Abstract:
Programmable media interfaces, methods and systems for programming a plurality of displays in a multiple display environment are described herein. The media interfaces, methods and systems include processors configured to program a sequence of broadcast content to the plurality of display devices, control pre-set or pre-programmed sequencing of the broadcast of the future content at times, and select particular displays in the plurality of displays to display portions of the broadcast content at the pre-set or pre-programmed times for future playing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present principles relate to quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) signals and the use of QAM modulators which utilize program guides stored in remote controls for use in a multiple display environment wherein a manager of the environment can control the displays from the remote control. More specifically, the present principles relate to user interfaces which extend the control to include a pre-set or pre-programming interface that allows for a sequencing of future content playback. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are many environments where multiple video display devices, for example televisions (TV) exist, but only a few tuners/receivers are in place to send audio and video to the TVs. Sports bars are a prime example of such an environment, but many others such examples are extant, especially when it is desired to send different channels or subchannels to different places in an environment, but to save cost, only a limited number of receivers are provided. 
         [0003]    In the sports bar environment, for example, bartenders want to be able to control the content on each TV without having to use single or multiple TV remotes, since using a TV remote may cause adjacent TVs to also change channels. Using a remote in a sports bar thus now requires walking to each TV with a specific remote to change the channel, which may cause other nearby TVs to undesirably also change channels. 
         [0004]    One such receiver, although there are many such receivers, which is often placed in a multiple TV environment such as a sports bar, is the DirecTV® COM1000 content distribution system (designed and manufactured by TECHNICOLOR Inc., the owner of the present application, which is a satellite TV receiver system capable of tuning and transcrypting up to 24 TV channels and which tunes and demodulates an MPEG-2 transport stream for further distribution in an environment through, for example, a QAM modulator device or an internet protocol (IP) data distribution system, for example an IPTV system. The DirecTV® COM1000 is ideal for the multiple TV environment such as hotels, sports bars, and the like. 
         [0005]    The DirecTV® COM1000 includes a QAM modulator card or board which receives the demodulated MPEG-2 transport stream for further distribution. The card is denoted a QAM24 modulator and it receives MPEG-2 transport packets from an Ethernet port and then QAM modulates the MPEG-2 transport packets on one of twelve carrier frequencies. Each input stream results in one output QAM modulated channel (such as cable channel  50 - 1 ). However, nothing in the current content distribution systems allows individual receivers to play separate content on each TV without controlling the content with a separate remote for each TV. 
         [0006]    Moreover, currently there is no way in which a manager of such an environment, for example a Bartender in a sports bar, can search for video content and see what channels are currently playing and to allow the content to be changed, tracked and otherwise adjusted. 
         [0007]    A television display system needs to display an interactive program guide with current and future program information for each channel. In order to acquire the information, the system must tune to the frequency on which the program information is being broadcast. This information may be stored for all known channels, but will not initially be available, and will become stale over time. For this reason, the channel must be tuned as the user navigates within the interactive guide. 
         [0008]    Currently interfaces in such facilities (e.g., bars, restaurants, etc.) may be used to control the current viewed content on a plurality of displays. However, issues may arise in controlling or changing the programming, particularly at times when the facility is busy and workers are unable to attend to the changes. There is a need for a mechanism to allow a pre-set or pre-programming arrangement that may be established ahead of the viewing time for controlling the viewed content. 
         [0009]    An improvement in multi-display content viewing control is available through the Mediatune™ interface offered in conjunction with the Colony multichannel distribution system, both also provided by Technicolor, the owner of the present application. However, the Mediatune™ interface only offers real-time control for routing programming from the tuner inputs to a plurality of displays. 
         [0010]    Other scheduling mechanisms are based on recording future content. In this case, the mechanism only involves selecting a program to record. The destination for the content is at only one place; the recording device. It would be useful to provide a mechanism which can select not only the program, but also one or more of a plurality of display devices that the program will be displayed on. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The above-referred to problems are solved, and long felt needs met by programmable media interfaces, methods and systems for programming a plurality of displays in a multiple display environment in accordance with the present principles. The media interfaces, methods and systems comprise processors configured to program a sequence of broadcast content to the plurality of display devices, control pre-set or pre-programmed sequencing of the broadcast of the future content at times, and select particular displays in the plurality of displays to display portions of the broadcast content at the pre-set or pre-programmed times for future playing. Preferably, the Mediatune user interface is used and extends the control to include a pre-set or pre-programming interface that allows for a sequencing of future content playback. 
