Patent Publication Number: US-2010131998-A1

Title: Multimedia Frame Capture

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is generally related to a system and method of capturing and communicating multimedia data. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Broadcast television provides a high degree of entertainment value but has limitations as compared to interactive media such as the internet. As such, various types of digital television with added interactive features have been proposed. One feature that is often requested is for a user to be able to capture images from displayed video. A particular system to capture images from displayed broadcast video involves adding special equipment to a stand-alone television device. The special equipment captures images of video after the video has been broadcast and received at the television device. Adding special, equipment to each television device would be expensive for consumers and would add significant operational costs for network providers, especially for deployment on a large scale. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a first particular embodiment of a multimedia distribution system; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a multimedia distribution system; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a method of capturing and communicating image data; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a method of communicating image capture commands; and 
         FIG. 5  depicts an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In a particular embodiment, a method of communicating image capture commands is provided. The method includes receiving a user command to capture an image. The image to be captured is incorporated in multimedia content delivered by a multimedia distribution system via a network to an end-user device. The method further includes sending an image-capture command to the multimedia distribution system via the network in response to receiving the user command. The multimedia distribution system captures image data in response to the image-capture command and the image data may be stored or forwarded to a destination device. 
     In another particular embodiment, a computer-readable medium is disclosed. The computer-readable medium includes executable instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to buffer, at a device of a multimedia distribution system, image data of a multimedia-content stream to be sent to a receiver via a network and to access data from the device to generate captured image data in response to an image-capture request. An exemplary receiver is a set top box coupled to a display device. 
     In another embodiment a system is disclosed that includes a network-interface, a multimedia server, a buffering component, and an image-capturing component. The network interface is to communicate with a receiver via a network. The multimedia server is to send a multimedia-content stream to the receiver via the network-interface. The buffering component buffers image data of the multimedia-content stream, and the image-capturing component accesses data from the buffering component to generate captured image data in response to an image-capture request from the receiver. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of a particular illustrative embodiment of a multimedia communication system is illustrated at  100 . The system  100  includes a multimedia distribution system  140 , a network  130 , a wireless network  150 , customer premises equipment (CPE)  120 , and one or more end user devices, such as the illustrated set top box  102 . The set top box  102  is coupled to a display device  116  and receives user input from a remote control device  114 . The network  130  is coupled to a storage device  160 . The multimedia distribution system  140  includes an image capture component  148 , a data buffer  146 , a network interface  142 , and a multimedia server  144 . The wireless network  150  may be a public wide area wireless network, such as a cellular network to communicate with end user wireless phones, such as cell phone  152  as illustrated. 
     The set top box  102  includes a network interface  104 , a processor  112 , an input/output (I/O) interface  106 , and a memory  108 . The memory  108  includes control logic, such as the illustrated controller functionality  110 , or processor executable instructions, such as a computer program stored in the memory  108  to perform control functions. 
     During operation, a user  118  may use the remote control  114  to communicate a user command  172  to the set top box  102 . An example of the user command  172  is a command to capture a frame of image data that is being displayed at the display device  116 . The image data that is displayed at the display device  116  may be incorporated into a multimedia data stream that is communicated by the set top box  102  to the display device  116  for playback to the user  118 . The multimedia data stream is illustrated as the multimedia content stream (MCS  170 ). 
     Upon receipt of the user command  172  at the I/O interface  106  of the set top box  102 , the user command  172  is processed by the processor  112  and based on instructions from the controller  110  of the memory  108 , the processor  112  processes the user command  172  and communicates an image capture command  172  via the network interface  104  to the multimedia distribution system  140  via the CPE  120  and the network  130 . In a particular embodiment, the network is an internet protocol (IP) network and the multimedia distribution system  140  and the network  130  are part of an internet protocol television (IPTV) system. The multimedia distribution system  140  receives the image capture command, illustrated as command  172 , from the network  130  at the network interface  142 . The image capture component  148  of the multimedia distribution system  140  captures image data by retrieving multimedia data, such as image data from a multimedia stream, that is stored at the data buffer  146 . The data buffer  146  stores multimedia data that is sourced from the multimedia server  144  over the network  130  to the set top box  102  for display at the display device  116 . Thus, the buffer  146  temporarily stores data before such data is delivered and displayed at the display device  116  and the temporarily stored data is available for image capture by the image capture component  148 . The captured image data from the image capture component  148  is communicated by the network interface  142 , as image data (I-Data  176 ) via the network  130  and directed to the set top box  102 . Once received at the set top box  102 , the set top box  102  displays the image data (I-Data  176 ) at the display device  116 . The user  118  views the captured image data  176  at the display device  116 . 
