Abstract:
A video system comprises a screen. Interactive linking is provided based on a representative set of region-based templates. Each template can be associated with said screen. The template comprises a set of active areas (usually non-intersecting), that can be actuated by moving a cursor to those areas, to thereby invoke a process or link. The link can be to a web page or other information source. In addition to template usage for surfing of active screen areas, templates can be used for secure link (process) activation. Each region can be considered as a symbol (“letter”) in the password. By using mouse or similar device user can click (“type”) a sequence of symbols to follow an existing password.

Description:
This patent is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/417,991 filed Oct. 13, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,541, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/389,916 now abandoned, Ser. No. 09/390,047 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,670,586 and Ser. No. 09/390,044 now abandoned, each filed Sep. 3, 1999, each of which incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known in the art to annotate or “mark” objects in a video stream with an interactive link. For example, suppose one was watching a video program of an automobile race, and there were several racing cars shown driving around a track. Also suppose that these cars were marked with interactive links. This means that one can position a cursor over the image of one of the cars and click on the image (or alternatively, click on special icons associated with the car). This causes the system controlling the video screen to take a predetermined action (e.g. execute a software program, or initiate some other event such as a telephone call) or display information that is linked to that image. This link can be in the form of a pop-up window for note annotation. (A pop-up window for note annotation is a small window that appears on the screen so that a user can write a small note. It is like an electronic “post-it” note.) Alternatively, the link can be in the form of a URL. If the link is invoked, the system will display a web page depicting information concerning the car or driver that has been clicked on. For example, the system can display details concerning the driver. As mentioned above, by clicking on the icon or image, one could also initiate an action, e.g. a telephone call to a merchandise company to buy a memorabilia product related to what has been clicked on. 
     During annotation, an area or region within the video frames surrounding the image of an object of interest (in the above-mentioned example, the racing car) is established as an “active area.” If one moves the cursor into the active area and clicks, one will initiate an action or invoke the link corresponding to the object within that active area. Typically, an object associated with the active area moves about the video screen during a video clip. For example, a video clip of an automobile race shows a group of cars moving about a racetrack, and these cars typically move about a television screen during the clip as the race proceeds. In such a video clip, a car might move from the right side of the video screen to the left side of the video screen. Thus, the active area must also move across the television screen to keep up with the object of interest. The above-incorporated patent applications pertain to methods for annotating video clips, i.e. defining the active area for each object of interest, and for each frame, in the video clip. These methods permit annotation with a reduced amount of human involvement in the process. It would, however, be desirable to further simplify the process of defining active areas in a video clip. 
     SUMMARY 
     A method in accordance with the invention comprises the step of providing a template or a set of templates to be associated with a video screen. The template defines a set of active regions of the video screen. The active regions typically do not overlap ne another. Each active region corresponds to a process or link that can be invoked. In one embodiment, the link is to an internet web page. When that link is invoked, the contents of the web page are displayed on the screen. 
     In another embodiment, the link is to a source of information other than an internet web page. For example, the link can cause a video system to display information from a memory to be displayed on the screen. The memory can either be local or non-local. 
     In yet another embodiment, invoking the link causes a software routine or application program to be executed. 
     Alternatively, invoking the link initiates an event, e.g. a telephone call. 
     In one embodiment, the active areas of the template are visible to the user. For example, the active areas of the template can be a particular color, or bear a particular icon, or can be shaded. Thus, the user knows the location of the active areas, and can move a cursor to the active areas to invoke links associated therewith. In another embodiment, the active areas are not visible. However, when the cursor is moved to the active areas, the appearance of the cursor changes, so the user knows that the cursor is positioned over an active area. In yet another embodiment, the active areas are not visible, and the cursor does not change appearance when positioned over the active areas. 
     The video screen can display any type of video information, e.g. a still image, a video image, a web page, a Windows-type desk top output, or other computer output. For example, a user can watch a television program on the video screen and manipulate a cursor to invoke the links associated with the template. Alternatively, the user can read a web page on the video screen and can manipulate a cursor to invoke the Links associated with the template. 
