SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERSONALIZING THE OPERATION OF A TELEVISION SET

Abstract: There is disclosed for use in a television set an apparatus for modifying the operation of a user interface of the television set. The apparatus comprises: 1) a memory for storing a first user interface (UI) parameter file and a user interface (UI) application program that controls the operation of the user interface; 2) a user interface (UI) controller coupled to the memory for executing the UI application program using first parameter data contained in the first UI parameter file to thereby operate the user interface of the television set according to the first parameter data; and 3) an editing controller for receiving and modifying the first parameter data to thereby create a second UI parameter file, wherein selection of the second UI parameter file by a user of the television set causes the UI controller to execute the UI application program using the second parameter data to thereby operate the user interface of the television set according to the second parameter data.

Description: System and method for personalizing the operation of a television set TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed, in general, to television sets and, more specifically, to a system for customizing or personalizing the operation of a television set to suit the tastes of an individual viewer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The user interface of a modern digital television has an extended range of features and capabilities designed to enhance the entertainment experience of the viewer. Hand-held remote control devices make it easy for a viewer to change channels, to increase or to decrease volume, to turn the television on and off, or to otherwise adjust the television. On-screen displays allow a viewer to scroll through menus from which the viewer may enable a sleep mode, set an internal television clock, select a signal source (cable or antenna), create a "surf ring," and the like. A surf ring is a subset of all of the available channels. The viewer adds his or her favorite channels to the surf ring. The viewer can scroll (or "channel surf) through the short surf ring much faster than the viewer can scroll through all available channels. The user interface of a modern digital television set is, for the most part, predefined by the manufacturer with respect to the appearance of entities in the on-screen display (OSD), the relations between entities in the OSD, the behavior of the OSD, the video output format, the size of the surf ring, the manner in which the television responds to remote control commands, and the like. The user has virtually no control over the operating environment of the television set other than to make a selection from a pre-defined set of options. If the user owns televisions from different manufacturers, there may be substantial differences in the manner in which each television behaves, particularly with respect to remote control commands. The user must remember the way in which each television operates and cannot sufficiently modify the operating mode of any of the televisions to eliminate or to minimize the differences. Therefore, there is a need in the art for improved an television system and methods of using same that allow a viewer to have greater control over the operation of the television set. In particular, there is a need for an improved television system that allows the user to control the operation of various aspects of the user interface. More particularly, there is a need for an improved television system that allows the user to control the operations of the on-screen display (OSD) system, the audio system, and the remote control device used by the viewer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide, for use in a television set, an apparatus for modifying the operation of a user interface of the television set. According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises: 1) a memory capable of storing a first user interface (UI) parameter file and a user interface (UI) application program capable of controlling the operation of the user interface; 2) a user interface (UI) controller coupled to the memory capable of executing the UI application program using first parameter data contained in the first UI parameter file to thereby operate the user interface of the television set according to the first parameter data; and 3) an editing controller capable of receiving and modifying the first parameter data to thereby create a second UI parameter file, wherein selection of the second UI parameter file by a user of the television set causes the UI controller to execute the UI application program using the second parameter data to thereby operate the user interface of the television set according to the second parameter data. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first UI parameter file is a vendor default file and the first parameter data comprises default parameter data supplied by a vendor of the television set. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises an input/output (I/O) interface coupled to the memory capable of receiving the second UI parameter file from an external source coupled to the I/O interface. According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the I/O interface comprises an RS-232 interface. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the I/O interface comprises at least one of an IEEE-1394 interface and a USB interface. