Abstract:
A receiver on a mobile device accepts at least one unrequested signal from a transmitter located in proximity of a first screen showing a first multimedia content. The received signal contains information associated with a second multimedia content shown on a second screen. The information can trigger an application residing on the mobile device based on the characteristics of the received signal. The information is accepted by the application which then generates second screen information associated with a displaying of a second multimedia content on a second screen, the generation of the second screen information based upon the information, reception of the transmitted signal and a location of the second screen.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present principles relate to multimedia content. In particular, the present principles relate to beacon signals that relay information about content on a second screen while in the vicinity of a first screen, the relayed information dependent on content on the first screen. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Movie theatres have been providing movie entertainment to the general public for many years. Audience members, however, now have other choices of venues for viewing entertainment, such as a home environment. When people do travel to the theaters, they are essentially in a “captive” environment for the duration of the feature movie. Thus, it can be an opportune time to disseminate information relating to multimedia content and the like. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A transmitter or beacon is employed in the vicinity of a screen that is capable of displaying content. The beacon unilaterally transmits information related to content on a second screen. The information is also based on content that is or will be displayed on the first screen. Reception of the transmitted signal can be accomplished via mobile devices such as smartphones, laptops, etc. The transmitted information includes data that can trigger one or more applications residing on the mobile device. This permits the application(s) to accept the data as an input and generate information associated with the display of multimedia content on a second screen. The generation of the second screen information is based upon the received data and the location of the second screen. 
         [0004]    In one example, movie goers today have the option of watching movies at public movie theatres or at home using VOD services. However, keeping track of the movies showing in VOD and the theatre can be burdensome. Users need to browse the movie titles in VOD and lookup the titles showing at the theatre. As noted above, some movies are made available in VOD while still showing in theatres, but this information is not readily available. Furthermore, users may like to be informed about products or discounts related to movies they watch at the theatre. When they attend a movie at the movie theater, their mobile devices can receive a signal that triggers a VOD application on their phone. Information regarding multimedia content being shown on another theater screen or even multimedia content being shown in another venue can be generated based upon the received input data. 
         [0005]    The aspects, features and advantages of the present principles will be appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of examples and accompanying figures. The following description does not limit the present principles; rather, the scope of the present principles is defined by the appended claims and equivalents. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary mobile device and transmitter in accordance with embodiments of the present principles. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary method of triggering an application in a mobile device in accordance with embodiments of the present principles. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a use case example in accordance with embodiments of the present principles. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a further use case example in accordance with embodiments of the present principles. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is another flow diagram of an exemplary method in accordance with embodiments of the present principles. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is another working example in accordance with embodiments of the present principles. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is yet a further flow diagram of an exemplary method in accordance with embodiments of the present principles. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  illustrates a further working example in accordance with embodiments of the present principles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  presents a schematic diagram of an illustrative mobile device  100  and transmitter  109  in accordance with aspects of the present principles. Mobile device  100  can comprise, as non-limiting examples, any mobile device capable of processing instructions and transmitting data to and from other computers, including a laptop, a smartphone or tablet PC and the like. Mobile device  100  can include all the components normally used in connection with a mobile device. For example, mobile device  100  can have, for example, a touch screen display, a physical keyboard, a virtual touch screen keyboard, a camera, a speaker, a global positioning system, or a microphone. 
         [0015]    Mobile device  100  can also contain at least one processor that can be arranged as different processing cores. For ease of illustration, one processor  104  is shown in  FIG. 1 , but it is understood that multiple processors can be employed simultaneously. Processor  104  can be any number of well-known processors, such as processors from Intel® Corporation. In another example, processor  104  can be an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”). Processor  104  can be implemented as a hardware processor, a digital signal processor (“DSP”), an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”) or other programmable logic devices, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or any suitable combination of processing circuitry. Processor  104  can also be implemented as a combination of computation devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in communication with the DSP or any other such configuration. The described devices can include processing circuits, processors, FPGAs or ASICs, each of which can be in combination with software for execution. 
         [0016]    Memory  106  can be any type of memory capable of storing information accessible by processor  104  including, but not limited to, a memory card, read only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), as well as other write-capable and read-only memories. Mobile device  100  can include different combinations of the foregoing, whereby different portions of the instructions and data are stored on different types of media. 
         [0017]    In another example, memory  106  can be a non-transitory computer readable medium that can include any computer readable media with the exception of a transitory, propagating signal. Examples of non-transitory computer readable media can include one of many physical media such as, for example, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor media. More specific examples of suitable non-transitory computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, a portable universal serial bus (“USB”) drives, an erasable programmable read-only memory, or other storage devices that can be coupled to mobile device  100  directly or indirectly. The non-transitory computer readable media can also include any combination of one or more of the foregoing and/or other devices as well. While only one memory is shown in  FIG. 1 , mobile device  100  can actually comprise additional memories that may or may not be stored within the same physical housing or location. 
