Abstract:
A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a television viewer with a summary of a portion of a program that he or she has missed, after switching to the program at some time after the program has begun. Generally, the times at which the viewer first tuned to a program, left the program and then returned to it would respectively be monitored. A summary for a missed portion of the program, as determined from these times, would then be furnished to the viewer. In a useful embodiment of the invention, a method is carried out in association with an array of data transmission channels, wherein the channels are respectively connectible to a video receiver or like device, and video content is simultaneously transmitted through each of the channels. The receiver is operated to display the video content transmitted through a first one of the channels during a first time period, and to display the video content transmitted through a second one of the channels during a second time period that follows the first time period. The method further comprises generating a summary of the video content transmitted through the second channel during the first time period, and then presenting the summary to a user of the video receiver during the second time period.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention disclosed and claimed herein generally pertains to a method and apparatus for furnishing a television user with a summary of an unviewed portion of a program of interest. More particularly, the invention pertains to a method of the above type wherein a viewer has access to television programs on different channels during the same time period, and can receive a summary of a previously missed portion of the program currently being viewed.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     It is very common for a television viewer to change channels, after viewing one program for a period of time, to go to a second program. After a further period of time, the viewer may switch to a program on a third channel, or alternatively go back to the first program. The latter situation is illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows Programs  1  and  2  on different channels, being made available simultaneously to a viewer during a 60-minute time slot. The viewer begins watching Program  1  from its beginning. After 30 minutes, the viewer switches the channel to Program  2 . At 40 minutes into the time slot, the viewer switches back to Program  1 , for the remainder of the 60-minute program period.  
         [0006]     When the viewer turns to Program  2 , he or she has already missed the first half of such program. The missed content may include things that are crucial for enjoyment or appreciation of the remainder of Program  2 . For example, if Program  2  was a drama or mystery, the viewer may have missed previously presented facts that were essential, in order to understand the plot of the program. If Program  2  was a sporting event, the viewer may have missed key plays or other action that would be of great interest to the viewer. Moreover, in turning back to Program  1 , after viewing Program  2  for 10 minutes as shown by  FIG. 1 , the viewer may have missed important information, events or other significant content pertaining to Program  1 .  
         [0007]     It is anticipated that there would be significant benefit if a television viewer, when switching to a program that was already underway, could immediately be provided with a summary of the portion of the program that he or she had missed. Usefully, a summary could be provided for any previously missed program segment, regardless of length. This would include, for example, a summary of the 30 minutes of Program  2  that was missed by the viewer, as well as a summary of the 10 minutes of Program  1  that was missed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The invention generally provides a television viewer with a summary of a portion of a program that he or she has missed, after switching to the program at some time after the program has begun. In some embodiments, the viewer would receive a summary covering a program portion from the program beginning to the time the viewer first tuned to the program channel. In other embodiments, where the viewer was tuned to the program channel when the program began, the times at which the viewer left, and then returned to, the program would be monitored. A summary for the program portion between these times would then be furnished to the viewer. In a useful embodiment of the invention, a method is carried out in association with an array of data transmission channels, wherein the channels are respectively connectible to a video receiver or like device, and video content is simultaneously transmitted through each of the channels. The receiver is operated to display the video content transmitted through a first one of the channels during a first time period, and to display the video content transmitted through a second one of the channels during a second time period that follows the first time period. The method further comprises generating a summary of the video content that was transmitted through the second channel during the first time period. This summary is then presented to a user of the video receiver, during the second time period.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram for use in illustrating important objectives of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a system for implementing an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a data processing system that may be adapted for use as a control computer in the system of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing successive steps in implementing the embodiment of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing an alternative media repository for a modification of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0015]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a television viewing system  200  configured to implement an embodiment of the invention. System  200  includes a media repository  202  that is connected to receive television-related media content from each of N data transmission channels, referenced collectively as  204 . Each of the channels usefully comprises a conventional commercial television channel, carrying information that may be transmitted by any available transmission means. Such means include, without limitation, over the air broadcasts, satellite, cable transmission means, wireless transmission means and use of the Internet. Transmitted data may be in either digital or analog form, and generally comprises programs that fit exactly into specified time slots. Such time slots have standard lengths, such as one-half hour, one hour and two hours, and typically begin and end on the hour or half hour.  
