System and method for generating screen pointing information in a television control device

A system and method, in a television control device, for generating screen pointing information, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

SEQUENCE LISTING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Present television control devices are incapable of providing pointing information to television program viewers. 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, in a television control device, for generating screen pointing information, 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.

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 television system modules (e.g., television control device modules). 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, television, television control device, television provider, television programming provider, television receiver, video 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), 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 will at times refer to an on-screen pointing location. Such a pointing location refers to a location on the television screen 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.

Additionally, the following discussion will at times refer to television programming. 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, broadcast/multicast/unicast, 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 document, a graphical video game, etc.). Various aspects of the present invention may, for example, comprise determining an on-screen pointing location during the presentation of television programming on the screen of the television.

Turning first toFIG. 1, such figure is a diagram illustrating a non-limiting exemplary television system100in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary system100includes a television provider110. The television provider110may, for example, comprise a television network company, a cable company, a movie-providing company, a news company, an educational institution, etc. The television provider110may, for example, be an original source of television programming (or related information). Also for example, the television provider110may be a communication company that provides programming distribution services (e.g., a cable television company, a satellite television company, a telecommunication company, a data network provider, etc.). The television provider110may, for example, provide programming and non-programming information and/or video content. The television provider110may, for example, provide information related to a television program (e.g., information describing or otherwise related to selectable objects in programming, etc.).

The exemplary television system100may also include a third party program information provider120. Such a provider may, for example, provide information related to a television program. Such information may, for example, comprise information describing selectable objects in programming, program guide information, etc.

The exemplary television system100may include one or more communication networks (e.g., the communication network(s)130). The exemplary communication network130may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of communication networks over which video content and/or information related to video content may be communicated. For example and without limitation, the communication network130may compare characteristics 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 television system100may include a first television140. Such a first television140may, for example, comprise networking capability enabling such television140to communicate directly with the communication network130. For example, the first television140may comprise one or more embedded television receivers or transceivers (e.g., a cable television receiver, satellite television transceiver, Internet modem, etc.). Also for example, the first television140may comprise one or more recording devices (e.g., for recording and/or playing back video content, television programming, etc.).

The exemplary television system100may include a first television controller160. Such a first television controller160may, for example, operate to (e.g., which includes operating when enabled to) control operation of the first television140. The first television controller160may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of television controlling devices. For example and without limitation, the first television controller160may comprise characteristics of a dedicated television control device, a universal remote control, a cellular telephone or personal computing device with television control capability, etc.

The first television controller160(or television control device) may, for example, transmit signals directly to the first television140to control operation of the first television140. The first television controller160may also, for example, operate to transmit signals (e.g., via the communication network130) to the television provider110to control video content being provided to the first television140, or to conduct other transactions (e.g., business transactions, etc.).

As will be discussed in more detail later, the first television controller160may operate to communicate screen pointing information with the first television140and/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 television screen (e.g., pointing to an object or person presented in television programming). 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 television control device. The first television controller160provides a non-limiting example of a device that a user may utilize to point to an on-screen location. The following discussion ofFIGS. 2-10will present various non-limiting illustrative aspects of such a television controller.

The exemplary television system100may also include a television receiver150. The television receiver may, for example, operate to provide a communication link between a television and/or television controller and a communication network and/or information provider. For example, the television receiver150may operate to provide a communication link between the second television141and the communication network130, or between the second television141and the television provider110(and/or third party program information provider120) via the communication network130.

The television receiver150may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of television receivers. For example and without limitation, the television receiver150may comprise characteristics of a cable television receiver, a satellite television receiver, etc. Also for example, the television receiver150may comprise a data communication network modem for data network communications (e.g., with the Internet, a LAN, PAN, MAN, telecommunication network, etc.). The television receiver150may also, for example, comprise recording capability (e.g., programming recording and playback, etc.).

The exemplary television system100may include a second television controller161. Such a second television controller161may, for example, operate to control operation of the second television141and the television receiver150. The second television controller161may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of television controlling devices. For example and without limitation, the second television controller161may comprise characteristics of a dedicated television control device, a dedicated television receiver control device, a universal remote control, a cellular telephone or personal computing device with television control capability, etc.

The second television controller161may, for example, transmit signals directly to the second television141to control operation of the second television141. The second television controller161may, for example, transmit signals directly to the television receiver150to control operation of the television receiver150. The second television controller161may additionally, for example, operate to transmit signals (e.g., via the television receiver150and the communication network130) to the television provider110to control video content being provided to the television receiver150, 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 pointing to a location on a television screen (e.g., pointing to an object or person presented in television programming). 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 television control device. The second television controller161provides one non-limiting example of a device that a user may utilize to point to an on-screen location. The following discussion ofFIGS. 2-10will present various non-limiting illustrative aspects of such a television controller.

The exemplary television system100was 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 television system100unless explicitly claimed.

Turning next toFIG. 2, such figure is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television control device200(e.g., a remote control device) in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary television control device200may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the exemplary television control devices160,161illustrated inFIG. 1and discussed previously and/or with any of the exemplary television control devices discussed herein.

The exemplary television control device200includes a first communication interface module210. The first communication interface module210may, 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 module210is illustrated coupled to a wireless RF antenna via a wireless port212, the wireless medium is merely illustrative and non-limiting. The first communication interface module210may, for example, operate to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., cable television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunication networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) via which television video content (e.g., television programming), television control information, and/or other data is communicated. Also for example, the first communication module210may operate to communicate with local sources of television video content (e.g., video recorders, receivers, gaming devices, etc.). Additionally, for example, the first communication module210may operate to communicate with a second television controller (e.g., directly or via one or more intermediate communication networks). Further for example, the first communication module210may operate to communicate with a television utilizing any of a variety of television communication connections and/or protocols (e.g., composite video, component video, HDMI, etc.). Still further, for example, the first communication module210may operate to communicate with screen pointing sensors.

The exemplary television control device200includes a second communication interface module220. The second communication interface module220may, 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 module220may communicate via a wireless RF communication port222and antenna, or may communicate via a non-tethered optical communication port224(e.g., utilizing laser diodes, photodiodes, etc.). Also for example, the second communication interface module220may communicate via a tethered optical communication port226(e.g., utilizing a fiber optic cable), or may communicate via a wired communication port228(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 module220may, for example, operate to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., cable television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunication networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) via which television video content, television control information, and/or other data is communicated. Also for example, the second communication module220may operate to communicate with local sources of television video content (e.g., video recorders, other receivers, gaming devices, etc.). Additionally, for example, the second communication module220may operate to communicate with a second television controller (e.g., directly or via one or more intervening communication networks). Further for example, the second communication module220may operate to communicate with a television utilizing any of a variety of television communication connections and/or protocols (e.g., composite video, component video, HDMI, etc.). Still further, for example, the second communication module220may operate to communicate with screen pointing sensors.

The exemplary television control device200may also comprise additional communication interface modules, which are not illustrated. Such additional communication interface modules may, for example, share any or all aspects with the first210and second220communication interface modules discussed above.

The exemplary television control device200may also comprise a communication module230. The communication module230may, for example, operate to control and/or coordinate operation of the first communication interface module210and the second communication interface module220(and/or additional communication interface modules as needed). The communication module230may, for example, provide a convenient communication interface by which other components of the television control device200may utilize the first210and second220communication 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 module230may coordinate communications to reduce collisions and/or other interference between the communication interface modules210,220.

The exemplary television control device200may comprise one or more television interface modules235. The television interface module235may, for example, operate to manage communications between the television control device200and one or more televisions that are communicatively coupled thereto (e.g., via the first210and/or second220communication interface modules). For example, the television interface module235may operate to communicate general television programming video information to a television (e.g., while the television control device200is operating to determine an on-screen pointing location).

Also, for example, as will be discussed in more detail later, the television interface module235may output a signal to the television, television receiver or a second television controller or other device with a display, where such signal comprises characteristics adapted to cause the television (or other device) to output a visual indication of on-screen pointing location. Such an indication may, for example, be communicated with (e.g., as a part of) other information (e.g., video information, general device control information, etc.) being communicated to the television (or other device), or such an indication may be communicated to the television (or other device) independent of other information.

The exemplary television control device200may additionally comprise one or more user interface modules240. The user interface module240may generally operate to provide user interface functionality to a user of the television control device200. For example, and without limitation, the user interface module240may operate to provide for user control of any or all standard television and/or television receiver commands (e.g., channel control, on/off, television output settings, input selection, etc.). The user interface module240may, for example, operate and/or respond to user commands utilizing user interface features disposed on the television receiver (e.g., buttons, touch screen, microphone, etc.) and may also utilize the communication module230(and/or first210and second220communication interface modules) to communicate with a television controller, television receiver, another television control device and/or any other television system component. For example, various user interface features of the television control device200may comprise utilization of the television (e.g., utilizing the television screen for menu-driven or other GUI associated with television, television receiver and/or television controller operation).

The user interface module240may also operate to interface with and/or control operation of any of a variety of sensors that may be utilized to ascertain an on-screen pointing location. Non-limiting examples of such sensors will be provided later (e.g., in the discussion ofFIGS. 3-7and elsewhere herein). For example and without limitation, the user interface module240may operate to receive signals associated with respective sensors (e.g., raw or processed signals directly from the sensors, through intermediate devices (e.g., a television, television control, surround sound system, etc.), via the communication interface modules210,220, etc.). Also for example, in scenarios in which such sensors are active sensors (as opposed to purely passive sensors), the user interface module240may operate to control the transmission of signals (e.g., RF signals, optical signals, acoustic signals, etc.) from such sensors.

