Patent Publication Number: US-2023164395-A1

Title: System and method to identify an item depicted when media content is displayed

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/492,337, filed Oct. 1, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/863,092, filed Apr. 30, 2020 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,166,078), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/205,963, filed Jul. 8, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,687,116), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/629,546, filed Dec. 2, 2009 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,407,973), which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is generally related to identifying an item depicted when media content is displayed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Media content displayed at a display device by a set top box device may include items that may be of interest to a viewer. For example, when media content (e.g., a movie, a television program, or an advertisement) is displayed at a display device, the media content may depict various items, such as an automobile, a wrist watch, a sofa, or an article of clothing. The viewer may desire to obtain additional information about one or more of the displayed items to determine whether to purchase the displayed item(s). To illustrate, while viewing displayed media content, the viewer may see an automobile and desire additional information about the automobile, such as an identity of the automobile, a location where the automobile may be purchased, or a purchase price of the automobile. The viewer may conduct an online search or contact an advertiser associated with the automobile to obtain more information about the displayed item and to purchase the automobile. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of a first particular embodiment of a system to identify an item depicted when media content is displayed; 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram of a second particular embodiment of a system to identify an item depicted when media content is displayed; 
         FIG.  3    is a flow diagram of a first particular embodiment of a method to identify an item depicted when media content is displayed; 
         FIG.  4    is a flow diagram of a second particular embodiment of a method to identify an item depicted when media content is displayed; and 
         FIG.  5    is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     To enable a user to purchase or to obtain information about an item depicted when media content is displayed, the media content received from a media content server at a set-top box device includes one or more metadata tags associated with one or more purchasable items depicted when the media content is displayed. The media content is sent to a display device. A user selection to visually identify the one or more purchasable items depicted by the displayed media content is received. The user selection may be received from a remote control device. A display request is sent to the display device or to the set top box device to visually identify the one or more purchasable items depicted. The display device may visually identify the one or more purchasable items depicted. A purchase request is received to purchase one of the one or more purchasable items depicted in the media content. The purchase request may be received from an input device, such as a mouse, a touch tablet, or a touch screen associated with the display device. 
     In a particular embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a set- top box device, media content from a media content server. The media content includes one or more metadata tags associated with one or more items depicted when the media content is displayed. The computer-implemented method includes sending the media content to a display device. The computer-implemented method also includes receiving a first user selection to visually identify the one or more items. The computer-implemented method further includes sending a display request to the display device to visually identify the one or more items. The computer-implemented method also includes receiving a purchase request to purchase at least one of the one or more items depicted in the media content. 
     In another particular embodiment, a server includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium having operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the server to receive a request from a set top box device for information about an item. The request includes a metadata tag associated with the item. The metadata tag identifies that the associated item is purchasable via the set top box device. The computer-readable storage medium further includes operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the server to retrieve the information about the item from a database based on the associated metadata tag. The computer-readable storage medium also includes operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the server to send the information about the item to the set top box device. 
     In another particular embodiment, a set top box device includes a processor and a network interface to receive media content including metadata tags associated with items depicted when the media content is displayed. The metadata tags identify the associated items as purchasable via the set top box device. The set top box device includes a tag filter having operational instructions that are executable by the processor to identify metadata tags that match a set of user preferences and to select items depicted based on the set of user preferences. The set top box device also includes an output interface to send a request to a display device to visually identify the selected items. The set top box device further includes an input interface to receive a purchase request selecting a particular item from the visually identified items for purchase and to send the purchase request via the output interface to an electronic commerce server. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a block diagram of a first particular embodiment of a system to identify an item depicted when media content is displayed is shown and is generally designated  100 . The system  100  includes a set top box device  102  coupled to an identification server  104  and coupled to a media content server  106  via a network  108 . A display device  110  and an input device  130  may be coupled to the set top box device  102 . A remote control device  132  or the input device  130  may be used by a user to interact with the set top box device  102 . 
     The network  108  may include a wireline network (e.g., a public switched telephone network), a wireless network (e.g., code division multiple access, global system for mobile, universal mobile telephone service, IEEE 802.11), an optical network (e.g. synchronous optical network), another type of network, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the network  108  is an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network. 