         [0016]     The data transmitted through each of the N channels is multi-media data, and thus includes video content and corresponding audio content. Accordingly, a conventional television receiver tuned to any of the channels will be able to decode the data transmitted thereby, to display video images and accompanying sound or audio information. The video images may also be accompanied by other related information, such as text messages or the like.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  further shows media repository  202  provided with a video recording device  206 , such as a digital video recorder (DVR). DVR  206  is operated to record all the content carried by the respective channels  1 -N. Recorded content is stored in DVR  206  for only a specified period of time, following the end of its respective assigned time slot. In an alternative embodiment, described hereinafter in connection with  FIG. 5 , a media repository  502  can be substituted for the repository  202  of system  200 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows respective channels  1 -N connected from media repository  202  to a viewer station  208 , comprising a display device  210 , speakers and related audio components  212 , and input devices  214 . Viewing station  208  may, in fact, comprise a conventional television set or receiver, provided with some modifications needed for embodiments of the invention. Thus, viewing station  208  would include a tuner or other channel selector (not shown) for use in selecting any one of the N channels. The video content of the selected channel is displayed as a succession of video images by means of display device  210 . The audio content is produced as sound accompanying the video images, by means of speakers  212 , and operation of station  208  is controlled by the input devices  214 . The devices  214  may include a standard television remote control, and may further include a mouse or other input device for use with an associated computer, such as control computer  220  shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0019]     Viewer station  208  is further provided with an information generator  216 , for monitoring respective channels that are selected by station  208  for viewing. More particularly, each time a user of viewing station  208  tunes to a particular channel for viewing, the identity of the selected channel, together with the exact time of selection, is sent to computer  220 . The exact time that station  208  tunes away from a channel, to select a different channel, is also furnished to computer  220 . This information is sent by means of a Time &amp; Channel ID message  228 .  
         [0020]     As stated previously, when a viewer selects a television program that is already in progress, it would be desirable to provide the viewer with a summary of the program portion that was missed. To achieve this, control computer  220  is provided, which comprises a central processing unit (CPU)  222 , a cache or local storage  218 , a memory  224  and a database  226 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , computer  220  contains a control program, which controls operation of CPU  222  and computer  220 . The messages  228  received from viewing station  208  are usefully stored in database  226 . As described hereinafter in further detail, control computer  220  cooperatively interacts with media repository  202 , to provide necessary summary information to viewing station  208 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  further shows that for each channel  1 -N, the entire media content of a program, transmitted to viewer station  208  during a time slot, is stored in DVR  206 . Usefully, such media content is stored in the form of Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG) files. The content for a given program may be automatically removed from DVR  206 , either immediately following the end of the program or at a specified time thereafter.  
         [0022]     In one embodiment of the invention, when a particular program is being received by DVR  206 , summaries of successive program segments for the program are also being received thereby. More specifically, after a television program has been created or produced, it is divided into a number of time segments, wherein each segment includes one or more significant program events. Those who create the program will assign times to delimit successive segments, and will also create a summary directed to the significant events of each segment. Each segment summary could, for example, simply comprise a brief textual statement. Thus, if the program is a talk show, segment summaries for the program could, as an example, include the following:  
                                   Time   Segment Summary                   00:00   Opening Remarks       00:30   Phone calls from viewers       00:35   Commercial       01:15   Guest X starts talking       03:00   Guest X leaves                  
 
         [0023]     Referring further to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a summary select instruction  230 , being sent to media repository  202  from control computer  220 . As described hereinafter in further detail, the information provided by a message  228 , received by control computer  220  from viewer station  208 , is used to determine whether a user at station  208  missed a previous portion of the program then being viewed. If so, computer  220  sends an instruction  230  identifying the missed program portion to media repository  206 . The information contained in the instruction  230  is used by repository  202  to select the summary segment or segments that cover or coincide with the missed program portion. The selected segments are then sent to viewing station  208 , by means of a link  232 .  
         [0024]     If the summary segments comprise text, they may be presented to a user of station  208  by successively scrolling the textual segments along the bottom of display device  210 . Use of other types of media for the program summaries, such as video and/or audio media, are described hereinafter in further detail.  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a block diagram of a generalized data processing system  300  which may be adapted for use as the control computer  220  in the system  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . Data processing system  300  exemplifies a computer, in which code or instructions for implementing the processes of the present invention may be located. Data processing system  300  usefully employs a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) local bus architecture, although other bus architectures such as Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) and Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) may alternatively be used.  FIG. 3  shows a processor  302  and main memory  304  connected to a PCI local bus  306  through a Host/PCI bridge  308 . PCI bridge  308  also may include an integrated memory controller and cache memory for processor  302 .  
         [0026]     Referring further to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a local area network (LAN) adapter  312 , a small computer system interface (SCSI) host bus adapter  310 , and an expansion bus interface  314  respectively connected to PCI local bus  306  by direct component connection. Audio adapter  316 , a graphics adapter  318 , and audio/video adapter  322  are connected to PCI local bus  306  by means of add-in boards inserted into expansion slots. SCSI host bus adapter  310  provides a connection for hard disk drive  320 , and also for CD-ROM drive  324 . It is thus seen that data processing system  300  is provided with components that may readily be adapted for use as CPU  222 , storage  218 , memory  224  and database  226 , respectively, of computer  220 .  
