may comprise incorporating data pointers into the user-selectable object data set that point to respective absolute and/or relative locations within a still image data set.
  • The above examples generally apply to information describing the presence of user-selectable objects in the still image. As discussed previously, the user-selectable object information may also comprise information to be provided to the user upon selection of a user-selectable object, information describing communication sessions and/or other actions that may be performed upon selection of the user-selectable object, etc. Note that in particular exemplary scenarios, such information may be incorporated into the user-selectable object data set at step 430. For example, step 430 may comprise incorporating such user-selectable object information into the user-selectable object data set in a manner that provides for indexing such information by object identity. For example, such information need only be incorporated into the user-selectable object data set one time (e.g., positioned in the user-selectable object data set such that a recipient of the user-selectable object data set will have received such information prior to user selection of the user-selectable object corresponding to such information). For example, in an exemplary scenario involving a user-selectable consumer good in a still image, step 430 may comprise forming the user-selectable object data set such that, when communicated to a user's local media (or image) presentation system, information of actions to perform upon user selection of the consumer good in the still image will have been received by the user's local media (or image) presentation system prior to the user's first opportunity to select the consumer good in the still image.
  • As discussed above, the user-selectable object data set formed at step 430 may comprise characteristics of different types of data sets (or structures). For example, step 430 may comprise forming a data file that comprises the user-selectable object information. Such a user-selectable object data file may, for example, comprise metadata that correlates the user-selectable object data file to one or more corresponding still image data files that are utilized to communicate the general still image (e.g., without user-selectable object information).
  • Step 430 may also, for example, comprise forming an array of the user-selectable object information. Such an array may, for example, comprise an array or records associated with respective user-selectable objects in a still image and may be indexed and/or sorted by object identification. Similarly, step 430 may comprise forming a linked list of respective data records corresponding to user-selectable objects in the still image. Such a linked list may, for example, be a multi-dimensional linked list with user-selectable object in a first dimension and respective records associated with different types of information associated with a particular user-selectable object in a second dimension.
  • As mentioned above, the user-selectable object data set may be independent of one or more still image data sets generally representative of the still image. Such an implementation advantageously provides for independent formation and maintenance of the user-selectable object data set that corresponds to the still image. For example, in such an implementation, a data set (e.g., a still image data file, JPEG file, etc.) for a still image may be developed (e.g., by a image studio) for communication of the still image to all users, while a data set for user-selectable objects in the still image may be developed (e.g., by an advertising company, by a sponsor, by a network operator, by one or more components of a user's local media system, etc.) independently. In such a scenario, the user-selectable object data set may be developed and/or changes may be made to the user-selectable object data set without impacting the still image data set. Also, in such a scenario, as mentioned above, user-selectable object information may be customized to a user or group of users. In such a scenario, a plurality of different user-selectable object data sets may be developed that each correspond to the same still image data set. For example, step 220 may comprise forming a first user-selectable object data set for a New York audience or recipient of a still image, and forming a second user-selectable object data set for a Los Angeles audience or recipient of the still image without necessitating modification of the still image data set, which communicates the still image in the same manner to each of the New York and Los Angeles audiences or recipients.
  • In general, step 430 may comprise forming a user-selectable object data set comprising the determined user-selectable object information (e.g., as determined at step 220), where the user-selectable object data set is independent of a still image data set generally representative of the still image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular types of user-selectable object data, characteristics of particular types of user-selectable object data sets, and/or characteristics of any particular manner of forming user-selectable object data sets unless explicitly claimed.
  • The exemplary method 400 may, at step 440, comprise communicating the formed user-selectable object data set (e.g., as formed at step 430) to one or more recipients. Step 440 may comprise performing such communicating in any of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided.
  • For example, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set in one or more data streams (which may be called “user-selectable object data streams” herein) independent of one or more still image data streams that generally communicate the still image (i.e., that generally communicate the still image data set). Note that, while such still image data set generally need not comprise information of user-selectable objects therein, such information may be present. For example, the user-selectable object data set may comprise information of user-selectable objects in the still image that supplement (e.g., append and/or amend) information of user-selectable objects that might be present in the still image data set.
  • Step 440 may, for example, comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set time-synchronized to communication of the still image data set. For example, even in a scenario in which the user-selectable object data set is independent of the general still image data set, step 440 may still time-synchronize communication of the user-selectable object data set with communication of the general still image data set.
  • For example, in such an exemplary scenario, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data concurrently (e.g., simultaneously and/or pseudo-simultaneously in a time-sharing manner) with communication of the still image data set that generally communicates the still image. For example, such concurrent communication may comprise communicating at least a portion of the user-selectable object data set and at least a portion of the still image data set in a time-multiplexed manner (e.g., via a shared communication channel (e.g., a frequency channel, a code channel, a time/frequency channel, etc.)). Also for example, such concurrent communication may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set in parallel with communication of the still image data set (e.g., on separate respective sets of one or more parallel communication channels).
  • Also for example, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set via at least one communication channel that is different from one or more communication channels over which the still image data set is communicated. For example, even in a scenario in which the user-selectable object data set and the still image data set are communicated over at least one shared communication channel, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set in at least one communication channel that is different from the communication channel(s) over which the still image data set is communicated.
  • Step 440 may, for example, comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set over a first communication network that is different from a second communication network over which the still image data set is communicated. As a non-limiting example, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set over a first communication network (e.g., a first general data communication network), where the still image data set is communicated over a second communication network (e.g., a second general data communication network).
  • Step 440 may, for example, comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set over a first type of communication network that is different from a second type of communication network over which the still image data set is communicated. As a non-limiting example, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set over a first general data communication network, where the still image data set is communicated over a television communication network (e.g., a cable television network, a satellite television network, etc.).
  • Also for example, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set utilizing a first communication protocol that is different from a second communication protocol that is utilized to communicate the still image data set. For example, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable data set utilizing TCP/IP, while the general still image data set is communicated utilizing a cable television protocol.
  • Also for example, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set to a first set of one or more user local media (or image) presentation systems, where the first set is a subset of a second set of user local media (or image) presentation systems to which the still image data set is communicated. For example, step 440 may comprise multicasting the user-selectable object data set to a multicast group, where the still image data set is broadcast to a superset of the multicast group. Also for example, step 440 may comprise unicasting the user-selectable object data set to a single user local media (or image) presentation system, where the still image data set is broadcast or multicast to a superset of the single user.
  • Additionally for example, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set to a first set of one or more components of a user's local media (or image) presentation system, where at least a portion of such first set is different from a second set of one or more components of the user's local media (or image) presentation system to which the still image data set is communicated. For example, in a non-limiting exemplary scenario in which the still image data set is being communicated to a media receiver and a media controller of a user's local media system, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set to the media controller and not to the media receiver.
  • Step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set with or without regard for the timing of the communication of the still image (e.g., the still image data set) to which the user-selectable object data set corresponds. For example, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set whenever the still image data set is communicated. Also for example, step 440 may comprise communicating the entire user-selectable object data set before the still image data set is communicated. In such a scenario, the recipient of the communicated user-selectable object data set may be assured of having received such data set prior to receipt of the still image to which the user-selectable object data set corresponds.
  • Though the previous examples generally concerned step 440 communicating the user-selectable object data set via a communication network to one or more destination systems, step 440 may also comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set to a storage device where the user-selectable object data set is stored in a storage medium, for example an optical storage media (e.g., compact disc, digital versatile disc, Blueray®, laser disc, etc.), magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disc, diskette, magnetic tape, etc.), computer memory device (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable medium, flash memory, one-time-programmable memory, read-only memory, random access memory, thumb drive, etc.), etc. Such memory may, for example, be a temporary and/or permanent component of the system entity implementing the method 400.
  • In such a scenario, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set to a storage device where the user-selectable object data set is stored in a same storage medium as a medium on which the still image data set is stored. For example, the user-selectable object data set may be stored in one or more data structures that are independent of one or more data structures in which the still image data set is stored (e.g., stored in one or more separate data files).
  • Also, in such a scenario, step 440 may comprise communicating the user-selectable object data set to one or more devices of the user's local media system (e.g., a media receiver, a digital video recorder, a media presentation device, a media controller, a personal computer, etc.) and/or one or more devices of a media source system and/or one or more devices of a media distribution system for storage in such device(s).
  • In general, step 440 may comprise communicating the formed user-selectable object data set (e.g., as formed at step 430) to one or more recipients (e.g., an end user or associated system, still image provider or associated system, an advertiser or associated system, a still image producer or associated system, a still image database, a still image server, etc.). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular manner of performing such communicating or by any particular recipient of such communication unless explicitly claimed.
  • The exemplary method 400 may, for example at step 495, comprise performing continued operations. Step 495 may comprise performing any of a variety of continued operations, non-limiting examples of such continued operation(s) will be presented below. For example, step 495 may comprise returning execution flow to any of the previously discussed method steps. For example, step 495 may comprise returning execution flow of the exemplary method 400 to step 420 for receiving additional user-selectable object information to form into an independent user-selectable object data set and communicate. Additionally for example, step 495 may comprise returning execution flow of the exemplary method 400 to step 440 for additional communication of the user-selectable object data set (e.g., to additional recipients).
  • In general, step 495 may comprise performing continued operations (e.g., performing additional operations corresponding to forming and/or communicating user-selectable object data sets related to user-selectable objects in a still image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular type of continued processing unless explicitly claimed.
  • Turning next to FIG. 5, such figure is a diagram illustrating an exemplary media system 500 (e.g., single media system component and/or plurality of media system components), in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary media system 500 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with one or more of the media system components illustrated in FIG. 1 and discussed previously. For example, the exemplary media system 500 may correspond to any of the media system components illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the like) or any group of the media system components illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the like). Also, the exemplary media system 500 may comprise characteristics of a computing system (e.g., a personal computer, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, etc.). The exemplary media system 500 (e.g., various modules thereof) may operate to perform any or all of the functionality discussed previously with regard to the exemplary methods 200, 300 and 400 illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and discussed previously.
  • The exemplary media system 500 includes a first communication interface module 510. The first communication interface module 510 may, for example, operate to communicate over any of a variety of communication media and utilizing any of a variety of communication protocols. For example, though the first communication interface module 510 is illustrated coupled to a wireless RF antenna via a wireless port 512, the wireless medium is merely illustrative and non-limiting. The first communication interface module 510 may, for example, operate to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., cable television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunication networks, general data communication networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) via which still image-related information (e.g., still image information, information of user-selectable objects in a still image, still image information with and without embedded information of user-selectable objects) and/or other data is communicated. Also for example, the first communication interface module 510 may operate to communicate with local sources of still image-related content or other data (e.g., disc drives, computer-readable medium readers, video or image recorders, cameras, computers, receivers, personal electronic devices, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, personal media players, etc.). Additionally, for example, the first communication interface module 510 may operate to communicate with a remote controller (e.g., directly or via one or more intermediate communication networks).
  • The exemplary media system 500 includes a second communication interface module 520. The second communication interface module 520 may, for example, operate to communicate over any of a variety of communication media and utilizing any of a variety of communication protocols. For example, the second communication interface module 520 may communicate via a wireless RF communication port 522 and antenna, or may communicate via a non-tethered optical communication port 524 (e.g., utilizing laser diodes, photodiodes, etc.). Also for example, the second communication interface module 520 may communicate via a tethered optical communication port 526 (e.g., utilizing a fiber optic cable), or may communicate via a wired communication port 528 (e.g., utilizing coaxial cable, twisted pair, HDMI cable, Ethernet cable, any of a variety of wired component and/or composite video connections, etc.). The second communication interface module 520 may, for example, operate to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., cable television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunication networks, general data communication networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) via which still image-related information (e.g., still image information, information of user-selectable objects in a still image, image information with and without embedded information of user-selectable objects) and/or other data is communicated. Also for example, the second communication module 520 may operate to communicate with local sources of still image-related information (e.g., disc drives, computer-readable medium readers, video or image recorders, cameras, computers, receivers, personal electronic devices, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, personal media players, etc.). Additionally, for example, the second communication module 520 may operate to communicate with a remote controller (e.g., directly or via one or more intervening communication networks).
  • The exemplary media system 500 may also comprise additional communication interface modules, which are not illustrated (some of which may also be shown in FIG. 6). Such additional communication interface modules may, for example, share any or all aspects with the first 510 and second 520 communication interface modules discussed above.
  • The exemplary media system 500 may also comprise a communication module 530. The communication module 530 may, for example, operate to control and/or coordinate operation of the first communication interface module 510 and the second communication interface module 520 (and/or additional communication interface modules as needed). The communication module 530 may, for example, provide a convenient communication interface by which other components of the media system 500 may utilize the first 510 and second 520 communication interface modules. Additionally, for example, in an exemplary scenario where a plurality of communication interface modules are sharing a medium and/or network, the communication module 530 may coordinate communications to reduce collisions and/or other interference between the communication interface modules.
  • The exemplary media system 500 may additionally comprise one or more user interface modules 540. The user interface module 540 may generally operate to provide user interface functionality to a user of the media system 500. For example, and without limitation, the user interface module 540 may operate to provide for user control of any or all standard media system commands (e.g., channel control, volume control, on/off, screen settings, input selection, etc.). The user interface module 540 may, for example, operate and/or respond to user commands utilizing user interface features disposed on the media system 500 (e.g., buttons, etc.) and may also utilize the communication module 530 (and/or first 510 and second 520 communication interface modules) to communicate with other systems and/or components thereof, regarding still image-related information, regarding user interaction that occurs during the formation of combined dataset(s), etc. (e.g., a media system controller (e.g., a dedicated media system remote control, a universal remote control, a cellular telephone, personal computing device, gaming controller, etc.)). In various exemplary scenarios, the user interface module(s) 540 may operate to utilize the optional display 570 to communicate with a user regarding user-selectable object information and/or to present still image information to a user.
  • The user interface module 540 may also comprise one or more sensor modules that operate to interface with and/or control operation of any of a variety of sensors that may be utilized during the performance of the combined data set(s). For example, the one or more sensor modules may be utilized to ascertain an on-screen pointing location, which may for example be utilized to input and/or received user-selectable object information (e.g., to indicate and/or define user-selectable objects in a still image). For example and without limitation, the user interface module 540 (or sensor module(s) thereof) may operate to receive signals associated with respective sensors (e.g., raw or processed signals directly from the sensors, through intermediate devices, via the communication interface modules 510, 520, etc.). Also for example, in scenarios in which such sensors are active sensors (as opposed to purely passive sensors), the user interface module 540 (or sensor module(s) thereof) may operate to control the transmission of signals (e.g., RF signals, optical signals, acoustic signals, etc.) from such sensors. Additionally, the user interface module 540 may perform any of a variety of still image output functions (e.g., presenting still image information to a user, presenting user-selectable object information to a user, providing visual feedback to a user regarding an identified user-selected object in a presented still image, etc.).
  • The exemplary media system 500 may comprise one or more processors 550. The processor 550 may, for example, comprise a general purpose processor, digital signal processor, application-specific processor, microcontroller, microprocessor, etc. For example, the processor 550 may operate in accordance with software (or firmware) instructions. As mentioned previously, any or all functionality discussed herein may be performed by a processor executing instructions. For example, though various modules are illustrated as separate blocks or modules in FIG. 5, such illustrative modules, or a portion thereof, may be implemented by the processor 550.
  • The exemplary media system 500 may comprise one or more memories 560. As discussed above, various aspects may be performed by one or more processors executing instructions. Such instructions may, for example, be stored in the one or more memories 560. Such memory 560 may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of memory. For example and without limitation, such memory 560 may comprise one or more memory chips (e.g., ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, one-time-programmable OTP memory, etc.), hard drive memory, CD memory, DVD memory, etc.
  • The exemplary media system 500 may comprise one or more modules 552 (e.g., still image information receiving module(s)) that operate to receive still image information for a still image. Such one or more modules 552 may, for example, operate to utilize the communication module 530 (e.g., and at least one of the communication interface modules 510, 520) and/or the user interface module(s) 540 to receive such still image information. For example, such one or more modules 552 may operate to perform step 210 of the exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 310 of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously.
  • The exemplary media system 500 may comprise one or more module(s) 554 (e.g., user-selectable object information receiving module(s)) that operate to receive object information corresponding to one or more user-selectable objects in a still image. Such one or more modules 554 may, for example, operate to utilize the communication module 530 (e.g., and at least one of the communication interface modules 510, 520) and/or the user interface module(s) 540 to receive such still image user-selectable object information. For example, such one or more modules 554 may operate to perform step 220 of the exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 320 of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously.
  • The exemplary media system 500 may comprise one or more modules 556 (e.g., still image and user-selectable object information combining module(s)) that operate to combine received still image information (e.g., as received by the module(s) 552) and received user-selectable object information (e.g., as received by the module(s) 554) into a combined data set. Such one or more modules 556 may, for example, operate to receive still image information from the module(s) 552, receive user-selectable object information from the module(s) 554, combine such received still image information and user-selectable object information into a combined data set, and output such combined data set. Such one or more modules 556 may operate to perform step 230 of the exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 330 of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously.
  • The exemplary media system 500 may comprise one or more modules 558 (e.g., combined data set communication module(s)) that operate to communicate the combined data set to at least one recipient system and/or device. For example, such module(s) 558 may operate to utilize the communication module(s) 530 (and, for example, one or both of the first communication interface module(s) 510 and second communication interface module(s) 520)) to communicate the combined data set. Also for example, such module(s) 558 may operate to communicate the combined data set to one or more system devices that store the combined data set on a physical medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium). Such one or more modules 558 may operate to perform step 240 of the exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 340 of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously.
  • Though not illustrated, the exemplary media system 500 may, for example, comprise one or more modules that operate to perform any or all of the processing discussed previously with regard to the exemplary method 400, discussed previously. Such modules (e.g., as with the one or more modules 552, 554, 556 and 558) may be performed by the processor(s) 550 executing instructions stored in the memory 560. Such module(s) may, for example comprise one or more image receiving module(s) that operate to perform the still image receiving functionality discussed previously with regard to step 410. Such module(s) may also, for example comprise one or more user-selectable objection information determining module(s) that operate to perform the information determining functionality discussed previously with regard to step 420. Such module(s) may additionally, for example comprise one or more user-selectable object data set formation module(s) that operate to perform the data set formation functionality discussed previously with regard to step 430. Such module(s) may further, for example, comprise one or more user-selectable object data set communication module(s) that operate to perform the communication functionality discussed previously with regard to step 440.
  • Also, though not illustrated, the exemplary media system 500 may, for example, comprise one or more modules that operate to perform any or all of the continued processing discussed previously with regard to step 295 of the exemplary method 200, step 395 of the exemplary method 300, and step 495 of the exemplary method 400 discussed previously. Such modules (e.g., as with the one or more modules 552, 554, 556 and 558) may be performed by the processor(s) 550 executing instructions stored in the memory 560.
  • Turning next to FIG. 6, such figure is a diagram illustrating exemplary modules and/or sub-modules for a media system 600, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary media system 600 may share any or all aspects with the media system 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 and discussed previously. For example, the exemplary media system 600 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with one or more of the media system components illustrated in FIG. 1 and discussed previously. For example, the exemplary media system 600 may correspond to any of the media system components illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the like) or any group of the media system components illustrated in FIG. 1 (or the like). For example, the exemplary media system 600 (or various modules thereof) may operate to perform any or all functionality discussed herein with regard to the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, the exemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3, and the exemplary method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • For example, the media system 600 comprises a processor 630. Such a processor 630 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the processor 550 discussed with regard to FIG. 5. Also for example, the media system 600 comprises a memory 640. Such memory 640 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the memory 560 discussed with regard to FIG. 5.
  • Also for example, the media system 600 may comprise any of a variety of user interface module(s) 650. Such user interface module(s) 650 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the user interface module(s) 540 discussed previously with regard to FIG. 5. For example and without limitation, the user interface module(s) 650 may comprise: a display device, a camera (for still or moving picture acquisition), a speaker, an earphone (e.g., wired or wireless), a microphone, a video screen (e.g., a touch screen), a vibrating mechanism, a keypad, and/or any of a variety of other user interface devices (e.g., a mouse, a trackball, a touch pad, touch screen, light pen, game controlling device, etc.).
  • The exemplary media system 600 may also, for example, comprise any of a variety of communication modules (605, 606, and 610). Such communication module(s) may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the communication interface module(s) 510, 520 discussed previously with regard to FIG. 5. For example and without limitation, the communication interface module(s) 610 may comprise: a Bluetooth interface module; an IEEE 802.11, 802.15, 802.16 and/or 802.20 module; any of a variety of cellular telecommunication interface modules (e.g., GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA/CDMA2000/1x-EV-DO, WCDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA, TDMA/PDC, WiMAX, etc.); any of a variety of position-related communication interface modules (e.g., GPS, A-GPS, etc.); any of a variety of wired/tethered communication interface modules (e.g., USB, Fire Wire, RS-232, HDMI, Ethernet, wireline and/or cable modem, etc.); any of a variety of communication interface modules related to communicating with external memory devices; etc. The exemplary media system 600 is also illustrated as comprising various wired 606 and/or wireless 605 front-end modules that may, for example, be included in the communication interface modules and/or utilized thereby.
  • The exemplary media system 600 may also comprise any of a variety of signal processing module(s) 690. Such signal processing module(s) 690 may share any or all characteristics with modules of the exemplary media system 500 that perform signal processing. Such signal processing module(s) 690 may, for example, be utilized to assist in processing various types of information discussed previously (e.g., with regard to sensor processing, position determination, video processing, image processing, audio processing, general user interface information data processing, etc.). For example and without limitation, the signal processing module(s) 690 may comprise: video/graphics processing modules (e.g. MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, JPEG, TIFF, 3-D, 2-D, MDDI, etc.); audio processing modules (e.g., MP3, AAC, MIDI, QCELP, AMR, CMX, etc.); and/or tactile processing modules (e.g., Keypad I/O, touch screen processing, motor control, etc.).
  • In summary, various aspects of the present invention provide a system and method for providing information of selectable objects in a still image and/or data stream. While the invention has been described with reference to certain aspects and embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (31)