         [0012]    The principles described and claimed herein will be best understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings which are first described briefly below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a preferred multi-channel distribution system for implementing principles described herein. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of another preferred multi-channel distribution system for implementing principles described herein. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a user interface for implementing principles described herein. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a preferred sequencing interface utilizing principles described herein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a second preferred sequencing interface utilizing principles described herein. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of a method of implementing principles described herein. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates a user interface overlay to implement conflict resolution in accordance with principles described herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary system based on the Colony system architecture. 
         [0021]    Other similar systems may also be used. A satellite signal  20  provided by a service provider through a satellite dish is input to a multichannel receiver  30 . The satellite signal  20  contains a plurality of program streams (e.g., audio, video, data) organized or grouped into sets of channels or transponders. Multichannel receiver  30  tunes and demodulates one or more channels or transponders in the satellite signal  20  and produces an MPEG-2 transport stream  40  having packets containing data, audio, and video programming to be distributed to the environment. In a preferred embodiment, COM  24  receiver  30  includes tuning and demodulation circuits to receive a multiplicity of channels or transponders simultaneously. It is important to note that other versions may be possible, including systems capable of receiving more or fewer channels or transponders. 
         [0022]    The MPEG-2 transport stream  40  is preferably transported by an Ethernet link  50  to a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulator  60  which modulates the MPEG-2 transport stream  50  to produce one or more QAM channels. While preferred embodiments of the present principles utilize QAM modulators and MPEG-2 transport streams, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other kinds of modulators are equally usable and many different types of transport protocols are also usable. Therefore, VSB modulators, QPSK modulators, OFDM modulators, and their equivalents are all covered by the current invention. Moreover, IP signaling transport streams, DVB transport streams, MPEG-4 transport streams, ARIB transport streams, and their equivalents are also covered by the disclosure. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the QAM modulator  60  modulates the MPEG-2 transport stream  40  on one of a plurality of carrier frequencies. Each input stream  40  results in one or more output QAM modulated channels which are output over a coax cable  70  and split into more than one signal using splitter  80 . The signals from splitter  80  are provided to TVs  90 . In this fashion, the QAM modulator  60  permits dynamic duplication of output channels so that each TV  90  may be statically tuned to a fixed channel, for example, channels  50 - 1 ,  50 - 2 ,  50 - 3 , etc., thereby eliminating the necessity for each channel to be individually tuned with a separate remote control device and allowing different programs to be played on different TV sets  90  without interference from other, nearby TV sets being tuned with a remote control to provide different desired programs. Optionally, a web browser  100  (as used on a tablet, PC, or smart phone) is provided and interfaced to the receiver  30  to control the data programming necessary to accomplish these results and to provide other functionality to perform the functions of content distribution system  10 . 
         [0024]    A content distribution system, such as described in  FIG. 1 , allows multiple channels to be played on multiple TV sets without the need to separately tune the TV sets using a remote control, which would potentially interfere with the channels being broadcast on nearby TV sets in an environment. A modulator dynamically duplicates the output of channels, thereby allowing multiple TV sets to be statically tuned to a fixed channel and potentially to different fixed channels. The modulator can then duplicate the output so that a single input MPEG-2 transport stream can be sent out on multiple channels and/or sub-channels to each of the TV sets. 
         [0025]    The system in  FIG. 1  describes a multichannel distribution control system operating with the outputs for the modulators controlled to provide specific streams and with the TV devices remaining tuned to a fixed channel. However, additional operational flexibility may be possible if the television channel programming is also addressable. Turning to  FIG. 2 , another embodiment of a content distribution system according to principles of the disclosure is shown at  15 . Content distribution system  15  illustrates a system for delivering content to a plurality of video display devices that also incorporates addressable QAM signal receiving equipment that may be present in the bar, casino, or multi-room facility. Content distribution system  15  includes elements identified by the same reference numbers as shown as shown in  FIG. 1 . Except as described below, these elements operate in a manner similar to same elements described in  FIG. 1  and will not be further described here. 
