Patent Publication Number: US-2006018630-A1

Title: Retrospective television viewing

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to television broadcasting, and particularly to recording of a television broadcast.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Recording of a television broadcast, and use of the recording to view a replay of a section of the recording, are very well known in the art. In a simple form, a video recorder may be used to record the broadcast, and the recording replayed at some later time. A more versatile method, which may be used for a substantially “instant” replay, i.e., one which may be replayed immediately after a section of the broadcast has been viewed, uses a digital video recorder (DVR).  
      TiVo Inc., of Alviso, Calif., produces a DVR that enables instant replays to be displayed by a viewer watching a television broadcast. At the company&#39;s web site (www.tivo.com/1.0.asp) it is stated that TiVo offers a service which provides an instant replay.  
      UltimateTV is a service provided by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. Details of the service may be found at www.ultimatetv.com. The service enables a viewer using a DVR to select instant replays in 7 second segments.  
      Digital Services North America, Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif., produces the “ReplayTV” DVR. The ReplayTV allows a viewer to select an instant replay of previously viewed live or recorded television. Details of the ReplayTV may be found at www.replay.com.  
      A press release dated Apr. 10, 2000, from ATI Technologies, Inc, of Toronto, Canada, may be found at www.ati.com/companyinfo/press/2000/4292.html. The press release states that a personal video recorder (PVR) produced by the company, based on a personal computer, allows a viewer to replay a sequence of a viewed program.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,430 to Moe, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a recording device and method for recovering a portion of a broadcast immediately after listening to or viewing it. The device incorporates a short term memory media to continuously record the last few minutes of a program, and control logic which upon command transfers material from the short term media to a long term storage within the device.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,951 to DorEl, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a home entertainment system. The system includes a capability for providing an instant replay of a viewed program in a multi-window display.  
      U.S. Patent Application 2002/0124262 to Basso et al., whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a network-based video replay service. The service enables a first party to make their own personal recording, and store the recording. Once the recording has been made, the first party may mail a pointer to the recording to a second party with access to the service.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In distinction, an aspect of the present invention provides systems, methods and apparatus for a television viewer to use a television control to select and store a retrospective section of a recorded television channel, while watching the channel. The retrospective section typically comprises a section of the channel that has just been watched by the viewer, so that an immediate replay of the retrospective section corresponds to an “instant” replay. Typically, the recorded section is stored in a digital video recorder (DVR) operated by, and local to, the viewer, and the television control is a remote control comprising a portable non-volatile memory.  
      In another aspect of the present invention, the retrospective section is stored by a retrospective viewing provider, such as a cable television company broadcasting the channel, rather than locally with the viewer. The viewer uses the control to send instructions to the provider for storage of the retrospective section.  
      In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided, according to an example embodiment, a method for recording a television broadcast, including: generating a record of the television broadcast; operating a television remote control to select from the record, while viewing the television broadcast, a retrospective section of the record; and storing the retrospective section in the television remote control.  
      In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided, according to another example embodiment, a method for recording a television broadcast, including: generating a record of the television broadcast at a retrospective viewing provider; operating a television remote control to communicate over a network with the provider so as to select from the record, while viewing the television broadcast on a television remote from the provider, a retrospective section of the record; and operating the television remote control to transfer from the provider to a receiver at least one of a pointer to the retrospective section and the retrospective section.  
      In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided, according to another example embodiment, a television remote control, including: a memory; a wireless communication interface, for communicating with television equipment; a user interface, which enables a viewer of a broadcast displayed by the television equipment to control functions of the remote control and of the television equipment via the communication interface; and a controller, which is adapted, under control of the viewer via the user interface, to select a retrospective section of the television broadcast, to receive the retrospective section from the television equipment over the wireless communication interface, and to store the retrospective section in the memory.  
      In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided, according to another example embodiment, a television apparatus for recording described below.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages there of, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a retrospective replay system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing steps of a process performed by a viewer in the system of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an alternative retrospective replay system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a further alternative retrospective replay system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides systems, methods and apparatus for a television viewer to use a television control to select and store a retrospective section of a recorded television channel, while watching the channel. The retrospective section typically comprises a section of the channel that has just been watched by the viewer, so that an immediate replay of the retrospective section corresponds to an “instant” replay.  