     After the user has requested, received and views the captured image data  176 , the user can interact with the set top box  102  and can request further actions to be taken with respect to the image data  176 . For example, the user  118  can use the remote control  114  to send a forward command  174  to the set top box  102 . The forward command  174  may be used to request the captured image  176  to be forwarded to another device. For example, the user  118  can request that the set top box  102  forward the image data  176  to a destination communication device, such as a destination cell phone  152 , via the network  130  and the wireless network  150 . Alternatively, the user  118  may request the image data  176  to be stored in a data storage device  160  by the network  130 . The storage device  160  may function as a library for the user  118  to store multiple images or other data, such as stored video or audio. The library can be stored at the storage device  160  for multiple subscribers and can be offered as a service for users of set top boxes, such as the illustrated user  118 . Thus, the user  118  can in real-time or near real-time, request a displayed video image to be captured, receive a displayed version of the captured image (e.g. a displayed image frame), and then can manipulate the image by taking actions such as forwarding the image to a selected destination device or storing the image at network attached storage for later access or use. The stored image data may be subsequently accessed for viewing or forwarded to alternative devices. An example of alternative devices includes mobile devices, such as a cell phone, network devices, such as a different set top box, or other electronic devices capable of displaying images. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of a data communication system  200  is illustrated. The system  200  includes a multimedia server  244 , an image-capture device  202 , a network router  248 , a receiver  250 , and a network  230 . The image-capture device  202  includes, a processor  212 , a buffering component  246 , a memory  208 , and a network interface  204  that includes an input port  207  and an output port  206 . The network interface  204  is configured to interface with the router  248 . In a particular embodiment, the router  248  is part of the network  230 . The memory  208  includes an image capture module  210 . The image capture module  210  may be implemented as instructions that are executable by the processor  212 . The image-capture device  202  is an example of equipment that may be used to implement functionality of the multimedia distribution system  140  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     During operation, the router  248  receives a multimedia content stream  270  from the multimedia server  244 . The multimedia content stream (MCS)  270  is routed by the router  248  to the receiver  250  and the MCS  270  is communicated for distribution to end user devices. In a particular embodiment, the router  248  is dedicated to multicasting. The network  230  is similar to the network  130  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The image-capture device  202  buffers image data of the multimedia-content stream  270 . In a particular embodiment, the image-capture device  202  buffers the image data based on network a propagation time between the video server  244  and the receiver  250 , such as a set top box coupled to a television. The input port  207  of the image-capture device  202  is configured to receive an image capture request  272  that is communicated by the network  230 . The image capture request  272  may be sent by the network  230  in response to a user request from an end user device that is coupled to the network  230 . In response to receiving the request  272 , the processor  212 , responsive to the image capture module  210 , retrieves captured image data from the buffering component  246 . The captured image data is then available for distribution by the output port  206  of the image-capture device  202  as the illustrated image data (I-Data  276 ) sent via the network  230 . The input port  207  may also receive a forward command  274  to request that a previously captured image, such as image data  276 , be forwarded to a different device. The processor  212 , in response to the forward command  274 , directs communication of the image data  276  to a different device, such as a destination device addressable using the network  230 . Examples of destination devices include network storage devices and end user devices, such as set top boxes, wireless devices, and other consumer electronic devices suitable for displaying image data. Thus, the image-capture device  202  includes embedded image capture and buffering capability to communicate via a network and to process and respond to image capture and forwarding commands related to multimedia content. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a method of buffering data and responding to image capture commands is illustrated. The method includes buffering, at a device of a multimedia distribution system, image data of a multimedia content stream to be sent to a receiver (e.g. set top box  102 ) via a network, at  302 , and accessing data from the device to generate captured image data in response to an image-capture request received from the receiver, as shown at  304 . The method further includes sending the captured image data to the receiver via the network, as shown at  306 . The captured image data may be stored, as shown at  308 . The method further includes receiving an image-forwarding message from the receiver via the network, at  310 . The image-forwarding message requests the captured image data to be sent to a destination device identified in the image-forwarding request. The destination device may be identified by an IP address or another type of address designation. The captured image data is then communicated to the destination device, as shown at  312 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a method of communicating captured image data in response to user commands is illustrated. The method includes receiving a user command to capture a particular image, at  402 . The particular image to be captured is incorporated in multimedia content delivered by a multimedia distribution system via a network to one or more end-user devices for display. The method further includes sending an image-capture command to the multimedia distribution system via the network in response to receiving the user command, at  404 , and receiving captured image data corresponding to the particular image at the end-user device after sending the image-capture command, at  406 . The method further includes sending the captured image data corresponding to the particular image to a display device concurrently with displaying at least a portion of the multimedia content distributed by the multimedia distribution system, at  408 . A picture in picture or other display method may be used to display a broadcast stream and the captured image at the display device. The method sends an image-forwarding request to the multimedia distribution system via the network to request the multimedia distribution system to send captured image data corresponding to the particular image to a destination device at a destination address identified in the image-forwarding request, at  410 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system is shown and is designated  500 . The computer system  500  can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system  500  to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein. The computer system  500  may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. For example, the general computer system  500  may include or be included within any one or more of the devices, (e.g. set top box) servers, repositories, and network elements illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer system  500  can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a web appliance, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system  500  can be implemented using electronic devices that provide video, audio or data communication. Further, while a single computer system  500  is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the computer system  500  may include a processor  502 , e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system  500  can include a main memory  504  and a static memory  506  that can communicate with each other via a bus  508 . As shown, the computer system  500  may further include a video display unit  510 , such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel display, a solid state display, a projection display, or a high definition television (HDTV) display. Additionally, the computer system  500  may include an input device  512 , such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device  514 , such as a mouse. The computer system  500  can also include a disk drive unit  516 , a signal generation device  518 , such as a speaker or remote control, and a network interface device  520 . 
     In a particular embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , the disk drive unit  516  may include a computer-readable medium  522  in which one or more sets of instructions  524 , e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions  524  may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions  524  may reside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory  504 , the static memory  506 , and/or within the processor  502  during execution by the computer system  500 . The main memory  504  and the processor  502  also may include computer-readable media. 
     In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionality as described herein. 
     The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions  524  or receives and executes instructions  524  responsive to a propagated signal, so that a device connected to a network  526  can communicate voice, video or data over the network  526 . Further, the instructions  524  may be transmitted or received over the network  526  via the network interface device  520 . 
     While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein. 
     In a particular non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory, such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives may be considered equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored. 
     Although the present specification describes components and functions that may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to such standards and protocols. For example, standards for digital multimedia files (e.g., standards from the Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG), among others) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed herein are considered equivalents thereof. 
     The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. 
     One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter. 
     The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the true scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.