Abstract:
The invention provides coordinated cross media services to users. Supplemental information is provided to multiple cross media devices in order to enhance a user&#39;s interaction with a coordinated cross media service.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Aspects of the present invention relate generally to providing coordinated cross media services to users. More specifically, aspects of the present invention provide supplemental information to multiple cross media devices in order to enhance a user&#39;s interaction with a coordinated cross media service.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Cross media services include services which enable users to interact with television programs through devices such as cellular phones. The interaction enhances a user&#39;s viewing experience by enabling a user to purchase merchandise, request additional information on a subject matter, or participate by voting on an issue.  
         [0003]     One drawback of current cross media services is that users have found it difficult to make full use of the interactive process on their mobile phone while trying to concentrate on a television program. Users have to focus on their cellular phones to view the supplemental information associated with the television program as the information about the possibilities offered by the interactive application at any specific moment of time is not displayed on the television screen. Therefore, users have to constantly share their attention between the television screen to view the television program and the cellular phone to view the supplemental information which takes away from a user&#39;s overall television viewing experience.  
         [0004]     For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates the current state of the art and the drawbacks just discussed. In  FIG. 1 , television program  102  is displayed on television set  104 . The television set  104  may receive signals in a variety of ways such as satellite, cable, or broadcast through a network  106  and a first communication path  107 . Television set  104  may be capable of viewing satellite and cable programming. A set-top box (STB)  108  for receiving signals from a satellite or cable provider may also be utilized with television set  104 . The set-top box  108  may also be utilized to access the Internet.  
         [0005]     A user terminal  110  such as a cellular phone may communicate to a cross media application server  112  via a two-way second communication path  113  and a mobile network  114 . The cross media application server  112  provides supplemental information  116  pertaining to the television program  102  being viewed on television set  104 . For example, supplemental information  116  may include information regarding the purchasing of a compact disc (CD), the music videos for the songs on the compact disc being displayed on television set  104 . As discussed above, users watching television program  102  on television set  104  have to focus on user terminal  110  to view the supplemental information  116  transmitted by the cross media application server  112 . This constant sharing of a user&#39;s attention between television set  104  and user terminal  110  takes away from the user&#39;s overall cross media experience.  
         [0006]     Therefore, there exists a need in the art, for a method and system that addresses the drawbacks of the existing cross media services and efficiently enhances a user&#39;s viewing experience by providing supplemental information substantially simultaneously to multiple devices used in cross media service.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Aspects of the present invention address the drawbacks mentioned above, by providing coordinated cross media services to a user. The methods and systems of the current invention provide supplemental information that is transmitted to a user terminal substantially simultaneously with the supplemental information being transmitted to a television receiver. The transmitted supplemental information may be displayed on both a television set and a user terminal, thereby improving a user&#39;s cross media experience. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The foregoing summary of the invention, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are included by way of example, and not by way of limitation with regard to the claimed invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a prior art configuration for cross media services;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a configuration for coordinated cross media services in accordance with an aspect of the invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flow diagram for displaying supplemental information on a television set for use in coordinated cross media services in accordance with an aspect of the invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative flow diagram for displaying supplemental information with the use of a receiving code on a television set for use in coordinated cross media services in accordance with an aspect of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  shows another configuration for coordinated cross media services in accordance with another aspect of the invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a flow diagram in accordance with the configuration shown in  FIG. 5  for displaying supplemental information in coordinated cross media services in accordance with an aspect of the invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  shows yet another configuration for coordinated cross media services in accordance with an aspect of the invention; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates a flow diagram in accordance with the configuration shown in  FIG. 7  for displaying supplemental information in coordinated cross media services in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a configuration for coordinated cross media services in accordance with an aspect of the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is applicable to enhancing a user&#39;s experience with a variety of media content used in cross media services such as television programs, radio, movies, or other forms of media. The cross media content may be used to provide supplemental information, prompts or to enable interactivity like voting or shopping.  
         [0018]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a television program  102  is displayed on television set  104 . The television set  104  may receive signals from a variety of sources such as satellite, cable, or broadcast. The signals may be passed through a network  106  and a first communication path  107 . The first communication path  107  may comprise a terrestrial television broadcast, a cable television network or satellite television broadcast. Television set  104  may include the capability of directly receiving signals from satellite, cable or terrestrial providers. Alternatively, a set-top box  108  may be utilized for receiving signals from a satellite, terrestrial or cable providers. The set-top box  108  or the television set  104  may also include the capability of accessing the Internet.  