     The media content server  106  may send the media content  160  to the set top box device  102  via the network  108 . The media content  160  may include a television program, a movie, on- demand programming, pay-per-view programming, over-the-top media content, another type of media content, or any combination thereof. The media content  160  may be downloaded or streamed from the media content server  106 . The media content  160  may include metadata tags  162  that are associated with purchasable items that are depicted when the media content  160  is displayed. The metadata tags  162  may include a metadata tag  124 . The purchasable items may include tangible goods (e.g., a beverage, an article of clothing, a piece of furniture, a means of transportation, etc.) or services (e.g., carpet cleaning services, home renovation services, automobile repair services, etc.) 
     The remote control device  132  may include a selection mode that causes a cursor or other visual positioning identifier to be displayed at the display device  110 . The user may move the remote control device  132  to select one or more items displayed at the display device  110 . 
     The input device  130  may be a mouse, a touch tablet, a touch screen device associated with the display device  110 , or any combination thereof. The input device may be touch sensitive (e.g. touch screen) and may enable the user to select one or more items displayed at the display device  110  via touch input, such as by dragging a finger across the input device  130 . The input device  130  may be used to select one or more items displayed at the display device  110  that do not have an associated metadata tag. 
     The identification server  104  includes a processor  112  and a memory  114 . The memory  114  includes instructions  115  that are executable by the processor  112  to perform various functions of the identification server  104 . The identification server  104  may be used to identify and provide more information about a particular item selected by the user. For example, the user may select the first item  118  and send a request to the set top box device  102  for more information about the first item  118 . The set top box device  102  may send an identification request  148  that includes the metadata tag  124  to the identification server  104  to identify and provide more information about the first item  118 . The identification server  104  may identify the first item  118  and send information  152  associated with the first item  118  to the set top box device  102  for display at the display device  110 . When an item depicted in the media content (e.g., the second item  120 ) does not have an associated metadata tag, the user may select the item using the remote control device  132  or the input device  130 . The set top box device  102  may capture an image  151  of the second item  120  and send an identification request  150  that includes the image  151  to the identification server  104 . For example, the set top box device  102  may perform a screen capture of the media content  160  displayed at the display device  110  and modify (e.g. trim) the screen capture to include the second item  120  and to exclude other items (e.g. the first item  118 ). The identification server  104  may receive the identification request  150  that includes the image  151  and may identify the second item  120  by comparing the image  151  to other images stored in a database. 
     The set top box device  102  may receive media content  160  from the media content server  106  via the network  108  and display the media content  160  at the display device  110 . The media content  160  may include the metadata tags  162  that are associated with purchasable items that are depicted when the media content  160  is displayed. The set top box device  102  includes user preferences  116 . The user preferences  116  may be used to filter the metadata tags  162  to enable purchasable items (e.g. items depicted that have the associated metadata tags  162 ) that match the user preferences  116  (e.g., purchasable items that are of interest to the user) to be displayed. The media content  160  that is displayed at the display device  110  may depict a first item  118  and a second item  120 . At least one of the items  118  and  120  displayed at the display device  110  may be a purchasable item. The user may select an item displayed at the display device  110  to request the set top box device  102  to obtain more information about the item. When the selected item has an associated metadata tag (e.g., the first item  118 ), the set top box device  102  may send an information request  148  including the metadata tag  124  to the identification server  104 . When the selected item does not have an associated metadata tag (e.g., the second item  120 ), the set top box device  102  may capture an image  151  of the selected item and send the information request  150  including the image  151  to the identification server  104 . In response to receiving the request  148  or the request  150 , the identification server  104  may send the information  152  to the set top box device  102  for display at the display device  110 . 