     One advantage of this invention is that the use a set of templates is a simple way of providing robust dynamic linking. A person using the template does not have to chase a small moving object on a screen with a cursor in order to invoke a link. 
     A set of templates in accordance with one embodiment of the invention allows a content provider to choose the most appropriate template without complicated content-oriented linking (i.e. without the complication of having the active areas move in sync with associated objects on the video screen). In some cases this solution can be preferable to fixed static icon (one fixed template) solutions and completely dynamic (moving active area) solutions. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, templates can be used for secure communication of data associated with a video stream. For example, in one embodiment, each active area of a template can be considered as a symbol (or letter) that is part of an arbitrary complicated password, which allows a user to be re-directed to selected internet pages, to call a secret telephone number or start a special application. 
     These and other aspects of the invention are described in greater detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a video screen including an overlay template comprising a set of active areas. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a second template overlaying a first template on a video screen. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a video system in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , video system  1  comprises a substantially rectangular video screen  2  having active regions  4   a  to  4   d  and a region  6 . Regions  4   a  to  4   d  correspond to a “template.” Video screen  2  can display any type of visual information. For example, in one embodiment, screen  2  displays a still image, e.g. a picture. In another embodiment, screen  2  displays a movie or television program. In another embodiment, screen  2  displays a web page. In yet another embodiment, screen  2  displays a computer output, e.g. an image of a Windows-type desk top. Screen  2  can be a CRT screen, an LCD screen, a video projection screen, or other type of screen capable of displaying a visual image. The image displayed on screen  2  can originate from a conventional television receiver that receives radio waves or a receiver that receives signals from a cable or optical fiber. Alternatively, the image on screen  2  can originate from the internet, from a personal computer, a VCR, or other source of visual information, either in digital or analog form. 
     In a first embodiment, regions  4   a  to  4   d  are not visually distinguishable from the remainder of screen  2 . In other words, if screen  2  is displaying a television program, one cannot tell, merely by looking at screen  2 , where regions  4   a  to  4   d  are located. 
     Also shown on screen  2  is a cursor  8 . Cursor  8  can be any shape, or have any appearance. A user manipulates cursor  8  with a control device, e.g. a remote controller  10  comprising a joystick, trackball, mouse, touch pad (e.g. touch pad  11   a ) or appropriate control buttons  11   b . If a user moves cursor  8  to region  4   a , a link is invoked corresponding to region  4   a . If the user moves cursor  8  to region  4   b , a link is invoked corresponding to region  4   b , and so forth. In one embodiment, the link is to a web page. Moving the cursor to region  4   a  invokes the link, and information corresponding to the web page is displayed on screen  2 . (In an alternative embodiment, one must move cursor  8  to region  4   a  and click on region  4   a  to invoke the link, rather than merely moving cursor  8  to region  4   a .) 
     In another embodiment, the link is to a data source other than a web page. This data source could be another source of visual information, e.g. another movie or television program. Alternatively, the link could execute application software. Alternatively, the link could result in the display of data from a local data source, e.g. a disk drive, or a non-local data source. In one embodiment, the link is to a pop-up window for note annotation. 
     As mentioned above, in a first embodiment, regions  4   a  to  4   d  are not visible per se. In a second embodiment, when cursor  8  is moved to one of regions  4   a  to  4   d , cursor  8  changes appearance (e.g. cursor  8  changes shape, color, light intensity, or otherwise manifests a changed appearance). Thus, a user can determine whether cursor  8  is located in an active region by observing the appearance of cursor  8 . 
     In a second embodiment, regions  4   a  to  4   d  can be detected visually. For example, regions  4   a  to  4   b  can be shaded differently from other portion  6  of screen  2 . Thus, a user can still use the entire video screen to watch a video image, but the user will know where the active regions are located. In lieu of shading the active regions differently, a set of lines such as lines  4   a ′ to  4   d ′ are visible so that a user can see where the active regions are located. 