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second parameter data comprises at least one of: 1) menu hierarchy data defining a sequence in which a plurality of menu screens are displayed by the user interface of the television set; 2) menu option data defining a plurality of selectable options associated with each of the plurality of menu screens; and 3) screen graphics data defining an appearance of at least one of the plurality of menu screens. According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second parameter data comprises at least one of: 1) remote control button assignment data defining an operation of at least one button on a remote control device associated with the television set; 2) surf ring data defining a size of a surf ring associated with the television set; 3) video output format data defining a format of a video image displayed on a screen of the television set; and 4) time out data defining at least one delay period associated with the user interface of the television set. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms "include" and "comprise" and derivatives thereof mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith" and derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term "controller" means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers designate like objects, and in which: FIGURE 1 illustrates a televison set, a set top box, and a optional personal computer (PC) that may be associated with a system capable of customizing the operation of the exemplary television set according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 2 illustrates an exemplary system for customizing the operation of the exemplary television set that is implemented in the exemplary television set in FIGURE 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 3 illustrates in greater detail an exemplary user profile in the memory of the exemplary television set according to one embodiment of the present invention; and FIGURE 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an editing operation for modifying the operation of the exemplary television set according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGURES 1 through 4, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any suitably arranged television set. In the description of the exemplary embodiment that follows, the present invention is integrated into, or is used in connection with, a digital television set. However, this embodiment is by way of example only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention to digital television sets. In fact, those skilled in the art will recognize that the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may easily be modified for use in analog television sets. FIGURE 1 illustrates televison set 105, set top box 150, and optional personal computer (PC) 170 that may be associated with a system capable of customizing the operation of exemplary television set 105 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As will be explained below in greater detail, the present invention provides a system for customizing (or personalizing) the operation of television set 105, including the on-screen display (OSD), the audio system and the remote control buttons according to the personal tastes of one or more users. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system for customizing the operation of television set 105 may be an embedded system integrated into television set 105. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the system for customizing the operation of television set 105 may be implemented in separate PC 170. In such a PC embodiment, the system for customizing the operation of television set 105 comprises a program stored in the random access memory (RAM) (or the hard disk drive) of PC 170 and executed by the data processor in PC 170. In fact, the program for customizing the operation of television set 105 may be stored on removable storage medium 190, which may be, for example, a 3.5 inch floppy diskette, a CD ROM, a DVD, or a similar storage medium. Digital cable set top box 150 also comprises infrared (IR) sensor 160. IR sensor 160 receives infrared (IR) control signals from a hand-held remote control manipulated by the cable subscriber. Preferably, the remote control that controls digital cable set top box 150 is the same remote control that operates television set 105. Typically, the IR control signals detected by IR sensor 160 are processed within digital cable set top box 150 in order to change the channel being transmitted to television set 105 for viewing on display screen 110, to turn digital cable set top box 150 and/or television set 105 on and off, and the like. Television set 105 comprises display screen 110 for displaying cable television programming provided by a cable service provider (Cable Co.), infrared (IR) sensor 115, and a set of manual controls 120, as indicated by a surrounding dotted line. Manual controls 120 may include, among others, a power button, a volume control button, vertical and horizontal control buttons, a channel selection button, and the like. IR sensor 115 receives infrared (IR) control signals from a hand-held remote control manipulated by the television user. Typically, the IR control signals detected by IR sensor 115 are processed within television set 105 in order to change the channel being viewed on display screen 1 10, to increase or to decrease the volume, to turn television set 105 on and off, and the like. Optionally, the IR control signals detected by IR sensor 115 may be relayed to digital cable set top box 150 in order to control the operation of digital cable set top box 150. Digital cable set top box 150 performs conventional tuning and demodulation of incoming RF signals received from the cable service provider to thereby produce, for example, a stream of MPEG encoded digital data from which video signals may be derived. Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, television 105 may directly receive an incoming television signal from an external antenna. In such an embodiment, television 105 performs conventional tuning and demodulation of incoming RF signals received from the antenna to thereby produce, for example, a stream of MPEG encoded digital data from which video signals may be derived. In some embodiments of the present invention, digital cable set top box 150 may actually be integrated into television set 105, particularly in the case of an advanced digital television set, such as a high-definition television (HDTV) set. Since the functions and operations of digital cable set top box 150 are open and well-known, television manufacturers frequently may find it advantageous to integrate digital cable set top box 150 into television set 105, thereby reducing the amount of equipment, wiring, and set-up work required of the television user. FIGURE 2 illustrates an exemplary system for customizing the operation of exemplary television set 105 that is implemented in television set 105 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Television set 105 comprises tuner 205, intermediate frequency (IF) processor 210, demodulation circuit 212, demultiplexer 215, MPEG decoder 220, post processor 225, and display screen 110. Display screen 110 may be a cathode ray tube or a flat panel display or any type of equipment for displaying video images. Tuner 205 receives an incoming RF signal from either a cable source or an antenna source and filters out a particular video signal from the RF signal according to the channel selected by the viewer (using the remote control). Tuner 205 down-converts the filtered RF signal to produce an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The IF output of tuner 205 is further down-converted by IF processor 210 to produce a modulated baseband signal. Demodulation circuit 212 further demodulates the modulated baseband signal to produce a transport stream. Demultiplexer (DEMUX) 215 extracts from the transport stream at least one elementary stream, such as an MPEG-encoded data stream, and transfers the extracted elementary stream to MPEG decoder 220. MPEG decoder 220 converts the incoming encoded MPEG data stream and generates a standard video signal capable of being displayed on display screen 110. Post processor 225 may perform several different types of video signal processing, including (a) adaptive noise level reduction algorithms, (b) level sharpness enhancement, (c) luminance-chrominance separation, d) motion detection, (e) motion estimation and compensation, and the like. Television 105 also comprises user interface (UI) controller 230, input/output (I/O) interface (IF) 235, and memory 240, which are coupled together by, and communicate across, communication bus 245. Memory 240 stores UI control program 250, UI editing program 255, vendor default profile 260, and three exemplary user profiles 271, 272 and 273, arbitrarily labeled User 1 Profile, User 2 Profile, and User 3 Profile, respectively. In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, memory 240 may comprise a non- volatile random access memory (RAM), such as flash memory. UI control program 250 comprises a plurality of computer-executable instructions that control the operation of the on-screen display and other visually or audibly perceptible aspects of the operation of television set 105. UI control program 250 uses the values stored in vendor default profile 260 or one or more of user-modifiable user profiles 271-273 to determine, for example, the size of the surf ring, the video format (e.g., 1080 interlaced), the size and the location of a picture-in-picture (PIP) window, audio mute options, one or more timeout values that determine the persistence of objects on the screen, and the like. UI controller 230 controls the operation of the on-screen display and other visually or audibly perceptible aspects of the operation of television set 105 by executing UI control program 250 and modifying the video signal being processed in post processor 225 to insert the on-screen display graphics into the main video picture. UI editing program 255 comprises a plurality of computer-executable instructions that are capable of modifying different aspects of the on-screen display and other visually or audibly perceptible aspects of the operation of television set 105. The operator of television set 105 runs UI editing program 255 in order to modify the values stored in vendor default profile 260 and thereby create one or more of user profiles 271-273. In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, UI editing program 255 can create and store several different user profiles so that, for example, each member of a household may customize (personalize) at least one user profile to suit his or her taste. Thus, one family member can select from an on-screen menu a first user profile having a short surf ring containing mostly news and sports channels and another family member can select a second user profile having a longer surf ring containing a wider variety of television channels. In one embodiment of the present invention, the operator of television set 105 may modify vendor default profile 260 using only the remote control and by selecting different options and entering parameter values from a set of menus provided by UI editing program 255. In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a copy of vendor default profile 260 may be stored on the hard disk drive of PC 170 and UI editing program 255 may be executed by the central processing unit of PC 170. In such an embodiment, the operator of television set 105 may create in PC 170 one or more user profiles, such as user profiles 271-273, that may then be transferred to memory 240 via I/O IF 235 and communication buses 245 and 280. Communication bus 280 provides a standard external connection, such as an RS-232 connection, an IEEE- 1394 connection, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection, to which PC 170 may be coupled. In fact, the user may edit UI control program 250 in PC 170 and then download the edited version to memory 240. FIGURE 3 illustrates in greater detail exemplary user profile 271 in memory 240 according to one