Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention generally relates to media, and more particularly, to a method and system to combine broadcast television and Internet television. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is commonplace today for cable television and satellite television networks to carry several hundred channels. Typically, even a subscriber to basic services gets over 50 channels. It is not uncommon for a subscriber to have over 100 channels available with a subscription. Advances in Internet video and television make available thousands more channels and videos for consumer entertainment. 
         [0003]    Many Internet videos and television channels are closely related to television programs shown on regular television channels, yet consumers cannot view a television program and switch to related Internet videos easily on their television set. 
         [0004]    For example, in one scenario, while John is watching a NCAA sweet sixteen basketball match on an ESPN cable channel, he may want to see updates of other concurrent NCAA games, which are available on ESPN&#39;s Internet website. In order to view the concurrent games, John has to take his laptop computer into the same room and connect to ESPN&#39;s website. 
         [0005]    In another exemplary scenario, Mary is watching a HBO channel showing the movie “Titanic”. She is curious about actor Leonardo DiCaprio, and wishes to investigate his current events. Particularly Mary is interested in seeing a preview of a recent Leonardo DiCaprio movie titled “The Departed”. Mary does not want to go to the computer in the kitchen, but is otherwise unable to view the Internet movie preview. 
         [0006]    Thus, there is a need to allow combined showings of Internet videos and traditional television onto a television set. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An aspect of the present invention provides a television system and method including a frame controller for receiving video data from a plurality of video streams. At least one of the video streams is from an Internet source, and at least one other of the video streams is from a broadcast source. The frame controller is further in communication with a television display and causes the video stream from the Internet source and from the broadcast source to each be displayed in a separate frame on the television display. 
         [0008]    In one aspect of the invention, the Internet video stream relates to an image and sounds signal source from one of the Internet, a web portal, or a web site. 
         [0009]    In another aspect of the invention, the frame controller provides an interactive television session between the Internet source and a consumer. 
         [0010]    In one aspect of the invention, the broadcast video stream relates to an image and sounds signal source from one of a broadcast television network, a cable television network, or a satellite television network. 
         [0011]    In another aspect of the invention, the broadcast video stream relates to an image and sounds signal source from a multi-channel operator. 
         [0012]    In one aspect of the invention, the broadcast video stream relates to an image and sounds signal source from a multi-service operator. 
         [0013]    In another aspect of the invention, the frame controller selects the broadcast video stream based on the Internet video stream. 
         [0014]    In another aspect of the invention, the frame controller selects the Internet video stream based on the broadcast video stream. 
         [0015]    In another aspect of the invention, the frame controller selects the Internet video stream and the broadcast video stream based on a common attribute. 
         [0016]    Another aspect of the invention includes a datastore in communication with the frame controller. The datastore includes paired broadcast and Internet video streams. The frame controller selects the broadcast video stream to display by querying the datastore with the Internet video stream, then displaying the broadcast video stream paired with the Internet video stream as returned by the datastore. 
         [0017]    In another aspect of the invention, the datastore is queried with a broadcast video stream and the frame controller selects for display the Internet video stream paired with the broadcast video stream as returned by the datastore. 
         [0018]    In another aspect of the invention, the frame controller is in communication with a network computer and the network computer selects the Internet video stream to display. 
         [0019]    In another aspect of the invention, a program guide is provided from an Internet source. The program guide includes information regarding broadcast video streams. It is used by the frame controller, which selects the Internet video stream to display based on information regarding the broadcast video stream obtained from the program guide. 
         [0020]    In another aspect of the invention, the frame controller selects a second Internet video stream to display based on information regarding the broadcast video stream. 
         [0021]    In another aspect of the invention, the frame controller selects a second broadcast video stream to display when the broadcast video stream ends. 
         [0022]    Another aspect of the invention also includes a program guide provided by an Internet source, which includes information regarding Internet video streams. The frame controller selects the broadcast video stream to display based on information regarding the Internet video stream from the program guide. 
         [0023]    In another aspect of the invention, the frame controller selects a second Internet video stream to display based on information regarding the broadcast video stream. 
         [0024]    In another aspect of the invention, the frame controller selects a second broadcast video stream to display when the broadcast video stream ends. 