         [0018]    Transceiver  102  can include hardware components (e.g., chipsets, controllers, antennas, etc.) and/or software that allow mobile device  100  to transmit and/or receive data. Transceiver  102  can support one or more network interfaces including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi™, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (“WiMAX™”), 3rd generation mobile telecommunications (“3G”), 4 th  generation mobile telecommunications (“4G”), code division multiple access (“CDMA”), time division multiple access (“TDMA”), global system for mobile communications (“GSM”), Ethernet, special protocols proprietary to one or more companies, and various combinations of the foregoing, for example. Transceiver  102  can also support short range wireless protocols, such as Bluetooth® and/or Bluetooth® Smart and similar. 
         [0019]    Application  108  can include software instructions for executing functions on the mobile device  100  and external to the mobile device  100 . Examples are described further below. However, it is understood that application  108  can be implemented in the form of hardware and software combined and that the examples herein are merely illustrative. In the software implementation, application  108  can be encoded in any set of software instructions that are executable directly (such as machine code) or indirectly (such as scripts) by processor  104 . The computer executable instructions can be stored in any computer language or format, such as in object code or modules of source code. 
         [0020]    Transmitter  109  can be an apparatus with circuitry for transmitting a unilateral signal. The architecture of processor  110  and transceiver  112  can be similar to that of processor  104  and transceiver  102  respectively. Transmitter  109  can also be equipped with an antenna  116  to broadcast electromagnetic waves with a specific length and frequency such as, for example, 2.4 GHz radio waves. In one example, the shape and positioning of antenna  116  can be arranged to propagate a transmitted signal with more strength in a certain direction. The broadcasting power of transmitter  109  can be increased accordingly based on a desired range of the transmitter signal. Transmitter  109  can also support different wireless protocols including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi™, WiMAX™, Bluetooth® and/or Bluetooth® Smart. 
         [0021]    Looking at  FIG. 2 , an exemplary method of triggering an application in a mobile device in accordance with embodiments of the present principles is shown. The mobile device  100  detects at least one signal from transmitter  109  which is located in proximity of a first screen  202 . The first screen is displaying or about to display a first multimedia content. This initiates the transmitter  109  to begin transmitting the signal that is received by the mobile device  100 . The signal transmitted by transmitter  109  contains, at least, information associated with a second multimedia content that is displayed or is going to be displayed on a second screen. In one basic example of an embodiment, the first screen can be showing the latest Star Wars movie. The second screen, can be, but is not required to be, in the same movie theater complex as the first screen. The second screen may be displaying or about to display the original Star Wars movie. In this example, the signal can contain information to inform a user of the mobile device  100  that the original Star Wars movie is being shown in one of the other movie theater screens at the movie theater complex. Since the transmitter  109  is in proximity of the first screen, the information about the second screen is only transmitted to those users of mobile devices that have an interest in Star Wars movies (e.g., transmitted to those in proximity of a first screen whose first multimedia content is associated with a second multimedia content on a second screen). 
         [0022]    The transmitted signal triggers an application  108  residing on the mobile device  100  based on at least one parameter of the detected signal. The parameter can be, for example, coded bits in a header portion of a message encoded in the signal and the like. This triggers or awakens the application  108  to perform and/or provide functions associated with the second multimedia content being displayed or about to be displayed on the second screen. The application  108  can transform the signal into information associated with the displaying or about to be displaying of the second multimedia content on the second screen  206 . The transformed information is based on the received signal sent by the transmitter  109  and a location of the second screen. For example, if the second screen is located in the same movie theater complex as the first screen, the application  108 , using the information that the second screen is displaying or about to display the original Star Wars movie, search and find information about movie start times for the second screen. The application  108  might then notify a user that they can watch the original Star Wars movie on the second screen after watching the latest Star Wars movie on the first screen. One skilled in the art can appreciate that the location of the second screen can also be a user&#39;s home television and the like. Thus, the application  109  can include, but is not limited to, a video on demand service and the like. The application  109  can determine that all of the earlier Star War movies are available for watching from home and notify the user of times and dates when they are available. The application  109  can also store the information in user available listings and the like as described in the next example. 
         [0023]    One working example of the techniques herein is shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . This example illustrates how a video on demand (VOD) application on a mobile device can be implemented to provide a user additional functionality and/or features and the like. In particular,  FIG. 3  illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method  300  for triggering an application in a mobile device, and  FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary method of triggering an application while approaching or near a first screen playing a first multimedia content. The actions shown in  FIG. 4  will be discussed below with regard to the flow diagram in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a unilateral signal can be accepted as shown in block  302 . Referring now to  FIG. 4 , mobile device  404  is shown receiving a signal from transmitter  402 . In this example, it is assumed that mobile device  404  and the transmitter  402  are in proximity to a first screen displaying or about to display a first multimedia content. Thus, mobile device  404  can receive a signal as a user approaches or is near the first screen. 
