Abstract:
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provide systems and methods for customizing picture-in-picture video images on a television. Specifically, in one embodiment, a television receiver for depicting multiple images on a single display is described. The television receiver includes a first receiver operative to receive a first video image, a second receiver operative to receive a second video image, a processor configured to overlay the first video image on a portion of the second video image, the processor in communication with the first and second receivers and a transmitter operatively coupled to the processor and the display, the transmitter operative to transmit the first and second video images to the display. The television receiver also includes a third receiver operative to receive a command to adjust the first video image with respect to the second video image and relay the command to the processor, wherein the processor adjusts the first video image with respect to the second video image in response to the command and the operation of adjusting the first video image with respect to the second video image comprises one of resizing the first video image, moving the first video image across the second video image and changing a transparency of the first video image.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The inventive field relates generally to systems and methods for displaying video images on a television. More particularly, the inventive field relates to systems and methods for customizing picture-in-picture video images for televisions. 
       BACKGROUND DISCUSSION 
       [0002]    As technology advances, televisions continue to serve as a centerpiece for in-home entertainment. With ever increasing content available to viewers, viewers generally are able to enjoy precisely the type of programming, content, and/or entertainment they desire. For example, a single television may receive content provided from a number of content sources including: a subscription based content provider such as satellite or cable, media players such as DVD and BluRay Disc players, video game consoles and over-the-air content, among others. 
         [0003]    Picture-in-picture functionality allows users to view video content, i.e., a “picture,” from more than one program from a single source, or more than one source, concurrently on a television screen. Generally, the placement and sizing for picture-in-picture is limited to up to five preset positions. Specifically, an inset picture may have a preset size and be located in one quadrant of a television screen or, in some instances, side-by-side with a primary picture. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provide systems and methods for customizing picture-in-picture video images on a television. Specifically, in one embodiment, a television receiver for depicting multiple images on a single display is described. The television receiver includes a first receiver operative to receive a first video image, a second receiver operative to receive a second video image, a processor configured to overlay the first video image on a portion of the second video image, the processor in communication with the first and second receivers and a transmitter operatively coupled to the processor and the display, the transmitter operative to transmit the first and second video images to the display. The television receiver also includes a third receiver operative to receive a command to adjust the first video image with respect to the second video image and relay the command to the processor, wherein the processor adjusts the first video image with respect to the second video image in response to the command and the operation of adjusting the first video image with respect to the second video image comprises one of resizing the first video image, moving the first video image across the second video image and changing a transparency of the first video image 
         [0005]    In accordance with another embodiment, a method of customizing an inset video image in a picture-in-picture configuration for display by a television is provided, the method includes receiving a first and second video image, creating a combined video image from the first and second video images by the placing the first video image within the second video image, displaying the combined video image on a television, and customizing the first image by selecting the first video image using an actuation device of a remote control and dragging and dropping the first video image to a new location within the second video image. 
         [0006]    In accordance with yet another embodiment, there is disclosed a method of adjusting the size or location of an inset video image on a television. The method includes activating picture-in picture functionality and interpreting user input as selecting to adjust size or location of the inset video image. Additionally, the method includes adjusting size or location of the inset video image. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Various aspects of the present invention may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments and examining the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a television system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a direct broadcast satellite system and set-top box in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 3A-D  illustrate various perspective views of a remote control for use with the television system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a screen shot of the television of  FIG. 1  displaying an on-screen menu in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5-8  are screen shots of the television of  FIG. 1  displaying video images in a customizable picture in picture configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a technique for adjusting the size or location of an inset video image in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    The embodiments shown in the figures illustrate systems and methods that may provide an enhanced television viewing experience through customizable picture-in-picture functionality. As will be understood from this disclosure, the enhancements relate to enabling drag-and-drop functionality for an inset video picture so that the inset video picture may be placed at any location on a television screen, rather than only at preset positions. Additionally, a user may adjust the size of the inset video picture. Thus, it should be understood that the enhancements may allow conventional picture-in-picture functionality, such as providing preset location and size for inset video picture, while providing additional functionality to allow a user to customize a viewing experience. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a television  10  configured to display visual content, such as video images or still image content received from content sources  12 , for example. The television  10  may be one of any of the various types of commercially available televisions including, for example a cathode-ray tube (“CRT”), liquid crystal display (“LCD”), light emitting diode (“LED”), organic LED, plasma, digital light processing, (“DLP”), etc. Alternatively, the television  10  may be a projector with a corresponding display screen. The television  10  may be configured to display standard definition signals, high definition signals, or any other level of definition signals. The television  10  may also display images in a variety of aspect ratios, such as a 4:3 aspect ratio or a 16:9 aspect ratio. In addition to visual content, the television  10  may be configured to output audio content received from the sources  12 . 