1. A method for communicating still image information, the method comprising:
receiving picture information for a still image;
receiving user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image; and
combining the received picture information and the received user-selectable object information into a combined data set.
2. The method of claim 1, comprising communicating the combined data set in at least one serial data stream over a communication network to at least one recipient, the at least one serial data stream comprising a serial data stream that comprises picture information and user-selectable object information.
3. The method of claim 1, comprising storing the combined data set on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the combined data set comprising user-selectable object information interleaved with picture information.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving picture information for a still image comprises receiving a completed picture data set for the still image, the completed picture data set formatted for communicating the still image without information describing user-selectable objects in the still image.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said combining comprises inserting the received user-selectable object information in the received completed picture data set to create a combined data set comprising the picture data set and the received object information.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein:
said received completed picture data set, is formatted in accordance with a still image standard; and
said combining comprises inserting the received user-selectable object information in data fields of the completed picture data set that are not assigned by the still image standard.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein:
said received completed picture data set is formatted in accordance with a still image standard; and
said combining comprises inserting the received user-selectable object information in data fields of the completed picture data set that are assigned by the still image standard to contain information of user-selectable objects.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving picture information for a still image comprises receiving picture information for the still image prior to the picture information being formatted into a completed picture data set for communicating the still image.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein said combining comprises combining the received picture information and the received user-selectable object information into a completed picture data set that is formatted for communicating the still image with information describing user-selectable objects in the still image.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein:
said receiving picture information for a still image comprises receiving an initial combined still image data set comprising initial picture information and initial user-selectable object information corresponding to user-selectable objects in the still image; and
said combining comprises modifying the initial user-selectable object information of the initial combined still image data set in accordance with the received user-selectable object information.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said modifying comprises changing at least a portion of the initial object information in accordance with the received user-selectable object information.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the received user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image comprises customized user-selectable object information that is customized to a particular set of one or more users.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the received user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image comprises information describing location of the user-selectable object in the still image.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the received user-object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image comprises information identifying at least one action to be performed upon user-selection of the user-selectable object.
15. A media system comprising:
at least one module operable to, at least:
receive picture information for a still image;
receive user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image; and
combine the received picture information and the received user-selectable object information into a combined data set.
16. The media system of claim 15, wherein the at least one module is operable to communicate the combined data set in at least one serial data stream over a communication network to at least one recipient, the at least one serial data stream comprising a serial data stream that comprises picture information and user-selectable object information.
17. The media system of claim 15, wherein the at least one module is operable to store the combined data set on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the combined data set comprising user-selectable object information interleaved with picture information.
18. The media system of claim 15, wherein the at least one module is operable to receive picture information for a still image by, at least in part, operating to receive a completed picture data set for the still image, the completed picture data set formatted for communicating the still image without information describing user-selectable objects in the still image.
19. The media system of claim 18, wherein the at least one module is operable to combine the received picture information and the received user-selectable object information into a combined data set by, at least in part, operating to insert the received user-selectable object information in the received completed picture data set to create a combined data set comprising the picture data set and the received object information.
20. The media system of claim 19, where:
said received completed picture data set, is formatted in accordance with a still image standard; and
said at least one module is operable to combine the received picture information and the received user-selectable object information into a combined data set by, at least in part, operating to insert the received user-selectable object information in data fields of the completed picture data set that are not assigned by the still image standard.
21. The media system of claim 19, where:
said received completed picture data set is formatted in accordance with a still image standard; and
said at least one module is operable to combine the received picture information and the received user-selectable object information into a combined data set by, at least in part, operating to insert the received user-selectable object information in data fields of the completed picture data set that are assigned by the still image standard to contain information of user-selectable objects.
22. The media system of claim 15, wherein said at least one module is operable to receive picture information for a still image by, at least in part, operating to receive picture information for the still image prior to the picture information being formatted into a completed still image data set for communicating the still image.
23. The media system of claim 22, wherein said at least one module is operable to combine the received picture information and the received user-selectable object information into a combined data set by, at least in part, operating to combine the received picture information and the received user-selectable object information into a completed picture data set that is formatted for communicating the still image with information describing user-selectable objects in the still image.
24. The media system of claim 15, wherein:
the at least one module is operable to receive picture information for a still image by, at least in part, operating to receive an initial combined still image data set comprising initial picture information and initial user-selectable object information corresponding to user-selectable objects in the still image; and
the at least one module is operable to combine the received picture information and the received user-selectable object information into a combined data set by, at least in part, operating to modify the initial user-selectable object information of the initial combined still image data set in accordance with the received user-selectable object information.
25. The media system of claim 24, wherein the at least one module is operable to modify the initial user-selectable object information of the initial combined still image data set in accordance with the received user-selectable object information by, at least in part, operating to change at least a portion of the initial object information in accordance with the received user-selectable object information.
26. The media system of claim 15, where the received user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image comprises customized user-selectable object information that is customized to a particular set of one or more users.
27. The media system of claim 15, where the received user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image comprises information describing location of the user-selectable object in the still image.
28. The media system of claim 15, where the received user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image comprises information identifying at least one action to be performed upon user-selection of the user-selectable object.
29. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which is stored computer-readable information comprising:
a data file comprising:
picture information for a still image; and
user-selectable object information corresponding to a user-selectable object in the still image, which when processed by the processing system enables the processing system to provide for user-selection of the user-selectable object in the still image.
30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein said user-selectable object information comprises processor instructions associated with the user-selectable object in the still image.
31. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein said user-selectable object information comprises information describing an action to perform upon user-selection of the user-selectable object in the still image.
US12/881,031 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a still image file and/or data stream Abandoned US20110066929A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/881,031 US20110066929A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a still image file and/or data stream
US14/488,778 US20150007222A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-09-17 System And Method For Providing Information Of Selectable Objects In A Television Program In An Information Stream Independent Of The Television Program