     A manufacturer may pay to have one of their products displayed or used in the media content  160  (e.g., a television program or movie). A media content producer, a media content service provider, a metadata tag insertion company, or any combination thereof may analyze the media content and modify the media content to include the metadata tags  162 . For example, the media content  160  maybe modified so that the metadata tag  124  is present when the product (e.g., the first item  118 ) is displayed in a particular scene or frame of the movie. To illustrate, when the media content  160  is presented at the display device and the product is depicted, the metadata tag  124  associated with the product may be present in the media content  160 . The metadata tag  124  may enable a user to find out more information about the product or to purchase the product. For example, a car manufacturer may pay a movie production company to feature their latest automobile, such as the first item  118 , in a movie. The movie production company may modify the media content  160  that is associated with the movie to include the metadata tags  162 . When the media content  160  is displayed at the display device  110 , each time the first item  118  is displayed, the metadata tag  124  may be present. The user may use the remote control device  132  or the input device  130  to instruct the set top box device  102  to visually identify items with an associated metadata tag. The set top box device  102  may instruct the display device  110  to visually display the items with an associated metadata tag. The display device  110  may visually identify items in the media content with an associated metadata tag using a visual identifier  170 . For example, the visual identifier  170  may be a geometric shape, such as a square, a triangle, or a circle that encompasses at least a portion of the first item  118 . The visual identifier  170  may have a semi-opaque background color to enable a user to visually determine which items displayed at the display device  110  have an associated metadata tag. The user may select one of the visually identified items and may request more information about the item or initiate a purchase of the item. For example, after the user selects an item, the user may be presented with a menu  126  that provides a set of options, such as purchasing the first item  118  or obtaining more information about the first item  118 . In response, the set top box device  102  may send the information request  148  to the identification server  104 , receive the information  152 , and present the information  152  at the display device  110 . 
     In operation, the set top box device  102  may receive the media content  160  from the media content server  106  via the network  108 . The media content  160  may include the metadata tags  162 . The metadata tags  162  may be associated with purchasable items that are depicted when the media content is displayed. The set top box device  102  may send the media content  160  to the display device  110 . 
     The set top box device  102  may receive a first user selection  140  to visually identify one or more items depicted with associated metadata tags (e.g. the first item  118  with the associated metadata tag  124 ). The first user selection  140  may be received from the input device  130  or the remote control device  132 . After the set top box device  102  receives the first user selection  140 , the set top box device  102  may send a display request  154  to the display device  110  to visually identify the one or more items depicted in the media content  160  when the media content  160  is displayed. For example, the set top box device  102  may send the display request  154 , causing the display device  110  to display a visual identifier  170  to identify the first item  118  with the associated metadata tag  124 . The media content  160  that is sent to the display device  110  may be paused before sending the display request  154  to visually identify those items having an associated metadata tag at the display device  110 . 
     The set top box device  102  may display a menu  126  that provides the user with a set of options, such as an option to purchase the first item  118  or an option to obtain information about the first item  118 . For example, the menu  126  may have an option to obtain a selling price of the item  118 , an option to obtain specifications and features of the first item  118 , an option to obtain a purchase price of the first item  118 , an option to obtain other information about the first item  118 , or any combination thereof. The set top box device  102  may receive a second user selection  142  indicating a request for information about a particular item, such as the first item  118 , corresponding to the associated metadata tag  124 . The second user selection  142  may include a selection of an item displayed at the display device  110 . The second user selection  142  may include an identification of a menu item of the menu  126 . The set top box device  102  may send a request  148  including the metadata tag  124  to the identification server  104 . The identification server  104  may send the information  152  to the set top box device  102  for presentation at the display device  110 . 
     The set top box device  102  may receive a third selection  144  indicating a request for information about an item that does not have an associated metadata tag, such as the second item  120 . For example, the user may interact with the set top box device  102  to identify the second item  120  via the input device  130  or via the remote control device  132 . For example, the user may provide a hand gesture input to the input device  130  (e.g., a touch screen or touch tablet) to select the second item  120 . In another example, the user may use the remote control device  132  to perform a gesture to select the second item  120 . The set top box  102  may capture an image  151  of the second item  120  and send a request  150  including the image  151  to the identification server  104 . For example, a screen capture of the display device  110  may be trimmed to capture the image  151 . The identification server  104  may use pattern recognition to identify the image  151  as the second item  120 . For example, the identification server  104  may compare the image  151  to other images stored at a database (not shown) at the identification server  104 . After identifying the image  151 , the identification server  104  may retrieve the information  152  associated with the identified image  151 . For example, the identification server  104  may retrieve the information  152  from a database (not shown). The identification server  104  may send the information  152  to the set top box device  102  for display at the display device  110 . For example, when the second item  120  is a particular make and model of an automobile, the identification server  104  may identify the make and model of the automobile based on the image  151  and may send the information  152  to the set top box device  102  for display at the display device  110 . The information  152  may include a purchase price of the item, a location of a dealership where the automobile may be purchased, specifications and features of the automobile (e.g., the size of the engine, the size of the tires, etc.), options available for the automobile, other information associated with the second item  120 , or any combination thereof. 
