Abstract:
The invention relates to an improved interactive television having an alert manager. The alert manager alerts a viewer of events. For example, the alert manager alerts the viewer that email has arrived in his inbox or that a text message has been sent to his computer. The alert manager manages event alerts in an easy and non-intrusive manner to enhance the viewer&#39;s experience.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/535,047 filed Jan. 6, 2004, which we incorporate by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to a television and, more particularly, to an improved interactive television having an alert manager.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Interactive televisions often contain a wide variety of simultaneously executing applications. The different applications may need to alert the viewer of important events, such as incoming messages, expiring timers, favorite show beginnings, and the like. The viewer may wish to interact with the events immediately, simply cancel the event, or interact with the event at a later time. The events may last for either limited or indefinite time durations. While the television alerts the viewer of the event, the alert should not overly obscure the currently displayed content, e.g., broadcast channel, application, and/or function. This is because the alert may become an unwelcome viewer distraction. And managing alerts should not be overly complicated.  
         [0004]     Accordingly, a need remains for an improved interactive television that includes an alert manager that allows the viewer to program and service event alerts with minimum distraction and easy interaction. 
     
    
     BRIEF DRAWING DESCRIPTION  
       [0005]     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention(s) will become more readily apparent from the detailed description of invention embodiments that references the following drawings.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a television system embodiment that implements the alert manager.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary remote control including an alert manager key.  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary alert manager sequence.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary alert manager sequence.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary alert manager menu layout.  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary alert manager sequence without viewer interaction.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are exemplary alert manager sequences with viewer interaction. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a television system embodiment that implements the alert manager of the present invention. The alert manager that programs, displays, and otherwise manages event alerts may be implemented in one or a plurality of the blocks shown in  FIG. 1 . The television  100  includes a panel  102  having a fixed pixel structure, e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display, and the like. For simplicity, we refer to panel  102  as an LCD panel. The LCD panel  102  displays visual output to a viewer based on a display signal generated by an LCD panel driver  104 . LCD panel driver  104  accepts a primary digital video signal in any of a variety of well-known digital video formats. In an embodiment, the LCD panel  102  accepts a primary digital video signal in a CCIR656 format (eight bits per pixel YC b C r , in a “4:2:2” data ratio wherein two C b  and two C r  pixels are supplied for every four luminance pixels) from a digital video/graphics processor  120 .  
         [0014]     A television processor  106  provides basic control functions and viewer input interfaces for television  100 . Television processor  106  receives viewer commands, both from buttons located on the television itself (TV controls) and from a handheld remote control ( FIGS. 2-3 ) through the Remote Control Port. The Remote Control Port may accept input from the remote control in a variety of manners including infrared and radio waves as are well known in the art.  
         [0015]     Based on the viewer commands, television processor  106  controls an analog tuner/input select section  108 , and also supplies viewer inputs to a digital video/graphics processor  120  over a digital signal transmitter. In an embodiment, the processor  106  provides viewer inputs to the video/graphics processor  120  over a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) command channel.  
         [0016]     Television processor  106  generates basic On-Screen Display (OSD) graphics, e.g., graphics indicating which input is selected, the current audio volume setting, balance settings, and the like. Television processor  106  supplies these OSD graphics as a TV OSD signal to LCD panel driver  104  for overlay on the display signal.  
         [0017]     Analog tuner/input select section  108  allows television  100  to switch between various analog (or possibly digital) inputs for both video and audio. Video inputs can include a radio frequency (RF) signal carrying broadcast television, digital television, and/or high-definition television signals, NTSC video, S-Video, and/or Red Green Blue (RGB) component video inputs, although various embodiments may not accept each of these signal types or may accept signals in other formats (such as PAL). The selected video input is converted to a digital data stream, DV In, in CCIR656 format (or other formats) and supplied to a media processor  110 .  
         [0018]     Analog tuner/input select section  108  also selects an audio source, digitizes that source if necessary, and supplies that digitized source as Digital Audio In to an Audio Processor  114  and a multiplexer  130 . The audio source can be selected—independent of the current video source—as the audio channel(s) of a currently tuned RF television signal, stereophonic or monophonic audio connected to television  100  by audio jacks corresponding to a video input, or an internal microphone.  