      Typically, the recorded section is stored in a digital video recorder (DVR) operated by, and local to, the viewer, and the television control is a remote control comprising a portable non-volatile memory. The remote control may be operated to select and transfer the retrospective section from the DVR to the portable memory, which may be removed from the remote control after storage of the retrospective section. Alternatively or additionally, the remote control is configured to relay the retrospective section from the DVR to an alternative portable non-volatile storage medium such as a compact disc. Storing the retrospective section in a non-volatile portable memory enables the television viewer to easily view the retrospective section at a later period, and/or to transfer the retrospective section to another viewer.  
      In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the retrospective section is stored by a retrospective viewing provider, such as a cable television company broadcasting the channel, rather than locally with the viewer. The viewer uses the control to send instructions to the provider for storage of the retrospective section. The instructions typically include directions on the disposition of the retrospective section and/or the pointer to the section. The instructions may also include information as to which channel is to be used to generate the retrospective section, the information typically being supplied if the viewer is able to watch a plurality of channels simultaneously. In one embodiment, the provider may generate a telephone number for the section, on receipt of the instructions. Anyone calling the telephone number is able to display the retrospective section.  
      In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, there is provided, a method for recording a television broadcast, including the steps of: generating a record of the television broadcast; operating a television remote control to select from the record, while viewing the television broadcast, a retrospective section of the record; and storing the retrospective section in the television remote control. Typically, storing the retrospective section includes providing a non-volatile memory in the remote control, and the non-volatile memory may include a removable memory. Typically, generating the record includes storing the record in a digital video recorder (DVR), viewing the television broadcast includes viewing the broadcast on a television receiving the broadcast, and operating the television remote control includes communicating with the DVR and the television via the control.  
      In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided, a method for recording a television broadcast, including the steps of: generating a record of the television broadcast at a retrospective viewing provider; operating a television remote control to communicate over a network with the provider so as to select from the record, while viewing the television broadcast on a television remote from the provider, a retrospective section of the record; and operating the television remote control to transfer from the provider to a receiver at least one of a pointer to the retrospective section and the retrospective section.  
      In an example embodiment, operating the television remote control includes implementing the remote control to communicate with the television via a first communication protocol, and implementing the television to communicate with the retrospective viewing provider over the network via a second communication protocol, different from the first protocol. The receiver typically includes at least one of a file storage system, a cellular telephone, and a data receiving system. The pointer typically includes at least one of a telephone number, a file address, and a uniform resource locator (URL). The television broadcast being viewed may be chosen from a plurality of broadcast channels, and operating the television remote control to communicate with the provider may include informing the provider of the broadcast channel corresponding to the television broadcast being viewed.  
      In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided, a method for recording a television broadcast, including the steps of: generating a record of the television broadcast; and operating a television remote control to select from the record, while viewing the television broadcast, a retrospective section of the record and to relay, via a first memory comprised in the remote control, the retrospective section to a second memory separate from the remote control.  
      Typically, generating the record includes generating the record in a digital video recorder (DVR) which communicates with the remote control via a wireless communication protocol, the second memory includes a non-volatile memory which communicates with the remote control via the wireless communication protocol, and the first memory includes a volatile memory.  
      In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided, a television remote control, including: a memory; a wireless communication interface, for communicating with television equipment; a user interface, which enables a viewer of a broadcast displayed by the television equipment to control functions of the remote control and of the television equipment via the communication interface; and a controller, which is adapted, under control of the viewer via the user interface, to select a retrospective section of the television broadcast, to receive the retrospective section from the television equipment over the wireless communication interface, and to store the retrospective section in the memory. In an example embodiment, the memory includes a non-volatile memory which is removable from the control.  
      In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, there is still further provided, a television apparatus, including: a television monitor which displays a television broadcast; a digital video recorder (DVR) which records the broadcast; a television remote control including a memory, the remote control communicating with the DVR and the monitor via a wireless communication interface, and being adapted to select a retrospective section of the television broadcast, to receive the retrospective section from the DVR over the wireless communication interface, and to store the retrospective section in the memory. Typically, the memory includes a non-volatile removable memory.  