     The set top box device  102  may receive a purchase request  146  from the remote control device  132  or from the input device  130  to purchase one or more of the items displayed at the display device  110 , such as the first item  118  or the second item  120 . The purchase request  146  may be received after the information  152  is displayed at the display device. For example, the information  152  may include a price of an item displayed at the display device  110 , and the user may send the purchase request  146  to the set top box device  102  after viewing the information  152  that includes the price of the item. 
     Thus, the metadata tags  162  may be used to identify purchasable items associated with the media content  160 , enabling a user to purchase or obtain the information  152  about the purchasable items via the set top box device  102 . The remote control device  132  or the input device  130  may be used to select items displayed by the media content  160  at the display device  110  that do not have an associated metadata tag and to purchase or obtain the information  152  about the purchasable items. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , a block diagram of a second particular embodiment of a system to identify an item depicted when media content is displayed is shown and generally designated  200 . The system  200  includes a set top box device  202  coupled to an identification server  204 , an electronic commerce server  205 , and a media content server  206  via a network  208 . A remote control device  232  may be used to wirelessly interact with the set top box device  202 . An input device  230  and a display device  210  may be coupled to the set top box device  202 . 
     The network  208  may be a wireline network, a wireless network, a broadband network, an Internet Protocol (IP) based network (e.g., an IPTV network), an optical network, or any combination thereof. 
     The media content server  206  may send media content  260  to the set top box device  202  via the network  208 . The media content  260  may include a television program, a movie, on-demand programming, pay-per-view programming, over-the-top media content, another type of media content, or any combination thereof. The media content  260  may be downloaded or streamed from the media content server  206 . The media content  260  may include metadata tags  262  that are associated with purchasable items that are depicted when the media content  260  is displayed. The metadata tags  262  may include a metadata tag  224  that is associated with a first item  218  that is depicted when the media content  260  is displayed at a display device, such as the display device  210 . The purchasable items may include tangible goods (e.g., a beverage, an article of clothing, a piece of furniture, a means of transportation, etc.) or services (e.g., carpet cleaning services, home renovation services, automobile repair services, etc.) 
     The remote control device  232  may be placed in a selection mode that causes a cursor or other visual positioning identifier to be displayed at the display device  210 . The user may move the remote control device  232  to select one or more items displayed at the display device  210 . The input device  230  may be a mouse, a touch tablet, a touch screen device associated with the display device  210 , or any combination thereof. 
     The input device may be touch sensitive (e.g. touch screen) and enable the user to select one or more items displayed at the display device  210  via touch input, such as by dragging a finger across the input device  230 . The input device  230  may be used to select one or more items displayed at the display device  210  that do not have an associated metadata tag. 
     The identification server  204  may receive an identification request  250  that includes a metadata tag  224  or an image  251 . The identification request  250  may request the identification server  204  to identify an item displayed at the display device  210  based on the metadata tag  224  or the image  251 . The identification server  204  may include a database  270  that stores images of items depicted when media content  260  is displayed, metadata tags associated items depicted when the media content  260  is displayed, information associated with items depicted when the media content  260  is displayed, or any combination thereof. 
     The electronic commerce server  205  may include an account  272  of a subscriber associated with the set top box device  202 . The account  272  may include an address  273  (e.g., a street address, city, state, and zip code) associated with a location of the set top box device  202 . 
     The set top box device  202  includes a network interface  272 , an input interface  274 , a processor  276 , an output interface  278 , and a memory  280 . The memory  280  may include a tag filter module  282  having instructions  286  that are executable by the processor  276  to perform functions of the tag filter  282 . The memory  280  may also include user preferences  284 . The user preferences  284  may specify which types of metadata tags to send to the display device  210  with the media content  260 . The network interface  272  may receive media content  260  from the media content server  206  via the network  208 . The input interface  274  may receive input from a user via the remote control device  232 , the input device  230 , or any combination thereof. 
     In operation, the network interface  272  may receive the media content  260  from the media content server  206  via the network  208 . The media content  260  may include metadata tags  262 . The metadata tags  262  may identify purchasable items depicted by the media content  260  when the media content  260  is displayed. 