         [0019]     Cross media application server  112  may receive television programming and related cross media services which will be forwarded by cross media application server  112  to television set  104 . Alternatively, the cross media application server  112  may receive only the cross media services which will be forwarded by cross media application server  112  to television set  104 . In this case, the television programming may be forwarded directly by a transmission or broadcasting network. A user terminal  110  may be used to communicate with cross media application server  112 . User terminal  110  may comprise a wireless communication device, such as a cellular phone or a personal data assistant (PDA), or a laptop computer. A user may register with cross media application server  112  using user terminal  110 . Cross media application sever may contain databases for storing user account information and registration information. Further cross media application server may contain a TV/STB transmission application and/or device that forwards programs to TV/STB receivers, a prompt application and/or device that forwards cross media services related to the forwarded programs to all or registered TV/STB receivers, a mobile client application and/or device that forwards cross media services related to transmitted programs to registered mobile terminals, a synchronization &amp; timing application and/or device that forwards the programs and the cross media service in a predetermined manner, and an encryption application and/or device that creates an encryption code (or a receiving code). The encryption application encrypts the programs and may forward the encryption code to the television set  104  or set-top box  108  for decrypting first supplemental information  200 .  
         [0020]     User terminal  110  may communicate to cross media application server  112  via a two-way second communication path  113  and a mobile network  114 . The two-way second communication path  113  may comprise a wireless cellular communication network, WLAN, Bluetooth or an Internet Protocol Datacasting (IPDC) broadcast. Those skilled in the art will realize that the two-way second communication path  113  may also comprise other telephone networks that may include PSTN, ISDN lines, or DSL lines.  
         [0021]     Cross media application server  112  may transmit first supplemental information  200  pertaining to the television program  102  to television set  104 . Television set  104  may display first supplemental information  200  in a message window  202  which may be displayed on a screen  212  of television set  104 . The message window may be implemented as a PIP (picture-in-picture), mosaic representation, a separate window or superimposed into the television program. The message window  202  may be repositioned to various locations on screen  212  of television set  104  in order to reduce the amount of viewing obstruction to television program  102 .  
         [0022]     In addition, cross media application server  112  may also substantially simultaneously transmit second supplemental information  208  to user terminal  110 . User terminal  110  may display second supplemental information  208  on a display screen  209  of user terminal  110 . The second supplemental information may be implemented on the display screen as a PIP (picture-in-picture), mosaic representation, or a separate window.  
         [0023]     For example, television set  104  may display a television program  102  comprising music videos corresponding to an artist&#39;s music on a particular compact disc. The particular compact disc containing the artist&#39;s music may be advertised for purchase by viewers of television program  102 .  
         [0024]     Cross media application server  112  may transmit first supplemental information  200  to television set  104  or set-top box  108  via a first communication path  107  and network  106 . First supplemental information  200  may be displayed in a message window  202  on screen  212  of television set  104 . First supplemental information may contain a statement such as “If you want to buy this CD press #.” As those skilled in the art will realize, first supplemental information  200  will be applicable to the television show  102  being presented to the user and is not limited to statements concerning the purchase of products.  
         [0025]     Similarly, cross media application server  112  may substantially simultaneously transmit second supplemental information to user terminal  110  through a two-way second communication path  206  via a mobile network  114 . Second supplemental information  208  may contain the exact same information as first supplemental information  200 . For example, second supplemental information  208  may also contain a statement such as “If you want to buy this CD press #.” Alternatively, the first and second supplemental information transmitted substantially at the same time may be different, and they may supplement each other in order to accomplish a desired outcome. For example, the television set  104  may display a prompt “Check mobile device for the status of your request” and the user terminal  110  may display related information “Your request is validated and submitted.” 
         [0026]     User terminal  110  may comprises a cellular phone and may display second supplemental information  209  on a display screen  209 . A user watching television program  102  may be able to view the same supplemental information on both television set  104  and user terminal  110  enhancing a user&#39;s cross media experience as the user&#39;s attention may remain focused on the television program  102  and not be distracted by having to view the supplemental information displayed only on user terminal  110 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flow diagram for displaying supplemental information on a television set for use in coordinated cross media services. As shown in  FIG. 3  at step  302 , cross media application server  112  transmits a television program  102  to a receiver such as television set  104  or set-top box  108 . Television set  104  may display the television program on screen  212 .  