         [0016]    As shown, the multiple content sources  12  may include a DVD player  14  and a set-top-box (“STB”)  16 . In other embodiments, the television  10  may be connected to more or fewer content sources. Additionally, there may be different types and different combinations of content sources  12 . For example, the television  10  may be configured to receive video content directly from a VHF/UHF antenna (not shown). Additionally, or alternatively, the television  10  may receive content from a BluRay Disc player, a video game console, and/or a VHS player, for example, among others. 
         [0017]    The television  10  and the content sources  12  may be communicatively coupled via any standard video communication conduit(s)  22 , such as, coaxial cables, component cables, S-video cables, HDMI cables, fiber optics, etc. For example, the DVD player  14  may be coupled to the television  10  using an S-video cable and the STB  16  may be coupled to the television using an HDMI cable. Additionally, more than one communication conduit may connect each of the content sources  12  to the television  10 . For example, a plurality of HDMI cables may connect the STB  16  to the television  10  to so that the STB  16  may provide, for example, two channels of video and audio content concurrently to the television  10 . The content received from the content sources  12  may be analog or digital and formatted for display on the television  10 . 
         [0018]    The STB  16  may be communicatively coupled to a satellite antenna  18  and together may be part of a direct broadcast satellite system incorporating packetized transmission according to a suitable standard, such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4, or the like. Although any programming source that includes television programming and program information, or otherwise transmits data associated with the television programming, is contemplated, the STB  16  and the associated direct broadcast system will serve as an exemplary basis for the disclosure contained herein. The transmitted signals may be received as downlinked signals by the satellite antenna  18 . Front end processing of the satellite signals may be accomplished by a low noise block converter feed (LNBF)  20  provided in the antenna focal point. In order to receive more than one satellite signal concurrently, the satellite antenna  18  may include more than one LNBF  20 , such as is commonly referred to as a dual LNBF. The STB  16  and the corresponding direct broadcast satellite system are illustrated in the simplified block diagram of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0019]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , content for the direct broadcast satellite system may be provide by a service provider  24 A that uplinks the content to a satellite  24 B. The satellite  24 B transmits the content toward Earth so a properly adjusted satellite antenna, such as satellite antenna  18  may receive the content. As mentioned above, the satellite antenna  18  may include one or more LNBFs  20 . Each LNBFs  20  may include a converter module with a low noise amplifier  26  which receives the signals from the feed and a down converter  28  which converts the entire frequency band of the satellite signals to a lower frequency range that may be efficiently transmitted, for example, via coaxial cable to a client device, such as the STB  16 . As shown, the satellite antenna  18  is a dual LNBF, i.e., it has two LNBFs. The LNBFs may receive communications from the same satellite  24 B, or alternatively may receive communication from distinct satellites. 
         [0020]    A tuner  30 A-B may be provided for each LNBF of the satellite antenna  18  to enable selection specific channels from the downlinked signal. The ability to receive and tune to more than one channel concurrently may allow for picture-in-picture functionality using signals received via the satellite antenna  18 . Error correction and packet synchronization modules  32 A-B coupled to the tuners  30 A-B may output a transport stream compliant with a video standard, e.g., MPEG-2, which may be directed to packet demultiplexers  34 A-B. Various encoding or formats may be used. 