         [0025]    In another aspect of the invention, the video stream from the Internet source and from the broadcast source are displayed simultaneously. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a television set displaying a broadcast television channel and an Internet television channel at the same time, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of selecting an Internet channel based on broadcast channel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of selecting a broadcast channel based on an Internet channel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating an Internet channel providing a television programming guide, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a process for selecting a second Internet channel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art, that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may be omitted or simplified so as not to obscure the present invention. Furthermore, reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
         [0032]    The term “video data” referred to in the descriptions of various embodiments of the invention herein described is intended to generally describe electronic audio and video signals containing or incorporating video for display on a television or other video display device. This term is used in the broadest sense as known in the electronic arts, and may include analog and/or digital signals. Likewise, the term “video stream” is used in a non-limiting fashion and generally refers to the collection of video data, together with any carrier signals, data headers or other electronic information, which singularly or taken together allow the described embodiments to operate. For example, a digital video stream from a given video source might include multiple packets of compressed video data, each packet or group thereof having one or more packet headers. Typically, one or more of the headers includes information relating to the video data, such as the compression algorithm used, the aspect ratio, etc. 
         [0033]    As used herein, the terms “picture frame” and “frame” refer to the borders of a displayed picture. Unless otherwise specified, a picture frame does not necessarily have a border of any particular width, i.e., a displayed picture might occupy the entire area of the picture frame, or the picture frame may include a border. Reference to locations on a display device may be made by referring to either the location of the picture frame or to the location of displayed picture itself, without limitation. Reference to the size of a picture frame refers to the height and width of the frame, and frames of differing width and/or differing height are referred to as being of different sizes. 
         [0034]    As used herein, the term “picture” refers to the whole of the display image and its picture frame, unless otherwise indicated, without limitation. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary television set displaying a broadcast television channel and an Internet television channel at the same time. In an embodiment of the invention, television set  100  is an electronic device that receives images and sound signals from a plurality of television channels, including a broadcast television channel  161  and an Internet television channel  165 . Broadcast television channel  161  or broadcast channel  161  relates to images and sounds signal source  191 , which, in one embodiment, is from a broadcast television network, a cable television network, a satellite television network, or any other multi-service or multi-channel operator. In one embodiment, Internet television channel  165  or Internet channel  165  relates to images and sounds signal source  195  from the Internet, a web portal, or a web site, and provides an interactive television session between signal source  195  and consumer  104 . 
         [0036]    In an embodiment, television set  100  includes picture  121  and picture  125 . Picture  121  and picture  125  are controlled by a frame controller  150 , which displays broadcast channel  161  onto picture  121 , and Internet channel  165  onto picture  125 . The frame controller  150  displays picture  121  and picture  125  simultaneously. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, the frame controller  150  is included in television set  100 . In another embodiment, the frame controller  150  connects to television set  100  through an interface. The interface may be an RF interface, a HDMI interface, an S-video interface, a component interface, a composite interface, a network interface, or a wireless network interface such as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) network, or other suitable interface, without limitation. 
         [0038]    In various embodiments of the invention, the frame controller  150  connects to a broadcast television channel input  190 , such as an antenna, cable television network, satellite television network, IPTV. The broadcast television channel input  190  includes a signal source  191 . The frame controller  150  also connects to an Internet input  193 , which may include a home network, an Ethernet network, a WiFi network, a DSL network, an Intranet network, a hotspot network, a public data network, a cellular data network, or a private data network. Internet input  193  includes signal source  195 . 
         [0039]    An exemplary frame controller  150  relates broadcast channel  161  and Internet channel  165 . In one embodiment, frame controller  150  selects broadcast channel  161  based on Internet channel  165 . In another embodiment, frame controller  150  selects Internet channel  165  based on broadcast channel  161 . In yet another embodiment, broadcast channel  161  and Internet channel  165  are related to a theme such as sports, news, or movie. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary process of selecting an Internet channel based on broadcast channel. In an embodiment, frame controller  250  displays broadcast channel  261  onto picture  221 , and then selects Internet channel  265  based on broadcast channel  261 , displaying Internet channel  265  onto picture  225 . 
