Patent Publication Number: US-2012036525-A1

Title: Unified user interface for viewing desired multi-media content on an internet television

Description:
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/370,460 entitled “Unified user interface for viewing desired media content on an internet television” by Satish Mugulavalli et al. filed on Aug. 4, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Internet television (TV) is rapidly creating an alternative way of accessing the Internet. TV viewers, demanding entertainment and informational resources beyond cable broadcasting and video cassettes, are discovering that the Internet TV satisfies this need. The Internet TV offers technology that takes advantage of packet-switched information in the form of web pages available from wide-area networks (WANs) in hyper-text markup language (HTML) or moving picture experts group (MPEG) formats. 
     The Internet TV seems to appeal many consumers as it is typically less expensive and can require less technical sophistication than standard methods of accessing the Internet through a personal computer (PC). Integration of Internet access resources with a TV receiver is more convenient than relying on the PC. Many potential users of the Internet who do not possess PCs, or who are intimidated by the perceived technical skill involved in operating the PC, but who desire to use various Internet services (e.g., e-mail), are otherwise eliminated from this market. 
     Generally, the Internet TV does not require complicated PC hardware and software such as a separate browser, a separate monitor and a computer keyboard to access the Internet. Typically, all accessing functions are performed within an Internet TV set-top box coupled to the Internet TV. The Internet TV set-top box is generally connected directly to the Internet TV, and a remote control device typically controls the Internet TV set-top box with signals transmitted in infrared (IR) or radio frequency bands. Memory required within the Internet TV set-top box is typically less than what is required for the PC. Further, a dedicated operating system for a processor in the Internet TV set-top box is greatly simplified when compared to that of the PC. Furthermore, a user may not have to purchase a separate video monitor, thereby reducing the number of required devices and consequent expenses required for accessing the Internet TV. 
     Currently, the Internet TV set-top box is not setup to receive and provide digital media content coming from digital media devices, such as a digital video disc (DVD) player, a playstation, a cable TV set-top box, a satellite TV set-top box and the like along with multi-media stream received via the Internet to the Internet TV. Further, for accessing the digital media content, the user may have to disconnect the Internet TV set-top box from the Internet TV and then connect to the digital media device(s) for viewing the digital media content. For example, if the DVD player is connected to the Internet TV, the Internet TV can display only the digital media content coming from the DVD player. If the user desires to watch a cable channel program, the user has to disconnect the DVD player and then connect the cable TV set-top box to the Internet TV for viewing the cable channel program. This may restrict the user from viewing the desired content as it requires the user to connect and disconnect devices to the Internet TV. 
     Another problem with the Internet TV is that, it may fail to display multi-media content from different devices simultaneously without the multi-media content being overlapped. Typically, overlapping of the multi- media content displayed on the Internet TV may result in violation of broadcast TV regulations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram showing a device coupled to an Internet television (TV) for broadcasting multi-media content received from one or more Internet devices and one or more digital media devices, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the device, such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a process flowchart of delivering the multi-media content to the Internet TV, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram showing the device, such as the one shown in  FIG. 2 , inside the Internet TV for broadcasting the multi-media content received from the one or more Internet devices and the one or more digital media devices, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a screenshot showing a homepage view displayed on the Internet TV, according to one embodiment; 
         FIGS. 6A-6E  illustrate screenshots showing accessing of various devices connected to the Internet TV via the device, such as the one shown in  FIG. 2 , according to one embodiment; 
         FIGS. 7A-7I  illustrate screenshots showing accessing of main menu and sub-menu of the homepage without overlapping the multi-media content, according to one embodiment; 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate screenshots showing accessing of a community network while a program is running, according to one embodiment; and 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate screenshots showing playing of customized multi-media content when advertisements are being broadcasted, according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A unified user interface for viewing desired multi-media content on an Internet television (TV) is disclosed. In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present subject matter, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present subject matter is defined by the appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram  100  showing a device  102  coupled to the Internet TV  108  for broadcasting the multi-media content received from one or more Internet devices  104  and one or more digital media devices  106 , according to one embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the one or more Internet devices  104  and the one or more digital media devices  106  are communicatively coupled to the device  102  via input ports for providing inputs to the device  102 . Exemplary input ports of the device  102  include an universal serial bus (USB) port, an Ethernet port, a digital media receiver port and the like. The inputs to the device  102  includes multi-media streams  110  and encrypted digital media content  112  obtained from the Internet devices  104  and the digital media devices  106 , respectively. The encrypted digital media content  112  is having a resolution of 480 progressive scan (p), 720 p and 1080 p. Exemplary Internet devices  104  include a USB device  104 A, an Ethernet based device  104 B, a wireless device  104 C and the like. Exemplary digital media devices  106  include a cable TV set-top box  106 A, a digital video disk (DVD) player  106 B, a playstation  106 C and the like. 