         [0025]    Referring back to  FIG. 3 , in response to the unilateral signal, mobile device  404  of  FIG. 4  can determine whether a second multimedia content being played or about to be played on a second screen is available on a VOD service, as shown in block  304  of  FIG. 3 . Referring back to  FIG. 4 , instructions in the VOD application executing in mobile device  404  can instruct its processor to find information regarding the theatre at the location of mobile device  404  and retrieve a list of movies showing at the theatre. The location of the mobile device can be obtained using global positioning technology and/or WiFi locating and the like as well as from user input. 
         [0026]    In block  306  of  FIG. 3 , mobile device  404  can determine whether the second multimedia content showing at the second screen is on a previously watched list of the VOD service. If the second multimedia content is available in VOD and the second multimedia content is not on a previously watched list, as shown in block  308 , the second multimedia content can be added to a watch list of the VOD, as shown in block  310 ; otherwise, the process can end at block  312 . Referring back to  FIG. 4 , instructions in the VOD application executing in mobile device  404  can instruct its processor to add the second multimedia content being shown in the theatre, as shown in block  406 , to a watch list of a VOD service, such as Netflix™, Vudu™, MGo™ and/or the like. 
         [0027]    Another example of the present principles is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In particular,  FIG. 5  illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method  500  for triggering VOD functionality related to a particular movie.  FIG. 6  illustrates a working example of the functionality being executed. The actions shown in  FIG. 6  will be discussed below with regard to the flow diagram in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 5 , a unilateral signal can be accepted at block  502 . The signal can comprise an identifier associated with a second movie being played or about to be played on a second screen from a first screen which a mobile device is currently in proximity with. As will be discussed further below, the signal transmitter is located in proximity to the first screen. In response to the signal, information regarding the second movie being played or about to be played can be searched, as shown in block  504 . 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , mobile device  602  is shown receiving a unilateral signal  604  containing an identifier of a second movie being played or about to be played on a second screen of the theatre (or elsewhere). In response, the instructions of a VOD application in mobile device  602  is triggered and can instruct its processor to search for information regarding the second movie being played or about to be played on the second screen. In the example of  FIG. 6 , the information can include movie related products or services  606 , or bundled discounts  608  from the VOD service for purchasing prequels of the movie, etc. However, it is understood that any other information regarding the second movie can be retrieved in response to this unilateral signal and that  FIG. 6  is merely illustrative. 
         [0030]    Yet a further example of the present principles is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In particular,  FIG. 7  illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method  700  for transmitting a unilateral signal related to a second movie display or about to be displayed on a second screen.  FIG. 8  illustrates a working example of the transmitter. The actions shown in  FIG. 8  will be discussed below with regard to the flow diagram in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an identifier associated with a second movie being played or about to be played on a second screen can be searched, as shown in block  702 . Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a unilateral transmitter  804  is shown positioned on a first screen  802 , but it is understood that the transmitter can be located within proximity of the first screen. The transmitter  804  shown in  FIG. 8  can have similar components as the transmitter  109  shown in  FIG. 1 . The transmitter can search for the movie identifier in a wide area network (“WAN”) (e.g., the Internet or a cloud service) and/or a local area network (“LAN”) configured in the movie theatre. This can be accomplished by the transmitter  804  wirelessly and/or through wired communication means. Referring back to  FIG. 7 , the identifier can be transmitted in a unilateral signal to at least one mobile device within a transmission range of the transmitter, as shown in block  704 . Referring back to  FIG. 8 , transmitter  804  is shown transmitting a unilateral signal  806  to audience members  808 . The size, shape, broadcast power and/or location of the transmitter&#39;s antenna can be adjusted to ensure that audience members  808  viewing the first screen  802  receive the signal, without interfering with signals of neighboring movie screens. That is, the transmitter  804  can be adjusted so that all audience members  808  watching the first screen  802  are in range, while audience members watching neighboring screens are out of range. 
         [0032]    Advantageously, the above-described devices and methods allow movie information from theatres to be combined with information from VOD services and the like. Furthermore, these techniques allow users to gain access to additional information related to movies being shown at the movie theatre. In this regard, a signal transmitted at theatres can cause a mobile device to activate enhanced features of an application on the mobile device to better inform the user of the mobile device. In turn, movie goers can be provided with a better user experience. 
         [0033]    Although the present principles herein have been described with reference to particular examples in particular environments, it is to be understood that these examples are merely illustrative of the present principles. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications can be made to the examples and that other arrangements can be devised without departing from the scope of the present principles as defined by the appended claims. As noted above, the systems herein can be modified to operate in various settings, such as airplanes, cars, hospitals, nursing homes, or any other setting that may offer multimedia content services. Furthermore, while particular processes are shown in a specific order in the appended drawings, such processes are not limited to any particular order unless such order is expressly set forth herein. Rather, various steps may be handled in a different order or simultaneously, and steps may be omitted or added.