         [0021]    The packet demultiplexers  34 A-B may be integrated circuits that accept the packetized, time domain multiplexed data stream of the transport stream and routes the packets to various areas within the STB  16 . Audio may be output as audio streams  36 A-B, which may be respectively accepted and decompressed by audio decompressers  38 A-B. Video may be output as video streams  40 A-B, which may be respectively accepted and decompressed by video decompressers  42 A-B. The audio streams  36 A-B and the video streams  40 A-B may be audio and video program elementary streams, respectively compliant with audio and video standards. In addition to routing packets of data, the packet demultiplexers  34 A-B may also descramble encrypted data, provide various buffering of the formatted data, and handle a program clock reference to keep a local clock synchronized with the clock at the uplink center (e.g., service provider  22 A). Data may be routed from the demultiplexers  34 A-B to a central processing unit (CPU)  44 , which may assemble the data into an electronic program guide (“EPG”)  46  stored in a memory or other storage medium  48 . 
         [0022]    The storage medium  48  may be implemented by one or more memory and/or storage technologies including, but not limited to flash, SDRAM, EEPROM, ferroelectric or other non-volatile memory, hard disk drive, semiconductor disk drive, and so on, and may store software or firmware containing the operating instructions to control or facilitate certain functions of the STB  16 . For example, the storage medium  48  may include code to display more than one video image simultaneously on the screen using picture-in-picture functionality. Program  80  may represent code to enable such functionality, including on-screen menus and the ability to customize the video images. Specifically, the PIP program  80  may comprise an instruction set that allows a user to manipulate an inset picture, as discussed further below. The PIP program  80  may be implemented as hardware or, alternatively or additionally, may comprise a software program stored in the storage medium  48  that when executed provides users with the option of picture in picture functionality. For example, the PIP program may be implemented in an graphics chip (not shown) that is communicatively coupled to the CPU  44 . 
         [0023]    The video decompressers  42 A-B and the audio decompressers  38 A-B may accept one or more video streams  40 A-B and/or audio streams  36 A-B, respectively, and decompress them into baseband digital signals. The video streams  40 A-B may then be fed to video digital-to-analog converters  50 A-B and the audio stream  36 A-B may be fed to video digital-to-analog converters  52 A-B. The converters  50 A-B and  52 A-B may decode the digital signals and output resulting analog baseband signals to the television  10  and/or a DVR device  54 , among others. As mentioned previously, the STB  16  may provide more than one set of video and audio signals to the television  10 . Additionally, when the picture in picture functionality is operating, a secondary video image may be provided to a primary video image and, hence, only a single video stream may be provided to the television  10 . 
         [0024]    A user may control the operation of the STB  16  by interfacing with the STB  16  via a keypad  64  or a remote control device  68 . The remote control device  68  may communicate with the CPU  44  by sending an infrared, radio frequency, or other wired or wireless signal to a remote receiver  69  that transfers commands to the CPU  44 . The CPU  44  may then execute the commands. The remote control  68  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 3A-D  which illustrate a first side view ( FIG. 3A ), a top side view ( FIG. 3B ), a second side view ( FIG. 3C ), and a bottom view ( FIG. 3D ) of the remote control  68 . As shown, the remote control  68  may have a reduced number of keys or buttons relative to conventional remote controls. Specifically, as illustrated, the remote control  68  may not have a number pad, for example. Rather, to utilize a number pad, the user may select a number pad button which may activate a virtual, on-screen number pad for a user to select numbers. Other functionality may similarly be engaged by activating on-screen menus and navigating the menus using the remote control  68 . 
         [0025]    In addition to the reduced number of buttons relative to conventional remote controls, the remote control  68  may include a touch sensitive region  70  located on a top surface  72  that may allow a user to control positioning of graphical objects displayed on the television  10 , such as a cursor or an inset video image, for example. The touch sensitive region may include scroll zones  72  that may be used to scroll through on-screen menus and adjust sizing of inset video images, as will be discussed in greater detail below. The remote control  68  may also include an actuation device  74  located on a back surface  76 . The actuation device  74  may be a push button configured to be used as a trigger in some embodiments to allow a user to easily select items or menu options displayed on the television. Other embodiments may implement alternative features that achieve similar functionality. In an alternative embodiment, for example, a scroll button may be implemented that may used to navigate menus, manipulate on-screen graphics and select items or options displayed on the television  10 . 