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US24223409P 2009-09-14 2009-09-14
US12/881,031 US20110066929A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a still image file and/or data stream

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110066929A1 true US20110066929A1 (en) 2011-03-17

Family

ID=43730008

Family Applications (34)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/774,221 Abandoned US20110063522A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-05-05 System and method for generating television screen pointing information using an external receiver
US12/774,154 Active 2031-11-12 US9110517B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-05-05 System and method for generating screen pointing information in a television
US12/774,380 Active 2031-05-27 US8990854B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-05-05 System and method in a television for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US12/774,321 Active 2031-09-04 US8947350B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-05-05 System and method for generating screen pointing information in a television control device
US12/850,911 Active 2030-12-04 US9197941B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-08-05 System and method in a television controller for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US12/851,036 Expired - Fee Related US9462345B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-08-05 System and method in a television system for providing for user-selection of an object in a television program
US12/850,945 Active 2031-08-28 US9081422B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-08-05 System and method in a television controller for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US12/850,866 Active 2031-02-23 US9098128B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-08-05 System and method in a television receiver for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US12/851,075 Abandoned US20110067069A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-08-05 System and method in a parallel television system for providing for user-selection of an object in a television program
US12/850,832 Abandoned US20110067047A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-08-05 System and method in a distributed system for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US12/880,888 Active 2030-10-07 US8819732B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a television system for providing information associated with a user-selected person in a television program
US12/881,110 Active US9137577B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method of a television for providing information associated with a user-selected information element in a television program
US12/881,031 Abandoned US20110066929A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a still image file and/or data stream
US12/880,668 Active 2031-09-11 US8832747B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program based on user location
US12/881,067 Active 2030-10-03 US9043833B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a television program
US12/881,004 Active 2031-08-19 US8931015B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a television program in an information stream independent of the television program
US12/880,594 Active 2030-11-25 US8839307B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a local television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program
US12/881,096 Active US9258617B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a television program
US12/880,749 Active 2030-09-26 US9110518B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program utilizing an alternative communication network
US12/880,530 Abandoned US20110067054A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a distributed system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program
US12/880,851 Abandoned US20110067051A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a television system for providing advertising information associated with a user-selected object in a television program
US12/880,965 Active US9271044B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a television program
US14/457,451 Abandoned US20150012939A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-08-12 System And Method In A Television System For Providing Advertising Information Associated With A User-Selected Object In A Television Program
US14/467,408 Abandoned US20140366062A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-08-25 System And Method In A Television System For Providing Information Associated With A User-Selected Person In A Television Program
US14/479,670 Abandoned US20140380381A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-09-08 System And Method In A Television System For Responding To User-Selection Of An Object In A Television Program Based On User Location
US14/480,020 Abandoned US20140380401A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-09-08 System And Method In A Local Television System For Responding To User-Selection Of An Object In A Television Program
US14/488,778 Abandoned US20150007222A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-09-17 System And Method For Providing Information Of Selectable Objects In A Television Program In An Information Stream Independent Of The Television Program
US14/572,916 Abandoned US20150106857A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-12-17 System And Method For Generating Screen Pointing Information In A Television Control Device
US14/603,457 Abandoned US20150135217A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-01-23 System And Method In A Television For Providing User-Selection Of Objects In A Television Program
US14/625,810 Abandoned US20150172769A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-02-19 System And Method In A Television System For Presenting Information Associated With A User-Selected Object In A Television Program
US14/731,983 Abandoned US20150296263A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-06-05 System And Method In A Television Controller For Providing User-Selection Of Objects In A Television Program
US14/753,183 Abandoned US20150304721A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-06-29 System And Method In A Television Receiver For Providing User-Selection Of Objects In A Television Program
US14/805,961 Abandoned US20150326931A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-07-22 System And Method In A Television System For Responding To User-Selection Of An Object In A Television Program Utilizing An Alternative Communication Network
US14/851,225 Abandoned US20160007090A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-09-11 System And Method Of A Television For Providing Information Associated With A User-Selected Information Element In A Television Program

Family Applications Before (12)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/774,221 Abandoned US20110063522A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-05-05 System and method for generating television screen pointing information using an external receiver
US12/774,154 Active 2031-11-12 US9110517B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-05-05 System and method for generating screen pointing information in a television
US12/774,380 Active 2031-05-27 US8990854B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-05-05 System and method in a television for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US12/774,321 Active 2031-09-04 US8947350B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-05-05 System and method for generating screen pointing information in a television control device
US12/850,911 Active 2030-12-04 US9197941B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-08-05 System and method in a television controller for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US12/851,036 Expired - Fee Related US9462345B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-08-05 System and method in a television system for providing for user-selection of an object in a television program
US12/850,945 Active 2031-08-28 US9081422B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-08-05 System and method in a television controller for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US12/850,866 Active 2031-02-23 US9098128B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-08-05 System and method in a television receiver for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US12/851,075 Abandoned US20110067069A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-08-05 System and method in a parallel television system for providing for user-selection of an object in a television program
US12/850,832 Abandoned US20110067047A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-08-05 System and method in a distributed system for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US12/880,888 Active 2030-10-07 US8819732B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a television system for providing information associated with a user-selected person in a television program
US12/881,110 Active US9137577B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method of a television for providing information associated with a user-selected information element in a television program

Family Applications After (21)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/880,668 Active 2031-09-11 US8832747B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program based on user location
US12/881,067 Active 2030-10-03 US9043833B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a television program
US12/881,004 Active 2031-08-19 US8931015B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a television program in an information stream independent of the television program
US12/880,594 Active 2030-11-25 US8839307B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a local television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program
US12/881,096 Active US9258617B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a television program
US12/880,749 Active 2030-09-26 US9110518B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program utilizing an alternative communication network
US12/880,530 Abandoned US20110067054A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a distributed system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program
US12/880,851 Abandoned US20110067051A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method in a television system for providing advertising information associated with a user-selected object in a television program
US12/880,965 Active US9271044B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2010-09-13 System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a television program
US14/457,451 Abandoned US20150012939A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-08-12 System And Method In A Television System For Providing Advertising Information Associated With A User-Selected Object In A Television Program
US14/467,408 Abandoned US20140366062A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-08-25 System And Method In A Television System For Providing Information Associated With A User-Selected Person In A Television Program
US14/479,670 Abandoned US20140380381A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-09-08 System And Method In A Television System For Responding To User-Selection Of An Object In A Television Program Based On User Location
US14/480,020 Abandoned US20140380401A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-09-08 System And Method In A Local Television System For Responding To User-Selection Of An Object In A Television Program
US14/488,778 Abandoned US20150007222A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-09-17 System And Method For Providing Information Of Selectable Objects In A Television Program In An Information Stream Independent Of The Television Program
US14/572,916 Abandoned US20150106857A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-12-17 System And Method For Generating Screen Pointing Information In A Television Control Device
US14/603,457 Abandoned US20150135217A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-01-23 System And Method In A Television For Providing User-Selection Of Objects In A Television Program
US14/625,810 Abandoned US20150172769A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-02-19 System And Method In A Television System For Presenting Information Associated With A User-Selected Object In A Television Program
US14/731,983 Abandoned US20150296263A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-06-05 System And Method In A Television Controller For Providing User-Selection Of Objects In A Television Program
US14/753,183 Abandoned US20150304721A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-06-29 System And Method In A Television Receiver For Providing User-Selection Of Objects In A Television Program
US14/805,961 Abandoned US20150326931A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-07-22 System And Method In A Television System For Responding To User-Selection Of An Object In A Television Program Utilizing An Alternative Communication Network
US14/851,225 Abandoned US20160007090A1 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-09-11 System And Method Of A Television For Providing Information Associated With A User-Selected Information Element In A Television Program

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (34) US20110063522A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2328347A3 (en)
CN (1) CN102025933A (en)
TW (1) TW201132122A (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110067064A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a television program
US20140317660A1 (en) * 2013-04-22 2014-10-23 LiveRelay Inc. Enabling interaction between social network users during synchronous display of video channel
US20160070892A1 (en) * 2014-08-07 2016-03-10 Click Evidence, Inc. System and method for creating, processing, and distributing images that serve as portals enabling communication with persons who have interacted with the images
US10104156B2 (en) * 2014-06-10 2018-10-16 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Object image information management server, recording medium, and object image information management method
US10649666B1 (en) * 2017-05-10 2020-05-12 Ambarella International Lp Link-list shortening logic