      There is further provided, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer software product for recording a television broadcast, including a computer-readable medium having computer program instructions recorded therein, which instructions, when read by a computer, cause the computer to: generate a record of the television broadcast at a retrospective viewing provider, select, in response to an indication generated with a television control by a viewer of the broadcast displayed on a television and communicated over a network to the provider, a retrospective section of the record, and transfer, in response to the indication, at least one of a pointer to the retrospective section and the retrospective section from the provider to a receiver. Typically, the pointer includes at least one of a telephone number, a file address, and a uniform resource locator (URL), and the receiver includes at least one of a file storage system, a cellular telephone, and a data receiving system.  
      In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided, a method for recording a television broadcast, including: the steps of: generating a record of the television broadcast in television equipment; and operating a television remote control to select from the record, while viewing the television broadcast on the television equipment, a retrospective section of the record and to convey at least one of the retrospective section and a pointer to the retrospective section to a receiver separate from the remote control and the television equipment.  
      Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which is a schematic illustration of a retrospective replay system  10 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. A viewer  12  in system  10  controls a television  20  having a screen  22 , the control including selection of a channel the viewer is watching on the screen. Viewer  12  is also hereinbelow termed the primary viewer. Optionally, an inset  34  having a reduced-in-size frame  36  may be displayed on screen  22 . The functions of inset  34  and frame  36  are described in more detail below. Parameters under control of viewer  12  include parameters such as volume of the sound and the picture characteristics of the channel. Viewer  12  controls the television using a remote television control  14 . Control  14  comprises a wireless communication interface  15  which enables the control to communicate in a bi-directional manner with television  20 , typically via a standard wireless communication protocol such as a Bluetooth standard, which may be found at www.bluetooth.com. Optionally, system  10  comprises a non-volatile memory device  32 , external to the control, with which control  14  is also able to communicate using the protocol. Device  32  typically comprises a writeable compact disc (CD) or digital video disc (DVD) device; alternatively, device  32  may comprise a mini CD; further alternatively, device  32  may comprise any device having a non-volatile memory which can be written to by control  14  communicating with the device by the wireless protocol.  
      The channel watched by the viewer is supplied to television  20  from a broadcast source  30 , such as a local or national television station. The channel is typically transmitted by a cable television operating system via a cable network  28 , although it will be appreciated that any other suitable method of transmission, such as analog and/or digital transmission over-the-air, may be used to provide the channel to television  20 .  
      A digital video recorder (DVR)  24  is coupled to television  20 , forming television equipment  23 . DVR  24  comprises a processing unit  38 . DVR  24  also comprises a fixed non-volatile storage memory  26 , typically including one or more disks, in which is stored operating software  40  run by unit  38 , so that the combination of PU  38  and software  40  act as a computer. Software  40  may be provided to DVR  24  as a computer software product in a tangible form on a computer-readable medium such as a CD-ROM, or as an electronic data transmission, or as a mixture of both forms. Operations implemented by software  40  are described hereinbelow.  
      Software  40  enables DVR  24  to store in its memory  26  a record  27  of the channel as it is being watched by viewer  12 . Typically, the duration of the record of the channel is of the order of hours, and the total duration of other similar records is of the order of one or more days. Software  40  is further configured so that a most recently viewed section of a broadcast being watched is always stored in memory  26 , the duration of the most recently viewed section typically being configurable by viewer  12 , and being of the order of 30 minutes. Methods for providing such a configuration are known in the art. Software  40  is also implemented to store a section  29  of the viewed channel in memory  26 ; section  29  is described in more detail below.  
      It will be appreciated that the duration of the most recently viewed section, and the total duration of records stored, are functions of a size of memory  26 , and typically also of parameters of the memory that viewer  12  may configure, such as an amount of the memory that is reserved for functions other than storing records of viewed channels.  