         [0026]    As mentioned above, on-screen directories, menus and program guides may help users manage the operation of the STB  16  and, thus, the content displayed on the television  10 . The on-screen menus allow a user to select a content source and adjust parameters related to the content viewed on the television. To access such menus, user may select a menu button on the remote control  68 . The central processing unit  44  may execute the program  70  which may provide a user with an on-screen menu for selection of the picture-in-picture functionality. Specifically, upon execution of the program  80 , the processor  44  may output a graphic file to a processor  82 . The processor  82  may process the graphic file and output a signal, which, after being filtered by a filter  84 , may become a video baseband signal  76  that may be combined with the video baseband signal to be displayed on the television  10 . 
         [0027]    An example screen shot of the television  10  displaying the main menu  90  is shown in  FIG. 4 . As can be seen, a user is presented with various options  92  including (“PiP”) for picture-in-picture. The user may navigate the menu  90  to select any of the various options. For example, using a touch sensitive region  70  of the remote control  68  a user may manipulate or move a cursor  100  to place the cursor  100  over a desired menu option and selecting the option. For example, in one embodiment, the user may select the option by pressing the actuation device  74  on the remote control  68  or tapping on the touch sensitive region  70 . Upon selection of the PiP option, a PiP menu  94  may be displayed to allow a user to select content for display on the television  10 . In one embodiment, a first input (“Input  1 ”) may default to the input currently providing content to television screen and the user may select a second input (“Input  2 ”) for the video image that is to be inset in the picture in picture display. In another embodiment, rather than providing a second menu, an input currently providing content is set as the primary video image and the second input is selected as being the most recently viewed input, or if there is only one other input currently active or on, then the other activated input. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 5-8  illustrate screen shots of the television  10  during picture in picture operation. These figures are intended to show various options available to customize the picture in picture display. As can be seen in  FIGS. 5-8 , a first input provides the primary content  110 , and a second input provides secondary content  112 , or the inset video image. The inset video image  112  may be located in conventional positions, such as in a corner of the screen or side-by-side with the primary content  110 . Indeed, a menu  114  in the inset image may allow a user to simply select side-by-side display by selecting the side-by-side icon  116  using the cursor  100  and the actuation device  74  of the remote control. Additionally, a user may swap the positions of the primary and second images by selecting a “swap images” icon  118 . Upon selection of the swap images icon  118 , the inset image is swapped with the primary image, so that the former inset image is the primary image and visa-versa. Conforming with convention, such options generally provide the inset video image with a preset size in a preset location on the screen. 
         [0029]    In accordance with the present disclosure, a user may manipulate both the size and location of the inset image to customize the viewing experience. For example, a “grow image” option  120  ( FIG. 6 ) may be provided in the menu  114 . Upon selection of the grow option  120 , a user may adjust the size of the inset image. There may be various ways provided for the user to adjust the size of the inset image. In one embodiment, after selection of the grow option  120 , the user may simply slide a finger along the scroll zones  72  of the touch sensitive region  70  of the remote  68  to either increase or decrease the size of the inset image. 
         [0030]    The STB  16  may detect the selection of the grow image option  120  based on the location of the cursor  100  relative to the inset image  112  and, more particularly with respect to the menu  114 . Upon recognizing that the grow image option  120  has been selected by the user, i.e., by receiving a signal from the remote indicating that the actuation device has been pressed while the cursor was over the grow image option  120 , the STB  16  may adjust the size of the inset video image  112  based on signals received from the remote. For example, the STB  16  may interpret signals indicating movement on the scroll zones  72  as increasing or decreasing the size of the inset image. For example, the STB  16  may interpret signals from the remote indicating upward movement on the scroll zone  72  to shrink the inset image and downward movement to increase the size of the inset image. The operation of the STB  16  is thus controlled by the interpretation of signals received from the remote control  68  and/or the relative location of the cursor  100  to the inset image  112  and/or the on-screen menu  114 . 