     Further as shown in  FIG. 1 , the output of the device  102  is communicatively coupled to the Internet TV  108  via an output port for displaying the multi-media content received from any one of the Internet devices  104  and the digital media devices  106  on a display of the Internet TV  108  based on a user request. In one embodiment, the device  102  connects the display of the Internet TV  108  to the Internet devices  104  and/or the digital media devices  106  based on the user request. 
     Furthermore as shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  102  includes an Internet TV engine  114 , a digital media receiver  116  including a high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) decryption module  118 , a dual channel digital format video converter  120  and a digital media transmitter  122  including a HDCP encryption module  124 . The operation of the device  102  is described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exploded view of the device  102 , such as the one shown in  FIG. 1  is illustrated, according to one embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the device  102  includes the Internet TV engine  114 , the digital media receiver  116  including the HDCP decryption module  118 , the dual channel digital format video converter  120 , and the digital media transmitter  122  including the HDCP encryption module  124 . Further as shown in  FIG. 2 , the Internet TV engine  114  and the digital media receiver  116  are coupled to the dual channel digital format video converter  120 . Furthermore, the dual channel digital format video converter  120  is coupled to the digital media transmitter  122 . 
     In addition as shown in  FIG. 2 , the Internet TV engine  114  includes a multi-media stream decoder  202  coupled to a synchronizer  210  which is further coupled to a re-scaler  212 . The multi-media stream decoder  202  further includes a container format identifier  204  coupled to an audio-video (A/V) format detector  206  which is inturn coupled to a raw data generator  208 . Also as shown in  FIG. 2 , the dual channel digital format video converter  120  includes a scaler  214  coupled to a mixer  216  which is further coupled to a video switch  218 . 
     In operation, the Internet TV engine  114  receives the multi-media streams  110  (e.g., audio, video, photo, etc.) from the Internet devices  104 , shown in  FIG. 1 , and generates raw uncompressed media data  128 . In one embodiment, the multi-media stream decoder  202  in the Internet TV engine  114  decodes the multi-media streams  110  received by the Internet TV engine  114  via the input ports. Further, the container format identifier  204  identifies a container format of the received multi-media streams  110  (i.e. whether the received multi-media streams  110  include audio stream, video stream or A/V stream) by parsing the multi-media streams  110 . The container format identifier  204  then separates the multi-media streams  110  into three categories such as audio streams, video streams and A/V streams. 
     Furthermore, the A/V format detector  206  detects A/V format (e.g., of audio streams, video streams or A/V streams) associated with the identified container format of the received multi-media streams  110 . Also, the A/V format detector  206  loads at least one of audio decoders, video decoders and A/V decoders based on the detected A/V format. In addition, the raw data generator  208  decodes each of the received audio streams, video streams and A/V streams using the loaded at least one of the audio decoders, video decoders and/or A/V decoders and generates decoded multi-media streams using the decoded audio streams, video streams and A/V streams. 
     Further in this embodiment, the synchronizer  210  synchronizes the decoded multi-media streams based on time stamps. Furthermore, the re-scaler  212  re-scales resolutions of the synchronized decoded multi-media streams (as different multi-media streams have different resolutions (e.g., width and height of the multi-media streams)) to a same resolution and generates the raw uncompressed media data  128 . In addition, the re-scaler  212  transmits the raw uncompressed media data  128  to the dual channel digital format video converter  120 . 
     Further in operation, the digital media receiver  116  receives the encrypted digital media content  112  from the digital media devices  106 , shown in  FIG. 1 , connected via an analog interface (composite or s-video) or digital media port and substantially simultaneously generates decrypted digital media content  130 . In one embodiment, the HDCP decryption module  118  decrypts the received encrypted digital media content using decryption techniques well known in the art. Further in this embodiment, the digital media receiver  116  transmits the decrypted digital media content  130  to the dual channel digital format video converter  120 . 