Families Citing this family (145)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2596967A (en) * 1948-11-19 1952-05-20 Westinghouse Electric Corp Fluorine-containing organosilicon compounds
US8074248B2 (en) 2005-07-26 2011-12-06 Activevideo Networks, Inc. System and method for providing video content associated with a source image to a television in a communication network
US7515710B2 (en) 2006-03-14 2009-04-07 Divx, Inc. Federated digital rights management scheme including trusted systems
EP3145200A1 (en) 2007-01-12 2017-03-22 ActiveVideo Networks, Inc. Mpeg objects and systems and methods for using mpeg objects
US9826197B2 (en) 2007-01-12 2017-11-21 Activevideo Networks, Inc. Providing television broadcasts over a managed network and interactive content over an unmanaged network to a client device
US9455783B2 (en) 2013-05-06 2016-09-27 Federal Law Enforcement Development Services, Inc. Network security and variable pulse wave form with continuous communication
WO2008148050A1 (en) 2007-05-24 2008-12-04 Federal Law Enforcement Development Services, Inc. Led light interior room and building communication system
US9100124B2 (en) 2007-05-24 2015-08-04 Federal Law Enforcement Development Services, Inc. LED Light Fixture
US11265082B2 (en) 2007-05-24 2022-03-01 Federal Law Enforcement Development Services, Inc. LED light control assembly and system
EP2281230A1 (en) * 2008-04-10 2011-02-09 Karl Christopher Hansen Simple-to-use optical wireless remote control
US8775454B2 (en) 2008-07-29 2014-07-08 James L. Geer Phone assisted ‘photographic memory’
US9128981B1 (en) 2008-07-29 2015-09-08 James L. Geer Phone assisted ‘photographic memory’
CN105072454B (en) 2009-01-07 2019-04-19 索尼克Ip股份有限公司 For the specialization of the media guidance of online content, centralization, automation creation
US8890773B1 (en) 2009-04-01 2014-11-18 Federal Law Enforcement Development Services, Inc. Visible light transceiver glasses
US8629938B2 (en) * 2009-10-05 2014-01-14 Sony Corporation Multi-point television motion sensor system and method
KR101689019B1 (en) * 2009-11-02 2016-12-23 삼성전자주식회사 Display apparatus for supporting a search service, User terminal for performing a search of object, and methods thereof
EP2507995A4 (en) 2009-12-04 2014-07-09 Sonic Ip Inc Elementary bitstream cryptographic material transport systems and methods
NL2004780C2 (en) * 2010-05-28 2012-01-23 Activevideo Networks B V VISUAL ELEMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM.
US8717289B2 (en) * 2010-06-22 2014-05-06 Hsni Llc System and method for integrating an electronic pointing device into digital image data
US8683514B2 (en) * 2010-06-22 2014-03-25 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Enhanced media content transport stream for media content delivery systems and methods
US8910218B2 (en) * 2010-07-15 2014-12-09 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Method and apparatus for providing control of set-top boxes
US8330033B2 (en) * 2010-09-13 2012-12-11 Apple Inc. Graphical user interface for music sequence programming
WO2012039694A1 (en) * 2010-09-21 2012-03-29 Echostar Ukraine, L.L.C. Synchronizing user interfaces of content receivers and entertainment system components
KR20130138263A (en) 2010-10-14 2013-12-18 액티브비디오 네트웍스, 인코포레이티드 Streaming digital video between video devices using a cable television system
US20120106972A1 (en) * 2010-10-29 2012-05-03 Sunrex Technology Corp. Universal remote control
KR20120091496A (en) * 2010-12-23 2012-08-20 한국전자통신연구원 A system of providing a broadcast service and a method of providing thereof
US8914534B2 (en) 2011-01-05 2014-12-16 Sonic Ip, Inc. Systems and methods for adaptive bitrate streaming of media stored in matroska container files using hypertext transfer protocol
CN102693061B (en) * 2011-03-22 2016-06-15 中兴通讯股份有限公司 Method for information display in terminal TV business, terminal and system
EP2695388B1 (en) 2011-04-07 2017-06-07 ActiveVideo Networks, Inc. Reduction of latency in video distribution networks using adaptive bit rates
EP2518992A1 (en) * 2011-04-28 2012-10-31 Axel Springer Digital TV Guide GmbH Apparatus and method for managing a personal channel
US8185448B1 (en) 2011-06-10 2012-05-22 Myslinski Lucas J Fact checking method and system
US9015037B2 (en) 2011-06-10 2015-04-21 Linkedin Corporation Interactive fact checking system
US9087048B2 (en) 2011-06-10 2015-07-21 Linkedin Corporation Method of and system for validating a fact checking system
US9176957B2 (en) 2011-06-10 2015-11-03 Linkedin Corporation Selective fact checking method and system
US8599311B2 (en) * 2011-07-14 2013-12-03 Amimon Ltd. Methods circuits devices and systems for transmission and display of video
US20130036442A1 (en) * 2011-08-05 2013-02-07 Qualcomm Incorporated System and method for visual selection of elements in video content
MX344762B (en) 2011-08-05 2016-12-15 Fox Sports Productions Inc Selective capture and presentation of native image portions.
US11039109B2 (en) 2011-08-05 2021-06-15 Fox Sports Productions, Llc System and method for adjusting an image for a vehicle mounted camera
US9467708B2 (en) 2011-08-30 2016-10-11 Sonic Ip, Inc. Selection of resolutions for seamless resolution switching of multimedia content
US8909922B2 (en) 2011-09-01 2014-12-09 Sonic Ip, Inc. Systems and methods for playing back alternative streams of protected content protected using common cryptographic information
US8964977B2 (en) 2011-09-01 2015-02-24 Sonic Ip, Inc. Systems and methods for saving encoded media streamed using adaptive bitrate streaming
US20130061268A1 (en) * 2011-09-03 2013-03-07 Ariel Inventions Llc Systems, devices, and methods for integrated searching and retrieving internet or digital content across a communication network for a multimedia platform
US8689255B1 (en) 2011-09-07 2014-04-01 Imdb.Com, Inc. Synchronizing video content with extrinsic data
US20130117698A1 (en) * 2011-10-31 2013-05-09 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Display apparatus and method thereof
JP2013123127A (en) * 2011-12-09 2013-06-20 Fujitsu Mobile Communications Ltd User terminal and communication method
AT512350B1 (en) * 2011-12-20 2017-06-15 Isiqiri Interface Tech Gmbh COMPUTER PLANT AND CONTROL PROCESS THEREFOR
US9596515B2 (en) 2012-01-04 2017-03-14 Google Inc. Systems and methods of image searching
US10409445B2 (en) 2012-01-09 2019-09-10 Activevideo Networks, Inc. Rendering of an interactive lean-backward user interface on a television
KR20130088662A (en) * 2012-01-31 2013-08-08 한국전자통신연구원 Apparatus, method and system for providing additional information through a digital media content
US9800945B2 (en) 2012-04-03 2017-10-24 Activevideo Networks, Inc. Class-based intelligent multiplexing over unmanaged networks
US9123084B2 (en) 2012-04-12 2015-09-01 Activevideo Networks, Inc. Graphical application integration with MPEG objects
WO2013188590A2 (en) * 2012-06-12 2013-12-19 Realnetworks, Inc. Context-aware video api systems and methods
US10440432B2 (en) 2012-06-12 2019-10-08 Realnetworks, Inc. Socially annotated presentation systems and methods
US9800951B1 (en) 2012-06-21 2017-10-24 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Unobtrusively enhancing video content with extrinsic data
US8773591B1 (en) * 2012-08-13 2014-07-08 Nongqiang Fan Method and apparatus for interacting with television screen
US8955021B1 (en) 2012-08-31 2015-02-10 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Providing extrinsic data for video content
US9113128B1 (en) 2012-08-31 2015-08-18 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Timeline interface for video content
KR20140029049A (en) * 2012-08-31 2014-03-10 삼성전자주식회사 Display apparat and input signal processing method using the same
KR20150053955A (en) 2012-09-06 2015-05-19 인터페이즈 코퍼레이션 Absolute and relative positioning sensor fusion in an interactive display system
US9549217B2 (en) * 2012-09-17 2017-01-17 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Notification controls for television viewing
CN103313091A (en) * 2012-09-27 2013-09-18 中兴通讯股份有限公司 Speed-multiplying playing method, device and system
WO2014071307A1 (en) * 2012-11-05 2014-05-08 Velvet Ape, Inc. Methods for targeted advertising
US9389745B1 (en) 2012-12-10 2016-07-12 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Providing content via multiple display devices
US9483159B2 (en) 2012-12-12 2016-11-01 Linkedin Corporation Fact checking graphical user interface including fact checking icons
TW201427401A (en) * 2012-12-18 2014-07-01 Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd Television, remote controller and menu displaying method
US9191457B2 (en) 2012-12-31 2015-11-17 Sonic Ip, Inc. Systems, methods, and media for controlling delivery of content
US9313510B2 (en) 2012-12-31 2016-04-12 Sonic Ip, Inc. Use of objective quality measures of streamed content to reduce streaming bandwidth
US10424009B1 (en) 2013-02-27 2019-09-24 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Shopping experience using multiple computing devices
US20140279867A1 (en) * 2013-03-14 2014-09-18 Ami Entertainment Network, Llc Method and apparatus for providing real time television listings for venues
US9906785B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2018-02-27 Sonic Ip, Inc. Systems, methods, and media for transcoding video data according to encoding parameters indicated by received metadata
US10397292B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-08-27 Divx, Llc Systems, methods, and media for delivery of content
WO2014145921A1 (en) 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 Activevideo Networks, Inc. A multiple-mode system and method for providing user selectable video content
US9374411B1 (en) 2013-03-21 2016-06-21 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Content recommendations using deep data
US9094737B2 (en) 2013-05-30 2015-07-28 Sonic Ip, Inc. Network video streaming with trick play based on separate trick play files
US9294785B2 (en) 2013-06-06 2016-03-22 Activevideo Networks, Inc. System and method for exploiting scene graph information in construction of an encoded video sequence
US9326047B2 (en) 2013-06-06 2016-04-26 Activevideo Networks, Inc. Overlay rendering of user interface onto source video
US9219922B2 (en) 2013-06-06 2015-12-22 Activevideo Networks, Inc. System and method for exploiting scene graph information in construction of an encoded video sequence
US11019300B1 (en) 2013-06-26 2021-05-25 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Providing soundtrack information during playback of video content
US9967305B2 (en) 2013-06-28 2018-05-08 Divx, Llc Systems, methods, and media for streaming media content
US20150012840A1 (en) * 2013-07-02 2015-01-08 International Business Machines Corporation Identification and Sharing of Selections within Streaming Content
US10024971B2 (en) * 2013-07-16 2018-07-17 Walter Fields Apparatus, system and method for locating a lost instrument or object
KR102123062B1 (en) * 2013-08-06 2020-06-15 삼성전자주식회사 Method of aquiring information about contents, image display apparatus using thereof and server system of providing information about contents
US10194189B1 (en) 2013-09-23 2019-01-29 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Playback of content using multiple devices
US20150095320A1 (en) 2013-09-27 2015-04-02 Trooclick France Apparatus, systems and methods for scoring the reliability of online information
US10169424B2 (en) 2013-09-27 2019-01-01 Lucas J. Myslinski Apparatus, systems and methods for scoring and distributing the reliability of online information
CN103500042B (en) * 2013-09-30 2017-04-05 合肥京东方光电科技有限公司 A kind of optical-touched screen and display device
US9343112B2 (en) * 2013-10-31 2016-05-17 Sonic Ip, Inc. Systems and methods for supplementing content from a server
US20150117837A1 (en) * 2013-10-31 2015-04-30 Sonic Ip, Inc. Systems and methods for supplementing content at a user device
US20150128194A1 (en) * 2013-11-05 2015-05-07 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. Method and mobile terminal for switching playback device
CN103686413A (en) * 2013-12-19 2014-03-26 宇龙计算机通信科技(深圳)有限公司 Auxiliary display method and device
US20150198941A1 (en) 2014-01-15 2015-07-16 John C. Pederson Cyber Life Electronic Networking and Commerce Operating Exchange
US20160011675A1 (en) * 2014-02-20 2016-01-14 Amchael Visual Technology Corporation Absolute Position 3D Pointing using Light Tracking and Relative Position Detection
US9972055B2 (en) 2014-02-28 2018-05-15 Lucas J. Myslinski Fact checking method and system utilizing social networking information
US8990234B1 (en) 2014-02-28 2015-03-24 Lucas J. Myslinski Efficient fact checking method and system
US9643722B1 (en) 2014-02-28 2017-05-09 Lucas J. Myslinski Drone device security system
US9838740B1 (en) 2014-03-18 2017-12-05 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Enhancing video content with personalized extrinsic data
US10482658B2 (en) * 2014-03-31 2019-11-19 Gary Stephen Shuster Visualization and control of remote objects
US10873718B2 (en) 2014-04-02 2020-12-22 Interdigital Madison Patent Holdings, Sas Systems and methods for touch screens associated with a display
US9866878B2 (en) 2014-04-05 2018-01-09 Sonic Ip, Inc. Systems and methods for encoding and playing back video at different frame rates using enhancement layers
US9788029B2 (en) 2014-04-25 2017-10-10 Activevideo Networks, Inc. Intelligent multiplexing using class-based, multi-dimensioned decision logic for managed networks
US9661254B2 (en) * 2014-05-16 2017-05-23 Shadowbox Media, Inc. Video viewing system with video fragment location
US9189514B1 (en) 2014-09-04 2015-11-17 Lucas J. Myslinski Optimized fact checking method and system
US10264329B2 (en) * 2014-10-28 2019-04-16 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Descriptive metadata extraction and linkage with editorial content
US10299012B2 (en) * 2014-10-28 2019-05-21 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Descriptive metadata extraction and linkage with editorial content
JP5735696B1 (en) * 2014-11-05 2015-06-17 株式会社 ディー・エヌ・エー GAME PROGRAM AND INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE
US11758238B2 (en) 2014-12-13 2023-09-12 Fox Sports Productions, Llc Systems and methods for displaying wind characteristics and effects within a broadcast
US11159854B2 (en) 2014-12-13 2021-10-26 Fox Sports Productions, Llc Systems and methods for tracking and tagging objects within a broadcast
US10248982B2 (en) * 2014-12-23 2019-04-02 Ebay Inc. Automated extraction of product data from production data of visual media content
KR20160144817A (en) * 2015-06-09 2016-12-19 삼성전자주식회사 Display apparatus, pointing apparatus, pointing system and control methods thereof
US20170048953A1 (en) 2015-08-11 2017-02-16 Federal Law Enforcement Development Services, Inc. Programmable switch and system
US10271109B1 (en) 2015-09-16 2019-04-23 Amazon Technologies, LLC Verbal queries relative to video content
CN105607785B (en) * 2016-01-04 2019-11-12 京东方科技集团股份有限公司 Touch control display system and touch control operation device
US10021461B2 (en) * 2016-02-29 2018-07-10 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for performing an action based on context of a feature in a media asset
US10110968B2 (en) 2016-04-19 2018-10-23 Google Llc Methods, systems and media for interacting with content using a second screen device
US20180052227A1 (en) * 2016-08-16 2018-02-22 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Beam pattern diversity-based target location estimation
CN106991108A (en) * 2016-09-27 2017-07-28 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 The method for pushing and device of a kind of information
US10708488B2 (en) 2016-09-27 2020-07-07 Snap Inc. Eyewear device mode indication
US10762148B1 (en) * 2016-12-19 2020-09-01 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Dissemination of information updates across devices
US11134316B1 (en) 2016-12-28 2021-09-28 Shopsee, Inc. Integrated shopping within long-form entertainment
US10171862B2 (en) * 2017-02-16 2019-01-01 International Business Machines Corporation Interactive video search and presentation
US10498795B2 (en) 2017-02-17 2019-12-03 Divx, Llc Systems and methods for adaptive switching between multiple content delivery networks during adaptive bitrate streaming
US10678216B2 (en) * 2017-02-28 2020-06-09 Sap Se Manufacturing process data collection and analytics
US10440439B2 (en) 2017-02-28 2019-10-08 The Directv Group, Inc. Method and apparatus for media content streaming and reminder notifications
US10558197B2 (en) 2017-02-28 2020-02-11 Sap Se Manufacturing process data collection and analytics
CA3080472A1 (en) * 2017-09-13 2019-03-21 Source Digital, Inc. Rules-based ancillary data
US20190208236A1 (en) * 2018-01-02 2019-07-04 Source Digital, Inc. Coordinates as ancillary data
CN108123858A (en) * 2018-01-03 2018-06-05 深圳市数视通科技股份有限公司 A kind of Domestic News system based on the integration of three networks
WO2019191708A1 (en) 2018-03-30 2019-10-03 Realnetworks, Inc. Socially annotated audiovisual content
CN108882003A (en) * 2018-07-25 2018-11-23 安徽新华学院 A kind of electronic software control system that can detect excellent race automatically
CN110858914B (en) * 2018-08-23 2021-11-26 阿里巴巴（中国）有限公司 Video material recommendation method and device
US11269944B2 (en) 2018-12-14 2022-03-08 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Targeted gaming news and content feeds
US11247130B2 (en) 2018-12-14 2022-02-15 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Interactive objects in streaming media and marketplace ledgers
US11896909B2 (en) 2018-12-14 2024-02-13 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Experience-based peer recommendations
US11080748B2 (en) 2018-12-14 2021-08-03 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Targeted gaming news and content feeds
US10881962B2 (en) 2018-12-14 2021-01-05 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Media-activity binding and content blocking
US11531701B2 (en) * 2019-04-03 2022-12-20 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Electronic device and control method thereof
US20210065719A1 (en) * 2019-08-29 2021-03-04 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Methods and systems for intelligent content controls
US11213748B2 (en) 2019-11-01 2022-01-04 Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Content streaming with gameplay launch
CN111552429B (en) * 2020-04-29 2021-07-23 杭州海康威视数字技术股份有限公司 Graph selection method and device and electronic equipment
US11442987B2 (en) 2020-05-28 2022-09-13 Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Media-object binding for displaying real-time play data for live-streaming media
US11602687B2 (en) 2020-05-28 2023-03-14 Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Media-object binding for predicting performance in a media
US11420130B2 (en) 2020-05-28 2022-08-23 Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Media-object binding for dynamic generation and displaying of play data associated with media
US11671657B2 (en) * 2021-06-30 2023-06-06 Rovi Guides, Inc. Method and apparatus for shared viewing of media content
US20230010078A1 (en) * 2021-07-12 2023-01-12 Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited Object or region of interest video processing system and method
EP4290266A1 (en) * 2021-08-23 2023-12-13 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Electronic device for controlling external electronic device and operation method thereof