The exemplary television control device200may comprise one or more processors250. The processor250may, for example, comprise one or more of a general purpose processor, digital signal processor, application-specific processor, microcontroller, microprocessor, etc. For example, the processor250may 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 inFIG. 2for illustrative clarity, such illustrative modules, or a portion thereof, may be implemented by the processor250.

The exemplary television control device200may comprise one or more memories260. 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 memories260. Such memory260may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of memory. For example and without limitation, such memory260may 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 television control device200may also comprise one or more calibration modules251that operate to perform various calibration activities. Examples of such calibration activities will be provided later in this discussion. Briefly, such calibration activities may, for example, comprise interacting with a user and/or user pointing device (e.g., if different from the television control device200) to determine sensor signals under known circumstances (e.g., determine sensor signals in response to known screen pointing circumstances), and processing such sensor signals to develop algorithms (e.g., transformation matrices, static positional equations, etc.) to determine screen pointing location based on sensor signals received during normal operation. As will also be discussed later, such calibration may also be utilized to establish signal gain (or energy) patterns utilized in determining pointing location.

The exemplary television control device200may comprise one or more location-determining modules252. For example, as will be discussed later, various on-screen pointing location determinations may comprise processing location information. As a non-limiting example, knowing the location of a user (e.g., including the location of a pointing device (e.g., which could be the television control device200) being utilized by the user) may simplify the solution of various pointing direction determinations. For example, knowing exactly where a pointing device is located (e.g., in three-dimensional space) or where a pointing device is located along a line (e.g., knowing device location in two-dimensional space or land surface coordinates) relative to the television screen (and/or relative to the television control device) may remove a number of unknown variables from applicable positional equations. Note that such positional information may, in various exemplary scenarios, also comprise orientation information for a pointing device (e.g., yaw, pitch and/or roll). Such orientation information may be determined in various manners (e.g., through gyroscopic means, sensor alignment with known references, etc.).

The location-determining module252may operate to determine user (or pointing device) location in any of a variety of manners. For example and without limitation, in an exemplary scenario where the pointing device is different from the control device200, the location-determining module252may operate to receive location information from the pointing device (e.g., via one of the communication interface modules210,220). For example, such a pointing device may comprise positioning system capability (e.g., global positioning system, assisted GPS, cellular or other triangulation systems, etc.) and communicate information describing the position of the pointing device to the television control device200. In an exemplary scenario where the television control device200is the pointing device, the television control device200may comprise on-board position-determining capability.

Also for example, the location-determining module252may (e.g., via the user interface modules240) utilize sensor signals to determine the position (which may include orientation) of the pointing device (or user thereof). For example, signals may arrive at the pointing device at different sensors at different times (or at different phases). Such temporal or phase differences may be processed to determine the location of the pointing device relative to the known location of such sensors. Further for example, the location-determining module252may operate to communicate pointing device location information with an external system that operates to determine the location of the pointing device. Such an external system may, for example, comprise a cellular telephony triangulation system, a home or premises-based triangulation system, a global positioning system, an assisted global positioning system, etc. In a non-limiting exemplary scenario where the control device200is the pointing device, the location information communicated with the external system may be location information associated with the control device200.

The exemplary television control device200may also comprise one or more sensor processing module(s)253. As will be explained below, the sensor processing module253may operate to receive sensor information (e.g., from the user interface module(s)240, from the television interface module235, from the communication interface modules210,220, etc.) and process such received sensor information to determine a location on the television screen to which a user is pointing. Various examples of such processing will be provided below. Briefly, such processing may, for example, comprise selecting a sensor with the strongest signal, interpolating between a plurality of sensors, interpolating between a plurality of sensors having strongest signals, determining gain (or energy) pattern intersections, etc. Various aspects of the present invention comprise, for example, determining on-screen pointing location during presentation of television programming (e.g., programming received from a television broadcaster, video recording device, etc.).

Various aspects of the present invention will now be illustrated by way of non-limiting example. Throughout the following discussion, reference will continue to be made to the various modules of the television control device200illustrated inFIG. 2. It should be noted that the following non-limiting examples provide specific examples of various aspects, and as such, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any of the specific examples, unless specifically claimed.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television system300with on-screen television sensors in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The television system300includes a television301comprising a television screen303. The television system300also includes a television controller320(or other pointing device) pointing to an on-screen pointing location330along a line325between the television controller320and the on-screen pointing location330. The television controller320may, for example, share any or all aspects with the exemplary television controllers160,161and200discussed previously and with all other television controllers discussed herein. The television control device320may, for example, be communicatively coupled directly to the television301via a communication link353. The television control device320may also, for example, be communicatively coupled directly to the television receiver350via communication link352. The television control device320may additionally, for example, be communicatively coupled indirectly to the television301via the television receiver350through communication links351and352. Accordingly, various aspects of the television control device320will be explained herein with reference to various components of the exemplary television control device200illustrated inFIG. 2.

The television system300also comprises a television receiver350that is communicatively coupled to the television301via a communication link351(e.g., a two-way communication link providing video information to the television301and/or receiving sensor information from the television301for communication to the television control device320). The exemplary television receiver350is also communicatively coupled to the television controller320via a communication link352.

The exemplary television screen303comprises an array of sensors integrated into the television screen303. One of such sensors is labeled sensor310. Any of a variety of sensor types may be utilized, non-limiting examples of which include light sensors or photo detectors (e.g., photo diodes) and RF sensors (e.g., antenna elements or loops).

The array of sensors may be integrated in the television screen303in any of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided. For example, the television screen303may comprise an array of liquid crystal display (LCD) pixels for presenting video media to a user. An array of photo diodes and/or antenna elements may be integrated between or behind LCD pixels. For example, every LCD pixel may be associated with a corresponding photo diode and/or antenna element, or every N×M block of LCD pixels may be associated with a corresponding photo diode or antenna element.

As a non-limiting example, an array of photo diodes and/or RF antenna elements may be formed into a substrate beneath or behind transparent LCD substrates. As another example, a photo diode array and/or antenna element array may be interposed between or behind an array of LCD thin film transistors. Also for example, an array of photo diodes and/or RF antenna elements (or other sensors) may be incorporated into a transparent screen overlay. Note that is such an implementation, such transparent screen overlay may be installed after-market. For example, a user that has a television control device320with the capability to determine on-screen pointing location may install the transparent screen overlay. In such an exemplary scenario, there may be one or more communication links established between the television control device320and the sensors in the overlay, where such communication links may be independent of a communication link over which non-sensor information (e.g., video and/or control information) is communicated between the television301and the television control device320. Such communication link may, for example, be adapted to communicate information from each sensor to the television control device320serially (e.g., in a time-multiplexed manner) and/or in parallel.

In a photo detector implementation, passive photo detectors may receive varying amounts of respective light energy depending on the pointing direction of a light source (e.g., a light source of the television control device320or other pointing device) aimed at the screen303. Also for example, received signals (e.g., pulsed signals) may arrive at different sensors at different respective times/phases (e.g., being indicative of relative position and/or pointing direction, which may also be utilized in a pointing determination). In such a photo detector implementation (e.g., utilizing photo diodes), photo detectors may, for example, be tuned to react to particular light frequencies to reduce interference from output pixel light and/or associated reflections, ambient light, etc. As a non-limiting example, photo diodes may be tuned to detect light that is not visible to the human eye, visible light frequencies that are relatively rare, light patterns that are unlikely to occur in a television program (e.g., particular pulse codes), etc.

In an antenna element implementation, an array of antenna elements may be formed on a substrate and placed behind light producing and/or filtering elements in an LCD screen (e.g., so as to avoid interfering with emitted light) or may be formed on a transparent substrate within or in front of the lighted region of the LCD display (e.g., utilizing microscopic antenna elements that are too small to significantly interfere with light emitted from the display). As discussed above, such an implementation may be integrated with the television screen303, but may also be added as an overlay (e.g., as a production option or an after-market user or technician installation).

In an RF antenna implementation, passive antennas (or elements of an overall antenna matrix) may receive varying respective amounts of RF energy depending on the pointing direction of a directional RF source (e.g., a directional RF source of the television control device320or other pointing device) aimed at the screen. Also for example, received signals (e.g., pulsed signals) may arrive at different antennas at different respective times/phases (e.g., being indicative of relative position and/or pointing direction, which may also be utilized in a pointing determination)

In an exemplary scenario, a user may point a pointing device (e.g., a the television control device320, a laser pointer, directional RF transmitter, specifically designed eyewear, a mobile computing device, a mobile communication device, a gesture tracking device or glove, etc.) at the television screen303, where the pointing device directs transmitted energy (e.g., light energy, RF energy, acoustic energy, etc.) at a particular location on the television screen303to which the pointing device is being pointed. Note that such transmitted energy will likely be transmitted directionally and be associated with an intensity or gain pattern with the highest intensity likely at the center of the pattern (i.e., along the pointing line325) and decreasing as a function of angle from the center of the pattern (or distance on the screen from the on-screen pointing location).

In such an exemplary scenario, each sensor of the array of sensors integrated into the screen303will likely receive some respective amount of energy. For example, the sensor nearest the screen pointing location330(i.e., along the pointing line325) will likely receive the highest amount of energy, sensors adjacent to the screen pointing location330will likely receive a next highest range of energy, and sensors away from the pointing location330will likely receive progressively less amounts of energy from the pointing device (e.g., the television control device320) as a function of distance from the pointing location330, until such energy is lost in the noise floor.