     The tag filter  282  may include the software instructions  286  that are executable by the processor  276  to identify one or more metadata tags (e.g., the metadata tag  224 ) from the metadata tags  262  that match one or more of the user preferences  284 . The tag filter  282  may filter the metadata tags  262  based on the user preferences  284  to generate filtered metadata tags  264 . For example, when the user preferences  284  indicate that the user is interested in automobiles, the instructions  286  may be executed by the processor  276  to filter the metadata tags  262  resulting in the filtered metadata tags  264  that match the user preferences  284  (e.g., the filtered metadata tags  264  are metadata tags associated with automobiles depicted when the media content  260  is displayed). The output interface  278  may send the media content  260  including the filtered metadata tags  264  for presentation to the display device  210 . 
     The set top box device  202  may receive a display request  254  at the input interface  274  from the user via the remote control device  232  or via the input device  230 . The display request  254  may include a request to visually identify purchasable items (e.g., items with an associated metadata tag) depicted by the media content  260  that is displayed at the display device  210 . In response, the set top box device  202  may send the display request  254  to the display device  210 . The display device  210  may receive the display request  254  and present a visual identifier  270  to visually identify the first item  218  having the associated metadata tag  224 . 
     When the user is interested in one or more items depicted in the media content  260  displayed at the display device  210 , the display request  254  may instruct the display device  210  to display a grid  211 . The input interface  274  may receive grid coordinates  248  corresponding to coordinates associated with an item located within the grid  210  to select an item that is of interest to the user. For example, in the grid  211 , the user may use the remote control device  232  or the input device  230  to input the grid coordinates  248  to select the second item  220  located at the coordinates B 2 . 
     After the set top box device  202  receives the data selecting an item  244  or the grid coordinates  248 , the set top box device  202  may receive an infom1ation request  242  or a purchase request  246  associated with the selected item. For example, the set top box device  202  may receive the data selecting an item  244  corresponding to the first item  218  or the grid coordinates  248  corresponding to the second item  220 . When the set top box device  202  receives the information request  242  and the item has the associated metadata tag  224 , the set top box device  202  may send the request  250  including the metadata tag  224  to the identification server  204 . When the set top box device  202  receives the grid coordinates  248 , the set top box device  202  may acquire the image  251  of the item (e.g., using a screen capture) and send the request  250  including the image  251  to the identification server  204 . The identification server  204  may receive the request  250  and retrieve the information  252  from the database  270  based on the metadata tag  224  or based on the image  251 . The identification server  204  may send the information  252  to the set top box device  202  for display at the display device  210 . 
     The set top box device  202  may receive a purchase request  246  of a particular item (e.g. one of the items  218  and  220 ) selected by the user for purchase. The set top box device  202  may send the purchase request  246  to the electronic commerce server  205  for processing. The purchase request  246  may instruct the electronic commerce server  205  to send an item to the address  273  associated with the set top box device  202 . The purchase request  246  may instruct the electronic commerce server  205  to bill the purchase of the selected item to the account  272  associated with the set top box device  202 . 
     Thus, the metadata tags  262  may be used to identify purchasable items upon display of the media content  260 , enabling a user to purchase or obtain the infom1ation  252  about the purchasable items via the set top box device  202 . The remote control device  232  or the input device  230  may be used to select items depicted when the media content  260  is displayed at the display device  210  and that do not have an associated metadata tag to purchase or obtain the information  252  about the purchasable items. 
       FIG.  3    is a flow diagram of a first particular embodiment of a method to identify an item represented by media content. The method may be performed by a set top box device, such as the set top box device  102  of  FIG.  1    or the set top box device  202  of  FIG.  2   . 
     The method begins, at  302 , with a set top box device receiving media content from a media content server. The media content includes one or more metadata tags associated with one or more items represented by the media content. Moving to  304 , the media content is sent to a display device. For example, in  FIG.  1   , the media content  160 , including the metadata tags  162 , is received at the set top box device  102  from the media content server  106 . In  FIG.  1   , the set top box device  102  sends the media content  160  to the display device  110 . 