     In a third embodiment, an image is displayed in region  6  of screen  2 , but that image is not displayed in active regions  4   a  to  4   d . Thus, regions  4   a  to  4   d  can be used to display something other than that image, e.g. other visual information such as icons, alphanumeric information, thumbnail still or video images, and so forth. The images displayed in regions  4   a  to  4   d  can come from any appropriate source, e.g. a cable or optical fiber, a conventional television receiver, a computer memory (either local or remote), a VCR or other source of visional information. 
     In this embodiment, regions  4   a  to  4   d  can be thought of as containing images interposed over and eclipsing the main image on screen  2 . In one embodiment, the images in regions  4   a  to  4   d  can be generated using a 3D graphics chip within the video display system. Circuitry for providing the images in regions  4   a  to  4   d  can be as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/344,442, filed Jun. 25, 1999. (The &#39;442 application discloses means for binding  2 D images to a planar surface using a 3D graphics pipeline. The &#39;442 application is incorporated herein by reference.) 
     In a version of the third embodiment, one can adjust the images in regions  4   a  to  4   d  from being completely opaque to completely transparent, or somewhere in between. In other words, when the images in regions  4   a  to  4   d  are completely opaque, any underlying image is completely eclipsed. By rendering regions  4   a  to  4   d  more transparent, one can perceive a “ghost image” of the information displayed in regions  4   a  to  4   d  along with the underlying image. By rendering regions  4   a  to  4   d  completely transparent, one simply sees the underlying image in regions  4   a  to  4   d  of screen  2 . 
     In a fourth embodiment, regions  4   a  to  4   d  display images that periodically change. For example, for thirty seconds, a first thumbnail still or video image appears in region  4   a , and thereafter, a second image appears in region  4   a . After another thirty seconds elapses, a third image appears in region  4   a . The link associated with region  4   a  can change at the same time the image changes. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the link remains unchanged. In one embodiment, invoking the link associated with region  4   a  alters the image shown in regions  4   b  to  4   d . In another embodiment, invoking the link associated with one region does not affect the images shown in the other active regions. 
     In a fifth embodiment, the size and/or appearance of regions  4   a  to  4   d  can be changed, e.g. by actuating appropriate buttons on controller  10 . Thus, regions  4   a  to  4   d  can be made smaller or larger. 
     In one embodiment, the links associated with regions  4   a  to  4   d  are related to the content displayed in region  6 . (In this embodiment, the template comprising regions  4   a  to  4   d  is typically provided by the content provider of the image shown in region  6 .) For example, if region  6  displays a sporting event, regions  4   a  to  4   d  might correspond to links for displaying information about that or related sporting events. Thus, if the sporting event is a baseball game, regions  4   a  to  4   d  might correspond to links concerning statistics pertaining to the teams or players. In addition, the images depicted in regiosn  4   a  to  4   d  are related to the content displayed in region  6 . However, in another embodiment, the images shown at regions  4   a  to  4   d  are unrelated to the content displayed in region  6 . 
     As mentioned above, regions  4   a  to  4   d  form a template. Suppose the image on screen  2  is annotated with links corresponding to active regions  12  and  14 . Region  12  is located within region  6  and outside regions  4   a  to  4   d , and is activated e.g. by using cursor  8  to click on active region  12 . Thus, a user can invoke the link associated with region  12  by using cursor  8  to click on region  12 , even though the template is active. However, region  14  is located within region  4   c . The template covers active area  14 , and the link associated with area  14  cannot be invoked unless one removes the template (e.g. in a manner discussed below). Thus, if one moves cursor  8  to area  14  in an effort to invoke the link associated with area  14 , one will only succeed in invoking the link associated with region  4   c.    
     As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the image on screen  2  is a video image. This image can be annotated with links in the manner described in the above- incorporated patent applications. In other words, portions of a video image are associated with interactive links. By placing the template over the video image, an) links underneath regions  4   a  to  4   d  are effectively masked. 
     In another embodiment, the image on screen  2  is a web page. Web pages typically include active areas for invoking links to other web pages. If screen  2  displays a web page, those links appearing within region  6  can be accessed by a user, and invoked in the normal manner. However, those links within regions  4   a  to  4   d  are effectively masked, and cannot be invoked by a user unless the template is removed. 