      Control  14  comprises a number of controls, typically buttons, including a retrospective capture button  16 , which together comprise a user interface  17 . Interface  17  communicates with a controller  21  of control  14 , enabling viewer  12  to operate the remote control and television equipment  23 , and to perform selection of a retrospective section of a broadcast, as described in more detail below. Control  14  also comprises an easily removable, portable non-volatile memory  18 , typically a flash-based storage medium such as a Memory Stick produced by Sony Corporation of Tokyo, Japan. Typically, memory  18  may be removed simply by unplugging from a socket  25  in the control. Optionally, control  14  comprises a memory  19 , typically a volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM), which may be permanently installed in the control. The functions of button  16  and memories  18  and  19  are described in more detail below.  
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing steps of a process  50  performed by viewer  12 , according to an embodiment of the a present invention. In an initial step  52 , the viewer watches the channel broadcast on screen  20 . In parallel the channel is also recorded by DVR  24  in memory  26  during the course of the broadcast. In a second step  54 , while watching the channel the viewer sees a portion of interest and decides to save a section  29  of the portion. Thus, after seeing section  29 , in a third step  56  the viewer presses button  16  to begin capturing the section. The captured section of the program is herein also termed a retrospective section, and in the specification and in the claims, the term “retrospective section” is to be understood as any section of a television program that has been broadcast and viewed. Section  29  is also referred to hereinbelow as retrospective section  29 .  
      Pressing button  16  initiates a step  58  that allows viewer  12  to delineate, from a portion of the already-viewed channel, parts of the already-viewed channel that are to be included in retrospective section  29 . Typically, viewer  12  uses button  16  and other controls of interface  17  to perform the delineation. Typically, software  40  displays inset  34  including reduced-in-size frame  36  on screen  22 . Within inset  34  the viewer is able to scroll the display forward and/or backward in time, so as to be able to see all of the previously watched portion, using control  14  to recall into the inset corresponding sections of the viewed channel that have been stored in memory  26 . Control  14  is also configured to enable viewer  12  to select one or more parts of the previously viewed portion as retrospective section  29 , the selection typically being made by the viewer using the control, via software  40 , to place visual markers on the one or more parts in inset  34 .  
      Alternatively, inset  34  displays a multiplicity of snapshots of frames  36  that have been previously watched, each snapshot representing an interval of viewed time. Viewer  12  uses control  14  to choose which intervals of viewed time are to be incorporated in retrospective section  29 , typically by placing visual markers on the snapshots. Other methods for selecting one or more parts of a previously viewed portion of a channel, while continuing to watch the channel, will be apparent to those skilled in the art; all such methods are assumed to be included within the scope of the present invention. Whichever method is used, retrospective section  29  is temporarily stored in memory  26 .  
      In a final step  60 , after retrospective section  29  has been selected in step  58 , the viewer uses control  14  to issue instructions for copying of the retrospective section from memory  26  to another non-volatile memory. In an embodiment of the present invention, the non-volatile memory comprises memory  18 . The copying is performed via the wireless communication protocol with which control  14  and television  20  communicate.  
      In one embodiment of the present invention, described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 4  below, steps  56 ,  58 , and  60  are replaced by a step  57 .  
      In an example embodiment of the present invention, remote control  14  uses memory  19 , rather than memory  18 , to implement storage of retrospective section  29  in a device that is remote from the control. In this embodiment, control  14  also communicates via its wireless protocol with non-volatile memory device  32 . In final step  60 , rather than writing retrospective section  29  to memory  18 , remote control  14  acts as a relay by reading the retrospective section from memory  26  into memory  19 , and transferring the retrospective section from memory  19  to device  32 . The relaying of retrospection section  29  from memory  26  to device  32  is typically performed as a batch process.  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an alternative retrospective replay system  70 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Apart from the differences described below, the operation of system  70  is generally similar to that of system  10  ( FIG. 1 ), such that elements indicated by the same reference numerals in both systems  70  and  10  are generally identical in construction and in operation. Unlike system  10 , in system  70  control  14  typically does not use memory  18  or memory  19 . Optionally, button  16  is located on DVR  24 , so that viewer  12  may invoke process  50  ( FIG. 2 ) without the use of control  14 . Unless otherwise stated, hereinbelow it is assumed that viewer  12  uses control  14  in operating system  70  and to invoke process  50 . In system  70 , DVR  24  is coupled to a data network  72  such as the Internet by either a wired or a wireless coupling. DVR  24  communicates with network  72  using processing unit  38  and software  40 , which in system  70  is also configured as communication software.  