In such an exemplary scenario, the television control device320(e.g., the user interface module240of the television control device200illustrated inFIG. 2) may receive signals indicative of the energy received by the sensors of the sensor array. The television control device320may receive such signals in various manners, depending on the degree of integration of such sensors into the television301. For example, in an exemplary scenario where the sensors are fully integrated into the television screen303and operationally integrated into the television301, the television control device320may receive such signals via a communication interface between the television control device320and the television301(e.g., via communication link353, or via a communication interface between the television301and television control device320via the television receiver350(e.g., via communication links351and352)). Also for example, in another exemplary scenario where the sensors are overlaid on the television screen303, and where operation of such sensors is independent of the television301, the television control device320may receive such signals via a communication link directly between the television control device320and the sensors, where such a communication link may be independent of other communication links between the television control device320and the television301. Such communication link may, for example, be adapted to communicate information from each sensor to the television control device320serially (e.g., in a time-multiplexed manner) and/or in parallel.

The user interface module240may then, for example, provide information of such received sensor signals to the sensor processing module253for processing. The sensor processing module253may then, for example, operate to process such information to determine the screen pointing location. The sensor processing module253may perform such processing in any of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which will be provided below.

For example, the sensor processing module253may operate to select the sensor with the highest received energy and determine that the location of such selected sensor is the on-screen pointing location. For example, in an exemplary scenario where the spatial resolution of screen-integrated sensors is relatively fine, such operation may reliably yield a desired level of accuracy without undue processing overhead.

In another example, the sensor processing module253may operate to select the sensor with the highest received energy and a plurality of sensors adjacent to such sensor. Then, for example, the sensor processing module253may interpolate between the locations of such sensors (e.g., based, at least in part, on weighting). For example, in a first dimension in which a sensor to the right of the highest energy sensor has a higher received energy than a sensor to the left of the highest energy sensor, the sensor processing module253may determine that the pointing location is to the right of the highest energy sensor. How much distance to the right may, for example, be determined as a function of the ratio between respective energies received by the right and left sensors. Such calculation may, for example, be a linear or non-linear calculation. Such calculation may also, for example, consider the expected energy pattern of a transmitting pointing device (e.g., in a scenario where energy fall-off is logarithmic as opposed to linear).

In an additional example, the sensor processing module253may operate to select all sensors receiving a threshold amount of energy (e.g., an absolute threshold level, a threshold level relative to the highest energy sensor, etc.). Then, for example, the sensor processing module253may interpolate between the locations of such sensors (e.g., based, at least in part, on respective energy weighting). For example, the sensor processing module253may perform non-linear splining between sensors in a horizontal direction with sensor location on a first axis and sensor energy on a second axis. The sensor processing module253may then operate to select the point on the sensor location axis corresponding to the peak sensor energy on the vertical axis. Such splining and selecting may then be repeated in the vertical direction. Alternatively for example, the sensor processing module253may operate to perform multi-dimensional splining to create a surface based on sensor energy and select the highest point on such surface and the corresponding screen coordinates of such surface.

In a further example, the sensor processing module253may operate to select a first sensor (e.g., the sensor with the highest received energy). Then, for example, the sensor processing module253may utilize information of the relative distance between the selected sensor and the pointing device (e.g., the television control device320), information of the gain pattern for the signal transmitted from the pointing device to the selected sensor, and calibration information to determine where the pointing device may be pointed in order for the sensor to receive such energy. For example, this may result in a first closed figure (e.g., a circle, cloverleaf, etc.) drawn around the sensor on the screen plane. Then the sensor processing module253may repeat the procedure for a second sensor (e.g., a sensor with the second highest received energy), resulting in a second closed figure. The sensor processing module253may then, for example, determine the point(s) of intersection between the first and second figures. If only one point of intersection lies within the border of the screen, then such point of intersection might be utilized as an estimate of the pointing location. If, however, there are two potentially significant points of intersection (or more depending on the figures), then the sensor processing module253may repeat the procedure for a third sensor (e.g., the sensor with the third highest energy, a sensor generally along the line perpendicular to a line segment between the first and second sensors, etc.) and determine a point nearest the intersection of the first, second and third closed figures. Such a point of intersection may then be utilized as an estimate of the pointing location.

The above-mentioned examples of screen-integrated sensors and related pointing location determinations were presented as exemplary illustrations. Though the above-mentioned examples generally discuss light and/or RF energy sensors, other types of sensors may also be integrated into a television screen or overlaid thereon. For example and without limitation, the sensors may comprise acoustic sensors that operate to sense acoustic energy (e.g., directed acoustic energy directed to a pointing location on the screen). For example, such directed acoustic energy may be formed at frequencies beyond the range of human hearing (e.g., and at frequencies beyond the range of pet hearing as well).

Also note that various energy radiation patterns may be used, and/or a plurality of energy radiation patterns may be used. For example, though (e.g., for illustrative clarity) the discussion herein generally discusses a single energy emission from the pointing device, a plurality of energy emissions may be utilized. For example and without limitation, a pointing device (e.g., the television control device320) may transmit a plurality of different directed energy emissions (e.g., light, RF, etc.) toward the pointing direction. Also for example, a pointing device may transmit one or more energy emissions that move relative to the pointing direction (e.g., in a raster pattern or any other pattern).

After determining on-screen pointing location, the television control device320may communicate information of such determined location in various manners. For example and without limitation, the sensor processing module253of the television control device200may utilize the television interface module235to communicate information of such on-screen pointing location to the television301for presentation to the user. Also for example, the sensor processing module253may utilize the user interface module240to communicate information of such on-screen pointing location to the user (e.g., on a display of the television control device200). Such communication will also be addressed in the discussions ofFIGS. 9-10.

In addition to various television configurations in which sensors are integrated into the television screen, sensors may be incorporated into the television off-screen. Such sensors may, for example, be incorporated in a border around the screen (or overlaid thereon). For example and without limitation,FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television system400with off-screen television sensors in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The television system400includes a television401comprising a television screen403. The television system400also includes a television controller420(or other pointing device) pointing to an on-screen pointing location430along a pointing line425between the television controller420and the on-screen pointing location430. The television controller420may, for example, share any or all aspects with the exemplary television controllers160,161,200and320discussed previously and with all other television controllers discussed herein. The television control device420may, for example, be communicatively coupled directly to the television401via a communication link453. The television control device420may also, for example, be communicatively coupled directly to the television receiver450via communication link452. The television control device420may additionally, for example, be communicatively coupled indirectly to the television401via the television receiver450through communication links451and452. Accordingly, various aspects of the television control device420will be explained herein with reference to various components of the exemplary television control device200illustrated inFIG. 2.

The television system400also comprises a television receiver450that is communicatively coupled to the television401via a communication link451(e.g., a two-way communication link providing video information to the television401and/or receiving sensor information from the television401for communication to the television control device420). The exemplary television receiver450is also communicatively coupled to the television controller420via a communication link452.

The exemplary television401comprises an array of sensors integrated into the television401around the border of the screen403. Three of such sensors are labeled410,411and412. As discussed above, any of a variety of sensor types may be utilized, non-limiting examples of which include light sensors or photo detectors (e.g., photo diodes), RF sensors (e.g., antenna elements), acoustic sensors (e.g., microphones), etc.

The array of sensors may be integrated around the television screen403in any of a variety of manners. For example, such sensors may be integrated in a border of the television screen403that is not used for outputting video content. Such a configuration may, for example, avoid sensor interference with video content being displayed on the screen. Also for example, as illustrated inFIG. 4, such sensors may be mounted to a border material of the television401.

For example, an array of photo detectors (e.g., photo diodes) and/or antenna elements (e.g., individual antennas or elements of an antenna array, for example, a phased array) may be incorporated into a border of the television401around the screen403. For example, every screen pixel row and/or column may be associated with a pair of corresponding photo diodes and/or antenna elements, or every N×M block of screen pixels may be associated with one or more corresponding photo diodes or antenna elements (e.g., a row and column sensor, two row and two column elements, etc.).

In a photo detector implementation, passive photo detectors may receive varying amounts of respective light energy depending on the pointing direction of a light source (e.g., a directional light source of the television control device420) pointed at the screen. Also for example, received signals (e.g., pulsed signals) may arrive at different sensors at different respective times/phases (e.g., being indicative of relative position and/or pointing direction, which may also be utilized in a pointing determination). In such a photo detector implementation (e.g., utilizing photo diodes), photo detectors may, for example, be tuned to react to particular light frequencies to reduce interference from output pixel light and/or associated reflections. As a non-limiting example, photo diodes may be tuned to detect light that is not visible to the human eye, visible light frequencies that are relatively rare, light patterns that are unlikely to occur in a television program (e.g., particular pulse codes), etc. In one example, the photo detectors integrated with the television body off-screen may comprise photo diodes that operate to detect energy from a laser pointer or directed infrared energy from a television controller or other pointing device. Note that analogously to the on-screen sensors discussed previously, various aspects may comprise mounting (e.g., adhering) sensors to the television body off-screen. Such sensor installation may, for example, occur at the factory or after-market by a technician or user.