Citations (99)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5111511A (en) * 1988-06-24 1992-05-05 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Image motion vector detecting apparatus
US5408258A (en) * 1993-04-21 1995-04-18 The Arbitron Company Method of automatically qualifying a signal reproduction device for installation of monitoring equipment
US5543851A (en) * 1995-03-13 1996-08-06 Chang; Wen F. Method and apparatus for translating closed caption data
US5602568A (en) * 1994-12-22 1997-02-11 Goldstar Co., Ltd. Point type remote control apparatus and the method thereof
US5708845A (en) * 1995-09-29 1998-01-13 Wistendahl; Douglass A. System for mapping hot spots in media content for interactive digital media program
US5718845A (en) * 1990-12-12 1998-02-17 Enichem S.P.A. Tricyanovinyl substitution process for NLO polymers
US5721584A (en) * 1994-07-22 1998-02-24 Sony Corporation Two-way broadcast system and receiving system
US5727141A (en) * 1995-05-05 1998-03-10 Apple Computer, Inc. Method and apparatus for identifying user-selectable regions within multiple display frames
US5793361A (en) * 1994-06-09 1998-08-11 Corporation For National Research Initiatives Unconstrained pointing interface for natural human interaction with a display-based computer system
US5929849A (en) * 1996-05-02 1999-07-27 Phoenix Technologies, Ltd. Integration of dynamic universal resource locators with television presentations
US6097441A (en) * 1997-12-31 2000-08-01 Eremote, Inc. System for dual-display interaction with integrated television and internet content
US6255961B1 (en) * 1998-05-08 2001-07-03 Sony Corporation Two-way communications between a remote control unit and one or more devices in an audio/visual environment
US6349410B1 (en) * 1999-08-04 2002-02-19 Intel Corporation Integrating broadcast television pause and web browsing
US20020040482A1 (en) * 2000-04-08 2002-04-04 Sextro Gary L. Features for interactive television
US20020042925A1 (en) * 2000-07-24 2002-04-11 Koji Ebisu Television receiver, receiver and program execution method
US20020056136A1 (en) * 1995-09-29 2002-05-09 Wistendahl Douglass A. System for converting existing TV content to interactive TV programs operated with a standard remote control and TV set-top box
US20020069405A1 (en) * 2000-09-20 2002-06-06 Chapin Paul W. System and method for spokesperson interactive television advertisements
US6407779B1 (en) * 1999-03-29 2002-06-18 Zilog, Inc. Method and apparatus for an intuitive universal remote control system
US20020078446A1 (en) * 2000-08-30 2002-06-20 Jon Dakss Method and apparatus for hyperlinking in a television broadcast
US20020090114A1 (en) * 1995-07-27 2002-07-11 Rhoads Geoffrey B. Watermark enabled video objects
US20020120934A1 (en) * 2001-02-28 2002-08-29 Marc Abrahams Interactive television browsing and buying method
US20020136432A1 (en) * 2000-11-10 2002-09-26 Hiroyuki Koike Method and apparatus for processing information of an object
US20030005445A1 (en) * 1995-10-02 2003-01-02 Schein Steven M. Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters
US20030023981A1 (en) * 2001-07-25 2003-01-30 Thomas Lemmons Method and apparatus for transmission of interactive and enhanced television data
US20030035075A1 (en) * 2001-08-20 2003-02-20 Butler Michelle A. Method and system for providing improved user input capability for interactive television
US20030051253A1 (en) * 2001-08-16 2003-03-13 Barone Samuel T. Interactive television tracking system
US20030054878A1 (en) * 2001-09-20 2003-03-20 International Game Technology Point of play registration on a gaming machine
US6538672B1 (en) * 1999-02-08 2003-03-25 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Method and apparatus for displaying an electronic program guide
US20030115602A1 (en) * 1995-06-07 2003-06-19 Knee Robert Alan Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access
US20030145326A1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2003-07-31 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Subscription to TV channels/shows based on recommendation generated by a TV recommender
US20040078814A1 (en) * 2002-03-29 2004-04-22 Digeo, Inc. Module-based interactive television ticker
US20040119701A1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-06-24 Mulligan Roger C. Lattice touch-sensing system
US20040167855A1 (en) * 2001-04-26 2004-08-26 Cambridge Vivien Johan Automatic billing system for remote internet services
US20050028208A1 (en) * 1998-07-17 2005-02-03 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive television program guide with remote access
US20050086690A1 (en) * 2003-10-16 2005-04-21 International Business Machines Corporation Interactive, non-intrusive television advertising
US20050132420A1 (en) * 2003-12-11 2005-06-16 Quadrock Communications, Inc System and method for interaction with television content
US20050137958A1 (en) * 2003-12-23 2005-06-23 Thomas Huber Advertising methods for advertising time slots and embedded objects
US20050153687A1 (en) * 2004-01-13 2005-07-14 Nokia Corporation Providing location information
US6931660B1 (en) * 2000-01-28 2005-08-16 Opentv, Inc. Interactive television system and method for simultaneous transmission and rendering of multiple MPEG-encoded video streams
US20060037044A1 (en) * 1993-03-29 2006-02-16 Microsoft Corporation Pausing television programming in response to selection of hypertext link
US20060099964A1 (en) * 2004-11-05 2006-05-11 Ebay Inc. System and method for location based content correlation
US7057670B2 (en) * 2000-04-27 2006-06-06 Dan Kikinis Cursor control system
US20060152489A1 (en) * 2005-01-12 2006-07-13 John Sweetser Handheld vision based absolute pointing system
US20060174273A1 (en) * 2004-11-20 2006-08-03 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method of displaying service in DMB, and method and apparatus for managing preferred service
US20060195878A1 (en) * 2000-04-12 2006-08-31 Lg Electronics Inc. Apparatus and method for providing and obtaining product information through a broadcast signal
US7158676B1 (en) * 1999-02-01 2007-01-02 Emuse Media Limited Interactive system
US20070097275A1 (en) * 2001-09-27 2007-05-03 Universal Electronics Inc. Two way communication using light links
US20070130581A1 (en) * 2000-02-02 2007-06-07 Del Sesto Eric E Interactive content delivery methods and apparatus
US20070137611A1 (en) * 2005-12-21 2007-06-21 Yu Robert C Active radical initiator for internal combustion engines
US20070156521A1 (en) * 2005-12-29 2007-07-05 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and methods for commerce in media program related merchandise
US20070157260A1 (en) * 2005-12-29 2007-07-05 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive media guidance system having multiple devices
US20070195205A1 (en) * 2006-02-21 2007-08-23 Lowe Jerry B Remote control system and method
US20070199014A1 (en) * 2006-02-22 2007-08-23 E-Cast, Inc. Consumer portal
US20080016526A1 (en) * 2000-03-09 2008-01-17 Asmussen Michael L Advanced Set Top Terminal Having A Program Pause Feature With Voice-to-Text Conversion
US20080052750A1 (en) * 2006-08-28 2008-02-28 Anders Grunnet-Jepsen Direct-point on-demand information exchanges
US20080066129A1 (en) * 2000-02-29 2008-03-13 Goldpocket Interactive, Inc. Method and Apparatus for Interaction with Hyperlinks in a Television Broadcast
US20080066097A1 (en) * 2004-10-13 2008-03-13 Woodhyun Park Method Of Realizing Interactive Advertisement Under Digital Braodcasting Environment By Extending Program Associated Data-Broadcasting To Internet Area
US7344084B2 (en) * 2005-09-19 2008-03-18 Sony Corporation Portable video programs
US7360232B2 (en) * 2001-04-25 2008-04-15 Diego, Inc. System and method to subscribe to channel URL addresses and to provide non-programming-related URL addresses in an interactive video casting system
US20080109851A1 (en) * 2006-10-23 2008-05-08 Ashley Heather Method and system for providing interactive video
US20080132163A1 (en) * 2000-05-31 2008-06-05 Optinetix (Israel) Ltd. Systems and methods for distributing information through broadcast media
US20080136754A1 (en) * 2006-12-06 2008-06-12 Sony Corporation Display apparatus, display-apparatus control method and program
US20080172693A1 (en) * 2007-01-16 2008-07-17 Microsoft Corporation Representing Television Programs Using Video Objects
US20080172252A1 (en) * 2007-01-17 2008-07-17 Mitochon Systems, Inc Apparatus and Method for Revenue Distribution Generated From Delivering Healthcare Advertisements Via EMR Systems, RHIN, and Electronic Advertising Servers
US20080177570A1 (en) * 2007-01-18 2008-07-24 Ari Craine Methods, Systems, and Computer-Readable Media for Disease Management
US7409437B2 (en) * 1996-03-08 2008-08-05 Actv, Inc. Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated Internet information segments
US20080209480A1 (en) * 2006-12-20 2008-08-28 Eide Kurt S Method for enhanced video programming system for integrating internet data for on-demand interactive retrieval
US20080204603A1 (en) * 2007-02-27 2008-08-28 Hideharu Hattori Video displaying apparatus and video displaying method
US20080204605A1 (en) * 2007-02-28 2008-08-28 Leonard Tsai Systems and methods for using a remote control unit to sense television characteristics
US20090021473A1 (en) * 2002-12-08 2009-01-22 Grant Danny A Haptic Communication Devices
US20090037947A1 (en) * 2007-07-30 2009-02-05 Yahoo! Inc. Textual and visual interactive advertisements in videos
US20090077394A1 (en) * 2007-09-17 2009-03-19 Jr-Shian Tsai Techniques for communications based power management
US20090083815A1 (en) * 2007-09-19 2009-03-26 Mcmaster Orlando Generating synchronized interactive link maps linking tracked video objects to other multimedia content in real-time
US20090113475A1 (en) * 2007-08-21 2009-04-30 Yi Li Systems and methods for integrating search capability in interactive video
US7535456B2 (en) * 2004-04-30 2009-05-19 Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc. Methods and devices for removing unintentional movement in 3D pointing devices
US7536706B1 (en) * 1998-08-24 2009-05-19 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Information enhanced audio video encoding system
US20090165041A1 (en) * 2007-12-21 2009-06-25 Penberthy John S System and Method for Providing Interactive Content with Video Content
US20090165048A1 (en) * 2007-12-19 2009-06-25 United Video Properties, Inc. Methods and devices for presenting guide listings and guidance data in three dimensions in an interactive media guidance application
US20090187862A1 (en) * 2008-01-22 2009-07-23 Sony Corporation Method and apparatus for the intuitive browsing of content
US20090199259A1 (en) * 2001-02-02 2009-08-06 Rachad Alao Service gateway for interactive television
US20090217317A1 (en) * 2008-02-26 2009-08-27 At&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. System and method for promoting marketable items
US20100064320A1 (en) * 2006-03-13 2010-03-11 Verizon Services Corp. Integrating data on program popularity into an on-screen program guide
US20100098074A1 (en) * 2008-10-22 2010-04-22 Backchannelmedia Inc. Systems and methods for providing a network link between broadcast content and content located on a computer network
US20100162303A1 (en) * 2008-12-23 2010-06-24 Cassanova Jeffrey P System and method for selecting an object in a video data stream
US20100157152A1 (en) * 2008-12-18 2010-06-24 Thomson Licensing Display device with feedback elements and method for monitoring
US20100218228A1 (en) * 2009-02-20 2010-08-26 Walter Edward A System and method for processing image objects in video data
US7889175B2 (en) * 2007-06-28 2011-02-15 Panasonic Corporation Touchpad-enabled remote controller and user interaction methods
US7890380B2 (en) * 2007-05-07 2011-02-15 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Method, system, and computer readable medium for implementing sales of products using a trace of an object
US20110067069A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a parallel television system for providing for user-selection of an object in a television program
US20110141013A1 (en) * 2009-12-14 2011-06-16 Alcatel-Lucent Usa, Incorporated User-interface apparatus and method for user control
US20110179435A1 (en) * 2005-12-29 2011-07-21 Charles Cordray Systems and methods for managing content
US7987478B2 (en) * 2007-08-28 2011-07-26 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing unobtrusive video advertising content
US8095423B2 (en) * 2006-03-17 2012-01-10 Grant Allen Lee Nichols Interactive international bulk trade television
US8181212B2 (en) * 2008-10-30 2012-05-15 Frederic Sigal Method of providing a frame-based object redirection overlay for a video stream
US20120154268A1 (en) * 2007-05-14 2012-06-21 Apple Inc. Remote control systems that can distinguish stray light sources
US20120163776A1 (en) * 1998-11-02 2012-06-28 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive program guide with continuous data stream and client-server data supplementation
US8223136B2 (en) * 2005-06-07 2012-07-17 Intel Corporation Error detection and prevention inacoustic data
US8359628B2 (en) * 2007-10-05 2013-01-22 Sony Corporation Display device and transmitting device
US8421746B2 (en) * 2006-09-07 2013-04-16 Porto Vinci Ltd. Limited Liability Company Device control using multi-dimensional motion sensing and a wireless home entertainment hub