         [0019]     Media processor  110  and digital video/graphics processor  120  provide various digital feature capabilities for television  100 , as will be explained further in the specific embodiments below. In some embodiments, processors  110  and  120  can be TMS320DM270 signal processors, available from Texas Instruments, Inc., Dallas, Tex. Digital video/graphics processor  120  functions as a master processor, and media processor  110  functions as a slave processor. Media processor  110  supplies digital video, either corresponding to DV In or to a decoded media stream from another source, to digital video/graphics processor  120  over a DV transfer bus.  
         [0020]     Media processor  110  performs video coding and decoding of digital media streams for television  100 , as instructed by digital video/graphics processor  120 . In an embodiment, media processor  110  performs MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) coding and decoding of digital media streams for television  100  as instructed by digital video/graphics processor  120 . A 32-bit-wide data bus connects memory  112 , e.g., two 16-bit-wide×1M synchronous DRAM devices connected in parallel, to processor  110 . An audio processor  114  also connects to this data bus to provide audio coding and decoding for media streams handled by media processor  110 . A person of reasonable skill in the art should understand that other bus sizes are possible between the memory  112  and the processor  110 .  
         [0021]     Digital video/graphics processor  120  coordinates (and/or implements) many of the digital features of television  100 . A 32-bit-wide data bus connects memory  122 , e.g., two 16-bit-wide×1M synchronous DRAM devices connected in parallel, to processor  120 . A 16-bit-wide system bus connects processor  120  to media processor  110 , an audio processor  124 , flash memory  126 , and removable PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) cards  128 . A person of reasonable skill in the art should understand that other bus sizes are possible between the memory  122  and processor  120 , audio processor  124 , flash memory  126 , and removable PCMCIA cards  128 .  
         [0022]     Flash memory  126  stores boot code, configuration data, executable code such as may be necessary to implement aspects of the alert manager, Java code for graphics applications, and any other digital data capable of memory storage. PCMCIA cards  128  can provide extended media and/or application capability. Digital video/graphics processor  120  can pass data from the DV Transfer bus to LCD panel driver  104  as is, but processor  120  can also supercede, modify, or superimpose the DV Transfer signal with other content.  
         [0023]     Multiplexer  130  provides audio output to the television amplifier and line outputs (not shown) from one of three sources. The first source is the current Digital Audio In stream from analog tuner/input select section  108 . The second and third sources are the Digital Audio Outputs of audio processors  114  and  124 . These two outputs are tied to the same input of multiplexer  130 , since each audio processor is capable of tri-stating its output when it is not selected. In some embodiments, processors  114  and  124  can be TMS320VC5416 signal processors, available from Texas Instruments, Inc., Dallas, Tex.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary remote control  200  including an alert manager key  202 . The remote control  200  includes a plurality of buttons to actuate a corresponding plurality of actions, functions, channels, and the like. For example, a power key  204  turns power to television  100  on and off, a volume key  206  regulates audio volume, and a hot key  208  accesses a menu to manage hot key programming. A person of reasonable skill in the art should recognize other buttons on the remote  200  to actuate a plurality of actions associated with the television  100 .  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 , a viewer may access the alert manager through a dedicated alert manager key  202  on the remote control  200 , or through a series of menus displayed on the television  100 . The viewer may access the series of menus through a menu key  212  on the remote  200 .  
         [0026]     The television  100  displays broadcast content as well as applications and functions included within the television  100 . A person of reasonable skill in the art should understand broadcast content to include any signal capable of being received by any of a plurality of receiving means either included with the television  100  or operatively coupled to the television, e.g., satellite dish, antenna, cable, and the like.  
         [0027]     The viewer typically initiates interaction with the television  100  responsive to an event  310 . In an embodiment, events are created external to the television  100  and provided to the alert manager, e.g., through the Remote Control Port, TV Control, Analog Input, or any other port on television  100 . In response to the event  310 , the alert manager  300  displays event alerts, e.g., alert  308 , at varying times including when the viewer is watching a movie or playing a game. In another embodiment, events  310  are created internal to the television  100 , e.g., a timer. A person of reasonable skill in the art should recognize that an event  310  is any circumstance capable of being provided to or happening in the television  100  of interest to a viewer. The technology that provides events  310  is well known to a person of reasonable skill in the art and will not be discussed in any further detail.  