In an antenna element implementation, an array of antenna elements may be positioned around the border of the screen403. In an RF antenna implementation, passive antennas (or elements of an overall antenna matrix) may receive varying amounts of respective RF energy depending on the pointing direction of a directional RF source aimed at the screen. Also for example, received signals (e.g., pulsed signals) may arrive at different antennas at different respective times/phases (e.g., being indicative of relative position and/or pointing direction, which may also be utilized in a pointing determination). Note that analogously to the on-screen sensors discussed previously, various aspects may comprise mounting (e.g., adhering) sensors to the television body off-screen. Such sensor installation may, for example, occur at the factory or after-market by a technician or user.

In an exemplary scenario, a user may point a pointing device (e.g., a remote controller420, a laser pointer, directional RF transmitter, specifically designed eyewear, a mobile computing device, a mobile communication device, a gesture tracking device or glove, etc.) at the television screen403, where the pointing device directs transmitted energy (e.g., light and/or RF energy and/or acoustic energy) at a particular location on the television screen403to which the device is being pointed. Note that such transmitted energy will likely be transmitted directionally and be associated with an intensity or gain pattern with the highest intensity likely at the center of the pattern (i.e., along the pointing line425) and decreasing as a function of angle from the center of the pattern. Such a gain pattern is generally represented inFIG. 4by the concentric circles around the on-screen pointing location430. Note, however, that in practice such a gain pattern is likely to be more complex than the illustrated pattern (e.g., including lobes with respective peaks and nulls).

In such an exemplary scenario, each sensor of the sensors integrated into the television401around the border of the screen403will likely receive some respective amount of energy. For example, along a particular axis, the sensor nearest the screen pointing location430(i.e., along the pointing line425) will likely receive the highest amount of energy, sensors along the particular axis adjacent to the screen pointing location430will likely receive a next highest range of energy, and sensors away from the pointing location430will likely receive progressively less amounts of energy from the pointing device (e.g., the television control device420), as a function of distance from the pointing location430or as a function of the angular displacement from the pointing line425, until such energy is lost in the noise floor.

For example, along the horizontal axis, sensor410is closest to the pointing location430and will likely receive the highest energy, with sensors adjacent to the left and right of sensor410receiving the next highest amounts of energy, and so on. Also, along the vertical axis, sensors411and412will likely receive close to the highest amount of energy, with sensors above and below such sensors411,412receiving the next highest amounts of energy and so on.

In such an exemplary scenario, the television control device420(e.g., the user interface module240of the television control device200illustrated inFIG. 2) may receive signals indicative of the energy received by the sensors of the television401. The television control device420may receive such signals in various manners, depending on the degree of integration of such sensors into the television401. For example, in an exemplary scenario where the sensors are fully integrated into the television401(e.g., into a border around the screen403) and operationally integrated into the television401, the television control device420may receive such signals via a communication interface between the television control device420and the television401(e.g., via communication link453or via a communication interface between the television401and the television control device420via the television receiver450(e.g., via communication links451and452)). Also for example, in another exemplary scenario where the sensors are overlaid on (e.g., adhered to) the television screen401, and where operation of such sensors is independent of the television401, the television control device420may receive such signals via a communication link directly between the television control device420and the sensors, where such a communication link may be independent of other communication links between the television control device420and the television401. Such communication link(s) may, for example, be adapted to communicate information from each sensor to the television control device420serially (e.g., in a time-multiplexed manner) and/or in parallel.

The user interface module240may then, for example, provide information of such received sensor signals to the sensor processing module253for processing. The sensor processing module253may then, for example, operate to process such information to determine the screen pointing location. The sensor processing module253may perform such processing in any of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which will be provided below.

For example, the sensor processing module253may operate to select the sensor with the highest received energy along each of the horizontal and vertical axes and determine that the respective locations of such selected sensors correspond to the horizontal and vertical coordinates of the on-screen pointing location. For example, in an exemplary scenario where the spatial resolution of screen border sensors is relatively fine, such operation may reliably yield a desired level of accuracy without undue processing overhead. For example, the sensor processing module253may determine that sensors410and411have the highest received energy for the horizontal and vertical axes, respectively, and thus determine that the on-screen pointing location is represented in the horizontal axis by the horizontal location of the sensor410and represented in the vertical axis by the vertical location of the sensor411. Note that in scenarios where two sensors have relatively similar energy levels (e.g., as might occur at sensors411and412), the sensor processing module253may select a midpoint between such sensors (e.g., the vertical midpoint between sensors411and412).

In another example, the sensor processing module253may operate to select, for each screen axis, the sensor with the highest received energy and a plurality of sensors adjacent to such sensor. Then, for example, the sensor processing module253may interpolate between the locations of such sensors (e.g., based, at least in part, on weighting). For example, in the horizontal dimension in which a sensor to the right of the highest energy sensor410has a higher received energy than a sensor to the left of the highest energy sensor410, the sensor processing module253may determine that the pointing location along the horizontal axis is to the right of the highest energy sensor410. How much distance to the right may, for example, be determined as a function of the ratio between respective energies received by the right and left sensors. Such calculation may, for example, be a linear or non-linear calculation. Such calculation may also, for example, consider the expected energy pattern of a transmitting pointing device (e.g., in a scenario where energy fall-off is logarithmic as opposed to linear). The sensor processing module253may then, for example, repeat such operation in the vertical direction.

In another example, the sensor processing module253may operate to select all sensors in each of the axes receiving a threshold amount of energy (e.g., an absolute threshold level, a threshold level relative to the highest energy sensor, etc.). Then, for example, the sensor processing module253may interpolate between the locations of such sensors (e.g., based, at least in part, on respective energy weighting). For example, the sensor processing module253may perform non-linear splining between sensors in a horizontal direction with sensor location on a first axis and sensor energy on a second axis. The sensor processing module253may then operate to select the point on the sensor location axis corresponding to the peak sensor energy on the vertical axis. Such splining and selecting may then be repeated in the vertical screen direction. Alternatively for example, the sensor processing module253may operate to perform multi-dimensional splining to create a surface based on sensor energy and select the highest point on such surface and the corresponding screen coordinates of such surface.

After determining on-screen pointing location, the television control device420may communicate information of such determined location in various manners. For example and without limitation, the sensor processing module253of the television control device200may utilize the television interface module235to communicate information of such on-screen pointing location to the television401for presentation to the user. Also for example, the sensor processing module253may utilize the user interface module240to communicate information of such on-screen pointing location to the user (e.g., on a display of the television control device200). Such communication will also be addressed in the discussions ofFIGS. 9-10.

In addition to various television configurations in which sensors are integrated into the television off-screen or off the video presentation portion of the screen, sensors may be incorporated into the television system off-television. Such sensors may, for example, be incorporated in other components of a television system besides the television. For example and without limitation,FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television system500with off-television sensors in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The television system500includes a television501comprising a television screen503. The television system500also includes a television controller520(or other pointing device) pointing to an on-screen pointing location530along a pointing line525between the television controller520and the on-screen pointing location530. The television controller520may, for example, share any or all aspects with the exemplary television controllers160,161,200,320and420discussed previously and with all other television controllers discussed herein. Accordingly, various aspects of the television control device520will be explained herein with reference to various components of the exemplary television control device200illustrated inFIG. 2. The television control device520may, for example, be communicatively coupled directly to the television501via a communication link (not illustrated). The television control device520may also, for example, be communicatively coupled directly to the television receiver550via communication link562. The television control device520may additionally, for example, be communicatively coupled indirectly to the television501via the television receiver550through communication links561and562. Accordingly, various aspects of the television control device520will be explained herein with reference to various components of the exemplary television control device200illustrated inFIG. 2.

The television system500also comprises a television receiver550that is communicatively coupled to the television501via a communication link561(e.g., a two-way communication link providing video information to the television501and/or receiving sensor information from the television501for communication to the television control device520).

The television control device520is illustrated with one or more communication links563to the various sensors551-556independent of other communication links (e.g., links to the television501, links to the television receiver550, etc.). Note that in various exemplary scenarios, the television control device520(e.g., a user interface module240) may receive sensor information from the television501via a television communication link (not illustrated), via a communication link562with the television receiver550and/or via the independent communication link(s)563. The exemplary television control device520may also be communicatively coupled to other pointing devices and/or television control devices.

The exemplary television system500comprises an array of sensors integrated into audio speaker components (e.g., surround sound speakers) positioned around the television501. For example, the television system500comprises a left speaker531comprising a top sensor552and a bottom sensor551. Also for example, the television system500comprises a right speaker533comprising a top sensor556and a bottom sensor555. Additionally for example, the television system500comprises a center speaker532comprising a left sensor553and a right sensor554. As discussed above, any of a variety of sensor types may be utilized, non-limiting examples of which include light sensors or photo detectors (e.g., photo diodes), RF sensors (e.g., antenna elements), acoustic sensors (e.g., microphones), etc. Note that the audio speaker component example discussed herein is merely illustrative and that such sensors may be installed in any of a variety of locations (e.g., dedicated sensor boxes, attached to furniture, etc.).

The array of sensors may be positioned around the television501in any of a variety of manners. For example, such sensors may be positioned around the television501generally in the same plane as the television screen503. In such an exemplary scenario, on-screen pointing location may be determined in a manner similar to the interpolation and/or gain pattern intersection discussed above with regard to off-screen and/or on-screen sensors. Note that since the locations of the sensors are likely to be inconsistent between various television system configurations, a calibration procedure may be implemented (e.g., by the calibration module251). Such calibration will be discussed in more detail below.

In an exemplary configuration, one or more photo detectors (e.g., photo diodes) and/or antenna elements (e.g., individual antennas or elements of an antenna array) may be incorporated into a plurality of respective surround sound speakers positioned around the television501.

