Abstract:
A system and method for identifying real time changes in broadcasted segments, communicating the changes over the Internet to a user PC ( 130 ) and performing pre-defined operation in response to the identified changes, including switching to another channel, changing the volume of the current channel, using IR/RF transceivers ( 140, 150 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This patent application claims priority from and is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/503,634, filed Sep. 17, 2003, this U.S. Provisional Patent Application incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention pertains to the field of television broadcasts and primarily to avoiding undesired segments of television broadcasts.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     For many Television viewers, commercial interruption during a viewed program are nuisance. Often, this interference is further compounded by a higher volume setting during the broadcast of commercials, often bordering on the intolerable. Often, one is also subjected to sudden changes in content, such as sexual content not suitable for viewing by youngsters. In another scenario, TV viewers sometimes wish to be alerted in real-time when a special event of interest is being broadcast, such as a special news flash or sports event.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,597,405 and 6,771,316 to Iggulden, disclose a method and apparatus for identifying selected broadcast segments, such as commercial advertisements, of a television signal in real-time for the purpose of muting the video and audio portions of the television signal during each unwanted segment. A signature pattern associated with each segment of the television signal is detected and compared to stored signature patterns representative of selected segments such as commercial advertisement segments. If the signature pattern matches one of the stored signature patterns, the segment is thereby immediately identified as being one of the selected segments and is processed in real-time to mute the audio and video portions of the television signal during the segment.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,757,912 to Vaughan, et al. discloses a system for dynamically defining individual channel behavior from a variety of tuner sources within an integrated PC/TV apparatus. The system enables a user to dynamically access and alter the channel parameters and data to tailor channel behavior to a user&#39;s personal preferences.  
         [0006]     There is need for a functionality that will give a TV viewer the ability to switch to and from another channel of preference upon the occurrence of a pre-defined event such as commercial broadcasting in the currently watched channels, or to pre-define a broadcasted event, or type of events, to take precedence and be switched-to whenever a broadcast thereof is starting.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     According to a first aspect of present invention there is provided a system for reporting selective changes in TV broadcasting content, comprising: TV analysis means for detecting and reporting changes in TV broadcasted content for a plurality of channel; and a Web Server in communication with the TV analysis means, for receiving the reported changes and for transmitting them to at least one subscriber, the Web Server storing a database of the plurality of channels and their current status; wherein the transmitting comprises selectively transmitting a full status report for all the plurality of channels or a partial status report for a selected number of channels.  
         [0008]     In a first embodiment, the TV analysis means is automatic.  
         [0009]     In a second embodiment, the Web Server transmits a full status report to the at least one subscriber upon the subscriber connecting to the system.  
         [0010]     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for selectively changing viewed TV segments, comprising: TV analysis means for detecting and communicating changes in TV broadcasted content for a plurality of channels; a computer storing a database of desired selective changes in viewed TV segments, the computer in communication with the TV analysis means; a first IR/RF transceiver in communication with the computer; and a second IR/RF transceiver in communication with the first IR/RF transceiver and with at least one media device, wherein the first and second IR/RF transceivers are operable to communicate from the computer to the at least one media device control signals for implementing the desired selective changes.  
         [0011]     In a first embodiment, the TV analysis means is automatic.  
         [0012]     In a second embodiment, the at least one media device is selected from the group comprising: cable decoder, satellite decoder, TV set, VCR, DVD player and receiver.  
         [0013]     In a third embodiment, the selective changes are selected from a group comprising: switching to a different channel and changing the volume.  
         [0014]     In a fourth embodiment, the database additionally comprises information about desired action following the selective change.  
         [0015]     In a fifth embodiment, the desired action is selected from the group comprising: switching back to the original channel, switching to a different channel and changing the volume.  
         [0016]     In a sixth embodiment, the first IR/RF transceiver is operable to receive IR signals from the computer, convert the IR signals to RF signals and transmit the RF signals to the second IR/RF transceiver.  