         [0028]     In step  304 , cross media application server  112  transmits first supplemental information  200  to television set  104  or set-top box  108 . Cross media application server  112  synchronizes the transmission of the first supplemental information  200  and the television program  102 . In addition, cross media application server  112  may substantially simultaneously transmit first and second supplemental information to the television set  104  or set-top box  108  and the user terminal  110 . In an alternative aspect of the invention, cross media application server  112  may transmit television program  102  and first and second supplemental information in a predetermined synchronized manner. The first and second supplemental information may be synchronized or timed with the television program  102  so that they may be transmitted at substantially the same time. As an alterative, first and second supplemental information may be transmitted at a different time than television program  102  to give special effects to the communication.  
         [0029]     First supplemental information  200  may be forwarded by an application program and/or device running on cross media application sever  112 . The transmission of first supplemental information  200  may be over a first communication path  107 . The Multimedia Home Platform (DVB-MHP) standard, or any other DVB or digital television broadcasting standard, may be utilized to generate transmission of first supplemental information  200  to television set  104  or set-top box  108 . In addition, vertical blanking interval transmission, such as Teletext, Text-TV or Super Teletext services, may be used for transmitting first supplemental information  200 . In this aspect of the invention, the first supplemental information  200  is transmitted over the network to all television receivers  104  in a coverage area of the transmission, i.e. the cross media application server  112  may not know or identify the receiving television or STB devices. A user of the television set  104  or STB receiver  108  may request the receiver to show the first supplemental information  200  transparently with the television program  102 . A layout of the first supplemental information  200  may be especially designed to be displayed with the program so it does not disturb a user&#39;s watching experience. A request for displaying the first supplemental information  200  may be transmitted from the user terminal  110  or from a remote control device dedicated to the television receiver  104  or to the set-top box  108 .  
         [0030]     In step  306 , user terminal  110  transmits a request to cross media application server  112  to use cross media services. This step may also include registering user terminal  110  with cross media application server  112 .  
         [0031]     Next, in step  308  cross media application server  112  transmits second supplemental information  208  to user terminal  110 . The second supplemental information  208  may only be transmitted to those user terminals that have registered with cross media application server  112 . User terminal  110  receives the second supplemental information  208  and may display the second supplemental information  208  on display screen  209 . In step  310 , user terminal  110  transmits a request to the television set  104  to display the first supplemental information on the television set  104 . Television set  104  or set-top box  108  displays the first supplemental information  200 . Finally, in step  312  user terminal  110  transmits feedback and requests related to the received information back to the cross media application server  112 . Further, the cross media application server  112  may transmit the user&#39;s feedback or requests to a service provider for manipulation and utilization, such as to a product provider for a product delivery.  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative flow diagram for displaying supplemental information, usually substantially simultaneously, on a user terminal and a television set. In this aspect of the invention, a receiving code, or an encryption code, related to the first supplemental information is utilized to encrypt and decrypt the first supplemental information that may be transmitted to a television set for use in coordinated cross media services. Some of the steps described with respect to  FIG. 3  are also preformed in the embodiment of  FIG. 4  and will not be repeated. Those same steps are indicated by use of the same numerals in both Figures for clarity.  
         [0033]     Referring to step  508  of  FIG. 4 , cross media application server  112  transmits second supplemental information  208  and a receiving code (not shown) to user terminal  110 . The second supplemental information  208  may only be transmitted to those user terminals that have registered with cross media application server  112 . User terminal  110  receives the second supplemental information  208  and receiving code and may display the second supplemental information  208  on display screen  209 . In step  510 , user terminal  110  transmits a request to the television set  104  or set-top box  108  to display the first supplemental information on the television set  104 . In addition, user terminal  110  forwards the receiving code to television set  104  or set-top box  108  for decryption of the first supplemental information  200  which may have been encrypted by cross media server  112  prior to transmission. The receiving code may be utilized so that only registered users may decode and display the first supplemental information  200  on the television set  104 . Finally, in step  312  user terminal  110  transmits feedback and requests related to the received information which includes the first and second supplemental information back to the cross media application server  112 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows another configuration for coordinated cross media services in accordance with another aspect of the invention. Features described in conjunction with  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4  are also applicable with this aspect of the invention. Though not shown in  FIG. 5 , a user terminal and television receiver may be part of a single device such as IPDC terminal.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a television program  102  is displayed on television set  104 . The television set  104  may receive signals from a variety of sources such as satellite, cable, or broadcast. The signals may be passed through a network  106  and a first communication path  107 . The first communication path  107  may comprise a terrestrial television broadcast, satellite television broadcast or a cable television network. Television set  104  may include the capability of directly receiving signals from satellite and cable providers. Alternatively, a set-top box  108  may be utilized for receiving signals from a satellite, terrestrial or cable provider. The set-top box  108  may also include the capability of accessing the Internet.  