For example, in a photo detector implementation, passive photo detectors may receive varying amounts of respective light energy depending on the pointing direction of a light source (e.g., a directional light source of the television control device520) aimed at the screen. As discussed previously, directed energy (e.g., light, RF, acoustic, etc.) may be transmitted in a pattern (or envelope), so even if a pointing device (e.g., the television control device520) is pointed to a location on the television screen530along pointing line525, sensors off-screen (or even off-television) may still receive energy from the transmission (albeit likely not with the same intensity at which energy is delivered along the pointing line525). Also for example, received signals (e.g., pulsed signals) may arrive at different sensors at different respective times/phases (e.g., being indicative of relative position and/or pointing direction, which may also be utilized in a pointing determination).

In a photo detector implementation (e.g., utilizing photo diodes), photo diodes may, for example, be tuned to react to particular light frequencies to reduce interference from output pixel light and/or associated reflections, ambient light, room lighting, etc. As a non-limiting example, photo diodes may be tuned to detect light that is not visible to the human eye, visible light frequencies that are relatively rare, light patterns that are unlikely to occur in a television program (e.g., particular pulse codes), etc. In one example, the photo detectors integrated with off-television components may comprise photo diodes that operate to detect energy from a laser pointer or directed infrared energy from a television controller (or other pointing device). Note that analogously to the on-screen sensors discussed previously, various aspects may comprise mounting (e.g., adhering) sensors to various off-television components. Such sensor installation may, for example, occur at the factory or after-market by a technician or user.

In an antenna element implementation, an array of antenna elements may be positioned around off-television components (e.g., in surround sound components). In an RF antenna implementation, passive antennas (or elements of an overall antenna matrix) may receive varying amounts of respective RF energy depending on the pointing direction of a directional RF source (e.g., a directional RF source of the television controller520) pointed at a location on the screen. Also for example, received signals (e.g., pulsed signals) may arrive at different antennas at different respective times/phases (e.g., being indicative of relative position and/or pointing direction, which may also be utilized in a pointing determination). Note that analogously to the on-screen sensors discussed previously, various aspects may comprise mounting (e.g., adhering) sensors to the off-television components. Such sensor installation may, for example, occur at the factory or after-market by a technician or user.

In an exemplary scenario, a user may point a pointing device (e.g., a television controller520(e.g., a remote control device), a laser pointer, directional RF transmitter, specifically designed eyewear, a mobile computing device, a mobile communication device, a gesture tracking device or glove, etc.) at the television screen503, where the pointing device directs transmitted energy (e.g., light and/or RF energy and/or acoustic energy) at a particular location on the television screen503to which the user is pointing with the pointing device. Note that such transmitted energy will likely be transmitted directionally and be associated with an intensity or gain pattern with the highest intensity at the center of the pattern (i.e., along the pointing line525) and decreasing as a function of angle from the center of the pattern (or distance from the center point). Such a gain pattern was discussed previously in the discussion ofFIG. 4.

In such an exemplary scenario, each sensor of the sensors integrated into the television system500off-television will likely receive some respective amount of energy. For example, along a particular axis, the sensor nearest to the screen pointing location530(i.e., along the pointing line525) will likely receive the highest amount of energy, a sensor next nearest to the screen pointing location530will likely receive a next highest range of energy, and sensors away from the pointing location530will likely receive progressively less amounts of energy from the pointing device (e.g., the television control device420), as a function of distance from the pointing location530and/or angle off the pointing line525(e.g., until such energy is lost in the noise floor). For example, sensor553is nearest to the pointing location530and will likely receive the highest energy, sensor552is next nearest to the pointing location530and will likely receive the next highest energy, and so on.

Note that in the implementation illustrated inFIG. 5, in particular since there are a relatively low number of sensors, signals from a same sensor may be utilized in determining multiple axes of pointing location. As mentioned previously, a calibration procedure may be performed when the system500is configured to assist in such pointing determination.

In an exemplary scenario, the television control device520(e.g., the user interface module240of the television control device200illustrated inFIG. 2) may receive signals indicative of the energy received by the sensors of the television system500. The television control device520may receive such signals in various manners, depending on the degree of integration of such sensors into the television501. For example, in an exemplary scenario where the sensors are fully integrated into the television system500components (e.g., surround sound speaker components531-533) and operationally integrated into such components, the television control device520may receive such signals via a communication interface between the television control device520and the respective off-television components (e.g., via a communication link563between the television control device520and the surround sound speaker components531-533). Also for example, in another exemplary scenario where the sensors are overlaid on (e.g., adhered to) the off-television components, and where operation of such sensors is independent of the television501, the television control device520may receive such signals via a communication link directly between the television control device520and the individual sensors (e.g., communication link563), where such a communication link may be independent of other communication links between the television control device520and the television501and/or independent of other communication links between the television control device520and other television system500components (e.g., television receiver550and the surround sound speaker components531-533).

The user interface module240may then, for example, provide information of such received sensor signals to the sensor processing module253for processing. The sensor processing module253may then, for example, operate to process such information to determine the screen pointing location. The sensor processing module253may perform such processing in any of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which will be provided below.

In an exemplary scenario, the sensor processing module253may operate to estimate a position between sensor positions based on relative sensor energy. For example, in the horizontal dimension, sensor552may correspond to a relatively high amount of energy, and sensor556may correspond to a relatively low amount of received energy. The sensor processing module253may, for example, estimate a horizontal position relatively closer to sensor552by an amount proportional to the relative difference between respective amounts of energy. The sensor processing module253may perform a similar estimation utilizing sensors551and555. Various horizontal position estimations may then be averaged. Alternatively for example, respective energies for the left speaker531sensors may be averaged, respective energies for the right speaker533sensors may be averaged, and such left and right speaker average energies may then be utilized to determine a horizontal pointing location. The sensor processing module253may then, for example, perform a similar pointing direction estimate in the vertical direction.

In another exemplary scenario, a calibration procedure may be performed to determine an expected sensor energy level (e.g., absolute or relative) when the user is pointing at the sensor. In such a scenario, combined with a gain pattern and user (or pointing device) location relative to the television501, a first line (e.g., a circle or arc) may be drawn around a first sensor552. Similarly, a second line (e.g., a circle or arc) may be drawn around a second sensor553, and the intersection of the first and second lines utilized as an estimate of pointing location. Additional lines associated with other sensors may also be utilized. Such additional lines may, for example, be utilized when selecting between multiple line intersections and/or for greater accuracy or resolution. Note that such line intersection solution may be applied to any of the previously discussed scenarios (e.g., as illustrated inFIGS. 3-4). A non-limiting example of this was presented in the discussion ofFIG. 3, and another example will be provided in the following discussion ofFIG. 7.

After determining on-screen pointing location, the television control device520may communicate information of such determined location in various manners. For example and without limitation, the sensor processing module253of the television control device200may utilize the television interface module235to communicate information of such on-screen pointing location to the television501for presentation to the user. Also for example, the sensor processing module253may utilize the user interface module240to communicate information of such on-screen pointing location to the user (e.g., on a display of the television control device200). Such communication will also be addressed in the discussions ofFIGS. 9-10.

As discussed above, pointing sensors may be incorporated into the television system off-television (i.e., placed separately in stand-alone housings, integrated with other apparatus, attached to other apparatus, etc.). Another example of such off-television sensor placement is presented inFIG. 6. In particular, the screen pointing sensors may be integrated into the television receiver.FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television system600with television receiver sensors in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

The television system600includes a television601comprising a television screen603. The television system600also includes a television controller620(or other pointing device) pointing to an on-screen pointing location630along a pointing line625between the television controller620and the on-screen pointing location630. The television controller620may, for example, share any or all aspects with the exemplary television controllers160,161,200,320,420and520discussed previously and with all other television controllers discussed herein. Accordingly, various aspects of the television control device620will be explained herein with reference to various components of the exemplary television control device200illustrated inFIG. 2. The television control device620may, for example, be communicatively coupled directly to the television601via a communication link (not illustrated). The television control device620may also, for example, be communicatively coupled directly to the television receiver650via communication link653. The television control device620may additionally, for example, be communicatively coupled indirectly to the television601via the television receiver650through communication links651and652. Accordingly, various aspects of the television control device620will be explained herein with reference to various components of the exemplary television control device200illustrated inFIG. 2.

The television system600also comprises a television receiver650that is communicatively coupled to the television601via a communication link651(e.g., a two-way communication link providing video information to the television601and/or communicating sensor information and/or screen pointing information with the television601). The television receiver650comprises an array of screen pointing sensors. A portion of the sensors are labeled (661-665) for discussion purposes. Note that such sensors may be arranged in any of a variety of configurations (e.g., matrix configuration, border configuration, placed only at the front corners, etc.). The pointing sensors may, for example, be integrated into the television receiver650and/or attached to the television receiver650in any of a variety of manners (e.g., in any manner similar to those discussed previously with regard to the televisions and/or television system components discussed previously).

Note that in various exemplary scenarios, the television control device620(e.g., a user interface module240) may receive additional sensor information from other sensors via the television communication line653and/or other communication links. The exemplary television control device620is also communicatively coupled to the television receiver650via a communication link652.