Family Cites Families (119)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7207053B1 (en) 1992-12-09 2007-04-17 Sedna Patent Services, Llc Method and apparatus for locally targeting virtual objects within a terminal
US5784056A (en) * 1995-12-29 1998-07-21 Sun Microsystems, Inc. System and method for temporally varying pointer icons
US20030212996A1 (en) * 1996-02-08 2003-11-13 Wolzien Thomas R. System for interconnection of audio program data transmitted by radio to remote vehicle or individual with GPS location
US5661502A (en) * 1996-02-16 1997-08-26 Ast Research, Inc. Self-adjusting digital filter for smoothing computer mouse movement
US5894843A (en) * 1996-02-20 1999-04-20 Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc. Surgical method for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgery
US6006256A (en) * 1996-03-11 1999-12-21 Opentv, Inc. System and method for inserting interactive program content within a television signal originating at a remote network
US6057831A (en) 1996-08-14 2000-05-02 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. TV graphical user interface having cursor position indicator
GB2358779B (en) * 1996-12-13 2001-10-10 Ibm System, method, and pointing device for remote operation of data processing apparatus
US6256785B1 (en) * 1996-12-23 2001-07-03 Corporate Media Patners Method and system for providing interactive look-and-feel in a digital broadcast via an X-Y protocol
US7617508B2 (en) * 2003-12-12 2009-11-10 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Methods and systems for collaborative capture of television viewer generated clickstreams
KR100288976B1 (en) 1997-01-08 2001-05-02 윤종용 Method for constructing and recognizing menu commands of television receiver
US6317714B1 (en) 1997-02-04 2001-11-13 Microsoft Corporation Controller and associated mechanical characters operable for continuously performing received control data while engaging in bidirectional communications over a single communications channel
US6045588A (en) * 1997-04-29 2000-04-04 Whirlpool Corporation Non-aqueous washing apparatus and method
US7809138B2 (en) 1999-03-16 2010-10-05 Intertrust Technologies Corporation Methods and apparatus for persistent control and protection of content
BR9912386A (en) 1998-07-23 2001-10-02 Diva Systems Corp System and process for generating and using an interactive user interface
TW463503B (en) * 1998-08-26 2001-11-11 United Video Properties Inc Television chat system
US6357042B2 (en) * 1998-09-16 2002-03-12 Anand Srinivasan Method and apparatus for multiplexing separately-authored metadata for insertion into a video data stream
US6626570B2 (en) * 1998-10-16 2003-09-30 Kenneth Fox Supply Company Produce bag with draw top
US6532592B1 (en) 1998-11-09 2003-03-11 Sony Corporation Bi-directional remote control unit and method of using the same
US6314569B1 (en) 1998-11-25 2001-11-06 International Business Machines Corporation System for video, audio, and graphic presentation in tandem with video/audio play
US6282713B1 (en) 1998-12-21 2001-08-28 Sony Corporation Method and apparatus for providing on-demand electronic advertising
US6122660A (en) 1999-02-22 2000-09-19 International Business Machines Corporation Method for distributing digital TV signal and selection of content
US7102616B1 (en) 1999-03-05 2006-09-05 Microsoft Corporation Remote control device with pointing capacity
US8479251B2 (en) 1999-03-31 2013-07-02 Microsoft Corporation System and method for synchronizing streaming content with enhancing content using pre-announced triggers
JP4497577B2 (en) 1999-04-05 2010-07-07 キヤノン株式会社 Multi-beam optical scanning device
US7325245B1 (en) * 1999-09-30 2008-01-29 Intel Corporation Linking to video information
EP1190298A2 (en) * 1999-12-22 2002-03-27 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Pointer coordinates assignment
GB0004811D0 (en) 2000-03-01 2000-04-19 Pace Micro Tech Plc Improvements relating to braodcast date receiving apparatus
US7979881B1 (en) 2000-03-30 2011-07-12 Microsoft Corporation System and method for identifying audio/visual programs to be recorded
JP2003529844A (en) * 2000-03-31 2003-10-07 ユナイテッド ビデオ プロパティーズ， インコーポレイテッド System and method for advertising linked by metadata
US8205223B2 (en) 2000-04-12 2012-06-19 Lg Electronics Inc. Method and video device for accessing information
US20050193425A1 (en) * 2000-07-24 2005-09-01 Sanghoon Sull Delivery and presentation of content-relevant information associated with frames of audio-visual programs
US7103908B2 (en) 2000-07-25 2006-09-05 Diego, Inc. Method and system to save context for deferred transaction via interactive television
US20020056109A1 (en) * 2000-07-25 2002-05-09 Tomsen Mai-Lan Method and system to provide a personalized shopping channel VIA an interactive video casting system
JP2002057645A (en) * 2000-08-10 2002-02-22 Ntt Docomo Inc Method for data transfer and mobile unit server
WO2002025556A1 (en) * 2000-09-21 2002-03-28 Digital Network Shopping, Llc Method and apparatus for digital shopping
US6920244B2 (en) * 2000-10-06 2005-07-19 Rochester Institute Of Technology Data-efficient and self adapting imaging spectrometry method and an apparatus thereof
US8224078B2 (en) 2000-11-06 2012-07-17 Nant Holdings Ip, Llc Image capture and identification system and process
US20020069404A1 (en) * 2000-11-28 2002-06-06 Navic Systems, Incorporated Targeted promotion deployment
US20050039214A1 (en) * 2001-02-21 2005-02-17 Lorenz Kim E. System and method for providing direct, context-sensitive customer support in an interactive television system
WO2003012744A1 (en) 2001-08-02 2003-02-13 Intellocity Usa, Inc. Post production visual alterations
KR100846761B1 (en) 2001-09-11 2008-07-16 삼성전자주식회사 Pointer control method, pointing apparatus and host apparatus therefor
US20030079224A1 (en) 2001-10-22 2003-04-24 Anton Komar System and method to provide additional information associated with selectable display areas
US20030182393A1 (en) * 2002-03-25 2003-09-25 Sony Corporation System and method for retrieving uniform resource locators from television content
US20050177861A1 (en) 2002-04-05 2005-08-11 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd Asynchronous integration of portable handheld device
US6967566B2 (en) * 2002-04-05 2005-11-22 Creative Kingdoms, Llc Live-action interactive adventure game
US7725398B2 (en) 2002-06-19 2010-05-25 Eastman Kodak Company Method and system for selling goods and/or services over a communication network between multiple users
US7266835B2 (en) 2002-06-27 2007-09-04 Digeo, Inc. Method and apparatus for secure transactions in an interactive television ticker
US20040095317A1 (en) * 2002-11-20 2004-05-20 Jingxi Zhang Method and apparatus of universal remote pointing control for home entertainment system and computer
AU2003293240A1 (en) 2002-12-02 2004-06-23 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Portable device for viewing real-time synchronized information from broadcasting sources
EP1463052A1 (en) * 2003-03-25 2004-09-29 Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh Method for representing animated menu buttons
US20040221025A1 (en) * 2003-04-29 2004-11-04 Johnson Ted C. Apparatus and method for monitoring computer networks
JP2004347320A (en) * 2003-05-15 2004-12-09 Advantest Corp Display and method for measuring and displaying signal
US7053965B1 (en) 2003-06-10 2006-05-30 Fan Nong-Qiang Remote control for controlling a computer using a screen of a television
US8635643B2 (en) 2003-06-30 2014-01-21 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. System and method for providing interactive media content over a network
CN1706178B (en) * 2003-09-12 2010-10-06 松下电器产业株式会社 Image displaying apparatus and method
US8286203B2 (en) 2003-12-19 2012-10-09 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. System and method for enhanced hot key delivery
JP4192819B2 (en) 2004-03-19 2008-12-10 ソニー株式会社 Information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program
US20050229227A1 (en) 2004-04-13 2005-10-13 Evenhere, Inc. Aggregation of retailers for televised media programming product placement
US20050234782A1 (en) * 2004-04-14 2005-10-20 Schackne Raney J Clothing and model image generation, combination, display, and selection
US20050251835A1 (en) 2004-05-07 2005-11-10 Microsoft Corporation Strategies for pausing and resuming the presentation of programs
US20050289593A1 (en) * 2004-05-26 2005-12-29 Skipjam Corp. Method and system for displaying and selecting content of an electronic program guide
US7335456B2 (en) * 2004-05-27 2008-02-26 International Business Machines Corporation Top coat material and use thereof in lithography processes
US7542072B2 (en) * 2004-07-28 2009-06-02 The University Of Maryland Device using a camera and light polarization for the remote displacement of a cursor on a display
TWI236289B (en) * 2004-08-11 2005-07-11 Pixart Imaging Inc Interactive device capable of improving image processing
WO2006018775A2 (en) * 2004-08-12 2006-02-23 Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh Method and system for controlling a display
US20070266406A1 (en) 2004-11-09 2007-11-15 Murali Aravamudan Method and system for performing actions using a non-intrusive television with reduced text input
US7576757B2 (en) * 2004-11-24 2009-08-18 General Electric Company System and method for generating most read images in a PACS workstation
JP2006260028A (en) * 2005-03-16 2006-09-28 Sony Corp Remote control system, remote controller, remote control method, information processor, information processing method and program
US20060241864A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2006-10-26 Outland Research, Llc Method and apparatus for point-and-send data transfer within an ubiquitous computing environment
US20060259930A1 (en) * 2005-05-10 2006-11-16 Rothschild Leigh M System and method for obtaining information on digital media content
US20060268895A1 (en) 2005-05-17 2006-11-30 Kotzin Michael D Linking a mobile wireless communication device to a proximal consumer broadcast device
US7814022B2 (en) 2005-06-10 2010-10-12 Aniruddha Gupte Enhanced media method and apparatus for use in digital distribution system
US20070150368A1 (en) * 2005-09-06 2007-06-28 Samir Arora On-line personalized content and merchandising environment
US20070078732A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-04-05 Crolley C W Interactive information access system
JP4453647B2 (en) * 2005-10-28 2010-04-21 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Moving image display device and moving image display method
JP2007251446A (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-27 Sharp Corp Receiving apparatus, and receiving system
EP2011017A4 (en) 2006-03-30 2010-07-07 Stanford Res Inst Int Method and apparatus for annotating media streams
US8789100B2 (en) * 2006-05-31 2014-07-22 Telecom Italia S.P.A. Method and TV receiver for storing contents associated to TV programs
US8261300B2 (en) 2006-06-23 2012-09-04 Tivo Inc. Method and apparatus for advertisement placement in a user dialog on a set-top box
US8775452B2 (en) 2006-09-17 2014-07-08 Nokia Corporation Method, apparatus and computer program product for providing standard real world to virtual world links
US8813118B2 (en) * 2006-10-03 2014-08-19 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Interactive content for media content access systems and methods
US20080089551A1 (en) 2006-10-16 2008-04-17 Ashley Heather Interactive TV data track synchronization system and method
US9218213B2 (en) * 2006-10-31 2015-12-22 International Business Machines Corporation Dynamic placement of heterogeneous workloads
WO2008055204A2 (en) * 2006-10-31 2008-05-08 Dotted Pair, Inc. System and method for interacting with item catalogs
US8294825B2 (en) 2006-11-16 2012-10-23 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Image display device and image display method
US8269746B2 (en) * 2006-11-27 2012-09-18 Microsoft Corporation Communication with a touch screen
KR101576943B1 (en) * 2006-12-01 2015-12-15 에이치에스엔아이 엘엘씨 Method and System for Improved Interactive Television Processing
CA2571617A1 (en) * 2006-12-15 2008-06-15 Desktopbox Inc. Simulcast internet media distribution system and method
KR100818990B1 (en) * 2006-12-28 2008-04-04 삼성전자주식회사 Apparatus and method for transferring moving signal
US20080184132A1 (en) 2007-01-31 2008-07-31 Zato Thomas J Media content tagging
US8181206B2 (en) * 2007-02-28 2012-05-15 Time Warner Cable Inc. Personal content server apparatus and methods
KR20080099592A (en) * 2007-05-10 2008-11-13 엘지전자 주식회사 Remote controlling unit and method for operating remotely
US8290513B2 (en) * 2007-06-28 2012-10-16 Apple Inc. Location-based services
US20090006211A1 (en) 2007-07-01 2009-01-01 Decisionmark Corp. Network Content And Advertisement Distribution System and Method
JPWO2009014206A1 (en) * 2007-07-26 2010-10-07 シャープ株式会社 Remote control device and television broadcast receiver
US8744118B2 (en) 2007-08-03 2014-06-03 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Methods, systems, and products for indexing scenes in digital media
KR101348346B1 (en) * 2007-09-06 2014-01-08 삼성전자주식회사 Pointing apparatus, pointer controlling apparatus, pointing method and pointer controlling method
KR101132592B1 (en) 2007-09-14 2012-04-06 엔이씨 유럽 리미티드 Method and system for optimizing network performances
US8140012B1 (en) * 2007-10-25 2012-03-20 At&T Mobility Ii Llc Bluetooth security profile
US8875212B2 (en) 2008-04-15 2014-10-28 Shlomo Selim Rakib Systems and methods for remote control of interactive video
US8271357B2 (en) * 2007-12-11 2012-09-18 Ebay Inc. Presenting items based on activity rates
JP5228498B2 (en) * 2008-01-22 2013-07-03 富士通株式会社 retrieval method
US20090235312A1 (en) * 2008-03-11 2009-09-17 Amir Morad Targeted content with broadcast material
WO2009120616A1 (en) * 2008-03-25 2009-10-01 Wms Gaming, Inc. Generating casino floor maps
US8549556B2 (en) 2008-04-15 2013-10-01 Shlomo Selim Rakib Contextual advertising
US20090256811A1 (en) * 2008-04-15 2009-10-15 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Optical touch screen
US8760401B2 (en) 2008-04-21 2014-06-24 Ron Kimmel System and method for user object selection in geographic relation to a video display
US9256882B2 (en) 2008-05-27 2016-02-09 At&T Intellectual Property I, Lp. Methods, communications devices, and computer program products for selecting an advertisement to initiate device-to-device communications
EP2337353A4 (en) * 2008-09-08 2012-04-04 Sharp Kk Control system, video display device, and remote control device
US8239359B2 (en) * 2008-09-23 2012-08-07 Disney Enterprises, Inc. System and method for visual search in a video media player
KR100972932B1 (en) * 2008-10-16 2010-07-28 인하대학교 산학협력단 Touch Screen Panel
US7756758B2 (en) * 2008-12-08 2010-07-13 Hsn Lp Method and system for improved E-commerce shopping
US20100257448A1 (en) 2009-04-06 2010-10-07 Interactical Llc Object-Based Interactive Programming Device and Method
EP2264580A2 (en) * 2009-06-10 2010-12-22 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for processing motion data
US9118468B2 (en) * 2009-07-23 2015-08-25 Qualcomm Incorporated Asynchronous time division duplex operation in a wireless network
US8272012B2 (en) * 2009-07-29 2012-09-18 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. User-controlled data/video integration by a video control system
US9232167B2 (en) 2009-08-04 2016-01-05 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Video system and remote control with touch interface for supplemental content display
JP2013042196A (en) * 2009-12-21 2013-02-28 Panasonic Corp Reproduction device