     Furthermore in operation, the dual channel digital format video converter  120  receives inputs (e.g., the raw uncompressed media data  128  and the decrypted digital media content  130 ) from the Internet TV engine  114  and the digital media receiver  116 , respectively. In one embodiment, the scaler  214  in the dual channel digital format video converter  120  re-scales each of the received inputs to generate multi-media content of same resolution. The resolutions of the raw uncompressed media data and the decrypted digital media content are scaled by the scaler  214  to resolution in a predetermined range or a fixed resolution. Further, the mixer  216  generates mixed multi-media content  126  by mixing the raw uncompressed media data  128  and the decrypted digital media content  130 . Furthermore, the video switch  218  of the dual channel digital format video converter  120  enables switching between the raw uncompressed media data, the decrypted digital media content and the mixed multi-media content based on the request from the user of the Internet TV  108 , shown in  FIG. 1 . In addition, the user request is received via a remote control device of the Internet TV  108 , shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In an example embodiment, the dual channel digital format video converter  120  outputs the raw uncompressed media data  128  to the digital media transmitter  122 . For example, the dual channel digital format video converter  120  outputs the decrypted digital media content  130  to the digital media transmitter  122 . In another example, the dual channel digital format video converter  120  mixes the outputs of the Internet TV engine  114  and the digital media receiver  116  using the mixer  216  and outputs the mixed multi-media content  126  to the digital media transmitter  122  (that may occupy different portions of the display of the Internet TV  108 ). 
     In addition in operation, the digital media transmitter  122  receives any one of the raw uncompressed media data  128 , the decrypted digital media content  130  and the mixed multi-media content  126  from the dual channel digital format video converter  120 . In one embodiment, the HDCP encryption module  124  in the digital media transmitter  122  encrypts the received one of the raw uncompressed media data  128 , the decrypted digital media content  130  and the mixed multi-media content  126  and transmits any one of encrypted raw uncompressed media data, encrypted digital media content and encrypted mixed multi-media content to the Internet TV  108  through a digital media receiver interface. 
     In one embodiment, the encrypted raw uncompressed media data may be a user interface screen from the Internet TV engine  114 . In another embodiment, the encrypted raw uncompressed media data may be a video playback screen from the Internet TV engine  114 . In yet another embodiment, the encrypted raw uncompressed media data may be the user interface screen from the Internet TV engine  114  combined with the video playback screen from the Internet TV engine  114 . 
     In a further embodiment, the encrypted digital media content may be the video playback screen from the digital media receiver  116 . In yet another embodiment, the encrypted mixed multi-media content may be the user interface screen from the Internet TV engine  114  combined with the video playback screen from the digital media receiver  116 . The user interface screen and the video playback screen may occupy different portions of the display of the Internet TV  108 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a flowchart  300  illustrates a process of delivering multi-media content to an Internet TV, according to one embodiment. In step  302 , the multi-media content (e.g., audio, video, photo, etc.) is received from one of digital media devices, such as a DVD player, an Internet TV set-top box, a playstation and the like or from one of Internet devices, such as an USB device, an Ethernet based device, a wireless device and the like. In step  304 , it is determined whether the multi-media content is received from one of the digital media devices. If it is determined that the multi-media content is received from one of the digital media devices, then it implies that the received multi-media content is an encrypted digital media content and thus step  306  is performed. In step  306 , the encrypted digital media content is decrypted using decryption techniques known in the art. In step  308 , the decrypted digital media content is transmitted to a dual channel digital format video converter. 
     If the multi-media content is not received from one of the digital media devices, then it implies that the received multi-media content is multi-media streams and thus step  310  is performed. In step  310 , the multi-media streams are parsed to identify a container format associated with the received multi-media streams. In step  312 , A/V format associated with the identified container format is detected. In step  314 , at least one of audio decoders, video decoders, or A/V decoders are loaded based on the detected A/V format. In step  316 , the received multi-media streams are decoded using the loaded at least one of audio decoders, video decoders or the A/V decoders. In step  318 , the decoded multi-media streams are synchronized based on time stamps. 
     In step  320 , resolutions of the synchronized decoded multi-media streams are re-scaled to a same resolution as the synchronized decoded multi-media streams may have different resolutions. In step  322 , the raw uncompressed media data is transmitted to the dual channel digital format video converter. 
     In step  324 , the two received inputs (e.g., the raw uncompressed media data and the decrypted digital media content) are scaled to generate multi-media content of same resolution by the dual channel digital format video converter. In step  326 , the two received inputs are mixed and a mixed multi-media content (that may occupy different portions of a display of the Internet TV) is transmitted to a digital media transmitter. In step  328 , the received mixed multi-media content is encrypted and transmitted to the Internet TV through a digital media receiver interface such that the raw uncompressed media data and the decrypted digital media content in the mixed multi-media content are displayed on the display of the Internet TV. 