         [0026]    Client boxes  85  receive a signal (e.g., a QAM signal) distributed from QAM modulator  60  through splitter  80 . Client boxes  85  may be set top or set back converter boxes that are often used with some (older) television sets that may not be capable of receiving QAM signals directly. Client boxes  85  include a QAM tuner input circuit, a signal conversion circuit, a user remote control circuit, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) output interface, an audio/video output interface, and a channel 3/4 output interface. Client boxes  85  receive the input signal, convert the input signal to a signal format that is compatible with a television or other type of display device (e.g., TV  90 ), and provide the converted signal to TVs  90 . 
         [0027]    In addition, the client boxes  85  are addressable over the communication network through splitter  80 . As a result, the channel that is tuned by each client box  85  may be controlled by signals sent from QAM modulator  60 . Each client box  85  has a unique Receiver Identifier (RID) that is used for remote addressability. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary user interface  600  based on the Mediatune interface used with a Colony structure. User interface  600  permits operation in a visual drag and drop operating environment. User interface  600  shows televisions in use in display box  610  on the left and available channels in a display box  620  on the right. In display box,  610  the televisions in the system are shown as icons  615  with the icons including information associated with the currently displayed content. In display box  620 , the available channels are shown as individual entry lines  625  with associated channel information in a scrollable list. Any available channel  625  in display box  620  may be selected and dragged to any one or more of the TV icons  615  shown in display box  610 . Once the channel  625  is dragged, the TV icon  615  on the left is updated to show information for the content (e.g., the logo for the channel or program) now being displayed. 
         [0029]    Additional features in user interface  600  include being able to duplicate a program between the different television icons  615  using a simple drag and drop operation. The left display box  610  may also include some form of a description for each of the television icon  615  (e.g., a number or a location for the television). The right display box  620  may also be “organized” using groupings or tabs  630 . Examples of groupings or tabs  630  include, but are not limited to “sports”, “news”, and “favorites”. Display box  620  may also include a search function  640 . The search function  640  may allow direct text entry search for channel identifiers, program titles, or other information. The result of the search may result in a highlighted channel entry  625  in the list. User interface  600  may also include a setup icon  650  used for initial configuration or updates to the configuration (e.g., arrangement or identification of television icons). 
         [0030]    The user interface shown in  FIG. 3  also includes a PROGRAM button  660 . This PROGRAM button  660  will allow a programming or sequencing of future programming and display changes to improve the operation of the Mediatune interface. As an example of the need for the sequencing, suppose that on a particular day at the facility, the owner recognizes that a portion of the facility will want to watch a first football game involving the Colts on a first channel and another portion of the facility will want to watch the Packers on a second channel. Both games are on at 3 PM and are expected to run until 6 PM. At 6 PM it would be best to switch all TVs to a sports wrap up show that will be shown on a third channel. The owner would like to sequence the programming so that one set of the displays switch to showing the Colts game at 3 PM, another set of the displays switch to showing the Packers game at 3 PM and all of the displays switch to the wrap up show at 6 PM. 
         [0031]    In order to do this, the owner must have a control point that includes a list of future programs available and a way to schedule the channel and program changes for each of the displays based on displaying one or more of these future programs. The present principles preferably utilize the Mediatune user interface and extends the control to include a pre-set or pre-programming interface that allows for a sequencing of future content playback. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows a first view of the sequencing interface  670  in conjunction with Mediatune. The sequencing view may be intentionally different from the “current” operation view of the user interface. The view may be entered by selecting the PROGRAM button  680 . The left half  690  includes two “guides”  700 ,  710 . The upper guide  700  is the available channel guide, scrollable both vertically and horizontally. This guide is intended to show all the programs available including in the future (in some cases up to one week in advance). The guide may be filtered for different types of programming. 
         [0033]    The lower portion  710  shows a similar guide but in a format based on the plurality of display devices, and the content that will be shown based on the programming sequence. This guide is maintained and updated based on the programming entries performed. The right side  720  shows the display devices  730  (similar to the previous left side  690 ). Note that this view may be tiled set of displays, or may a visual representation of the facility in some manner. 