         [0027]     An operating system runs on processor  302  and is used to coordinate and provide control of various components within data processing system  300  shown in  FIG. 3 . The operating system may be a commercially available operating system such as Windows XP, which is available from Microsoft Corporation. Instructions for the operating system and for applications or programs are located on storage devices, such as hard disk drive  320 , and may be loaded into main memory  304  for execution by processor  302 .  
         [0028]     When a user of viewing station  208  switches from one channel to another, control computer  220  is notified of the change to the new channel by the Time &amp; Channel ID message  228 , as discussed above. In response to this notification, the control program in computer  220  commences the procedure shown in  FIG. 4 . This procedure generates a summary pertaining to the program then running on the new channel, which is now the current channel. More particularly, the summary pertains to a prior portion of the program, which was missed while viewing station  208  was tuned to the previous channel.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown function block  402 , indicating that the first step after commencing the procedure is to enter the current time T. The time T is supplied to computer  220  by the message  228 , and is the time when viewing station  208  is first switched to receive the current channel. The next step, as shown by decision block  404 , is to determine whether or not the time T is greater than the start time T s  of the program running on the current channel. If T−T s =0, it is clear that the viewing station  208  was tuned to the current channel when the program began. In this case, no portion of the program was missed, and there is no need for a summary. Accordingly, the procedure of  FIG. 4  is ended. However, if T−T s &gt;0, decision block  404  provides a YES output. It thus becomes necessary to determine whether the current channel was accessed previously (after the program had begun), as shown by decision block  406 .  
         [0030]     The query of decision block  406  is readily resolved by considering data previously stored in control computer  220 , by Time &amp; Channel ID messages  228 . If such data shows that the program on the current channel had been accessed previously, database  406  provides a YES output. In response to this output, the time at which the current channel was last accessed, represented as time X, must be determined as shown by function block  408 . The time X is shown by data sent to computer  220 , by a message  228 , and is the last time that the viewing station  208  was switched away from the current channel.  
         [0031]     Function block  408  is followed by function block  410 , which indicates that the summary segment or segments for the current program, that coincide with or cover the time period between times X and T, are to be retrieved from media repository  202 . This retrieval is carried out by sending an instruction  230  from computer  220  to the media repository  202 , as described above. This instruction specifies the current channel, the program and the missing program portion.  
         [0032]     Referring further to  FIG. 4 , if the current channel was not previously accessed, so that the output of decision block  406  is NO, the time X is set to 00:00, as shown by function block  412 . Thereupon, the summary segments that coincide with the time period from the beginning of the program (at time 00:00) to the time T are retrieved, as indicated by function block  414 . This retrieval likewise would be carried out by an instruction  230  sent to media repository  202 .  
         [0033]     After the conclusion of the task shown by either function block  410  or  414 , an option is displayed to a viewer of station  208 , as shown by decision block  416 . This option informs the viewer that a selection may be made to either display or not display (or otherwise present) the summary segments provided in accordance with function block  410  or  414 . Decision block  418  indicates that if the viewer does not want the program summary segments presented, the procedure of  FIG. 4  ends. Otherwise, the program summary is presented to the viewer as indicated by function block  420 , and then the procedure ends.  
         [0034]     While a program summary could be presented by means of displayed textual statements, as described above, the summary could alternatively be provided in the form of audio media. For example, the statements could be presented as audible spoken words. Moreover, if a program was a sporting event such as a football game, a summary of a missed portion of the game could be presented using both video and audio media. For example, the summary could comprise a sequence of all the scoring plays and turnover plays which the viewer had missed. After the viewer had tuned to the channel carrying the game, this summary would be presented, such as by means of a split screen.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a media repository  502  that may be substituted in system  200  for media repository  202 . Instead of DVR  206 , media repository  502  is provided with a server  504  that is remote from viewing station  208 , and is connected to a network such as the Internet (not shown). The server  504  is used to stream media content through respective channels  1 -N. In response to a summary select instruction  230  from control computer  220 , server  504  would arrange to stream the required program summary information to viewing station  208 .  
         [0036]     The invention can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment containing both hardware and software elements. A software embodiment of the invention could include but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.  
         [0037]     Furthermore, the invention can take the form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readable medium can be any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.  
         [0038]     The medium can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium. Examples of a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks include compact disk—read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk—read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD.  
         [0039]     A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing program code will include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can include local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution.  
         [0040]     Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.  
         [0041]     Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of network adapters.  
         [0042]     The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.