         [0036]     Cross media application server  112  may receive television programming which will be forwarded by cross media application server  112  to television set  104 . A user terminal  110  may be used to communicate with cross media application server  112 . User terminal  110  may comprise a cellular phone or other device such as a personal data assistant (PDA) or laptop computer. A user may register with cross media application server  112  using user terminal  110 . Cross media application sever may contain databases for storing user account information and registration information.  
         [0037]     User terminal  110  may communicate to cross media application server  112  via a two-way second communication path  113  and a mobile network  114 . The two-way second communication path  113  may comprise a wireless cellular communication network or an Internet Protocol Datacasting (IPDC) broadcast. Those skilled in the art will realize that the two-way second communication path  113  may also comprise other telephone networks that may include PSTN, ISDN lines, or DSL lines.  
         [0038]     Cross media application server  112  may transmit supplemental information  502  pertaining to the television program  102  to user terminal  110 . User terminal  110  may display the supplemental information  502  on a display screen  209  of user terminal  110 . User terminal  110  transmits the supplemental information  502  to television set  104  or set-top box  108  through a second communication path  504 . The transmission of the supplemental information to the television set  104  may happen substantially simultaneously when receiving the supplemental information in the user terminal  110 . The transmission may happen automatically when the cross media service is selected and activated. Alternatively, the transmission may be invoked manually by a request of the user. The request for the transmission may be originated from the television set  104 , set-top box  108  or the user terminal  110 . Alternatively, the transmission may happen automatically after a certain time interval. The second communication path  504  may comprise a short-range communication path such as Bluetooth, WLAN, WiFi, or IrDA.  
         [0039]     Television set  104  may display supplemental information  502  in a message window  202  which may be displayed on a screen  212  of television set  104 . The message window  202  may be repositioned to various locations on screen  212  of television set  104  in order to reduce the amount of viewing obstruction to television program  102 . The supplemental information  502  on both television set  104  and user terminal  110  may be substantially simultaneously displayed in order to improve the cross media experience. A user&#39;s attention may remain focused on the television program  102  and not be distracted by having to view the supplemental information displayed only on user terminal  110 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 6  illustrates a flow diagram in accordance with the configuration shown in  FIG. 5  for displaying supplemental information in coordinated cross media services in accordance with an aspect of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 6  at step  602 , cross media application server  112  transmits a television program  102  to a receiver such as television set  104  or set-top box  108 . Television set  104  may display the television program on screen  212 . Features described in conjunction with  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4  are also applicable to this aspect of the invention.  
         [0041]     In step  604 , user terminal  110  transmits a request to cross media application server  112  to use cross media services. This step may also include registering user terminal  110  with cross media application server  112 .  
         [0042]     Next, in step  606  cross media application server  112  transmits supplemental information  502  to user terminal  110 . The information  502  may only be transmitted to those user terminals that have registered with cross media application server  112 . User terminal  110  receives the supplemental information  502  and may display the supplemental information  502  on display screen  209 . In step  608 , user terminal  110  transmits supplemental information  502  to television set  104  or set-top box  108 . Terminal  110  may transmit the supplemental information  502  over a second communication path  504  which may be short-range communication network such as Bluetooth. Finally, in step  610  user terminal  110  transmits feedback and requests related to the received information back to the cross media application server  112 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 7  shows yet another configuration for coordinated cross media services in accordance with an aspect of the invention. Features described in conjunction with  FIGS. 2-6  are also applicable to this aspect of the invention. In  FIG. 7 , a television program  102  is displayed on television set  104 . The television set  104  may receive signals from a variety of sources such as satellite, cable, or broadcast. The signals may be passed through a network  106  and a first communication path  107 . The first communication path  107  may comprise a terrestrial television broadcast, a satellite television broadcast or a cable television network. Television set  104  may include the capability of directly receiving signals from terrestrial, satellite and cable providers. Alternatively, a set-top box  108  may be utilized for receiving signals from a terrestrial, a satellite or a cable provider. The set-top box  108  may also include the capability of accessing the Internet.  