         [0017]     In a seventh embodiment, the second IR/RF transceiver is operable to receive RF signals from the first IR/RF transceiver, convert them to IR signals and transmit the IR signals to the at least one media device.  
         [0018]     In an eighth embodiment, the system additionally comprises a hand held remote control device, operable to transmit to the second IR/RF transceiver IR signals denoting change of viewed channel.  
         [0019]     In a ninth embodiment, the second IR/RF transceiver is operable to convert the IR signals to RF signals and transmit the RF signals to the first IR/RF transceiver.  
         [0020]     In a tenth embodiment, the first IR/RF transceiver is operable to convert the RF signals to IR signals and communicate the IR signals to the computer for synchronization.  
         [0021]     According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for selectively changing viewed TV segments, comprising: TV analysis means for detecting and reporting changes in TV broadcasted content for a plurality of channels; a Web Server in communication with the TV analysis means, for receiving the reported changes and for transmitting them to at least one subscriber, the Web Server storing a database of the plurality of channels and their current status; at least one subscriber computer storing a database of desired selective changes in viewed TV segments, the computer in communication with the Web Server; a first IR/RF transceiver in communication with the computer; and a second IR/RF transceiver in communication with the first IR/RF transceiver and with at least one media device, wherein the first and second IR/RF transceivers are operable to communicate from the computer to the at least one media device control signals for implementing the desired selective changes.  
         [0022]     In a first embodiment, the TV analysis means is automatic.  
         [0023]     In a second embodiment, the Web Server transmits a full status report to the at least one subscriber upon the subscriber connecting to the system.  
         [0024]     In a third embodiment, the at least one media device is selected from the group comprising: cable decoder, satellite decoder, TV set, VCR, DVD player and receiver.  
         [0025]     In a fourth embodiment, the selective changes are selected from the group comprising: switching to a different channel and changing the volume.  
         [0026]     In a fifth embodiment, the database additionally comprises information about desired action following the selective change.  
         [0027]     In a sixth embodiment, the desired action is selected from the group comprising: switching back to the original channel, switching to a different channel and changing the volume.  
         [0028]     In a seventh embodiment, the first IR/RF transceiver is operable to receive IR signals from the computer, convert the IR signals to RF signals and transmit the RF signals to the second IR/RF transceiver.  
         [0029]     In an eighth embodiment, the second IR/RF transceiver is operable to receive RF signals from the first IR/RF transceiver, convert them to IR signals and transmit the IR signals to the at least one media device.  
         [0030]     In a ninth embodiment, the system additionally comprises a hand held remote control device operable to transmit to the second IR/RF transceiver IR signals denoting change of viewed channel.  
         [0031]     In a tenth embodiment, the second IR/RF transceiver is operable to convert the IR signals to RF signals and transmit the RF signals to the first IR/RF transceiver.  
         [0032]     In an eleventh embodiment, the first IR/RF transceiver is operable to convert the RF signals to IR signals and communicate the IR signals to the computer for synchronization.  
         [0033]     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reporting selective changes in TV broadcasting content, comprising the steps of: detecting changes in TV broadcasted content for a plurality of channels; and reporting the detected changes to at least one subscriber; wherein the reporting comprises selectively transmitting a full status report for all the plurality of channels or a partial status report for a selected number of channels.  
         [0034]     In a first embodiment, the detecting is automatic.  
         [0035]     According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of selectively changing viewed TV segments, comprising the steps of: detecting changes in TV broadcasted content for a plurality of channels; communicating the detected changes to a computer storing a database of desired selective changes in viewed TV segments; and transmitting to at least one media device control signals for implementing the desired selective changes.  
         [0036]     In a first embodiment, the detecting is automatic.  
         [0037]     In a second embodiment, the at least one media device is selected from the group comprising: cable decoder, satellite decoder, TV set, VCR, DVD player and receiver.  
         [0038]     In a third embodiment, the selective changes are selected from a group comprising: switching to a different channel and changing the volume.  
         [0039]     In a fourth embodiment, the database additionally comprises information about desired action following the selective change.  
         [0040]     In a fifth embodiment, the desired action is selected from the group comprising: switching back to the original channel, switching to a different channel and changing the volume.  