         [0028]     After receiving the event  310 , the television  100  and, more particularly, the alert manager  300  minimally prompts and/or interacts with the viewer to avoid unnecessary distraction. And the television  100  interacts with the viewer in an intuitive and easy to understand manner without the viewer having to refer to any television operating manual.  
         [0029]     The alert manager  300  of the present invention alerts the viewer to events received or otherwise occurring in the television  100 . In an embodiment, the alert manager is a graphical user interface, e.g., alert manager  300  and its associated software and/or hardware. The alert manager may be implemented in the television  100  using a combination of digital video/graphics processor  120 , flash memory  126 , memory  122 , and/or other blocks as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary alert manager  300 . The television  100  displays an initial screen  302  showing content. As we explained earlier, the content can be broadcast content, applications, functions, and the like. The alert manager  300  displays an icon  308  and a text message  312  to indicate an event alert responsive to receiving an event  310  (screen  304 ). The event manager  300  might display one or more alerts corresponding to one or more events  310 , either simultaneously or not.  
         [0031]     The icon  308  and text message  312  may be small to prevent unnecessary viewer distraction. The alert manager  300  may position the icon  308  and text message  312  at the same location on the display each time it occurs to allow the viewer quick and easy identification, enhancing the viewer&#39;s experience. Or the alert manager  300  may position the icon  308  and text message  312  at positions associated with the particular event. That is, the alert manager  300  might position an email icon and associated text message in the top left corner while positioning a telephone icon and associated text message in the bottom left corner.  
         [0032]     In an embodiment, the alert manager  300  displays the icon  308  and the text message  312  overlaid with the content so as to not obscure the content minimizing viewer distraction. The alert manager  300  may change the icon  308  and text message according to the event that has occurred. For example, if the alert manager  300  is alerting of an email event, it may display an email icon and the email text. If, conversely, the alert manager  300  is alerting of a phone message event, it may display a phone message icon together with text information relating to the call, e.g., call time and caller identification (if such is available). In an embodiment, software and/or hardware associated with the external or internal event  310  provides a suitable icon  308  and text message  312  for the alert manager  300 &#39;s display on screen  304 .  
         [0033]     If the viewer takes no action responsive to the event  310 , the alert manager  300  times out display of the icon  308  and the text message  312  at screen  306 . The alert manager  300  may display the icon  308  and/or text message  312  for a predetermined or programmable time. Alternatively, the viewer may remove the icon  308  and/or text message  312  by pressing a predetermined or any button, e.g., alert button  202 , on the remote control  200  as we explain in more detail below.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary alert manager  300 . At screen  302 , the alert manager  300  displays an initial screen  402  showing content. The alert manager  300  displays an icon  308  to indicate an event alert responsive to receiving an event  310  (screen  404 ). The event manager  300  might display one or more alerts corresponding to one or more events  310 , either simultaneously or not.  
         [0035]     If the viewer takes no action responsive to the event  310 , the alert manager  300  times out display of the icon  308  at screen  406 . The alert manager  300  may display the icon  308  for a predetermined or programmable time. Alternatively, the viewer may remove the icon  308  by pressing a predetermined or any button, e.g., alert button  202 , on the remote control  200 . Although the sequence is similar to that shown in  FIG. 3 , here the alert manager  300  does not display a text message  312  since none was part of the event  310 .  
         [0036]     If the event  310  does not provide an associated icon  308  for display, the event manager  310  displays a generic icon. As with the event shown in  FIG. 2 , after the alert times out as a result of viewer inaction or at the viewer&#39;s actuation of a particular button on the remote  200 , the alert manager  300  removes the icon  308  and/or text message  312  from the screen  406 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary menu layout  500  of the alert manager  300 . The viewer may access the menu layout  500  by actuating an alert key  202  on the remote  200 . Alternatively, the viewer may access the menu  500  by any interaction with the television  100 , e.g., by actuating a predetermined icon on the television&#39;s display  102 . The alert key  202  may be appropriately labeled Alert Manager or otherwise on the remote control  200 .  