The exemplary television receiver650comprises an array of sensors integrated into the television receiver650. For example, the television receiver650comprises a lower left sensor661, upper left sensor662, upper right sensor663, lower right sensor664and center sensor665. As discussed above, any of a variety of sensor types may be utilized, non-limiting examples of which include light sensors or photo detectors (e.g., photo diodes), RF sensors (e.g., antenna elements), acoustic sensors (e.g., microphones), etc.

The exemplary television receiver650may be positioned around the television601in any of a variety of manners. For example, the television receiver650(and thus the sensors) may be positioned around the television601in an orientation such that the front face of the television receiver650(and thus the sensors) is generally in the same plane as the television screen603. Such placement is not necessary, but may be advantageous from an accuracy perspective. In such an exemplary scenario, on-screen pointing location may be determined in a manner similar to the interpolation and/or gain pattern intersection discussed above with regard to off-screen and/or on-screen sensors. Note that since the locations of the sensors are likely to be inconsistent between various television system configurations (i.e., it is unlikely that every user will place/position the television receiver650in the same manner), a calibration procedure may be implemented (e.g., by the calibration module251). Such calibration was discussed previously and will also be revisited below.

In an exemplary configuration, one or more photo detectors (e.g., photo diodes) and/or antenna elements (e.g., individual antennas or elements of an antenna array) may be incorporated into the faceplate of the television receiver650. Note that additional sensors positioned away from the television receiver650may also be utilized (e.g., any of the previously discussed sensor placements).

For example, in a photo detector implementation, passive photo detectors may receive varying amounts of respective light energy depending on the pointing direction of a light source (e.g., a directional light source of the television control device620) aimed at the screen. As discussed previously, directed energy (e.g., light, RF, acoustic, etc.) may be transmitted in a pattern (or envelope), so even if a pointing device is pointed to a location on the television screen630along pointing line625, sensors off-screen (e.g., sensors integrated into the television receiver650) may still receive energy from the transmission (albeit likely not with the same intensity at which energy is delivered along the pointing line625). Also for example, received signals (e.g., pulsed signals) may arrive at different sensors at different respective times/phases (e.g., being indicative of relative position and/or pointing direction, which may also be utilized in a pointing determination).

In a photo detector implementation (e.g., utilizing photo diodes), photo diodes may, for example, be tuned to react to particular light frequencies to reduce interference from output pixel light and/or associated reflections, ambient light, room lighting, etc. As a non-limiting example, photo diodes may be tuned to detect light that is not visible to the human eye, visible light frequencies that are relatively rare, light patterns that are unlikely to occur in a television program (e.g., particular pulse codes), etc. In one example, the photo detectors integrated with the television receiver650may comprise photo diodes that operate to detect energy from a laser pointer or directed infrared energy from the television control device620(or other pointing device). Note that analogously to the on-screen sensors discussed previously, various aspects may comprise mounting (e.g., adhering) sensors to various television receiver650locations and/or to various off-receiver components. Such sensor installation may, for example, occur at the factory or after-market by a technician or user.

In an antenna element implementation, an array of antenna elements may be positioned at locations on the television receiver650(e.g., only on the television receiver650and/or at locations around the television receiver650). In an RF antenna implementation, passive antennas (or elements of an overall antenna matrix) may receive varying amounts of respective RF energy depending on the pointing direction of a directional RF source pointed at a location on the screen. Also for example, received signals (e.g., pulsed signals) may arrive at different antennas at different respective times/phases (e.g., being indicative of relative position and/or pointing direction, which may also be utilized in a pointing determination). Note that analogously to the on-screen sensors discussed previously, various aspects may comprise mounting (e.g., adhering) sensors to the television receiver650. Such sensor installation may, for example, occur at the factory or after-market by a technician or user.

In an exemplary scenario, a user may point a pointing device (e.g., the remote control device620, a laser pointer, directional RF transmitter, specifically designed eyewear, a mobile computing device, a mobile communication device, a gesture tracking device or glove, etc.) at the television screen603, where the pointing device directs transmitted energy (e.g., light and/or RF energy and/or acoustic energy) at a particular location on the television screen603to which the user is pointing with the pointing device. Note that such transmitted energy will likely be transmitted directionally and be associated with an intensity or gain (or energy) pattern with the highest intensity at the center of the pattern (i.e., along the pointing line625) and decreasing as a function of angle from the center of the pattern. Such a gain pattern was discussed previously in the discussion ofFIG. 4.

In such an exemplary scenario, each sensor of the sensors integrated into the television receiver650off-television will likely receive some respective amount of energy. For example, along a particular axis, the sensor nearest to the screen pointing location630(i.e., along the pointing line625) will likely receive the highest amount of energy, a sensor next nearest to the screen pointing location630will likely receive a next highest range of energy, and sensors away from the pointing location630will likely receive progressively less amounts of energy from the pointing device620, as a function of distance from the pointing location630and/or angle off the pointing line625(e.g., until such energy is lost in the noise floor). For example, sensor662is nearest to the pointing location630and will likely receive the highest energy, sensors661and663are further from the pointing location630, etc., and so on.

Note that in the implementation illustrated inFIG. 6, in particular since there are a relatively low number of sensors, signals from a same sensor may be utilized in determining multiple axes of pointing location. As mentioned previously, a calibration procedure may be performed when the system600is configured to assist in such pointing determination.

In an exemplary scenario, the television control device620(e.g., the user interface module240of the television control device200illustrated inFIG. 2) may receive signals indicative of the energy received by the sensors of the television receiver650(e.g., via the communication link652between the television control device620and the television receiver650and/or via a communication link directly between the television control device620and the sensors). The television receiver650may receive such signals in various manners, depending on the degree of integration of such sensors into the television receiver650and/or various components of the television system600. For example, in an exemplary scenario where the sensors are fully integrated into the television receiver650, the television control device620may receive such signals via communication link652. Also for example, in a scenario where various sensors are off the television receiver650, the television control device620may receive information from such sensors via direct communication link or via communication link with the various components with which such sensors are integrated.

The communication module230may then, for example, provide information of such received sensor signals to the sensor processing module253for processing. The sensor processing module253may then, for example, operate to process such information to determine the screen pointing location. The sensor processing module253may perform such processing in any of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which will be provided below.

In an exemplary scenario, the sensor processing module253may operate to estimate a position between sensor positions based on relative sensor energy. For example, in the horizontal dimension, sensor662may correspond to a relatively high amount of energy, and sensor663may correspond to a relatively low amount of received energy. The sensor processing module253may, for example, estimate a horizontal position relatively closer to sensor662by an amount proportional to the relative difference between respective amounts of energy. The sensor processing module253may perform a similar estimation utilizing sensors661and664. Various horizontal position estimations may then be averaged. Alternatively for example, respective energies for the left side sensors661,662may be averaged, respective energies for the right side sensors663,664sensors may be averaged, and such left and right speaker average energies may then be utilized (e.g., in conjunction with energy pattern characteristics) to determine a horizontal pointing location. The sensor processing module253may then, for example, perform a similar pointing direction estimate in the vertical direction. Such horizontal and/or vertical positions may, for example, be translated between respective locations/directions of the sensor arrangement and respective locations/directions of the television screen603. Calibrations procedures may, for example, be utilized to establish the spatial relationship between the sensor positioning and on-screen location.

In another exemplary scenario, a calibration procedure may be performed to determine an expected sensor energy level (e.g., absolute or relative) when the user is pointing at the sensor (and/or other known locations). In such a scenario, combined with a gain pattern and user (or pointing device) location relative to the television601, a first line (e.g., a circle or arc) may be drawn around a first sensor662. Similarly, a second line (e.g., a circle or arc) may be drawn around a second sensor663, and the intersection of the first and second lines utilized as an estimate of pointing location. Additional lines associated with other sensors may also be utilized. Such additional lines may, for example, be utilized when selecting between multiple line intersections or to increase accuracy and/or resolution of the pointing determination. Note that such line intersection solution may be applied to any of the previously discussed scenarios (e.g., as illustrated inFIGS. 3-5) or other scenarios discussed herein. A non-limiting example of this was presented in the discussion ofFIG. 3, and another example will be provided in the following discussion ofFIG. 7.

After determining on-screen pointing location, the television receiver650may communicate information of such determined location in various manners. For example and without limitation, the sensor processing module253of the television control device200may utilize the television interface module235to communicate information of such on-screen pointing location to the television601for presentation to the user on the television screen603. Also for example, the sensor processing module253may utilize the user interface module240to communicate information of such on-screen pointing location to the user (e.g., on a display of the television control device620). Such communication will also be addressed in the discussions ofFIGS. 9-10.

Various aspects of the present invention may also, for example, include one or more sensors incorporated into the pointing device (e.g., the television controller200).FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an exemplary television system700utilizing pointing device sensors in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

The exemplary television system700includes a television701having a television screen703. The television system700also includes a television controller720(or other pointing device) pointing to an on-screen pointing location730along a pointing line725between the television controller720and the on-screen pointing location730. The television controller720may, for example, share any or all aspects with the exemplary television controllers160,161,200,320,420,520and620discussed previously and with all other television controllers discussed herein. Accordingly, various aspects of the television control device720will be explained herein with reference to various components of the exemplary television control device200illustrated inFIG. 2.

The television control device720may, for example, be communicatively coupled directly to the television701via a communication link753. The television control device720may also, for example, be communicatively coupled directly to the television receiver750via communication link752. The television control device720may additionally, for example, be communicatively coupled indirectly to the television701via the television receiver750through communication links751and752. Accordingly, various aspects of the television control device720will be explained herein with reference to various components of the exemplary television control device200illustrated inFIG. 2.