      Data network  72  and software  40  enable DVR  24  to communicate with a data receiver  71 , which is typically remote from the DVR. Data receiver  71  typically comprises a file store  80 , typically one or more disks wherein data may be stored permanently, a cellular telephone  82 , and/or a data receiving system  76 . Data receiver  71  may typically be controlled by viewer  12  (the primary viewer) independently of the control the viewer has of television  20 . Alternatively or additionally, at least part of receiver  12  may be under the control of a person, herein also termed the secondary viewer, other than the primary viewer. For example, if receiver  71  comprises telephone  82 , the telephone may belong to, and have a number identified with, either the primary viewer or the secondary viewer. Data receiving system  76  typically comprises any suitable system which is able to receive data, such as a terminal which is coupled to receive electronic mail (email) via network  72 , or a computer which is able to send and receive data and/or files via the network using a protocol such as a file transfer protocol.  
      In system  70 , viewer  12  performs process  50  ( FIG. 2 ) to form retrospective section  29 . However, rather than transferring retrospective section  29 , as delineated in step  58 , to a memory local to control  14 , viewer  12  implements step  60  of process  50  by transferring the retrospective section, and/or a pointer  78  to the retrospective section, to receiver  71 . Pointer  78  typically comprises a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and/or a file address. In the case of transfer of the retrospective section, it is typically transferred as one or more files  74 .  
      Software  40  is configured to facilitate the transfer to receiver  71 , by enabling viewer  12  to enter relevant identifying parameters of the receiver. Such identifying parameters typically include one or more of a URL of store  80 , a telephone number of telephone  82 , and/or an email or other address of system  76 . Software  40  is also configured to enable viewer  12  to choose which data, i.e., the retrospective section and/or pointer  78 , is to be transferred to receiver  71 . It will be understood that viewer  12  may thus have a number of options for transfer of the retrospective section and/or the pointer.  
      For example, viewer  12  may choose to send delineated retrospective section  29  directly to telephone  82 , in which case software  40  enables the viewer to input a telephone number of the telephone. Alternatively, viewer  12  may send the retrospective section to file store  80 , and may also send pointer  78 , as an address of the stored file, to an email address comprised in system  76 . Further alternatively, viewer  12  may send retrospective section  29  directly as one or more files  74  to a computer comprised in system  76 . Other combinations and sub-combinations of options for transfer of retrospective section  29  and/or pointer  78  will be apparent to those skilled in the art; all such combinations and sub-combinations are assumed to be comprised within the scope of the present invention.  
      It will be understood that viewer  12  may implement the options available via control  14 . In this case software  40  typically generates an interactive dialog within inset  34 , the interactive dialog being configured according to the option or options used by viewer  12 , and so that the viewer is able to effect the interaction with the dialog using control  14 . Typically, the interaction takes the form of viewer  12  entering an address or a telephone number of the destination of retrospective section  29  and/or pointer  78 .  
       FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a further alternative retrospective replay system  90 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Apart from the differences described below, the operation of system  90  is generally similar to that of system  70  ( FIG. 3 ), such that elements indicated by the same reference numerals in both systems  70  and  90  are generally identical in construction and in operation. In an alternative embodiment of system  90 , button  16  is located on DVR  24 , so that viewer  12  may invoke process  50  ( FIG. 2 ) without the use of control  14 . Unless otherwise stated, it is assumed that viewer  12  uses control  14  in operating system  90  and to invoke process  50 .  
      Unlike systems  10  and  70 , in system  90  a retrospective viewing provider  96  maintains in a non-volatile memory  94  a record  92  of the channel being viewed by viewer  12 , record  92  being generally similar to record  27  described above. Provider  96  uses a processing unit  100  which operates software  40  stored in memory  94 . Provider  96  may comprise a program supplier  95 , such as broadcast source  30 , in which case provider  96  also broadcasts the channel being viewed. Alternatively or additionally, provider  96  may comprise a communication facility  98 , such as a telephone company, which maintains record  92  and is coupled to cable network  28 , but does not broadcast the channel. Provider  96  is coupled to data network  72 , and maintains communication with the network via software  40 .  