     In one embodiment, the dual channel digital format video converter generates the raw uncompressed media data and transmits the raw uncompressed media data to the digital media transmitter based on the user preferences. In another embodiment, the dual channel digital format video converter generates the decrypted digital media content and transmits the decrypted digital media content to the digital media transmitter based on the user preferences. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a block diagram  400  showing the device  102  inside an Internet TV  402  for broadcasting the multi-media content received from the one or more Internet devices  104  and the one or more digital media devices  106  is illustrated, according to one embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the Internet TV  402  includes the device  102 , a display  404 , a processor  406  and memory  408 . Further as shown in  FIG. 4 , the device  102  is coupled to the processor  406 . Furthermore as shown in  FIG. 4 , the display  404  and the memory  408  are coupled to the processor  406 . The functionality of the device  102  is same as described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a screenshot  500  showing a homepage view displayed on the Internet TV  108  and Internet TV  402  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , respectively, is illustrated, according to one embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the screenshot  500  shows the homepage view displaying a “my devices” tab, a “my collection” tab, a “Internet services” tab, an “Internet videos” tab, a “channels” tab, a “photos” tab, a “community” tab and a “settings” tab. It is appreciated that, the present invention enables the user to access multi-media content, connect to people and change the settings by selecting the above mentioned tabs. The details of the above mentioned tabs are described in greater detail in the description that follows. Hereinafter, Internet TV refers to the Internet TV  108 , shown in  FIG. 1  and the Internet TV  402 , shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A-6E , screenshots  600 A-E showing accessing of various devices connected to the Internet TV via the device  102 , such as the one shown in  FIG. 2 , is illustrated, according to one embodiment. Particularly,  FIG. 6A  shows the various devices (e.g., media sources) connected to the Internet TV. It is appreciated that the various devices connected to the Internet TV are displayed when the user clicks on the “my devices” tab, as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . It can be seen from  FIGS. 6B-6E  that, a DVD player, a playstation, a media center and a cable TV set-top box are the devices connected to the Internet TV via the device  102 . One skilled in the art can envision that multi-media content associated with the various devices can be accessed using the device  102 . In one embodiment, the user is allowed to select any one of the connected devices for accessing the multi-media content. Accordingly, the device  102  connects the display of the Internet TV to any one of the connected devices selected by the user. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , the Internet TV displays multi-media content (e.g., movie-1, movie-2 and so on) menu for accessing digital media content using the DVD player upon selection of “DVD player” tab by the user. In one embodiment, when the user selects the “DVD player” tab, the device  102  enables the display of the Internet TV to connect to the DVD player coupled to the device  102 .  FIG. 6C  illustrates displaying of a multi-media content (e.g., movie-1, movie-2 and so on) menu that can be accessed using the playstation coupled the device  102  when the user selects a “playstation” tab. In one embodiment, selection of the “playstation” tab enables the display of the Internet TV to connect to the playstation via the device  102 . 
     Similarly, in  FIG. 6D  and  FIG. 6E  the Internet TV displays multi-media content menus associated with the media center and the cable TV set-top box when the user selects a “media center” tab and a “cable TV set-top box” tab, respectively. As shown in  FIG. 6D , the multi-media content menu includes videos, pictures and music. As shown in  FIG. 6E , the multi-media content menu includes BBC™, NBC™, national geographic™, HBO™, CBS™ and cartoon network™. Based on the selection, the device  102  connects the display of the Internet TV to the network attached storage (NAS) and other multimedia PC&#39;s or the cable TV set-top box. It is appreciated that, the user is enabled to select desired multi-media content using the multi-media content menu displayed on the Internet TV. Further, the user can select the multi-media content from the multi-media content menu using up, down, left and right keys of the remote control device of the Internet TV. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A-7I , screenshots  700 A-I showing accessing of main menu and sub-menu of the homepage without overlapping the multi-media content are illustrated, according to one embodiment. Consider a scenario when the user selects the “cable TV set-top box” tab and thereafter selects a program for viewing. While the program is running on the Internet TV, the user presses a menu button on the remote control device, as illustrated in  FIG. 7A . In such a case, the present invention displays the main menu on the Internet TV along with the program which the user was already watching, as shown in  FIG. 7B . It can be seen from  FIGS. 7B-7I  that, the Internet TV is capable of displaying the main menu along with the program by shrinking the program. It is appreciated that the already running program and the main menu are displayed in such a manner that overlapping of the multi-media content with the menu is avoided, thereby adhering to the broadcast TV regulations. 