The television system700also comprises a television receiver750that is communicatively coupled to the television701via a communication link751(e.g., a two-way communication link providing video information to the television701and/or receiving sensor information from the television701). The exemplary television receiver750is also communicatively coupled to the television controller720via a communication link752.

In such a configuration, sensor information may be communicated to the television control device720(e.g., via internal communication link). Such information may then be communicated to the sensor processing module253for the determination of an on-screen pointing location.

In the exemplary configuration, the television701includes eight emitters (e.g., light emitters, RF transmitters, etc.) located around the border of the television screen703. Note that such emitters may be positioned anywhere proximate the television system700. For example, the television701includes a first emitter711, second emitter712, third emitter713, fourth emitter714, fifth emitter715, sixth emitter716, seventh emitter717and eighth emitter718. Such emitters may each emit a signal that may be received at sensors on-board the television control device720. Such sensors may, for example, make up a directional receiver. In such a configuration, the controller720(or other pointing device) may be pointed to a location730on the screen703along a pointing line725. With such an orientation and a directional signal reception pattern, the sensors on-board the controller720will receive the emitted signals at respective signal levels. Such sensor signals may then be processed in a manner similar to the manners discussed above to determine the on-screen pointing direction for the pointing device720.

For example, through a calibration procedure, it may be known that the pointing device at a particular location should receive a particular amount of energy from each of the emitters711-718when pointed directly at such emitters (or at some other known location). In such a scenario, the pointing device (e.g., the user interface module240of the television control device200) may measure respective signal energies received from each of the emitters (e.g., each distinguishable by frequency, coding, timing and/or timeslotting, etc.) and communicate such information to the television receiver750.

The sensor processing module253may, for example, select a first emitter712(e.g., the emitter corresponding to the highest energy received at the pointing device). The sensor processing module253may then process the location of the pointing device, the receive gain pattern for the pointing device, and the energy received from the first emitter712to determine a first figure (e.g., an arc752) along which the pointing device, if pointed, would be expected to receive the measured energy. Similarly, the sensor processing module253may perform such a procedure for a second emitter711resulting in a second figure (e.g., an arc751). The intersection of such arcs may be utilized as an estimate of on-screen pointing location. Additionally, for accuracy or for selecting between multiple intersection points, should they occur, the sensor processing module253may perform such a procedure for a third emitter714resulting in a third figure (e.g., an arc754), and so on. The intersection of the three arcs752,751,754may then be utilized as an estimate of on-screen pointing location.

Alternatively, the solution need not be based on a known position (location) of the pointing device, nor on absolute received energy levels. In such a scenario, differences in received energy from the various emitters may be processed with or without position information of the on-screen pointing device. For example, the pointing device720may have six degrees of freedom (e.g., three positional degrees of freedom and three orientational degrees of freedom). In such a scenario, if the position and orientation of the television701are known, the unknown six degrees of freedom for the pointing device720may be ascertained by processing six known values related to such six degrees of freedom (e.g., related by a known signal energy pattern). In such a scenario, measurements associated with six emitters on the television (and potentially more) may be utilized to solve for the six degrees of freedom of the pointing device720.

The above-mentioned exemplary scenarios were presented to illustrate numerous manners in which the television control device720(e.g., sensor processing module253) may operate to determine on-screen pointing location. Such examples are merely exemplary and thus the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by any particular characteristics of such examples unless explicitly claimed.

As discussed above, the calibration module251of the television control device200may operate to perform calibration operations. Such calibrating may be performed in any of a variety of manners. For example and without limitation, calibration may be utilized to determine expected received energy when transmitters and receivers are located and oriented in a particular manner. For example, a non-limiting example of a calibration procedure may comprise presenting an on-screen target at various locations and measuring respective sensor signals received when the pointing device is being pointed at such targets. Also for example, a calibration procedure may comprise directing a user (e.g., using the user interface module240) to point to each of a plurality of sensors to determine an expected amount of received energy when the user is pointing directly at such sensors.

As mentioned previously, signal energy (or gain) pattern may be utilized in various on-screen pointing determinations. Such an energy (or gain) pattern may be predefined for a particular pointing device (e.g., at the factory), but may also be measured by the television control device200. In a non-limiting example, the calibration module251may direct the user to utilize a pointing device to point to a location on the screen and process information received from multiple sensors (e.g., embedded in the screen, embedded in the television around the border of the screen, located in off-television devices, located on the television control device720, located in the pointing device, etc.) to develop a custom gain pattern for the particular pointing device (e.g., for the television control device200). For example, such calibration may determine the shape of the gain pattern, the signal energy falloff characteristics, etc.

Various aspects discussed above included the processing of position information. In such exemplary cases, the television control device200may comprise one or more location modules252that operate to determine relevant position information. The location module252may operate to perform such location determining (e.g., of the user or pointing device and/or the television) in any of a variety of manners. For example, the location module252may utilize a communication interface module210,220to receive position information (e.g., of the television control device200or other pointing device) from an external source of such information (e.g., global positioning system, cellular triangulation system, home triangulation system, etc.).

Also for example, the location module252may receive position information from internal components of the television control device200(e.g., where such television control device200has position-determining capability). For example, in a non-limiting exemplary scenario, where the television control device200is a handheld computer, such computer may comprise GPS (or A-GPS) capability to determine its position. In such a scenario, the television control device200location module252may wirelessly communicate information of the television control device's position to the sensor processing module253.

Additionally for example, the location module232may operate to process sensor information to determine location of the pointing device (e.g., location in relation to the television screen). For example, as mentioned previously, a signal (e.g., a pulse) transmitted from a pointing device to the television (or vice versa) will arrive at different sensors at different points in time depending on the respective distance from the pointing device to each sensor. The location module232may process such time-of-arrival information at various sensors to determine the position of the pointing device relative to the television. Similarly, in a scenario including signal emitters associated with the television and sensors on the pointing device, simultaneously transmitted signals (or signals transmitted with a known temporal pattern) from different emitters will arrive at the pointing device at different respective times depending on the position of the pointing device relative to such emitters. Alternatively, the location module232may also operate to process phase difference information (in addition to timing information or instead of such information) to determine pointing device location.

Once the television control device200(e.g., the sensor processing module253) determines an on-screen pointing location, the television control device200may utilize such information in any of a variety of manners. For example and without limitation, the sensor processing module253may operate to generate information of the determined on-screen pointing location, and one or more modules of the television control device200may operate to communicate a signal (e.g., to a television, television receiver, other display device, U/I modules240of the television control device200, etc.) that comprises characteristics that cause presentation of a visual indication (e.g., on the television screen, controller screen, other display, etc.) to indicate to the user the on-screen location to which the television control device200has determined the user is pointing. Such a visual indication may, for example, comprise characteristics of a cursor or other graphical construct, bright spot, highlighting, color variation, brightness variation, etc. For example, the television701or television control device720may operate to overlay such indication on video content (e.g., television programming) being presented to the user (e.g., presented on the television screen, presented on a screen of the television controller, etc.).

Additionally for example, the sensor processing module253may provide information of the determined on-screen pointing location to one or more other modules of the television control device200(e.g., the processing module250and/or other modules thereof) to identify an object in video content (e.g., television programming) to which a user is pointing. In such an exemplary scenario, one or more modules of the television control device200may operate to communicate signals (e.g., to a television, other modules of the television controller having a screen, other display device, etc.) that cause highlighting of an object to which the user is pointing and/or provide information regarding such object.

Further for example, various modules of the television control device200(e.g., the processor module250) may operate to communicate on-screen pointing location information to television system components separate from the television (e.g., to a television receiver, video recorder, remote programming source, communication network infrastructure, advertising company, provider of goods and/or services, etc.).

FIG. 2provided a diagram illustrating an exemplary television control device200in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.FIG. 8provides another diagram illustrating an exemplary television control device800in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary television control device800may share any or all aspects with any of the television control devices discussed herein and illustrated inFIGS. 1-7. For example, the exemplary television control device800(or various modules thereof) may operate to perform any or all functionality discussed herein. As with the exemplary television control device200, the components of the exemplary television control device800may be co-located a single housing.

For example, the television control device800comprises a processor830. Such a processor830may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the processor250discussed with regard toFIG. 2. Also for example, the television control device800comprises a memory840. Such memory840may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the memory260discussed with regard toFIG. 2.

Also for example, the television control device800may comprise any of a variety of user interface module(s)850. Such user interface module(s)850may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the user interface module(s)240discussed previously with regard toFIG. 2. For example and without limitation, the user interface module(s)850may 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 display), a vibrating mechanism, a keypad, a remote control interface, 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 television control device800may also, for example, comprise any of a variety of communication modules (805,806, and810). Such communication module(s) may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the communication interface module(s)210,220discussed previously with regard toFIG. 2. For example and without limitation, the communication interface module(s)810may 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, component and/or composite video, 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 television control device800is also illustrated as comprising various wired806and/or wireless805front-end modules that may, for example, be included in the communication interface modules and/or utilized thereby.

The exemplary television control device800may also comprise any of a variety of signal processing module(s)890. Such signal processing module(s)890may, 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)890may 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.).

Various aspects of the present invention were previously exemplified by non-limiting illustrations and described in terms of operations performed by various modules of the television. Various aspects of the present invention will now be illustrated in the form of method flow diagrams.