      In system  90 , control  14  is implemented to have bi-directional communication with provider  96  using button  16 . The communication is via a local wireless communication protocol, such as the Bluetooth standard referenced above, between the control and television  20 , in series with a different protocol, able to provide communications between television  20  and the provider, such as an Ethernet protocol.  
      In the case that provider  96  comprises program supplier  95 , and so broadcasts the channel being viewed, button  16  enables viewer  12  to perform steps  56 ,  58 , and  60  of process  50  ( FIG. 2 ), substantially as described above for system  70 . Thus, retrospective section  29  is stored in memory  94 , and the retrospective section may be transferred from provider  96  to network  72  as one or more files  74 . Alternatively or additionally, pointer  78  may be transferred from provider  96  to network  72 . (For reasons of clarity, neither files  74  nor pointer  78  are shown in  FIG. 4 ). It will thus be understood that when provider  96  comprises the program supplier, provider  96  performs substantially similar functions as does DVR  24  in system  70 , and the options as described above with reference to system  70  are available to viewer  12  in system  90 .  
      In the case that provider  96  does not comprise program supplier  95 , and so does not broadcast the channel, steps  56 ,  58 , and  60  are replaced by step  57  ( FIG. 2 ). Step  57  is implemented by viewer  12  pressing button  16 . Step  57  automatically saves, at provider  96 , a pre-determined already-viewed period of the broadcast channel as retrospective section  29 . Step  57  also implements a pre-determined option, selected from one of the number of options described above with reference to system  70 , for transfer of retrospective section  29  and/or pointer  78 .  
      Alternatively, step  57  comprises storing the retrospective section as a file in memory  94 , and generating and storing in memory  94  a telephone number  93 , typically a temporary number, associated with the file. Step  57  typically comprises forwarding the telephone number to viewer  12  by any method known in the art, such as via a short messaging system message to a telephone number of the viewer. Viewer  12  may then provide the telephone number to a friend or other acquaintance of the primary viewer, who are able to view the retrospective section by dialing the number.  
      It will be appreciated that in system  90  provider  96  may be recording a number of channels being transmitted over cable network  28  to television  20 , one of these channels comprising the retrospective section required by viewer  12 . Furthermore, viewer  12  may be able to watch more than one of the channels received at television  20 , for example using a split screen showing two or more channels simultaneously. In this case, user interface  17  of control  14  typically comprises controls which enable viewer  12  to notify provider  96  which specific channel is to be used to form the retrospective section.  
      It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited by way of example, and that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention 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 and which are not disclosed in the prior art.  
      Variations described for the present invention can be realized in any combination desirable for each particular application. Thus particular limitations, and/or embodiment enhancements described herein, which may have particular advantages to a particular application need not be used for all applications. Also, not all limitations need be implemented in methods, systems and/or apparatus including one or more concepts of the present invention. Methods may be implemented as signal methods employing signals to implement one or more steps. Signals include those emanating from the Internet, etc.  
      The present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. A visualization tool according to the present invention can be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system—or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods and/or functions described herein—is suitable. A typical combination of hardware and software could be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein. The present invention can also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which—when loaded in a computer system—is able to carry out these methods.  
      Computer program means or computer program in the present context include any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after conversion to another language, code or notation, and/or reproduction in a different material form.  
      Thus the invention includes an article of manufacture which comprises a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a function described above. The computer readable program code means in the article of manufacture comprises computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect the steps of a method of this invention. Similarly, the present invention may be implemented as a computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a a function described above. The computer readable program code means in the computer program product comprising computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect one or more functions of this invention. Furthermore, the present invention may be implemented as a program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for causing one or more functions of this invention.  
      It is noted that the foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects and embodiments of the present invention. This invention may be used for many applications. Thus, although the description is made for particular arrangements and methods, the intent and concept of the invention is suitable and applicable to other arrangements and applications. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The described embodiments ought to be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be realized by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention in ways known to those familiar with the art.