         [0038]     The menu  500  allows the viewer to interact with multiple event alerts and respond to specific event alerts. The menu  500  may indicate event alerts with icons  502 ,  504 ,  506 , and  508 . The menu may also use text message, e.g., text message  312  in  FIG. 3 , in conjunction with the icons  502 ,  504 ,  506 , and/or  508 . In an embodiment, the alert manager  300  permits the queuing of events for the viewer&#39;s review, as indicated by the icons  502 ,  504 ,  506 , and  508 . The alert manager  300  may allow queuing without the need for viewer interaction. The alert manager  300  may include icons  510  and/or  514  to indicate the selection of a previous or next icon from those presented. The alert manager  300  may include icon  512  to delete an event alert as represented by the icons  502 ,  504 ,  506 , and/or  508 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary alert manager  300 . The display sequence of  FIG. 6  occurs when the alert manager  300  receives an event  310  and the viewer actuates the menu  500  by e.g., pressing alert button  202  on the remote  200 . Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the screen  602  displays the viewer&#39;s selected content. At screen  604 , the alert manager  300  alerts the viewer of its receipt of an event  310  by displaying an icon  308  and/or a text message  312 . As before, the icon  308  and/or text message  312  may be overlaid with the content such as to prevent viewer distraction. Responsive to the alert, e.g., icon  308  and/or text message  312 , the viewer actuates the alert manager  300 &#39;s menu  500  (screen  606 ). The viewer hits the notify button when the particular event is highlighted. The alert button  202  may act as a switch toggling the alert manager  300  (and its associated menu  500 ) on and off the display. At screen  606 , the alert menu  500  is displayed allowing the viewer to view, delete, and otherwise manage the events  310 . At screen  608 , the menu  500  either times out or is toggled off by the viewer by, e.g., actuating the button  202 .  
         [0040]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are exemplary alert manager sequences with viewer interaction. Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , the screen  702  displays the viewer&#39;s selected content. At screen  704 , the viewer displays the alert manager  300 &#39;s menu  500 . As before, the viewer may exit the alert manager  300  by actuating (or toggling) the alert key  202  on the remote  200  or by actuating a suitable icon on the display. The menu  500  includes icons  714  to  722 . Screen  704  displays three active icons  714 ,  716 , and  718  on the top row with action icons  720 ,  721  and  722  on the bottom row. The most recent icon may be shown in the upper left corner and is highlighted when the alert manager menu  500  is displayed. Each alert may have a distinct icon associated with it.  
         [0041]     At screen  706 , the viewer highlights the icon  716  by, e.g., manipulating buttons on the remote  200 . Every icon may have a highlighted and a non-highlighted version. The highlighted version is displayed when the cursor is positioned over the icon, as is common practice. The non-highlighted icon is displayed when the cursor is not positioned over the icon, also as is common practice.  
         [0042]     Screen  708  shows a new event and associated icon  724  (heart) that occurred while the viewer was reviewing other alerts in the manager  300 . The new icon  724  may appear on the upper left corner, as it is the most recent icon. All other icons  714 - 718  shift right. The icon highlighted before the new the icon was received may retain the cursor&#39;s focus (i.e., icon  716  may remain highlighted). The text message  726  associated with icon  724  may appear in the foreground, just as it would if the viewer was not currently in the alert manager  300 &#39;s menu  500 .  
         [0043]     Action icons  720 ,  722 , and  721  may be pressed to navigate to a previous screen, a next screen, or to delete a highlighted or active icon, respectively.  
         [0044]     Screen  710  shows highlighted icon  714  (star). The viewer presses the delete button  721  to delete the icon  710  as shown at screen  712 .  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the screen  802  shows the expiration of an alert or icon. The alert manager  300  changes the icon  816  to an expired state when the event expires. The alert manager  300  may indicate an icon&#39;s (or alert&#39;s) expired state by changing its color or by using other such visual and/or audible indicators. The screen  804  highlights icon  814  (heart) and then deletes the icon  814  by pressing delete button  821 . The screen  806  shows the icon  814  deleted from view. The alert manager  300  may indicate to the event  310  that the viewer selected and deleted the icon  814  from the manager menu  500 . Upon deletion of the highlighted icon, the alert manage may focus or highlight the next latest icon, in this case, the icon  818  (sun). The viewer may run the application associated with the highlighted icon  818  by pressing the enter button  210  on the remote  200 .  
         [0046]     We have described and illustrated the principles of our invention(s). It should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention(s) can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. We claim all modifications coming within the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.