         [0044]     Cross media application server  112  may receive television programming which will be forwarded by cross media application server  112  to television set  104  or set-top box  108 . A user terminal  110  may be used to communicate with cross media application server  112 . User terminal  110  may comprise a cellular phone or other device such as a personal data assistant (PDA) or laptop computer. A user may register with cross media application server  112  using user terminal  110 . Cross media application sever  112  may contain databases for storing user account information and registration information.  
         [0045]     User terminal  110  may communicate with the television set  104  or set-top box  108  through a two-way fourth communication path  710  in order to request an address of the receiving television set  104  or set-top box  108 . The two-way fourth communication path  710  may include a short-range communication path such as Bluetooth, WLAN, WiFi or IrDA. The address may include an IP-address, a URL, an email address or a telephone number.  
         [0046]     User terminal  110  may communicate to cross media application server  112  via a two-way second communication path  113  and a mobile network  114 . The two-way second communication path  113  may comprise a wireless cellular communication network or an Internet Protocol Datacasting (IPDC) broadcast. Those skilled in the art will realize that the two-way second communication path  113  may also comprise other telephone networks that may include PSTN, ISDN lines, or DSL lines.  
         [0047]     Cross media application server  112  may transmit first supplemental information  702  pertaining to the television program  102  to television set  104  or set-top box  108  over a third communication path  704 . The third communication path  704  may include a wireless or wireline communication network such as the Internet  706  or other wireless or wireline telecommunication network or broadcasting network.  
         [0048]     Television set  104  may display first supplemental information  702  in a message window  202  which may be displayed on a screen  212  of television set  104 . The message window  202  may be repositioned to various locations on screen  212  of television set  104  in order to reduce the amount of viewing obstruction to television program  102 .  
         [0049]     In addition, cross media application server  112  may also, usually substantially simultaneously, transmit second supplemental information  708  to user terminal  110 . User terminal  110  may display second supplemental information  708  on a display screen  209  of user terminal  110 . First supplemental information  702  may be identical information as second supplemental information  708 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 8  illustrates a flow diagram in accordance with the configuration shown in  FIG. 7  for displaying supplemental information in coordinated cross media services in accordance with an aspect of the invention. Features described in conjunction with  FIGS. 2-6  are also applicable to this aspect of the invention.  
         [0051]     Referring to  FIG. 8  at step  802 , cross media application server  112  transmits a television program  102  to a receiver such as television set  104  or set-top box  108 . Television set  104  may display the television program on screen  212 .  
         [0052]     In step  803 , the user terminal  110  transmits a request to the receiving television set  104  or set-top box  108  to receive the address of the receiving television set  104  or set-top box  108 .  
         [0053]     In step  804 , user terminal  110  transmits a request to cross media application server  112  to use cross media services. This step may also include registering user terminal  110  with cross media application server  112  and transmitting the address of the receiving television set  104  or set-top box  108 . The address may be requested from receiving television set  104  or set-top box  108 , or it may be stored beforehand in the memory of user terminal  110 . Alternatively, the address may be included in the user&#39;s account information or the registration information that is stored in the cross media application server  112 . Next in step  806 , cross media application server  112  determines that users are currently watching cross media capable programs on television set  104  and transmits first supplemental information  702  to the address of the television set  104  or set-top box  108  via third communication path  704  and Internet network  706  or other wireless or wireline telecommunication network or broadcasting network.  
         [0054]     In step  808 , cross media application server  112  transmits second supplemental information  708  to user terminal  110 . The second supplemental information  708  may only be transmitted to those user terminals that have registered with cross media application server  112 . Cross media application server  112  synchronizes the transmission of the first supplemental information  702 , the second supplemental information  708  and the television program  102 . In addition, cross media application server  112  substantially simultaneously transmits first and second supplemental information to the television set  104  or set-top box  108  and the user terminal  110 .  
         [0055]     User terminal  110  receives the second supplemental information  708  and may display the second supplemental information  708  on display screen  209 . Finally, in step  810  user terminal  110  transmits feedback and requests related to the received information back to the cross media application server  112 .  
         [0056]     While illustrative systems and methods as described herein embodying various aspects of the present invention are shown by way of example, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example, each of the elements of the aforementioned embodiments may be utilized alone or in combination with elements of the other embodiments. Also, the invention has been defined using the appended claims, however these claims are exemplary in that the invention is intended to include the elements and steps described herein in any combination or sub-combination. It will also be appreciated and understood that modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.