Abstract:
A method and apparatus for notifying a user of an interactive event using a remote control device. In one embodiment, a remote control device contains either a display or a bright light, or both, which can create a visual alert to let a user know that an interactive function is available. The nature of the function may be displayed on a screen attached to the remote control device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/875,707, filed Jun. 5, 2001, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Notifying Users of Interactive Functions Using a Remote Device,” which claims the benefit of the filing date from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/215,681 filed Jun. 30, 2000, entitled “Remote Control of TV Program Scheduling.” Applicant also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/218,022, which was filed on Jul. 12, 2000, entitled “Novel Methods of Notifying Users of TV Program Services and Interactivity,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/218,015, which was filed on Jul. 12, 2000, entitled “Remote Control of TV Program Scheduling. The contents of the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to the field of interactive programming. More specifically, the invention relates to providing a better interface for interactive programs. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    An Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) displays information about programs a viewer is currently watching as well as information about other programs on different channels or at different times. The first EPGs were typically displayed on one channel of a cable television system. These early EPGs were simple, displaying short program descriptions and scrolling past the screen at a predetermined rate. Also, these EPGs typically did not allow for user interaction. More recent digital EPGs allow for the user to interact with the programming schedule, and to view programs while scanning the guide. However, digital EPGs still typically rely on the television as a means of showing the EPG. 
         [0004]    Currently, EPGs are displayed only on the primary video display, typically a television, itself. This is because a television is usually the most expensive component in a home entertainment system, and further because until recently a television was the only display device in many homes. As a result, the television is used to show both the programs themselves as well as the EPG. 
         [0005]    Typically, an EPG will be displayed in one of two ways. It will either be displayed using the full television screen, completely preempting the programming selection, or the EPG may occupy only a portion of the screen as an overlay, the rest of the screen used to display the current program. Where an EPG only occupies a portion of the screen, however, it may be difficult to read because of the small size of the text, or may not provide much information about the current selection or other programs. Additionally, the main program is interrupted by the overlay. 
         [0006]    This method of displaying programming information can have several other disadvantages as well. When there are several viewers, if one decides to view the EPG, all other viewers must wait until the one using the EPG is finished. This interruption may be quite inconvenient for the other viewers. 
         [0007]    Current interactive television systems, such as Wink™, WebTV™, or MSTV™ create interactive applications that a television viewer may use while they are watching television. Once the application becomes active, the interactive television system must alert the user that there is an interactive function available. Previous systems have either displayed a logo or a window on the television screen itself. This can be disruptive to all viewers as it interrupts the programming. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a way to alert a user to the availability of interactive television without disrupting other viewers by displaying the alert on the screen itself. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides a method and apparatus for an interactive television system that provides interactive functions, and alerts a user of those interactive functions. In one embodiment, a remote control device contains either a display or a bright light, or both, which can create a visual alert to let a user know that an interactive function is available. The nature of the function may be displayed on a screen attached to the remote control device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an entertainment system with an electronic programming guide displayed on a remote computing device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates an entertainment system with an electronic programming guide displayed on a wireless computing device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates an entertainment system coupled with a number of wireless computing devices; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a device for indicating that interactive services are available. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    One embodiment provides a method and apparatus for alerting a user of an interactive function using a remote device. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the present invention. 
         [0016]    An EPG allows a user to perform a range of functions that may be useful when watching television. Commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/488,361, filed Jan. 16, 2000, describes in more detail the functions of an EPG and is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0017]    The main function of an EPG is to allow a user to view program listings sorted by channel and time. Newer EPGs allow a user to browse through the listings, and to get detailed information about specific programs. EPGs may also allow a user to select certain channels or programs in which the user is particularly interested. Additionally, an EPG may control a recording device, and start recording when programs selected by the user are shown. 
         [0018]    The typical television viewer now has many devices that have display screens, such as PCs, PDAs, web phones, etc., in addition to their television. Current EPGs are displayed on the television screen itself. This can lead to problems when there is more than one viewer, because viewers other than the one operating the EPG may not wish to view the EPG. Problems may also arise when the EPG attempts to display both the guide and a television program at the same time, because either the text may be too small or there may be too little information displayed. New display devices, such as PCs and PDAs give the user the opportunity to view the programming guide on a second screen, eliminating the problems associated with displaying an EPG and programs on the same screen. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates an apparatus for displaying an EPG on a display other than the primary display according to one embodiment. Entertainment system  100  is an exemplary entertainment system which allows a user to watch television, record television programs, and perform various other functions. 
         [0020]    As shown, entertainment system  100  includes a television or other video display  105 , a set-top box (STB)  110 , a digital or other recording device  115 , and a remote control device  120 . 