         [0041]    In one embodiment, frame controller  250  selects Internet channel  265  based on the type of broadcast channel  261 . For example, broadcast channel  261  may be a movie channel, a sports channel, a news channel, a cartoon channel, or a shopping channel, having the type “movie”, “sports”, “news”, “child”, or “shopping”, respectively. The frame controller  250  includes a datastore  280 , which includes pairs of broadcast channel  261  and channel type  271 , wherein channel type  271  is broadcast channel  261  type. Frame controller  250  then matches broadcast channel  261  against its datastore  280  and retrieves channel type  271 . 
         [0042]    The datastore  280  further includes a pairs of channel type  271  and Internet channel  265 . The frame controller  250  may then match retrieved channel type  271  against datastore  280  and retrieve Internet channel  265 . The frame controller  250  may then select Internet channel  265  for display onto picture  225 . 
         [0043]    In another embodiment, the frame controller  250  connects to a network computer  214  over a data network  210 , such as the Internet, a home network, or other type of data network. The frame controller  250  then sends a query with broadcast channel  261  to the network computer  214 , and retrieves Internet channel  265  from network computer  214 . In such an embodiment, network computer  214  may select Internet channel  265  by any criteria, such as by type relatedness. 
         [0044]    In one example, broadcast channel  261  is a sports channel. Frame controller  250  selects Internet channel  265  to be an Internet video portal providing highlights of current sport events, or an Internet video portal providing archives of sports event videos or televised sports programs. In another example, broadcast channel  261  is a US news channel. Frame controller  250  selects Internet channel  265  to be an Internet video portal providing news in Europe, news in Asia, news in Africa. In other examples, Internet channel  265  may provide news in entertainment, news in local community, news in traffic, or other news. 
         [0045]    In another example, broadcast channel  261  is a movie channel, and frame controller  250  selects Internet channel  265  to be an Internet video portal providing information about movie stars, celebrities, or fashion. In other examples, Internet channel  265  may provide previews of movies currently shown in cinemas, or archives of classic movies. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, frame controller  250  selects Internet channel  265  based on the current television program  241  showing on broadcast channel  261 . For example, if television program  241  is a movie, frame controller  250  may obtain information about television program  241 , such as program type, casts, content description, and other information. In another example, television program  241  is a movie, such as “Titanic”, starring “Leonardo DiCaprio” and “Kate Winslet”. 
         [0047]    In one embodiment, datastore  280  includes a television guide. Frame controller  250  obtains television program  241  information from datastore  280  by matching broadcast channel  261  and current time against datastore  280 . In another embodiment, frame controller  250  queries a network computer  214  using broadcast channel  261  and current time to obtain information regarding television program  241 . Frame controller  250  sends television program  241  information to network computer  214 , and obtains Internet channel  265 . Frame controller  250  receives signals from Internet channel  265  and displays these onto picture  225 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  illustrates a process of selecting a broadcast channel based on an Internet channel. Frame controller  250  displays Internet channel  265  onto picture  225 . Frame controller  250  selects broadcast channel  261  based on Internet channel  265 , and displays broadcast channel  261  onto picture  221 . 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, frame controller  250  selects broadcast channel  261  based on the type of Internet channel  265 . For example, Internet channel  265  may be a movie channel providing movie videos, a sports channel providing information and videos about sports, a news channel, a children friend video portal, or an online e-commerce shopping portal. In these instances, Internet channel  265  has type “movie”, “sports”, “news”, “kids”, or “shopping”, respectively. In another embodiment, datastore  280  includes a pair of Internet channels  265  and channel type  275 , wherein channel type  275  is Internet channel  265  type. Frame controller  250  matches Internet channel  265  against datastore  280  and retrieves channel type  275 . Datastore  280  further includes a pair of channel type  275  and broadcast channel  261 . Frame controller  250  matches retrieved channel type  275  against datastore  280  and retrieves broadcast channel  261 . Frame controller  250  receives signals from broadcast channel  261  and displays the signals onto picture  221 . 
         [0050]    In one embodiment, frame controller  250  sends a query with Internet channel  265  to network computer  214 , and retrieves broadcast channel  261  from network computer  214 . 