         [0031]    In an alternative embodiment, the user may navigate the cursor  100  to a corner of the inset image  112 , select the corner of the inset image using the actuation device  74  on the remote control  68 , or by some other means, and drag the corner of the image using the touch sensitive region  70  of the remote control  68  to increase or decrease the size of the inset image  112 . Upon release of the actuation device  74 , the size of the inset image  112  may be set. Thus, the STB  16  detects the position of the cursor  100  relative to the inset video image  112 , detects actuation of the actuation device  74 , and interprets signals from the remote as indicating enlargement or shrinking of the inset video image  112 . 
         [0032]    In yet another alternative embodiment, the touch sensitive region  70  of the remote control  68  may be configured to sense multi-touch input such that the a user may touch the touch sensitive region  70  of the remote control  68  with two fingers and move the fingers apart to increase the size of the inset image  112  or pinch the fingers together to decrease the size of the inset image  112 . 
         [0033]    It should be understood, however, that the grow option  120  may also be executed using a conventional remote control. For example, a user may hold a select button while pressing navigation arrows on the remote to adjust the image size up or down. As such, the functionality described herein should not be read as being limited to the specific remote control described herein. 
         [0034]    In addition to adjusting the size of the inset image  112 , a user may move the inset image to a preferred location. To adjust the position of the inset video image, a user may move the cursor  100  over the inset image  112  and select the image by pressing the actuation device  74  of the remote control  68  and then move the cursor (optionally using the touch sensitive region of the remote control) while holding down the actuation device  74 . Thus, the user may simply drag and drop the inset image  112  to a new location on the screen ( FIG. 7 ). In an alternative embodiment, the user may move the cursor  100  over the inset image  112  and press the actuation button  74  to have positional arrows  122  appear on the edges of the inset image  112  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The user may navigate the cursor  100  so that it rests on the arrows  122  to move the inset image  112  in the direction in which the arrow over which the cursor is located points. In another alternative embodiment, the user may press the actuation device  74  while the cursor  100  is over an arrow to move the inset image incrementally (such as in discrete column or line movements, for example). In yet another alternative embodiment, the user may select the arrows and drag and drop the inset image  74 . As such, in an actual implementation the various embodiments may be implemented alone or in combination. 
         [0035]      FIG. 9  illustrates a technique  130  for operating the STB  16  to adjust the size or location of an inset video image on a television. As illustrated, the technique  130  begins by activating picture-in picture functionality, as indicated at block  132 . This may be accomplished by navigation on-screen menus or by receiving input indicating a PIP button on a remote has been actuated. The activation of the picture-in-picture functionality may launch a program, such as program  80 , or may activate hardware to provide an inset video image over a portion of a primary image. Once the picture-in-picture functionality has been activated, the STB  16  may interpret user input as selecting to adjust size, transparency or location of the inset video image, as indicated at block  134 . For example, as discussed in detail above, the location of the cursor relative to the inset video image or an onscreen menu coupled with actuation of an actuation device or a select button, for example, may be interpreted as adjustment of the inset video image. Upon interpretation of the received input, the STB  16  may adjust the size or location of the inset video image accordingly, as indicated at block  136 . 
         [0036]    It should be understood from the foregoing that the particular systems or methods of implementing an customized picture in picture is not critical and that any suitable approach as may be envisioned based on this disclosure may be employed. As such, the actual implementation of the systems and methods described herein may vary as appropriate or desired for a given application. Additionally, it should be understood that the customizable picture-in-picture functionality may be implemented in any device in communication with the television. Furthermore, the customizable picture in picture may be implemented in the television  10  and may be based on content receive from more than one content source. 
         [0037]    Although various details have been described herein with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of principles and applications. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.