     The template itself is typically stored in a memory device associated with the video system of which screen  2  is part. This memory device can be a semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, an EPROM, a disk drive, tape drive, or other memory device. This memory stores the location of the active regions  4   a  to  4   d , and the links (e.g. URLs) with which regions  4   a  to  4   d  are associated. In one embodiment, the template (e.g. the links associated with active regions  4   a  to  4   d ) is determined by the user. In other words, a person viewing screen  2  can determine the links that are associated with regions  4   a  to  4   d , e.g. by inputting appropriate link address information into a memory, e.g. with an alphanumeric keypad coupled to video system  1 . (The keypad can be part of controller  10  or some other structure coupled to system  1 .) The user can activate or deactivate the template. 
     In another embodiment, the template can originate from the same source as the video information displayed on screen  2 . For example, if the program displayed on screen  2  originates from a cable TV source, the links associated with active regions  4   a  to  4   d  also originate from that source. (Optionally, the locations of active regions  4   a  to  4   d  within screen  2  can also originate from that source.) 
     In another embodiment, the links can originate from a source that is different from the origin of the image displayed on screen  2 . For example, the image on screen  2  can be a conventional television program received from a radio antenna, whereas the links can be obtained via the internet. Optionally, the location of regions  4   a  to  4   d  can also be received from the internet. 
     In one embodiment, a user can activate or deactivate the template, e.g. by pressing an appropriate control button on remote control device  10 . If deactivated, regions  4   a  to  4   d  no longer serve as active regions, and any active regions previously masked by regions  4   a  to  4   d  become unmasked. Thus, active region  14 , previously masked by region  4   b , can then be clicked on, and the link associated with active region  14  can be invoked. When deactivated, any visual indication of the location of regions  4   a  to  4   d  is removed. Thus, if regions  4   a  to  4   d  previously had a different appearance, when the template is deactivated, regions  4   a  to  4   d  of screen  2  no longer have a different appearance. If, prior to deactivation, cursor  8  had a different appearance when positioned in regions  4   a  to  4   d , when deactivated, cursor  8  no longer takes on a different appearance when positioned in regions  4   a  to  4   d . Regions  4   a  to  4   d  are typically activated or deactivated together as a group, e.g. by actuating the above-mentioned control buttons. In another embodiment, regions  4   a  to  4   d  can be individually activated or deactivated. 
     A user can also reactivate the template, e.g. by actuating an appropriate control button on remote control device  10 . Alternatively, a user can activate a different template, e.g. by actuating an appropriate control button on remote control device  10 . This different template can have active regions having shapes and locations that are different from regions  4   a  to  4   d . Also, the links associated with this different template can be to data sources other than the links associated with regions  4   a  to  4   d.    
     A user can also place one template over one or more other templates. For example, referring to  FIG. 2 , by actuating an appropriate button on controller  10 , a user can activate a template having regions  16   a  to  16   d . As can be seen, region  16   a  entirely covers and masks region  4   a . Region  16   b  is elliptical, and only masks a portion of region  4   b . Thus, portions of region  4   b  are still accessible. Region  16   c  is trapezoidal, but still covers and masks all of region  4   c . A user can deactivate the template corresponding to regions  16   a  to  16   d  if so desired by actuating an appropriate button on controller  10 . 
     In one embodiment, the various templates can be activated, deactivated, and placed over one another by an external source, e.g. the source providing the image in region  6  of screen  2 . As indicated above, this image can come from any of a number of places, e.g. a video broadcast using radio waves, optical cable or electrical cable. This image can originate from other sources as well, e.g. the internet. Thus, the provider of this image can determine which templates should be associated with the image at any given time. 
     In one embodiment, a template can be activated for only a predetermined time and then deactivated. Thus, if the image is a quiz show, the active regions can correspond to the answers to a question being asked on the quiz show. The active template might remain active for only so long as the question was pending. 