         [0051]    In another embodiment, Internet channel  265  includes a hyperlink  2651 , which references broadcast channel  261 . In one example, hyperlink  2651  includes a URL such as “tv://espn”, “tv://Cable/channel-38”, “tv://ATT-IPTV/SanFrancisco/channel-7”, or “tv://Verizon-tv/premium-services/HBO”. Frame controller  250  processes hyperlink  2651  and selects broadcast channel  261  based on hyperlink  2651 . In one embodiment, Internet channel  265  includes an interactive web page  2657 . Consumer  104  provides input  205  to frame controller  250 , which processes the input  205  and obtains hyperlink  2651 . In one embodiment, web page  2657  includes hyperlink  2651 . Frame controller  250  processes input  205  to retrieve hyperlink  2651 . In another embodiment, frame controller  250  processes input  205 , sends a message to network computer  214 , and retrieves hyperlink  2651 , which is processed to select broadcast channel  261 . 
         [0052]    In another embodiment, frame controller  250  processes URL “tv://espn”, and retrieves “espn”. Broadcast channel  261  is associated with name “espn”, and is selected by frame controller  250 . Alternatively, datastore  280  may associate “espn” with broadcast channel  261 . In another embodiment, frame controller  250  processes URL “tv://Cable/channel-38”, and retrieves “Cable” and “channel-38”. Frame controller  250  determines broadcast television channel input  190  includes cable television network, matching “Cable”. Frame controller  250  then selects broadcast channel  261  as channel  38  from the broadcast television channel input  190 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary Internet channel providing a television programming guide. In an embodiment, Internet channel  265  provides program guide  390 . For example, program guide  390  is a web page including a program object  381 , which includes hyperlink  393  referenced to broadcast channel  261 , and program preview  395 . In one embodiment, program preview  395  is a video clip, and frame controller  250  displays program preview  395  onto picture  225 . The consumer  104  selects program object  381 , and frame controller  250  processes the selected hyperlink  393  of program object  381 , selects broadcast channel  261 , and displays broadcast channel  261  onto picture  221 . 
         [0054]    In another embodiment, program object  381  is associated with television program  391  showing on broadcast channel  261 . Television program  391  may include a television show, a movie, a televised sports program, a news program, an episode, a documentary program, a televised concert show, or a televised event. Television program  391  may also include an advertisement, a public announcement, or an alert. 
         [0055]    In one embodiment, program object  381  includes a program schedule  397 . Frame controller  250  checks the current time  398  against program schedule  397 . For example, frame controller  250  may include a clock  252  form which current time  398  is obtained. In another embodiment, frame controller  250  obtains current time  398  from a broadcast television channel input  190  or from an Internet input  193 . If the program schedule  397  matches the current time  398 , frame controller  250  processes hyperlink  2651 . For example, in one embodiment, program schedule  397  includes a beginning time such as 7:00 pm, and duration such as  30  minutes. In another embodiment, program schedule  397  includes a start time such as 11:30 am and an end time such as 1:30 pm. In such an embodiment, the current time  398  matches program schedule  397  when the current time  398  is within the duration of the beginning time, or between the start and end times. 
         [0056]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary process for selecting a second Internet channel. Frame controller  250  displays broadcast channel  261  and Internet channel  265 . Broadcast channel  261  is playing a television program  391 . Frame controller  250  selects a second Internet channel  367  based on television program  391 . In an embodiment, frame controller  250  includes datastore  280 , which further includes program schedule  397  of television program  391  on broadcast channel  261 . Frame controller  250  obtains current time  398  and matches it against the program schedule  397  and determines the current time  398  is not within program schedule  397 . Frame controller  250  determines that television program  391  ends and selects second Internet channel  367 , for example, an Internet television programming guide channel, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In one embodiment, frame controller  250  displays Internet channel  367  onto picture  225 . 
         [0057]    In one embodiment, broadcast channel  261  includes a second television program  392 . Frame controller  250  detects that broadcast channel  261  changes from television program  391  to television program  392 . In an embodiment, datastore  280  includes program schedule  396  of program  392 . Frame controller  250  determines current time  398  matches program schedule  396 , and selects Internet channel  367 . 
         [0058]    In another embodiment, frame controller  250  selects a second Internet channel  367  based on images of television program  391 . In an embodiment, datastore  280  includes image  284 . Frame controller  250  matches image  284  against images of television program  391 . If there is a match, frame controller  250  selects second Internet channel  367 . 
         [0059]    In one embodiment, selection of second Internet channel  367  is based on images of television program  392 . In another embodiment, image  284  includes control information of television program  391 . 
         [0060]    Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 5