Patent Citations (105)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5111511A (en) * 1988-06-24 1992-05-05 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Image motion vector detecting apparatus
US5718845A (en) * 1990-12-12 1998-02-17 Enichem S.P.A. Tricyanovinyl substitution process for NLO polymers
US20060037044A1 (en) * 1993-03-29 2006-02-16 Microsoft Corporation Pausing television programming in response to selection of hypertext link
US5408258A (en) * 1993-04-21 1995-04-18 The Arbitron Company Method of automatically qualifying a signal reproduction device for installation of monitoring equipment
US5793361A (en) * 1994-06-09 1998-08-11 Corporation For National Research Initiatives Unconstrained pointing interface for natural human interaction with a display-based computer system
US5721584A (en) * 1994-07-22 1998-02-24 Sony Corporation Two-way broadcast system and receiving system
US5602568A (en) * 1994-12-22 1997-02-11 Goldstar Co., Ltd. Point type remote control apparatus and the method thereof
US5543851A (en) * 1995-03-13 1996-08-06 Chang; Wen F. Method and apparatus for translating closed caption data
US5727141A (en) * 1995-05-05 1998-03-10 Apple Computer, Inc. Method and apparatus for identifying user-selectable regions within multiple display frames
US20030115602A1 (en) * 1995-06-07 2003-06-19 Knee Robert Alan Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access
US20020090114A1 (en) * 1995-07-27 2002-07-11 Rhoads Geoffrey B. Watermark enabled video objects
US20020056136A1 (en) * 1995-09-29 2002-05-09 Wistendahl Douglass A. System for converting existing TV content to interactive TV programs operated with a standard remote control and TV set-top box
US5708845A (en) * 1995-09-29 1998-01-13 Wistendahl; Douglass A. System for mapping hot spots in media content for interactive digital media program
US20030005445A1 (en) * 1995-10-02 2003-01-02 Schein Steven M. Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters
US7409437B2 (en) * 1996-03-08 2008-08-05 Actv, Inc. Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated Internet information segments
US5929849A (en) * 1996-05-02 1999-07-27 Phoenix Technologies, Ltd. Integration of dynamic universal resource locators with television presentations
US6097441A (en) * 1997-12-31 2000-08-01 Eremote, Inc. System for dual-display interaction with integrated television and internet content
US6255961B1 (en) * 1998-05-08 2001-07-03 Sony Corporation Two-way communications between a remote control unit and one or more devices in an audio/visual environment
US20050028208A1 (en) * 1998-07-17 2005-02-03 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive television program guide with remote access
US20120079525A1 (en) * 1998-07-17 2012-03-29 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive television program guide with remote access
US7536706B1 (en) * 1998-08-24 2009-05-19 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Information enhanced audio video encoding system
US20120163776A1 (en) * 1998-11-02 2012-06-28 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive program guide with continuous data stream and client-server data supplementation
US7158676B1 (en) * 1999-02-01 2007-01-02 Emuse Media Limited Interactive system
US6538672B1 (en) * 1999-02-08 2003-03-25 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Method and apparatus for displaying an electronic program guide
US6407779B1 (en) * 1999-03-29 2002-06-18 Zilog, Inc. Method and apparatus for an intuitive universal remote control system
US6349410B1 (en) * 1999-08-04 2002-02-19 Intel Corporation Integrating broadcast television pause and web browsing
US6931660B1 (en) * 2000-01-28 2005-08-16 Opentv, Inc. Interactive television system and method for simultaneous transmission and rendering of multiple MPEG-encoded video streams
US20070130581A1 (en) * 2000-02-02 2007-06-07 Del Sesto Eric E Interactive content delivery methods and apparatus
US20080066129A1 (en) * 2000-02-29 2008-03-13 Goldpocket Interactive, Inc. Method and Apparatus for Interaction with Hyperlinks in a Television Broadcast
US20080016526A1 (en) * 2000-03-09 2008-01-17 Asmussen Michael L Advanced Set Top Terminal Having A Program Pause Feature With Voice-to-Text Conversion
US20020040482A1 (en) * 2000-04-08 2002-04-04 Sextro Gary L. Features for interactive television
US20060195878A1 (en) * 2000-04-12 2006-08-31 Lg Electronics Inc. Apparatus and method for providing and obtaining product information through a broadcast signal
US7057670B2 (en) * 2000-04-27 2006-06-06 Dan Kikinis Cursor control system
US20080132163A1 (en) * 2000-05-31 2008-06-05 Optinetix (Israel) Ltd. Systems and methods for distributing information through broadcast media
US20020042925A1 (en) * 2000-07-24 2002-04-11 Koji Ebisu Television receiver, receiver and program execution method
US20020078446A1 (en) * 2000-08-30 2002-06-20 Jon Dakss Method and apparatus for hyperlinking in a television broadcast
US20020069405A1 (en) * 2000-09-20 2002-06-06 Chapin Paul W. System and method for spokesperson interactive television advertisements
US20020136432A1 (en) * 2000-11-10 2002-09-26 Hiroyuki Koike Method and apparatus for processing information of an object
US20090199259A1 (en) * 2001-02-02 2009-08-06 Rachad Alao Service gateway for interactive television
US20020120934A1 (en) * 2001-02-28 2002-08-29 Marc Abrahams Interactive television browsing and buying method
US7360232B2 (en) * 2001-04-25 2008-04-15 Diego, Inc. System and method to subscribe to channel URL addresses and to provide non-programming-related URL addresses in an interactive video casting system
US20040167855A1 (en) * 2001-04-26 2004-08-26 Cambridge Vivien Johan Automatic billing system for remote internet services
US20030023981A1 (en) * 2001-07-25 2003-01-30 Thomas Lemmons Method and apparatus for transmission of interactive and enhanced television data
US20030051253A1 (en) * 2001-08-16 2003-03-13 Barone Samuel T. Interactive television tracking system
US20030035075A1 (en) * 2001-08-20 2003-02-20 Butler Michelle A. Method and system for providing improved user input capability for interactive television
US20030054878A1 (en) * 2001-09-20 2003-03-20 International Game Technology Point of play registration on a gaming machine
US20070097275A1 (en) * 2001-09-27 2007-05-03 Universal Electronics Inc. Two way communication using light links
US20030145326A1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2003-07-31 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Subscription to TV channels/shows based on recommendation generated by a TV recommender
US20040078814A1 (en) * 2002-03-29 2004-04-22 Digeo, Inc. Module-based interactive television ticker
US20090021473A1 (en) * 2002-12-08 2009-01-22 Grant Danny A Haptic Communication Devices
US20040119701A1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-06-24 Mulligan Roger C. Lattice touch-sensing system
US20050086690A1 (en) * 2003-10-16 2005-04-21 International Business Machines Corporation Interactive, non-intrusive television advertising
US20050132420A1 (en) * 2003-12-11 2005-06-16 Quadrock Communications, Inc System and method for interaction with television content
US20050137958A1 (en) * 2003-12-23 2005-06-23 Thomas Huber Advertising methods for advertising time slots and embedded objects
US20050153687A1 (en) * 2004-01-13 2005-07-14 Nokia Corporation Providing location information
US7535456B2 (en) * 2004-04-30 2009-05-19 Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc. Methods and devices for removing unintentional movement in 3D pointing devices
US20080066097A1 (en) * 2004-10-13 2008-03-13 Woodhyun Park Method Of Realizing Interactive Advertisement Under Digital Braodcasting Environment By Extending Program Associated Data-Broadcasting To Internet Area
US20060099964A1 (en) * 2004-11-05 2006-05-11 Ebay Inc. System and method for location based content correlation
US20060174273A1 (en) * 2004-11-20 2006-08-03 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method of displaying service in DMB, and method and apparatus for managing preferred service
US7864159B2 (en) * 2005-01-12 2011-01-04 Thinkoptics, Inc. Handheld vision based absolute pointing system
US20060152489A1 (en) * 2005-01-12 2006-07-13 John Sweetser Handheld vision based absolute pointing system
US8223136B2 (en) * 2005-06-07 2012-07-17 Intel Corporation Error detection and prevention inacoustic data
US7344084B2 (en) * 2005-09-19 2008-03-18 Sony Corporation Portable video programs
US20070137611A1 (en) * 2005-12-21 2007-06-21 Yu Robert C Active radical initiator for internal combustion engines
US20110179435A1 (en) * 2005-12-29 2011-07-21 Charles Cordray Systems and methods for managing content
US20070157260A1 (en) * 2005-12-29 2007-07-05 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive media guidance system having multiple devices
US20070156521A1 (en) * 2005-12-29 2007-07-05 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and methods for commerce in media program related merchandise
US20070195205A1 (en) * 2006-02-21 2007-08-23 Lowe Jerry B Remote control system and method
US20070199014A1 (en) * 2006-02-22 2007-08-23 E-Cast, Inc. Consumer portal
US20100064320A1 (en) * 2006-03-13 2010-03-11 Verizon Services Corp. Integrating data on program popularity into an on-screen program guide
US8095423B2 (en) * 2006-03-17 2012-01-10 Grant Allen Lee Nichols Interactive international bulk trade television
US20080052750A1 (en) * 2006-08-28 2008-02-28 Anders Grunnet-Jepsen Direct-point on-demand information exchanges
US8421746B2 (en) * 2006-09-07 2013-04-16 Porto Vinci Ltd. Limited Liability Company Device control using multi-dimensional motion sensing and a wireless home entertainment hub
US20080109851A1 (en) * 2006-10-23 2008-05-08 Ashley Heather Method and system for providing interactive video
US20080136754A1 (en) * 2006-12-06 2008-06-12 Sony Corporation Display apparatus, display-apparatus control method and program
US20080209480A1 (en) * 2006-12-20 2008-08-28 Eide Kurt S Method for enhanced video programming system for integrating internet data for on-demand interactive retrieval
US20080172693A1 (en) * 2007-01-16 2008-07-17 Microsoft Corporation Representing Television Programs Using Video Objects
US20080172252A1 (en) * 2007-01-17 2008-07-17 Mitochon Systems, Inc Apparatus and Method for Revenue Distribution Generated From Delivering Healthcare Advertisements Via EMR Systems, RHIN, and Electronic Advertising Servers
US20080177570A1 (en) * 2007-01-18 2008-07-24 Ari Craine Methods, Systems, and Computer-Readable Media for Disease Management
US20080204603A1 (en) * 2007-02-27 2008-08-28 Hideharu Hattori Video displaying apparatus and video displaying method
US20080204605A1 (en) * 2007-02-28 2008-08-28 Leonard Tsai Systems and methods for using a remote control unit to sense television characteristics
US7890380B2 (en) * 2007-05-07 2011-02-15 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Method, system, and computer readable medium for implementing sales of products using a trace of an object
US20120154268A1 (en) * 2007-05-14 2012-06-21 Apple Inc. Remote control systems that can distinguish stray light sources
US7889175B2 (en) * 2007-06-28 2011-02-15 Panasonic Corporation Touchpad-enabled remote controller and user interaction methods
US20090037947A1 (en) * 2007-07-30 2009-02-05 Yahoo! Inc. Textual and visual interactive advertisements in videos
US20090113475A1 (en) * 2007-08-21 2009-04-30 Yi Li Systems and methods for integrating search capability in interactive video
US7987478B2 (en) * 2007-08-28 2011-07-26 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing unobtrusive video advertising content
US20090077394A1 (en) * 2007-09-17 2009-03-19 Jr-Shian Tsai Techniques for communications based power management
US20090083815A1 (en) * 2007-09-19 2009-03-26 Mcmaster Orlando Generating synchronized interactive link maps linking tracked video objects to other multimedia content in real-time
US8359628B2 (en) * 2007-10-05 2013-01-22 Sony Corporation Display device and transmitting device
US20090165048A1 (en) * 2007-12-19 2009-06-25 United Video Properties, Inc. Methods and devices for presenting guide listings and guidance data in three dimensions in an interactive media guidance application
US20090165041A1 (en) * 2007-12-21 2009-06-25 Penberthy John S System and Method for Providing Interactive Content with Video Content
US20090187862A1 (en) * 2008-01-22 2009-07-23 Sony Corporation Method and apparatus for the intuitive browsing of content
US20090217317A1 (en) * 2008-02-26 2009-08-27 At&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. System and method for promoting marketable items
US20100098074A1 (en) * 2008-10-22 2010-04-22 Backchannelmedia Inc. Systems and methods for providing a network link between broadcast content and content located on a computer network
US8181212B2 (en) * 2008-10-30 2012-05-15 Frederic Sigal Method of providing a frame-based object redirection overlay for a video stream
US20100157152A1 (en) * 2008-12-18 2010-06-24 Thomson Licensing Display device with feedback elements and method for monitoring
US20100162303A1 (en) * 2008-12-23 2010-06-24 Cassanova Jeffrey P System and method for selecting an object in a video data stream
US20100218228A1 (en) * 2009-02-20 2010-08-26 Walter Edward A System and method for processing image objects in video data
US20110067063A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a televison program
US20110063523A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television controller for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US20110067062A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a television program
US20110067064A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a television program
US20110067069A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a parallel television system for providing for user-selection of an object in a television program
US20110141013A1 (en) * 2009-12-14 2011-06-16 Alcatel-Lucent Usa, Incorporated User-interface apparatus and method for user control