         [0021]    Video display  105  can be a television, plasma screen, liquid crystal display (LCD) or any other device capable of interpreting and displaying signals sent by set top box  110  (STB). STB  110  receives and descrambles cable television and other signals, allows for interaction with the viewer, and transmits the resulting signals to video display  105 . Recording device  115  may be any one of or a combination of any one of a number of devices including video cassette recorders (VCRs), hard drives, digital versatile disc-random access memory (DVD-RAM) recorders, etc. Video display  105 , STB  110  and recording device  115  may also be combined in any fashion. 
         [0022]    Set top box (STB)  110  can receive signals from network  125  through network connection  130 . It can also receive information from link  130   a  to video display  105  and recording device  115 . Remote control device  120  is capable of controlling the functions of the various components of entertainment system  100  using infrared or other transmission means. 
         [0023]    Network  125  may consist of a single network or a group of networks such as the Internet. Network connection  130  can deliver signals to STB  110  over a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), satellite broadcast, or other data transmission means. Network connection  130  can deliver analog, digital or HDTV signals, or any combination thereof. Network connection  130  may also allow unidirectional or bi-directional Internet access. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, network  125  would comprise a single high-bandwidth digital network that allows both digital video streams and Internet access as well as other services to run on the same network. In another embodiment, the network connection  130  would comprise fiber optic cable, although it is clear that any means of connecting the network may be employed. 
         [0025]    Although only a single network cloud  125  is shown in  FIG. 1 , in other embodiments, any number of different types information providers and network connections may be utilized. For example, broadcast server  135  has programs which can be viewed using entertainment system  100 . Broadcast server  135  delivers information to network  125  through network link  140 , and eventually to STB  110 . 
         [0026]    Computing device  150  is coupled with network  125  through network link  152 . Computing device  150  may also be coupled with set top box  110  via network link  154 . Because set top box  110  has its own network connection  130 , it is also possible to forgo network connection  152  and route network access for computing device  150  through set top box  110 . 
         [0027]    Computing device  150  comprises a computer  156 , a display screen  158 , an input device  160 , and connections  162   a  and  162   b.  Computer  156  may be any device, such as a Personal Computer (PC), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a web phone, capable of processing commands necessary to display output on display screen  158 . Display screen  158  may be a computer monitor or an LCD screen, or any other device capable of displaying the output of computer  156 . 
         [0028]    Input device  160  may be a keyboard, mouse, joystick, writing tablet, or any other means of inputting data into computer  156 . The components of computer  156  communicate with each other through connections  162   a  and  162   b,  although any number of additional connections may be added for additional peripherals and for additional connections between the already enumerated components. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , computing device  150  is simplified for purposes of explanation. Any number of additional components may be added to computing device  150  beyond those necessary for use with the invention. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , it is possible for several people to watch programming on video display  105  while one or more other persons uses computing device  150  to view an EPG on display screen  158 . As a result, the programming displayed on video display  105  is undisturbed, and those perusing an EPG using computing device  150  can do so at their leisure. Also, because the EPG is shown on computing device  150 , it is more easily customized and can be seen more clearly. 
         [0031]    Input device  160  can be used to select programs to be watched on video display  105 , or to otherwise browse through the EPG. In addition, a cable television provider sending programming to set top box  110  may have preset selections to send to computing device  150 . A user may also use input device  160  to make viewing selections, preprogram reminders for viewing selections, program recording events, or perform any other function typical of Electronic Programming Guides (EPGs). 
         [0032]    Recording device  115  can also be configured through the EPG to start recording slightly before a program is scheduled to begin and to end recording slightly after a program is scheduled to end in order to compensate for scheduling inaccuracies. A server, such as broadcast server  135  may also control these functions. 
         [0033]    STB  110  may also provide for interactive functions such as online shopping, contests, games, chat, etc. Either input device  160  or remote control device  120  can be used to create input for the interactive functions of STB  110 . 
         [0034]    A user of the EPG displayed on computing device  105  may also, through input device  160 , display portions of or the entire EPG on video display  105 . This way, it is possible that a user may share programming information with all viewers, and thus the invention retains all of the benefits of previous EPGs displayed on a television. This also allows those who have poor vision, or are otherwise unable to use display screen  158 , to use the EPG. 
         [0035]    In another embodiment, an EPG could be displayed on a portable computing device.  FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary entertainment system with an EPG displayed on a wireless computing device. 
         [0036]    Set top box (STB)  205  has an integrated antenna  210 , which transmits RF waves  215 . RF waves  215  can be received by hand held unit  220  through antenna  225 . Hand held unit  220 , could, for example, be a personal digital assistant (PDA). Hand held unit  220  could be equipped with a wireless interface such as Bluetooth™ to communicate with STB  205 . 