FIG. 9is a flow diagram900illustrating the generation of on-screen pointing information (e.g., in a television control device) in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary method900may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the television control device operation discussed previously. For example, the exemplary method900may be implemented by any or all of the television control devices (e.g.,160,161,200,220,320,420,520,620,720and800) discussed previously. Conversely, the exemplary method900may comprise any or all functional aspects discussed previously with regard to such exemplary television control devices.

The exemplary method900may begin executing at step905. The exemplary method900may begin executing in response to any of a variety of causes and/or conditions. For example and without limitation, the method900may begin executing in response to a user command to begin, detected user interaction with a pointing device (e.g., a television controller), detected user presence in the vicinity, detected user interaction with a television implementing the method900, etc. Also for example, the method900may begin executing in response to a television presenting programming or other video content for which on-screen pointing is enabled and/or relevant.

The exemplary method900may, for example at step910, comprise receiving pointing sensor information. For example and without limitation, step910may comprise any or all sensor information receiving characteristics described previously with regard the various modules of the exemplary television control devices illustrated inFIGS. 1-8and discussed previously. For example, step910may share any or all sensor information receiving characteristics discussed previously with regard to at least the user interface module240, television interface module235, processor module250, communication interface modules210,220, sensor processing module253, location module252and calibration module251.

Step910may, for example, comprise receiving sensor information from (or associated with) sensors integrated in the television control device. Also for example, step910may comprise receiving sensor information from (or associated with) off-controller sensors (e.g., integrated with or attached to a television, off-television sensors, sensors integrated with a pointing device different from the television control device, sensors integrated with a television receiver, etc. As discussed previously, such sensors may comprise any of a variety of characteristics, including without limitation, characteristics of light sensors, RF sensors, acoustic sensors, active and/or passive sensors, etc.

In general, step910may comprise receiving pointing sensor information. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular manner of receiving pointing sensor information unless explicitly claimed.

The exemplary method900may, at step920, comprise processing received sensor information (e.g., as received at step910) to determine a location on a screen of the television to which a user is pointing (e.g., pointing with a pointing device). For example and without limitation, step920may comprise any or all pointing location processing characteristics described previously with regard the various modules of the exemplary television controllers illustrated inFIGS. 1-8and discussed previously. For example, step920may share any or all pointing location determining characteristics discussed previously with regard to at least the processor module250, sensor processing module253, location module252and calibration module251.

Step920may, for example, comprise determining on-screen pointing location in any of a variety of manners. For example, step920may comprise determining on-screen pointing location based on a location of a selected sensor, based on interpolation between sensor locations (e.g., linear and/or non-linear interpolation), based on determining energy pattern intersection(s), etc. Many examples of such determining were provided previously.

In general, step920may comprise processing received sensor information (e.g., independently and/or in conjunction with other information) to determine a location on a screen of the television to which a user is pointing (e.g., while the television is presenting programming to the user). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular manner of performing such processing unless explicitly claimed.

The exemplary method900may, at step930, comprise generating information indicative of a determined on-screen pointing location (e.g., as determined at step920). For example and without limitation, step930may comprise any or all pointing location information generation characteristics described previously with regard the various modules of the exemplary television control devices illustrated inFIGS. 1-8and discussed previously. For example, step930may share any or all information generation characteristics discussed previously with regard to at least the processor module250, sensor processing module253, location module252, calibration module251, television interface module235, user interface module240and/or communication interface modules210,220.

Step930may, for example, comprise generating such information in any of a variety of manners. For example, step930may comprise generating on-screen pointing location data to communicate to internal modules of the television control device, to equipment external to the television control device (e.g., to the television and/or television receiver), to television network components, to a television programming source, etc. Such information may, for example, be communicated to various system components and may also be presented to the user (e.g., utilizing visual feedback displayed on a screen of a television, television controller, etc.). Such information may, for example, be generated in the form of screen coordinates, identification of a video content object (e.g., a programming object or person) to which an on-screen pointing location corresponds, generation of an on-screen cursor or highlight or other graphical feature, etc.

In general, step930may comprise generating information indicative of a determined on-screen pointing location. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular manner of generating such information unless explicitly claimed.

The exemplary method900may, at step995, comprise performing continued processing. Such continued processing may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of continued processing, various examples of which were presented previously. For example and without limitation, step995may comprise looping execution flow back up to any earlier step (e.g., step910). Also, in a non-limiting exemplary scenario, step995may comprise presenting a graphical feature on a television control device screen indicative of where the user is pointing on a television screen. In another exemplary scenario, step995may comprise communicating information to a television that causes the television to output a graphical feature on the television screen indicative of where the user is pointing (e.g., such information may comprise characteristics that cause the television to overlay such graphical indication on programming being presented on the television screen. Additionally for example, step995may comprise presenting (or causing the presentation of) visual feedback indicia of the on-screen pointing location for a user. Further for example, step995may comprise communicating information of the on-screen pointing location to system components external to the television control device implementing the method900(e.g., to a television, television receiver, another television controller, etc.). Further for example, step995may comprise utilizing the on-screen pointing information to identify a video content object (e.g., an object presented in television programming) to which a user is pointing, etc.

In general, step995may comprise performing continued processing. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular manner of performing continued processing unless explicitly claimed.

Turning next toFIG. 10, such figure is a flow diagram1000illustrating the generation of on-screen pointing information (e.g., in a television control device) in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary method1000may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the television control device operation discussed previously (e.g., in reference toFIGS. 1-9).

The exemplary method1000may begin executing at step1005. Step1005may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step905of the exemplary method900illustrated inFIG. 9and discussed previously.

The exemplary method1000may, for example at step1008, comprise performing a calibration procedure with the user. Such a calibration procedure may, for example, be performed to develop a manner of processing received sensor information to determine on-screen pointing location. Step1008may, for example, comprise any or all calibration aspects discussed previously (e.g., with reference to the calibration module251).

The exemplary method1000may, for example at step1010, comprise receiving pointing sensor information. For example and without limitation, step1010may comprise any or all sensor information receiving characteristics described previously with regard the various modules of the exemplary television control devices illustrated inFIGS. 1-8andFIG. 9(e.g., step910) and discussed previously.

The exemplary method1000may, for example at step1015, comprise determining user position (e.g., determining position of a user pointing device). For example and without limitation, step1015may comprise any or all position determining characteristics discussed previously with regard toFIGS. 1-9. Note that position may also, for example, include orientation.

For example, step1015may share any or all position determining characteristics discussed previously with regard to at least the processor module250, sensor processing module253, location module252and calibration module251. For example, step1015may comprise determining user position based, at least in part, on received sensor signals. Also for example, step1015may comprise determining user position based, at least in part, on position information received from one or more systems external to the television control device implementing the method1000.

In general, step1015may comprise determining user position (e.g., pointing device position). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular manner of determining user position unless explicitly claimed.

The exemplary method1000may, for example, at step1020, comprise processing received sensor information (e.g., as received at step1010) and/or user position information (e.g., as determined at step1015) to determine a location on a screen of the television to which a user is pointing (e.g., pointing with the television control device implementing the method or other pointing device). For example and without limitation, step1020may comprise any or all pointing location determination characteristics described previously with regard the various modules of the exemplary television control devices illustrated inFIGS. 1-8andFIG. 9(e.g., step920) and discussed previously. For example, step1020may share any or all pointing location determining characteristics discussed previously with regard to at least the processor module250, sensor processing module253, location module252and calibration module251.

Step1020may, for example, comprise determining on-screen pointing location in any of a variety of manners. For example, step1020may comprise determining on-screen pointing location based on a location of a selected sensor, based on location of the pointing device, based on interpolation between sensor locations (e.g., linear and/or non-linear interpolation), based on energy pattern intersection points, etc. Many examples of such determining were provided previously.

In general, step1020may comprise processing received sensor information and/or user position information to determine a location on a screen of the television to which a user is pointing (e.g., pointing with the television control device implementing the method1000or other pointing device). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular manner of performing such processing unless explicitly claimed.

The exemplary method1000may, at step1030, comprise generating information indicative of a determined on-screen pointing location (e.g., as determined at step1020). For example and without limitation, step1030may comprise any or all information generation characteristics described previously with regard the various modules of the exemplary television control devices illustrated inFIGS. 1-8andFIG. 9(e.g., step930) and discussed previously. For example, step1030may share any or all information generation characteristics discussed previously with regard to at least the processor module250, sensor processing module253, location module252, calibration module251, television interface module235, user interface module240and/or communication interface modules210,220.

The exemplary method1000may, at step1095, comprise performing continued processing. Such continued processing may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of continued processing, various examples of which were presented previously. For example and without limitation, step1095may comprise looping execution flow back up to any earlier step (e.g., step1008). Also, in a non-limiting exemplary scenario, step1095may comprise presenting a graphical feature on a television control device screen indicative of where the user is pointing on a television screen. In another exemplary scenario, step1095may comprise communicating information to a television that causes the television to output a graphical feature on the television screen indicative of where the user is pointing (e.g., such information may comprise characteristics that cause the television to overlay such graphical indication on programming being presented on the television screen. Additionally for example, step1095may comprise presenting (and/or causing the presentation of) visual feedback indicia of the on-screen pointing location for a user. Further for example, step1095may comprise communicating information of the on-screen pointing location to system components external to the television receiver implementing the method1000. Further for example, step1095may comprise utilizing the on-screen pointing information to identify a video content object (e.g., an object presented in television programming) to which a user is pointing, etc.

In general, step1095may comprise performing continued processing. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular manner of performing continued processing unless explicitly claimed.