         [0041]     According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for remote operation of a media device, comprising: a Web Server; a computer in communication with the Web Server, operable to receive remote operation instructions from the Web Server; a first IR/RF transceiver in communication with the computer; and a second IR/RF transceiver in communication with the first IR/RF transceiver and with at least one media device, wherein the first and second IR/RF transceivers are operable to communicate from the computer to the at least one media device control signals for implementing the instructions.  
         [0042]     In a first embodiment, the media device is selected from the group comprising: cable decoder, satellite decoder, TV set, VCR, DVD player and receiver.  
         [0043]     In a second embodiment, the instructions are selected from the group comprising: turning on, recording and turning off.  
         [0044]     In a third embodiment, the system additionally comprises a cellular phone for transmitting the instructions to the Web Site.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0045]     For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0046]     With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings:  
         [0047]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing showing the various parts of the system of the present invention and the interconnections therebetween;  
         [0048]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of the first IR/RF Transceiver according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0049]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of the second IR/RF Transceiver according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0050]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart describing the operation of the server part according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0051]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are coding examples of a Full Status Packet and a Mini Status Packet respectively, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0052]      FIG. 6  is a table showing the various options provided to the user of the system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0053]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are flowcharts describing the operation of the system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0054]     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0055]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing showing the various parts of the system of the present invention and the interconnections therebetween.  
         [0056]     The system is generally divided into a server part, generally denoted by numeral  50  and a client part, generally denoted by numeral  60 .  
         [0057]     Server part  50  comprises a TV Analysis function  100 , whose function is to monitor changes in broadcasted segments and alert the Web Server  110  accordingly. The TV Analysis function  100  may be done either automatically, e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,597,405, or by actual people watching the various TV channels and monitoring changes in broadcasted segments.  
         [0058]     The Web Server  110  may be any known in the art web server, whose task in conjunction with the system of the present invention is to process and relay the information provided by the TV Analysis function  100  to various service subscribers (Clients)  60  over a communication network, preferably the Internet network  120 .  
         [0059]     Client part  60  comprises a user PC  130 , such as an IBM PC connected to the Web Server  110  via Internet connection  120 . PC  130  is also connected, via a USB port, to a first IR/RF Transceiver  140 , whose task is to convert and transmit signals between the PC  130  and a second IR/RF Transceiver  150 , as will be explained in detail hereinbelow. Second IR/RF Transceiver  150  transmits IR control signals, originated by the application program residing on the PC, to various Media Devices, generally denoted  160 , as will be explained in detail hereinbelow. Second IR/RF Transceiver  150  may additionally receive IR signals from a hand-held remote control unit  170 , e.g. indicating manual switch to another channel, convert them to RF signals and send the converted signals to the application program via first IR/RF Transceiver  140 .  
         [0060]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of the first IR/RF Transceiver  140 . The device comprises: 
        An IR Transceiver  141  with USB pin connectors, such as Tira2.1, available from www.home-electro.com, working at IR modulation frequency 36-40 kHz.     An IC consisting of 2 elements ( 148 ,  149 ): 
            a. The first element  148  comprises an IR receiver module  142 , such as TSOP-1138 38 kHz, available from www.vishay.com and a RF transmitter module  143 , such as RF ASK TLP434A available from www.laipac.com. The output signal of IR receiver  142  feeds data to the input of the RF transmitter  143 . The actual operation performed is one of converting IR to RF, since the output of the IR detector will now modulate the RF module, thereby re-creating the same signal in RF.     b. The second element  149  comprises an RF receiver module  144 , RF to IR converter  145  including custom programmed PIC (Flash 8-pin 4 MHz Microcontroller) and an IR transmitter  146 , such as IR emitting diode available from www.lumex.com The RF receiver module  144  receives the incoming RF transmission  147 . RF receiver  144  outputs this incoming data stream to the DIN pin of the 8-pin IC labeled RF to IR converter  145 . The 8-pin IC is a custom programmed PIC12F675, available from www.rentron.com that samples the data input pin, then recreates the same data signal modulated at 38 kHz. Thus, the incoming data is converted back into a modulated IR signal.    
               