         [0037]    A wireless hand held device, such as hand held unit  220  allows for a great deal of flexibility. A user may move about the room which contains video display  105  and be able to control the functions of the EPG from any point. When using a wireless hand held device to control the EPG, the device may also assume the functions of remote control device  120 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  also shows a satellite receiver  235  connected with network  125  through network connection  240 . Satellite receiver  235  can receive satellite signals, in addition to those already transmitted through the network from, e.g., broadcast server  135 . Any one of a number of methods of transmitting signals to STB  205  may be employed. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  illustrates an entertainment system coupled with a number of wireless hand-held devices. Similar to hand held unit  220 , hand held units  310   a - n  can display an EPG for entertainment system  100  on their screens. However, hand-held units  310   a - n  are capable of communicating either with STB  205  through antennae  311   a - n  or with STB  205  through network  125 . Hand held devices  310   a - n  may communicate with network  125  through any number of means, including but not limited to cellular, PCM, satellite, Blue-Tooth™, etc. 
         [0040]    A television viewer may often wish to converse with others about which television program to watch. The suggested wireless connection allows all users to view the same EPG. Additionally, the connection may transmit each user&#39;s comments or changes to all other users. In one embodiment, because hand held devices  310   a - n  may connect with STB  205  through network  125 , a user may program the EPG when they are away from home, and thus a number of users in a number of locations may view and program the same EPG. 
         [0041]    After programming in their selections, and making changes to an EPG, a user&#39;s programming selections can be stored on the remote broadcast server  135 , and can be downloaded through network  125  to a hand held unit  310   a - n . A user can then control the functions of a set top box at a location other than home, such as a friend&#39;s house or a hotel. A user may make personalize his EPG, and recording device  115  can even continue to record programs while the user is away from home. 
         [0042]    Recordings made by recording device  115  can be sourced out to a spindle farm, a DVD-RAM jukebox or any other massive storage medium. Recordings can be made and organized using the EPG provided to the STB  205 . Such methods should be able to store massive amounts of data and a significant amount of video. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  illustrates a method and apparatus for indicating to a user that an interactive service is available. Remote control device  400  comprises antenna  405 , display  410 , and input-output (I/O) buttons  415 . 
         [0044]    Remote control device  400  uses antenna  405  to communicate with STB  210 . Antenna  405  may be configured to communicate using radio-frequency (RF) waves, infrared waves, Bluetooth™, or any other means of wireless communication. 
         [0045]    Display  410  may be used to alert a user of an interactive function. Display  410  may be, for example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) with a colored backlight. When an interactive function begins, the backlight may either flash or change colors to alert the user to the possibility of interactive function. Further, display  410  may display several lines of text to inform the user of the nature of the interactive function. The user may then use buttons  415  to participate in the interactive function. 
         [0046]    Additionally, or in lieu of display  410 , one or more of buttons  415  may flash or change colors to alert a user of an interactive function. Button  420  is surrounded by a halo to signify that it is lit, and that an interactive function is available. It is also possible to incorporate some sort of audio tone or sound clip through a speaker (not shown) to act as a supplement or as a replacement for the methods described above. 
         [0047]    When a provider wants to make an interactive application available, it sends a signal across network  125  to STB  210 . STB  210  may then transmit the signal to remote control device  400  through antenna  405 . When remote control device  400  receives the signal, it may alert the user as explained above. 
         [0048]    Additionally, the alert to the interactive functions may be simultaneously sent to both the video display  105  and the remote control device  400 . A user may configure the remote control device  400  such that they may either activate or deactivate the notice displayed on video display  105 . Thus, the invention does not lose any of the functionality of previous methods of alerting a user of the possibility of an interactive function. 
         [0049]    The system and method described herein may be stored in the memory of a computer system (i.e., a set-top box) as a set of instructions to be executed. In addition, the instructions to perform the system and method described herein may alternatively be stored on other forms of machine-readable media, including magnetic and optical disks. For example, the system and method of the present invention may be stored on machine-readable media, such as magnetic disks or optical disks, which are accessible via a disk drive (or computer-readable medium drive). Further, the instructions may be downloaded into a computing device over a data network in the form of a compiled and linked version. 
         [0050]    Alternatively, the logic to perform the system and method described herein may be implemented in additional computer and/or machine-readable media such as discrete hardware components as large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), firmware such as electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROMs), and electrical, optical, acoustical, and other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). 
         [0051]    Although the foregoing description and accompanying figures discuss and illustrate specific embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention is to be measured only in terms of the claims that follow.