         [0034]    In operation, a user drags and drops a program from the channel guide, either to the display column in the display guide, or to the display device shown on the right side. The entry is then added to the sequence. Note that the time aspect remains the same —a program is shown at its date and time on a display based on when it is available per the channel guide. It is recognized that this may lead to conflicts between programming times and with the number or tuning resources versus the displays. This conflict may be resolved in the manner described below. Also note that if a program is dropped on a tile on the right side  720 , the display guide  710  on the lower left is automatically updated. Also, clicking the tile on the right may highlight the column in the display guide or may open a pop up window next to the tile to reveal the programming schedule for this display. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows a second view of the sequencing interface  670  in conjunction with Mediatune™. The second view only changes the lower left display  710  to show a single display and the programming on a grid showing a time of day and each day of the week. In this manner, a user can review the program plan for a single display for an entire week. Entering this second view may be done by double tapping the display element on the right side or double tapping the column for the display in the first view described above. A second double tap or other mechanism may return the interface to the first display. It is important to note that a mechanism, such as a double tap, on a program entry in any of the grids may open a window that shows additional information about the program. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  shows a flow chart for implementing the sequencer. As described earlier, the content distribution system may not include enough tuning resources to provide all requested programs when developing the sequence. As a result, it may be possible that a request for a new channel to be tuned cannot be adequately fulfilled because all of the tuning resources are already being used for other channels. Additionally, the user may request a program change on a particular television without being aware that the current program is also being displayed on other televisions. It is desirable to determine such problems and to present the user (e.g., facility manager or owner) with the possible changes to the televisions and what they are tuned to and the impact (on the patrons of the facility). In this case, an additional user interface screen is displayed, presenting the user with a set of options for fulfilling the channel change request. 
         [0037]    At step  730 , a sequence mode is selected and at step  740 , a program is selected from the guide and moved to either a display or the display grid. At step  750 , the display point guide is then updated. The display conflicts are then determined at step and  760  and at step  770 , tuning resource conflicts are then determined. These conflicts are then displayed at step  780 , and at step  790  the conflicts are resolved and the display point guide is updated. The sequence is saved at step  800 . If will be appreciated by those with skill in the art that the flow chart of  FIG. 6  will be implemented in software, firmware or in any appropriate digital signal processor, programmable array logic, or the like, depending on the design of the system and the system&#39;s resources. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows an exemplary approach, as a user interface overlay  810 , to tuning conflict resolution, similar to that used for the problem when it occurs with a current display and programming arrangement as set forth with regard to  FIG. 6  above. In this conflict resolution mode, additional selections (not shown) could be included. For example, options may be included to allow a “cut early” to next program before the current one is over, or a “cut in” to next program once the current one is over. The option may also be given to simple pick another display, or even to cancel the current attempt at entry. 
         [0039]    Once the sequencing is entered operation of the system progresses based on the sequencing program. The system may use a clock that is based on the system time base or the satellite time base and include a corrected offset for local time as the channel changes are implemented when the channel sources are selected  820 . Any programming  830  may be manually changed as a current entry change during the normal Mediatune user interface operation. Finally, repetitive program sequencing may be possible based on learning the programming habits of the user. 
         [0040]    The interface may monitor programming activity over a period of time and extract viewing habits of the operator&#39;s establishment to provide a “quick view” programming option. For example if the interface detects that programming consistently revolves around Colts and Packers games, the operator could be offered a guide as described above with pre-indicated entries, say the Colts and Packers games prepopulated in the programming selection grid. The interface could further detect that another program or network is consistently the least chosen and offer a pre-chosen tuning conflict resolution. There are many variations to this theme. The interface could detect the type of establishment the system is likely installed in (sports books, casual dining, bar and grill, etc.) based on historical programming selections and offer a series of preselected programming options. Based on responses to pre-selection options, the interface could further refine or reorder offerings. Eventually the interface should be able to allow nearly one button tuning for a week&#39;s or month&#39;s worth of programming at a time. Based on what it has learned it should also be able to make effective offerings of special events or seasonal programming.