embodiment of the present invention. User profile 271 (i.e., User 1 profile) comprises on-screen display configuration parameters 310 and television operating parameters 320. OSD configuration parameters 310 comprises menu hierarchy field 311, menu options field 312, and screen graphic 313. Television operating parameters 320 comprises remote control button assignments field 321, surf ring field 322, audio mute field 323, timeout field 324, video output format field 325, and volume speed field 326, among others. It should be noted that the exemplary fields in OSD configuration parameters 310 and television operating parameters 320 listed above are exemplary only and are not a complete listing of all possible OSD configuration and television operating parameters. Television operating parameters 320 and OSD configuration parameters 310 may include many other data fields that control of affect the visually and audibly perceptible aspects of the operation of television set 105, including local keyboard options and other input device controls. All of the fields in user profile 271 are modifiable by UI editing program 255. Menu hierarchy field 311 defines a user-modifiable hierarchy of screen menus that are presented to the television user. By editing menu hierarchy field 311, the user can change the order in which screen menus appear to the user and even add new menus. Menu options field 312 defines the user-modifiable options that appear in each menu screen in the menu hierarchy. By editing menu options field 312, the user can change the destination menu screens to which the user may branch or the television functions that the user may select from each screen menu. Screen graphics field 313 defines user-modifiable screen graphics that control the appearance of entities that appear as part of the on-screen display. These entities include alphanumeric characters, background color(s), the physical appearance of screen icons/symbols, the relative sizes of icons, font type and size for alphanumeric characters, the color of screen icons, and the like. The "look and feel" of the graphical user interface of television set 105 may be further customized by editing television operating parameters 320. Remote control button assignments field 321 defines the user-modifiable function of each button on the handheld remote control. By editing remote control button assignments field 321, the user can modify the manner in which UI controller 230 interprets and responds to commands and data transmitted by the remote control. Surf ring field 322 defines the size of the user-modifiable list of preferred channels that the user can scroll through in lieu of scrolling through all of the available channels. Audio mute field 323 controls the effect of pressing the MUTE button on either the remote control or the manual control panel on the front of television set 105. Depending on the type of audio system that television set 105 has, the MUTE button may only partially mute the sound output of television set 105. For example, if television set 105 has a headphone output jack, the user may prefer not to mute the audio signal sent to the headphones. Additionally, if television set 105 has an SPDIF output connected to a tape machine or other recording system, the user may prefer not to mute the audio signal sent to the recording device. Timeout field 324 contains one or more user-modifiable persistence values that determine the lengths of delays before particular events occur. For example, if the user adjusts the volume, a volume scale appears briefly on display screen 110. The duration of the volume scale on display screen 110 is controlled by one of the selectable values in timeout field 324. Similarly, if the user presses a PROGRAM information button that causes a text box containing a program synopsis to appear on display screen 110, the persistence of the text box may be controlled by another one of the selectable values in timeout field 324. Video output format field 325 defines the format of the picture displayed on display screen 110. The user may select his or her preferred video format (e.g., 1080 interlaced) from a menu of available video format options. Volume speed field 326 defines the user-modifiable rate at which the volume of television set 105 increases or decreases when the user holds down or repeatedly presses the volume control button on the remote control. FIGURE 4 depicts flow diagram 400, which illustrates an editing operation for modifying the operation of exemplary television set 105 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Initially , the user launches UI editing program 255 by selecting the editing option from an on-screen display menu on television 105. Alternatively, the user may launch UI editing program 255 in PC 170 (process step 405). UI controller 230 then displays to the user a variety of editing options that allows the user to change the OSD settings and other settings that affect the visually and audibly perceptible aspects of television set 105 in one or more of vendor default profile 260 and user profiles 271-273 (process step 410). The user edits the configuration parameters of the on-screen display and the operating parameters of television 105 by using the remote control or, if the invention is implemented in PC 170, by using the keyboard and/or mouse associated with PC 170 (process step 415). UI controller 230 receives the edited parameters and changes the corresponding fields in one of user profiles 271-273 (process step 420). If the invention is implemented in PC 170, UI controller 230 in PC 170 downloads the edited one of user profiles 271-273 to memory 240 in television set 105 (process step 425). When the user has finished editing the user profile, television set 105 can then run the newly edited profile (process step 430). Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. For use in a television set (105), an apparatus for modifying the operation of a user interface of said television set (105) comprising: a memory (240) capable of storing a first user interface (UI) parameter file (260) and a user interface (UI) application program (250) capable of controlling the operation of said user interface; a user interface (UI) controller (230) coupled to said memory (240) capable of executing said UI application program (250) using first parameter data contained in said first UI parameter file (260) to thereby operate said user interface of said television set (105) according to said first parameter data; and an editing controller (230, 255) capable of receiving and modifying said first parameter data to thereby create a second UI parameter file (271), wherein selection of said second UI parameter file (271) by a user of said television set (105) causes said UI controller (230) to execute said UI application program (250) using said second parameter data to thereby operate said user interface of said television set (105) according to said second parameter data. 2. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said first UI parameter file (260) is a vendor default file (260) and said first parameter data comprises default parameter data supplied by a vendor of said television set (105). 3. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 further comprising an input output (I/O) interface (235) coupled to said memory (240) capable of receiving said second UI parameter file (271) from an external source coupled to said I/O interface (235). 4. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 wherein each of said first and second parameter data comprises at least one of: menu hierarchy data defining a sequence in which a plurality of menu screens are displayed by said television set (105); menu option data defining a plurality of selectable options associated with each of said plurality of menu screens; and screen graphics data defining an appearance of at least one of said plurality of menu screens. 5. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 4 wherein each of said first and second parameter data comprises at least one of: remote control button assignment data defining an operation of at least one button on a remote control device associated with said television set (105); surf ring data defining a size of a surf ring associated with said television set (105); video output format data defining a format of a video image displayed on a screen (110) of said television set (105); and time out data defining at least one delay period associated with said user interface of said television set (105). 6. For use in a television set (105), a method of modifying a user interface (UI) associated with the television set (105) comprising the steps of: storing in a memory (240) a first user interface (UI) parameter (260) file and a user interface (UI) application program (250) capable of controlling the operation of the television set (105); executing the UI application program (250) in a user interface (UI) controller (230) using first parameter data contained in the first UI parameter file (260) to thereby operate the television set (105) according to the first parameter data; modifying the first parameter data to thereby create a second UI parameter file (271); and selecting the second UI parameter file (271) by a user command, wherein the step of selecting the second UI parameter file (271) causes the UI controller (230) to execute the UI application program (250) using the second parameter data to thereby operate the television set (105) according to the second parameter data. 7. The method as set forth in Claim 6 wherein each of the first and second parameter data comprises at least one of: menu hierarchy data defining a sequence in which a plurality of menu screens are displayed by the television set (105); menu option data defining a plurality of selectable options associated with each of the plurality of menu screens; and screen graphics data defining an appearance of at least one of the plurality of menu screens. 8. The method as set forth in Claim 7 wherein each of the first and second parameter data comprises at least one of: remote control button assignment data defining an operation of at least one button on a remote control device associated with the television set (105); surf ring data defining a size of a surf ring associated with the television set (105); video output format data defining a format of a video image displayed on a screen ( 110) of the television set ( 105); and time out data defining at least one delay period associated with the television set (105). 9. For use in association with a television set (105), a computer-readable storage medium (190) containing computer-executable instruction steps capable of modifying a user interface (UI) associated with the television set (105), the computer-executable instruction steps comprising the steps of: storing in a memory (240) a first user interface (UI) parameter file; executing a user interface (UI) application program (250) in a user interface (UI) controller (230) using first parameter data contained in the first UI parameter file (260) to thereby operate the user interface of the television set (105) according to the first parameter data; modifying the first parameter data to thereby create a second UI parameter file (271); and selecting the second UI parameter file (271) by a user command, wherein the step of selecting the second UI parameter file (271) causes the UI controller (230) to execute the UI application program (250) using the second parameter data to thereby operate the user interface of the television set (105) according to the second parameter data.

Inventors: SIMONS MARCEL P, SIMONS, MARCEL, P.
Applicants: KONINKL PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV, KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H04N5
IPC codes: G06F3, H04N5, H04N7