 
         [0065]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of the second IR/RF Transceiver  150 . The device comprises an IR transceiver and an RF transceiver on an IC, as described above in conjunction with the first IR/RF Transceiver  140 . The difference between the two ICs ( 140 ,  150 ) lies in their operational frequencies. To avoid conflict when transmitting RF signals, it is necessary to use two different frequencies. For example, the first IC  140  may transmit RF signals on 433.92 MHz and receive RF signals on 315 MHz, while the second IC  150  transmits RF signals on 315 MHz and receives RF signals on 433.92 MHz.  
         [0066]     Attention is drawn now to  FIG. 4 , a flowchart describing the operation of the server part  50  of the system of the present invention. In step  400 , the TV Analyst function  100  ( FIG. 1 ) sends data relating to status changes in all monitored TV channels to two Status Packet creating software modules; Mini status Packet Creator  410  and Full Status Packet Creator  420 . Status changes are changes in broadcasted segments per channel. For example, a status may indicate a commercial being broadcasted, or a certain program starting, or any other event as defined in the Web Server  110  application.  
         [0067]     A Full Status Packet is a data string containing channel number and status for all monitored channels. The Full Status Packet is transmitted to a subscriber upon connecting to the service, to serve as a basis for subsequent status updates.  
         [0068]     A Mini Status Packet is a data string containing channel number and status, only for channels where a change of status has occurred since the last update. Mini Status Packets will be transmitted as status updates to users who have already been connected to the service, and will serve to update the Full Status Packet stored in the Web Server  110 .  
         [0069]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are examples of a possible physical coding scheme of Status Packets, where the channel number is encoded using 2 bytes (0 to 65535) and the status is encoded using 1 byte (0 to 127), following the channel number.  
         [0070]     In the example of  FIG. 5A , a Full Status Packet is encoded, in which channels 2 and 10 have status 1 (e.g. a commercial is now being broadcasted on both channels). The size of a Full Status Packet encoded in the coding described above is approximately 3 KB, assuming 1000 channels.  
         [0071]     In the example of  FIG. 5B , a Mini Status Packet is encoded. The size of a Mini Status Packet encoded in the coding described above is 3 bytes per changed status.  
         [0072]     Any other suitable coding scheme may be used.  
         [0073]     The Web Server  110  software application according to the present invention contains: 
        A database of all monitored TV channels and their current status.     A database of all registered users.     Updated Full Status Packet that is sent, in its entirety or as a Mini Status Packet to all currently connected users.     Optionally, broadcasting schedule of TV programs. This service is available in the market, e.g. from www.tv2day.co.il, and can be customized for the Web Server  110  of the present invention.        
 