     Advancing to  306 , a first user selection is received to visually identify the one or more items depicted in the media content that have an associated metadata tag. Continuing to  308 , the media content being sent to the display device may be paused. Proceeding to  310 , a display request is sent to the display device to visually identify the one or more items depicted in the media content having the associated metadata tag. For example, in  FIG.  1   , the set top box device  102  may receive the first user selection  140 , causing the set top box device  102  to instruct the display device  110  to visually identify the first item  118  with the associated metadata tag  124 . The set top box device  102  may pause sending the media content  160  to the display device  110 . 
     Continuing to  312 , a second user selection may be received indicating a request for infon11ation about an item depicted when the media content is displayed. Advancing to  314 , an identification request may be sent to a server. The identification request may include a metadata tag associated with the item, an image of the item, other data associated with the item, or any combination thereof. Moving to  316 , information about the item may be received from the server. Continuing to  318 , information about the item may be sent to the display device. For example, in  FIG.  1   , the set top box device  102  may receive the second user selection  142 . In response, the set top box device  102  may send the request  148  or the request  150  to the identification server  104  and may receive the information  152  for display at the display device  110 . 
     Proceeding to  320 , a purchase request may be received. The purchase request may be for an item depicted when the media content is displayed. The item may or may not have an associated metadata tag. For example, in  FIG.  1   , the set top box device  102  may receive the purchase request  146 . The purchase request  146  may be associated with the first item  118  with the associated metadata tag  124  or with the second item  120  that does not have an associated metadata. The method ends at  322 . 
     Thus, metadata tags may be used to identify purchasable items in media content that is displayed by a set top box device at a display device. The metadata tags may enable a user to purchase or obtain infon11ation about the purchasable items via the set top box device. 
       FIG.  4    is a flow diagram of second particular embodiment of a method to identify an item depicted when media content is displayed. The method may be perfom1ed by an identification server, such as the identification server  104  of  FIG.  1    or the identification server  204  of  FIG.  2   . 
     The method begins, by receiving a request from a set top box for information about an item, at  402 . The request includes a metadata tag associated with the item. The metadata tag identifies that the associated item is purchasable via the set top box. Moving to  406 , info1111ation about the item is sent to the set top box device. For example, in  FIG.  2   , the identification server  204  may receive the request  250  that includes the metadata tag  224 . In response, the identification server  204  may retrieve the information  252  from the database  270  based on the metadata tag  224  and may send the information  252  to the set top box device  202  for display at the display device  210 . 
     Advancing to  408 , a second request for information about a second item may be received. The second request may include an image of the second item. Advancing to  410 , a search may be performed to determine an identity of the second item based on the image of the second item. Proceeding to  412 , information about the second item may be retrieved based on the identity of the second item. Advancing to  414 , the information about the second item may be sent to the set top box device and the set top box may display such information. For example, in  FIG.  2   , the identification server  204  may receive the request  250  that includes the image  251 . In response, the identification server  204  may retrieve the information  252  from the database  270  based on the image  251  and may send the information  252  to the set top box device  202  for display at the display device  210 . The method ends at  416 . 
     Thus, an identification server may receive a metadata tag or an image from a set top box device. The metadata tag or the image may be associated with an item depicted when media content is displayed at a display device. The identification server may identify the item based on the metadata tag or the image, retrieve information about the item, and send the information to the set top box device for display at a display device. 
     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 , or any portion thereof, may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. 
     In a networked deployment, the computer system  500  may operate in the capacity of a set-top box device, or a server, such as an identification server, an electronic commerce server, an authorization server, or a media content server as described above with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 2   . The computer system  500  can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a personal trusted device, 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 voice, video 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), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, or a solid-state display. Additionally, the computer system  700  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 , 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 tangible storage 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. 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. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the methods described herein may be implemented as one or more software programs ru1ming on a computer processor. Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein. 
     It should also be noted that software that implements the disclosed methods may optionally be stored on a tangible storage medium, such as: a magnetic medium, such as a disk or tape; a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk; or a solid state medium, such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories. The software may also utilize a signal including computer instructions. 
     Although the present specification describes components and functions that may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to such standards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission, video, or wireless system (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP, MPEG, SMPTE, H.264, HDMI, wireless HDMI, wireless HD, CDMA, GSM, UMTS, IEEE 802.11) 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. 
     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 scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the disclosure is to be detem1ined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.