Cited By (42)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8819732B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-08-26 Broadcom Corporation System and method in a television system for providing information associated with a user-selected person in a television program
US20110063511A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television controller for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US9462345B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2016-10-04 Broadcom Corporation System and method in a television system for providing for user-selection of an object in a television program
US20110067065A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television system for providing information associated with a user-selected information elelment in a television program
US20110063523A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television controller for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US20110067057A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program utilizing an alternative communication network
US20110067055A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television system for providing information associated with a user-selected person in a television program
US8832747B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2014-09-09 Broadcom Corporation System and method in a television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program based on user location
US20110067062A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a television program
US20110067052A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a television program in an information stream independent of the television program
US20110067069A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a parallel television system for providing for user-selection of an object in a television program
US20110067063A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a televison program
US20110067064A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a television program
US20110063206A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method for generating screen pointing information in a television control device
US20110067051A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television system for providing advertising information associated with a user-selected object in a television program
US20110067071A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program based on user location
US20110067061A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television system for providing for user-selection of an object in a television program
US20110067047A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a distributed system for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US20110067054A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a distributed system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program
US20110067056A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a local television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program
US20110063509A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method in a television receiver for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US20110063522A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method for generating television screen pointing information using an external receiver
US20110063521A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method for generating screen pointing information in a television
US8931015B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-01-06 Broadcom Corporation System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a television program in an information stream independent of the television program
US8947350B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-02-03 Broadcom Corporation System and method for generating screen pointing information in a television control device
US8990854B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-03-24 Broadcom Corporation System and method in a television for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US9043833B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-05-26 Broadcom Corporation System and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a television program
US9081422B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-07-14 Broadcom Corporation System and method in a television controller for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US9098128B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-08-04 Broadcom Corporation System and method in a television receiver for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US9110517B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-08-18 Broadcom Corporation System and method for generating screen pointing information in a television
US9110518B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-08-18 Broadcom Corporation System and method in a television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program utilizing an alternative communication network
US9137577B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-09-15 Broadcom Coporation System and method of a television for providing information associated with a user-selected information element in a television program
US9197941B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-11-24 Broadcom Corporation System and method in a television controller for providing user-selection of objects in a television program
US9271044B2 (en) * 2009-09-14 2016-02-23 Broadcom Corporation System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a television program
US9258617B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2016-02-09 Broadcom Corporation System and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a television program
US20160029094A1 (en) * 2013-04-22 2016-01-28 LiveRelay Inc. Enabling interaction between social network users during synchronous display of video channgel
US20140317660A1 (en) * 2013-04-22 2014-10-23 LiveRelay Inc. Enabling interaction between social network users during synchronous display of video channel
US10104156B2 (en) * 2014-06-10 2018-10-16 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Object image information management server, recording medium, and object image information management method
US20160070892A1 (en) * 2014-08-07 2016-03-10 Click Evidence, Inc. System and method for creating, processing, and distributing images that serve as portals enabling communication with persons who have interacted with the images
US9928352B2 (en) * 2014-08-07 2018-03-27 Tautachrome, Inc. System and method for creating, processing, and distributing images that serve as portals enabling communication with persons who have interacted with the images
US10339283B2 (en) * 2014-08-07 2019-07-02 Tautachrome, Inc. System and method for creating, processing, and distributing images that serve as portals enabling communication with persons who have interacted with the images
US10649666B1 (en) * 2017-05-10 2020-05-12 Ambarella International Lp Link-list shortening logic

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20150172769A1 (en) 2015-06-18
US20150007222A1 (en) 2015-01-01
US20140380381A1 (en) 2014-12-25
US20160007090A1 (en) 2016-01-07
US20110067062A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US20110067063A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US8931015B2 (en) 2015-01-06
US20110067065A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US9098128B2 (en) 2015-08-04
US9043833B2 (en) 2015-05-26
TW201132122A (en) 2011-09-16
US20150296263A1 (en) 2015-10-15
US20110063509A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US20110067052A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US20110067069A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US20140366062A1 (en) 2014-12-11
US9258617B2 (en) 2016-02-09
US20110067051A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US20110067071A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US20110067061A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US20110067060A1 (en) 2011-03-17
EP2328347A3 (en) 2017-02-22
US9197941B2 (en) 2015-11-24
US20150012939A1 (en) 2015-01-08
US20140380401A1 (en) 2014-12-25
US9462345B2 (en) 2016-10-04
US20110067056A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US20110063511A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US9110518B2 (en) 2015-08-18
US20110067055A1 (en) 2011-03-17
EP2328347A2 (en) 2011-06-01
US8819732B2 (en) 2014-08-26
US9081422B2 (en) 2015-07-14
US20110063523A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US9271044B2 (en) 2016-02-23
US8832747B2 (en) 2014-09-09
US20150326931A1 (en) 2015-11-12
US20110063522A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US20110067064A1 (en) 2011-03-17
CN102025933A (en) 2011-04-20
US20150304721A1 (en) 2015-10-22
US8990854B2 (en) 2015-03-24
US20110063521A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US20110067057A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US8839307B2 (en) 2014-09-16
US9137577B2 (en) 2015-09-15
US20110063206A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US20150106857A1 (en) 2015-04-16
US20110067047A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US20110067054A1 (en) 2011-03-17
US9110517B2 (en) 2015-08-18
US20150135217A1 (en) 2015-05-14
US8947350B2 (en) 2015-02-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8931015B2 (en) System and method for providing information of selectable objects in a television program in an information stream independent of the television program
US9129641B2 (en) Method and system for media selection and sharing
US20110162007A1 (en) Television system providing user-interaction related to an in-progress television program
US20130259447A1 (en) Method and apparatus for user directed video editing
US20100289900A1 (en) Providing multiple video perspectives of activities through a data network to a remote multimedia server for selective display by remote viewing audiences
US20100158391A1 (en) Identification and transfer of a media object segment from one communications network to another
US20130259446A1 (en) Method and apparatus for user directed video editing
CN108605153A (en) Synchronized multimedia content tab data
US20110178880A1 (en) System and method for monitoring and reporting presentation of recorded advertising content
KR101533836B1 (en) Purchasing advertisement object method based on creating time-table using purview cursor for logotional advertisement
KR101664000B1 (en) Purchasing advertisement object system based on creating time-table using purview cursor for logotional advertisement

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: BROADCOM CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KARAOGUZ, JEYHAN;SESHARDI, NAMBIRAJAN;SIGNING DATES FROM 20100910 TO 20100913;REEL/FRAME:025094/0017

AS Assignment

Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NORTH CAROLINA

Free format text: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:BROADCOM CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:037806/0001

Effective date: 20160201

Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NORTH

Free format text: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:BROADCOM CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:037806/0001

Effective date: 20160201

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION

AS Assignment

Owner name: BROADCOM CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA

Free format text: TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS;ASSIGNOR:BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:041712/0001

Effective date: 20170119