         [0078]     Attention is drawn now to  FIG. 6 , showing the various options provided to the user of the system. The user PC  130  of each subscriber to the system of the present invention runs a special User Application Software, supplied to the subscriber in any conventional manner such as by download from the Web Server  110  or on a CD. A user interface enables the user to apply the following controls to each channel in the list.  
         [0079]     The upper part of the table of  FIG. 6 , as presented to the user, enables control of changes relating to commercials being broadcast. For each channel in the list, the user may: 
        State whether he wishes to switch to another channel when a commercial broadcast starts;     Choose which channel to switch to;     Choose which channel to return to when the commercial broadcast has ended; 
 
 Or, alternatively: 
    State whether he wishes to modify the volume of his TV set when a commercial broadcast starts;     Choose the level of volume adjustment;     Choose the level of volume readjustment when the commercial broadcast has ended.        
 
         [0086]     In the example of  FIG. 6 , the user has chosen to switch to channel 4 when a commercial is broadcasted on channel 1 and switch back to channel 1 at the end of the commercial. For channel 2, the user has elected to reduce the volume by 5 points when a commercial begins and to increase the level by 5 when the commercial broadcasting ends.  
         [0087]     The lower part of the table of  FIG. 6 , as presented to the user, enables control of changes relating to segment topics other than commercials, such as a live news flash, a live sports event etc. and also to specifically named programs. For example, the user may request that any or all channels be switched to a first channel where a live sports event is starting, or even more specifically, when a predetermined event takes place, such as a goal (in football).  
         [0088]     The changes are done in real time and executed automatically in accordance with the desired configuration and in communication with the Web Server (online status).  
         [0089]     The Application Software may present the user with a graphical user interface, through which he may update the database residing on his PC by filling the table of  FIG. 6  by way of defining the various options, such as, for example, a graphical user interface.  
         [0090]     The Application Software requires some basic configuration parameters to be supplied by the user upon subscribing to the system, such as: 
    Username/Password.     User Information.     Corn Port (USB Serial Port, which is an auxiliary virtual device)     IR signals of the Cable/Satellite Decoder—for simulation of the Remote Control operation by the Second IR/RF Transceiver  150 . 
 
 The user may also supply some Advance Configuring options, such as: 
    Manual IR signal recording—A system tool for creating a database of IR signals of the various Media Devices  160 .     Download IR signals for Media Devices from web site—IR signals database may be built/updated by downloading a manufacturer&#39;s data.     Remote configuration—User may specify a remote connection, e.g. to his cellular phone, to enable remote operation. For example, user may wish to remotely order the system to start recording a program at a specific time.    
 
         [0098]     When entering the user application, the Application Software: 
        1. Enables the hardware (First IR/RF transceiver  140 ).     2. Connects to the Web Server  110  (Checking Registration).     3. Waits for synchronization (ID of currently viewed channel), either from a remote control  170 , via second IR/RF transceiver  150 , or manually.     4. Activate or deactivate the service from a remote control  170 , via second IR/RF transceiver  150 , or manually.        
 
         [0103]     Having described the various hardware and software components of the present invention, the operation of the system will now be described, in conjunction with  FIGS. 7A and 7B .  
         [0104]     In Step  800 , the user connects to the system through his Client Application and switches on his TV set to watch Channel X. A synchronization signal is sent from the Remote Control device  170  to the PC  130 . The Web Server  110 , having been notified that the user has connected, gets the latest status update from the TV Analysis function and sends a Full Status Packet to the User&#39;s PC, in Step  810 , to initialize the session. At a certain moment, a commercial broadcast begins on channel X (Step  820 ). The change is reported to the Web Server and the latter sends a Mini Status Packet to the User&#39;s PC, in Step  830 , indicating the changed status of Channel X. In Step  840 , the Client Software gets the new report, updates its status table and finds out that the user has asked to be switched to Channel Y in the event of commercial broadcasting on Channel X. In Step  850 , the switch cycle starts by the Client Software sending the appropriate command as IR signals to the first IR/RF Transceiver  140 , via the PC&#39;s USB port. In step  860 , the first IR/RF Transceiver  140  converts the received signals to RF signals and transmits them to the second IR/RF Transceiver  150  which, in Step  870 , converts the signals back to IR signals and triggers the channel switching operation by sending the signals to the appropriate Media Device  160 , in this case the Cable Decoder. In Step  880 , the Cable Decoder decodes the command and switches to Channel Y.  
         [0105]     A similar sequence of operations will take place at the end of the commercial broadcast on Channel X and the Cable Decoder will switch back to Channel X, or to whichever channel has been specified by the User.  
         [0106]     Other Media Devices capable of being controlled by the system of the present invention are, for example, a satellite decoder, a TV set, a VCR or DVD device and a receiver.  
         [0107]     The system of the present invention may serve as a remote control system for controlling the various Media Devices  160 . For example, a user may request the web site to send a signal to his home PC, at a specific date and time, to perform operations such as: 
        Turn on the TV set     Turn on cable/satellite decoder and switch to a specific channel     Record a program while skipping commercials (sending Pause signals when commercials are broadcasted)     Switch off the TV set, cable/satellite decoder and VCR when program ends. 
 
 Alternatively, the user may trigger these operations using his cellular phone Internet connection. 
       
 
         [0112]     It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.  
         [0113]     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as are commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods are described herein.  
         [0114]     All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will prevail. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.  
         [0115]     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.