     In one embodiment, each region  4   a  to  4   d  represents an independent link. In another embodiment, one can actuate regions  4   a  to  4   d  in different orders to obtain different results. For example, if one clicked on regions  4   a ,  4   b ,  4   a ,  4   d , that might constitute a “code” for causing a certain event to occur, or for invoking a certain link. Alternatively, if one clicked on a different sequence of regions, that might cause a different event to occur, or invoke a different link. Templates could be added or removed, depending upon this order. Alternatively, templates could be locked in place or locked out, depending upon this order. (This capability of requiring active areas  4   a  to  4   d  to be actuated in a certain order could be used for security purposes, e.g. for permitting or forbidding a user to access certain information, video images or web pages. Alternatively, this capability might also be part of a game, e.g. a user would have to figure out certain clues in order to figure out the correct order in which to actuate regions.) 
     One embodiment of our invention can be practiced using a PC having the following:
     1. A CPU such as a Celeron or Pentium, e.g. as manufactured by Intel, or a K6/K7 processor, e.g. as manufactured by Advanced Micro Devices.   2. 24 MB of memory or greater.   3. The operating system can be Windows 95, Windows 98, WinCE, Win2000, or any other operating system that supports Direct X, Direct 3D and/or Direct Draw. These packages can be used to apply images to regions  4   a  to  4   d . The Windows operating system includes a standardized platform called Direct X for Windows.   

       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a computer system  50  for performing a method in accordance with our invention. Referring to  FIG. 3 , system  50  comprises a CPU  52 , e.g. a Pentium II class CPU, comprising a cache memory  52   a , a core  52   b  and an internal bus  52   c  for facilitating communication between core  52   b  and cache  52   a . Core  52   b  communicates via a CPU bus  54  to a system controller  56 . System controller  56  communicates with the system memory  58  via a memory bus  60 . System memory  58  includes system memory. 
     Also included in system  50  is a PCI bus  62  for facilitating communication between system controller  56  and I/O devices  64 ,  66  and disk drive  68 . I/O device  64  can be any type of I/O device, e.g. a modem or telephone for communicating with a telephone line. In one embodiment, I/O device  66  is a video capture card with a driver. The video capture card can be coupled to receive a video program from an antenna, a cable or optical fiber, a VCR, a video disk, or other video signal source. Data from the video capture card is either loaded by DMA (direct memory access) or CPU  52  into a frame buffer, typically within main memory  58 . However, the frame buffer may be in other memories within system  50 . 
     Graphics controller  70  uses its own local memory  74  to generate and store pixel arrays to be displayed on a video display unit  76 . 
     It is emphasized that system  50  is only one example of a system that performs a method in accordance with our invention. Other hardware can be used as well. 
     Stored within a memory within video display system  1  are the locations on screen  2  of regions  4   a  to  4   d . CPU  52  (or other logic hardware within system  1 ) determines whether cursor  8  has been moved to one of regions  4   a  to  4   d , i.e. by comparing the position of cursor  8  to the values stored in memory corresponding to the location of regions  4 . (This memory can be memory  58  or another memory within the system.) 
     As mentioned above, the image displayed on screen  2  can be annotated with active areas. The locations of these active areas (and the links associated with the active areas) are also stored in the above-mentioned memory (e.g. memory  58 ). Microprocessor  52  (or the above-mentioned other hardware) also compares the position of cursor  8  with the locations of these other active areas. However, microprocessor  52  (or the other hardware within the system) also ascertains whether these other active areas are masked by the template (e.g. regions  4   a  to  4   d ). If the cursor is moved over an active area which is masked by region  4   a , for example, microprocessor  52  ascertains that the link associated with region  4   a  is to be invoked. 
     Memory  58  can store numerous templates, each of which can be activated or deactivated, e.g. by controller  10 . These templates can also be placed over one another. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, any type of display screen can be used in conjunction with the invention. For example, projection video display screens, LCDs, CRTs or other types of display devices can be used. Similarly, although the drawings display a screen depicting four active regions, different numbers of active regions can be used. 
     Although the template of  FIG. 1  permits active areas within region  6  to be activated, in other embodiments, only the active areas of the active template itself can be activated. 
     As mentioned above, in one embodiment video system  1  displays various images in regions  4   a  to  4   d . In one embodiment, these images can be applied to regions  4   a  to  4   d  using a method discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/344,442. Accordingly, all such changes come within the invention.