       FIGS. 7C-7I  illustrate screenshots showing accessing of the main menu and associated sub-menu while the program is running on the Internet TV.  FIG. 7C  shows the shrunk program with the main menu and my devices sub-menu (horizontally at the bottom of the display of the Internet TV) displaying different devices connected to the Internet TV via the device  102 .  FIG. 7D  shows the shrunk program with the main menu and my collection sub-menu selected by the user from the main menu It is appreciated that, the user can access playlists, bookmarks and files from the a USB stick while the program is running, according to the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7D .  FIG. 7E  shows the shrunk program with the main menu and Internet services sub-menu selected by the user from the main menu. It is appreciated that, the Internet services sub-menu displays various services provided by Internet services which are accessed by the user by selecting the icons from the sub-menu. 
       FIG. 7F  shows the shrunk program with the main menu and Internet videos sub-menu selected by the user from the main menu. It can be seen from  FIG. 7F  that, the Internet videos sub-menu enables the user to access multi-media content by selecting any one of the Internet video services, such as YouTube™, hulu™, VTap™ and abc™ from the sub-menu.  FIG. 7G  shows the shrunk program with the main menu and the channels sub-menu selected by the user from the main menu. As shown in  FIG. 7G , the channels sub-menu enables the user to access the multi-media content upon selection of a channels from the sub-menu. 
       FIG. 7H  shows the shrunk program with the main menu and photos sub-menu selected by the user from the main menu. As shown in  FIG. 7H , the photos sub-menu enables the user to manage the photos using the photo sharing sites, such as flickr™ Picasa™, snapfish™ and smugmug™ displayed in the photos sub-menu.  FIG. 7I  shows the shrunk program with the main menu and community sub-menu selected by the user from the main menu. As shown in  FIG. 7I , the community sub-menu enables the user to build a community network (access the friends and sharing with them) using the icons in the sub-menu. Further, the accessing of the community sub-menu is described in more detail with respect to  FIGS. 8A-8C . It is appreciated that the main menu can be navigated using the up and down arrow key of the Internet TV remote control device and the sub-menu can be navigated using the left and right key of the Internet TV remote control device. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8A-8C , screenshots  800 A-C showing accessing of a community network while the program is running are illustrated, according to one embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 8A , the community sub-menu includes a “friends” tab, an “inbox” tab, a “share” tab and a “login” tab. The user is allowed to access and manage the community network (using the “friends” tab, the “share” tab and the “inbox” tab) upon providing the login information. When a user clicks on the “login” tab, the user is displayed with a keypad for entering the login details as illustrated in  FIG. 8B . 
     [ 0049 ]It can be seen from  FIG. 8B  that, the program which is running while the user selects the “login” tab (as illustrated in  FIG. 8A ) is further shrunk such that the keypad for obtaining the login details is displayed along with the program without overlapping the multi-media content. Further, once the user provides the correct login information using the keypad displayed on Internet TV, the user is allowed to access his/her community network. In other words, all the tabs are personalized upon login into his/her account, as shown in  FIG. 8C . It is appreciated that, the user can access the community network on the Internet TV while the program is being watched. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9A-9C , screenshots  900 A-C showing playing of customized multi-media content when advertisements are being broadcasted are illustrated, according to one embodiment.  FIG. 9A  illustrates a screenshot of a cable channel program being watched on the Internet TV. Consider a scenario when the program hits back with the standard ad-break. The advertisement associated with the standard ad-break is being displayed on the Internet TV as shown in  FIG. 9B . In such a scenario, the device  102  detects the ad-break and the advertisement. Further, the advertisement that is being broadcasted during the ad-break is shrunk and the user is allowed to play custom advertisements of user&#39;s choice, according to the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9C . In one embodiment, the Internet TV shows an application user interface (UI) if the user does not want to play any ads during the standard ad-break. 
     A skilled person will recognize that many suitable designs of the systems and processes may be substituted for or used in addition to the configurations described above. It should be understood that the implementation of other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the invention and its various aspects will be apparent to one ordinarily skilled in the art, and that the invention is not limited by the exemplary embodiments described herein. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present embodiments of the invention and any and all modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed herein. The contents of all references cited are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.